Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Tip-sy Tuesday: RV blackout shade tip


There is at least an inch gap when the shades are down in our RV, letting in a lot of light in the morning. I put up some clips on the window frames to hold the sides of our blackout shades closer to the window so there isn't so much light coming in - these have made a huge difference! They are Command hooks meant to hold a strand of lights (like for Christmas or hanging outdoor lights or whatever), they're clear with clear adhesive tabs so they go away as much as possible on the window frames. Super happy with the outcome! 







7.22.24: pop tab earrings re-run

7.22.23: words

7.22.22: loaded tater tots

7.22.16: passau, germany 

Monday, July 21, 2025

Fleece No-Sew Pillow (re-run)

I came across this pillow when packing up the condo - I had put it away so good that I forgot about it, when I found it I thought to myself that it's too cute and I should share again! This was very easy to make, obviously you can put whatever letters/words/shapes on it you want - I just enjoy "Long Time No See" in the guest room. 

Here's the original post from 2016:

Have you made a no-sew fleece tie blanket? I love them, they make great gifts and it's a project that anyone can do...and there are like a billion choices of patterns at the fabric store! That part is overwhelming for sure - choosing 2 coordinating fabrics takes me forever. Anyway, I thought using that technique and making a throw pillow for the guest room would be a fun easy project and it turned out really cute. I wanted to put felt letters on the front so got white fleece to put them on, and a striped pattern that matches the room for the backside. I cut out letters L,T, N, S - which stands for "Long Time No See" from different colors of scrap felt I had on hand, I used 2 different colors and sizes for each letter but it would be just fine with only one.




You'll need:
  • pillow form - whatever size you want. Mine is 11"x15"
  • 2 pieces of anti-pill no-sew fleece (note: my fringe is 4" so whatever size pillow form you get you'll need to add 8 inches in length and width to look like mine. If you get a larger pillow form you might want longer fringe so plan accordingly. My fabric is 19"x23")
  • scissors, ruler
  • cutting mat and fabric rotary cutter, optional
  • felt (if you want to make letters for the front) that matches the fleece fabric.

Instructions:

Cut out and remove a 4 inch square from each corner, then make 4 inch cuts every inch, along all 4 sides. I like to cut thru both pieces of fabric at the same time so the cuts exactly line up, but you can do the pieces separately if you want - sometimes the double fabric is really thick and hard to cut thru at the same time. I lay a long tape measure or yardstick along the fabric for a guide to make the cuts every inch, or you can just wing it and guesstimate where an inch is - it does not need to be exact.  

If you are putting letters on the front, cut out the size and colors you want, and sew or glue them on the front fleece fabric. You can use a stencil or print off the letters the size you want and trace around them - or free hand it. I made big bubble letters in two sizes and laid them on top of each other for a layered letter, the bottom letter is 5.5" and the top one is 4.75". 

Lay the fabric front and back on top of each other right sides out, line up the fringe strips top and bottom and then tie them together to form the pillow case. Do three sides and then insert the pillow form, then finish the last side to encase the pillow form.

I also glued on some little shells because I can't leave anything alone, it must have more decoration haha. It looked fine without, but I couldn't help myself...



Sunday, July 20, 2025

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 29)

Dear Campers ~ 

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

Posts ~

7/13: 🔥 week 28

7/14: thru the years

7/15: TT red onion tip

7/16: thru the years 

7/17: thru the years

7/18: thru the years

7/19: words (follow that path)

Well, once again, this week got away from me and there was NO time to craft or cook or anything! Yikes. I spent most of the week unpacking our things from the condo and let me tell you - we have way too much stuff and no room to put all the new additions! I have a feeling there will be more 'how to downsize, organize, and get rid of things' posts in my near future LOL

So that's it for this week - a bunch of posts about what's happened in years past! See you next week for (hopefully) more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever we can think of to make at camp - bye :)


Sincerely ~

Jill
camp counselor

   

Friday, July 18, 2025

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Tip-sy Tuesday: red onion

When I was googling around for pasta salad ideas I read this tip from someone named Carrian (I didn't copy the link so I don't know where this tip came from other than it says "Carrian's secret to the best Greek pasta salad). But it's a good tip so I'll share it...

I did not follow the Greek pasta salad recipe but here's how the tip reads, and I quote:

"The red onion adds a crunch and flavor that cannot be skipped, and I'll be honest, I don't usually love raw onions. My method to get killer flavor without the harsh bite of a raw onion? Soak it!! Using slightly salted, cold water, gives your onions a ten-minute soak to help the onions remain crisp yet mellow that overwhelming onion-y-ness." 

