Kids crafts

I was browsing thru the internet and found this summer crafts for kids.

This looks like so much fun!!! I'm always looking for new things to try, so think I might try this one. Our lady's night craft meeting would be the perfect time to try this.

Who out there  has tried this craft?

Quick and Easy Summer Crafts

By Editors of Kaboose.com 

Sand Casted Starfish

If you've tried this fun and easy kids crafts for summer-let me know!

Summer Sun

I've been doing some research on sun protective clothes for camping, that has an UV coating.

I guess. I've had a hard time finding a site that explains "HOW" UV coated fabric is made.

Some of the of the info I can find, say's that just wearing a tight weaved dark colored clothing, will almost work as good as the UV coated clothing.

Who out there wears UV protective clothing?

Since we live in Nevada, I take some precautions when I'm gonna be outside for more than an hour or so.  A large brimmed hat, sunblock or longsleeved shirt completes the whole ensemble.

A few years ago, my hubby and myself re-shingled our roof (took us a week, a very long week). Between the hat and sunblock, not once did I get sunburned. And, this was in the last week of June.

Emergency Stoves

Maybe I'm just a little slow some days.

But, how many people out there have a camping stove in their hall closet for emergencies? I've been doing some research on stoves for camping, and some of the reviews I've read have people buying stoves to keep on hand in case of an emergency.

Maybe it's because we live in a part of the country that (so far anyway) we've had little call for an emergency cook stove. I just never gave that much thought. Also, we have a natural gas cook stove anyways. If the power goes out, we can still use a lighter to light the flame.

Just my thinking for the morning!!! Hope everyone has a safe and cool weekend.

Cooking with kids

So, my question is- who all out there is teaching, has taught or will be teaching their kids how to cook? We started teaching our kids how to cook (and clean the kitchen) as soon as they could stand on a stool and reach the counter. All my kids knew how to fix several easy kid recipes, for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I never really thought too much about this, until my kids started growing up and hanging out with other kids. Than I found out, not all parents teach their kids how to cook.

Why is that?

When my oldest son got married, his wife was flabbergasted that HE knew how to cook!! They even called me so I could talk to  her and tell her that YES, my sons and daughter all know how to cook.

 In today's enviroment, it's so important that ALL kids know how to cook basic, healthy meals. They should even be taught how to "economize" on their meals. I know,I know.... not many people recognize or even know the meaning of the word. More's the pity!!

Here's an easy kid recipe for breakfast-

Try it out- see if you like it??

Dreaming of a Fox

No,no, no!!! 

Not that kind of fox. He is kinda cute tho.............

What I'm talking about is a  pretty little Arctic Fox slide in camper. Hubby and I have been looking at them on the computer. Researching for my "other"blog,  Family Camping Memories.


 I'm not sure at this time that we really need a pickup camper for trucks.

Our pretty little Fox!!!

We actually own a Arctic Fox 5th wheel that I absolutely adore.


We also have an older travel trailer we use when mucking about in the far back country and don't want to drag the 5th wheel out.

And......we also have all our tenting gear.
So,do we need another camper??????

The interior of the Arctic Fox camper.

But it's just so pretty!!!!!!!!!!!

Pinwheel Pink Afghan

One of my projects.......a baby afghan done with the pinwheel design. I'm getting really excited about it now that I can actually start seeing how it's gonna look.

Pink Pinwheel Baby Afghan

 It's kinda messy looking right now, but you kinda get the idea where it's headed. Need to make 3 more panels like this and than I'll be done.

I'm gonna have to really step it up tho. The little girl is due next month!!! Making these little grannie squares doesn't take that long, I just have to do it!!! I get sidetracked to easy sometimes.

Cats and cupcakes

Our lovely daughter, Amber, moved back in (again) last fall.

With her suitcases full of shoes, boxes full of Starbuck's mugs, expanded library of  DVD's, two litter boxes and 3 cats, she settled in.



Now, since she works, I get to ride herd on this kitty rodeo.Oh, did I mention we have two cats. For those who haven't had their morning quota of coffee yet, that is 5 cats co-habituating with 3 adults.

You can bet my days aren't boring. It's like taking care of kids. They have their quarrels, happy days, bad days and now, we have one that's being medicated.

It's been nice having Amber back home for awhile. When your kids start becoming adults, it's a whole different playing field. We go out and have adult fun now.
Several years ago, a bunch of us gals here in town started a "lady's night only craft and bullshit session". We meet once a month a different house and just have some fun.

About a month ago, we had fun decorating cupcakes.
We made bears, flowers, and flamingo's, just to name a few.
These were so much fun, they'd make some easy and quick recipes for kids to do.

If anyone wants to see how to make these fun cupcakes, here's the link http://www.hellocupcakebook.com/.

Busy Saturday

Whew!!!! What a day. Meetings this morning on line.  Learning keyword research is just not falling into place like I would like.

