🔥 Around the Campfire (week 26)

Dear Campers ~ 

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

Posts ~

6/23: 🔥 week 25

6/24: small crochet owl basket

6/25: TT no-cook camping meals 

6/26: ACOTAR charcuterie board 

6/27: rhubarb quick bread

6/28: rag flag door hanger re-run 

6/29: words 

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

6.30.23: msti: oven s'mores

6.30.22: patriotic gnome

6.30.21: hermits

6.30.20: tip-sy tuesday: tension rods

6.30.19: 🔥week 26

6.30.18: strawberry collins
6.30.17: make a flag luminary

6.30.16: make a red white and blue headband

6/29 ~ Words

 This made me laugh 😂 So true!

6.29.23: french fries by Macey

6.29.22: quinoa and sweet potato bowl

6.29.21: sewing tip

6.29.20: RV living (privacy curtain)

6.29.19: 3D paper stars

6.29.18: Lisa's button flag art

6.29.17: red, white, and blue windsock

6.29.16: patriotic potato salad

Rag Flag Door Hanger (re-run)

Here's a rerun project for the $th - a flag made from strips of red, white, and blue fabrics that I tied onto a hanger for our back door. I still put this up, and it stays up most of the year because I like it so much! 

The original post dated 6/28/29: 

I saw something like this online (probably Pinterest) and filed it away in the crafting part of my brain (which is about 95% of my brain haha) for a later date. Well, cleaning up my craft room I remembered I still have leftover material from my Patriotic Wreaths and this idea popped up in my mind. 

This came together so quickly - just cut 26" strips of red and white material and tie them to a hanger. Then cut 18" of blue material and tie in between the red and white strips on the left side.

I added some ribbon and pompom trim to finish it, but not sure it really needed it - you know me tho, never know when to quit haha! 

I hung it on the door going into the house from our garage where it'll be protected from the weather - hoping it doesn't fall off the hook...if it does I'll close up the hanging loop with pliers.

6.28.23: balsamic roasted baby peppers

6.28.22: S'mOreos

6.28.21: another mask pattern

6.28.20: 🔥week 26

6.28.19: flag door hanger

6.28.18: painted mason jar with paper pinwheels

6.28.17: healthy berry trifle

6.28.16: travel - Goodwood

Rhubarb Quick Bread

LeDonna made this bread and sent me pics and the recipe - I've never heard of rhubarb bread so I was intrigued...fortunately she then brought me some and it's so good!! Don't let the thought of tart rhubarb stop you from making this, it doesn't have a strong rhubarb flavor. Yum. 

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2/3 cup oil
• 1 egg
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups rhubarb, diced
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1 T. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350'. Grease 2 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. 

In a large bowl, beat sugar and oil until creamy. Beat in egg. 

Mix flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate bowl; Add the lemon juice and vanilla to the buttermilk; stir the flour mixture into the sugar mixture, alternately with buttermilk mixture. Fold in rhubarb and walnuts. 

Pour batter into prepared pans.

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon into the melted butter; sprinkle over top of each loaf.

Bake about 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool completely on a rack. Wrap and store in refrigerator. 

6.27.23: TT cleaning shower doors

6.27.22: photo keychain gift by Jenny

6.27.21: 🔥 week 26

6.27.20: garden squirrel

6.27.19: MSIH: chicken and wild rice casserole

6.27.18: paper pinwheels

6.27.17: pompom earrings

A Court of Thorns and Roses Charcuterie Board

Our book club read A Court of Thorns and Roses and had our meeting last night - I tried to think of food to bring that had anything to do with the theme but was blank, then my sis suggested salami roses! Perfect - that led me to make a charcuterie board centered around salami roses (note I tucked in some mint leaves resembling a rose) - I added some chopped up jerky, star shaped pieces of cheese (cut with cookie cutters), marinated artichokes (that seemed sort of like a thorny thing haha), along with some olives and breadsticks. Turned out so cute! 

We were split on liking the book or not - half (myself included ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) loved it and are currently working our way thru books #2 - #5, the other half were not fans of the fantasy genre. Wikipedia's blurb for book #1 is this, but it's a lot more than this and much more interesting than this synopsis haha:

Nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, and a beast-like creature demands punishment for it. She is taken to the land of the faerie, Prythian, by her captor, Tamlin, who is an immortal faerie. She comes to live with him at his estate in the Spring Court. Feyre learns that he is a High Lord of Prythian, and eventually realizes that what she has previously learnt about the dangerous faerie world is false.

