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!

6.20.23: 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.
  

  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 24)

Dear Campers ~ 

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

Posts ~

6/9: 🔥 week 23

6/10: welcome-ish driftwood sign

6/11: TT microwave poached eggs 

6/12: chipotle-lime cauliflower bowls or tacos (I updated and added more pictures)

6/13: thru the years

6/14: chicken lettuce wraps (PF Chang inspired)

6/15: words

That's it for this week - we are camping and I didn't make anything for dinner other than the usual staples, burgers, potato salad, grilled pizza and salad, bbq ribs and coleslaw...! See you next week for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

6.16.23: MSTI: pineapple corer and slicer

6.16.22: chicken cheeseburger shepherds pie

6.16.21: minty dream cookies 

6.16.20: tip-sy tuesday: toasting pine nuts

6.16.19: 🔥week 24

6.16.18: camping shower lanyard

6.16.17: outfit idea - distressed jeans

6.16.16: scottie topiary

  

6/15 ~ Words

 

6.15.23: california chicken by Macey

6.15.22: greenery wall by Jenny

6.15.21: TT slicing tomatoes hack and fail 

6.15.20: painted sticks

6.15.19: Jen's new 'mantra' 

6.15.18: diy duvet cover

6.15.17: chopping herbs 

6.15.16: mini fruit pies

PF Chang's Lettuce Wrap (inspired) Salad

I made this for lunch the other day - it came together really quickly and has great flavor. I pretty much followed the recipe other than I used less onion and we really liked it! There was lots of filling left over after I made a salad, Dave ate the rest of it just wrapped in lettuce leaves like you'd get at PF Chang's. 

forgot to take a picture of it with the lettuce and green onions!

• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ Tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, diced
• ¼ cup hoisin sauce
• 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 Tablespoon Sriracha, optional
• 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts, drained and minced
• 3 green onions, sliced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 bag of ready to serve butter lettuce

Instructions

Heat skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add the vegetable oil and sesame oil. Brown chicken and add the onions when it is halfway done. Add the garlic the last minute. Next, stir in the hoison sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha, and water chestnuts. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with green onions. Let the meat mixture to cool for 5 - 10 minutes to keep the lettuce from wilting.

Pour bag of lettuce in a big bowl. Top with meat mixture, and toss. Serve immediately. 

recipe found here

6.14.23: welcome to the jungle vegetable soup

6.14.22: TT butter substitutes 

6.14.21: sweet and simple gift box 

6.14.20: 🔥week 24

6.14.19: diy: ice packs

6.14.18: rv headboard wall

6.14.17: mini hand pies

6.14.16: scented bath salts

6/13: Thru The Years

Doing another recap of posts from this date in past years - we are camping and I got busy cleaning up the site instead of blogging - but I like to have something every day so this serves as a placeholder! 

 

6.13.23: TT chopped veggie containers

6.13.22: photo centerpiece 

6.13.21: 🔥 week 24

6.13.20: crispy salt and vinegar potatoes

6.13.19: MSIH: mini calzones

6.13.18: 1,000 posts! 

6.13.17: mason jar graduation gift

6.13.16: painted flag mason jars

Chipotle-Lime Cauliflower Bowl (or Taco)

I am obsessed with these veggies and sauce - I'm a weanie and don't like very spicy food but I go easy with the chipotle and adobo sauce and there's something addictive about it! You can make the veggies into tacos or go the bowl route (or just eat them as a side dish), it's basically the same recipe other than if you go with the bowl you can serve it over quinoa or rice and omit the black beans. I vary up the veggies that I roast - zucchini, mushrooms, summer squash, sweet peppers are all great with this sauce. 

Recipe for Cauliflower Tacos:

• ¼ cup lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped chipotles in adobo sauce 
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 small head cauliflower (see Tips), cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 (15 ounce) can refried black beans, warmed
• 8 corn tortillas, warmed
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
• Sliced red cabbage, fresh cilantro, guacamole, jalapeño slices and/or lime wedges for serving

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.

2. Combine lime juice, chipotles to taste, honey, garlic and salt in a blender. Process until mostly smooth. Place cauliflower in a large bowl, add the sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle onion on top.

3. Roast, stirring once, until the cauliflower is tender and browned in spots, 18 to 20 minutes.

Serve the vegetables and beans in tortillas, topped with cheese and garnished with cabbage, cilantro, guacamole, jalapeños and/or lime wedges.

