Large Family Scratch Cooking ~ Making Mead ~ Wintersowing ~  

Hannah is soooo precious! And she is such a content baby. I lost my job in September and my food storage has been such a blessing. My grocery bill has gone down to under a hundred a week and we are not lacking anything. Your blessing to me is teaching me to think outside of the box before throwing away anything.

Jessica, first of all, congratulations 🎉 on your 100k subs, what an accomplishment. Secondly, it really bothers me that you have to endure people telling or commenting that the food you make is ugly. It is rude and Ill mannered behavior. The way I see it, you are providing healthy homemade food full of nutrients for your family so I applaud you. I was a single mother of 2 boys and although I have the skills to preserve and cook all scratch made food, I rarely had the time always working. I am a survivor of spousal abuse so I wish I had the time to give them more than what I did but now that they are adults and college educated in their own careers, Me and my 2nd husband do a lot of preserving and food prepping and they get to come by and get care bags of home canned food that they appreciate and love. You are a wonderful mother who is giving her children the best start in life and the skills they will aquire is Gold. Best of luck for the harvest and as a Hispanic, I have the best flour tortilla recipe that only calls for 3 ingredients 2 cups flour 1/2 cup lard and 1 tsp salt then you slowly add 1 and a half to 2 cups warm water until you get a soft smooth ball. Best of luck.

Congrts Jessica on 100k subs. Beans on toast is a common breakfast/lunch/snack here in the UK.

Hannah has her own fan club. She is at one of my favorite ages and developmental stages. Tracking and attentive. Glad you are all well.

Jessica, Thank you for challenging me in this challenge. My mindset has changed and I’m making so much more from scratch, THANK YOU!

The things you are teaching your children will prepare them in ways most children will never know. They are blessed.

We make a turkey pot pie with drop biscuit topping from leftover turkey. My family calls it "gobbler cobbler". :) It's one of our favorite meals.

It's immensely satisfying to see a channel with quality content reach triple digit subs as it deserves. Your baby is adorable! God Bless you and your family :D

You are SO AMAZING!! I'm much older than you and have raised my kid's but I still enjoy watching your sweet family. How you accomplish so much in a day!! I hope your husband knows what a treasure he has in you. May God continue to richly bless you all. Have a great week and thank you for being so creative. You are inspiring!

My cuz has alpha-gal, so she can't have anything from a cow or pig(milk/cheese). She is also very sensitive to flour. Your recipes have changed her life. Sundays lunch is so much fun to see her face as we watch you. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.

I forgot to mention Hannah is growing up so fast and she is absolutely beautiful. You work incredibly hard and I’m exhausted watching all you do for your family each and everyday..I grew up with 5 other siblings and both parents worked full time outside the home. When my mother came home tired after working all day and the long commute home she still made a home cooked nutritious meal for us all everyday and none of the processed packaged meals that would have been faster. At 68 years old I think back and still don’t know how she did all she did with little to no time for herself.

Hannah is over the top adorable! What a little doll!

For that zucchini brownie, you could also separate the eggs and whip the whites up and fold them into the rest of the ingredients to provide some lift and make it more cake-like. Maybe David could experiment with that to expand his repertoire on gluten free baking. Your "ugly food" looks pretty tasty to me. Thanks for sharing with us.

It is not Ugly food, its Rustic! Love those kiddos. So sweet.

I almost wish you didn't call your food ugly. Re: salmon patties and rice, it looked beautifully delicious to me. 😊

Wow!!! You made it!!! 100,000+ subscribers!!!! Sending CONGRATULATIONS!!! I knew u would make it!!! God Bless you and your family. Happy home church day Jessica!!!! Your Michigan Fan and Friend, Araminta

To make a large family happy & healthy with restrictions on diets is such a task. You are so intelligent and caring and creative ♡