I posted this pasta salad that I ended up throwing together and it turned out SO good!! I didn't put onion in it so this tip is really just a random onion tip haha. 


7.15.24: santa cinnamon sticks

7.15.23: words

7.15.22: california roll wrap or taco

7.15.21: organizing clutter by Jen


7.15.19: felt flowers

Sunday, July 13, 2025

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 28)

Dear Campers ~ 

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

Posts ~

7/6: 🔥 week 27 

7/7: July challenge (6-6-6 do-over)

7/8: TT moving tip

7/9: charging station 

7/10: reviving headphones 

7/11: apple tart

7/12: words (garden secrets)


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

7.13.24: words  cat with spiderweb














  

Friday, July 11, 2025

Apple Tart

Janis and Ron had us over for dinner and she picked up this gorgeous apple tart for dessert from a local bakery - side note: their apple tart usually has nuts in it, when she said Dave was allergic they told her if she gave them about an hour they would make her a special one without nuts - how nice was that?! - I took a picture before she sliced it because it was just so pretty. I haven't made one like this so I don't have their recipe, there are tons online tho so if you want to try your hand at making one there is a lot of inspiration recipes to choose from. Here is one I found at midwestfoodieblog that looks good, the one Janis bought didn't have apricot jam on the apples tho, but the rest looks similar (click here for that post). 

Use this photo as your guide to shaping the tart into a flower shape - I'll update this post after I make one (if it turns out hahah). 


7.11.24: thru the years

7.11.23: boom boom sauce

7.11.22: window shadow box

7.11.21: 🔥 week 28


7.11.19: mnih (my niece is hungry!): oslo pasta bake

7.11.16: coco lopez


Thursday, July 10, 2025

Reviving Over-the-Ear Headphones

Today is a quick little post that isn't very exciting but I'm sharing anyway - I brought back my noise cancelling headphones from where they've been in CA for quite a while, long enough that the material covering the ear pads and headband had totally disintegrated and turned into a smeary greasy mess that I couldn't even wash off my hands! (Side note: I removed it with a little fingernail polish). 

I did what I usually do and asked Mr. Google if they could be replaced and sure enough, they can be. Good to know. I ordered the new ear pads and headband cover from Amazon and YouTube's instructions and it was quite easy to do - and I now have a 'new' revived pair of really nice noise cancelling headphones, yay!

Here's a random pic I took of the middle of the process - I pulled the old ear pads off and following the instructional video snapped the new ones back on. For the headband piece I unscrewed the sides, cut off the existing messy fabric and snapped the new one before replacing the tiny screws. Easy!


7.10.24: make-ahead manicotti 

7.10.23: daddy's survival kit

7.10.22: 🔥 week 28

7.10.21: LeDonna's rhubarb pie

7.10.20: hungarian potato soup

7.10.19: cookie dough cupcakes 2.0

7.10.18: zesting a lemon

7.10.17: net wrapped mason jar


Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Charging Station

I made myself a charging station from an 8" heavy box, can't decide if it's too big and clunky - if I keep it I'll finish the edges around the outlet cover nicer but until I decide I'm not putting more work into it! I took off the outlet cover to measure how big I'd need to cut the opening in the back of the box, and cut  holes in the top and side to fit the cords. I made a shelf with a front flap out of the box top, glued it in place - the extra cord lengths go behind the flap (I hot glued a piece of cord to the center of the flap so I can pull it open when necessary. For now I just have 2 cords in place, one to charge my watch on the top of the box, and the other fed thru the side hole to charge my phone (the phone can sit on the bottom of the box so it's off the counter - that was my goal, to clean up the cords and stuff sitting on the counter). I tacked it to the cork board backsplash we have above a counter in the back hallway - if it stays I'll also make the tacks look better - I just wanted to get it to stay on the wall so I can see if I like it! 


So, it's kinda dumb and homemade, but also maybe kinda fun. We'll see - in the meantime it's what I made at 'camp' today!






7.9.24: TT brownie knife

7.9.23: week 28

7.9.22: roasted pork loin with fig sauce

7.9.21: yard yahtzee

7.9.20: bacon lettuce cups

7.9.19: hair bun hack

7.9.18: beach terrarium








7.9.17: knock-off Topopo Salad




Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Tip-sy Tuesday: moving tip

We just got done packing and moving the contents of our condo (which, as an aside, was a ton of work!), we weren't moving everything so in order to help the movers know what was staying and what was moving I put stickies on everything. Everything, everything. 

First I sorted out what I really wanted to move and then made piles for Goodwill or friends, including what was being stored under the bed and in closets under the stairs (we had a surprising number of stuff stored in those places! Note to self, try to not put things under the bed or stairs and then forget about them until it's time to move!). 