6.26.23: drink cozy 

6.26.22: 🔥 week 26

6.26.21: mozzarella stuffed portobellos

6.26.20: chicken noodle soup casserole

6.26.19: cherry pie cookies

6.26.18: patriotic rag wreath

6.26.17: paper fireworks

6.26.16: track day at Goodwood

Tip-sy Tuesday: No-Cook Camping Meals

Katie posted this link for 25 no-cook camping meals she found here at Taste of Home that I'm sharing for today's Tip-sy Tuesday - it's been so hot here that any meals I can make that don't require cooking is a great thing!

I'm not pasting their entire article, you can click the link above or go to tasteofhome.com to read the whole thing. Here are some highlights:

BREAKFAST:

1. Yogurt Parfaits. Plain or flavored yogurt layered with chopped nuts, chia seeds, muesli or fresh fruit can make for a hearty and quick breakfast.
2. Granola With Milk. If you’re running low on cold storage, opt for boxed milk.
3. Boiled Egg Breakfast Sandwich. Yes, a fried egg sandwich tastes great, but so does a boiled egg sandwich. Grab a croissant and fill with premade sliced hard-boiled eggs, sliced cheese and ham.
4. Overnight Oatmeal. Grab a mason jar and create a bunch of these before you leave home!

LUNCH:

1. Peanut Butter and Honey or Jelly Sandwiches. Here are 15 genius ways to upgrade your PB&J.
2. Stacked Crackers. Pair your crackers with sliced salami and cheese or creamy peanut butter for a quick lunch bite.
3. Hummus and Veggie Sticks. Store-bought hummus works, but making your own definitely is worth the effort. Try this popular
4. Sandwich Wraps. Grab a cold tortilla, spread with hummus and your favorite sandwich toppings, like shredded lettuce, cucumber slices and cold cuts.
5. Tuna, Chicken or Egg Salad Sandwiches. Mayo combined with protein, like tuna or chicken, can spoil quickly, so be sure to keep these sandwiches cold until it’s lunchtime.
6. Apple Peanut Butter Sandwiches. Thick slices of apples topped with creamy peanut butter and chocolate chips can be served up as a snack or a tasty treat after lunch. 
7. Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches. Cold bacon still makes for a delicious BLT!

DINNER: 

1. Chicken Bowls. Canned beans (rinsed), shredded lettuce or cabbage, chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, shredded cheese and dressing of choice (ranch, Italian or honey mustard).
2. Taco Bowls. Make taco meat ahead of time or make it meatless with canned beans. You can opt for a layered salad or let the family make their own with corn chips, guacamole, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, beans, olives and salsa. Top the salad off with a dressing, like a simple squeeze of lime and olive oil or stir taco seasoning into ranch dressing for a creamy topping.
3. Antipasto Salad Platter. Italian cold cuts, canned artichoke hearts, quartered mushrooms, sliced cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, kidney or garbanzo beans, feta squares and sliced red onion, all topped with Italian dressing and served with crusty French bread.

6.25.23: 🔥 week 26

6.25.22: alice springs chicken marinade

6.25.21: Brooke's spaghetti tacos

6.25.20: veggie cobb salad

6.25.19: tip-sy tuesday: gardening tip

6.25.18: spaghetti squash shrimp scampi

6.25.17: week of dinner menus

Crocheted Owl Basket

I crocheted a large owl basket in '20, click here for that post, that I still have in my laundry room - I love it and it's super cute. I've currently been cleaning up and cleaning out my craft room and on my shelf of unfinished projects I found a small black crocheted basket that I do not remember starting. It was filled with leftover yarn, when I pulled the yarn out there were also 2 spiral crocheted discs in the basket. Hmmm...and then I remembered my big gray owl has eyes like the black ones I just found. So I must have started a small owl way back then and am just now finding it hahahaha. So for today's 'what we made at Day Camp' it's a finished small black owl crocheted basket - he's only about 6" tall and 4" wide, I'm asking myself what the heck did I intend to do with it when I started this project? I mean he's cute but not really big enough to hold anything! So I put him in my Halloween stash and will set him out with all my other stuff come October. 

