The Adventure Begins



A few months ago, hubby and I made the decision to explore the world of RV'ing!  Having never owned or rented a travel trailer, we spent weeks researching, visiting dealers and showrooms, touring various floorplans, comparing pre-owned to new, and gleaning info from current and former RV owners (thank you John, Bill, Diana and Loretta!).  

After thoughtfully weighing all the pros and cons of a gazillion options and potential models ... and surviving intense analysis paralysis ... we took the plunge and brought this cutie home ...


She's a Rockwood Mini Lite (Model 2109s) Sapphire package travel trailer.  Even though only a little under 21 feet long, she's loaded with fun features.  The perfect size for first-timers like us who don't really want to "camp" in the true sense of the word - just want some of the comforts of home with us as we roam.

If you've not been in an RV in the past several years, you are in for a big surprise.  We were amazed by the number of options that are included in many of the current smaller RV's.

As we toured various manufacturer's models, we were pleased with the quality and craftsmanship of Forest River/Rockwood.  

Another thing we learned is that Flagstaff and Rockwood RV's are made on the very same Forest River factory assembly line and the features are practically identical, in our opinion. 

The floor plan is what initially sold us on this particular model as we preferred a sofa instead of a dinette.  And, we wanted a regular queen size bed with under storage, instead of a Murphy bed. 

 
Rockwood Mini Lite 2109s



Each RV model comes in several package upgrades.  The Sapphire package that we chose includes:

  • Solid wood raised panel drawer fronts and cabinet doors
  • Queen size bed
  • Indoor/outdoor speakers
  • Digital CD/DVD/MP3 player/Bluetooth
  • Side mounted gas grill and prep table
  • Indoor/outdoor TV
  • Power awning with LED light strip
  • Power stabilizers
  • Lighted, power hitch
  • Refrigerator with separate freezer
  • Electric slide out
  • Full-size sofa bed (in lieu of dinette)
  • Outdoor shower
  • Double under-mount kitchen sink
  • Microwave/3-burner stove and gas oven
  • Radius door shower enclosure

The decor package is Biltmore and consists of maple cabinetry with flooring in tones of driftwood.










There are also many mechanical and utilitarian features that impress hubby - things relating to suspension, tank capacity, aluminum wheels, axles, and aluminum framing.  

Additional details can be found HERE and HERE

We had a very positive and pleasant experience at Topper's Camping Center, located just outside of Houston in Waller, TX.   Our salesperson, Tony Porter, was friendly and super informative.  And, the day we picked up our trailer, Topper's staff walked us through every feature and detail of our trailer.  (Note:  I was not compensated in any way for this post - the opinions expressed are my own and reflect our personal experience.)

This little sign was quick and easy to make - combining two  designs.  The phrase can be found HERE and the cute camper is HERE
 
We're looking forward to hitting the road soon and have planned a fun 10-day trip that will take us from Texas to San Diego CA via Roswell NM, Tucson AZ and Boulder City NV.  

I'll be back to give you a tour of the trailer and fill you in on all we did to prepare for our first road trip!







 Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!











    Monogram Mini Banner Revive

    While doing yard work this weekend, I noticed that our fabric mini banner had seen better days ....


    It started out fresh and new as a crisp black bordered banner surrounding an ivory panel containing a black monogram and decorative stitching.  

    After a few years in the sun and serving as a perch for our feathered friends, it was certainly overdue for replacement.  The stitching had held up well, but the black border was totally faded.





    While it's true that buying a replacement banner isn't exactly a budget buster - they can be found for $10 or less - I couldn't convince the frugal side of me to toss it when the center panel was in good condition.

    One option would have been to replace the outer black border with new fabric.  But, an even quicker option was to paint the faded black border using fabric paint - my kind of project!

    The items used:

    This paint is awesome and in the past I used it on a bamboo typography mat border.  You can read more about that HERE.

    Only one coat of brushed on fabric paint was needed on both sides of the mini banner.  

    Even before the paint dried it looked much nicer!



    Once dry, the color difference was evident ...




    After letting it dry thoroughly, it received a liberal application of Scotchgard fabric protector.

    The magic of a new coat of paint continues to amaze me!  And, it's nice that this tired little banner once again looks fresh and new!



    Do you have anything in your home that could be revived with a fresh coat of paint? 



     Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

     
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    Summertime Pup Treats

    With summertime heat index temps in triple digits, our furry family members welcome frozen treats!




    This time of year our pups don't linger when they go outside - they rush back inside to be cool.  But, they'll stay out a few minutes longer to devour a cold frozen treat.





    Ingredients:
    • 1 can 100% pumpkin (not pie filling)
    • 1/4 cup oats
    • 1/4 cup peanut butter
    • 1 mashed ripe banana

    Combine all ingredients.




    Spoon into ice cube tray.  Freeze and serve.  Makes 12 frozen treats.




    Hope your furry family members enjoy these as much as ours do!





    Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

    Freezing Fresh Basil

    Thanks to the DIY Wood Planter Boxes we made for our oldest son's birthday earlier this year (and his major green thumb!), we now have a nice supply of frozen basil leaves ready for use.




    We don't have a garden, but when we're fortunate to receive gifted fresh veggies, fruit and herbs, those that we aren't able to eat are frozen to be enjoyed later.

    Fresh basil is a great herb to freeze and it takes just a few easy steps to take them from garden to the freezer.

    Remove the basil leaves from the stems and drop them into boiling water for 2 seconds to blanch. 

    Transfer them immediately to an ice water bath.



     
    Remove leaves from ice water bath and place them in a single layer on paper towels to drain. Gently pat dry completely using paper towel.




    Place in freezer storage bag in single layers separated by parchment paper or wax paper and place in freezer.



    It's nice to have basil leaves on hand to toss into recipes whenever we need them.  And, fresh basil tastes soooo much better than store-bought dried basil leaves.  

    If you have an abundance of fresh garden items, consider freezing them - you'll love having them available when they're off season.   Enjoy!



    Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!




    DIY & Natural Disposal Refreshers

    Do you buy refresher tabs for the in-sink disposal in your kitchen?  Chances are, you have the ingredients on hand and ready to make these natural, great smelling two-ingredient citrus refreshers ...




    Ingredients:
    • Fresh lemons, chopped
    • Distilled white vinegar
    • Ice cube trays



    Making these couldn't be easier ....

    Chop lemons (I removed seeds but it's probably not necessary).

    Place lemon pieces in ice cube tray, packing them in tightly.  

    Pour vinegar over lemons to fill each cube.  





    Freeze.



    Remove frozen lemon/vinegar cubes from trays and store in freezer in freezer bag.

    And, that's it!  You now have frozen disposal refreshers that are ready to use any time you like.

    Just pop one or two in your disposal with cold running water and turn on disposal to clean and deodorize.  The fresh lemony scent is wonderful and the frozen vinegar helps to keep the disposal blades sharp and clean.  




    Before trying this lemon/vinegar combination, I also tried a homemade refresher containing baking soda, dish soap and salt with grated lemon peel.  




    The tabs were adorable and smelled nice, but mine crumbled and fell apart before I even got them out of the storage jar. 

    I much prefer the lemon/vinegar version - quick, easy and ready to use, even when you don't have fresh lemons on hand.  

    And, because they're super frugal, I seem to use them more often than store-bought refreshers ...  which keeps our disposal smelling clean and fresh.


    If you give them a try, I'd love to know how you like them!  Have you tried another version of disposal refreshers?  Which did you like best?




     



    Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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