DYI Crafts for Fall: Using Dried Flowers

 

 

Dried Flowers DYI  Crafts for Fall

Dried flowers are more than just a memory of a beautiful bouquet. These former treasures can offer a world of creative possibilities this fall. Dried blooms can be repurposed to create stunning decor, delightful crafts, and even culinary delights. As the weather gets cooler, there are several creative that you can do with dried flowers this season that will allow you to cherish their beauty long after they have lost most of their luster.

DIY Dried Flower Arrangements

Creating your dried flower arrangements is a delightful way to display the beauty of nature in your home. Start by collecting an assortment of dried flowers and grasses in an assortment of colors and textures. Once you have your collection, arrange them in vases, mason jars, or even shadow boxes for a unique and everlasting floral display. Dried flower arrangements can add a touch of rustic charm to any space and make for a thoughtful handmade gift.

Handmade Dried Flower Candles

Enhance the ambiance of your living space by making dried flower candles. Begin by melting candle wax and adding essential oils for a pleasing scent. Arrange dried flowers on the bottom of a heat-resistant container, and then pour the melted wax over them. Once the wax sets, you will have a beautiful candle adorned with preserved blossoms. The soft glow of the candlelight will highlight the intricate details of the dried flowers, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

Pressed Flower Art

Pressed flower art is a classic and timeless craft that allows you to preserve the beauty of flowers indefinitely. To start, choose fresh flowers and carefully press them between heavy books or using a flower press. Once the flowers are completely dry, arrange them on paper or cardstock to create beautiful, natural artwork. Frame your creations for a stunning wall display or use them to make personalized greeting cards and bookmarks.

Dried Flower Potpourri

Bring the refreshing scent of dried flowers into your living spaces with homemade potpourri. Mix dried flower petals, herbs, and spices, such as lavender, rosemary, and cinnamon, in a decorative bowl. To enhance the fragrance, add a few drops of essential oils. As the scents blend together, the potpourri will release a delightful aroma, providing a natural and inviting atmosphere to your home.

Dried Flower Jewelry

Create unique and nature-inspired jewelry using dried flowers. Embed dried flower petals in clear resin to make charming pendants, earrings, and bracelets. You can also combine dried flowers with clay to craft one-of-a-kind beads. Wear these botanical jewelry pieces as a reminder of nature's beauty and the endless possibilities of creativity.

Dried Flower Bookmark

Add a touch of elegance to your reading experience with a dried flower bookmark. Press and preserve small flowers between transparent sheets or laminating paper. Trim them to bookmark size and punch a hole at the top. Thread a ribbon or tassel through the hole for a decorative finish. These delightful bookmarks not only keep your place in a book but also make for delightful gifts for fellow bookworms.

Culinary Delights with Dried Flowers

Take your culinary skills to the next level by incorporating dried flowers into your dishes. Edible flowers like lavender, rose petals, and chamomile can be used in desserts, teas, salads, and cocktails. Add a splash of color and a delicate floral flavor to your creations, impressing your guests with your culinary creativity.

Dried Flower Wreath

Designing a dried flower wreath allows you to celebrate the changing seasons year-round. Start with a grapevine or foam wreath base and secure dried flowers and foliage to it with wire or hot glue. Create a springtime wreath with pastel blooms, a vibrant summer wreath with sunflowers and daisies, an autumn wreath with warm-toned leaves, and a winter wreath adorned with pinecones and berries. Hang these wreaths on your front door or inside your home for a touch of seasonal beauty.

Dried flowers are a treasure trove of creative possibilities. Whether you are crafting home decor, making jewelry, or experimenting in the kitchen, these preserved blooms add a touch of natural beauty to every project. Embrace your creativity and let the everlasting charm of dried flowers brighten your world. So, the next time you come across a beautiful bouquet, consider drying the flowers to embark on a journey of creative exploration.

