Homeschool Planning | Do you plan weeks, months or years at a time? Pepper and Pine 2024-02-19 | What a great question! How do you plan? A week at a time or a month or semester? The longer term plans get the big picture goal while the weekly plan gets the detailed schedule. Everything in between gets more or less planning depending on how big the blocks of time. Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Have You Homeschooled Enough? Pepper and Pine 2024-02-16 | I'm answering your homeschooling questions. Today's question is "How do you discern you've done 'enough'?" What a great question. I'm not sure you can know for someone else, so learning to know for yourself is going to be crucial. What are your goals and priorities? Once you know those, it will be clearer when you've done 'enough'. But one word of advice when you are assessing if you've met your goals or not is to determine when you will evaluate. Some choose yearly or quarterly through tests, others it's an intuitive feeling of knowing when to pivot to realign daily and monthly work to your goals.Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Baghali Polo | Persian Rice with Dill Weed and Fava Beans Pepper and Pine 2024-02-15 | Nearly all my Persian recipes come from my friend Teyebeh who often gets from her mom, and I'll take a good guess and assume she gets them from her mom. What's special about this is that you'll find tips and techniques that fall through the cracks when finding recipes in cookbooks or other ways. What I've learned from watching my friends prepare food is the special technique whether is be how to slice an onion or broil chicken before baking that sets learning from someone apart from learning from a book. What I learned from my friend, Teyebeh, for this recipe is the importance of gently layering the fava beans and dill weed on each layer of rice to avoid rice breakage and for maximum flavor. Here's the recipe! I hope you enjoy it.Please know that the water to rice ratio varies depending on whether you are cooking on the stove, cooking with an open pot, boiling your rice and draining or using your Instant Pot. Some trial and error is possible.3 cups basmati rice (long grain is best and parboiled works well for wet recipes or for prolonged soaking and Instant Pot cooking)rinse and soak3 cups of water1-2 tablespoons of olive oil/grapeseed oil1 sprinkle of saltUse "Rice" setting on Instant Pot While the rice is cooking, bring to a simmer one bag of frozen peeled green fava beansTime to layer rice, salt, olive oil, generous amount of dill weed and fava beans. Repeat until each layer is complete. Gentle toss to mix everything together taking care not to break the rice grains.Serve with any meat dish, but my favorite is turmeric chicken.youtu.be/n-s1Sn-oZQQCheck out the Silk Road playlist:youtube.com/watch?v=Qz0j2vtGG4Q&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxzD-ARQHR8ttPn6VAzbT7eZFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How Do You Prepare For First Grade Pepper and Pine 2024-02-14 | I'm answering your homeschool questions. How do you prepare for first grade? There's much to occupy your research when exploring your options for first grade. I enjoyed those years of exploring educational philosophies and deciding on curriculum. There are two significant things you can do for your children to help prepare for grade 1. One I mentioned is looking into parenting classes or understanding the developmental stages of childhood. Another one I did not mention is providing an early education that primes a student to learning in grade 1. While many may choose a more academic approach to early education, I prefer a play based approach. One in which children may explore, play, pretend, build, interact, and spend time in nature in open ended play. Whichever method you choose, I hope for your and your child's success.Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
White Chocolate Cocoa Cookies Pepper and Pine 2024-02-12 | Hands down this is our family's favorite homemade cookie recipe. The recipe is inspired by a cookie recipe in Martha Stewart's cookbook. We cut the recipe in half and added cocoa powder and marshmallows and traded out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips. Those changes made a cookie recipe we all liked into one we loved. We made a half batch and froze the dough in 1 inch diameter portions for easy storage and even easier defrosting and baking.Here's the recipe:Mix the following:2 sticks unsalted butter softened1/2 cup sugar1.5 cups brown sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla2 eggs lightly beatenAdd mixed dry ingredients to wet ingredients:1.75 cups of flour1/2 cup of cocoa powder1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon baking sodaOnce incorporated, add 12 ounces of white Chocolate chips and 10 quartered marshmallows.Place 1 inch portions on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Prepare for the Years Ahead in homeschooling  Pepper and Pine 2024-02-10 | I’m answering your Homeschool questions. How do you prepare for the years ahead? How do you prepare for college? 
Books for Ancient Mesopotamia Pepper and Pine 2024-02-06 | Find a complete list of resources on the blog post that accompanies this video pepperandpine.com/ancient-mesopotamia-main-lesson-blockCheck out the complete video playlist for Ancient Mesopotamiayoutube.com/playlist?list=PLJxUV0rOnlxx6h4b4uZZZVNYHHLDhn3qoLive Education Waldorf curriculum ancient MesopotamiaGilgamesh Man’s First Story by Bernarda BrysonWorld Tales for Family Storytelling, volume 351 traditional stories for children, aged 8 to 11 years by Chris Smith Ancient science, by Jim WieseAncient Mesopotamia Blastoff Discovery, by Sara Green Peoples of the Ancient World Mesopotamia, The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, written by Virginia Schomp DK Eyewitness books Mesopotamia Discover the Cradle, Civilization – the Birthplace of Writing, Religion, and the Rule of Law, written by Phillip SteeleAncient Civilizations, Ancient Mesopotamia, by Tom HeadDiscover Ancient Mesopotamia, by Stephen Feinstein Religious resources:Stories of the Prophets by Iman Ibn KathirTales of the Prophets: Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) written by Abdul Hassan Ali Nadwi and Ehsanul NadwiThe Sacrifice of Ismael and Eid Al-Adha story By ALM booksTell me about Hajj by Saniyasain KhanFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Make Mini Pita Bread Pepper and Pine 2024-02-05 | With one basic dough recipe, you can make dozens of breads with subtle changes like adding olive oil, replacing water with milk and/or yogurt, adding eggs (makes dough softer), and changing the ratio of flour to water. For this recipe, I used my bread maker to make the dough. Using setting 8 (which takes 1.5 hours), I made dough to make mini pitas. I made this dough drier to make these pitas because I planned to roll out the dough and use a metal circle cutter to form the pitas. When making a dry dough, versus a 1:1 or 1:1.5 dough which I use to make pizza puffs or focaccia, I like to use my Kitchenaid or bread maker because it does the kneading for you. The bread maker is also great to use on cooler days because it gentle warms the inner compartment to aid in rising. Recipe:3-4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of yeast, 1.5 cups of water, 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar (or sugar), and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.Using lukewarm water, add water, sugar, yeast and oil to a bowl or bread maker. Gently mix. You may let it sit to let the yeast bubble, but I rarely do that. I usually add everything together, only recently mixing salt with the flour, but my dough has always risen unless my water is hot. Add flour and salt and mix and knead until incorporated. Let it rise for 1-4 hours. You may let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.Roll out dough to 1/8-1/4 inch thick (thickness doesn't matter too much as long as you are consistent so it bakes evenly, the thinner the dough, the quicker it bakes). I used