october progress report

Sorry for the lack up posts this month. I can't say it's been a busy month, but it's not been a lax one either. I've been spending most of my days cycling the trails in and around here and communing with nature for the most part. There was a failed attempt at getting the beagle to run alongside as I biked, but she was having none of it. She seems to think anything moving on wheels is unnatural and should be bayed at with extreme prejudice. Everything else has moved along as planned but I've had to delay my departure. Well, it's not exactly a delay so much as adjusting to circumstances. Since I'm not leaving just yet I'll be headed to my favorite stomping grounds. Joshua Tree! I'm probably going to spend a few days or weeks there so I can clear my head. 

Here's how everything else panned out so far this last month. 

Building the tiny house on my CA property is out since real estate is improving again. I'm out to sell it raw now since I can get a fair price for it again. My intent to buy and build a home base in NM is still a go. Point of fact that is my land sale should net me more than enough to buy at least twice the land owned now.

The generator has been purchased, practiced, and test with now. I'm all set for power should I need more than solar/batteries can handle. 

I picked up a nice solid U bike lock, and am looking into a GPS tracking device should the lock fail me. I learned about it in a bike lock review article a few weeks ago. They're activate when the bike moves and automatically email you location updates. 

LED bulbs ordered and should arrive any day now!

The gazebo has come to a complete stop. Due to a lack of funds to cover the ridiculous disposal fees CA sees fit to charge we've had to postpone this until it can be afforded. We managed to dispose of what was removed without cost, mostly by the skin of our teeth. 

Air rifle gear has not sold, but I have received trade offers. None were worth the cost though and I'm kind of frustrate at all the low ball offers even when after saying "no low ball offers accepted".

No GS puppy yet. I held off because of family obligations. Mainly it would make training difficult with my attention split. Someone will have a fresh batch of puppies when I'm ready, and raising her in the desert with my other girl to help teach will be easier without distractions.

Other than that all is bueno!

the tiny house

No I'm not throwing in the towel nor do I have plans to anytime soon. Settling down someplace quiet and out of the way is and has always been part of the end game for me. Preferably while I've got plenty of time left on this rock. The cabin is something that I've thought about for years and recently started toying with the idea of building one on my piece of property in CA. One reason is that I might stand a better chance of selling it sooner with a cabin on it. The sale would allow me to buy land and build again in a more preferable state. Out of all the building methods I've researched this past decade, I found the shipping container to be the best all around base material and most inexpensive of them all. Adding to that the Tiny House Movement has really helped in planning this out. There are so many people out there doing so many different yet amazing things with their projects that I've really learned how limitless the possibilities are.

My plan is to turn this ...

Into this, sans trailer wheels.

Someday, someday soon!

kelly kettle: review and first cook

My first ever video review. There was kind of a steep learning curve and a quadrillion mistakes were made but it's finished. I know this attempt is mediocre at best, but please don't allow that to reflect on the product itself. The Kelly Kettle delivers and is more than worth the cost in my opinion.

I originally wanted to prepare something exotic that would really showcase the Kelly kettle, but time constraints prevented that from happening. This actually worked out since exotic ingredients are harder to come by in most, if not all, rural markets. I instead went with ingredients anyone can find and put together a simple faux Asian vegetable noodle soup. I also made the mistake of recording more audio than there was video to go with, so my narration ends abruptly with the video. What got chopped was me Thanking you for watching and hope that my review informs and helps you in arriving at a decision.

[Afterthoughts]

Here's what didn't make it into the video. I did too much at once so some things suffered. Cooking was a little awkward since this was my first time. I should have cooked with it a few times before taping. They're not kidding when they say this boils water fast. Even though I'd read and knew it would take three minutes, I was still caught off guard when it happened. I also recommend not filling the water chamber up to the edge of the lip since it splashes out when boiling. Hilariously, I almost put out my own fire because of this. My tea kind of tasted a little metallic, but I've experienced this with new kettles before. It goes away by the second or third boil which I confirmed with this mornings tea. Clean up is a cinch as is packing it all away when finished. The inside of the kettle and potholder turn black from use which is normal. I know there are ways to clean it back to an almost a pristine state, but it doesn't bother me. The kit is simple, straightforward, and easy to use. Finally. I think the best thing about Kelly Kettles is that all the parts can be individually replaced should any become damaged. You don't have to buy a whole entire kit just to get one rare part, nor are any of the replacement parts overpriced.

[The Recipe]

The noodles dominated the Kelly pot when they were finished cooking, so you can split the pack if it's too much. However if you love them then leave it as is. Depending on your dietary preference you can add or switch out anything below with whatever you prefer. I had also meant to add bits of chicken to this but forgot to defrost it in time for the video.

16-20oz chicken stock (add more as the noodles soak it in)
1 top ramen or maruchan noodles package w/out flavor packet
1/2 star anise
1/2  teaspoon of salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic minced
1 baby bok choy
1 sliced green onion
1 teaspoon sriracha