In December, Lynn’s dad/Corey’s granddad passed away, two weeks short of his 100th birthday. This will be the first Father’s Day we’ll share without our beloved “Grandpal.” How to honor him? We’ll gather his great-grandchildren together and re-tell the stories he shared so many times, about his days at Camp Utopia when his boat got stuck on Rattlesnake Rock or the time he was chased by a bear. Whether they’re true (or partially), or embellished (for sure), doesn’t matter. Remembering how his eyes lit up as he recounted his adventures will be enough. We’ll sing a few of his favorite tunes (though none of us can play any song on the piano as he did, in the key of C), and salute him by savoring his favorite apple cobbler. We won’t be buying Grandpal a gift this year, but we’ll plant colorful perennials in his honor and understand that each Father’s Day from now on will be about remembering.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.

If spring has been a long time coming in your neck of the woods, why not celebrate with a silk dyeing party?  Here’s what you’ll need:

• Plain 100% silks in various sizes. Dharma Trading Company is one source.
• Beets, marigolds, coffee, onion skins, carrots and other items from nature to use as dyes

And here’s how to do it:

1. The night before: Cut up plant materials. Chop or crush hard materials such as roots. Soak overnight in a glass or enamel bowl with just enough water to cover.
2. Next day. Pour contents of the bowl into a stainless steel pan. Bring to a boil on stove and simmer gently for about one hour. Check it frequently and add water when needed.
3. Strain dye through a sieve to remove plant material. Allow liquid to cool.
4. Soak silks in hot water for 20-30 minutes
5. Remove 1-4 silks from hot water, squeeze and stir into dye
6. Simmer for 20-45 minutes, until dye is absorbed into silks, stirring often
7. Let cool a bit and remove (carefully) with tongs
8. Hang outside from clothesline or tree-limbs and let dry in the breeze

Use silks for dancing, dressing up, imagination play, wrapping gifts, or anything else your heart desires!

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.

If life is tough for your family right now, keep everyone’s spirits up by planning a daily celebration. Dress the table for dinner each night. Set a beeswax candle or some item from nature in the center. Depending on the ages of your children, play a word game or two. Take some time to reconnect by asking those close to you, “What made you happy today?”

Resolve to surprise one family member each day by gifting them with something special—a promise for fresh baked cookies, 15 minutes snuggling, or a bike ride, for example. Whether your family numbers two, three, or a dozen, earth-friendly gifts like these are free acts of love and kindness that will always be appreciated. Most importantly, take a vow to each day celebrate what you have rather than focus on what you don’t.

-Lynn and Corey Colwell, mother-daughter duo and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.