Back to School... or should I say, "Back to Home"?

Or 'Back to the Basement'?! Regardless of how you say it, it is that time of year once again-- time to get back on a schedule and start hitting the books... Summer is on it's way out (not that I'll miss it's blazing heat and thunderstorms!) and I am looking forward to FALL!

I didn't take any of my typical first-day-of-school pictures with the girls-- however, these pictures of them cooking for our anniversary dinner happened to also fall on our first day, so I guess they will have to do.

Our 5th grader (with her apple pie):

Our 2nd grader (with her potato gratin's--recipe courtesty of The Next Food Network Star show winner!):

We are continuing with much of the same curriculum this year. Math for both girls stays the same but some new changes are taking place in grammar and vocabulary for Abbie, spelling for Emma and writing for both girls. Our core is again from My Father's World and we will be starting in our 1st year of a 4 year cycle of world history. This year we will be studying history from "Creation to the Greeks". Because of the time period covered in this curriculum, we will naturally be focusing quite a bit on Biblical history as well as many of the traditions and celebrations of the Jewish people. Part of our 'hands on learning' will include preparing and participating in the Jewish holiday and holy day celebrations such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkoth, Passover and Purim.

(Notice the happy look on Michael's face that I'm taking a picture of people at the table! My mom will be proud!)

Our first Jewish tradition to celebrate was the Sabbath. Fortunately, we have a book that details all of the preparations and prayers that are a part of this event. We didn't have a typical Jewish meal (no gefilte fish for us, thanks!) but we did bake homemade challah bread and make potato latkes (which we do enjoy!). While it felt a little awkward because it was our first time and we didn't exacly have a feel for the flow of the events, it was definitely an interesting experience to see all of the detail and symbolism that goes into a weekly celebration. We were all really ready to eat by the time we got through all the ceremony!!

(The challah loves and covering made by the girls)

In other news, the garden is still producing tomatoes by the basketful. I've canned a total of 7 quarts of marinara sauce and 4 pints of salsa... and now I'm just putting tomatoes in the freezer (because I've decided that the whole sauce making/canning thing is just too time consuming now that we're back in school!!). Here are a few more pictures...

I've decided that pioneer life was certainly much harder than I've ever imagined-- it took me ALL DAY to make my few quarts of sauce. I'm certainly glad my family's survival through the winter is not dependent upon my gardening and food storage preparations!!