Good morning Jessica. Today I raided my storage for ingredients for a huge pot of chili for my family. I had pressure canned ground beef in the fall before my latest cow arrived, and when the canner wasn't full, I pressure canned dried beans as well. I pulled a quart of beans, a quart of my canned tomato sauce, ground beef from the freezer, dried garlic from my spice cabinet, as well as three dried chili peppers that came from my garden last summer. Added additional spices to heat up my chili, and got it in the oven (in my cast iron dutch oven) to simmer all morning. I'm planning to cook a batch of cornbread, and I'm currently thawing cherry pie filling I stored last summer to make a pie for dessert. This week, I raided my storage to provide most of the ingredients for spaghetti and meat sauce (that previously canned ground meat) for our cooking lesson. I had to purchase spaghetti noodles on the way to work. Due to my son's autism, spaghetti was too messy in our home, so while we do eat pasta, we typically eat other shapes that hold the sauce better. The students were thrilled with the meal we cooked, and I was happy that it didn't cost me a ton at the store. This week I've been cleaning out the frig. I couldn't tell you the last time I washed the shelves, because my frig is typically crammed full of jars that aren't yet empty. I finished a jar of pumpkin butter yesterday, nearly finished a jar of olives, and today we are having a relish tray for lunch to use some banana rings, pickled red beets, pickles and olives that are sitting on the shelf in the cellar. I canned the beets and pepper rings in 2020, so I'm using them up as opportunities arise. I found a bag of cranberries in the crisper drawer so I added them to rice and a very small pork loin, to cook for after school meals for myself. I found it far too tart for my liking, but I wouldn't have known if they had gone straight into the trash or the freezer. I'm enjoying the opportunity to review what is in my stores because next winter will be more challenging. My sons' father (who had been their legal guardian) died last month, and once the court approves me as their guardian, they will be living with me. We will be using far more food than I do as a single person, and I will need a larger garden, enough space to have chickens, and possible raising a pig or two to add to the freezer. This is what is on my radar for the coming garden season. I did winter sowing with my students in January (just after the Christmas break), and we are looking forward to planting our raised bed at school for use in the meals we will cook in the spring as well as the ones that may be prepared over summer camp. I know that I will use more flour at home in the next year. I purchased 50# at the Mennonite grocery last spring, and it has lasted, but we are down to about 20# in my home. While it will last through the pantry challenge, it won't last through the end of the school year, especially since cooking class is largely funded by my personal budget. I'm also down to about 15# of sugar in storage - but I have multiple pie and cobbler fillings in the freezer that need to be used, which already have the sugar and flour added. I just have to make crust and bake. Thank you again for all your inspiration.

Oh my…Hannah is growing so fast and gets cuter every day! My heart literally melts whenever you show the other children holding and loving on Hannah ❤

Once again you have made my Sunday complete. You give us so many ideas to take thru these crazy economic times. Learning to organize and think about food is inspiring so many to survive without struggling. Waste not, want not is a true process. Plus the bonus of watching your children work together is truly a blessing. And seeing John and Benjamin come into their own is heart warming. You work so hard, Jessica but are surrounded by love. Hannah is too sweet, so bright eyed and happy. You and Adam have much to be grateful for. You have found the secret of happiness. Thank you for sharing. Much love.

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know, but your children are not only beautiful souls, but absolutely adorable kids. Hannah's cheeks are so cute!

Hi Jessica, I wait all week for a video from you. Thank you so much. You and Becky at acher homestead have gotten me back in the kitchen after 20 years of not bothering. I quit the kitchen when my children went off to college. But because of you and Becky I'm back and for the first time I started dehydrating and pressure canning. Yep at 62 I finally got a pressure canner and I've been canning everything. I started canning in December and I'm canning chicken, beef and bone broth, chicken pot pie filling, beef stew, and beans of every kind. I started with the difficult things because nothing is growing right now. I've been watching for good sales on chicken and beef and when I find one I buy as much as possible, and all I have is foodstamps! I get very little over $900.00 a month in social security and $285.00 in foodstamps, my check is taken up by my lot rent, homeowners insurance and internet. I have a very little for jars each month, and I was gifted with a Cosori dehydrator and a tiny freezer by my brother. So if I can manage to do this anyone can. I just wanted to encourage others to do what you can. Last summer I had my first garden too. It wasn't the best but I got enough food to feed myself my brother and give a few tomatoes to a couple neighbors. I was wondering if you could do some videos on dehydrating food. I know you used to dehydrate before the freeze dryer and it would be nice to see you do some videos on dehydrating, not many of us older people can afford a freeze dryer but we can dehydrate even in an oven or a empty room. Thanks so much Jessica. I'm sure I had other things to say but I can't remember what they were. Lol 😂