I've been finding that some of my older links aren't working, so I copied the instructions found at BHG - I'm sharing so I don't lose the directions even though I've now made this a long post! Hopefully the link will continue to work in the future, as of today you can still find the directions on their site, click here. 

Step 1: Crochet the Basket 

The basket is worked in a spiral, so joining rounds is not necessary. Mark the beginning of each round.

Rnd 1: With 2 strands of yarn held together, chain or ch 3 (2 chs counts as half double crochet or hdc), hdc 7 times in beg ch (8 hdc).

Rnd 2: Hdc-inc in each stitch or st (16 hdc).

Rnd 3: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next st; rep from * 7 more times (24 hdc).

Rnd 4: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 2 sts; rep from * 7 more times (32 hdc).

Rnd 5: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 3 sts; rep from * 7 more times (40 hdc).

Rnd 6: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 4 sts; rep from * 7 more times (48 hdc).

Rnd 7: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * 7 more times (56 hdc).

Rnd 8: * Hdc-inc, hdc in next 6 sts; rep from * 7 more times (64 hdc).

Rnds 9-17: Hdc in each st around (64 hdc).

Rnd 18: *Hdc-dec, hdc in next 6 sts; rep from * 7 more times (56 hdc).

Rnd 19: *Hdc-dec, hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * 7 more times (48 hdc).

Rnd 20: *Hdc-inc, hdc in next 5 sts; rep from * 7 more times (56 hdc).

Rnds 21-26: Hdc in each st around (56 hdc).

Single crochet or Sc in next st, slip stitch or sl st in next st to finish off. Fasten off, and weave in ends.

Buy It: Plastic Crochet Hook Set ($12, Michaels)

Step 2: Make the Eyes 

Each eye is worked in a spiral, so joining rounds is not necessary. Mark the beginning of each round.

First Eye

Rnd 1: With 2 strands of yarn held together, ch 2 sc 6 times in beg ch (6 sc).

Rnd 2: *Sc 2 times in each st; rep from * 5 more times (12 sc).

Rnd 3: *Double crochet or dc 2 times in each st; rep from * 11 more times (24 sc).

Rnd 4: *Dc 2 times in next st, dc; rep from * 5 more times, treble crochet or tr, dtr, picot; fasten off.

Second Eye

Rnds 1-3: Rep First Eye instructions.

End 4: Picot, dtr, tr, *dc, dc 2 times in next st; rep from * 5 more times, hdc, sc, sl st to finish off eye; fasten off and weave in ends.

Step 3: Add Eyes to Basket 

Position the right eye on the basket at the point of the last st. Using two strands of yarn and a tapestry needle, tack down the center of the eye; using the center hole as a guide, bring the needle up through the center and then back down in the first round of stitches. Continue until the center is secure.

Using two strands of yarn and the outside stitches of the eye, tack down the eye securely, leaving the picot stitches unsewn. Weave in all ends. Repeat with the left eye.

Buy It: Large-Eye Blunt End Needles-6/Pkg ($7, Walmart)

Step 4: Add the Beak 

Using two strands of yarn and long straight stitches, embroider a beak between the bottoms of the eyes. Once you've mastered the technique, you can modify the basket to make it as big or tall as you desire by adding or subtracting stitches. The finished design makes a heartfelt DIY gift or keep it for yourself and use it to stash office accessories or crafts supplies.

6.24.23: words

6.24.22: tree stump table

6.24.21: red, white, and blueberry salad

6.24.20: bluebarb pie (rhubarb blueberry)

6.24.19: wire basket with ribbons

6.24.18: moving furniture

6.24.17: mojito fruit cocktail

6.24.16: travel blog - 2nd day at Goodwood

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 25)

Dear Campers ~ 1

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

Posts ~

6/16: 🔥 week 24

6/17: crockpot broccoli cheese casserole 

6/18: TT using vinegar in the laundry

6/19: polenta caprese stacks

6/20: red cross certification  (taking a blended learning course)

6/21: garden cleanup 

6/22: words

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

6.23.23: MSTI caramelized banana v.2

6.23.22: MSIH alice springs chicken

6.23.21: 4th of July cake idea

6.23.20: TT at home gel nails

6.23.19: 🔥 week 25

6.23.18: houseplants

6.23.17: outfit idea - flare jeans

6.23.16: travel - Goodwood

   

6/22 ~ Words

 

6.22.23: animal burgers with secret sauce (copycat recipe) 

6.22.22: stars and stripes cupcakes

6.22.21: TT air fryer hasselback potatoes

6.22.20: watermelon windsock

6.22.19: Karen's layered taco dip

6.22.18: blog business cards 

6.22.17: hair idea - top braid

6.22.16: travel - Goodwood Festival

Garden Clean-up

Our garden has really taken off - note to self: don't start seeds too early next year, I think the beans got too big indoors and once planted outside they were sad and pathetic so we stuck some more seeds directly into the garden and now they are growing much better!