a circle cutter to make the pitas. I brushed olive oil on each one. I used parchment paper over an aluminum tray. I preheated the oven to 420 degrees and bakes for 5-8 minutes. Keep on eye so as not to over bake. Remove from oven and serve with hummus or the Indian food seen at the end of the video. (recipes to follow).Check out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the complete video playlist for Ancient Mesopotamiayoutube.com/playlist?list=PLJxUV0rOnlxx6h4b4uZZZVNYHHLDhn3qo Check out the Ancient Mesopotamia Blog postpepperandpine.com/ancient-mesopotamia-main-lesson-blockFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Ancient Mesopotamia Pepper and Pine 2024-02-02 | Find a complete list of resources on the blog post that accompanies this video pepperandpine.com/ancient-mesopotamia-main-lesson-blockLive Education Waldorf curriculum ancient MesopotamiaGilgamesh Man’s First Story by Bernarda BrysonWorld Tales for Family Storytelling, volume 351 traditional stories for children, aged 8 to 11 years by Chris Smith Ancient science, by Jim WieseAncient Mesopotamia Blastoff Fiscovery, by Sara Green Peoples of the Ancient World Mesopotamia, The Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, written by Virginia Schomp DK Eyewitness books Mesopotamia Discover the Cradle, Civilization – the Birthplace of Writing, Religion, and the Rule of Law, written by Phillip SteeleAncient Civilizations, Ancient Mesopotamia, by Tom HeadDiscover Ancient Mesopotamia, by Stephen Feinstein Religious resources:Stories of the Prophets by Iman Ibn KathirTales of the Prophets: Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Yusuf (PBUH) written by Abdul Hassan Ali Nadwi and Ehsanul NadwiThe Sacrifice of Ismael and Eid Al-Adha story By ALM booksTell me about Hajj by Saniyasain Khan Check out the complete video playlist for Ancient Mesopotamiayoutube.com/playlist?list=PLJxUV0rOnlxx6h4b4uZZZVNYHHLDhn3qoFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Book for Ancient Persia Pepper and Pine 2024-02-01 | You can find the complete list of Books and Resources on the blog post that accompanies this video. pepperandpine.com/ancient-persiaLive Education Waldorf curriculum the Ancient Culture of Persia year fiveThe Ancient Persians, Myths of the World by Virginia SchompCivilizations of the Ancient World Ancient Persia by Neil D Bramwell published 2004Discover ancient, civilizations, discover ancient Persia by Neil de Bramwell, published 2014 The Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher, Arash, the Archer by Shahriar BourbourIran, a Portrait of the Country Through its Festivals and Traditions by GrolierIran, Enchantment of the World, by Joanne MilivojevicThe Saffron Tales by Yasmin KhanBottom of the Pot, Persian recipes and Stories by Naz DeravianThe new Persian Kitchen by Louisa ShafiaThe Phoenix of Persia, by Sally Pom, Clayton, and Amin Hassanzadeh SharifThe Story of Queen Esther written by Jenny Koralek and illustrated by Griselda HoldernessMain lesson books by A Child’s Dream Sergeant Art Square chalk pastels Blick, Matte fixative World Tales for Family Storytelling, volume 351 traditional stories for children, aged 8 to 11 years by Chris Smith Ancient science, by Jim WieseCompanions at the Prophet volume 1 by Abdul Wahid Hamid The story of Salman al-Farsi chapter 20 page 159Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Resources for Quran Journaling Pepper and Pine 2024-01-31 | I’m sharing the resources I’ll be using for Quran journaling for Surah Kahf.
Books for a Science Unit Pepper and Pine 2024-01-31 | I’m sharing some of the books that complement a science unit. I have other books (in addition to these) that make up the bulk of a physics or astronomy unit, but I was asked specifically for fiction or read-alouds for a physics unit and while these are only very loosely based on physics (except for a few like Alice in Quantumland), I think they make good additions. I use these books and other resources when putting together our homeschool unit studies and Waldorf main lesson blocks.
Surah Kahf Quran Journaling This Ramadan Pepper and Pine 2024-01-27 | I’m planning on doing Quran journaling for Surah Kahf this Ramadan if you’d like to join me, follow along!
Waldorf Handwork projects grade 1 to grade 6 Pepper and Pine 2024-01-24 | I’m sharing some of the handwork projects my children and I have done over the years. I’ve learned a lot from handwork teachers over the years a big thank you to Melanie and Elizabeth for all of the projects and skills you have taught me..In grade 1, when the children are first learning, how to knit, you can make so many projects from their work, whether it’s a square or a rectangle. Some of the things that we have made are the rainbow ball, a cat, a rabbit, a pumpkin, and a little doll. Also, in grade one, they will make their own knitting needles out of dowels. .In grade 2 children learn how to purl, and with that new skill, they can make a knitted doll with arms and legs..In grade 3 children work with embroidery. This is a great time to wet felt a ball and embroider it while practicing different kinds of stitches. Children may also practice different kinds of Nordic motifs with their embroidery to complement their main lessons. .In grade 4, children work with cross stitch. Children may cross stitch bags for their pencils or flute/recorder. .In grade 5 children learn to knit with four knitting needles and knit hats and socks. We also added scarves to that year, but scarves are attainable to make in grade one, however, in grade one it’s recommended that children knit things that they can “love” like knitted animals or dolls. Of course we do a lot of knitted balls in grade one as well and that’s fun to play with. You wouldn’t do a scarf in grade one, as that has no feeling attached to it it’s more utilitarian and that is saved for an older grade..In grade 6, children learn different stitching techniques. They create their own patterns and stitch animals like a horse or an elephant. They work on making two dimensional patterns, but thinking in terms of a three-dimensional product. .In middle school, students work on weighted dolls.
Issues with IKEA Billy Bookcase Home Library Pepper and Pine 2024-01-23 | We had our home library installed about a year ago. We used IKEA Billy bookcases to do this custom home library. There were a lot of additional customizations that needed to be done, like the vaulted ceiling, a half depth shelf behind the door, a ladder, lighting, and trim work. some things turned out better than we expected. Other things have shown a lot more wear and tear in only one year. The main issue is the durability and stability of our bookcase. In order to have deeper shelves, and to have the custom look, I was hoping, for we added trim to all of the shelves. I love the way that it looks, and I’m hoping that it will prevent sagging in the shelves. but within six months, we noticed that the trim was already separating from the bookshelf. Possibly from normal wear and tear or possibly from the weight that it’s bearing because we do store a lot of books on the shelves. The upper shelves are also showing some separation between the trim and the lighting. While it’s not immediately noticeable, I am concerned about the stability of our upper shelves. We did hire someone to install the shelves and the lighting based on the design that I made. We also opted not to install the backing that came with the billy bookcases. The backing is a trifold panel that didn’t look custom, and reduced the appearance of the built-in. We opted to fill in the track left by the space the backing would take on the bookshelves. We used spackle or wood filler. This also gave us a little bit more depth with each shelf. And along with the trim we gained one inch to 1 1/2 inches. Each little bit made a big difference for me since we have a lot of books that are too deep for the bookcase. The bookcase we used to have lining almost our entire Homeschool room was the Kallax bookcase, which was 16 inches deep and 16 inches high for each cubby. That provided a ton of space. 