Other Articles to Read:

21 Ways to Appreciate the Coming Fall Season:

https://2cuteclassroom.com/21-ways-to-appreciate-the-coming-fall-season/#more-561

Videos to Watch: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLx_MwoTJQU&t=2s

10 Educational Activities for Kids This Fall

                               

10 Educational Activities for Kids This Fall

Fall is a season filled with crisp air, colorful leaves, and the perfect opportunity for kids to explore and learn through exciting activities. Together we’ll explore ten educational activities that will engage and inspire young minds during the autumn season. These activities are not only fun, but they will also promote creativity, critical thinking, and learning in various subject areas.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Fall offers a beautiful landscape of changing leaves, acorns, and other natural wonders. Organize a nature scavenger hunt where kids can explore the outdoors and learn about different plant species, insects, and animals. Provide a checklist of items for them to find, such as a red leaf, a pinecone, a bird feather, and a spider web. This activity encourages observation skills, critical thinking, and appreciation for the natural world.

Apple Science Experiment

Visit an apple orchard and gather a variety of apples. Back at home or in the classroom, conduct a simple apple science experiment. Cut the apples into pieces and observe the different parts, such as the skin, flesh, and seeds. Discuss the concept of seeds being responsible for growing new apple trees. This hands-on activity introduces kids to basic biology and the lifecycle of plants.

Pumpkin Carving and Storytelling

Carving pumpkins is a classic fall activity that can be made educational by adding a storytelling component. After carving the pumpkins, encourage children to create a story based on the face they carved into their pumpkin. Each child can take turns telling their story, fostering creativity, public speaking skills, and imagination.

Fall Themed Art Projects

Engage kids in various fall-themed art projects, such as leaf rubbings, watercolor paintings of fall landscapes, and creating leaf collages. Discuss the changing colors of leaves and why they occur. Encourage children to explore different art techniques, enhancing their fine motor skills and artistic expression.

Fall Harvest and Nutrition

Teach kids about the fall harvest and the importance of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables. Visit a local farmer's market or a farm. Let the children pick their own produce. Back in the classroom or home, talk about the nutritional benefits of these foods and incorporate them into a cooking activity. Preparing simple recipes using fall produce encourages healthy eating habits and practical math skills through measuring and following recipes.

Fall-themed Science Experiments

Explore the science behind the fall season with hands-on experiments. Investigate the chemical process behind changing leaf colors by conducting chromatography on different leaves. Study the migration of birds and discuss why they fly south for the winter. These activities introduce kids to scientific concepts and encourage curiosity and inquiry.

Fall Math Games

Turn fall leaves, acorns, or pumpkins into math manipulatives. Use them to teach addition, subtraction, and counting skills. For older children, introduce concepts like multiplication and division through fall-themed word problems. These interactive math games make learning enjoyable and enhance children's math proficiency.

Fall Book Club

Create a fall-themed book club where kids can read and discuss books related to the season. Select a mix of fiction and non-fiction books about autumn, harvest, and the changing environment. After reading the books, hold discussions and encourage kids to express their thoughts and feelings about the stories. This activity fosters a love for reading, comprehension skills, and critical thinking.

Fall Geography Adventure

Embark on a fall geography adventure by exploring different regions and how they experience the autumn season. Discuss the changing weather patterns and seasonal differences between various locations. Encourage children to create maps and mark the places they learn about, broadening their understanding of the world.

Fall Music and Movement

Engage kids in fall-themed music and movement activities. Play music inspired by the season and encourage them to dance, move like animals preparing for hibernation, or act out the falling leaves. Music and movement enhance coordination, creativity, and provide a fun outlet for self-expression.

Fall is a fantastic season for children to learn and explore the world around them. These ten educational activities offer an exciting way to engage kids in learning during the autumn months. From nature scavenger hunts and pumpkin carving to science experiments and fall-themed art projects, these activities foster creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the changing season. Whether at home or in the classroom, these activities will undoubtedly make this fall a memorable and enriching experience for kids. So, let's celebrate the beauty of autumn while providing our children with valuable educational opportunities.

