New Curtains for the Camper

We recently purchased a new to us camper.  As with most travel trailers, the windows were covered with the cheap, plastic mini-blinds.  I really do not like these.  They are loud, they constantly get bent or or broken, they collect dust, and they are unattractive.  So, I decided to make some new window coverings.  I measured my window and then went to my fabric stash to see what I had to work with.  I took out my handy dandy graph paper and began to sketch out a design that would work for the amount of fabric I had.  I cut a basic panel and then began to add to it.  I added some to the top and bottom and then to the sides.  I added a lining by sewing almost all the way around with wrong sides together.  Then I turned it right side out through the hole I left.  Press the whole thing and top stitch around the edges. 

Next came the installation of the grommets.  If you've never worked with grommets before, let me introduce you to my little friend. 

I love grommets!  They are very easy to work with.  You can find them at craft stores or hardware stores.  I tend to get mine from hardware stores because I find they are cheaper there.  Everything you need is usually included in the package.  There is a top, a bottom, and this handy little tool.  The only other thing you need is a hammer and some scissors. 

Start by cutting a little hole where you want to place your grommet.  It doesn't have to be pretty or exact.  I usually make mine just a bit smaller than the grommet so I can stretch the fabric around. 

Place front of the grommet through the hole.  Place the back of the grommet on top of this.  Place it on something hard, I used an old piece of wood.  Put the grommet sandwich on top of the medal circle and then put the tool on top.  Then start hammering.  You have to hit it pretty hard and a few times in order for the grommet to close.  This is a great activity to burn off a little frustration when you've had to rip out you sewing a few times, ahem. 

 

 

That's it. It is done! Now run out and hang your curtains! 

I hung mine up with the removable hooks found at Wal-mart.  But you could use cup hooks or whatever you want.  The beauty of these is they are very versatile.  Hanging straight down they make a wonderful privacy screen.

But you can also put up the corners for a little bit of light.

Or get really fancy and make a valence.

Or just lift them up for an open window.  I LOVE them in our camper!  I think this would also work for windows in the house, especially in an apartment where you may not want to mark up the walls.  Happy Sewing!

How To Make Sleep Pants From Pillowcases

 I am not sure what goes on in my linen closet, but I think it results in an excess number of pillowcases.  I have so many it has started to become a problem.  Unfortunately, my girls are too big for a cute pillowcase dress.  I've seem some cute tops made from pillowcases.  But I don't think it would work for the ones I have.  Most of them are pretty plain.  Now that the weather is turning quite warm, I decided I could use some lightweight sleep pants.  I got the wild idea to see if I could use my pillowcases for some pants.  It worked out great!  A pair of standard pillowcases make sleep pants that come just below my knees.  Kings size pillow cases are long enough to reach just above my ankles.  If you are making them for children, you may be able to get a set out of one pillowcase.  Here is how I did it!

I started with a pillowcase laid out flat with the cuff at the end.  I had a pattern for some sleep pants so I used that, but you could easily make your own from a pair of comfortable pants you have.  Just don't forget to add a seam allowance. 

I cut out the two sides. 

Then stitch up the leg part leaving the rounded crotch seem open. 













Place one side inside the other leg with right sides together matching the leg seams and stitch all the way around the crotch seam.  Be careful to sew all the way around, like a U shape.  I like to reinforce this seam with another stitch line a 1/4" away.  Then pull the leg out and you will magically see a pair of pants! 

Next make your casing for the elastic waist.  I measure my waist and add about an inch.  This leaves the waist band pretty loose which I like when I am sleeping.  Depending on what size your elastic is make your casing 1/2" larger by just folding the top over.  I like to finish my edge before doing this, but it doesn't have to be finished or you can fold it over twice to avoid a raw edge.  Leave a small space in your stitching to thread your elastic. 






Use a safety pin on one end of the elastic and use it to thread the elastic all the way through the casing being careful not to twist the elastic.  Then sew your elastic together with a wide zig zag stitch.

