Blog - Adventure Publications

Trees of Minnesota: A Field Guide by Stan Tekiela

Posted on April 7, 2020

In his field guide Trees of Minnesota, Stan Tekiela describes all 93 species found in the state. Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-page photographs provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Plus, Stan’s naturalist notes feature fascinating tidbits and facts. We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones, remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. Today we take a look at the European buckthorn tree, also called common buckthorn. Did you know that this tree has a gray bark with many horizontal white marks (lenticels) and scales, and tiny spines (thorns) in the forkings at the ends of twigs? There are about 100 species of buckhorn trees and shrubs, 12 of which are native to the U.S....

How to Create a Cabinet of Curiosities

Posted on April 3, 2020

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

In today’s post, Adventure Publications author and editor Brett Ortler is sharing with us how you can create a cabinet of curiosities with your kids at home. We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones, remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. One of the best ways to get kids (and yourself!) interested in the natural world is to build a cabinet of curiosities. Once known as “wonder cabinets” or “wonder rooms,” the modern notion of the cabinet of curiosity has its origins in aristocratic Europe in the Renaissance. Wealthy rulers and aristocrats at the time showed off their wealth, and their learning, by creating collections of exotic natural history items, art, and oddities and rarities. These esoteric collections eventually became...

The Return of Horned Larks Is a Sure Sign of Spring

Posted on March 31, 2020

in Birds, Nature, Nature Smart, Stan Tekiela, wildlife

by Liliane Opsomer

Stan Tekiela, naturalist and wildlife photographer, tells us that Horned Larks are among the first birds to return in spring. Find out who else is on the move! We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones, remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. Migration is often the hallmark of spring. Horned Larks, medium-size birds of open country, are some of the first migrating birds to return in spring. Drive along any rural road at this time of year and you can see flocks of these birds. They are looking for seeds and early flying insects along the roads where the ground is exposed. This is definitely a sure sign of spring, no mater where you live. Horned Lark in Southern...

Blueberry-Orange Cream Cheese Turnovers Recipe

Posted on March 27, 2020

in Cooking

by Liliane Opsomer

Julia Rutland, author of Blueberries: 50 Tried & True Recipes, shares with us her Blueberry-Orange Cream Cheese Turnovers. Give them a try! I did, and I know you will love them too! We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. INGREDIENTS 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1⁄2 teaspoon organic orange zest 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄2 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed 1⁄4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries 1 large egg, separated1⁄3 cup powdered sugar 2 teaspoons orange juice Preheat oven to 375°. Combine cream cheese, granulated sugar, zest, and vanilla in a small bowl; set aside. Roll out pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet into 4 squares. Spoon about 2 tablespoons...

Wildflowers of the Northeast is Your Way to Easily Identify Wildflowers

Posted on March 24, 2020

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

At the cabin, in the park, or on a hike, keep George Miller’s Wildflowers of the Northeast close at hand. Featuring wildflowers of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia, this quick guide is organized by color for fast and easy identification. When you see a wildflower in nature, open the correct colored tab and view photographs of just a few wildflowers at a time. We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones, remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. The easy-to-use format and detailed images, with key markings of more than 150 species, help to ensure positive ID for even casual observers. The pocket-size format is much...

Nature-Based Activities for Kids You Can Do from Home

Posted on March 18, 2020

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

School is canceled in many parts of our nation, and parents are home with their children. In today's post, Adventure Publications author and editor Brett Ortler is sharing the first in a series of nature-based activities for kids you can do from home. We at Adventure Publications hope all of our readers and their loved ones remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. In addition to the overall stress of this situation—which, let’s be real, is pretty wild—there’s a much more basic question: how will you keep your kids occupied without melting their brains due to too much screen time? Well, as a nonfiction editor at Adventure Publications who's also an author, a nature nerd, and the parent of two kids ages 5 and...

Easy Recipes for Canning & Preserving

Posted on March 17, 2020

in Cooking, Recipes

by Liliane Opsomer

There are few things more satisfying then opening a pantry to see rows of brightly colored, neatly labeled cans and jars. Here are two easy recipes from Michele Harmeling’s guide Canning & Preserving: The Techniques, Equipment, and Recipes to Get Started. We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones, remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. Three Ingredients Raspberry Jam Ingredients: 4 cups fresh red raspberries4 cups sugar4 tablespoons lemon juice Preparation: Pick raspberries over, removing stems and leaves. Mash raspberries, using a potato masher or a fork. Bring mashed raspberries to a boil in a large saucepan; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Add sugar and lemon juice to hot raspberries; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or...

Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees, & Butterflies: Upper Midwest Banner

Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies in the Upper Midwest

Posted on March 17, 2020

in Nature

by Liliane Opsomer

The presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy, eco-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard into a perfect habitat that attracts these creatures and, more importantly, helps them thrive. Acclaimed author and expert entomologist Jaret C. Daniels, author of Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees, & Butterflies: Upper Midwest, provides all the information you need in his new guide for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. We at Adventure Publications hope all our readers and their loved ones, remain healthy and safe. Without intending to trivialize the current crisis, we will continue to post positive stories in hopes of bringing some joy into your home as a welcome distraction during these trying times. Learn how native plant gardening can help you to attract pollinators to your backyard. Today let’s look...