Videos to Watch:

Counting Leaves! Ten Frames Count Numbers 0-10, Fall Autumn Math, Virtual School Online Learning

 FUN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8YIwUvVTI0

 

9 Soups for the Fall Transition

 

Fall Soup Favorites to Try 

The scorching summer temperatures won’t last forever. They will eventually give way to the cooler days of fall. Soup and sweater weather is on the way. Fall is the perfect time to indulge in the comfort of a heart-warming bowl of soup. If you are like me and you love soup, here are some delicious, cozy, southern soups to help to delight your taste buds and keep you warm during the autumn months.

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable Soup is a favorite soup for most southerners. This soup is definitely a classic. Vegetable soup dates back as far as ancient times. Its main ingredients are vegetables, and these can be found in any gardens. The most common ingredients for vegetable soup include carrots, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, corn, and onions. You can add additional vegetables and herbs. You might even want to add some chicken or beef to the mix. I prefer mine with chicken.

Here's how to create this fall favorite. You start with some scrumptious vegetables being added to a pot. After you have sweated onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil and tomato paste. You create more flavor with garlic, pepper, and salt. You pour in vegetable and/ or chicken stock, a can of diced tomatoes, potatoes, and bay leaves. Simmer until the veggies are tender. Then, comes the frozen peas. Add your favorite spices and let them cook until done. When you finish, you have created a simple, time-honored autumn soup.

Potato & Shrimp soup

Potatoes are one of the cheapest vegetables that you can buy. Potato soup was first introduced in France, and the main ingredients were leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken broth. Here’s the part I love. Add in seafoods like shrimp, crab, and lobster to give plain potato soup a new life.

It all begins with the potatoes. Simmer and cook the potatoes. Add the milk, chicken bouillon or chicken broth. Cook the shrimp. Add the half-and-half, salt, pepper, and then, add the shrimp. It should only take about 3 minutes for the shrimp to cook. Then, I get to eat one of my favorite soups.

Corn Soup

It’s a great time to enjoy some corn soup. What is corn soup? Corn soup is soup made using corn, butter, chicken broth, and the fresh herbs of your choosing. You can opt to add other vegetables like potatoes or carrot to the mix to help make it thicker. You can even add cream to your soup if you like.

Heat butter until it melts. Add onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeno (if you want some heat). Cook until soft. Stir in flour. Gradually add in broth. Add potatoes and bring to a simmer. Next, add chicken, corn, and salt. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and remove from heat. No matter what you add to your corn soup, it is a great soup to celebrate the beginning of the fall season.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

It’s an ole’ but goodie. Most of us have eaten chicken noodle soup at one time or another. Even though it’s best in colder weather or when we are sick, now is a great time to start enjoying some homemade chicken noodle soup. This time-honored soup dates as far back as 2^nd century China. The key ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, wide egg noodles, salt and pepper. You can add as many other ingredients as you like to create your own homemade chicken noodle soup.

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Butternut squash and apple soup is a quintessential fall favorite. It blends the earthiness of squash with the sweet-tartness of delicious apples. This creamy, fall favorite is rich in flavors and textures. It is an ideal comfort food.

To prepare this delightful “sweater weather” soup, roast butternut squash and sauté onions until golden brown. Add apples, vegetable broth, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger. After simmering, blend the ingredients until smooth. Garnish with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of crème fraîche to enhance the flavors. This soup is a cozy dish you won’t want to miss this fall.

Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup

Tomatoes are some of the best things about summer, and you can continue to enjoy them even during the fall season. Use those last juicy summer tomatoes to create a hearty soup.

Start by roasting those tomatoes. Roasting the tomatoes will bring out their natural sweetness, and the addition of fresh basil provides a hearty taste. Begin by roasting tomatoes, garlic, and onions until they are caramelized. Then, blend them with vegetable broth until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.  Add a few sprinkles of olive oil and chopped basil. Then, bon appétit.

Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup

I confess. I love mushrooms. And, I especially love eating them in soups. So, it only make sense that I would celebrate the fall harvest with a mouth-watering, wild mushroom and barley soup. This earthy delight is a combination of mushrooms in a creamy mix with barley.

