Home Decor
What to Do and Bring When Camping
Growing up, I believe I remember camping exactly one time, maybe two. Trips as a child were often only to visit extended family not for the pure enjoyment of travel. Fast forward to married life and a husband who loves to camp. By association, I am loving it too. We have camped in tents, pop ups, fifth wheels, and bumper-pull campers. Currently, we own a pop up camper. To fully appreciate camping, there is some preparation that needs to take place. Follow along in this post to gain knowledge on what to do and bring when camping.
Camper
After selling our last camper, we have camped mainly in tents. Due to our desire to be outdoors but not totally roughing it, we purchased a pop up camper towards the end of last fall. With all the quick-fix and easy application materials available in today’s market, camper renovations are wildly popular. This Instagram feed is full of camper reno inspiration! To join in the fun, I have given our camper a little refresh. In order to fully appreciate it, you need to view the original look of our camper. Thankfully, there was nothing wrong with our camper and it was maintained by the previous owners in near perfect condition. Aesthetic changes were all that was needed for it to truly become ours.
The overall appeal was low when we originally purchased our pop up camper
.Our camper can sleep six comfortably. One pop out side holds a king size bed, the other pop out side holds a full size bed, the dining table converts to a twin bed, and the L-shape couch converts to a twin size bed. Since we do most of our cooking and hanging out outside our camper, once we updated the look, we keep all its beds ready for sleeping.
Now, for what activities we like to participate in while camping, places we like to go, and what products I believe make camping more enjoyable, read on. I’ll intermingle pictures of our updated camper throughout.
Our camper looking from the full size bed towards the king size bed. Activities
On our most recent camping trip, we went tubing at Big Wills Creek Campground. Any type of outdoor activities multiply the fun of camping. Fortunately, our campsite was situated next to the creek and made for an easy commute from camper to tubing trail. Other activities we enjoy while camping are: sitting around the campfire, riding bikes, making s’mores, playing card games, and hiking nature trails. When visiting a campground, check out their website or their front office. Plenty of activities on site or nearby will be advertised. Many campgrounds include playgrounds, community activities, and nature programs available to participate in.
The left side view of our camper. Campgrounds
In addition to Big Wills Creek, we have visited several campgrounds nearby that do not require long hours on the road. Our longest road trip to go camping thus far has been to Grayton Beach State Park. The good news of owning a camper? Air conditioning! I’m uncertain I would camp anywhere without a little air conditioning running in the background (and a heater in the winter). Grayton Beach has some of the best trails to go biking due to its connection to all 30A communities.
Tannehill State Park is another favorite campground of mine as well as Guntersville State Park. While Tannehill has a beautiful creek and a cool trade day once a month, plenty of deer can be seen typically at Lake Guntersville. Obviously, Alabama campgrounds are what I am most familiar with; however, your vehicle can take you anywhere you want to camp.
Looking to the right of our front door of the camper. What to Bring
Time and experience has helped me accumulate a nice little “Must-Have” list for camping. I am all too happy to share my knowledge with you. Here are nine items that I feel make our camping experience a little more enjoyable. These items are linked in my LiketoKnow.it link included in the right sidebar.
Must-Have List for Camping
- Solo Stove – Jeff received this for his Father’s Day gift this year and I must say, I am loving it! It is light weight, easy to get a fire going, and once it is cooled off and emptied, it can be carried in its own carrying case. Perfect for a cozy campfire or some impromptu s’mores.
- Shoe Rack – Camping attracts a lot of dirt and debris inside a camper. To reduce the amount of dirt, I do not let my crew wear shoes inside the camper. Instead, shoes are housed neatly on a two-tier shoe rack.
- Outdoor Rug – Isn’t it rough to step out of your camper onto the ground with no shoes on? Good question! Me and my crew do not have to experience a rough or dirty ground when we come out of the camper and put our shoes on because we have a nice outdoor rug placed in front of our door.
- Mini Fridge – Some people say this item is cheating on camping and if that is true, I am totally okay with it. Jeff picked up a mini fridge at Bargain Hunt and at first I thought that was crazy because we have a tiny one inside the camper. Boy, was I wrong! This mini fridge has been amazing. Jeff simply plugs it up and sets it right outside our camper. It has been the biggest help with meal prep and storage.
