Book of Days Introduction

“Fun for Families, Food for Thought” – That’s the idea behind our seasonal ezine, “The Book of Days.”

Our family created the Book of Days as a way for us to become more intentional, more mindful, about how we spend our time. We set out to choose, research and plan simple ways to create, investigate, imagine and learn together. We had so much fun both creating and using our book, that we decided to share it with other families too!

Little kids, big kids and even Mom and Dad will have a great time with the Book of Days. So slow down, have some fun, and make great memories learning and laughing together!

***Each Book of Days download includes eight sections of family-tested fun ideas and projects, as well as an accompanying “Field Guide” which offers suggestions and reading lists for further exploration. Our regular features are:

Our “Watcha Got Cookin’” section features seasonally focused recipes that are simple enough for beginning chefs to follow, and yet tasty enough for the whole family to enjoy. Our recipes include illustrated ingredient lists so that even the youngest family members can get involved. The accompanying field guide to “Watcha Got Cookin’” regularly includes ideas for researching the origin of the ingredients, suggestions for further study of the country or culture from which the recipe originated, as well as a related reading list full of stories that will feed the mind and soul while you feed your family.

Along the Path is designed to help all families, whether in the country, suburbs or city, to connect with the natural world. Each edition includes simple ideas for nature study as well as a field guide full of references and tips that will help your band of young naturalists dig even deeper into the wonders of our world.

Each edition of the Book of Days contains 2-3 season specific science experiments as well as detailed information about how and why the experiment works. These experiments are meant to be jumping off points for further investigation. This section’s field guide contains resources and ideas for further exploration, questions that might lead you in new directions, and references that will help you truly investigate some exciting new possibilities.

Go Play is our newest edition to the Book of Days, and is included in our currently available Summer and Autumn books. This section features ideas and instructions for classic games, past times and handcrafted toys – simply fun!

In each “Create” section of the Book of Days, we share a few simple things that your family can make together. Each of these projects uses readily available materials that you probably already have on hand. While easy to do though, the projects are not “cut and paste” type crafts, but rather starting points for artistic discovery. In the past our “Create” projects have included drawing lessons, ink and print making, architectural discoveries and even simple sewing crafts. Each “Create” field guide includes resources and ideas for taking the next step in your artistic endeavors.

Each edition of the Book of Days includes an “Imagine” section, which invites you to cultivate your powers of imagination and story telling. This illustrated poem will inspire you to dream up new worlds and ideas – a garden that refuses to behave itself, wee creatures that live underground and take care of hibernating animals, convoluted contraptions that make the simplest tasks fantastical. This sections field guide will give you prompts and ideas for taking your imaginings to a whole new level – related reading lists, art projects, and writing/journaling challenges – as well as tips on sharing your creativity with friends, family and neighbors. Imagination is contagious!

At Blue Yonder Ranch, we believe that every family can make a real difference in the world. Our “Thought That Counts Section” is focused on helping you find simple, meaningful ways to reach out, lend a hand, and give of yourself.

It is our hope that the Book of Days will help you and your children to really focus on and appreciate the gift of each other, your heritage and your time together. No section reflects that hope more clearly than “Remember.” In each edition, this section features fun ways to grow your bonds, celebrate your history and cherish your time together.

*** Please look through our Book of Days previews by clicking the cover buttons to the right. They will give you a closer look at many of these sections and their accompanying field guides!