Cassie Thornhill

If procrastination paid, I'd be tenured by now

Lina Joana wrote:

Cassie Thornhill wrote:
3. Upcycled crafts: We’ve started a “crafting with scraps” project, where we use leftover materials like cardboard, fabric, and glass jars for DIY projects. It’s been a fun way to make use of things that would otherwise be thrown out.

Possible downside: some kids start seeing the craft potential in EVERYTHING, and end up with piles of bottles, cardboard, twist ties, you name it. More than they could ever use. Down that path madness lies….

Haha, yes! It’s like they start seeing craft potential in absolutely everything—our recycling bin is now a “treasure chest” and I’m just waiting for them to start asking if they can upcycle the furniture next!

Kate Downham wrote:
• Making pasta from scratch. We don’t have a pasta machine, so we roll it out and cut it by hand, and my children enjoy doing this.

• Bread from scratch, and pretty much everything from scratch in the kitchen they enjoy helping with. With several people eating, it’s easy to see just how much plastic we are saving by making things ourselves rather than buying them. It could be an interesting project to figure out just how much plastic is being saved - if the family goes through a few loaves of bread and a couple of packets of crackers/cookies/etc every week, that adds up to a lot of packaging.

I love this, Kate! Making pasta by hand sounds like such a fun family activity, and I bet it’s nice to see how much plastic you’re cutting down on too. We’ve been getting into making bread from scratch as well, and it’s such a win-win. Thanks for sharing these ideas!

Thank you for sharing this. I lost my grandma to suicide when I was 16, and it was such a confusing, heavy time. For years, I blamed myself for not noticing signs or being more attentive, and I didn’t know how to process grief at all. What you said about people not knowing how to support someone grieving really hit home. I’ve had people say things that, while well-meaning, made me feel even more alone. I’ve since learned how important it is just to be present and hold space for someone’s pain without trying to fix it.

Thank you for bringing this conversation here. It’s such an important topic, and your post is a reminder of how much community matters during tough times. <3

Hi folks! I’ve been focusing more on reducing waste in my household lately, and I wanted to share a few kid-friendly ways we’ve started making changes (and hopefully learn some new ideas).

1. Reusable snacks and lunch bags: My kids love packing their lunches with reusable bags, containers, and beeswax wraps instead of plastic wrap.
2. Composting scraps: Collecting food scraps for the compost bin has become a family activity. It’s also a great way to teach the kids about sustainability.
3. Upcycled crafts: We’ve started a “crafting with scraps” project, where we use leftover materials like cardboard, fabric, and glass jars for DIY projects. It’s been a fun way to make use of things that would otherwise be thrown out.

How do you all manage waste reduction with children? Would love to hear some creative ideas!

Thank you all for the warm welcome—it’s so encouraging to join such a knowledgeable and supportive group. I’m already feeling at home here!

Nancy, thanks for pointing me toward the education resources—I’ll definitely dig into those! Honestly, my biggest challenge right now is juggling teaching, keeping the kids alive (kidding… mostly), and making sure the garden doesn’t turn into a jungle. Some days it feels like the weeds are winning, but I’m not giving up without a fight!

Looking forward to learning from everyone here!

Hi everyone!

I’m Cassie, a teacher with a passion for gardening, permaculture, and finding creative ways to live more sustainably. My backyard is my happy place where I grow veggies, experiment with composting, and try out DIY eco-projects like rain barrels and herbal remedies.

I’ve been gardening for a while now, but I’m always looking to learn more—especially when it comes to improving soil health, preserving food, and reducing waste. I love connecting with others who are into permaculture and sustainable living, so I’m really excited to join this community and swap ideas.

If you’ve got tips, favorite projects, or just want to chat about gardening and eco-friendly living, I’d love to hear from you! 😊