 Phone calls and face book messaging with two sons. One in California and one in Norfolk, VA, being processed out of the Navy.

Load cat, cooler, computer hard drive, shopping bags and head into Reno for a day of shopping. Drop cat off with daughter(Jeanee, the cat had a doc's apt) take the hard drive into Best Buy(computer had a doc's apt). 
Tea shop, Michael's for a picture frame( BIG SALE--40 to 50 % off on frames).

Onward and upward. 

Target for odds and ends (cold drink and popcorn).

Whole Foods, where I sampled a Lychee berry (what the heck is a Lychee berry), thumped watermelon, actually found a SEEDED watermelon. Am hoping it has more flavor than the seedless ones. I grew up in eastern Oregon where we ate the Hermiston melons. Way yummy!!!!

  Where was I?  Finished up at Whole Foods with an iced chai tea and a sample of some gelato in their frozen case. Not sure about the flavor tho. Might have to go back and try some more. 

To the next store, Trader Joe's.  Granola bars and wine. I love their 2Buck Chuck Wine. Have a bottle of Pinot Grigio in the fridge, am gonna finish up here and pop the cork.

Done, sure hope so. Time to head home. Put away groceries, talk to the cats, steam some vegies and heat up some chicken for a simple dinner.

Blogging for the past hour or so and now it's time to call it a night.

Tomorrow......I have a storage unit calling my name. It's like a dark hole in there. If you don't here from me in a few days, send in the search units.

Till later
Alice

http://familycampingmemories.com/

New Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

I can't make good fried chicken. When ever I try, it just does not turn out.

So, I thought I'd browse the internet and see if I could find a new fried chicken recipe. When I saw this recipe, I thought yummmm!!!Not only was I hoping to get that crispy fried chicken effect, but since it's oven fried, I'm being healthy, and cutting down on the fats.

Buttermilk Oven-Fried Chicken

YIELD Makes about 8 servings

INGREDIENTS

1‑1/2	cups low-fat buttermilk
1	tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
2	teaspoons salt
2	teaspoons dried thyme, divided
1	teaspoon dried sage
1	teaspoon paprika
1/2	teaspoon black pepper
2‑1/2	pounds chicken pieces, skin removed
Nonstick cooking spray
1‑1/2	cups panko bread crumbs*
1/4	cup all-purpose flour

*Panko bread crumbs are light, crispy, Japanese-style bread crumbs. They can be found in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets. Unseasoned dry bread crumbs can be substituted.

PREPARATION:

1. Whisk buttermilk, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, salt, 1 teaspoon thyme, sage, paprika and pepper in large bowl until well blended. Add chicken; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with foil; spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
3. Combine bread crumbs, flour, remaining 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon thyme in large shallow bowl. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Coat chicken pieces one at a time with crumb mixture. Shake off excess crumbs. Place on prepared baking sheets; let stand 10 minutes.

Spray tops of chicken pieces with cooking spray. Bake about 50 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and juices run clear, turning once and spraying with additional cooking spray halfway through baking time. 

I got up early this morning (4:30) so I could get this in the oven before the day started getting warm.

Just took my chicken out of the oven and had to do a trial taste test. I do believe I'm gonna keep this recipe

Fix some potato salad and slice some watermelon and I'll have a nice cool dinner for a very hot day!!!!!!

Wildflowers

Last week, Jerry and I packed the camping gear and tent into our trusty Toyota and headed home.

To Halfway,Oregon for a family get together.His folks celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and our goal was to have all the kids and grand kids make it there. Unfortunately, our oldest and youngest just couldn't make it.

But, I do believe that a good time was had by Jerry's folks,  visiting with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

While we were up there, we took a day and did some exploring on the Idaho side of the Snake River. We followed a dirt road that meandered and wandered around some hills above the Brownlee Reservoir.

 What beautiful country. Pines, firs, wildflowers and wonderful views. Even tho I grew up there, there are times it can still take my breath away!!!!!!!!

R.V. Towing

I'll admit it right out loud.

 I can't back up a trailer of ANY kind!!
I've towed trailers in the past. If my hubby gets it all hitched up, I can get in and drive. VERY CAREFULLY!!!! Of course, I'm just a nervous wreck by the time I get to where I was headed. But, I congratulate myself on the fact I made it, in one piece.

I'm not sure about towing our pretty little Arctic Fox 5th wheel. I will help hubby hitch it up, I can stand there and wave forward, backwards and stop!!!

But, gotta be totally honest here. My hubby has been driving trucks for over 20 years. I think he just lets me stand there and look pretty, cause I'm sure he doesn't need my help to hook up the 5th wheel. At this point  I'm positive he can do it  with both eyes shut!!!

That's not to say he doesn't make use of some handy little gadgets to help make his job easier.

He has mounted a level on the front of the 5th wheel to make leveling a little bit easier. Locking leveling blocks also makes the process so much easier.

There are a lot of little gadgets out there designed to make hitching up and towing an R.V. easier and safer.