- Stringed Lights – You know how amazing it is at Christmas time when you can drive around and see all the beautiful lights on display? I’m telling you, you can experience the same thing in a campground. Each camper, RV, and tent seems to have its own calling card when it comes to outdoor lights. We like to string one set of our lights inside our pop up tent where we house our table and another strand of lights around the awning of our camper. I’ve linked up an extra long set so you might want to get a shorter length but I think the long string looks better.
- Folding Table – A totable, folding table comes in handy while camping. We mainly use ours to house our microwave, toaster, and coffee maker. Hey, we never said we were roughing it while camping!
- Mini Keurig – As mentioned above, we place a coffee maker on our folding table. Jeff purchased a mini-Keurig for me when I was teaching a couple of years ago. Now that I am back at home with the kids, we use the mini-Keurig on our camping trips. I love it!
- Plastic Totes with lids – Storage totes are a huge help while camping. I like to use the ones that have a lock on the sides. We place storage totes under our camper in order to clear up space inside the camper. Non-pantry items such as ziplock bags, citronella candles, marshmallow skewers, tablecloths, aluminum foil, and so on are stored in one tote, another tote holds pantry items that we do not want racoons or other critters getting into, and another tote holds extra bedding. Thankfully, our camper has storage under all the seating areas to hold cooking utensils, small appliances, pots, and pans.
- Wedding Tent – Why my husband and I call our outside tent a wedding tent is beyond me. Maybe it’s because it looks like one of those tents you would see at an outdoor wedding. Jeff sets up this pop up tent right beside our camper and we call it our “living room.” It holds our folding table, small appliances, and camp chairs for us to sit around and hang out.
- ****BONUS**** I did not list this item on my LiketoKnow.it link but one item that Jeff purchased this year that has been a game changer for the middle aged woman that I am is… a portable potty. This may sound unpleasant; however, a portable toilet keeps you from trekking across a campground in the middle of the night to find a bath house.
Check out my LiketoKnow.it link in the right sidebar. If you have never attempted to camp, I hope this blog post has peaked your interest. If you are already a camper then I hope I have given you some ideas on how to improve your camping experience. Did I miss anything? Is there another facet of camping you would like to know more about, comment below. I would love to hear from you! And if you would like to read more about our travels, check out my blog post here for our recent trip to 30A!
5 Ways to Add Touches of Fall to Your Home
Changes in the seasons is such an exciting time. The anticipation of what a new season brings welcomes joy into my heart and home. Now fall just happens to be my absolute FAVORITE season of all. I love the weather, the color, the activities that fall brings. While my taste and aesthetic has changed as I’ve aged, my love for this season has not. I want to share with you five ways to add touches of fall to your home.
1. Select a Color Theme
Taking the time to peruse Pinterest or Instagram will give you a wealth of examples on fall scenery and décor. Notice what your eye is drawn to. Do you prefer yellows to oranges? Do you like additions of color or is a neutral palette (check out this stunning fall display) more your style? Decide what you like then implement those colors in your home.
As I age, I am learning to not be sidetracked by anything that catches my eye (i.e. signs that have the word “fall” in it) and am cultivating decorative pieces that keep in the color scheme or theme of my home. With that being said, I am not made of money! I cannot run out and buy all new items that hit the shelves. Learning what items I need to get rid of and what I need to make due with until I can purchase something new, has been a great decorating lesson. Pausing to consider which colors I am drawn to and keeping those few colors in mind that I truly enjoy, helps me pump the brakes on trends that may quickly go out of style. For example, last year, blush was a big color used for fall. This year I am not seeing that color as much. Admittedly, I have collected more pieces that include the color burnt orange than I realized. Now I am focusing my future purchases on more subtle fall colors.