Enjoyed it! Hannah looks so cute in per pink coveralls! Hannah and David, so sweet, what a blessing for her all her brothers and sisters.

Jessica, you don't make ugly food. You make rustic food, like the most of us do in our everyday life 🤭 And then we sometimes put in a little more effort for very special occasions. 😃Thank you for an other week of inspiration to use up what we have around the house. Have a good week, and God bless your beautiful family!

Last night made sauerkraut soup, had 1 jar left and wanted to try it. I added smoked kielbasa and bacon into mine. Just found a recipe online and went from there. We only live about half hour away from wild for salmon! I have been to their store, oh the seafood. And since we are in pantry challenge I have to wait to get seafood. You are an inspiration to me, I just made bread dough while watching the video. Have a blessed week, Diane Hartley

The apple smiles are sweet! Next time I watch my granddaughters we will be making them. I always learn something new from you. Thanks!

Your biscuits were not ugly - they looked so soft and fluffy. Can you make meade without fermented honey? How about regular honey? Your videos are ALWAYS interesting and introduce new things to me every time! Using the meat juice leftovers for beans sounds like a great idea - will give it a try along with a number of others things introduced this morning - THANK YOU! I know it is hard to hold a camera and do the steps you are video-ing but it has to be triple hard to come up with the new interesting ideas and you do that so well! I appreciate the camera angles, up close pictures AND the variety and depth of content. Impressive.

Have you ever thought to ask your subscribers for ideas on different foods you could make the last half of February? Give them a rundown of what you have left in the pantry and see what they come up with, I think there are those who would enjoy the creative challenge...in the midst of the pantry challenge. Hannah is SOOO cute!!! I love how all the other children love on her.

To use grease from meatloaf, used chopped carrots and potatoes around meatloaf, they will roast and caramelize in the meatloaf awesomeness!

There is nothing wrong with ugly food !!! I think what you make looks great! I know what you mean about changing things up for large families. I never knew I could make my own baking powder !! Thanks for the tip ! We go through a ton of baking powder. We need to start our seeds soon as well. Great video ❤

Good morning friend, hope you have a great day.

Love that the lard gives those rolls good colour on top!

How did I make it to 64 years old and NOT know that lard contains Vitamin D??? Mind blown! Love seeing little Hannah. My middle daughter just had our second grandson 2 weeks ago and is just as precious.

I love it when the older children interact with the baby.

Hannah is one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen! She’s right up there with my great granddaughter. Your older children are wonderful with her! Really enjoy the Sunday morning videos.

Thank you for taking the time from your busy days to bless so many!

Hannah is adorable! Our family has really been enjoying one of the last breakfast recipes you shared, thank you!

Love seeing your son give thanks .

Be careful if you have fruit chunks in your fermenting mead. It can get bubble up into the air lock and cause an explosion all over the ceiling. Advice from a friend. 😉

Whoever told you that you make ugly food has obviously not had to cook for a large family!!!! Please ignore them !!! Nutrition far outweighs any prettiness that they must strive for. You are doing an amazing job taking care of the health of your children. ❣️❣️❣️

Love seeing how your children interact with the baby. A much loved family.

What an excellent tip about the apple cider vinegar while soaking the beans! I will try that for sure. YOu and your family are so beautiful!!!!

Congrats on 100k! I love the bread around the meatloaf idea!

Hanna has grown up so quick love watching you sharing your life xxxx love KathyFrom Australia 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 🇦🇺

My favourite way to end my weekend, Jessica and her family then I pass out lol.

