Freeville resident co-authors book of recipes, rituals and crafts

A recently released book co-authored by a resident of the village of Freeville offers families a unique approach to nature.

Emma Frisch, along with Jana Blankenship, wrote “Seasonal Family Almanac: Recipes, Rituals, and Crafts to Embrace the Magic of the Year,” the first of its kind in terms of recipes for food, recipes for care and wellness and ideas for arts and crafts.

The book, which was officially released on Tuesday, includes over 100 different recipes and arts and crafts options.

It includes recipes for frothy, immunity-boosting mushroom cocoa, how to make evergreen and orange spray and crafting options like beeswax and cocoa butter botanical crayons.

“It’s a very special [book]. I don’t think there’s been anything published like this,” Frisch said.

Each chapter represents one of 12 themed “microseasons,” which include the early, middle and late portion of each season. Frisch noted that there are recipes and arts and crafts options tailored for each microseason.

Whether a family lives in the country or in a cabin in the woods, Frisch said the book is designed for those “wanting to reconnect with nature.”

“We offer very simple, fun ways to do that, so it can feel accessible no matter where you live,” Frisch said.

Frisch and Blankenship each published their first book with Ten Speed Press. Frisch’s first book was “Feast by Firelight: Simple Recipes for Camping, Cabins, and the Great Outdoors,” a cookbook.

Blankenship’s first book was “Wild Beauty,” recipes for self-care.

Their familiarity led to the collaboration on their newest book.

“It was such an incredible experience co-authoring a book,” Frisch said. “The whole book became this very collaborative process, largely powered by moms.”

The co-authors of “Seasonal Family Almanac” used their expertise in what they do best to put the book together. Blankenship owns Captain Blankenship, a company in New York state that makes hair care products with organic ingredients and sustainable packaging.

In addition to writing recipes, Frisch is the founding member of Groundswell International, an organization that supports ongoing food systems around the globe. She also has the experience of being a finalist in season 10 of “Food Network Star.”

“[Blankenship] has a lot of knowledge around herbalism, and I have a lot of knowledge around food,” Frisch said. “So many of the same ingredients are used in her products outside the body, also what I use for cooking.”

Frisch mentioned that the book, whether for meals or for personal care, is about incorporating ingredients in different ways.

“[Jana and I] joked the whole time that we were writing this book for ourselves because it’s the guide we want for our lives,” Frisch said. “It was special to create something that will hopefully be just a treasured companion for other families.”

The recipes give individuals an opportunity to “weave ingredients” that are specific to the season, whether it’s finding something in the wild or in a meadow or growing it in a pot, Frisch said.

“This book is a bit of a primer on foraging and collecting food,” Frisch said, noting that recipes provide suggestions for substitutions, leaving ingredients out and more.

For arts and crafts, the book makes life easier and more calm with children, including crafting with natural materials.

“It’s as simple as walking out the door and playing with mud,” Frisch said, noting the representation of children in the book through pictures. “It’s just what life can look like when you’re parenting and getting into creative projects with kids.”

For Frisch, the “wisdom of the earth” is for everyone.

“[The book] is a hands-on guide to helping families rediscover the soul-stirring magic that comes from living in tune with the seasons,” according to a description of the book.

Frisch is holding events in Ithaca for “Seasonal Family Almanac.” The first event will be held April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Buffalo Street Books in the Dewitt Mall. The second is at Ithaca Beer Company, 122 Ithaca Beer Dr., from 3 to 6 p.m. April 29. The final appearance for Frisch is slated from 5 to 8 p.m. June 27 at the Ithaca by Firelight Camps at 1150 Danby Rd.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Dryden Elementary School Green Team to clean village this Saturday

The Dryden Elementary School Green Team is planning to clean the village of Dryden this Saturday starting at 9 a.m.

The meetup will be at Montgomery Park for those interested in the clean-up event.

Gloves and bags will be available at the meetup.

Location change for ‘The American Chestnut: Then and Now’ presentation on April 27

“The American Chestnut: Then and Now,”  a presentation scheduled for 7 p.m. April 27, will now take place at the Dryden Fire Hall on 26 North St.

Val Ross will conduct the presentation. She will talk about the history of the majestic chestnut tree, once prominent in the eastern United States, and its “downfall from fungal blight.”

Ross, a member of the New York state chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, will also talk about efforts to revive and reestablish the chestnut as a foundational tree in our forests.

Ross hopes to encourage individuals to establish small chestnut orchards to care for the new transgenic tree.

Doors at the Dryden Fire Hall will open at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will include light refreshments.

For more information, contact the Dryden Town Historical Society at 607-844-9209.