Ancient Persia | Waldorf Main Lesson Block | Unit Study Pepper and Pine 2024-01-22 | You can find the complete list of Books and Resources on the blog post that accompanies this video. pepperandpine.com/ancient-persiaLive Education Waldorf curriculum the Ancient Culture of Persia year fiveThe Ancient Persians, Myths of the World by Virginia SchompCivilizations of the Ancient World Ancient Persia by Neil D Bramwell published 2004Discover ancient, civilizations, discover ancient Persia by Neil de Bramwell, published 2014 The Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher, Arash, the Archer by Shahriar BourbourIran, a Portrait of the Country Through its Festivals and Traditions by GrolierIran, Enchantment of the World, by Joanne MilivojevicThe Saffron Tales by Yasmin KhanBottom of the Pot, Persian recipes and Stories by Naz DeravianThe new Persian Kitchen by Louisa ShafiaThe Phoenix of Persia, by Sally Pom, Clayton, and Amin Hassanzadeh SharifThe Story of Queen Esther written by Jenny Koralek and illustrated by Griselda HoldernessMain lesson books by A Child’s Dream Sergeant Art Square chalk pastels Blick, Matte fixative World Tales for Family Storytelling, volume 351 traditional stories for children, aged 8 to 11 years by Chris Smith Ancient science, by Jim WieseCompanions at the Prophet volume 1 by Abdul Wahid Hamid The story of Salman al-Farsi chapter 20 page 159Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How Much Flexibility is OK in Homeschool Plans Pepper and Pine 2024-01-17 | I’m answering your Homeschool questions. This one is “How much flexibility is OK before you reign things in?” You may ask your questions by leaving them in the section or messaging me.Microphone clicker didn’t work properly at the end. You can see confusion on my face 🙈
Books on Ancient India Pepper and Pine 2024-01-16 | For a complete list of resources visit my website and blog post for Ancient India. pepperandpine.com/ancient-india-main-lesson-blockAncient India, by Live Education, Waldorf curriculumMain lesson books from A Child’s Dream measures 9” x 12” Sergeant art square chalk, pastels The best of India a cookbook by Balraj KhannaWhere is the Taj Mahal by Dorothy and Thomas HooblerThe Blind Men and the Elephant retold by Karen Beckstein, illustrated by Annie Mitra A CBT publication Tales from Ancient India classics book 2 retold by Savitri and illustrated by Pulak BiswasA CBT publication Tales from Indian Classics book 3 retold by Savitri and illustrated Sukumar Chatterjee Life in the Ancient Indus River Valley, by Hazel Richardson Crabtree publishing companyAnd One Grain of rice, by Demi, a mathematical folktaleThe Elephant’s Friend and Other Tales from Ancient India, retold and illustrated by Marcia WilliamsExploring Ancient Civilizations India, written by Marilyn G. BarrWorld Tales for Family Storytelling, volume 351 traditional stories for children, aged 8 to 11 years by Chris Smith Ancient science, by Jim WieseIndia Revealed Unearthing Ancient Civilizations by Donna Reynolds Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Ancient India | Main Lesson Block | Unit Study | Books & Resources Pepper and Pine 2024-01-15 | For a complete list of resources visit my website and blog post for Ancient India. pepperandpine.com/ancient-india-main-lesson-blockAncient India, by Live Education, Waldorf curriculumMain lesson books from A Child’s Dream measures 9” x 12” Sergeant art square chalk, pastels The best of India a cookbook by Balraj KhannaWhere is the Taj Mahal by Dorothy and Thomas HooblerThe Blind Men and the Elephant retold by Karen Beckstein, illustrated by Annie Mitra A CBT publication Tales from Ancient India classics book 2 retold by Savitri and illustrated by Pulak BiswasA CBT publication Tales from Indian Classics book 3 retold by Savitri and illustrated Sukumar Chatterjee Life in the Ancient Indus River Valley, by Hazel Richardson Crabtree publishing companyAnd One Grain of rice, by Demi, a mathematical folktaleThe Elephant’s Friend and Other Tales from Ancient India, retold and illustrated by Marcia WilliamsExploring Ancient Civilizations India, written by Marilyn G. BarrWorld Tales for Family Storytelling, volume 351 traditional stories for children, aged 8 to 11 years by Chris Smith Ancient science, by Jim WieseIndia Revealed Unearthing Ancient Civilizations by Donna Reynolds Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Stick to A Plan Pepper and Pine 2024-01-10 | Answering your homeschool questions: would love some advice on how to stick to the plan! Not rigidly, of course, but I find that we never end up completing any of the lesson/unit study plans I make. Leave your question in the comment section below. 
How to Avoid Burnout Pepper and Pine 2024-01-09 | Answering your homeschool questions: how do you prepare for future burnouts and how much margin do you dictate for days off?
What is the format of a Waldorf Main Lesson? Pepper and Pine 2024-01-08 | Answering your homeschool questions: what is the format of a Waldorf Main lesson?Sharing my experience with the application of Waldorf main lessons in our homeschool.
