Tip-sy Tuesday: prepping Brussels sprouts

I shared a really good recipe for Brussels sprout, squash, and sweet potatoes - I don't like brussels sprouts so have never bought or prepped them before so for today's tip I thought I'd share how easy it is to do in case you're like me and have never bothered with them!

Wash them, then cut off the bottom end that is dry or woody and remove any leaves that are damaged. Then cut in half if you are cooking them. That's it! If you want them raw for salad (I prefer them this way!) cut them crosswise into thin shreds. If you want to air fry or roast the leaves (I also like them this way - so I don't actually hate Brussel sprouts haha, depends on the prep!), peel the leave apart and spread on a baking sheet. Toss with a little olive oil and seasoning and bake until crispy, some pieces will probably turn black but I like them a little burnt like that! 

1.7.24: 🔥 week 1

1.7.23: poke brownies

1.7.22: cauliflower pizza

1.7.21: no bake cookie bars by Brooke 

1.7.20: Tip-sy Tuesday: wrapping paper filler

1.7.19: the short-lived segment of Man-day Monday

1.7.18: breakfast egg muffins

1.7.17: grocery store bouquet

1.7.17: fruitcake squares (don't be afraid, they're good!)

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 1)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

12/29: 🔥 week 52

12/30: hasselback potato gratin

12/31: January challenge - no sugar

1/1: happy new year!

1/2: thru the years

1/3: thru the years

1/4: words (I will drink wine)

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

1.5.24: January 5th

1.5.23: three cheese chicken or pork chops

1.5.22: gym equipment (funny)

1.5.21: TT proofing dough 

1.5.20: 🔥week 1

1.5.19: unstuffed chicken cordon bleu

1.5.18: Brooke made a hanging ribbon hoop thing

1.5.17: t.p. holder

1.5.16: freezing meals tip

  

 

1/4 ~ Words

1.4.24: January 4th

1.4.23: crocheted pocket scarf

1.4.22: TT past tips

1.4.21: marinated pork steak 

1.4.20: recycled Christmas card garland

1.4.19: paper mâché reindeer

1.4.18: cookie sheet hack

1.4.17: grilled turkey ruebens 

1.4.16: scrabble tile keychain

1/3 ~ Thru the Years

Yep, got behind this week - it's been busy! Here's a look at what happened on this date in years past:

1.3.24: January 3rd

1.3.23: everything bagel seasoning

1.3.22: hemp dog necklace re-run

1.3.21: black-eyed pea jambalaya re-run

1.3.20: ornament storage

1.3.19: removing wax from candleholders

1.3.18: chocolate birthday cake for Noah

1.3.17: monthly bill log

1.3.16: black-eyed pea jambalaya

1/2 ~ Thru the Years

Busy week and I got behind again! Let's take a trip down memory lane:

1.2.24: January 2

1.2.23: everything bagel pigs in a blanket

1.2.22: 🔥 week 1

1.2.21: hot buttered rum (re-run)

1.2.20: dear resolution...

1.2.19: diaper fold gift holder

1.2.18: resolutions

1.2.17: storing gift wrap

1.2.16: hot buttered rum

Happy New Year ~ 1.1.25

Other than the 2025 image I copied this from last year - I like it and figured I'd repeat: 

Resolutions? Here's some ideas I saw at Country Living :)

• Order every drink on the Starbucks Menu.
• Flamingo a friend’s yard for their birthday or an anniversary.
• Perfect your charcuterie board skills.
• Stop drinking your morning coffee AFTER you brush your teeth.
• Exercise…your right to Taco Tuesday! 
• Host a chicken party!
• Wine down the day with a glass of vino…oh, wait, you’ve already perfected that resolution. 
• Treat your car to regular disco carwashes.
• Be on a first name basis with your regular Door Dasher.
• Perfect your favorite celebrity impression.
• Work “Time will tell” into conversation at least once a week.
• Stay in more interesting Airbnb’s
• Drink your coffee while it’s hot
• Got a little “junk in the truck?” Find out what’s in there…literally: see what treasures are hiding out in your car’s trunk.
• Host a Sunday supper for your friends at least once a month.
• Learn the "Thriller" dance by Halloween
• Break your New Year’s Resolutions…and don’t feel guilty, one bit!

Happy New Year!

Here's wishing you an amazing 2025 full of only good things :)

Cheers 🎉

1.1.24

1.1.23

1.1.23

1.1.22

1.1.21

1.1.20

1.1.19

1.1.18

1.1.17

1.1.16

2025 Monthly Challenges - cutting out obvious sugar

I don't do resolutions. I try to follow something I read a long time ago along the lines of "if you have something that needs to be changed, don't wait for the New Year to change it. Do it now"...something like that. You get the gist.

I forgot in 2017 we decided to do a monthly challenge, I love a short-term challenge so am going to do it again - I'll throw it out to the rest of the family but I'm betting I'm doing this alone hahaha, maybe one of you want to join me tho?!!! 

