Jan 5, 2018

Jan 5, 2018
Hello.
I know that the nation is facing some really bad weather and here in the Sequatchie valley we are not fairing much better. We wer at 9F this morning , before the sun came up. and now at 8:30 we are at 13F. We might get up to the Freezing point before it starts to go back down into the teens again tonight. It's so cold that the job Hubby is working on has been called off for the weekend and he'll be back on site by Monday morning. I am thinking that he's going to end up changing out the propane tanks before he has to leave, because it's been so cold over the last few days.  Even with a heat tape under pipe insulation and running the water at more than a drip I expected for the water to freeze up. But, the great news is, we still have running water to the camper. It may even get warm enough I can turn off the hot taps long enough that I can heat water in the hot water tank to do up the dishes..or I just might use a large pan and heat water on the stove and keep more of the heat inside the camper. (thinking thats what I"m going to do)
The dogs were taken out, after the sun had come up. It wasn't very warm but they had to go out. Macon was first to finish and Barney was not far behind him. Then the nieghbor came down his steps and those two decieded to bark, so into the camper I sent them. Rocky wasn't finished just yet, so I let him stay out a bit longer. He didn't bark but sure looked like he was ready to go meet them. Not today, dog, it's too cold to stand around meeting people.
I'm not sure, yet, what to fix for dinner tonight. I might just go with chili and corn chips.  Of course, Hubby might not want that so plans could change.
I painted my fingernails yesterday. I am not sure how long that will last, but I want to get back to painting them at least once a week. more often if the paint gets chipped or messed up somehow.

Billie C.

January 4, 2018

Hello.
 It got Cold again last night, but we didn't lose our water this time. I woke up a few times in the night, just to listen to hear if it was still dripping in the bathtub. Each time I was happy to hear it was still going. The camper is on the cool side but warm enough if I wear layers, and a cap.   
 When I took the dogs out, this morning, i saw snow flakes in the air. Plenty of them but not many clouds. Every time I look out the windows I see more of them, but none of them sttm to be sticking to the ground.  I don't mind seeing it in the air but I sure don't want to have to be walking around on or in the stuff.
 I'm catching up on the cleaning in the camper. I have the bedroom caught up, again. but still need to get to the rest of the camper. I need to find a better place for the things by where I sit. I went through the drawers the other day, and removed a lot of things into a wash basin to take to the bunk room, but even in there needs cleaned up and organized again. I just don't know where to start, my seating area or the bunkroom.
 I had Cereal and a banana for breakfast. If I was going to the Senior Center I would be having Chicken Noodle soup for lunch. I just might still have that, since I picked upa few cans the other day when we went shopping. I'm not sure what will be for my dinner just yet. I have plenty to work with. I do have some browned ground beef that needs to be used up soon. I might look to see if I have everything else I need for a Taco soup.

 

Billie C.

January 3, 2018

Hello
I had to cancel going to the Senior Center for the week. Today I have to wait for the water to thaw and there's a good chance that will happen today since the high is suppose to be in the upper 30's to mid 40's.  Tomorrow and Friday is going to be cold, so I'm not wanting to get up early to take the dogs out, then have to go out again to get on the bus. And I need to keep the eye on the water to make sure it stays dripping. 
I am cleaning the camper and working on organizing my crafts stuff, again. 
Hum. it's afternoon, I have the heat turned up, the doors opened to under the sinks and still the water is not flowing through the faucets. I'm about at my wit's end. (One hour later) wooHoo. we have water to all faucets again!! Now I can get the dishes done and eat off of nothing other that foam or paper. I have the water heating up now.

 

Billie C.

