By the time you read this, we will be deep in the throes of our first RV excursion with our sexy beast. I’ve been asked if we’re nervous.
A little.
We are, after all, driving what is essentially a glorified bus into uncharted territory to hang with over 200 other rv’ers, none of whom we’ve ever met or even spoken to. But I’m more excited than nervous.
Getting the RV ready to roll is like outfitting a small apartment. We need utensils, pots/pans, linens, toiletries…everything. I spent a couple of hours getting everything together only to have Fisherman come along and undo most of it. I knew that would happen. He just doesn’t understand why we would need 2 dozen mugs, a bread machine and a butter churner for a weekend trip. Besides, if they gave out degrees for packing he’d have a doctorate. He can’t help himself, and I just can’t compete.
You’re about to see more links to food recipes than exists at Food Network. I’ve been cooking my ass off for the last two days so we won’t starve to death once we’re there. Fried chicken, coleslaw, sweet potato salad, fruit salad, and more…and that’s not counting the amazing lemon tart, (the one Amy shared recently) popovers and chicken in a sun dried tomato cream sauce dish I made Wednesday night when we had some friends over. I’m not going to post the recipes here but I’ve shared the links and encourage you to click on over and pin them, bookmark them or whatever it is you do so you’ll have them. The fried chicken recipe is one of my favorites, as is the author of the recipe, Tyler Florence. Everything he touches turns to gold.
I had some blueberries that were on the verge of going bad and after checking out my Pinterest ‘Recipes’ board found this delicious recipe using everything I already had on hand. I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS!
I knew it would be good as soon as I read Greek yogurt was an ingredient, and I was right. If you like blueberries and lemons, you’ll want to give this a try. You can find the recipe here.
Do you know anyone that doesn’t love popovers? I don’t. I’ve made more than my fair share of them over the years, but this recipe produces the most humungous popovers I’ve ever seen. They popped up so high they hit the rack over them in the oven. I softened some butter and added a bit of honey to it that my friend Poppy sent me, and it was sooooooo good!
A couple of weeks ago after we went to the Showhouse, we stopped at a lovely nursery and I picked up this cute ‘handbag’ that is made of moss. I had it on a shelf on the porch but I decided to use it as a centerpiece when our friends came over and I decided to keep it there for now. It’s so cute, and a bargain at $16.
Now for the reason every muscle in my body aches right now.
The flagstone was delivered Wednesday. We ordered a palette and a half and we sorted them out by size to make choosing easier.
After working at it for the better part of Thursday, this is what we accomplished:
Stop laughing!
Putting together stone walls is not for the faint of heart. I thought by next week I’d have a finished wall to show you, but at this rate you might have to wait till the next millennium.
In other news…
For the second time this week, we’ve had to take our plants indoors due to a chance of a frost. Enough already Mother Nature. We get it. You’re the boss.
Sharing At
Tweak It Tuesday
Judy Clark says
I’m sure you will have a great time in your RV. If nothing else, just eating all of that delicious food you’ve prepared!! LOL
Judy
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
Wow, I hope you guys have lots of sun and are starving when you get there since you’ve got so much food! the recipes sound great too. I’ve been looking for a small vintage trailer from the 60’s and found one that was perfect and was sold 4 hours before I got to them, ugh. I’ve made many a path with flagstone and those babies are heavy. Hope you back gets to normal soon! Enjoy!
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
OH I hope you have wonderful adventures ahead Doreen!! I love how you describe packing as you might as well be talking about me & my hubby. We’re the exact same way – and my Ad is obviously cut from the same cloth as your hubby.
All of your recipes sound AAH – mazing!! I love a good popover and I need to get me a pan so I can make that recipe. Sounds soooo good. And the blueberry lemon bread – hello Lover. And that handbag of flowers is beyond adorable.
You must have some serious biceps after the flag stone fun. Ugh!! I’m sure the work will be worth it in the end, but in the mean time please don’t have a heart attack!!! 😉
Can’t wait to hear more about RV adventures. Stay safe on the big bus! xoxo
Donna says
Happy trails. Can you do our wall next? I once did a bbq pit from the neighbors foundation excavating carting rocks down the street and that was 25 years ago. I am impressed. Nice work! Enjoy your trip.
Pinky at Designs by Pinky says
I am SO impressed with the flagstones and I would NOT laugh cause I wouldn’t attempt it. That is Joe’s domain now. I used to be right by his side for EVERY project but at this age I am done. I do the easy stuff, like planting, doing my pots, etc:) Hope you have a BLAST on your trip!!!
Pinky at Designs by Pinky says
PS, My hubby has a doctorate in packing too. I have a duffle bag type thing that I carry all my hair stuff, shower stuff and make up in when we travel. He calls it, “the amazing transformation kit”:):)
Vicky Hunt says
You are going to have a blast on your RV trip! Sounds so fun! And, it sounds like you will be eating well too. Oh my, these recipes sound so yummy! Too bad I’m trying not to eat carbs these days! The flagstone is so pretty. I bet you are sore. It is going to look great. Have a fun trip!
Jane says
A butter churn?? Have you confused your RV with a wagon wheel carriage? lol!! You are so funny. The recipes are great—I’m going to check out the fried chicken and the blueberry dessert.
The purse is awesome-going to check out that website of yours. I never knew of it.
The flagstone looks like a huge job. Protect your hands and toes. I have some major things going on around outdoors, too—good to get it done before the heat sets in.
Jane x
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
I kind of doubt you’ll need the butter churn this trip. However, if everything is a bust, you have good food to tide you over! I’ve done that flagstone thing. Picked each piece myself, then had to leave it all in TX.