  Finish the seam on the casing and you are all done!
 You don't have to hem or finish the bottom because the cuff of the pillowcase is already there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homeschooling with Sonlight

 We've been a homeschooling family for 8 years now.  It started when my oldest was in Pre-K and would beg not to go to school.  I figured if she didn't want to go then, it would only get worse.  So I thought we would give it a try for Kindergarten.  The state we were living in didn't require children attend school until 1st grade and my daughter was right on the line as far as her birthday, so I figured I would try it and if it was an epic fail, I could always have her repeat Kindergarten in the school system.  I fell in love with homeschooling!  I loved having my children home with me.  I loved being an active participant in their learning.  I loved watching my children become closer and closer to their siblings.  Now here we are 8 years later, still participating in this grand experiment.  I wish I could say I always loved it and everyday was this wonderful utopia of learning.  But, alas, that is not the case.  However, overall, I still love having them home, love being an active participant in their learning, and love watching the closeness between them.  I must admit to being a bit of a curriculum jumper.  Each year we would try something different.  There is just so much to choose from and it is all marketed so well!  The funny thing is we started with Sonlight for 1st grade.  And here we are with Sonlight again.  When we tried it the first time around, it just wasn't a good fit.  Maybe I had too many littles in the house.  I'm not really sure.  But from there I ended up picking and choosing various programs for various subjects until I decided I just wanted something that all I had to do was open the teacher's manual and everything would be laid out and ready.  That is exactly how Sonlight functions!  If you order the whole package, I always jokingly say it comes with everything you need except the pencils!  The teacher's guides are organized in such a way that you open it up and it tells you exactly what pages to read each day.  No pre-planning or preparation required.   Plus it is full of WONDERFUL books.  Exciting books.  Classic books.  Books I never would have picked up if I was browsing the shelves at the library, but nonetheless can't seem to put down once we get started. 
If you like to read, Sonlight may be a great fit for you.  But it is a lot of reading.  This is a literature-based curriculum which teaches history through novels.  But the novels do more than introduce you to other times and places.  They give great jumping off points for discussions about making good choices, helping others, sacrificing, accountability, responsibility, and just being good people. They are inspiring stories filled with real people who do extraordinary things.  Even if you use another curriculum, I can't help but recommend that you look at the reading lists.  They could really add another dimension to your homeschool.  Sonlight also has quite a bit of writing.  This year we have done a research paper, poetry, comic strips, journal entry, ship's log, newspaper articles, editorials, plus a plethora of typical 5 paragraph papers.  I like the variety of writing activities that are introduced.  Everything is well integrated as well.  The writing activites are related to the books we are reading or have already finished.  This is our second year in a row with Sonlight, and so far we all just love it.  I am realistic enough to know that could change at anytime.  And if it does, I'm sure there will be another curriculum around the corner that will fit at that time.  That is just one more thing I love about homeschooling.  Our learning styles, and thus our curriculum, can change as our family changes and grows. 

The Best Way To Cook Broccoli

I admit to being a bit of a Pinterest addict.  I love browsing through all of the posts and becoming inspired to create, or cook, or (every now and then) to actually clean!  I discovered the very best way to cook broccoli.  I could eat it every day.  It is SO GOOD!

 It is ridiculously easy as well.  And fast.  Is there anything better?  This is what you do:  
                        1. Get some fresh broccoli
                        2. Cut it up
                        3.  Toss it with a bit of olive oil and kosher salt.
                        4.  Roast it at 400 for about 10 minutes or until it just starts to brown.
                        5.  Take it out and try not to eat it all before you give it to your family 

That's all there is to it.  Now you can fancy it up if you want. After you remove it from the oven you can toss it with some lemon juice, Parmesan, sesame seeds, sesame oil, or whatever you favorite flavor.  This also works with cauliflower and even cabbage.  It makes it easy to eat your veggies.  So go cook some!

 

Non Petroleum Jelly

As I have mentioned before, we are slowly trying to decontaminate our household from as many toxic products as we can.  I have found a replacement for petroleum jelly (Vaseline) made from all natural products.  First let's discuss why petroleum jelly may not be as safe as we have always believed.  After a quick online search I have found that petroleum jelly is not actually a moisturizer at all.  It is instead a "sealant".  This may help protect the skin from exposure, but it can cause a disruption in the body's ability to get rid of toxins through the skin and to heal.  It is made from a by-product of petroleum products.  The EU has banned the use of petrolatum (petroleum jelly) from many of the skincare products used there.  Their findings suggest that skin care products containing petrolatum have no label disclosing whether the product is high or low in carcinogenic PAHs.  PAHs are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and are linked to cancer, reproductive and developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption and bioaccumulation.  Now, as with most things, there are doctors that continue to say that the FDA monitors the refining of petrolatum in America to ensure it is safe and does not contain any cancer causing agents.  That may be true, but I have begun to greatly distrust the FDA after so many of the drugs and chemicals they have stated as "safe" have later been proven to be anything but.  So, I have decided it is better to make it at home and know it is made with nontoxic ingredients. 