I really enjoy the pantry challenge videos. I especially liked the way Elizabeth worked with her little brother with taping the seed containers closed. She didn’t get frustrated and take over; she guided him with getting the tape straight. Thank you for sharing. God bless. 🌹Rosie of Oz🇦🇺 & 🐶Omega the cavalier🐶

You were a blessing this morning!. I live off the grid and have been snowed in for 3 months. I ran out of baking powder last week. I'm single, so having to make yeast bread is time-consuming and makes more bread than I need. Thanks for the recipe!

I’m impressed by your “ugly food.” It isn’t ugly, it’s beautiful! I would eat at your house, for any meal, anytime! Looks healthy and delicious to me.

Marvel of Four Seasons lettuce is my favorite, too; and Pirat. I wouldn't have thought you could start basil this early--I'm going to try that.

Your meatloaf is NOT ugly. Looks delicious!! I didn't know Vitamin D in lard! Thank you so much for sharing and hosting this challenge!

Your beans ingredientes made this latina mouth water yum

The salsa in the meatloaf was a great idea. So happy for your 100 K.

Good morning. I wanted to share another way you can use milk jugs to help in the garden. We live in Michigan, so we used milk jugs as tiny greenhouses to allow us earlier planting of tomatoes, peppers, etc . I would cut the bottoms out and place a jug over each seedling I put into the ground. I'd mound the dirt around the bottoms to keep them in place. Every morning we would take the lids off to allow sunshine and watering in, and each evening we replaced the lids to protect the plants from frost. These extended my growing season a full 4-5 weeks. Once danger of frost had passed, we removed the jugs and the plants thrived. I saved the jugs and used them year after year. My children were small at this time, plus I had an in-home daycare, so the kids always enjoyed helping with this process. I found that if I let them each have a little section of their own and choose what to plant in it, they were excited about the process in general. I love seeing your kiddos get involved in growing your food. Those skills are gifts you are giving them, Jessica. Thanks for the video. Hope you have a wonderful week.

the hash brown pizza is genius! thank you for the GREAT idea!! 🥰

What a great way to teach the bigger children to work with the smaller ones : patients

This video comes in perfect timing. Thanks, I really needed some pantry challenge inspiration!

Yes, Baby Hannah is precious! I have read through a few comments and am surprised people are still so narrow minded about the appearance of food! The goal here is to fill bellies with nutritious food! I cannot imagine what a challenge it is to have 7 children to feed along with a nursing baby and a husband! This does not include your daily chores and homeschooling duties! You are an amazing woman and I am so thankful I found your channel! Ignore the people that are so negative and keep doing what you're doing! God has blessed you immensely! I love learning from you and I pray for you and your family during this time! I cannot imagine what you are going through with the train derailment so close to you! Be safe and be blessed! You are all in my thoughts and prayers! God bless!

I learned that you can powder dried zucchini and use it in place of coconut flour. There is a chocolate cake recipe out there using zucchini flour that is fantastic! Just a suggestion as you were using almond flour in place of the coconut flour in your salmon cakes. At this point, I don't even bother to buy baking powder. I just make my own. It so fresh that way and works really well. I don't use enough to buy a container without it going stale before I get it used. Also, I loved the potato pizza casserole deal. I am going to have to try that.

Omg Jessica…your baby..so beautiful! Her eyes just shine, her cheeks so pink and full. So precious and beautiful Gods gifts..✝️♥️✝️♥️. All your children are beautiful and growing up so tall! Your family is sweet and funny! The faces they make make me laugh! Lol….

Not only are your children and husband blessed with you in their lives and your teachings but all , including me, are blessed because you include us too ❤️ God bless you & yours

Just a suggestion for your meatloaf. My husband and I don't like adding any carbohydrate to our meatloaf either, but I have started adding almond flour and this does the same thing as regular carbohydrates do. It soaks up the juices and it keeps a meatloaf nice and moist. 👍

Your food is in no way ugly. I think it looks somewhat funny because of your lighting from your phone. Your beautiful baked goods even look funny because they don’t appear browned because of the lighting. Your food looks great!

