Discovery for the Camper ~ More Hot Banana Peppers

 I found these while looking for a portable table for the camper.

They are very cool!  They are compact when not in use (store in the camper easily), and turn into a stool.  We use them in the camper for nightstands next the camper bed, and they have a strap to carry on hiking and fishing.

I dug out my camping journal, because I forgot to take it the last time we went camping.  I have it updated now.  I cannot wait to add more trips to this journal.  We first used to borrow a pop-up camper in our first family camping trips, and made our coffee over the campfire.

I had 4 hot banana peppers, so those were put in the freezer.  They are coming on early this year, so hopefully I will have more for canning and jelly making.

Good news!  Blogger is fixed, so I can view my reading list now.  I'll be back around to read blogs.

I can't make this stuff up! Camping Trip, Adventure Mishaps and other things that went wrong

 

First, our first camping trip this year in the pop-up camper was our last.  It was getting too much for us two (all that cranking up and down), and too much bed space for the two of us.

Our nephew and his wife were selling their hard sided camper, and said they just don't go camping anymore.  They had not used it for a year.  We went and looked at it, but next time we buy a camper we'll make sure we double check some things.  We simply trusted their word ("everything works" but again they had not used it for a year).  Thankfully, we were able to simply transfer our camper plates.  Oh, and it only sleeps 2 (he he!)

We sold the pop-up the same day it was for sale, and made back half of what we paid for the hard sided camper.  Oh boy.  What a difference in camping.  Just back it in, put up the jacks, pull out the awning and relax.  I do like the fact that it did not keep us inside, and we still did campfire meals.  We do have a propane stove in case of bad weather while camping. 

Anyway, here is the saga of our story.  My husband put the hitch in, backed up, hooked up the camper and we started to pull out of the driveway.

KA-BAM!

We stop, get out and guess what he did?  Again, I can't make this up.  He put the pin in behind the hitch, so the camper pulled the hitch out, then bounced of the bumper of the truck (now he has another thing to fix, ha ha!).  Our first maiden voyage didn't start out that great.

We get to the campground, set up and start hooking up water and electric.  This was our first time to use water with a camper and we were excited to have hot showers etc.  Well, he hooks up water and water starts spraying out of the handle of the kitchen sink and down to the floor.

We scramble to use our towels to mop up up the floor.  We didn't have the right tools to remove the faucet, and we needed the hot water tank drained to remove the faucet (or water would come out of the faucet. 

The next morning, we got our campfire breakfast made, but were exhausted with the issue with no water in the camper.

We had met our neighbors, and in conversion, we were told who to ask for help.  We walk over a few more campsites and low and behold we got help.  Water tank emptied, faucet taken out, we headed to the hardware store.

Thankfully, we found help and found a new faucet for the camper.  Back at the camper, we install it, check for leaks again, and we were back in action.

We however could not get the pilot light on the hot water tank to light.  Frustrated we decided to go for a drive and get some delicious local chicken.  

Ha!!!!

Nope.  We went to larger restaurants and found lines out the door with anywhere from 30-50 people standing in line.  After trying two, we headed back to another town and tried a brewery.  Nope.  30 minute wait and we were starving.  We went next door to another one and after a short wait got in.  We were exhausted just trying to get a meal.  I told him next time we camp in Amish country, we cook all meals at the campground.

So we finally get back to the camper and get the pilot light going and the hot water tank kicks on.  Shortly after?  It kicks off.  This went on all evening and the next day.  

No hot showers for the either of us, because we used our towels to clean up the earlier mess (shower house was there, but we didn't want to drive out for more towels).  We just dealt with no showers, packed 'er up and headed home.

By the way, the campground was packed full, and on the way home, we stop at a gas station that had a dump station - jam packed with campers.  Everyone and their brother was camping (best weather ever for it).

Now for the rest of the story.  If you are still reading this ..ha ha!  Long story.

We return Sunday, unload the food from the camper, and unhook it.  Our new mattress and box springs were in.  Our daughter got us a very good deal and ours were almost 20 years old (springs sticking out of my husband's side of the box springs).

First, Hubby insisted our bed was a California King.  I told him no, it's a King.  I ordered it his way, we haul it home, haul it all into the house.  Nope.  Too big.  We call our daughter who luckily was at work, and they had a king in stock.  We load that heavy pain in the rump all back up (a LOT of work there), drive it back, unload it, do the exchange, load the new one in, drive home and unload.  Mind you, this is all way late evening and we had not had dinner, nor had either of us had a shower since Friday morning.

