Cascade Handmade

 When you are headed out for an adventure there are a few things you should try to pack. It's important to have the necessary items so that you are prepared when heading out into nature. These 6 essentials are great for youngsters to carry themselves:   -- Water -- First aide kit -- Whistle -- Trail snack -- Sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen) -- Flashlight As an adult there are 10 essentials that will be life saving if you become lost in the wilderness. Here are the additional items: -- Coat -- Space blanket -- Navigation (map & compass)  -- Knife (pocket knife) Please remember that its important to be prepared as you never know what you may encounter. Pack accordingly   Thanks for taking time to stop by, Laura If you are in need of gear for kids, teens, or adults please visit my Etsy shop for some great items

Autumn brings a certain focus; I love this time of year to acquire some good reads for when the weather turns dark, or perhaps a nice respite from a long week at school. It's so fun to surprise kids with a new book, because we all need a good story in our lives. I've outlined a few books for both youngsters and school age kids -- check them out below: For Kindergartners & Early Readers:  I don't know a single person who doesn't enjoy If You Give A Mouse A Cookie ;  by Lauren Numeroff. This delightful book is always a joy to read and seems like a great book pair with a fun  snack and craft.  My children have been really inspired by Peter Reynolds and his books. They really give kids license to be who they are and that any artistic expression is beautiful. I'm delighted to see he's created a new book, The Word Collector and this is definitely on our reading list this season.  The Ox-Cart Man is a classic story which begins i...

  We all know those little nature treasures that kids find on the trail. The sticks and stones, pine cones and twigs. Well there's a way to continue the exploration once we're home! By taking those nature finds from the ground or off a bush and turning them into artwork we're allowing the conversation to continue, as well as letting children realize a project from start to finish; and can I tell you it's really hard not to jump in and create with them! Here are some fun ideas on how to create those collections -- and let me just say watching kids follow their inspirations is the best part! First assemble the items needed : Sticks Yarn Scissors Any nature finds -- example: pine cones, leaves , acorns I'm going to show you two different methods, but please remember the options are endless and I do hope you and your family will explore what works for you! The Nature Mobile is a winner because it can be added to at any time. A si...

As I see more places I'm learning to appreciate the different landscapes that are available to explore. Lava fields are no different. We were lucky enough to visit the Lava Lands and at first glance I assumed a dead land, parched for water... This is not true! An ecosystem lives among the 40 feet tall rubble and animals scurry around. Plants become visible if you look for them and it seems even this high altitude place has some secrets if you care to explore and listen and learn. There was a lava tube which is an incredibly dark cave to explore, miles of field full with jagged black rocks, and a volcanic cone where we got to walk around the crater. It was incredible and I am so excited to learn more about this fascinating subject; particularly while thinking about the Hawaiian volcano which is actively reaching further into residential areas. I was glad to learn that the Hawaiian Islands supply leading scientist with most of our knowledge about volcanoes so plenty o...

Have you heard of Geocaching? Or maybe you haven't thought about it in a while... There are so many great outdoor activities to do as a family, such as in this blog post , and I can tell you it's pretty easy to add geocaching to whatever you are already doing.  It's a current day treasure hunt and is fun for everyone since there are so many types of caches to find. The urge to find the next cache can be quite thrilling and addictive! As explained by Sue, an enthusiast, "It's multi-million dollar military equipment used to find Tupperware in the woods."  I recently went to an Into To Geocaching and was delighted to hear from Sue, who also used to be the president of the local chapter. In basic terms you use your phone's GPS (or other mobile device) and an app to find the general location of a hidden object and then use clues to find the exact location. It's an interactive way to engage with the environment and the quiet of people who support it...

With a new season comes a chance for new scenery, and that includes the scenery of the mind! It's a great opportunity to introduce some books that pack the same punch of excitement that spring can offer in our daily lives. I always look for adventure, transition, play, growth & nature this time of year! Come check out my picks for some fun reading. For  Elementary Schoolers: I love the Ivy & Bean series by Annie Barrows . These are early chapter books with lots of great pictures and definitely recommended for any kids who dreams of adventures with a friend! Ronald Dahl has a huge collection of amazing work, but I will narrow it down to James and the Giant Peach for spring. This is a magical tale about a boy finding companionship among some unlikely bugs in a peach, a perfect spring read to get the imagination going! I always come back to Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cornin . This is a great illustrated book that will excite kids to dig aroun...

It's easy to measure your child's growth when it comes to height, weight and other milestones; but what about as their conscious mind grows & matures? All the time my oldest son pushes the boundaries of responsibility and independence. "I know that already" is a common phrase slipping from his mouth. Even as I write this he confidently runs out of the house to play with friends -- sans shoes or coat. If you're any thing like me the signs that he is ready to be in charge of his own person is becoming harder to ignore. My very adult way of looking at the world comes up briskly to his own views. He is in a perpetual state of waiting; eagerly waiting for.......summer, friends, tv time, shoes without socks weather, the weekend, mom to look away -- and whatever else sits right with a boy of 7 3/4 years. I decided one day that the war against trash/treasure in his room is being lost and a new tactic might be needed.  Away with the idea that a few ...