I appreciate how you always put yourself out there despite people feeling the need to offer input you haven't asked for. I'm still trying to gain that courage.

Sweet baby girl : ) Wow Jessica. Considering what you can't eat, you certainly pull together some great meals ! Everything looked delicious and I may try the salmon patties soon. Bless you

Hannah is so precious! As are all the children. ❤ Thank you for sharing your knowledge with others- as I witness through the comments. You are a wonderful fantastic role model. God bless!

We often use cooked rice in place of bread crumbs in our meat loaf. Thank you for sharing!

Love those apple smileys!!

My church does a children's program once a month which includes making dinner for the kids and their parents. We sometimes make the pizza dish but using macaroni noodles instead of potatoes. .

The salmon patties look great! Thank for this video, and the little one is growing so fast 💕 you're doing a wonderful job!

Your channel is such a blessing to me! Thank you for sharing how you think outside the box to feed your beautiful family.

It was a blessing. Thank you!

I am a month watching your channel. I truly enjoy your videos & all the tips & tricks you have taught me in being more productive & creative in the kitchen. Thank you. Also you have a very sweet family. May God continue to bless you.❤

Wonderful, as always. Thanks for all the good ideas!

Thank you Sooo much for your wonderful ideas!

Thank you for teaching and sharing! ❤

I so enjoy watching your gentle videos Jessica. I was feeling a bit under the weather when I came to bed and your video was just what I needed. As always I am so impressed with your har work and how the children enjoy being part of everything that is going on. Little Hannah is so engaged and I'm sure the positive interaction with the other children is a big part of that. I find it very sad people feel they have to comment on your food being "ugly". It is a sign of how our societies get caught up in the cosmetic value of things. You clearly put a great deal of love and thought into what you feed the children, taking allergies into account too and the way they enthusiastically eat up what they are given proves you are doing it right. Blessings to you and your family 💚

Your baby is absolutely delightful! What a joy!

I love the biscuits over the pot pie. How easy!!

Your girls are going to make such wonderful mothers and wives all because of the way you and your husband are raising them. The kind of young ladies I pray my grandson finds.

Thank you for another wonderful video! Inspiring as always. ❤

Love the recipes, thank you for sharing!

Great week of lunch and dinner!

Hi Jessica. You were talking about adding a cheese flavour to your meals that is non dairy. Salt cured egg yolks add a cheesiness. I grate them, they look like cheese also.

Thanks, Jessica. Have a great week!!

I was so excited for this morning!!! You are a highlight of my week!

I love this challenge and I’m still with you. You certainly learn to be creative and that’s a good thing. Love seeing all of the children. Thank you.

Such a beautiful, healthy ,happy baby! Congrats!

Hannah's getting so big! Can't wait to see how the Mead turns out

I’m always so amazed by you! Cooking one handed! Ugly food is good food I grew up with some ugly food on the table. It was delicious and yes, nutritional. I’m the middle child of 7 kids, I ❤❤❤ growing up smack dab in the middle of my clan! Ugly food rules!!

You are such a blessing Jessica! I am really learning sit from you.

You are such an inspiration to provide such nourishing homemade meals; especially all of the made with love baking you do ! I loved the apple smiles idea!

Yay over 100000- I’m not surprised - your three rivers challenge is everywhere- a wonderful movement ❤

Thanks Jessica, another lovely video of family life and great meals.

Love your channel and your beautiful family ❤

The mead looks super fun to make! 😍

Mead? How exciting! Great show, as usual. Have a good week!

You do such a good job making meals interesting for your family. I only cook for myself or a Grandkid or two when they stay over, you rock!

Congratulations on 1000k!! You deserve it.!! Another week of delicious meals. Hannah sure is a pretty baby and so content. Already looking forward to next week's video.

I don’t think your food is ugly. It looks good imo.

Jessica, this was great. You have taught me so many things. This wAs truly a blessing. Ty again for sharing Jessica.