Dirt Chic

The Beeeaaach!

 

My kids love the beach.

 

Just thought everyone would like to see these pics from our summer adventures.

I'm a Cheap Date!

What gives, that people can't enjoy the small things?  Brandon pointed out to me the other day that the reason why little kids don't like certain things is that as they get older they learn to appreciate more diverse tastes.

I love it when he tells me these things, because I would never think that through on my own.

Then again, if you're like me, you manage to remain childlike (or childish, depending on the day, lol) as well as aesthetically adventerous.  Such as today, like the day above, where Brandon and I went to Jazzy Pops in Carbondale.  After a nice longish chat with the wonderful proprietor, we talked away with a mango smoothie, a cherry brick pop for me, a smallish bag of caramel corn, and for Brandon, a large bag of popcorn mix: BBQ flavor mixed with very spicy "Cam Corn".

Total: $13.50.  Kind of a lot for treets, but for a date, a lot cheaper than dinner and movie!

A Restaurant Substitute

I LOVE some ye Old Spaghetti Factory, but alas, they don't have any in Illinois.

Even if they did, I probably wouldn't be able to go, due to insufficient funds.

Well, I made a bunch of spaghetti today just to have around for the week, but remembered my EXTREME LOVE for OSF's spaghetti w/brown butter and mizrithra cheese.

We have no mizithra cheese, but boy do we have butter!  I bought a bunch to make candy at Christmastime, but our stove top does not stay at a consistent heat, so I gave up that delicate art for just this last season.

I found this recipe online.  I did what it said, but somehow kind of messed it up and thought I had ruined all.  The "particles" in the butter turned burned-looking (though the butter was amber-colored at this point) and it never really foamed much, nor was the foam all gone (but once again, maybe it's my stupid stove).  But I let it sit, then strained it carefully, which left the foam and the particles in the saucepan.

It was PERFECT.  We put it on the spaghetti w/some Aldi grated Parmesan/Romano.  Not quite the biting flavor of mizithra, but still might tasty!  Hubby LOVED it.  I read somewhere that it is good w/feta, too.  So that is worth a try.

Now, I don't even have to go to the OSF for this!  But I will - because I can, and I also LOVE their clam sauce.  And I REALLY REALLY LOVE their decor.  :)

A Little Everyday Inspiration

Found in the back of a library book:

O color, I love thee

The Board Game Challenge, Again

Husband has been getting ReadyMade Magazine for many a year now, and I love it.  (We read it together. :)  (Well, we look at it together.  I read it solo.)  I've been known to make "archives" of all my resourceful magazines for future purposes (camp, general information, project solutions for my house, etc.), but this particular re-purposing just blew me away the first time I saw it.  Truly memorable.

This would be the winner of The Board Game Challenge.  There were runners-up that were rad, such as the coat made out of a Twister game, but you'll have to buy this particular issue to see it, as it's not on the website.

In my customary way, I decided to use this craft idea for camp, just based on this picture.  I bought a bunch of games, and also figured that along with crafting a jewelry/storage box with the board, I could inspire my camp kids to make other things with the extra game pieces, like, say, jewelry.  Problem is, I have a limited crafting attention span, and while the directions are excellent, and actually quite easy, I quickly learned that I would have to basically make each box for each girl, which sorta defeats the purpose of a craft class.  From now on, I read directions thoroughly before I pick a craft.

So, I'm left with all these games and boards.  I would love to do something with them all (especially CandyLand), but don't have the time.  But - I have the interest!  So, if anyone can think of something truly awesome to do with these board games, or board games in general (besides the lovely box above), I will give them whichever item they choose.   

Quik inspiration:

Outdoor Cooking is Indeed Fun

This year at camp, along with my crafting and writing duties, I took up my usual post as outdoor cooking instructor (with a dear veteran of campcraft and outdoor living skills being my co-instructor). 

 

We had a considerable menu, including nachos, cherry crunch, croissant donuts, and hobo fries.  My first item of cookery for the week, though, was super-easy fudge.  This is always fun, because it can be done over a propane camp stove or even a piddly fire - you just need melting time.  It's quick, and not terribly messy, and just the right amount of sweetness to share with all the campers without spoiling their appetites for the (ahem) delicious camp food.

  

...and I got to utilize, again, my dear vintage Pepsi crate of camping gear.  Along with bookcase uses, a soda crate (especially a really beat-up one) is good for often-used but cumbersome cookware.

 

(I'd also like to note the use of another unexpected item for camping storage:

Out nature expert keeps all her campcraft supplies in here.  It was very handy to tote about, and certianly sturdy.  And earth-toned!)

 

Outdoor cooking is a truly entertaining undertaking, and with minimal planning can be a hands-on experience for all ages.  A fellow staff member gave me a printed compendium of fast, camp-appropriate snacks, a nice cache of ideas that goes along with my other materials.

  
I've found that it's pretty easy to find camping books at thrift stores and antique stores.  Even if the book might be geared to specific genders or ages, there is all kinds of information.

 

And for the advanced cook, there are still challenges.  Though I personally will never skin or scale anything. :)