Just Izzy and Me...

"Miss Izzy"

My little Bichon Frise, Izzy, has been with me since she was 6 months old. A Christmas present to me from my late husband, she has been a faithful and constant companion through the years of my widowhood. Izzy will be turning 9 years old in July of this year. She is the perfect RV'ing companion, always ready for a new adventure. 

On my last RV trip, we had Sasha with us as well. She would still be with us except for the  deteriorating knee and badly sprained ankle I acquired last summer, resulting in a total knee replacement in the late fall. It was getting impossible for me to manage her, even the simple task of taking her out for a walk (run) and potty times. I finally faced the inevitable, and re-homed her with my foster son and wife who had recently lost one of their boxer dogs. Their remaining boxer was absolutely grieving over the loss of her fur-buddy, and so a trial period resulted in a permanent situation. I miss having Sasha around but I am able to see her as often as I wish, as she is only a few short miles away.

Izzy was absolutely fine with the situation as she had no one vying for my attention! Silly girl.....

So as we plan our upcoming trip for late summer, Izzy is more than ready to hit the road again, as am I. There is alot to be done in the meantime but I just thought I'd give an update.

Thanks for stopping by...

Leave a comment if you wish. I am always happy to read your thoughts!

Tiny Home Atmoshere

Just thought you might like to see some of my "creature comforts".

 

These plants sit on my dinette table when I am at a campsite, otherwise they ride in the sink or a cardboard box while on the move. The one in the middle has 3 plants in it; a rope plant, a philodendren, and a hen and chicks plant, They are all starts from my friend Debbie in Kentucky where I used to live. She gave them to me this fall on my way through.

The larger pot holds 2 plants; of which I am not sure the names, but one resembles a staghorn fern without the "stag" part, and the other is a spiney thing  which reminds me of the game "Connects" (click to view larger image.) and is from another Kentucky friend, Wendy, with whom I also worked. Both these girls are special to me and I am so proud to have a living plant from both of them!
 

The water bowl is actually where my little Beta fish, "Moby Dick", lives. I changed his water the other day and he is happily blowing a bubble nest. He has made the journey quite well since the beginning. The lid has a light in the cover, and an opening for a bit of philedendron to live with its roots in the water. 

See him in there?Isn't he pretty?

These minor 'creature comforts' bring a smile to my face and makes my little RV feel like home.

 

Other comforts, such as of the nutritional kind are......

This awesome mueslix mix from a Menonite bulk foods store. I keep it in a ziplock freezer bag, and use 1/2 cup cereal to 1/2 cup water in a microwavable bowl, on high for 2 min. It is made of oatmeal, a couple other grains (no corn), flax, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, dates, and almonds. It doesn't even need honey to sweeten. Absolutely yummy!!

 

Oh, and did I ever show you my bread-maker?? Another yard-sale find. Yes, its actually my old 3 qt crock-pot, which has a roasting rack for meat (bottom left) but also has this nifty little can in which to bake a loaf of bread. Yeh, I agree.... quite a find :)

 

So yesterday I also made some bread using the below ingredients.

Dry yeast mixed with almost a cup water and 2 tsp honey set to "work", 3 1/2 cups of 7-grain bread mix, and some of my home-dehydrated shredded zucchini.

Mix all and knead into a smooth ball

Let rise once, then let the air out (punch down) and put in the can, letting it rise again.

"Bake" in the crockpot on high till done. Mine took almost 3 hrs.

Finished product.... a little dense but oh so flavorful! I can remedy next time I bake it

 

I get the crust!!!



My Latest (finished) Project

As My home in PA is much smaller than where I lived in Kentucky, I have been having to swap out larger furniture for some smaller pieces. I am not real fond of putting alot on $$'s into furniture at my age, and going for a "cottage" look, I came across an ad in craigs*list that was a used furniture barn. These are the pieces I came away with.

This old dark green dresser fit the bill for me. In fact it was a perfect twin of one my parents had when I was growing up. It is very sturdy and all the drawers worked. A little paint and it wou;d be like new!

I also found this little night stand someone had put a gray-green coat of paint on. It also was sturdy and 3" narrower than the one I had been using (which made it nearly impossible to make the bed properly). The 2 little drawers would work just fine.

AND

This little piece I had picked up an antique place several yrs ago in KY and had painted it white but never had found the perfect place for it there, so it came with me during the move.

I plan on finding an oval mirror, attaching it to the inside, and then painting a vining flower on the louvered doors.

So ...... This is my "NEW" bedroom furniture.



...... and the dresser topped with a scarf I had made from women's hankerchiefs.

Estimated cost for all ...... $140.

On to the next unfinished project, although I am not sure which one. I won't be going anywhere in my new RV yet. Still waiting to see what happens with my son. Oh Yes, my gypsy heart is to wander, but the biggest part of my heart belongs to my family for this present time.

You all be safe out there and be thankful for each and every blessing life brings your way.

Some Yard-sale Purchases

I posted earlier about the neat folding chairs I found to go in my rv, and here are the rest of the purchases from that day. Most very useful ...... some not so much.

First, this beautiful knit cotton patch-work sweater, for this coming fall or cool summer nights. I just love the colors in it!

As I am doing what I can to give my new home a "cottage" feel to it, I found this ceiling light shade to relace one of the ones in the main room. ( shoo, I don't know what to call the room as it contains my dining area, a sitting area, and my paint studio. A great room?? a gathering room?? a living room is so boring of a 'name' for it.... ) But hopefully the shade will add some character and charm. It needs cleaned up .....badly .... the shade. My room is clean...

I also found this shelf for under my window in the bathroom. It is brand new! I hope I can figure out how to put it up. I know ..... if all else fails, read the instructions!

and here is wher I get a little frivilous. Yes, JoJo, I did go a little overboard and break my rule for myself :) Well, most of these are useable, some are just cute!

I had always wanted to collect teapots, and I did have an empty cupboard that needed something in it....

At this one yardsale a woman had brought her whole teapot collection. WOW, I was in teapot heaven!! Three of these were originally mine, but the rest I bought that day. Sixteen teapots! The price was right and I got a discount for buying so many.

and the last purchase was a popouri burner, just because it had pansies on it and it reminds me of my grandma...... :)

I am still looking for an old dresser and a tiny nightstand for in my bedroom.

What do you look for at yardsales?

Bye for now, I am going outside and create something....

Have a wonderful day!