Cooking over a campfire conjures images of an old fashioned chuck wagon. Somehow, the food just seems to taste better.

Food my husband and I recently prepared over a campfire:

First, the prep:  New potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and red pepper



Next the fire starting process:


 Sorry, our fire pit looks a little beat up




Kindling





FLAMES!



Cast iron skillets take center stage

We found a grill at Lowe's that fits over out firepit perfectly!



Potatoes first in a little canola oil






The rest of the veggies





Of course, we had chicken too






Had to use the lid for a while on the veggies

It was a great meal. I want to get a dutch oven so we can cook biscuits, and maybe even cobbler over the fire. We have used charcoal grills, propane, and cooking campstoves, but cooking over the open fire somehow seems more fun and makes us feel like true pioneers! I will be practicing recipes and cooking techniques. Stay tuned for more.

how does your garden grow

Growing my own vegetables

Container garden with tomatoes, peppers, and basil

Full-time RV living, a MEANS to an end, or the end?

Full-time RV living, a MEANS to an end, or the end? It is estimated that as many as 1 million people now live full-time in an RV. This nomadic lifestyle was once considered only by the newly retired as a way to travel, and see the country. Now, many younger people are choosing this type of lifestyle. The widespread availability of Wifi, and the availability of at home careers using computers have made the traditional need for a home in one place less crucial. Additionally, many jobs, such as construction, require mobility as job sites change from place to place. There are families that travel with their children and home school them so that the family is not separated. Some maintain a home base, but travel much of the time. Still others use an RV as an in-between home when a good job is just too long a commute from their home base. My husband and I chose to live in an RV for the adventure, as well as for the wish for a more cost-effective way to live. We have always enjoyed camping, and the relaxed atmosphere of an RV or state park. Quite simply, we thought living in an RV would be cheaper, less sressful, and give us a way to visit places we have wanted to go when work allowed. While it has not always been less stressful(there is still maintenance to do, just like with a brick and sticks house), we have stayed in some beautiful places. It has also proven to be a cheaper way to live. We have opted to stay in RV parks, while others opt for urban parking/camping or boondocking, we feel more comfortable with having utilities available. It has been almost a year since we made our leap, and we have enjoyed it. I kept my job, and we stay in RV parks within easy commutes both to my job, and to most of our kids. Our ultimate goal is to buy some land to park our RV on, and do some homesteading. What about you? Have you ever thought about living in an RV? If you live in an RV, what motivated you to chose the RVing lifestyle?Do you have the wandering spirit, or do you have practical reasons, such as a work situation? I'd love to hear your thoughts about living and working non-traditionally in an RV. Sites you might find interesting: http://www.smallrvs.net/living-in-an-rn-fulltime-rv-living-appeals-to-young-and-old; http://www.familiesontheroad.com/articles/workingrving.html; http://www.nurvers.com

I have been thinking about the upcoming holiday weekend, and looking forward to seeing my daughter and her kids. Yesterday, my husband and I started getting our yard ready with tiki torches, and opened our awning. I hope the weather is good for every one.
https://plus.google.com/109305050749190421060/posts/CEJYECRBYQQ This creole shrimp pasta looks like a great recipe.

Take care and be kind to yourself.

Susanne

Happy blog!

Hi, my name is Susanne. For years, my husband would come home from work, open the door, and yell SUZE with great enthusiasm when he saw me. He was genuinely happy to see me, and I was happy to see him. I wanted to start this blog to share things that make me truly happy, and  I hope they make you happy too.

  I truly love a great yarn-whether it is a really good book, or a beautiful skein of yarn.  Walking into a bookstore, a craft store, or going to a really scenic place such as a beach really make me happy. It's that start of the race feeling that something new and exciting is about to happen, be created, or discovered!

Please join me as I share with you great things that I have discovered, created, or fallen in love with because they make me happy.

Be kind to yourself and each other everyday