We spent time going thru the plants and decided we should thin the radishes to make room for them to grow larger, and then LeDonna saw a 1" long green worm on the ground. Bleck. Then we started looking closer and there were worms all over the radish leaves!!! Fortunately for me she was more willing to pick them off using a paper towel than I was, but neither of us could stand squishing them so into a trash bag and into the dumpster they went. Yuck. We dusted the leaves with Sevin, and hopefully that will stop them from returning.  

That was the exciting thing I did today ahahaha. 

6.21.23: mini pinwheel sandwiches with flavored cream cheese

6.21.22: TT removing paint from windows

6.21.21: patriotic windsock

6.21.20: 🔥week 25

6.21.19: lego key holder

6.21.18: garden soaker with timer

6.21.17: baked lemon donuts

6.21.16: packing tips

Red Cross Certification

This isn't a post about my making anything - I just wanted to tell you that Mickey, Brooke and I are taking a blended learning class at the American Red Cross this Saturday to get certified for Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED training. The last time Mickey and I did it together it was an all-day in-person training, now they  have a blended learning option of doing part of it online and the other part in-person - I really like the option of only having to be live in class for 2 1/2 hours this time, and you can do the online part at your leisure as long as it's done before the live class. 

I let my previous certification lapse and especially now that we have baby Georgie around I thought it'd be smart to take a refresher course (especially the choking training, I'm SO afraid of someone choking and my not being able to help!!). Actually that's why I'm taking the entire course, if there's an emergency and I couldn't help because of my lack of knowledge I'd feel terrible. 

Andddddd of course, since I'm a procrastinator, I haven't completed the online portion yet and here I am blogging instead of doing the work LOL. Wish me luck!

6/24/24 update: I finished the online part and we passed in-person skills portion too - so all three of us have updated red cross certifications, yay!

6.20.23: TT remove fridge odors

6.20.22: old window photo display

6.20.21: 🔥 week 25

6.20.20: wedge salad platter

6.20.19: chipotle sweet potato posole

6.20.18: latch hook rug

6.20.17: change a lightbulb

6.20.16: garage sale signs 

Polenta Caprese Stacks

I made polenta rounds for dinner and had the idea to top them with slices of fresh mozzarella and tomatoes - and they were terrific! This is a keeper for sure. Season the polenta rounds with salt and pepper, fry until crispy on both sides, turn off the heat and put mozzarella, fresh basil, and a slice of tomato on top of each polenta round; drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle grated parmesan on top. YUM!

6.19.23: pet mug shot 

6.19.22: 🔥 week 25

6.19.21: charcuterie platter 

6.19.20: pompom bookmarks by Brooke

6.19.19: owl pull-apart cake

6.19.18: your blog comments, and a deer psa 

6/19/17: how to distress jeans

6/19/16: gnocchi with tomatoes and snap peas

Tip-sy Tuesday: Using Vinegar in Laundry

I've never used vinegar for laundry purposes, so when I received an email from BHG with this info I was intrigued and thought I'd share. Here's what they have to say about using (and when not to use) vinegar:

The Benefits of Using Vinegar in Laundry 

There are many uses for vinegar in laundry, including stain removal, odor elimination, and mold and mildew eradication. Vinegar can also be used as an alternative to commercial fabric softeners.

• Stain Removal: As a stain remover, vinegar is effective at treating low-pH stains like coffee, tea, fruit juice, wine, and beer. To use it, soak the stained item for 30 minutes up to overnight in a solution of white vinegar and 1 Tbsp. liquid laundry detergent prior to laundering. 
• Mold and Mildew Removal: Distilled white vinegar is also a powerful agent for removing mold or mildew from fabrics.
• Odor Removal: Vinegar is also excellent at removing product buildup that can trap odor-causing bacteria, causing freshly laundered items to come out of the wash smelling less than clean. 
• Fabric Softener: It also has natural fabric-softening properties.