2.Determine Which Areas of Your Home to Decorate
Your budget may come into play when determining which areas of your home you want to decorate. Budget may not be an issue; however, selecting high traffic areas to decorate will prevent your home from looking like the fall season has thrown up in it. Not the best visual but hopefully you get my point. By taking the time to think about what areas of your home you want to decorate, you can be intentional about the items you love that are placed on display. In my home, I decorate the foyer, living room, and den with a few signs mixed in the kitchen and dining room. If you only have enough decorating items for one or two spaces, then make them count! Select the areas of your home that will be seen the most. You want people to enjoy the beauty of your fall décor.
3. Use Symmetry
Decorating a space such as a mantle or a console table, requires a little bit of math. Let me explain. Decide where you want the eye to travel. Do you want an equal, balanced look? Symmetrical placement of lamps, pumpkins, or candles can keep a balanced look. What if you want the eye to be drawn to one side? Asymmetrical placement will do the trick. For example, on the console table below, the height of the arrangements trend to the right. Check out this space filled with fall décor inspiration. In that Instagram example, notice how the heights of the floral arrangements and candles give a balanced look.
4. The Power of 3’s
Have several canisters but not certain what to do with them? Cluster them in groups of three. The power of 3’s has a strong appeal in decorating. Different items can become cohesive simply by grouping together by 3’s. In the image below, objects with a similar color scheme look better clustered together in a group of 3. When looking for inspiration, see if you notice groups of 3’s.
5. Use a Variety of Texture
A variety of textures in your décor, draws in the eye. Texture breaks up any monotony that a monochromatic palette might create. Texture in decorating invokes emotion. An invitation of coziness and atmosphere can be created through the powerful display of textures. Blankets, architectural pieces, natural elements such as wood, all add texture to your space.
With September underway, now is the perfect time to plan and start decorating your home for fall. Take the time to incorporate these 5 ways to add touches of fall to your home! Which tip will you use? For more information and happenings in The Helms House, check out my home page.
Back to School
Today was my children’s first day of school. I am uncertain if I have ever been more apprehensive about a first day then I have been over today. A post pandemic world is definitely worthy of being a little nervous; however, my concerns have not really been on health issues – at least not physical health issues. This year marks another milestone for us – two kids in high school and one in elementary school. While I am familiar with night-before-school jitters, this go around I had some of my kids experiencing some real sadness and fear over a new school year. Needless to say, I have spent much of my day in prayer over the peace in my kids’ hearts.
Open House for our youngest Three areas come to mind when I start contemplating a new school year: clothes, lunches, and routines. I am obsessed lately with Jessica Woo and her bento box creations! My kids laugh at me trying to replicate her intricate lunches. And to be real, most of my kids’ lunches are lunchables. These three areas help me to get a clear picture of how I want the school year to run.
When contemplating a new school year and getting your kiddos ready, consider their clothing options at home. What clothes are in their closet and/or chest of drawers? Is anything too small, stained, or damaged? Do you allow your kids to buy new shoes for the school year? What is your local school’s dress code? Once you have considered these questions, go through your child’s closet and/or chest of drawers and get rid of what will not be worn. Take the time to sort and organize your child’s clothing in order to readily see what you have and what you need. Once you are able to assess your child’s clothing needs, shop for the items to fill the gaps in his/her closet. I like to hang my children’s clothing by color order from light to dark in their closets. Do not forget to pay attention to your local school’s dress codes when shopping for clothing. Adding some new items to their wardrobe makes my children look forward to a new school year.
Lunches seem to be a hot topic in my household: what’s for lunch, how much should be packed in a lunch, who wants hot lunch and who wants a packed lunch? Keeping three kids well fed and happy is a tall order. Shopping in bulk at places like Costco or shopping the buy one, get one sales at Publix helps keep lunch costs low. Lunch items that are a big hit for us are: lunchables, yogurt, fruit, peanut butter crackers, beef jerky, and chips. For this year, I want to include more foods and possible leftovers from our suppers into the kids’ lunchboxes. Prep time is key to success when dealing with packed lunches. Clear a space (i.e. kitchen island), gather clean storage/food containers, and pack lunches all together. Filling lunchboxes the night before makes for smooth school day mornings. Don’t forget refillable water bottles!