Curved Lines from Straight Lines | Live Waldorf Geometry Lesson Pepper and Pine 2023-12-19 | Curved lines from Straight lines is a lesson inspired by the Live Education Waldorf curriculum for year 5.For this lesson I'm using Lyra Color pencils from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.com/lyra-rembrandt-aquarell-colored-pencils-slim-barrelAnd the Waldorf curriculum from Live Education.live-education.com/fifth-gradeI'm using a 9"x12" spiral bound Strathmore drawing paper pad. I'm also using a pencil, eraser, protractor, metal ruler and 05 fine felt tip liner by Zig.paperinkarts.com/mangaka-05.htmlCheck out the complete Blog post herepepperandpine.com/waldorf-geometryFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Cascading Squares | Nesting Squares | Geometry Lesson | Process Video Pepper and Pine 2023-12-04 | Nesting Squares is a lesson inspired by the Live Education Waldorf curriculum for year 5.For this lesson I'm using Lyra Color pencils from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.com/lyra-rembrandt-aquarell-colored-pencils-slim-barrelAnd the Waldorf curriculum from Live Education.live-education.com/fifth-gradeI'm using a 9"x12" spiral bound Strathmore drawing paper pad. I'm also using a pencil, eraser, protractor, metal ruler and 05 fine felt tip liner by Zig.paperinkarts.com/mangaka-05.htmlCheck out the complete Blog post herepepperandpine.com/waldorf-geometryFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Exploring Quadrilaterals | Step by Step Lesson Pepper and Pine 2023-12-01 | Exploring Quadrilaterals is a lesson from the Live Education Waldorf curriculum for year 5.For this lesson I'm using Lyra Color pencils from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.com/lyra-rembrandt-aquarell-colored-pencils-slim-barrelAnd the Waldorf curriculum from Live Education.live-education.com/fifth-gradeI'm using a 9"x12" spiral bound Strathmore drawing paper pad. I'm also using a pencil, eraser, protractor, metal ruler and 05 fine felt tip liner by Zig.paperinkarts.com/mangaka-05.htmlCheck out the complete Blog post herepepperandpine.com/waldorf-geometryFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
LIFE CYCLE OF A FROG | CHALK DRAWING Pepper and Pine 2023-08-10 | Found this gem from 2019Find me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
Materials for Physics Lessons Pepper and Pine 2023-08-10 | Explore the amazing world of physics with us! I have a Physics video series for Grades 5th-9th in which we explore Acoustics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism and Mechanics. The video series includes dozens and dozens of video demonstrations and tutorials to help you recreate these projects on your own, or for you to use as part of your lessons. Get more info on the course here:pepperandpine.com/product/physics-video-seriesCheck out the blog post that accompanies this video for more info and pics of these materials.pepperandpine.com/physics-grades-5th-9thPhysics Mechanics | Forces and Loads, Buildings and Structures, Machines and Toolsyoutu.be/McEILv3RkkcPhysics Electricity And Magnetism | Books, Project Kits and Hands On Projectsyoutu.be/sw-Wh21ObN0Physics Thermodynamics | Curriculum, Books and Demonstrationsyoutu.be/hWmveo_8XAQPhysics Optics & Light | Books, Resources and Lesson Ideasyoutu.be/snzKbEpRwB4Physics Acoustics | Books, Resources and Lesson Ideasyoutu.be/ZfSWXvlDo50Physics Materials for Experiments and Demonstrationsyoutu.be/HQ_4kBf3sYwHOMESCHOOL SCIENCE | Physics Supplies and Unit Studyyoutu.be/nvFfuS8yMAQFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
Hajj Curriculum Pepper and Pine 2021-07-19 | Hajj Main Lesson Block curriculum is a 4 week curriculum that is story based for grades KG-grade 6 that is intended and written for all audiences.Each lesson comes with story content, illustrations and suggested narration.Lesson Plans included.Curriculum is 136 pages, includes 20 lessons for a 4-week unit (may be used for 8-week unit)Hajj Bundlepepperandpine.com/product/hajj-bundle-curriculum-video-series-lesson-plansHajj Curriculumpepperandpine.com/product/hajj-curriculumHajj Video Seriespepperandpine.com/product/hajj-unit-video-series-20-videosHajj Lesson Planspepperandpine.com/product/hajj-unit-lesson-plansWelcome to the Hajj Main Lesson Block. This secular unit is designed and written for all students. While we expect many Muslim families to enjoy this curriculum, it is written for people of all faiths as well as those who do not associate with a faith or religion. Given that this unit is written with the non-Arabic speaker and non-Muslim in mind, Arabic words will be written in transliteration and translation. While Quranic ayat (verses) and hadith (prophetic traditions) are mentioned, this unit is not religious studies; rather, verses are mentioned as part of the lesson and to give context to the lesson. Some information may seem basic or redundant to the Muslim family, but it is included for completeness of the unit.Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Hajj Unit Study Pepper and Pine 2021-05-31 | Dhu-al-Hijjah is the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, millions of Muslims worldwide make pilgrimage to Makkah. The rites of pilgrimage, the significance and the historical events of Prophet Ibrahim are the focus of this unit study on Hajj. Books and projects make up this unit, but a curriculum that is Waldorf inspired and similar to a unit study is also available (coming soon).Check out the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/hajj-unit-studyHajj Unit Study CurriculumLaunching July 1, 2021I’m preparing this curriculum with instagram.com/baobabhomeschoolchronicles?utm_medium=copy_linkHajj Unit Study Playlist:youtube.com/watch?v=xivUUlhRtkI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwVbK96_6WMVYHofgyEUqnPFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Knit a Hat | Pattern Comparison Pepper and Pine 2021-05-26 | Once you learn the basic pattern for a hat, you can alter it to make it bigger, smaller or more pointy. For this project, I used sock, sport and worsted weight. I also altered a pattern I found in the book Making Peg Dolls by Margaret Bloom on the Martinmas peg doll tutorial. After talking with Margaret to get permission to share my version of the pattern, she let me know that the book is being reprinted and a new updated hat pattern is expected. While you can crochet or knit in the round to make hats and beanies, this tutorial used the basics of knitting with two needles and readily available supplies. The skills you’ll need to know or learn for this tutorial are casting on, knitting, decreasing (knit two together) and binding off. You’ll also need a sewing knitting needle to sew the hat together.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video for more information on the materials we used and to see other peg doll tutorials.pepperandpine.com/everything-about-peg-dollsSupplies from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.comTiny peg dollsachildsdream.com/wood-peg-doll-tiny-tot-12Worsted weight yarnachildsdream.com/lambs-pride-wool-yarn-heathered-animal-colorsLyra Opaque Watercolorsachildsdream.com/lyra-opaque-watercolor-paint-set-24-colorsWool Feltachildsdream.com/holland-wool-felt-neutral-baby-colorsCheck out the blog post that accompanies this video for more information on the materials we used and to see other peg doll tutorials.pepperandpine.com/everything-about-peg-dolls Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Poetry Main Lesson Block Pepper and Pine 2021-05-24 | My 10-year-old daughter requested a unit on poetry. Since we've included poetry in our main lesson blocks as part of the lessons or opening activities, we had a lot of resources to choose from. I narrowed down the lessons to focus on three main areas: biographies, poetry and composition. To help with the poetry writing portion of this unit, I plan to use the Interactive Poetry Journal by Fatima Mohammad. This journal accompanies the book Time to Rhyme which is written and illustrated by the talented poetess Fatima Mohammad.I've come to enjoy poetry written by children and find that my 10-year-old daughter does as well. In addition to the interactive poetry journal, I have three poetry books that include biographies. I especially like adding biographies to our units whenever possible. What's great about these resources is that they include the poetry that is mentioned throughout the biography. I learned about some poetry books for two voices by my friend Lindsey, and though we bought them