Slow Going...

Farmhouse Cookies

 

I finished making the last of the cookies for Sunday's cookie exchange at my niece's home. I know that it seems like this little project has taken me forever. Believe me, it does to me, too.

Here's the thing, though. We've sold Aluminati (Our Airstream Flying Cloud) to a family in West Virginia, and I've spent much of the last three days making arrangements for conveying her to them.

So, I got as much as I could otherwise during the day. Now that I've got all that hash settled, I can get back to my regularly scheduled activities...just in time for MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!!! squeeeee!

(And just like that, I'm a little kid again.)

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Settin' Up Our Camper...

Taggart

 Hi, Everyone!

We had a busy week last week. Lots of runnin' around, and a 1000 mile, two-day road trip thrown in!

Bella and Tag

Boo and I love ridin' in the truck, so takin' a trip from Wisconsin to Ohio and back over two days is no big deal for us. We just get in and go. As long as we have our comfy beds, water and food, we're good.

We have it worked out so that we each have plenty of space. It might look like we're cuddlin', but I'm definitely not. I'm just lyin' there and havin' a good dream.

Stitches Shop Sign Installed On The Barn Wall

When we got home with my Airstream, Mom and Dad cleaned out our big barn and moved stuff around. Mom parks in this buildin' now. She wanted to put up the sign, so she and Dad decided this was a perfect place for it.

Aluminati Summer Parking Spot

Mom and Dad talked about whether or not my camper would go into our big barn for the summer, or stay outside. They decided it should stay outside, and this would be the perfect spot. We're gonna have a fire pit here and it will be our hang out place - and guest house - until the leaves start to turn color. It's gonna be fun, and you know how much I love havin' fun!

Bella and Tag In The Airstream

 

We're gonna enjoy havin' camp outs in our own yard...and havin' company stay here, too, from time to time. I think our grandkids might like it, too. S'mores. Campfires with Mom and Dad for us. It's just another reason it's gonna be a great summer.

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

 

She's Home...

Bad Weather On The Horizon

We slept well Thursday evening in Wapakoneta, and arrived in Jackson Center, Ohio early yesterday. Our Airstream, Aluminati, was waiting for us to hook up and leave. Handsome had new wheels installed before we arrived, having been told that there were two flats following our winter storage at the factory. We weren't surprised. The old set had served us well over the past six years, and it was time for a change.

Our trip was roughly 1,070 miles, roundtrip. Over six hundred miles were driven with Aluminati in tow, and in the rain. As we drove through northern Illinois, I photographed the squall line of a real gully-washer. Not long after I took this picture, we were being soaked.

Aluminati In Our Rear View Mirror

It was nice to look in our rear view mirror and see our Airstream behind us. With her new tires (and nearly empty interior), and the new tires recently installed on our tow vehicle, it was an easy - albeit long - trip.

Back To The Red Barns Of Wisconsin

Once we got into Wisconsin (in fact, almost as soon as we passed through the Illinois/Wisconsin toll stop) the rains subsided. We traveled up I-43 toward home, and we even saw the sun before it went down.

Back At Hickory Hill Farm

 

We arrived at the farm at almost exactly 8 pm...and we were glad to be back. We aired our two, furry road warriors and headed inside. We decided to deal with camper parking today, choosing last night to head into the house, feed Tag, Bella and ourselves instead. 

 

I always thank Handsome for getting us safely home. It was a long drive, but now this task is done and we can spend the rest of the summer enjoying our northern home. I may even change up the decor inside our camper before we take her south this fall! I'll think about that another day. I think today will be spent gardening. The weather is supposed to be perfect for it!

 

There And Back...

Indiana Sheep Farm

 

Our Airstream has been at the Mother Ship (factory) in Ohio all winter for repairs to a soggy dinette floor. Once they affected the repairs (due to a manufacturing glitch, so "no charge"), they stored Aluminati until we could come to get her. Sweet, right? That's Airstream's stellar customer service for you.

 

Anyway, it's past time for us to pick her up, but they let us extend our stay because of the move. We decided on Monday that we'd head out yesterday for a quick "there and back" to get her and bring her home to the farm for the summer.

 

Ohio Barn

Rather than take our extended route to Madison, WI, down through central Illinois, we figured we'd just scoot through Chicago. Let's just say we won't come back that way. Too much traffic and construction south of the Windy City and into Indiana for our taste.