However, vinegar is not an ideal part of a regular laundry routine because it can cause damage to washing machines. In addition, there are certain fabrics that should not be overly exposed to vinegar, as well as laundry products it should not be combined with. 

 When NOT to use vinegar:

With Chlorine Bleach: First, and most importantly, it is critical that vinegar not be used in conjunction with chlorine bleach, or with any products that contain chlorine bleach. When vinegar and chlorine bleach are mixed, they create a chemical reaction that results in dangerous fumes that are extremely harmful and can be fatal.

With Regular Use: Secondly, vinegar should not be used as a part of your regular laundry routine, as the acid in vinegar can damage seals and hoses, causing leaks. "White vinegar is an acid that can break down the rubber gaskets and hoses in your washing machine, leading to costly damage," says Jennifer Kaminski, a product and brand manager for Affresh appliance care. This is especially true of front-loading washers, with their thick rubber gaskets around the door. While vinegar is often touted as a natural alternative to fabric softeners, regular use of it is not advised because of the ill effects it can have on a washing machine.

With Elastic: Finally, it is best to avoid the overuse of vinegar when washing gym gear or other types of clothing with elastic in it. While vinegar is excellent at stripping odor-causing buildup from the over- and misuse of laundry products, over time, the acidity can break down elastic, shortening the lifespan of anything with stretch in it.

when to use vinegar:

The best use of vinegar in laundry is for mold and mildew remediation. While chlorine bleach can be used in the wash to eliminate mold or mildew from clothing, towels, or bedding, it can only be used on whites, making vinegar a more universal choice for washing items that have gone moldy. As a reminder, never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach; use one or the other, but never both.

Warning

Never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach; use one or the other, but never both.

Vinegar is also excellent as a laundry triage agent, which is to say that it is best deployed when there is a laundry problem in need of solving, rather than as a preventative measure. An example of using vinegar to solve a laundry problem is towels that have taken on a musty odor, even when clean. The use of fabric softener and incorrect laundry detergent dosage is typically to blame, and vinegar is an inexpensive and gentle way to strip towels of the product buildup causing this type of malodor.

Another example of using vinegar as a one-off to address the presence of malodor due to product buildup is with athleisure and other types of clothing with stretch in it. However, once that buildup has been eliminated, it is better for both the fabric and for your washer to address the problem at the root, by making informed changes to laundry products, rather than continue to use vinegar as a regular part of your laundry routine.

found here at bhg.com 

6.18.23: 🔥 week 25

6.18.22: stacked finger sandwiches

6.18.21: mint chip brownie ice cream squares 

6.18.20: patriotic fruit pizza

6.18.19: tip-sy tuesday: balsamic reduction

6.18.18: halibut stacked with potatoes and spinach

6.18.17: meatloaf

6.18.16: garage sale

Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Casserole

I got an email from KOA (Kampgrounds of America) with some camping recipes - one of them was in a crockpot and I thought what a good idea it would be for me to finally get a small crockpot for the 5th wheel for times when we can't grill out. I wanted to make something right away so I knew that it worked and I could pitch the \packaging...these ingredients are easy enough to find (Walmart, our closest store up north) so I made it the same day I got the crockpot. The flavor is good, Dave loved it - for me the flavor is good but I didn't love the mushy texture. Let me know what you think if you try this one!

• 6 oz box cornbread stuffing
• 1.5 cup water or chicken broth 
• 12 oz bag frozen broccoli florets, thawed 
• 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup 
• 8 oz to 16 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed

• Mix together stuffing with water or broth and microwave for 3 minutes.
• Pour into slow cooker and add remaining ingredients and stir well.
• Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours until cheese melts and broccoli is tender.
  
  

  
  
  
  PS: It's smokin' hot here and using a crockpot is a great way of cooking without eating up the oven! 
  
  
   recipe found here at recipes that crock 
  
  
  
  
  6.17.23: words

  
  

  6.17.22: selfie light

  6.17.21: pierogi

  6.17.20: peas with rosemary and pine nuts 

  
  

  6.17.19: paper tropical flowers

  

  
  

  6.17.18: coincidentally it's a different paper flower.

  

  6.17.17: for real, it's another paper flower! I honestly had no idea and did not do this on purpose!

  

  6.17.16: rock photo stand. whew, 4 years of paper flowers woulda been super weird timing.