years ago, we are only just now incorporating them into our unit. I couldn't do a poetry unit without including my favorite poetry book for children called Plum by Tony Mitton. I scheduled this unit for two weeks with an additional two weeks to continue writing poetry as we move on to other lessons. Check out the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/poetry-main-lesson-blockInteractive Poetry Journal by Fatima Mohammad:teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Time-to-Rhyme-An-Interactive-Art-Poetry-Journal-6661524?st=8972fc974853655ca90471d57a19e4c0Some of the poetry books were recommended by Lindsey from Momma Schmooze Reviewsyoutube.com/channel/UCYuz-4KLYbLOMrnvKZSx6XQYou can find the Interactive Journal at Teachers Pay Teachersteacherspayteachers.com/Product/Time-to-Rhyme-An-Interactive-Art-Poetry-Journal-6661524?st=218dcace6d1baabaf191ba0033385174Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Pirate Peg Dolls | Peg Doll Tutorial for Beginners Pepper and Pine 2021-05-19 | Sometimes a set of peg dolls we make inspires another set years later. That's what happened here. We made pirate peg dolls years ago for a homeschool unit study. Now we made another set inspired by that first set. For this tutorial, I used the smallest peg dolls available from A Child's Dream. I used bulky weight yarn for the hair, though you can also use mohair as well. Sometimes I use worsted weight. I used Lyra Opaque Watercolors for the body and used a pen to dark facial features. I love Holland felt for our crafting needs, and used scraps for this project. I dipped into our scrapbooking and beading supplies for the accessories. I also used a small amount of white acrylic paint for details and to make the watercolor paint more opaque. All these supplies can be found at A Child's Dream. When working with small bits of felt, it's best to use 100% wool felt as it is a more durable felt versus an acrylic felt.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video for more information on the materials we used and to see other peg doll tutorials.pepperandpine.com/everything-about-peg-dollsSupplies from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.comTiny peg dollsachildsdream.com/wood-peg-doll-tiny-tot-12Worsted weight yarnachildsdream.com/lambs-pride-wool-yarn-heathered-animal-colorsLyra Opaque Watercolorsachildsdream.com/lyra-opaque-watercolor-paint-set-24-colorsWool Feltachildsdream.com/holland-wool-felt-neutral-baby-colorsCheck out the blog post that accompanies this video for more information on the materials we used and to see other peg doll tutorials.pepperandpine.com/everything-about-peg-dollsFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Artichoke Dip Pepper and Pine 2021-05-17 | There are never leftovers of this appetizer...never. In fact I need to double or triple the recipe everytime. The recipe I'm sharing for this artichoke dip is doubled, but you can cut it in half if you are serving 4 people of less. I learned this recipe from my friend Laura, who learned it from her mother's friend, who may have learned it from someone else. Because this dip is so rich, I like to pair with lighter salads and appetizers and serve it with plain crackers.The recipe is as follows: In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of shredded parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 2 14 oz. cans of artichoke hearts (unmarinated, and squeeze out the excess water), 1-2 teaspoons of crushed garlic (or 2 cloves per can), and 1/1 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper. I use less mayonnaise than the original recipe calls for, so you may double the mayo for this recipe. Check out the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/appetizersWant more recipes? I have an assortment of cooking tutorials!youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Fruit Salad with Citrus Dressing Pepper and Pine 2021-05-14 | What's great about a berry salad is that you can skip cutting, slicing and dicing! I juiced four limes and one lemon for the dressing, then added 2 kiwis, 1 pound of strawberries cut into quarters, 6 ounces of raspberries, 18 ounces of blackberries, 18 ounces of blueberries, and 2 grapefruits. I added a handful of chopped mint then tossed everything and served it immediately. You don't want to let this fruit salad sit. I had leftovers, so I served it the following day and it didn't look so pretty. Also, my limes ended up being super bitter, so the following day I sprinkled it all with brown sugar to bring out the flavors of the fruit.I first learned this recipe about 10 years ago. It was just the berries and some lemon and lime juice. I added the mint, kiwis and grapefruits because I had them, but just about any seasonal fruit would taste amazing.Recently I had fruit salad at a friend's house and she cut her berries in half, added mangoes in tiny chunks and added dates! Her dressing was just heavy whipping cream and it was amazing! While I love the lightness of a citrus dressing, that creaming dressing over the fruit took her salad from appetizer to dessert.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/saladCheck out the my other cooking tutorials:youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
Clothespin Planner | Meal Planner Pepper and Pine 2021-05-10 | These fun clothespin planners are a great way to visualize your week, especially if you have children. You could use them to show the activities you have planned, or who you are visiting but adding photos or images to the clothespins. We are using ours to meal plan. I have magazine clippings and personal photos of the recipes we would like to try to ones we already love that are our visual meal planner for the week. I have a huge stack of recipes from Hello Fresh, as well as dozens upon dozens of magazine recipe clippings that the children and I can choose from. I find the images of the food we want to make more appealing than a written meal planner and this way the family always knows what we are having and can make requests on their own. Then when it comes time to shop for the week, I can see what ingredients I need based on the recipe directions from the recipe card or magazine clipping (or my personal photos which I've included my recipe on the back). I love this new way of meal planning as it involves the whole family in a fun and interactive way.I've been taking photos of the meal and recipes I make for years and years, so now my next project is to make my own recipe cards on 4"x6" prints and store them in a recipe box so the family can easily pick and choose based on the meals I've made in the past.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video for pictures and links to the materials.pepperandpine.com/easy-projects-tutorialsCheck out my other tutorialsyoutube.com/watch?v=UdRJKXo2hcU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxq5NyAZEqQK0ky49GaLmDuFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
The Smoothest Hot Cocoa Ever | Unsweetened! | How to Make Hot Cocoa Pepper and Pine 2021-05-06 | Recently I gave up coffee (I'll go back to coffee at some point, no doubt), but in the meantime, I picked up a new habit: Hot Cocoa. I've been buying my unsweetened cocoa powder from Trader Joe's for years and it's been acceptable. I like it. It's just what I need. But recently while on Instagram, I saw an ad for Wilderness Poets and their vanilla bean powder (more of a moist powder really). I was intrigued because it was not in alcohol, it was not in glycerin and in fact, it wasn't in anything. It was pure vanilla bean. I splurged on the high price tag and bought a small jar. While there (and trying to get free shipping), I happened upon their 2 lb. bag of Peruvian cocoa powder. Perfect! I thought. Just what I need and I'm curious to try a different kind of cocoa powder. Oh my goodness! It's delicious! It's smooth, tasty and not bitter! You seriously don't miss the sugar when you prepare hot cocoa with this powder and my additions. The chocolate flavor is lighter or milder than other cocoa mixes I use and in part that may be because there isn't any sugar. A bit of salt and sugar to enhance flavors. I also find that when I use the cocoa powder from Trader Joe's, I end up with a lot of sediment at the bottom of the cup, but with this Peruvian cocoa powder, there is less sediment. It seems to dissolve or absorb better. I do use a lot...1.5 heaping teaspoons of cocoa powder per cup. It's okay if after you drink it, some of the cocoa has settled at the bottom. I don't swirl the remainder and drink