Brenda
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
I’m packing for the next phase of renovation in Cottage, can you send your doctorate husband here for help?
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
That loaf looks so good, Doreen! I will have to check out the recipe. Sometimes I can alter them to be gluten free and still have them taste good.
Working with stones is not an easy job! I know, I used to rework some of mine back in New York where we had a lot of river rock {basically what you have in your pictures} and I would redo the front beds, which would require a reworking of the stones. It is definitely not as easy as some might think. You are off to a good start. The base is the hardest part, I think, and the one part you need to get absolutely right so nothing tilts or falls over. Can’t wait to see it done.
Poppy says
You are hilarious…and very conscientious, preparing for your first major escape in the beast, whipping up all these sweet and savoury energy sources to keep you and Fisherman fortified with fabulous feasts! Kudos for your culinary expertise, my friend, and for your hubby’s great ‘editing’ skills!
I am a lover of all things blueberry/lemon, and your blueberry lemon bread, (I checked out Mallory’s blog; it’s amazing!), looks scrumptious; can’t wait to try this, now that I’m in the land of fresh blueberries. Greek yoghurt is a gem, isn’t it? So glad that you are incorporating the Cretan honey into some of your recipes, too. You will be the best fed folks in the ‘hood’!
How brave of you to piece together the beginnings of a pretty path with those beautiful flagstones. I think you are doing an amazing job, and can’t wait to see the finished results, but until then, enjoy the path on your road trip, and have fun!
xoxo
Poppy
P.S.: Waiting for the next installment of ‘Doreen Damage’!;))
Kelly says
I hope you’re having a wonderful trip right now! Your flagstone walkway looks good so far. I know how heavy those things are, so it’s no wonder that it may take a while to get done. Looking forward to seeing more of it as you make more progress.
Cindi says
OMG! I’m hungry!
I hope you had fun on your first RV trip, you are a braver woman than me.
LOL!
I think that’s GREAT progress on your flagstone path.
Slow and steady wins the race!
Can’t hardly wait for the RV post!
xo
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
I hope you are having a fabulous time on your first RV trip, Doreen! Thanks SO much for mentioning my lemon tart – I’m so happy you liked it!
Sue says
I have to laugh as my hubs is a maniac packer too where I can never do good enough- love it. Oh yes, I had to pin the fried chicken thank you very much. I am a nut and am concerned about the purse centerpiece, did you take it with you in the RV? The flagstone looks wonderful so far!!! Have a safe and fun trip.
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
Hope the trip is going well and I look forward to hearing about your big adventure when you return. Hope the food is holding up!
Cecilia says
Sounds like fun! Hope you enjoy your trip!
The wall looks like it will take awhile…the flagstones look heavy.
We had crazy storms here over the weekend – flooding was the big issue. Threat of tornados, really bad thunderstorms. Good news is our lakes are filling up. It was a crazy Memorial Day though.
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, this dessert looks scrumptious, and as soon as I read Greek yogurt I smiled, as I am part Greek myself. Oh my, you have done so much work around your home, I can see why every muscle aches now. Every time I work outside or in the garden, I can feel it the next day. The stone walls look very nice. How did you like driving your RV around? My husband would love to have one, and has talked about traveling in an RV for years. I hope you had a fun time on your trip and experienced many adventures.
Have a wonderful week, Doreen.
~Sheri
Dewena says
Good grief, Wonder Woman, what will you attempt next? Martha Stewart should hire YOU!
You needed a vacation by the time y’all hit the road and i hope you got it. I hope you have a jacuzzi tub too for the achy muscles from hoisting all that stone. It will be beautiful when it’s finished though.
Did you have many leftovers?
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Fried chicken is one of my faves for camping because you don’t have to heat it up. It’s so good hot or cold. That lot of flagstone looks intimidating, but it’s going to be so worth it when you’re all don. The path is coming along nicely (kind of like doing a jig saw puzzle, huh?). Hope you had a safe and exciting trip in the beast!!
Julie says
Hello Doreen! Sorry for taking so long to visit you but I have been so busy over here. Wow I do hope that you are having fun on your RV trip. I can’t wait to hear all about it and see some photos. Wow when you say you have been cooking you really mean it! The recipes I will have to take a peak at too. Take care and have a lovely week.
Hugs, Julie xo
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Have a wonderful RV adventure, Doreen! Have fun and be safe! Those popovers look scrumptious. 😛 I’m definitely going to pin the recipe. Thanks for sharing it. I love the moss purse, and what a great idea to use it as part of your tablescape. Love it! 😀 All the best!
Pat Cable says
Hope you have a wonderful time. Spike loved his bike ride. He’s been sick today and I’m worried about him. We will probably go to see the vet tomorrow if he isn’t better. 🙁
Doreen says
Oh no! I’m so sorry Pat. I hope it’s nothing too serious. Please keep me informed.
Yasmin says
All that cooking is making me hungry! Sounds like it was an enjoyable feast for everyone.
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Have a great and safe trip!….The popovers look great…I had my first one at a restaurant in Acadia National Park and was hooked!
The flagstone wall looks like a very enormous project, but i am sure you two will accomplish the task with beautiful results!…Happy Trails!!
Julie says
Hi Doreen, I love all of those recipes and food! The wall is going to look so nice. Thanks for linking up to Cooking & Crafting with J&J!
Julie xo
Jess says
This turned our to be pretty cute! And that bread…YUM!
Thanks for joining the Cooking & Crafting with J & J Link Up! 🙂
lorraine williamson says
love the blueberry lemon bread looks amazing can’t wait to make some thanks for sharing at cooking crafting with j and j have a great trip