January '17 I picked 'no sweets or added sugar' - meaning cakes, cookies, candy, ice cream, jam, honey, syrup...it's too hard to give up all sugar, it's in everything! I'm going to start with this challenge again, I can still eat things that contain sugar (like ketchup, bbq sauce, etc) as long as it isn't an actual 'sweet'. I don't have a huge sweet tooth but this will reinforce not nibbling on my stash of Reese's peanut butter cups in the freezer (don't love sweets but hello - Reese's!!!) for a month hahaha. 

Happy New Year's Eve

here's to being safe, smart, sparkly, sassy...

and maybe sober (unless that's a challenge for a different month!)

12.31.23: week 53

12.31.22: thru the years

12.31.21: reverse sear standing rib roast

12.31.20: new years eve (rerun)

12.31.19: new years eve

12.31.18: antipasto wreath and wrapped pears

12.31.17: January no-sugar challenge

12.31.16: new years eve "write a good one"

12.31.15: opening champagne

Hasselback Potato Gratin

We were invited to a party Christmas Night and Michelle asked me to bring a potato dish - my standard has been the terrific potato gratin that I've made quite a few times so I thought I'd try something different. Saw this recipe for sliced potatoes that you toss in cream and stand up instead of laying in the dish, supposed to be creamy on the bottom and crispy on top - yum! Unfortunately Dave and I were sick over Christmas so we couldn't go to the party, I sent the potatoes and directions to reheat them and I got great feedback - seems they were a hit. I asked Michelle if they were as good as my usual gratin and she said she loved them both and couldn't pick between them. On her own Brooke texted me that the potatoes were "sooo delish, I had seconds and even took some home". Jenny said she also loved them, they aren't as creamy or saucy as regular gratin and more like baked potatoes but she loved them - that made me wonder if she would have liked sour cream with them and she said yep, but not to misunderstand her - the potatoes were great as is. 

I pretty much followed this recipe but used a package of finely shredded swiss gruyere, substituted dried thyme, and didn't peel the potatoes. 

Here's the original recipe: 

• 3 ounces (85g) finely grated Gruyère or Comté cheese

• 2 ounces (60g) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

• 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped

• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 3 to 3 1/2 pounds (1.4 to 1.6kg) russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick on a mandoline slicer (5 to 6 medium potatoes; see note)

• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter


1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter. Combine cheeses in a large bowl. Transfer 1/3 of cheese mixture to a separate bowl and set aside. Add cream, thyme, and garlic to first bowl of cheese mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add potato slices and toss with hands until every slice is coated with cream mixture, making sure to separate any slices that are sticking together so the cream mixture gets between them.

2. Pick up a handful of potatoes, organizing them into a neat stack, and lay them in prepared baking dish with their edges aligned vertically. Continue placing potatoes in dish, working around the perimeter and into the center until all potatoes have been added. Potatoes should be very tightly packed. If necessary, slice additional potatoes, coat slices with cream mixture, and add to dish (see notes). Pour excess cream/cheese mixture evenly over potatoes until mixture comes halfway up sides of dish. You may not need all excess liquid (see notes).

3. Cover tightly with foil and transfer to oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until top is pale golden brown, about 30 minutes longer. Carefully remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and return to oven. Bake until deep golden brown and crisp on top, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, and serve.






Notes: 

Because of variation in the shape of the potatoes, the amount of potato that will fit into a single baking dish varies. Longer, thinner potatoes will fill a dish more thoroughly than shorter, rounder potatoes. When purchasing potatoes, buy a few extra in order to fill the dish, if necessary. Depending on the exact shape and size of the potatoes and baking dish, you may not need all of the cream mixture.

click here for recipe and additional pictures/info found at serious eats

12.30.23: words

12.30.22: thru the years

12.30.21: wonton sausage cups

12.30.20: borchers breakfast pie (rerun) 

12.30.19: crostini appetizers

12.30.18: 🔥week 52

12.30.17: elf place cards

12.30.16: pimento cheese spread aka: yummy cheese!

12.30.15: breakfast pie

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 52)

Dear Campers ~ 

Here's a quick recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

12/22: 🔥 week 51

12/23: grape tree, strawberry santas

12/24: TT caprese candy cane

12/25: Merry Christmas!

12/26: Tesha's banana bread and cow gift 

12/27: dessert charcuterie tray

12/28: words (own lane)

That's it for this week! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

12.29.23: white elephant gift wrap idea

12.29.22: thru the years

12.29.21: wreath making (funny)

12.29.20: recycled card projects (rerun)

12.29.19: 🔥week 52

12.29.18: Natalie's frosted snickerdoodles

12.29.17: christmas bark

12.29.16: gold fish

12.29.15: christmas card crafts

  

12/28 ~ Words

 12.28.23: meatball chili

12.28.22: thru the years

12.28.21: creamy chicken ranch sliders

12.28.20: stuffed pizza crust

12.28.19: wrapped ornament centerpiece

12.28.18: Christmas card pillow box

12.28.17: how to steam crab legs

12.28.15: storing Christmas lights