Skip to content
  • Shop
  • Mailing List
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • My account
  • Ocean Main Lesson Block
  • Special Access
  • Contact Us
  • About Me
  • Watercolor Painting Course
  • Geometry Course
  • Physics Grades 5th-9th
  • Curriculum
  • Exploring the Numbers 1-12

Pepper and Pine

All things food, paper and education

Category: Nature Study

Ocean Main Lesson Block

Ocean Main Lesson Block

Posted on July 7, 2020November 19, 2020 by Hana
It’s time to start a new unit and this time around I’m writing my own main lesson block for a study on the ocean. Ocean study is broad, so I’m focusing our work on local coastal plan... Read More
How To Do A Bird Unit Study

How To Do A Bird Unit Study

Posted on July 16, 2019November 19, 2020 by Hana
There’s always excitement when I put together a new unit. It’s the same excitement you might feel at the start of the new homeschool year. I love looking for new resources and assembling a... Read More
HOW TO DO AN OWL UNIT STUDY | RESOURCES & PROJECTS

HOW TO DO AN OWL UNIT STUDY | RESOURCES & PROJECTS

Posted on June 13, 2019July 15, 2019 by Hana
Are you looking for a small unit study on owls? I’ve got you covered! I know my unit studies tend to be long, involved and contain a lot of books, but this one is small, with a few beautiful boo... Read More
Book Haul | What We’re Reading and Why

Book Haul | What We’re Reading and Why

Posted on March 18, 2019January 7, 2021 by Hana
Homeschool | Living Books and Hands On Kits https://youtu.be/ZVRekxq-yII More living books! Yes please. I keep saying I’ll divert my funding from books to use for other resources, but here we ar... Read More
HOW TO DO A CHARLOTTE MASON INSPIRED NATURE STUDY

HOW TO DO A CHARLOTTE MASON INSPIRED NATURE STUDY

Posted on February 1, 2019January 31, 2019 by Hana
Did you know that you can do nature study in the city? You don’t need beaches, mountains or valleys to partake in nature study. In fact, when you have to search and appreciate the smallest amoun... Read More
LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY

LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY

Posted on May 18, 2018May 22, 2018 by Hana
This started out as a simple project, but turned into a homeschool keepsake. I’m not even sure at what point it happened, but this project took on a life of its own! It pulls together three diff... Read More
WATERCOLOR MONARCH BUTTERFLY

WATERCOLOR MONARCH BUTTERFLY

Posted on May 17, 2018May 17, 2018 by Hana
I love adding watercoloring to our lessons when possible, and this monarch butterfly watercolor is a great beginner project. With just a couple of colors, you can make an extraordinary painting. For t... Read More
OVEN BAKE CLAY | LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY

OVEN BAKE CLAY | LIFE CYCLE OF A BUTTERFLY

Posted on May 15, 2018May 17, 2018 by Hana
Sculpey Ultra Light oven bake clay is my new favorite modeling medium! It’s awesome!! Let me tell you why this is a must have item for your art supply stash or homeschool supplies. It comes in w... Read More
ANATOMY OF A BUTTERFLY

ANATOMY OF A BUTTERFLY

Posted on May 14, 2018May 17, 2018 by Hana
I love it when I can mix art and science or art and math for that matter. Any lesson is an opportunity to pull out the watercolor paper and art supplies. For this lesson we are using our Tim Holtz Dis... Read More
FELTED CATERPILLAR TUTORIAL

FELTED CATERPILLAR TUTORIAL

Posted on May 11, 2018May 16, 2018 by Hana
I’m always surprised when my children want to felt. It’s not the easiest craft and it takes a while to, but their projects turned out so cute! Especially my 7-year-old’s caterpillar.... Read More
  • 1 of 4
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next »

Mailing List

Cooking, curriculum and more! Be the first to know when new things are happening at Pepper and Pine, and sign up for Special Access.

Recent Posts

  • Horses Unit Study
  • My Sister, Samiah
  • Answering Your Questions
  • West Africa Main Lesson Block
  • Algebra Resources

Categories

  • American History
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Rome
  • Astronomy
  • Botany Main Lesson Block
  • Chalk Drawings
  • Curriculum
  • Finger Puppets
  • First Grade
  • Food
  • Form Drawing
  • Geology Unit
  • geometry
  • High School
  • History
  • Homeschool
  • Kindergarten
  • Math
  • Middle Ages
  • Nature Study
  • Organization
  • Peg Dolls
  • Ramadan
  • Third Grade
  • Tutorials
  • Unit Study
  • Waldorf
  • Watercoloring
  • West Africa
  • Winter Seasonal Unit

See what we’re doing right now!

pepperandpine

Hello! I live in California & I homeschool using a Waldorf curriculum. www.pepperandpine.com

