Tolsby Frame Message Board IKEA Hack

This Ikea Tolsby Project turns old frames into something unique and useful in just a few moments.

I love Ikea. I could spend a few hours there every week, day dreaming up projects and ways to transform my home! I also love the little bargains; the scrub brushes and napkins. The glass bottles, and place mats and all of the deals to be had at under $1. Hello? Awesome Toilet Brushes, handy waste paper baskets and picture frames! Last year before they discontinued the Tolsby frame, I bought a bunch for about 70 cents.  

 

I found a cute way to repurpose them and share info the gool ole fashioned way; with a note. This Tolsby hack only needs some basic supplies like the frame, washi tape, some string and a dry erase board to create something useful and cute.

Supplies:

Tolsby Frame

Washi Tape

Embroidery Thread

Dry Erase Pen

Directions:

Begin by covering the frame with washi tape.

Cover the base, and both sides, using small strips of the washi tape of your choice.

When your frame is covered, tie a 16" section of embroidery thread on to the base and screw it together.

Tie a dry erase pen to the thread.

We use this to leave important info for each other. This is also awesome for writing the wifi password on if you are having guests.

You can find all of my other DIY projects here.

Favorites include:

Dragonfly Bookmarks

iPad Mini Stands

Photo Puzzles

 

Teaching Children Sustainability Through DIY Projects

 Sustainability is important as it promotes a different way of living that doesn’t revolve around consumption, spending, and pollution. However, implementing sustainable principles is not always easy, especially if you have small kids. Simply, teaching them how to be more sustainable individuals can be tricky, because first, they’d need to grasp the concept of sustainability and accept it. 

In case you’re a minimalist parent, or you just wish to go more in that direction, here are some DIY projects and other tricks that are a perfect opportunity to teach your children about a sustainable way of living. 

Start your own garden 

Growing plants is the best chance to teach your kids about nature, plants, and how they grow in reality. If you have a backyard, then you’re already set, so you can use that space to grow some useful vegetables that you’ll use later in cooking. Besides, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs are also an excellent way to reduce your spending and eat true, organic foods. So asking kids to give you a hand while planting seeds or watering the plants will teach them how nature works, plus they’ll feel proud of themselves. 

Try making DIY laundry detergent 

Laundry detergent can be expensive, plus it’s often full of chemicals that may cause certain health issues, while also harming the environment. But, there is a solution: making your own laundry detergent! There are many recipes online, and usually, you’d need borax, baking soda, and a bar of soap. These ingredients are less processed than the commercial ones, so if you feel crafty, try making your own laundry detergent and teach your kids to do the same. 

Show them how to recycle 

Recycling is a staple in one’s eco-friendly journey. This activity will also show you the importance of using less, while your kids will learn a valuable and noble skill. Also, if you’ve ever wondered how can we reduce plastic waste, then recycling is definitely one of the ways to do it. Basically, almost all commercial products that we use are made of plastic, and recycling and reusing them will definitely reduce plastic waste consumption, and therefore, pollution. 

Clean the garbage

Collecting the garbage to compost is another fun DIY activity that can teach children about sustainability and saving the planet. Unfortunately, in some places, people still throw trash and empty their pockets carelessly, and many parents don’t teach their kids about proper behavior. The trash that we often see outside is also polluting the planet, so if you want to teach your kids about eco-friendliness, then collecting some of the garbage is a definite act of kindness that will also show them how to care for the planet. 

Make homemade art supplies

Most kids love art and anything that goes with it: drawing and painting are some of the most popular ones, that’s for sure. So, you’re probably super tempted to buy them all the amazing art supplies, but did you know that you can make them at home? That’s right, you can make your own paintbrushes, paints, stamps, and even crayons? There are many recipes that will teach you how to do it, plus your kids will definitely enjoy the whole process of creating something fun and new that they’ll be able to use later. 

Final thoughts 

These DIY projects and activities are a perfect way to start teaching your children about sustainability and living a greener lifestyle. They will learn to appreciate the environment while also learning new skills that will boost the environment, lower pollution, and make the world, one truly happy place. 

Tips on How to Teach Cooking to Kids

 Cooking is a useful habit that can literally be life-saving in so many situations. Also, one doesn’t need to be a master chef in order to prepare simple, yet nutritious meals. However, in order to be an adult who cooks, it’s important to learn those habits in childhood. Now, that doesn’t mean actual cooking skills, but more normalization of cooking, especially when it comes to boys. But, girls should also benefit from this, so if you have kids, here are some tips on how to teach them some cooking.

Let them help 

If you’re cooking regularly, then letting your kids take part might be of great help. Simply, kids enjoy doing things with adults, as they see them as role models. So if you’re cooking, chances are your kid will want and ask to help. Plus, doing this can help their motor skills, just to name some benefits. Next time, if that happens, make sure to let them give you a hand if it’s nothing that will actually do to make cooking faster or more efficient. Just enjoy the fact that your kid is interested in something, and use that experience to bond and have fun together. 

Watch cooking content together 

If your kid shows a proclivity for cooking, you can start watching some cooking content together. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a regular cooking TV show, or a YouTube video, as long as the kid is interested and wants to implement everything they’ve learned. But, keep in mind that this can only work, if you as a parent enjoy cooking, baking, and preparing foods. If that’s not your strong suit, then chances are, you won’t enjoy doing that with your kid either.  There’s nothing wrong with not liking to cook, but in that case, let someone else (like a grandparent or another relative) teach your kid how to prepare food. 

