Feeding the People {a large family’s 2-week menu, with recipe links}

Unbelievably, at the end of this menu cycle, we will be headed on our east coast farewell tour. That fact alone would make these two weeks center on “eat the pantry,” but adding to that the overwhelming amount of packing, purging, sorting, and preparing that we need to cover, and the fact that we’ll be seeing 80 degree days for at least a week solid … yeah, it’s crockpot or no-fuss around here for a while.

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Raising an autodidact (on purpose)

I’m remembering now how this goes, this feeding the rabbit trails for the younger set. It’s been a while, but I’m getting back into the swing. Jemmy is currently fascinated with volcanoes. You know what that means: time to break out the baking soda and vinegar.

The older kids are easier, I’m not going to lie. These are the steps for satisfying the curiosity of a middle schooler/high schooler:
1. Something gets mentioned. Recent example: “Did you know that the Smithsonian has the body of a man that turned to SOAP?!?” I overhear and say, “Saponification. Interesting phenomenon.” Older kids look at me askance, ask me to repeat the phrase, then request permission to google. I oblige.
2. Googling begins. Articles are read. Chemical formulas are charted. Condition requirements are investigated. A murder mystery from the 1940s is discussed. This goes on for an hour or more.
3. A new, previously unknown topic is discovered. The children abandon saponification with the promise that they will try their hands at soapmaking sometime soon, but will avoid lakes and human bodies.

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Shaping

These last few weeks have been busy–jam packed– with the comings and goings of a healthy, growing, sprawling family. We’ve gone and done and been and seen, and hosted and visited and experienced. The weather has ranged from cool to downright hot, and we’ve embraced every glorious minute.

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{Work in Progress Wednesday}

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” 
―Michael Pollan

(Work in progress: Our little blueberry bushes are bearing their modest harvest … and the fruits are being eaten within seconds of being picked.)

We’d love to see your works in progress. Something that makes you feel simple, full, or creative. Something you’re making. Something you’re doing (folding a pile of laundry–again?). Something you’re planning. Share in the comments!

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Math manipulatives every preschooler needs

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I’ve already shared that we don’t take a textbook approach for early mathematical education. Instead, our slow, steady build up focuses on games, activities, and a whole lot of real life.

Does that mean that we pull out Candy Land once a week, count forks as we set the table, and call it good?

Not even close.

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