Hana
My sister asked us here to celebrate. To celebrate My sister asked us here to celebrate. To celebrate her decision to move from California to Alaska, to celebrate the majesty of this winter masterpiece, to celebrate her first home and the celebrate her. We think we are here for her, and yet we have gained far more from this experience. 
We have healed as a family. Still we have a long way to go. We have truly enjoyed our time and ourselves and are awed by the beauty an Alaskan winter. We have discovered new joys, new skills and a renewed love of nature. 
The short days are restorative. 
The cold weather is purifying. 
And the pristine mornings spiritually moving. 
We have smiled, hugged and shed tears. 
We have bonded, shared and argued. 
We are a family. 
And we have come together to support my sister and in doing so, we have grown in unmeasurable ways. 
The challenge of getting here has melted away, and we are simply enjoying being totally present. 
SubhanaAllah, my sister’s dua are manifesting in unimaginable ways. Her prayers are coming true. And we are reaping the benefits. Alhumdulillah ❤️
It’s was the best hug I ever had❤️ ❤️❤ It’s was the best hug I ever had❤️ ❤️❤️
.
The doorbell rang. I was flipping tortillas and making soup. I popped my head around the corner and saw them arrive. But my sister was by the door and I couldn’t see her. I literally had butterflies in my stomach. But my tortillas were overcooking so I ducked back into the kitchen and flipped them and added more to the pan. Then I came around the corner again and there she was. In her adorable knitted hat. 
I walked up to her and we hugged. It was the best hug ever. Warm, snug and long. And then the tears came. And still we hugged. Then we pulled away and looked at each other through blurry wet eyes. We just couldn’t believe we were together. All of us together. We just looked at each other with happy and sad tears. 
.
We saw a moose. Our trip is now complete 🤩 Ac We saw a moose. 
Our trip is now complete 🤩 
Actually we saw two. Apparently they munch on the trees in the hotel parking lot and are regulars there. They were blocking our path so we waiting. We had decided to walk to the car rental place which was only a mile away but the moose had other plans. While taking an inordinate number of selfies with the moose we turned to see our shuttle exiting the parking lot. We waved him down and he took us to the car rental place. What a spectacular way to start our Alaskan adventure. And we haven’t even gotten to my sister’s yet!
We were very careful and kept our distance.
Hello from the California mountains. It’s like a Hello from the California mountains. It’s like a practice run for our trip Alaska this Friday. Well not really as the temperatures were so pleasant we were quite warm by the time we left. 
.
I’m headed Alaska to visit my sister Samiah before she begins treatment for her brain tumor. We have struggled over choosing the right time to go and while we will undoubtedly make more trips over the course of her treatment we also decided to experience winter with her. 
.
My sister wants us to behold the beauty of an Alaskan winter. The soft dark blue sky with towering snow covered pines dotting the horizon and Mount Denali in the distance...
.
The clear cold air, the quiet, the snow and the fresh well water. Her little cozy cabin is nestled in the great wilderness, and for her it not only feels like home, it feels like she’s coming home. As if this place has been calling her and she’s only just heard her name. I want to share her joy with her. I want to see the things she has loves, the twilight mornings, her sunroom, the brightness of the snow when the sun shines upon it, but most of all I want to see her. I miss her. And I know she misses us too. 
.
I’m excited and anxious. InshaAllah I’ll keep posted as we make our way into the big vast wilderness that is Alaska. 
.
#mom #muslimmom #muslim #americanmuslim #muslimhomeschool 
#hijab
This year has given me some of my highest highs & This year has given me some of my highest highs & lowest lows of my life. Since some of those moments aren’t public yet, I can only share two pivotal moments tha you have experienced with me. 
.
But first let me take you back to the beginning of this year. 
.
I was absent from social media  having spontaneous left in December after deleting my apps. I have struggled with what it means to share publicly as Muslim woman who wears hijab.  While I sorted through my thoughts on this & other things I found challenging about social media, I took a break. 
.
I didn’t feel good about it. I like being here. Sharing our homeschool journey is a blessing and a gift for me as much as it is for those who benefit from it. 
.
Then in March the world changed. And that change persisted and there just didn’t seem like a right place to come back.
So I waited.
And waited.
Finally I posted my first post of 2020 in May. You responded with so much love and support, I was truly moved ❤️
.
Two months later you supported me when I launched my first curriculum Alhumdulillah. The response once again was overwhelmingly positive. I know many of you bought my curriculum for nothing more than to support me and I was truly touched by your gesture. 
.
And then you did it again and again ❤️
.
Meanwhile, as my new venture was taking off, my sister, Samiah’s business of 20 years was collapsing. The venues she relied on to sell her amazing clothing were closed. The financial struggle was crushing and they chose to make a drastic life change. They uprooted their family in Southern California and left for Alaska. 
.
The second worst call of my life came just days before my 45th birthday (and almost exactly 10 years after the worse call of my life). My sister Samiah shared shattering news with us. She had a brain tumor & surgery was set immediately. 
