I love to get Samuel and Emma Joy involved in cooking and baking. There is so much to be learned. We are excited to share some of our cooking adventures with you. Stay tuned!
Cooking with Kids
Blueberry Jam
Summer is for berry picking. Samuel and Emma Joy enjoyed picking blueberries at both Pop and Paw Paw’s houses.
We decided to make a batch of easy refrigerator jam with all of the blueberries we picked.
Easy Refrigerator Jam
2:1 ratio of fruit to sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice for every 2 cups of fruit
Pinch of salt
Place all ingredients in a pot and stir. Mash the fruit and bring to a boil. Boil on medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
Ladle jam into sanitized jars and cool completely before placing lids on jars.
Store in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
We named our jam ‘Grandparents’ Blueberry Jam’ because the blueberries came from the blueberry bushes of both sets of grandparents. And of course we shared some with the grandparents.
A New Adventure
I knew very soon after Samuel was born that I wanted something different for his education. When Emma Joy came along eleven months later I prayed God would make a way for me to be home with them. As I watched them grow and develop and learn naturally, my dream of homeschooling my children became greater.
In 2017 I left the public school classroom and came home to my children. The more I watched them grow and develop and learn NATURALLY, the more I knew I didn’t want to simply replicate school at home. They were learning so much by simply playing and being children. I wanted to work learning into our everyday lives. I wanted them to learn based on their interests and readiness.
A New Adventure
In July 2020 we set off on a new adventure as we officially began our homeschooling journey. We didn’t purchase any curriculum. With seventeen years of teaching experience in kindergarten, first, and second grades, that didn’t feel necessary.
We are learning through play, learning through life, and following our curiosities until they are satisfied. This rarely, if ever, looks like traditional schooling. We spend a lot of time outside exploring the world around us. Time is spent with both sets of grandparents, learning from them. We cook, do the laundry, clean the kitchen, and learn how to get along with one another. We read, play games, and laugh. Along the way we are learning about letters and numbers and words on their timeline, when they are ready. This is unschooling at its finest.
We’re excited to welcome you along on the journey – on our new adventure – our curious adventures.