Jan 2, 2018

Hello, again.
Our day was spent in trying to get water back into the camper. I know, it's seems to be a yearly problem. We were doing great, Had water up until dinner time. In less that about 5 minutes, the water froze solid. The ice broke the inlet valve into the camper and, of  course, it has to happen after all the RV Supply Stores had closed, or were closed because it was a Holiday. So, we were up extra early this morning. a Quick breakfast of eggs and toast then out the door on our way to Chattanooga to try to find the parts. Hubby had looked on line and Camping World said that the parts were in stock at their Store in Ringgold Ga. it's about an hours drive away, but on the other side of the time lie from us. when it's 5 here, it's 6 there. We get there, they are open but after Hubby is inside about 7 minutes comes out shaking his head. Their inventory may have said they had it, but in reality they do not. (argh) There is another RV SParts store that we passed on our way to Ringgold. I have even suggested we try there first but since he could check on line with them (they were closed New Years Day) ... well we get there and they have the parts we need. Back home. I help hold things while he loosens things then tighten things and that part is fixed. but now we have to thaw the water hose. Okay. I bring it into the camper, put it in the bath tub and plug in the heat tape. It took about an hour to get somewhat thawed.. and Hubby "blew" into one end and thought it was empty... nope. the end was broken. So off to find a water hose that is potable water safe, and more pipe insulation. Walmart is out of the pipe insulation but I suggested ACE Hardware. They have some but it's not 1 inch, it's 1 1/4 inch, which we figure should be okay since the 1 inch is a bit tight over the heat tape. Back home. remove the old pipe insulation and heat tape from the old water hose and then put the heat tape and new pipe insulation onto the new hose. and things are still frozen up.. after a bit of working though, we got water running to the bathtub.  I can live with that. It's enough to keep the dogs from being thirsty. I hav a large cup of water by my side and the water is still running in the tub.  I refilled the empty water jugs but will need more ater to heat it up so I can wash off, and do up a few dishes the old fashioned way of wash in one water, rinse in another water and then place in the strainer.
The sun is going down, so I better get the dogs outside for a few minutes. There were out while the sun was up and shiining but not for very long and I'm sure they will want to go out again after dark before I go to bed. Back in a few minutes...

 

There, the dogs have been out side for a few minutes. They didn't want to linger too much as it's cold out there.
I've moved the heater, again, trying to warm up the areas where the water might be frozen at.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it don't. The heat came on and I'' have to turn it down here in a bit or I'll run out of propane before the end of the week. I'm wearing layers and a hat inside. That will help me be comfortable without having to run the heat up too high.  I'll turn it down even more when I leave for the Senior Center during the day. I can turn it back up when I get back in and the dogs can handle cooler better than I can. I am in hopes that we will have tempertaures above freezing tomorrow.
Driving into Chattanooga wwent well. We were able to watch the sun come up and see the different colors emerge as we went up one hill or down into another and up anther one.  The sun brightend up the edges of some clouds and that was so very bright and nice to see.

 

Billie C.

Happy New Year

Hello, and Happy New Year.

2018 has begun and we are in a cold snap, The Low tonight is going to be very close to 0f with wind chills going as low as -10F. This area is NOT use to this kind of cold.

Our water froze up, this evening. I had just run it about 10 minutes before, but when Hubby went to flush, no water. Oh boy. We do have a broken part but should be able to replace it tomorrow, once things get warm enough we can thaw the water out. The only bad thing is Hubby had hoped to get out of here early enough to arrive back at his current job before it gets dark. I'm afraid that isn't going to happen.  Even the dogs do not want to go outside when it's this cold and I can't blame them for that at all. At least we don't also have to deal with any snow with all of this, right now.  Up North. they are dealing with both cold and snow.

 

I've had the croup for over two weeks now. Dry, hacking cough, fever off and on. Chills from time to time. but I'm feeling much better and I didn't have high fever at all. When I would check my temp, it would be in the normal range, so I would think I'm getting over this "what ever", and after getting back home from the Senior Center would end up with another bout of hacking cough then end up sleeping most of the afternoon. Wake up long enough to take care of me and the dogs and a few very basics, then go sleep some more. Not much of Christmas can get done if your sleeping so much.

I made a batch of Cinnamon Popcorn but couldn't take it to the Senior center because I ended up scortching it a bit. Hubby loved it and gave only the really dark pieced to the dogs.

I made a second batch to share with the Senior's after he left to go work in Mountain City TN.

 I did make "Jell-o Cookies" for the cookie exchange and put together a medium bag of things for the gift exchange that included a cup with a sip lid that didn't have threads for it to be screwed into the cup. I ended up with 10 pounds of Chocolates. I regifted one of the boxes to our land lord to take to his church

 

Christmas was very simple this year.

We slept in late and I was still first awake. Took care of the dogs, Went to Daughter's for gift exchanges and a Chili Dinner, then home again where I slept even more.

We had stocking this year. I did my own since Hubby can't find a thing for me even at Dollar Tree and he was surprised at what all I put into mine. His had even more things and all small thins he could use.

 

Hubby got me an Electric Blanket. He put a power scooter in lay a way for me, to be picked up before Spring. Daughter and the Grands got me some very cute Owl Succulent planters. Now to get the soil and plants to fill them with.

 

 

I gave Heather a few odds and ends I knew she would like. A knee brace that she can wear under her pants that might help give her knee some support. A Scarf. She was the only one who didn't get a scarf last year. A rock I painted, thinking she might like the thought of a "Man" for Christmas. I don't think she got it that I was trying to be a bit funny.

It's not yet dry from the sealer when I took this picture.

 

Bailey got some make up brushes and sponges since she's trying to be more creative with her make up.

 

Corbin got a solar powered tech kit from us.

 

Hubby had to go back to Mountain City the day after Christmas and I took down all of Christmas after he left. There wasn't a lot to take down. A few items I had in the windows. a couple of flower pokes on the top edge of the slide out. Our two socks and that's about all I had out. hubby got back in town in time for New Year's Eve. We didn't watch the year in, but wished each other a Great year, when we woke up this morning. We were doing really good until after the sun went down and our water froze. The heat tape had lost power and once that happened it didn't take long for it to freeze solid and it broke the inlet to the camper so instead of leaving early to go back to work, we are going to have to leave early to go get replacement parts and get it fixed before he leaves.

 

 

 

 

 

Billie C.

Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Truffles
1 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
6 Tablespoons Butter, (Unsalted)
1 Lb. Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces
In the top of a double-boiler combine cream and butter over summering water. Stir constantly while butter melts, then increase heat until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate pieces, stirring until mixture is smooth and blended Continue stirring mixture for 5 to 10 minutes until cooled to lukewarm. Cover with a tight lid and chill 8 hours or over night Stir occasionally during the first two hours of refrigeration. When mixture is firm, shape into one inch balls and place on waxed paper lined cookie sheet Refrigerate until very firn Roll in powdered cocoa or dip in melted chocolate.
Powdered Cocoa for Dusting
You will need 1/2 to 1 cup of powdered cocoa. Sprinkle it in a cake pan and dust your hands with it. Roll truffles in the powder one at a time until each is well dusted, Place truffles on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet and chill.
Chocolate for Dipping Truffles
1 Lb. Semi-sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
1 Tablespoon Paraffin
In top of a double-boiler,melt ingredients, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Remove pan from heat and let mixture cool to 90F on a candy thermometer. Mixture should be approximately 90F during the entire dipping process If mixture thickens before you finish, return pan to heat and bring back to 90F.
Dipping Process
Hold the truffle between two forks with long tines and dip in chocolate mixture until well coated. Place coated truffles on wax paper lined cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm.

 

Billie C.

Biscuits For Two

I was going through my Recipe files last night and picked out a few to try soon. The first is this one for Biscuits for two people. Now I know that only 2 biscuits are not really enough for the two of us in the long run, but I wanted to try and share it I've got about a pound of ground meat in the Crock pot with about a quarter of a bottle of BBQ Sauce for our dinner this evening. I am thinking that the beef would be great over the biscuits.

 

Biscuits For Two
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted, divided

 

In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening
until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk, tossing with a fork until a
ball forms. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 5 to 6 times. Roll or
pat to 1/2 inch thickness; cut with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter. Place on a
greased baking sheet. Brush tops with 1 tablespoon butter. Bake at 450
degrees for 9 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with remaining
butter. Serve warm.
Makes 4 biscuits

 

Billie C.