Early birthday gift
For an early birthday gift (so I have it for the camping trip), my family got me an Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 270 awning. I selected a batwing style as it is easy for me to deploy alone. For quick stops, I can use it without the legs. For more extended stays, I can use tent stakes and rope.
You can even add walls to make an enclosure. Hmmm, Christmas isn’t too far away.
The awning has an amazing amount of space. It covers the hood along the side and wraps around the tailgate. The shaded area is large enough for a table or a small tent.
Putting it away was quick and straightforward. The only difficulty was zipping up the cover. I think it will stretch quickly.
Facebook ads for the win
Facebook has figured out I have a Jeep and off-road a lot, and they always show ads for vehicle-related products. I wanted a small table for camping and exploring. The Tailgater Tire Table is perfect; I bought the large aluminum version. It has enough space for the stove, meal prep, or use as a workspace. It was easy to set up, take down, and stores flat in a bag.
Eris approved
I spent most of the weekend preparing for the trip. My entryway looks like the backroom at REI; gear is spread everywhere.
Cats choose us.
For some reason, people think ranches need more cats. So they dump cats at the property line, often when they are pregnant. Unfortunately, most perish before we can save them. Coyotes, vehicles, and predators like eagles and owls take out most. The fortunate few make their way to our house, living in the lap of luxury.
Eris arrived during Christmas. We were headed to pick out a tree and went on the front porch for some reason. We heard a meowing, but it didn’t sound like our cats. Then, a tabby walked up to our dog from under the porch and started rubbing against him. We all stared in disbelief, especially our beloved KC, a 150-pound dog who makes Edel look tiny.
I called the animal shelter, but it was full, so we took her in. By the time the shelter called with space Eris had made herself home. I was going to name her Mary, but the family decided her name was Eris, the goddess of chaos. It fits.
I can cook; I swear I can!
Planning my menu, I messaged one of my longest-term friends. She is the driving force, design whizz, and food blogger who pushed me into starting Nevada Ghost Towns & Beyond. I’m afraid I gave her a heart attack with my meal plan: eggs and bacon, pre-packaged tuna and salami lunch, hot dogs, and Hamburger Helper for dinners. So let’s say she wasn’t impressed.
I sent her a picture of the dinner I was preparing to save face and show her I could cook an adult menu. Proscuitto and pesto wrapped chicken and roasted veggies, and parmesan polenta.
Why, oh why?
Packing and shopping for the trip, I cleaned out the pantry. I do this about once a month. Why, oh why, is it impossible for my family to throw out an empty package? Or to use a chip clip?
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