it. I leave it. I haven't yet used this cocoa powder for other recipes like cookies or puddings, but I'm eager to try.I share two recipes in the video: One with milk and the other with cream. If you are on a fat fueled or Ketogenic diet, the recipe with heavy whipping cream may be appropriate for you. Summer Recipe: 1.5 heaping teaspoons of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon salted grass fed butter, 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, 1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean.Directions: Boil water. Fill cup with water. Then after 20-30 seconds, empty water into kettle and boil. Now your cup is hot. Add heavy cream, butter, cocoa and vanilla. Add water and mix well. Top with unsweetened whipped cream and sprinkle cocoa powder and vanilla on top.Winter Recipe: 1.5 heaping teaspoons of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of salted grass fed butter, 1 tablespoon of heavy whipping cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and 8 oz of whole milk.Directions: In a frother (or on the stove), add milk, cocoa, cream and cinnamon. Froth until the cocoa is warmed and has about an inch of froth. Add butter. Let it melt and then froth again. Pour into cups and top with unsweetened whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This one isn't as hot as a stove top recipe and is just right for children.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video on my website at Pepper and Pine:pepperandpine.com/drinksI have a number of other cooking tutorials, check them out!youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Knit a Hat or Beanie for Beginners | Peg Doll Pepper and Pine 2021-05-05 | In this slow tutorial, I walk you through the basics of knitting so you can knit a hat or beanie for a peg doll. I have three patterns to share with you inspired by the pattern in the book Making Peg Dolls by Margaret Bloom on the Martinmas peg doll tutorial. We have gotten so much inspiration from this book. It's beautifully laid out with step by step instructions and simple patterns.Even if you are just getting into peg dolls and knitting, you'll find this hat tutorial is easy enough for new knitters and it's so satisfying to complete.I usually use hot glue to adhere the hat to our peg dolls, but you can keep them loose as well.For this tutorial I used my size 7 needles with sport weight yarn using one of the three patterns. When knitting with sports weight, the suggested needle size is 5. For worsted weight, you can use a size 7 needle. There is some flexibility as to the size needle you use for the weight of yarn. The way you knit will also affect the finished project. If you are a tight knitter, the hats will be smaller. If you are a loose knitter the hats will be bigger. If you use a worsted weight over a sports or sock weight, your hat will be bigger. If you use the larger of the three patterns (17 stitch cast on), your hat will be bigger. There are also several sizes of peg dolls and finger puppets. The mama/female peg doll has a small head, so use the smaller of the patterns with sock weight yarn to make a hat that will fit. If you are making hats for the finger puppet, use the larger pattern and a worsted weight yarn. The male/unisex peg doll is in the middle. Use a small pattern for a beanie, or the large pattern and worsted weight yarn for a hat that covers more of the head. I encourage you to make a few as the type of yarn, needle size, pattern and way you knit will all affect the final size of the hat.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video for more information on the materials we used and to see other peg doll tutorials.pepperandpine.com/everything-about-peg-dollsThe book Making Peg Dolls is available at A Child's Dreamachildsdream.com/making-peg-dolls-by-margaret-bloomMy favorite worsted weight yarn is from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.com/natural-undyed-yarn-worsted-weightKnitting Needles are from A Child's Dreamachildsdream.com/brittany-birch-single-point-knitting-needlesFemale peg doll:achildsdream.com/wood-peg-doll-female-8Male peg doll:achildsdream.com/wood-peg-doll-man-10Finger Puppet:not currently availableI used Highland Sport Yarn by Cloudborn in this tutorial and that can be found at Webs.yarn.com/products/cloudborn-highland-sportSmall pattern suitable for all yarns. This will make a small hat with sock/highland sport weight yarn and slightly larger hat when using worsted weight yarn:Cast on 15 stitchesKnit 2 rowsKnit 2 together, knit 1 for whole rowKnit a row (you should be down to 10 stitches)Knit 1, knit 2 togetherKnit a row (you should be down to 7 stitches)Knit 1, knit 2 togetherKnit a row (you should be down to 5 stitches)Kit 2 together, knit 1, knit 2 togetherNow you should be down to 3 stitchesBind offfold triangle and sew it together with a sewing knitting needle.Medium pattern (slightly larger than the smaller pattern)Cast on 17 stitchesKnit two rowsKnit 2 together, knit 1Knit 1 row[Repeat:knit 2 together, knit 1knit 1 row]Until you have 3 stitches leftBind off and sew hat togetherLarge patternSame as medium or small, but add 1 additional knit row between each decreasing row. If using sock weight, double all knit rows (so that's 4 rows in the beginning and 2 rows between each decreasing row)For pointier hat:Follow small pattern, but when you get to 7 stitches add knit rows between each decreasing row.Find me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Make a Hydraulic Lift Pepper and Pine 2021-05-04 | For our Physics unit for our homeschool we made hydraulic machines using the Pathfinders kit 4 in 1 Hydraulic Kit available at Rainbow Resource. This kit comes with four projects that are well made, come with all the materials you need to make the projects and include additional educational material so you can learn about the machines you are making and the physics principles behind them.Explore the amazing world of physics with us! I have a Physics video series for Grades 5th-9th in which we explore Acoustics, Optics, Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism and Mechanics. The video series includes dozens and dozens of video demonstrations and tutorials to help you recreate these projects on your own, or for you to use as part of your lessons. Get more info on the course here:pepperandpine.com/product/physics-video-seriesCheck out the blog post that accompanies this video for more info and pics of these materials.pepperandpine.com/physics-grades-5th-9thPhysics Mechanics | Forces and Loads, Buildings and Structures, Machines and Toolsyoutu.be/McEILv3RkkcPhysics Electricity And Magnetism | Books, Project Kits and Hands On Projectsyoutu.be/sw-Wh21ObN0Physics Thermodynamics | Curriculum, Books and Demonstrationsyoutu.be/hWmveo_8XAQPhysics Optics & Light | Books, Resources and Lesson Ideasyoutu.be/snzKbEpRwB4Physics Acoustics | Books, Resources and Lesson Ideasyoutu.be/ZfSWXvlDo50Physics Materials for Experiments and Demonstrationsyoutu.be/HQ_4kBf3sYwHOMESCHOOL SCIENCE | Physics Supplies and Unit Studyyoutu.be/nvFfuS8yMAQYou can find this kit at Rainbow Resourcerainbowresource.com/product/008874/Hydraulic-Machines-4-in-1.html?Find me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
Mexican Rice | Making Chipotle Cilantro Rice | Recipe Challenge Pepper and Pine 2021-05-03 | When I was younger, I found a lot of cooking inspiration from the restaurants we used to frequent. If I could make it at home, we could enjoy those dishes more often and save money. Sometimes it works, other times it's just acceptable and other times it fails! This Chipotle inspired Mexican rice is my version of the rice you can find at this chain restaurant which we have been going to for years. While I would make this with any rice I had on hand (which is mostly basmati), occasionally, I buy Mexican rice or sticky rice for a recipe. The main ingredients that distinguish this rice are cilantro and lime. You can add lemon as well. I season mine with salt and add a splash of olive oil. You need quite a bit of cilantro and you don't want to add it too soon as it will lose some of its vibrant green color, so add the cilantro after the rice is cooked.I tried a different way to cook this Mexican rice, as I typically use a rice steamer for Mexican and sticky rice. I tried to cook it the same way I cook basmati rice which is similar to how you would cook pasta. You fill a pot with a lot of water and bring it to a boil. Then you add the rice, making sure there's plenty of space for the rice to move around in the water and cook. Once it's al dente, you drain the rice. Mexican rice is shorter and fatter than basmati rice and the final cooked rice is softer, chewier and more starchy (or at least has a stickier consistency). Once the rice is drained, add it back to the pan the toss it with lemon and lime juice, salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Add chopped cilantro and toss again being mindful not to break the rice. Check out the Blog Post that accompanies this video for more rice recipes:pepperandpine.com/rice-recipes-from-around-the-worldyoutube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
