This coming weekend in the US is Labor Day weekend which marks the end of the summer season … mostly.
Typically things start slowing in tourist areas. School starts (started 8/26 here).
As noted, the weather looks to transition also. Today started cool, warmed up and then a whoosh of wind, rain, cooling temps sent us to a Fall/Autumn like feeling.
The bread maker is gone …
Where the bread maker was, my Kenwood Chef Titanium stand mixer now resides. It is clean and ready to go. I am very happy with this!
The cooler temps help with this transition. And while I can hand mix bread, focaccia, pizza dough and even bagel dough, the enriched doughs for cinnamon rolls, brioche .. the stand mixer is best and I have a routine for all of the things I make so as per above …. VERY happy to have the mixer.
Meanwhlle … I did a grocery shop this morning thinking that after today, I would hunker down and stay out of the way of the holiday rush. I happened across some mark downs and came home with a package of chicken legs and ground beef. The chicken I cooked in my Instant Pot …
Like the air fryer I downsized my Instant Pot when I sold the house. This 4 quart mini-rio is perfect. It stores easily in a cupboard and is plenty large enough for a pot of beans, chicken parts, small roasts and all I used the larger unit for, just smaller quantity.
As of this writing, the chicken has been cooked, slightly cooled, meat off the bones and pending complete cooling will be vacuum sealed.
Tomato meat sauce on the go…
Ready for the frig for a pasta bake tomorrow.
A neighbor … oh, well but as yet, no kids and no dogs so YEA!
Oscar snuggling in the covers … Emmett and I had a mid-afternoon nap. Oscar did not join us, but after we got up, the first front whooshed through with wind, lightning and rain… so Oscar decided the bedroom comforters were the place to be.
No smoke, that is a true color sunrise this September 1 morning.
It started cool at 48F but over the course of the day reached 83F. Hot but there is relief on the way so bearable. Plus, it did not get hot until midafternoon.
It was an RV chore day: bedding change, shift Wild Thing II a bit on our site to allow access to plumbing/sewer without being attacked by trees on that side AND to allow a better parking spot for the Yukon. And a failed replacement of the gas strut that allows the bed platform to be lifted and stay lifted … I knew that the strut I ordered might not work but took a chance and it did not work. Another strut which corresponds to the original part number is on the way. The failed set has been donated to the RV Park’s “parts” inventory and hopefully can be used by someone else.
It doesn’t sound like much, but all of the above entailed in and out, up and down RV steps and by lunchtime, my legs and hips were seriously feeling it. Add walks with Emmett and as I write this I am approaching 12000 steps!!
Late afternoon, I looked at the weather. Rain, wind, cool-cold is forecast for the foreseeable future and mostly through the Labor Day holiday weekend. I decided to make a quick trip to Bigfork and retrieve my stand mixer. It is in the Yukon … I lost the oomph to lift it up the stairs into Wild Thing II … tomorrow.
And it needs to be cleaned. Holy Cow. As I’ve gone through bins looking for things off and on … anyway, chores for another day.
A pizza is calling my name … not sourdough crust, but homemade commercial yeast crust with good mozzarella, local pepperoni and maybe some other things.
We had a lovely, cool/cold and rainy Sunday (8/30) and then a sunny pleasant Monday.
A little hard to tell, but that picnic table outside is wet. And Emmett is enjoying a rainy Sunday almost snooze.
What a relief!
Open windows, no A/C and even if overcast/gloomy skies it was a welcome change to the heat and smoke.
Today, Monday 8/31 started at 47F outside and 59F in Wild Thing II. I resisted turning on heat as forecast was for sunny and 75F. As I am a cool/cold temp lover, I just enjoyed putting on some cold weather clothes.
Also I had mixed up a dough for focaccia and pizza. It was in the frig overnight and baked this morning so the oven warmed things up nicely.
I neglected to film or photo the focaccia or the small maintenance project I did.
The “basement” storage doors are “hatch type” doors. They have gas struts which allow them to stay fully open. I had 2 doors that would not stay open. I watched some YouTube videos on replacing the struts … took photos of the struts with part numbers and was able to order (Amazon, of course) replacements. As “advertised” on YouTube, they were 5 minute replacements. SHEESH!! One of those things that was an annoyance for months and easily fixed.