.First day of school pic When heading back to school, keep in mind the power of routines. Routines help establish structure and stability in your children’s lives. Routines allow your children to know what to expect. In getting ready for each week of school, Sunday evening is the time my children and I set apart their outfits for the entire week of school. Knowing what outfit is for each day eliminates a lot of wasted time on busy mornings. A set time for departure on school mornings keeps me from yelling and hurrying my kids out the door. Another routine that we try to adhere to is keeping our car rides to school discipline-free. This means if there is correction to be made, I need to do that at home in a one on one environment, not in the car in front of all the kids. An older lady I attended church with years ago shared this jewel with me. The jewel of keeping your morning car rides discipline-free means those car rides can be a time of sharing and fellowship with one another. Worship music is on the radio and often times I am able to pray with my kids before I drop them off to school (and some of those times are my kids praying for my road rage – ha!). Before I implemented a set departure time and an intentional approach to not correcting my kids in the car ride, I would often find myself flustered and frustrated by the time I dropped my kids off at school. Now that we are a couple of months away from adding another driver in our household, I am thankful for these times of riding with the kids and getting to know them better to and from school.
However your school year finds you, I hope you are able to glean some helpful tips from these three areas I discussed: clothing, lunches, and routines. What tips do you have for a successful school year? Comment below with your tips and tricks.
Updating Our Launch Pad
August 2020 welcomed us into a new home. Let me be clear: a new-to-us home. The area we moved to has many mid-century builds. Fortunately our 1960’s ranch style home had been purchased by a contractor, remodeled, and placed on the market. We purchased our home from said contractor. While I appreciate the new kitchen and updated bathrooms and lighting, the many tiny closets are not completely appreciated.
I chose to turn one of those tiny closets into a Launch Pad. What is a launch pad you say? A launch pad is a place where you house everything you need to readily launch yourself out of your house. Shoe holders, purses, backpacks, keys, may be just a few examples of what my family houses in its launch pad. Like the picture above, our entryway held a small closet in its space. Just a couple of simple changes transformed this space into our family’s launch pad.
First, my husband removed the door and its hardware to this area’s closet. My husband removed the wardrobe bar inside the closet and affixed a decorative board with hooks to hold our backpacks and purses. I applied spackling to the holes left by the door’s hardware. After allowing time for the spackling to dry, I sanded off the rough edges and painted the door frame (and an interior return vent) the color of our trim: Sherwin Williams’ Pure White.
To make the space feel functional and aesthetically pleasing, I placed three baskets from Walmart’s Better Homes and Garden line on the top shelf (Mine are an older version. Here is the current version available at Walmart.) These baskets are not only a pretty addition but they serve to hold my extra bed linens. Our shoe baskets came from Target and hold the shoes we tend to kick off as soon as we come in the door.
While most people would call this space a mud room, due to its small size, I felt launch pad was a more appropriate title. This is the area that has what we need to launch our day. Toni Hammersly from A Bowl Full of Lemons first gave me the idea of naming this space launch pad. All our supplies needed to head out the door are housed in one space meeting the needs of my busy crew!
Do you have a space such as this designated in your home? If not, would you convert a closet into a Launch Pad? Let me know in the comments. I look forward to hearing from you.
~Ashley
Welcome!
Hi! My name is Ashley. I am a stay-at-home mom to three kids (our fourth one has already left the nest). I am wife to Jeff, and we have been married 17 years. Our children are ages 20 (my stepson), 15, 14, and 9. We also have three dogs! I cannot believe we have three dogs: a Mal-shi, Labradoodle, and a Poodle. They keep life interesting.
My background is in special education. While I have recently worked part time as a special education instructor, a majority of the last fifteen years have been spent as a stay-at-home mom – my true passion.
Cullman has been called home for the last 14 years; however, 2020 brought a us to a new town. We’ve recently moved and are setting up house in Homewood, Alabama. With a child in elementary school and two in high school, we are on the go often and a big move in the middle of a pandemic is not for the faint of heart.
After spending time on Instagram, this blog is a great addition to add depth and detail to my Instagram squares. You can follow along in my day to day life at The Helms House on Instagram. My goal is to share my home and family with you.