How to Make Stuffed Eggs | aka Deviled Eggs Pepper and Pine 2021-04-30 | I like my eggs hot or as crepes, but chilled stuffed eggs is a healthy, filling and nutritious appetizer that's easy to make and easy to enjoy. Add these finger food, single bite options to a daytime gathering or to complement the chips and salsa for a nice balance to the food spread. This simple dish is quite versatile. You can add or omit just about anything to the yolks which make up the filling. My next attempt at stuffed eggs is a sweet version with vanilla and cinnamon. For this recipe, I used 6 eggs and steamed them for 7 minutes and then left them in the pan for another minute. This gives you a soft center. I recommend cooking for anther 1-2 minutes for a firmer yolk. I added 1.5 tablespoons of mayonnaise, .5 tablespoon of mustard, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. My personal twist is to add a generous sprinkle of paprika and a sprinkle of cayenne. I garnished with fresh fennel and sweet pea flowers.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/appetizersFind me here: twitter.com/PepperandPine instagram.com/pepperandpine facebook.com/pepperandpine pepperandpine.com
All Natural Organic Sugar Cookies with Icing | No Artificial Colors Pepper and Pine 2021-04-27 | These were surprisingly easy to make and you can make these cookies and icing with no special tools or ingredients. I rummaged through the fridge and cabinets sourcing ingredients I could use to color the icing which was simply a mixture of 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with 1/2-3/4 teaspoons of water. I settled on pomegranate juice for the deep pink/maroon, raspberry puree (from a single smushed fresh raspberry), turmeric and saffron for the yellows and chlorophyll from my supplements for the green. I also mixed vanilla for a light tan color and left one plain white with nothing added.The recipe is just as easy and requires no special mixing bowls or tools and you don't even need cookie cutters for these 'full moon' cookies.The first several times I made these I mixed flour, eggs, sugar and butter together without measuring or mixing dry into wet ingredients. They turned out great but in the spirit of sharing this recipe with you, I altered a Martha Stewart sugar cookie recipe. While her recipe calls for a single egg, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, salt and brandy, mine is simply 2 cups of organic flour 3/4 cup of organic sugar, 2 pasture raised eggs, 1/2 cup of organic butter (though this time I used a new butter I found that has a cultured butter taste), and a teaspoon and a half of non-alcoholic organic vanilla. This makes about 2 dozen cookies.I also used some Watkins all natural sprinkles for a new of the smaller cookies.Mix the sugar, melted butter, vanilla and eggs together. Add in flour a little at a time. Refrigerate dough for a firmer dough or roll it out on a flat surface with flour. Use a cup or cookie cutter to form shapes. Release cookies with a metal spatula and put them on a baking tray with our without parchment paper.Bake for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees. Once cooled you can add a dollop of icing and a sprinkle of sprinkles. Let sit and set all the way before stacking. Best eaten within 1-2 days.I used less sugar which means the cookies weren't as sweet, but because the icing was just sugar, I felt okay doing it this way. They are more like biscuits in their sweetness, but with the icing, I think they are okay. You may add about 1/4 of sugar to make them sweeter.*Update on how the icing tastes: the icing with the saffron does impart a slight flavor. Also, it's possible the saffron (being that it's ground and not loose filaments) may be contaminated with dye. **Update on sugar content. My friends said they prefer the sugar content in these cookies because they like to enjoy them with tea and these had a nice balance of sweet to go with their tea. Plus it means less sugar for the kiddos which is always a good thing in my opinion. Check out the Ramadan Blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/ramadanWant more recipes? I have an assortment of cooking tutorials!youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvRamadan Videosyoutube.com/watch?v=F-b57g3phxk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxNeaxxWAGX61-65ydBc19PCheck out the desserts blog postpepperandpine.com/dessertsCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
How To Make Lebanese Meat Pies Pepper and Pine 2021-04-26 | These Lebanese meat pies were an immediate winner in our home. Everyone loved them and in the years since we've learned how to make them, we still do with some modifications. The dough is a dense, dry and flavorful dough that bakes up smooth and delicious. It calls for yogurt and oil which provide a rich flavorful base for the meat. In the years that followed us making this recipe for the first time, I regularly omitted the yogurt because our son has a life threatening dairy allergy. Because the meat is so flavorful, we aren't missing the yogurt in the dough, though I do prefer it. Also, some of my children don't care for tomatoes, so we often leave them out and the lastly, if I don't have lamb, I'll use ground beef which is a distant second option. The flavor the lamb is incredible compared to ground beef. If you don't have access to pomegranate syrup you can leave it out, but it adds a sweet tanginess that distinguishes these meat pies, as does the seasonings which are ones we don't typically use in our cooking, so these are unique for us. However, if you cook with allspice, cumin and cinnamon often, these meat pies might not be as special for you as they are for us. Lastly, the pine nuts add a buttery soft crunch that's the perfect garnish to this appetizer or side dish. This recipe accompanies our history unit studies and is from the book Arabesque, a Taste of Morocco, Lebanon and Turkey by Claudia Roden.Check out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHWant more recipes? I have an assortment of cooking tutorials!youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
How to Make A Hummus Chicken Bowl | Delicious! Pepper and Pine 2021-04-23 | This recipe for a chicken hummus bowl was such a winner in our home, we have since made it often with great success! One thing that will make preparing this dish even faster is to use store bought hummus or make it from a can. I make mine from scratch so I have to plan ahead when I made this. This recipe is from the September 2020 issue of the Eating Well magazine. I made some changes to the recipe as I always seem to do. I added harissa to the spice mix and to the lemon sauce. Check out my other main dishes on the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/main-dishesWant more recipes? I have an assortment of cooking tutorials!youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvCheck out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
How to Make Hummus | Sesame-free | Allergy-free Pepper and Pine 2021-04-22 | This isn't your traditional hummus recipe. For one thing, you'll find that I didn't use tahini. While I love tahini and add it often to our homemade hummus, I omitted it this time, and it tastes just as good! Hummus as a food is generally pretty safe for most known allergens. It's one food my son (who has many allergies) can eat often and safely. But if you have a sesame seed allergy, you know that you can't even be around people who are eating hummus. So this recipe features the basics of the beloved hummus ingredients with no tahini (sesame seed paste). It's possible I like it even better!One thing I do like is using a lot of lemon and garlic. While I share my version of hummus, you may find that you prefer more of one ingredient and less of another. One version my family loves is with curly parsley. We learned that version of hummus from our Palestinian friend. If you want to make this recipe even faster, just use canned chickpeas. I would recommend you warm them up first. One thing you'll find about using canned chickpeas is that they are make a smooth hummus. I found that I could never achieve a smooth hummus cooking my garbanzo beans on the stove, even for hours. But once I started using my Instant Pot, I found that my hummus was much smoother, though maybe not quick as smooth as store bought.The basic ingredients I use for hummus are garbanzo beans, lemon, garlic, cumin and salt. I use a dash of paprika and cayenne, but those are optional. They do make nice garnishes sprinkled on top with a sprig of parsley and a pickle.Check out the blog post that accompanies this video:pepperandpine.com/appetizersWant more recipes? I have an assortment of cooking tutorials!youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
