In most parts of the world, the tradition of burning a Yule log, sometimes called a Christmas log, has largely fizzled out. While holiday cards may show charming birch logs aflame in a hearth, old-time Yule logs in 6th and 7th century Europe looked more like saw-logs. Some of them wouldn’t fit in a house, let alone a fireplace.

When most people think about microplastics, they imagine large, crowded cities or polluted coastlines.

Proceeds from calendar sales benefit Nature Up North's community outreach initiatives. Each year, Nature Up North reaches thousands of local residents through guided hikes, paddles, workshops, and K-12 programs. Thanks for your support!

Thimble and Blossom let us know that they loved all of the nature questions you had for them this year, and loved the fairy drawings some folks left behind! Despite the dry conditions this summer, the rain this fall made for a beautiful fall foliage season and made it possible for Thimble and Blossom to stick around into November.

Note: The photo above is of a marbled orbweaver, a spider not featured in this article. Photo Credits: Troy Parla