Although, once we got into the Fort Wayne, Indiana (and south, into Ohio), the countryside sure got pretty. Of course, I was enthralled with the barns. It seems they prefer white to red in Ohio.

Ohio Barns

We drove through some rain, but it was mostly overcast and cool. Just right for driving, and the dogs were content to sleep most of the trip.

Ohio Barn

 

We'll pick up our Flying Cloud this morning and get under way as soon as we can. We plan to sleep in our own bed tonight...with the moon shining on our Airstream safely tucked in our yard at the farm. It will be a perfect start to the holiday weekend.

We're On The Move...

Brynwood Needleworks - Rest Stop Flowers

We completed the first leg of our travels northward...four hundred miles under our belt(s). As always, Tag and Bella are the best road warriors, and Handsome is Pilot Extraordinaire.

My job? Road food (apples, grapes, bananas, cheese, baguettes, mixed nuts and hard salami), and entertainment. No. I wasn't singing "99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall". We couldn't get the Packer game on our Sirius subscription, so I went online and found a great app for my iPhone called "TuneIn". I hooked my phone into the Sync on Handsome's truck and we listened to every nail-biting second! (Yay, Pack!)

Brynwood Needleworks - Resting Travelers

 

We were in Cordele, GA by 6:30, and by 7:30, we were sitting down to a dinner of homemade enchiladas and salad. (I made the enchiladas last week at home and froze the dish for our trip.) Cleanup was a breeze, and we all settled in for an evening of football (for Handsome) and reading (Harry Potter and The Cursed Child for me).

Only 1100 miles to go. Tag and Bella will be back tomorrow to share their perspective with you.

Homeward Bound - Last Leg Today...

Brynwood Needleworks - Homeward Bound -Tennessee River Crossing

We left our campsite in Clinton, TN (just north of Knoxville) this morning, and crossed the beautiful Tennessee River as we moved south on Interstate 75. We don't know why we've never traveled this portion of I-75 before, opting instead for a more southerly route. We agreed that we'll definitely use travel this way again.

Right after we passed through Atlanta, we encountered a traffic-halting, toad-strangler of a storm. Portions of the highway had some roadwork on the median and shoulders, and there, we had to take care not to hydroplane our package in the flooded areas. Handsome managed to white-knuckle our way through the storm, and the sun came out about ten miles later. We were so grateful!

Brynwood Needleworks - Homeward Bound - Northbound I-75

As we got to the dry pavement, I took this shot of the northbound lanes. Yes, that traffic was stopped all the way down the road past the curve in this picture! We felt bad, knowing what they had ahead of them, and prayed that there would be no accidents.

We continued on our way toward Valdosta, GA, deciding to spend the night in the Tifton KOA. We arrived shortly after 4 pm. That's early for us to stop, but it was another arduous day, and we decided not to chance driving farther when Handsome was getting tired.

Brynwood Needleworks - Homeward Bound  - Tifton Neighbor

We pulled into our spot and were watched by a nosy neighbor the whole time we set up. I couldn't resist a photo of this sweet, quiet dog who rested his/her chin on their windowsill. Tag and Bella missed seeing this face, but I have it for our album.

Brynwood Needleworks - Homeward Bound - Tifton, GA KOA

We were settled under the trees (great because we're back in truly hot weather again), and I fed our pups first. Then I pulled out the shrimp, cream, parmesan cheese (which I grated), minced garlic and noodles to make a nice homemade shrimp alfredo for the two of us.

I don't drive on these treks, so my gift to my dear husband is to make a great meal for him, and then let him get his rest so he's ready for the next day's drive. Cleanup was finished by 7 pm, and he settled in to watch some of the Olympics while I tackled a book I've been reading.

We'll be home by noon today, and then set about emptying and cleaning the Flying Cloud. (I know she's got a name, but old habits are hard to break.) Homeward bound and ready to sleep in our own big bed tonight.
 

I'm Going To Do This...

Brynwood Needleworks - Sewing Case Created by Vanessa at A Place To Roost blog

Last June, I was grazing around on FaceBook when I saw this fabulous idea from Vanessa at A Place To Roost. Rather than tell you all about her find, HERE'S the link to read about it yourself.