Non Petroleum Jelly
1/8 Cup of beeswax
1/2 Cup of olive oil
 That's it.  Just 2 ingredients.  Melt them together on low or in a double boiler and pour into a jar to cool. 

This can be used as a base for many other skin care products or used alone as a skin protector/moisturizer.  Very simple, very inexpensive, and it comes with that good feeling that you are making healthy products for your family at home. 

Coloring Easter Eggs with Kool Aid

 

 

 While looking through Pinterest for a few hours minutes, I came across the idea to try dyeing Easter eggs with Kool Aid.  Seemed like a good way to get rid of some of the packets now that we are avoiding the food coloring.  It was so super easy!  All you need is a colored packet and 2/3 cup water.  It doesn't have to be hot, and you don't need any vinegar.  It was a fun, sweet-smelling activity.  The kids enjoyed it much more than the vinegar smell of past years!

 Once the dye was all mixed up and ready, I brought out some boiled eggs.  Make sure you protect your clothes and your work surface. 

 Every one had so much fun waiting for the eggs to be colored!

  

 We made designs using a white crayon and rubber bands.

 We found that some colors worked better than other. The cherry made a wonderful deep orange-red. Watermelon was more of a soft peach color.

 Pineapple was the perfect yellow.

 The final product was colorful and creative!  I will let you in on a little secret.  There are only so many boiled eggs we can eat.  And with 3 children a dozen eggs don't go very far.  So, what I've been doing for the last few years since they have gotten older is to use raw eggs too.  Just be sure you don't get the 2 mixed up!  I've haven't noticed any weird side effects to using the raw eggs after they've been colored, but you can proceed at your own risk!

 Here are the raw eggs.  I keep these in the carton to make sure I don't get them mixed up. 

If you don't want your hands to be dyed as well, I also recommend gloves! 

Happy Easter everyone!

Homemade Mini Hamburgers

 

My husband and I grew up in the southeastern part of the US.  This is the land of Krystal hamburgers.  Krystal hamburgers are my husband's favorite fast food.  Now I know we are trying to clean up our diet and these hamburgers do not fit the bill.  I just place them in the 20% of our 80/20 plan.  However, thanks to the US Army, we are not frequently in the an area where Krystals are available, much to his distress.  Luckily, I have found an outstanding recipe that tastes pretty much exactly like them.  And I know what is in them, Yay! 

Homemade Mini Hamburgers (Krystals)

Ground beef

Pickles

Onions chopped

Square Dinner Rolls

Mustard

Cheese (optional)

 

I use about 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef.  This makes 24 hamburgers.  You can adjust your recipe for your needs.  You can also cut down on the beef and add in raw oats with your ground beef and you don't even notice it.  I used this little trick a lot in the past.  Chop up an onion.  Mix it in the beef.  Add salt and pepper. 

 Mush the mixture all down in a jelly roll pan.  It will be thin.  Cook it in the oven at 350* for about 20 minutes or until done.  My family loves cheese.  So at this point, I drain most of the fat and top it with some cheese and stick it back in the oven for a couple of minutes for the cheese to melt. 

 Slice up some pickles and get your rolls ready.  I love the Hawaiian rolls.  Once the meat is done, cut it into little squares.  You can use a pizza cutter or a knife.  Then start making up the burgers.  For each one, put on a square of meat, add a squirt of mustard and a pickle.  Once you have it all put together I will tell you the secret to making it taste just like a Krystal hamburger.  Put them back on the greasy pan where the meat cooked.  Then cover the whole thing with foil and let it steam for a few minutes.  You get this magical, soft, greasy hamburger that is delicious! 

 These make great appetizer foods for a party or potluck too!  They are so yummy my family thinks they are such a treat when I make them.  They don't take long, and it is a little better for us.  I still don't know that I would move it over into our 80% column, but at least it is closer!