Later…
After a lunch time walk, Emmett and I sat in the shade for a bit. Our view was Wild Thing II.
I did feel bad that Oscar couldn’t join us. Maybe tomorrow … we’ll see how quiet it gets before Labor Day holiday.
On the bread front, I have decided to sell the bread maker. It is on Facebook marketplace. If it does not sell, I will either take it to a Thrift or to my storage locker.
BUT, knowing that I can store something like the bread maker, I will be retrieving my stand mixer!
We are doing all of the normal life things: walks, cooking, cleaning, laundry … as well as experimenting with the new Air Fryer and Breadmaker.
Size comparison …
And the new large air fryer has much better (healthier) interior. I am not getting rid of the small unit unless/until it fails, but I am loving the larger unit so will not mourn the small one.
Oscar has no strong opinion either way.
Bread maker loaf … top collapsed … maybe too much yeast or not strong enough flour … BUT …
Despite the collapsed top, the bread was delicious. Crumb and crust perfect. Flavor wonderful and the collapsed top meant a “square slice” so really NOT a fail.
On Friday, 8/28, we moved sites for the last time. We will be in our current location until we depart on 9/9.
Not too shabby of a morning view out our passenger side window in the new spot.
It started cloudy, then sunny, then cloudy … but remained in the pleasant range of low 70’s F all day!
The day started with a walk, laundry, a walk, breakfast, shower, errands and then back home to enjoy a mild day – YEA!
Forecast was for 91F and possible thunderstorms late afternoon. It is 5:21 p.m. as I’m writing this and the NOAA radar shows rain and a thunderstorm on track for here.
I had originally planned to go to Kalispell to get my mail and do a bit of Fall/Winter clothes shopping … yes, clothes shopping in an actual store. Actually just sweatshirts from Cabela. I saw what they had online and thought I’d actually GO and look at them.
But, it was cool and breezy until 10 and I just didn’t want to leave and then it got smoky and hot and I just didn’t want to leave. So I stayed home and did some food prep!
On the right is birthday present #1 a large air fryer. I bought a small air fryer when I sold the house, sold my large air fryer. The small size has been ok but I am on my 2nd small one and this 2nd one is starting to act like the first before it gave up the ghost. I looked at my storage and had a think … and then saw a YouTuber review this Cosori … went to Amazon and it was a special deal price so I bought it!
The waste basket/clothes hamper which used to live by the dog food has moved to one of the bedroom wardrobes…
And both the hamper spot and the pet food/Cosori air fryer situation work better than previous setup so yea!!
The second present …
This is under the dinette. On the right is my EcoFlow Delta 2 which I use for fast USB charging (this 2003 motorhome was before everything had USB outlets EVERYWHERE) as well as some AC use for charging my vacuum and my auxilary charger in the basket on top of the dinette.
Additionally, if I want to use the Instant Pot or Air Fryer when the A/C is running, I plug into the Delta 2.
On the left.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would have a bread machine, but that is a bread machine.
I knew my sourdough bread, rolls, etc. were good but I didn’t realize just how good until I have had to rely on store bought stuff. My sourdough starter did not survive the move from cabin to rv and actually, the issue was the last several weeks in the cabin when I didn’t bake. The cabin frig was not great.
I ordered a starter from King Arthur baking and it did fine in the RV but I was still adjusting to the routine in Wild Thing II and ultimately I got rid of the starter and bought instant yeast thinking to simplify. But, I miss sourdough!
Fast forward to some research as well as the YouTube algorithm feeding me “RV sourdough” pointing a bit toward a bread machine and specifically to the one I bought which is about 1/3 the price of the big names I’d seen in the past.
So, I have a bread machine.
Between the large air fryer which can also bake bread and the bread maker, I hope to get back to all home made and hopefully sourdough baked goods.
Now, I have a gas oven and it works well. I used the oven in the Winnebago for bread. But the Bigfoot oven is significantly shorter and not enough room for a boule. I have figured out how to accommodate for the height for pizza, focaccia and a loaf pan … the issue being that the heating element is right under the lowest rack setting.
I have my pizza stone on the rack and then bake on a “cookie sheet” so enough “insulation” from that heating element to bake whatever without burning the bottom.
The other issue is that when it is very hot, the oven gives off more heat in the RV than the air fryer and probably the bread machine.
So.