Teach your kid about various foods 

If you want your kid to learn some cooking basics, then it’s important to teach them about different foods and their healthy properties. For example, as you’re peeling a carrot, tell them about how carrots are good for eyes and eyesight. If your kid loves nuts, or you enjoy cooking with nuts, you can tell them what is the healthiest nuts to eat, so they’ll have more knowledge that they can use in the future. The same goes for different types of meat, dairy products, and eggs. You can also show them a documentary about foods and healthy nutrition. 

Go grocery shopping together 

Usually, kids love shopping, as long as you’re the boss. Meaning, no temper tantrums, and unnecessary tears. Still, going grocery shopping can teach kids, not only about different foods and cooking ingredients but also about prices and the economy. Maybe grocery shopping is something you’d rather do quickly, but if you decide to take your kid, maybe you’ll actually have fun, so feel free to consider it, but only if you’re in the mood, and when you’re not in a hurry.

Remember to be patient 

Adults tend to forget what it’s like to be a kid and learn things afresh. We often expect kids to do things exactly the way we do them, which can cause unnecessary pressure and self-esteem issues later in life. Therefore, rather than pushing them too far, make sure to be kind, considerate, and patient with them. Yes, waiting for too long might be frustrating, but if you’re teaching kids something, it’s important to do so without any negative feelings involved.

Conclusion 

Teaching kids nutrition and cooking is a big deal, as it equips them with the vital information they’ll need when they grow up. Therefore, watching cooking content, shopping and asking them to help you are all important tips that will show any kid that cooking is fun and useful skill that they’ll benefit from. 

Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Homemade strawberry syrup is a must make this summer. It captures the essence of summer in a simple syrup that compliments everything from cocktails to homemade popsicles. I even drizzled it over cake, and it was perfect!

When I was a kid, early in the summer, my grandpa would come calling, looking for some helping hands who were willing to go to the U-Pick-Em strawberry patch and fill bushel after bushel of berries. As his only grandchild, many times, I was the willing partner. We would head over, taking all of the back country roads, and spend the morning in the sun, bent over, picking the best berries. My grandpa, Popaw, would always poke through and make sure you had some berries with some green showing yet, as this added the right tartness to all of the wonderful things he would make with his haul. We would spend days cleaning, coring and slicing the berries. Some would become jam and jelly. Some were frozen for pies and shortcakes when the season had passed. Some were enjoyed on the spot naturally.

My Popaw passed away in 1999. I was 19 years old. I have missed him everyday since then. I can't pass a U-Pick-Em berry patch without stopping for at least a quart of fresh berries, with a little green showing on a few for balance. From one batch of fresh berries I made this wonderful simple syrup. It is so sweet, and it has the essence of summer just waiting to add something special to whatever you desire. 

Add a splash to lemonade for a refreshing treat, or maybe add some to your sprite like my daughter likes to do for a pretty pink strawberry soda. I like to add it to vodka in the summer while I sip the stress of the day away.

All you need is berries, sugar and water to pull this off.

Ingredients:

Water- 1 cup

Sugar- 1/2 cups

Strawberries, cored 2 cups

Directions:

Place the cored berries into a sauce pan.

Add water.

Add sugar.

Simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Remove from heat, allow to cool for about 30 minutes.

Place a mesh sieve over a mason jar.

Pour the mixture into the sieve, pressing the berries with a spoon to release the juices.

Discard the berry mash left in the sieve. (I like to feed it to the birds, but do so away from your house, as it will draw bees too.)

Store with a lid, in the fridge for a month.

Add a splash into cocktails or soda.

Drizzle it on white cake for a colorful and sweet berry flavor.

Make homemade strawberry soda by adding it to club soda.

If you enjoyed this recipe, check out all of my homemade soda recipes.

Favorites include:

Cherry Orange Soda Syrup

Mulberry Lime Soda

Strawberry Peach Soda

Blueberry Lime Soda

Homemade Peach Soda

Sour Apple Margarita

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and this Sour Apple Margarita recipe is the best cocktail for the occasion!  This recipe is easy to make and has just the right mix of booze with the perfect pucker from the sour apple schnapps. Chances are you will make this one many times as summer rolls around.

When the pandemic began, I started collecting alcohol. I have never been a big drinker, but as I age, I can certainly appreciate a good cocktail recipe. These days, an afternoon cocktail is the pick me up I need.  This sour apple margarita is a favorite for the warmer months. It is so easy to mix and hits just right.  Pair it with taco night or make it and take it outside to savor the warm weather.

I look forward to the days when we can gather with friends and serve these by the pitcher. I know they will go down fast and smooth with friends laughing in the background, telling the stories of their lives.

The vibrant green color of this cocktail makes it so appealing, especially as the world begins to come in bloom. Bring on the green after such a long and gray winter!

Ingredients

Serving size is 1 8oz glass

1. 1oz Tequila
2. 2oz Sour Apple Schnapps
3. 1/2 oz Tripel Sec
4. 1/2 oz Cointreau
5. 2oz Sweet and Sour Mix
6. 1 splash of fresh Lime juice
7. 1 lime cut for garnishing

DIRECTIONS 

1. Pour Margarita salt onto one plate and simple syrup on the other plate
2. Take your glassware and dip the rims in the simple syrup and then the margarita salt and set to the side
3. Fill your glasses with ice 3/4 of the way full
4. Add ingredients to a bartender shaker along with 3-4 pieces of ice
5. Shake to combine and strain into your glass
6. Garnish with a lime wedge

See, I told you this was an easy cocktail recipe! So easy, you almost have to try mixing it yourself! I never knew margaritas could be so easy to make without using a mix.

You can find all of my cocktail recipes here.

Reader favorites include:

Night King Cocktails

Bomb Pop Cocktails

Wild Blueberry Gin Fizzers