Recipe for Cauliflower Bowls: 

• ¼ cup lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• 1-2 tablespoons chopped chipotles in adobo sauce (see Tip)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 small head cauliflower, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
• 1 cup no-salt-added canned black beans, rinsed
• ½ cup crumbled queso fresco
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 medium avocado
• 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges (Optional)

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.

2. Combine lime juice, chipotles to taste, honey, garlic and salt in a blender. Process until mostly smooth. Place cauliflower in a large bowl; add the sauce and stir to coat. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle onion over the cauliflower. Roast, stirring once, until the cauliflower is tender and browned in spots, 18 to 20 minutes; set aside to cool.

3. Divide quinoa among 4 single-serving lidded containers (1/2 cup each). Top each with one-fourth of the cauliflower mixture, 1/4 cup black beans and 2 tablespoons cheese. Seal the containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

4. To reheat 1 container, vent the lid and microwave on High until steaming, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Top with 1/4 cup cabbage and 1/4 avocado (sliced). Serve with a lime wedge, if desired.

 recipe found here at eating well

6.12.23: combining dog tricks

6.12.22: 🔥 week 24

6.12.21: cauliflower pizza casserole 

6.12.20: Al and Cathy change their kitchen island 

6.12.19: potato, squash, goat cheese gratin

6.12.18: phone case hack

6.12.17: DIY clutch (placemat) purse

6.12.16: asparagus strawberry salad

Tip-sy Tuesday: Microwave Poached Eggs

I don't know why it popped into my head the other wondering if I could make a poached egg in the microwave - and yep, you can!

Put 1 cup of water in a microwave safe bowl (I use my glass measuring cup), crack an egg into the water. Microwave for 60 seconds, turn the egg over and microwave in 10 second increments until the white is cooked thru and the yellow is still runny. Microwaves in general have different wattages so you might need more or less time, mine takes 60+10+10. 

6.11.23: 🔥 week 24

6.11.22: open house party favors

6.11.21: prosciutto, cheese and fig crackers

6.11.20: veggie stuffed peppers by Jen

6.11.19: tip-sy tuesday: organizing spare buttons and extra threads

6.11.18: road trip survival kit

6.11.17: perfect grilled chicken marinade

6.11.16: how to make glitter balloons 

Welcome-ish

Found a piece of driftwood that seemed perfect to make into a sign - if only I could think of the words I wanted it to say :)

Gave the driftwood a good brushing to get rid of any loose bits, then designed and printed the vinyl words on my Cricut Joy (essentially making a large sticker). I think I'll take it up north to the 5th wheel and see if any of our camping neighbors are put out hahahah! Now that I'm saying it tho - I also just bought a door mat that says 'Like A Good Neighbor, Stay Over There'...I might be pushing a crabby leave-me-alone vibe a little too strong LOL 

6.10.23: Words

6.10.22: June 10th thru the years 

6.10.21: air fryer frozen salmon 

6.10.20: hidden painted rocks

6.10.19: wine cork flower wreath

6.10.18: mini-sample hoarder

6.10.17: planting tomatoes 

6.10.16: paper circle garland

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 23)

Dear Campers ~ 

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

Posts ~

6/2: 🔥 week 22 

6/3: half-square triangle quilt (part 3)

6/4: TT plants that are toxic to dogs 

6/5: sheet pan pork tenderloin with potatoes and spinach

6/6: chocolate chip cookie cupcakes

6/7: cauliflower cheese soup

6/8: words

What's Cooking ~

• grilled bone-in chicken, rice pilaf, steamed green beans
• swordfish tacos
• marinated pork tenderloin, sweet potatoes, spinach/beet/goat cheese salad
• pan-fried perch, cole slaw (Dave made this for himself, and surprisingly didn't make a mess!)
• chicken street tacos, spanish rice 

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

6.9.23: MSTI: coffee foamer 

6.9.22: TT stuffed mushrooms 

6.9.21: champagne cupcakes

6.9.20: tip-sy tuesday: multiple ways to make pesto

6.9.19: 🔥week 23

6.9.18: packing tip - pillbox jewelry holder

6.9.17: outfit idea - cuffed jeans and t-shirt

6.9.16: garden update