I am here in Columbia Falls, near my storage locker for 2 weeks. The “plan” is to experiment with the large air fryer and bread maker while I am close enough to my storage locker to move either or both if they don’t prove their worth for the room they take up.
Back to today.
Preparing to make breaded chicken tenders.
Messy … but worth it! Putting all in the freezer for a bit. Some to come out and be my dinner with the rest to be vacuum sealed for future meals.
Backtracking. This morning I mixed up a small peasant bread and baked it in the gas oven on a baking sheet.
Not as flavorful as sourdough, but good for toast and my lunchtime tuna melt.
As noted in the previous post, I had booked 6 nights back in Columbia Falls to keep an appointment. After arriving, I started thinking about next steps because of Labor Day holiday. Short story is that I extended here in Columbia Falls until September 8 (leaving on the 9th). That gets me past the holiday and into hopefully cooler weather as well as most park fees drop to “off season” rates.
I arrived in Columbia Falls on Saturday, 8/22 to a forecast of severe afternoon thunderstorms.
Not severe, but thunder, lightning and thankfully a lot of rain with the storm so no new fire starts.
And then sun and bits of blue sky with lovely fresh air.
Per usual, my traveling companions were exhausted…
I had to move sites the next day. Not a surprise, I had booked my favorite site and then realized I messed up days but couldn’t get that site the day of arrival. But, I was right behind my fav site, so a short, easy move. We got settled in the new spot on Sunday and then I just took it easy knowing I am here for a bit and can get local stuff done at an easy pace. I do have to move sites again on Friday, but then will be in that spot until I leave on 9/9. It is still an end spot with lots of shade plus the park is lots quieter now. It will probably be busy around Labor Day weekend, but I am a bit out of the fray. When I booked the extension, the manager warned me that if I stayed in my favorite spot I would be in the middle of a group rally with lots of kids … hence my move :) !!
I have had a task on my list since late May: defrosting my freezer. I accidentally left the door ajar overnight which started things off and my RV freezer is NOT frost free anyway. I brought my EcoFlow Glacier Frig/Freezer as I had room.
I knew I’d want to defrost on occasion AND since I did have room it is an easier procedure to have the Glacier set up as all freezer to hold things while defrosting the rv freezer. Also, if I come across a sale of something I’d like to buy in bulk, I have the extra room. The unit is a bit bulky and heavy which is partly why I procrastinated on getting it out… But, like most things, once I got going it was fine and I am so happy to have done it as well as knowing it is not a big deal.
So much better! There was about 1/4 inch of frost on the sides, back and top of the freezer.
You can get an idea of the age of the unit … that door compartment which I have full of salmon is actually a juice can holder. It has been a long time since I bought frozen juice. I don’t really buy fresh juice either :) . It works well to contain certain items except I must have overloaded and broke the top bit. The freezer was missing one of the veg pockets and I found one on eBay. I was thinking it would be harder to find the juice can holder but eBay again – yea!!
The Glacier in one of my basement bays. I can open to put stuff inside, the controls are on the front and once on, I can control from the EcoFlow app. I have a battery installed which runs it for 8 hours but the cords are stowed in the corner and I can plug it in without too much trouble. All in all, I am happy I had room to bring it along!
Today, Tuesday August 25, started with laundry after Emmett’s first walk. Laundry was done before 8:00 :) … then breakfast, shower, 2nd walk and it was wonderfully cool and breezy! Some inside cleaning chores and then a trip to the storage locker in Bigfork and a walk at Wayfarer’s park. Home by 1:00 and it was getting hot!
A couple of birthday treats … to me from me … arrived just before we got back. More on them later but they entailed some shuffling of stuff which occupied me this afternoon. All is arranged and I am very pleased.
I jumped the gun slightly … about 4:52 as I sipped on a glass of wine and watched @Kennyofalltrades camping in Wyoming … Emmett on the sofa (you can see a bit of his tail) and Oscar by his cave bed napping in afternoon sunshine. It has been smoky today, hit 86F but an excellent day.
What to do when I leave on September 9. I don’t need to or want to make definite plans but I am thinking of doing the trip to Colorado that I intended when I took off in May … nearly 4 months ago. We’ll see … so far, my plans have not gone according to plan. I’m not complaining really. In hindsight, all has worked well.
Meanwhile, 2 more HOT days per NOAA and then a bit of a cool down.