Brynwood Needleworks - Future Sewing Case

I was inspired, and set off to find a case that I could similarly repurpose. I checked on eBay, but even if the case was relatively inexpensive, the shipping took it over the top. I held off, thinking I might find something at a yard sale or flea market.

Yes. I said "flea market". Remember where I was last week? I was exploring the antique mall and came across more than a few vintage suitcases, but a lot of them have that "funky", "old" smell, and I didn't want to deal with that.

Brynwood Needleworks - Future Sewing Case

 

No such problem here. I found a vintage Samsonite hardside suitcase that didn't smell old, or like it had been deodorized. Perfect!

We're on our way south now, so when I get home, I'm going to put some thought into turning this little darlin' into a travel case. I'll adopt the "if it doesn't fit, it doesn't go" philosophy. Believe me. It gets easier each trip.

 

Once I get the new case finished, of course I'll take pictures to share with you. In the meantime, maybe you have an old case that you'd like to play with. If you do, I'd sure love to see what you create.

 

 

Last night we only went a relatively short distance on our trip. We got as far as Rantoul, IL (near Champagne). The southbound lanes of our route were brutal. I don't think we could have been jostled around for another hour. 

We pulled into Pleasant Pines RV Park - a lovely place - and when I went inside "Aluminati", I saw flecks of something all over our dining table. After hunting around, I found that our portable NuWave Induction cooktop was shattered into lots of little shards of glass.

NuWave Induction Cooktop - Web image

Before anyone could come into the camper, I pulled everything out of the storage compartment (directly over the table), got the cooktop into a garbage bag, vacuumed the cabinet, table and floor...and then wiped everything down. Just what I'd planned to do at the end of this leg. (Not!) I guess that cooktop didn't like being knocked around any more than we did.

Handsome saved the day by ordering pizza to be delivered to our site. I wrote this post and then headed off to bed. 

 

We're taking a new route home this time, so I'm hoping for smoother roads from now on. That would be really nice.

She Has A Name...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Airstream Flying Cloud

 

Yesterday, Handsome asked me why I referred to our Flying Cloud as "she". My answer was that I think of her as a ship...and we all know ships are referred to in the feminine. I'd like to share my delightful story about how the Flying Cloud got her new name.

Until now, we've always just called her the Flying Cloud, but face it. Naming her by her factory designation isn't really very imaginative, is it? I belong to a group on FaceBook called "Airstream Addicts", where we all share information and insight about our campers. It was here that I learned that Airstream has a complimentary program for all owners. 

Many name their Airstreams with nicknames, so the company has a registry where owners can make application for an official nickname. Upon confirmation that your name is unique, they will process a certificate and name badge for your unit that you get in the mail directly from Jackson Center, Ohio (the factory), lovingly referred to by Airstreamers as "The Mother Ship".

I've been bugging Handsome for about two weeks to help me come up with a name for our 27' home on wheels, but was having little luck (or inspiration). Then, on Friday afternoon we went to #2 Son's home for a pizza night with him, his wife and our granddaughters.

Grandma (me) explained the premise. We were trying to come up with a name that was unique and clever; could reference our Airstream and not be like anyone else's name. There were already names like "Silver Bullet", "TinCan Twinkie", "Bread Loaf", "Suzie", "Silver Moose". You get the idea.

We were about 45 seconds into the conversation, when a quiet 12-year-old voice said, "How about 'Aluminati'?" 

 

For a moment, time stood still. Stunned, Grandma, Grandpa, Mamma and Daddy looked at her and then at each other. Grandpa said, "I like it!". Grandma smiled at our granddaughter, and her Daddy said, "Done!". We all agreed. "Aluminati" shall be her name.

 

When we got back to the camper that evening, I immediately went online and registered the name with Airstream, and Saturday morning, they confirmed that we would be the owners of the name chosen by our elder granddaughter, and they would be processing our registration packet to send in the mail.

We've designed the decal that's going to go on her back window so others will know her name as we travel down the road. In tiny letters below the name, we'll have our granddaughter's initials. A nod to the child who named our camper. Under that will be our family name and the two states we call home base(es).

I'll order the decals from a local shop as soon as we're back in Florida next week, and they'll be installed on "Aluminati" as soon as they're ready.