Blueberries for Sal {BFIAR}

Although we haven’t officially ‘started school’, we started up our {Before} Five in a Row for the younger girls.
As a mom, I love this very-flexible, loving-environment, creative way to preschool through FIAR and include all the girls in the learning experience (although poor Leia did nap during this experience today)…

We skipped ahead (one of the best things about this schedule – decide what works best for your family and children) as blueberries were on sale locally – therefore …

 

 

 

 


Blueberries for Sal was the book of choice.

 

Oh, how I adore this sweet storybook – from the simple, yet eye catching illustration, to the plink-plank-plunk sounds to the adorable, cozy scene of mom and daughter canning in the old-fashioned kitchen …

 

So today, with great gramma visiting and the late summer sun keeping us warm, we canned blueberries to go along with the story.

We’ve made blueberry jam in the past, but never just canned blueberries… Lovelyn was a great helper filling the jars – although, as the picture proves, she certainly ate her fair share …

 

We listened to the audio version of the book while we filled the jars while another sister read through the book …

To can blueberries, simply wash the berries, fill the jars, and pour in a syrup mix to cover the berries (1:2 ratio of water and syrup, boiled on the stove). Wipe the rims clean, place a new canning lid on top and pop them in the water bath …

 

 

We water bathed for 15 minutes …

 

They came out looking very juicy and lovely – inviting for a cold winter day when we decide to make blueberry pie or blueberry bundt cake …

 

I’m so grateful for these little hours, moments of time, with the girls in each of their different stages of growing and learning …

If you have a preschooler or kindergarten child at home, I encourage you to check out the Five in a Row option. You will be pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it can be to teach your own young child with beautiful classic storybooks and endearing activities to go along…

As for Lovelyn, she fell asleep with the Bluberries for Sal book in her arms tonight – 🙂

 

September 1, 2014 - 1:22 pm

JES This is the perfect post and pictures which share the beauty of home education. Just lovely!

August 31, 2014 - 12:28 am

Mama H Well the birds nest is sweet!Thanks for the berry info,we are newbie canners!Wish we could sit down and chit chat some time!I think we would get along famously.:)…..Sincerly,Bobbie

August 29, 2014 - 7:47 am

Gillian p.s. Oh, my hair is commonly referred to as the bird’s nest! loosely pulled up with lots of bobby pins!

August 29, 2014 - 7:46 am

admin Hey Mamma H (ok, you have to tell me your real name so I can call you that!) – we hot water bathed them – cold packed the berries (just dropped them in) and the hot syrup was just ladled in to leave the regular headspace on top – water bathed for 15 minutes. I can’t wait to try them although I tend to wait till cooler weather to open the preserves. I have seen where you can add lavender or vanilla to the process – yummmm!

August 28, 2014 - 11:59 pm

Mama H. I luv luv luv five in a row!!!We have a house full of kiddos also!What kind of syrup is it?And you just sit them in a tub of water?hot or cold matter?You should do a post about how you fix your hair like that!Seriously!It’s super sweet and delicate.I love it!