Begin by sautéing a mix of wild mushrooms in butter. These can include shiitake, oyster, and cremini. Add onions, carrots, and celery for extra depth of flavor. Pour in vegetable or mushroom broth and simmer until the barley is tender, and the sensual flavors have blended. Sprinkle some fresh thyme and parsley to elevate the dish. Now, it’s ready to eat.

Pumpkin and Lentil Soup

Pumpkins….pumpkins! Fall screams pumpkins. And, pumpkins can be used to make a delicious fall soup. Incorporating pumpkin into a hearty lentil soup can be just the thing for fall. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Add diced pumpkin, red lentils, and vegetable broth. Simmer until the lentils and pumpkin are tender and well-cooked. For added creaminess, blend a portion of the soup and mix it back in. This wholesome and nourishing soup will become a fall favorite in no time.

Minestrone Soup

It has everything! Minestrone soup is packed with vegetables, beans, and greens. This soup has it all. And, it is a wonderful soup for fall and winter.

In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Mix in the cooked kidney beans and pasta. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. Adjust seasoning if needed. Then, dive into this hearty autumn soup.

As the weather cools down and the leaves start to fall, there's no better way to embrace the season than with a steaming bowl of delicious soup. These five soups, each unique in its flavors and textures, are the perfect embodiment of autumn's bounty. From the velvety butternut squash and apple soup to the robust wild mushroom and barley soup, these comforting delights will surely

keep you warm and satisfied during the fall months. So, grab your ladle and prepare to savor the heartwarming flavors of the season

The weather may still be hot outside, but fall is rapidly coming. Make soup a part of your fall transition. You can begin with these “sweater weather” favorites.

YouTube videos to watch:

How to Make Potato Soup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHq0RXIjAfk

Teachable Moments: Fall

 

Teachable Moments: Fall

Make every moment count. Children’s minds are like sponges, they readily absorb information. Utilize every possible opportunity to educate them. Even something as simple as the changing of the seasons can be a teachable moment. Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. Nature is bursting with vivid reds, oranges, golds, and browns. It also offers a whole canvas of learning activities.

Photosynthesis

During the fall, the leaves on the trees begin to change colors. And, your children are probably curious about this event. Now is a great time to nurture their love of science. Take them on a nature walk or a drive down the highway to look at the beautiful leaves. Explain the process of photosynthesis. Explain that plants turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugar. They use chlorophyll, the substance that gives plants their lush green color, to do this. However, as the temperature drops and the sunlight levels decrease, the trees no longer go through photosynthesis. The amount of chlorophyll decreases in the leaves and causes the change in colors.

Fall Plants

There are a lot of different flowers and plants that grow in the fall. You can point out some of the different plants to your children. Fall vegetables include beets, cauliflower, carrots, celery, lettuce, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, mustard greens, collard greens, onions, and peas. Plant some of these vegetables with your children. Not only will you have fun, but you will also be teaching your children responsibility and self-reliance. And, let’s not forget about the beautiful flowers that grow this time of year.  These include Golden Rod, Lemon Queen Sunflowers, and Chrysanthemums.

Fall Art

Autumn is synonymous with beautiful landscapes. Encourage your children to capture this beauty on canvas. How can drawing and painting be educational? Simple. Art has several benefits. It is mentally stimulating. By allowing your children to draw or paint, you are encouraging them to pay attention to details, and it can also help your children develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, creativity, and coping skills.

Poems and Songs

Autumn also provides a great opportunity for your children to improve their writing skills. Encourage your children to react to the changing seasons through poetry or music. These poems and songs can even be turned into a book of poetry or a book of songs.

Writing

Hone those writing skills this fall. The brilliant colors and the changing landscapes offer your children a wide variety of topics on which to write. They can write letters to Mother Earth and ask her questions. They can also write descriptive paragraphs or essays.

Greek Mythology

Fall is a great time to study Greek Mythology. As the seasons change, you can introduce children to the tale of Hades, the god of the underworld, and Persephone. This myth about the abduction Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was the Greeks way of explaining the changing of the seasons.

Teachable moments happen all the time. Take advantage of them this autumn. Do some of the fun activities above.