Baking Together

Tasha and I have developed a love for baking.  We might not have that same love when the temperature hits 85 degrees outside, but today was 40... and that felt like a heat wave.

We especially love baking cookies.  We made sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, and oatmeal cookies.  Plus, I made bread.

I don't often blog about Tasha's homeschool work because she does so much of her work independently.  However, baking is a new love.  She never had time to bake with me when she was in public school.

I like that she is learning how to do these things.  There isn't home ec in school anymore around here.  They may have child development and fashion classes (which teaches some sewing),  but cooking classes are gone.  She hasn't been taught how to do a lot of cooking... especially from scratch.  She is learning now.   In a way, she is learning some stuff with me as I learn to make things homemade and not pre-packaged. 

 

Truthfully, the homemade stuff is just amazing compared to the store-bought stuff.  My kids were eating a loaf of bread a day when I first began baking it homemade.  The newness has worn off a little and they aren't eating it as quickly, but they still love it.

 

I realize that, to many people today, home-making skills are old-fashioned and unnecessary.  Maybe they think that, with modern technology and packaged food, homemaking skills aren't needed.  I beg to differ.  I think males and females should learn to cook and take care of the home.  Pre-packaged food may be more convenient, but it isn't good for our health.  

Of course, a few dozen cookies probably aren't the best either.  However, at least I know what is in my cookies.  Flour, butter (I'm trying to stick with real butter too, not the fake butter that is really oil.), sugar, oats, baking soda, vanilla... these are real, natural ingredients.  These cookies aren't loaded with preservatives or fake colors or chemicals to make the cookies stay soft and fluffy for 6 years!

Ok, tangent over. 

I am happy that I am able to teach my daughters things that they can't get in public school.  I'm glad they will have the skills to take care of themselves.  They may go on to have lucrative careers, but still will know how to bake and take care of a home.  I may go on to have a career one day.  My kids won't live at home forever.  But while they are here, It does feel good to know that I nurtured them and taught them and shared time with them baking cookies.