.
Surgery was a success Alhumdulillah. And each day of recovery & healing was a deep & profound blessing. We were still processing that trauma when we found out that the tumor was a very aggressive, fast growing cancer. I’m still in the throes of that grief while simultaneously trying to figure how best to support my sister and stay positive. 
#muslim #top9
May she have many healthy summers ahead of her, am May she have many healthy summers ahead of her, ameen. All sales are being donated to my sister’s cancer fund until January 5th and right now, everything in my shop is on sale plus use coupon code SHOP25 for an extra 25% off even sale prices!
.
Link in bio. Or head to My website at Pepper and Pine. 
.
Thank you so much for all your love, support, dua and prayers. We have been touched by your generosity, your love, your care and your thoughtfulness as you check in with us on how she is doing. 
.
.
Truly this has been a blessing of unmeasurable goodness. We remain hopeful Alhumdulillah. 
.
.
.
.
.
#homeschooling #muslimhomeschool #muslimfamily #cancer #americanmuslim
Yesterday was a good day, Alhumdulillah. My sister Yesterday was a good day, Alhumdulillah. My sister, Samiah, called just as my mom, Aurelia and Anna walked through the door ready for tea and plenty of knitting. I gestured to them that I was on the phone with Samiah. My children welcomed them in and got them breakfast while I talked with Samiah. 
.
Then I said, “well I have to go. Mom is here and we’re knitting.” And she said, “no wait!! That’s why I called, I’m crashing your knitting party!” 😂 So we continued our conversation via FaceTime and she knitted and drank tea with us. It was the best! I loved it. 
.
We also made lip balm and started some natural dye for yarn. Everyone left with some orange scented lip balm and having made progress with their knitting projects. It was a wholesome day and I loved it Alhumdulillah ❤️
.
#sisters #knitting #winter #cozy #family #muslim #americanmuslim #homeschooling #muslimhomeschool #muslimhomeschooling #muslimfamily #cancer #glioblastoma #allahuakbar #alhumdulillah #subhanallah
My sister is full of positivity. She is my guide o My sister is full of positivity. She is my guide on how to feel during this time. We travel through the ups and downs and at the end we remain steadfast and hopeful. 
.
We have much to be grateful for and so we will strive towards healing. With your love and positive support we can achieve this InshaAllah. 
.
I have been sharing your prayers and well wishes to my sister and have only gotten through a fraction of them from the first post I made a couple weeks ago. She wants me to respond to each of you because each of your prayers and thoughts means so much to her. She began dictating the responses but I couldn’t get to everyone and that was only the private messages. So know that even if you haven’t gotten a reply yet, that’s on me and you’ll get one InshaAllah ❤️❤️❤️
.
I aim to fill my conversations with my sister with your uplifting thoughts. While I struggle to get in the space of positivity, I hope you’ll help me with your words so I can be filled with hope and so that I may pass that on to my sister 🙏
She asked me to wait until after the holidays to s She asked me to wait until after the holidays to share this news.  My sister, Samiah (on the left), had brain surgery about 2 weeks ago to remove a sizable tumor. She’s been suffering with symptoms for about a month or two & the diagnosis was a shock. 
.
There was no time to biopsy the tumor, the surgery was immediately scheduled for a couple days later. Our family was reeling with the news. But Alhumdulillah the surgery was a success & there was no long term damage caused by the surgery except some diminished vision. 
.
Each day of her recovery was a beautiful blessing. She was energetic just hours after surgery, then she experienced a few troubling days of fatigue. Then she was discharged from the hospital.
.
The day she had her doctor’s appointment to have her staples removed & discuss the protocol, she had to drive 2 hours to get to the hospital in Anchorage. 
.
That evening my sister-in-law, Anna, shared that she had had a long conversation with Samiah that morning & Samiah had asked that no one call her for three day. She’d  be sleeping. Then Anna shared the news we all were dreading to hear...
Samiah has a very aggressive, fast growing tumor. 
.
But here’s the thing.
Samiah is even more positive than before.
You can read what she has to say.
Link in my bio.
The blog post titled My Sister, Samiah is on my website at Pepper and Pine.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Shop
  • Mailing List
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • My account
  • Ocean Main Lesson Block
  • Special Access
  • Contact Us
  • About Me
  • Watercolor Painting Course
  • Geometry Course
  • Physics Grades 5th-9th
  • Curriculum
  • Exploring the Numbers 1-12

Categories

  • American History
  • Ancient Egypt
  • Ancient Rome
  • Astronomy
  • Botany Main Lesson Block
  • Chalk Drawings
  • Curriculum
  • Finger Puppets
  • First Grade
  • Food
  • Form Drawing
  • Geology Unit
  • geometry
  • High School
  • History
  • Homeschool
  • Kindergarten
  • Math
  • Middle Ages
  • Nature Study
  • Organization
  • Peg Dolls
  • Ramadan
  • Third Grade
  • Tutorials
  • Unit Study
  • Waldorf
  • Watercoloring
  • West Africa
  • Winter Seasonal Unit

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • January 2020
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
Theme Designed by InkHive.com. Pepper and Pine 2020

Everything on Sale Now! Dismiss

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy