Coastal Christmas

Wishing you a very Merry coastal Christmas from our hearts to yours!!! 

This is the first year we weren't home for Christmas. It's a little sad, but I keep reminding myself, we chose this new life and we won't always get to be at each family function. Of course, telling myself this, still doesn't make it any easier, but I'm trying to keep a positive attitude {for those of you who really know me, even typing such a positive sentence was hard for me}. :)  And yes, I'm already vowing to not miss Christmas next year!!! Whatever it takes! 

We are thankful to have such great family that not only will buy us gifts, but also pay for shipping to send it our way!! ;)

Don't feel too terribly bad for us, though! The liveaboards here at our marina, all got together and we enjoyed a wonderful potluck Christmas dinner!!! 

Merry Christmas to all.....and to all, a goodnight! :)

Photo Friday

I don't know what it is that I like so much about berries and foliage, but I do....and not just at Christmas time! :) 

Then, there's my love for palm trees....

I don't know if it's because they are a staple for tropical destinations or if it's  because I'm weird....some would probably go with the latter, but who knows. =}

I wonder, do these sunsets ever get old? 

They don't to me, but you would tell me if you're tired of seeing them, right?

Hubs seems to like them....

What's not to like about this guy? ....one day I will swim with the dolphins!!!! 

Christmas is in the air!!!!

I love this aromatic Christmas potpourri!!! I make it every year!!! 

What you need:

1/2 bag fresh cranberries 

1 whole orange sliced or the peel from 2 oranges 

4-5 cinnamon sticks

water {fill the pot half way}

Simmer on low{uncovered} for several hours on the stove. Or, {if you've unexpectedly run out of propane & you live at the dock, like me} you can cook it on high in the crockpot. 

***NOTE: You'll probably want to use a slow-cooker liner or if you're cooking it on the stove, try using a pot that you won't cook food in afterwards. 

Knot what you think

Unless, you're thinking knots vs. nots, than yes! this post is exactly what you think! :)

I decided it was about time to learn how to tie some knots, so that's what I did! 

First, I bought this handy dandy lil' book.

Next, I started, well, tying knots. :)

First up, is the square knot....

This has got to be one of the easiest knots to tie....plus, I already knew this one, thanks to my dad who taught me this as a child! Just wish I had remembered all the other knots he taught me. :) 

Here's my sad attempt at a triple bowline....

Oddly enough, I was not successful with the normal bowline knot, but had little-to-no problems achieving the triple....yeah, I don't get it either! :)

And finally, the scaffold knot....

This one seemed fairly easy....which probably means I didn't do it correctly, but it looks like the picture in the book, so, I'm gonna say it was a success!!! 

That's it for now! I tried several other knots, but they did not look like what the book showed! I think I need a different size line to practice with(?)....yeah, that sounds good....that's what I'm gonna go with!!! :)

Until then....

Like looking in a mirror!

Thanksgiving review:

I think this was the first time we were around (a whole lotta) family after having moved onto the boat...so we got questioned a bit on, How we like it? What we think? What do we miss (that we gave up)? Etc, etc.... We didn't mind though, it was sorta nice, having that many people interested in our liveaboard life! :)

We were at hubs' family when I heard someone ask him about how we liked living on a boat? I couldn't help but notice the other people at the table and how intently they were listening in. {I guess they (somehow) missed the memo of us moving aboard} It was like looking into a mirror of us from 1-year ago!!! She was excited of the thought of it, but not sure it  would ever happen....he was thrilled with the idea and couldn't wait to do it himself! Earlier that day, I was talking to one of Joe's cousins and she brought up the Tiny House blog and how they even thought they could do it....it being, sell off everything & basically become minimalists who live in an extremely small {compared to most} space! 

I'm sure most people think we are going to regret giving everything up...or at least some thing's, and I do!! But, the things I miss are not any {actual} items. I do however, miss a freezer that has the ability to freeze ice cream. Thankfully though, my mom sent my dad back to the store just to pickup some Blue Bell Coffee ice cream, for moi!!! I may or may not have had more than one bowl ;)     ....I was strong all summer long and didn't buy any ice cream, but I refuse to go another summer, sans ice cream. And, I have already told warned Joe not to be surprised when he comes home from work one day to see me sitting on the dock with a half gallon of ice cream and a spoon! ;) 

Rustic is the new lazy!

Rustic is the new lazy? What is she talking about?? Well, I'm so glad you asked....let me tell you! : ) Most people use the word rustic to describe a house, such as a rustic log cabin home! I, on the other hand, use it to spruce up the term lazy! =}

Last night Joe and I were cooking dinner. That's right! He was actually helping me cook!! I'd like to say I'm as shocked as you are, but surprisingly, he has been helping out more in the kitchen, er galley, since moving onto the boat! : )

We were going to grill out, but a brisk wind and colder temps made hubs decide to cook the meat inside, so he volunteered to cook it while I was making the rustic ranch potatoes. 

Joe wasn't sure what rustic ranch potatoes were, so I told him they were ranch potatoes but I am too lazy to peel the skins. {Now, whenever I don't want to take the time to peel the potatoes first, I simply add the word 'rustic' to the beginning of the recipe title and leave the skins intact}  ergo, rustic ranch potatoes!

He then says, "I like how we use rustic instead of lazy.....sounds much better!"

So, without further ado....here are my Rustic Ranch Potatoes....and might I add, they were delicious and so was the steak!!!

{you can find the recipe to these scrumptious, rustic potatoes on the one-dish wonders tab}