It fit perfect.  Thankfully, daughter K got off work and rescued our hungry stomachs with some dinner.  Thankfully, we have the proper electrical outlet to hook up the camper's electric and water to work on the hot water heater.  Another job for him to work on ha ha!  What a weekend!!  I never did get my shower until Monday morning, but boy oh' boy did it feel good.

At least we can laugh about it, and my husband is already telling people the story too (and laughing while telling it).

Camper Cleaned ~ Crochet Time ~ . . . from the handiwork journal

The camper got a good cleaning, but we still need to clean the top canvas.  That's another day for us.

The floor was swept and mopped with my favorite cleaner.
Here are a few photos of some new items I crocheted for the upcoming Farmer's Market.  I've already sold a set of crocheted nesting baskets, and one pig ornament.

Crocheted nesting baskets.  The aqua baskets were sold.

Mug/coaster set, Harley Davidson inspired, with a removable motorcycle charm on the front.

Drink cups with lid and coasters to match.  A few more to make.

More mug and coaster sets. A few more to make.

Harry Potter Inspired Cup Cozies.  Woke up to find one gone.  Daughter stole it. Ugh. Kids.

More cup cozies to make, and possibly some crocheted earrings and matching necklaces.  It's just a matter of time.  The chicken coop needs cleaned, the tomatoes need checked, hot peppers and green peppers and berries need checked, garlic bed needs to be cleaned up and replanted ASAP......it's gonna have to wait until this market day is over (other than picking what needs picking).

I'm looking up info on how to get my tax ID to open my Etsy to the public.  I'm researching how to do the shipping costs too.  You never know, I may be trying it out for a year.  Stay tuned.  I'm a bit concerned on shipping the mug sets, considering I'd have to invest in packaging, so there's a lot to consider in everything.  

Hubby's cousin stopped in for a loooooong porch chat yesterday, so I lost time (although very much enjoyed her visit) with my handiwork progress.  Speaking of handiwork, I purchased a new canopy (ours broke a few years back), and bought a commercial grade one.  It arrived last week broken in two places.  Sigh.  I returned it, and they re-ordered it, with a discount.  We'll be giving it a try after the market day, but really needed it for the market day.  I'll be borrowing one until it arrives.  Then we'll take it camping to see how well it works compared to the flimsy cheaper grade ones we owned.

After-Christmas Clean Up ~ Tidbits

We did not get a nasty storm as predicted.  In fact, we did not get as much rain as I thought we would, and we got zero snow.  Today might be the last warmer weather day for a while, but no snow.

In fact, the sun is already shining here today.

I'm worn out with running here and there for gatherings.  We all sat around the front room last night and watched a movie, sipped hot cranberry punch, and nibbled on leftover food and cookies.

Rainbow

We continue to get rain, but one day we were given a rainbow too.

Most of my carrots are underwater, but I managed to pull a few.  They are wide, but short this year.  I'm thankful we will get at least a meal or two from them.

We have started the repairs on the barn (that lost it's roofing in one of the storms).  The cement blocks in the base of the wall, on the backside, had been knocked completely loose in one corner.  They removed most of them, and cemented them and tuck pointed them.  Now they are drying, and the roofing starts next.  We've already had rainfall twice (and heavy) since I posted last, so I am praying for no more rain.

Before we got blasted with another rainfall, the one prior to the rainbow, I was able to weed most of my flower beds.  The weather was strangely cool, and I spent from about 10am to 4:30pm pulling weeds.  I am still not done (that's how much rain we've had).

Ironically, the camper has a propane leak, so Hubby is going to replace the line on that too.  Thank goodness he tested it with a spray bottle filled with soapy water. 
 

Spring Birds

My son gifted me this over a year ago.  I had good intentions of hanging it in the tree in front of the front porch.  However, I did not.  I'm thinking, due to it's size, I will put it by my back porch, in hopes to lure in some more wrens.  Their song is so beautiful.  Hubby says no.  He wants it to stay inside to enjoy (never thought I'd hear him say that!).  I have a similar one I left out all winter (that lights up inside during the night), and has weathered well.  Decisions, decisions....

Today it's cloudy, but no rain.  I have lots of laundry to do, as the girls waited until they ran out of clothes before bringing it all downstairs.  The temperatures will be up in the 60's this weekend.

Hubby and I stopped to walk through a thrift store yesterday.  I'll have a few items to share with you next week.  I also have one more item that was in the box sent by my Aunt.  I should have photos to share that as well.

Have a great weekend!