Then I put stickers on what was left - I tagged both staying or being moved, I also added what room things should go in once we got it back home (the movers haven't delivered the contents to us yet so I don't know if that system worked). I heard more than one time how easy it made their job having everything labeled ahead of time - no one even asked me what needed to go. I overheard one of the moving men tell the others that this would be an uncomplicated job since I had things so organized - gotta love that haha. Yes I used a LOT of stickies, but saved myself a world of (moving) pain. 

This isn't an original-genius-of-me idea, but I can highly recommend this system if you are moving! Oh, I did make an actual list of what was being moved from each room but no one looked at it hahahah, although it was helpful to me to keep track of what was happening when a crew of people were taking things out! Moving is miserable, stickies help. 

7.8.24: crochet bowl

7.8.23: words

Monday, July 7, 2025

July Challenge (6-6-6, here we go again)

So...I did not make my June walking goal (and I didn't make May's goal either!! C'mon man, get it together). I'm a week late for the first of the month challenge but it is what it is. I'm going to repeat June's challenge and see if this month goes better than last. Here's the June post:

I just read about the 6-6-6 challenge and I'm going to give that a go. Here's some info I found:

“The 6-6-6 walking workout is a trending routine that involves walking for 60 minutes a day, either at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., with a 6-minute warm-up and 6-minute cool-down built in,” explained Matt Dustin, an NASM corrective exercise specialist and certified Precision Nutrition coach at Garage Gym Reviews. “The idea is to make walking part of your daily rhythm while giving your body time to ease into and out of the effort.” During a brisk, 60-minute walk, you can log around 5,500 steps, getting you more than halfway to the gold-standard goal of 10,000 steps per day.

Whether on a walking pad, your favorite hiking trail, or your go-to neighborhood loop, there are no rules or guidelines on how you carry out the workout other than the time of day and a timed warm-up and cool-down. While 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. may sound too early or late—depending on whether you’re a night owl or an early bird—the time options are intended to lower the chances of procrastination and allow you to fit it around your busy schedule.

As for the warm-up and cool-down, Dustin recommends not overthinking it. To loosen up your body, mobility exercises like arm circles and leg swings (stand sideways next to a wall, holding onto it for balance with your hand closest to it, and swing the opposite leg forward and back like a pendulum) will do the trick, while the cool-down can look like post-workout stretches to help your hamstring, calf, and quad muscles recover. 

VERDICT:

If you want to build consistency and give your physical and mental health a reliable pick-me-up without needing equipment or a gym, the 6-6-6 workout checks out. “Walking is one of the most sustainable forms of exercise, and this version helps you structure it into your daily life in a simple but effective way,” Dustin said. That said, since the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity along with a minimum of two days of muscle-strengthening exercises every week, it’s best to incorporate some weight lifting two to three times per week to round out the 6-6-6 routine. Better yet, make it a habit stack and try weighted walks.

If you don’t have a full 60 minutes to commit, break it up however you can (think: two 30-minute walks or six 10-minute strides). As with any workout, for the 6-6-6 challenge to be worthwhile, it has to be realistic, consistent, and sustainable for you. The moment it becomes a stressor rather than something that fills your cup, you’ve lost the purpose, and you’re not going to maintain it long-term. 6-6-6 walking challenge or not, prioritize joy and put your best foot forward.

info found here

I get up early in the morning but I don't see myself consistently walking at 6 am, so my plan will probably look more like 7-6-6. I'm thinking I'll walk 4 days a week, and 2 days of cross training and weights, 1 rest (or easy) day. 



 

Sunday, July 6, 2025

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 27)

Dear Campers ~ 

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

Posts ~

6/29: 🔥 week 26 

6/30: star plates (re-run)

7/1: TT sparkler and fireworks safety

7/2: paper pinwheels (re-run)

7/3: American flag cake

7/4: Happy 4th (and pet safety info)

7/5: words (July 5th)

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

7.6.24: words (distracted and reading)

7.6.23: pesto pasta salad

7.6.22: PSA: phones

7.6.21: recipe holder hack 

7.6.20: wine cork cork board

7.6.19: propagating plumeria 

7.6.18: watermelon 'sushi'

7.6.17: garden update

7.6.16: river cruise packing



  

Friday, July 4, 2025

Happy 4th (and pet safety info)

Here's my oft-repeated July 4th post, it's been repeated a few times but I like to share the pet info/reminder! 


HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

cheers to

~Stars and Stripes~
~Freedom~
~Sparklers~
~Parades~
~Liberty~

and food, fireworks, family, and friends

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

A note from the dog:

Guys! I usually like loud noises and want to go check out what's happening but seriously...fireworks are scary so please read these tips my mom found. She also turns on the tv which I appreciate...I know she's just trying to distract me from the loud noises outside but since I LOVE to watch tv and bark at anything that moves on the screen it makes the fireworks a little bit easier to take. They are fun for people, but not for me and my friends. Just sayin'. Now go have fun and save me some hot dog.

Love, The Sarge


 


















 

Thursday, July 3, 2025

American Flag Cake

My week has been too crazy to have time to bake, but I saw this fun flag cake and remember that I have made a version of this in the past (before I started blogging or you def would have had a post on it by now hahaha) but I really like how she frosted in-between the rows of fruit so I'm just sharing what she did instead of making it myself!

Frost a baked and cooled 13x9" cake. Place whole fresh blueberries and halved fresh strawberries to mimic the stars and stripes. Using a piping bag, fill in the space between the stars and stripes. She used piping tips Ateco 32 for the star area, and Ateco 844 between the strawberries. So pretty!

idea and photo found here at sallysbakingaddiction 


7.3.24: brownies with sprinkles (re-run)

7.3.23: couples baby shower plan

7.3.22: 🔥 week 27 

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Paper Pinwheels (re-run)

I posted how to make these paper pinwheels in '18, here's the original post with lots of pics:

I made these simple pinwheels from cardstock and paper fasteners - the only other supplies you need are a ruler, scissors, hole punch, and a pencil. They don't take long at all to make, you still have time to make decorations for Independence Day decorating next week!


Start with a square of cardstock (or I think lighter weight paper would work good too), any size as long as it's square. I made 3 different sizes - 3" square, 4.5" square, 5.5" square. Draw a faint pencil line from corner to corner (making an "x") and cut up each line stopping maybe 1/2 inch or so from the center. The paper is now cut in 4 triangles (still connected in the center), hole punch one side of each triangle and in the center. Your paper should now look like this:




my red pinwheel has one corner of each triangle rounded off, I drew it out on this sample to show you. If you like how that looks make sure to just round off one corner and the opposite corner gets hole punched for the fastener to go thru.  



After you hole punch the 4 corners and the center you can form the pinwheel two ways:
(1) gently fold each hole punched corner to the center hole and then push a paper fastener thru all at once, or (2) hold the paper fastener and feed each hole punched corner onto the fastener and then push the fastener thru the center hole - whatever's easier for you. Then spread the 2 sides of the fastener apart to hold the pinwheel in place. 


Above is the front and back of the 5.5" red pinwheels, the back of the pinwheel is before the fastener is spread open to hold it - see the next photo for what it looks like when the fastener is correctly in place:



To make the double pinwheel like the red one above and small 3" white one below,  I just fed two single pinwheels onto one fastener.


5.5" red double pinwheel, 4.5" single blue pinwheels, 3" double white pinwheel

I can think of many uses for these pinwheels - hook them to paper straws or bamboo sticks and put them in a vase, hang them on ribbon or twine for garland, attach streamers and make parade wands, use in place of bows on presents...look how pretty they look combined with the paper fireworks from last July (click here for that post):


What a pretty bouquet - I'm off to make a vase to put them in!




one year ago: pompom earrings! you know you want them...;)


 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Tip-sy Tuesday: sparkler and fireworks safety

These tips came from ADT and I'm passing them along:

Fireworks cause over 19,000 fires every year. Take the proper precautions when operating fireworks.

  • Never disassemble or try to make your own fireworks.
  • Don't point sparklers, or fireworks at yourself or others, especially when lighting them.
  • Only light fireworks on the ground and in areas that are dry and fire-resistant.
  • Don't attempt to ignite fireworks at the same time.
  • Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers to prevent firework-related injuries.
  • Always keep a portable fire extinguisher close by. Also, keep a water hose or buckets of water nearby to put out fires.
  • If fireworks malfunction, don't relight them! Douse and soak malfunctioning fireworks with water then throw them away.
  • Resist the urge to bring your dog to a fireworks display. The safest place for them is at home where it's familiar, quiet and not crowded.

Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers to prevent firework-related injuries. Sparklers are hot enough to cause severe burns if mishandled.

  • Instead of sparklers for your children, consider these alternatives:
    • Glow sticks
    • A confetti canon or poppers
    • Colorful streamers
    • Silly string
    • A light-up laser show or digital fireworks projection
  • Always keep a portable fire extinguisher nearby close by. Also, keep a water hose or buckets of water nearby to put out fires.
  • If fireworks malfunction, don't relight them!
  • Douse and soak malfunctioning fireworks with water, then throw them away.