DIY Dome of the Rock Foam Kit Pepper and Pine 2021-04-21 | We used this DIY Dome of the Rock foam kit as part of our Golden Age of Islam unit study for our homeschool. This kit is older and may be harder to find so if you have access to it, I recommend you get it before it's no longer available. My 14-year-old son did this project on his own. The kit is for children 6 years and up, but I find that the younger you are the more adult help you are likely to need. You also have to be gentle while putting this kit together as all the pieces are made of foam with printed paper on top and below. If you crease a tab, it will stay creased and if it's damaged enough, it won't stay in place. It's also easy to bend or damage so be mindful when displaying your finished project. Check out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
How to Cook Ground Lamb | Super Easy Beginner Recipe Pepper and Pine 2021-04-20 | I've altered a recipe we love from the Martha Stewart Living magazine which is an herbed rack of lamb that is paired with a pomegranate rice. We love that recipe so much we cook it often. One day, I made the pomegranate rice but didn't have anything except ground lamb. So, this is the recipe I came up with to pair with the rice. It's a distance second to the rack of lamb recipe, but good in a pinch. Check out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHWant more recipes? I have an assortment of cooking tutorials!youtube.com/watch?v=rm7fKOwkuAU&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxQhSoFTjKOEEsrDSSMTHkvFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
Graham Cracker Masjid | Ramadan Activity Pepper and Pine 2021-04-19 | You can assemble simple project with ingredients you can find at a local grocery store. Of course you can make it from scratch as well. I found that even with store bought graham crackers, meringues and wafers assembling and decorating took a big chunk of time. We also made crescent and star cookies with some icing I made that didn't work (not shown in the video). This festive project brings joy to my children and creates deep loving memories for Ramadan. Of course you could do this project anytime of year.This project and 28 more can be found in my Ramadan Blessings in a Box project that is part of the Ramadan Bundle which is on sale now! The bundle includes 8 projects I made for my children and their friends that we have been enjoying over the years. The product is digital and the activities are simple. All you need is some basic office supplies. pepperandpine.com/product/ramadan-bundle-7-deluxe-projectsFor this Graham Cracker Masjid, all you need is a box of graham crackers, some wafer cookies for the minarets, white chocolate chips for decorations on the top of the minaret, meringue cookies (large) for the dome of the masjid and some powdered sugar to make the icing and 'glue'. Mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with a tablespoon of water. You want the consistency of the icing to be smooth but not to watery. The thicker the better for 'glue' and a bit more watery works well for icing. Go slowly with the water. It's easy to add too much. I did so when I was mixing the chocolate icing.Snap graham crackers in half. If you want to decorate the sides of the masjid, do it before assembling it. Add icing to five graham cracker halves. Add sprinkles or chocolate chunks. Or leave it simple with icing and powdered sugar.Add icing to the edges of the graham crackers and hold for a minute until set. Add roof and dome with icing. Add minarets to the front or all four points. Hold in place until icing is set. Let it set and dry completely before moving them off the wax paper. Check out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
Islamic Books on Muslim Biographies Pepper and Pine 2021-04-16 | These book accompany our Islamic Empire Main Lesson Block and were gifted to me by Siraj Bookstore. siraj.co/products/abu-bakr-as-siddiq-the-age-of-bliss-series?variant=12368128081984Check out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
The Golden Age of Islam Pepper and Pine 2021-04-15 | Are you curious what was going on in the rest of world while Europe was deep in the Dark Ages? While it's considered the Middle Ages or Medieval Times in Europe, other parts of the world had been civilized and had been flourishing for centuries, even millinias. Let's explore other parts of the world together. I have a series of Main Lesson Blocks and Unit Studies that explore North Africa and Ibn Battuta, West Africa and Mansa Musa, Mongolia and Genghis Khan, Ancient China, China and Kublai Khan, The Silk Road and Marco Polo and the Muslim world of Arabia, Persia and the Ottoman Empire with notable historical figures such as Ibn Haytham, Ibn Sina, Khalid ibn al Walid, Saladin and more. Today's video centers on the time period of early 600s through to about the 1200s and covers the area of Arabia and what is modern day Iran. I have some resources on Ottoman Turkey as well and Saladin and the crusades. Check out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
Chinese Brush Painting Pepper and Pine 2021-04-13 | Chinese brush painting was my favorite of all the hands on projects we did for our Ancient China unit study for homeschool. We got this Chinese Brush Painting kit from Barnes and Noble. It comes with basic supplies of which I don't know of the quality. Being that we were beginners, it appeared the supplies we used were good enough for our endeavor, but you can find high quality professional supplies from Oriental Art Supply. For this lesson, we explored how to make simple brush strokes using the three different hand/finger positions indicated in the book. Once we practiced those stokes, we attempted the lotus flower. It was challenging for us to find success with this project for many reasons. First, we didn't practice the basics enough. Second, we were too hasty and did everything in one day rather than doing several short lessons for the course of a week. And third, it takes years of practice to make it look easy! The images in the book are beautiful and while some look basic, it wasn't easy to achieve what we wanted...even with something easy.This left me deeply impressed and in appreciative of the time and skill it takes to learn this art form, master it and produce work that looks effortless. If you haven't tried Chinese brush painting, I recommend you try it out!Chinese Brush Painting Supplies and Haulyoutu.be/Od9O5y_p194Oriental Art Supply:http://www.orientalartsupply.comCheck out the Lesson Plans for our Silk Road Unit:pepperandpine.com/product/silk-road-lesson-plansCheck out the China Blog Postpepperandpine.com/ancient-chinaChinese Brush Painting Kit from Barnes and Noble:barnesandnoble.com/w/classic-chinese-brush-painting-rebecca-yue/1126321864?ean=9781600587658Check out the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Blog Postpepperandpine.com/genghis-khan-marco-poloCheck out the Silk Road Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-silk-roadCheck out the Islamic Empire Blog Postpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Silk Road Unitpepperandpine.com/the-golden-age-of-islamCheck out the video playlist for the Marco Polo and Genghis Khan Unityoutube.com/watch?v=YNjfUq19_Q8&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxwrOI868UvWY1tmCZ71xX1pCheck out the video playlist for the China unityoutube.com/watch?v=sZDiTwy0fSk&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxxpdH-g1S5-cf5-nS3B1yKKCheck out the video playlist for Islamic Empire unityoutube.com/watch?v=CxK5cemiemI&list=PLJxUV0rOnlxz1evmCq9EeELYcYjPBIIDHFind me here:twitter.com/PepperandPineinstagram.com/pepperandpinefacebook.com/pepperandpinepepperandpine.com
