Sep 232015
 

Thousand Trails Campground near Leavenworth, Washington // #Airstream #GoRVingThousand Trails Campground near Leavenworth, Washington // #Airstream #GoRVing Fly Fishing Icicle Creek in Leavenworth, Washington // #Airstream #GoRVing

I sat down recently and wrote a piece for Go RVing about our trip to Leavenworth, Washington that we took not too long ago.  I have to say that going through all of the photos, putting them together while reminiscing of our trip has made me yearn to hit the road again.

I’ve learned that our Silver Girl will be ready for pickup in a couple of weeks (poor soul has been in the shop getting some of her bells and whistle’s polished and fixed up after our last trip we took through Idaho and Montana).  I’m so looking forward to having her back and beginning our Fall season road trips.

In the meantime, won’t you come along and relive our trip to Leavenworth with me?  Just click here and away we’ll go :)

Happy First Day of Fall to You xoxo

~ Monica

Fresh Citrus Margaritas

Apr 142015
 

Airstream Movie Night via J5MM.com

Not too long ago, Hubby and I had some rare alone time together.  We relaxed in the Airstream watching the James Bond film, “GoldenEye,” while sipping on our favorite cocktails.  We both fancy martinis, mine being the Gibson while he prefers his extra dry with a twist.

While cuddling up to hubby and enjoying our time together, I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander about my silver girl’s interior admiring our surroundings.  I focused on our wet bar and thought about how well it has served us over the last couple of years.  I also thought it would be nice to share with you, what I have done to transform that little space under our sink.

Our 2012 Airstream International came with a built-in rubbish bin.  It lived under the sink on the lower shelf and I couldn’t help but think that every time I needed to toss something out, I would have to open the door to do so.  Not that opening a door is such an issue but what about when I am cooking?  Messy hands?  To constantly open the door would be a pain and also probably cause early wear and tear on the hinges.   Door hinges in the Airstream kind of bug me, they seem to always be unloosening and I struggle with how to refasten them. Anyways — that is a post for another day.  Additionally — there was a lot of real estate under there that was solely dedicated to the rubbish bin.  I knew that space could be better utilized, so bye-bye went the bin and in its place fit six glass bottles perfectly (vodka, limoncello, gin, dark rum, vermouth and Pellegrino).  Under the bottles I placed a single layer of non-slip shelf liner to help keep them from sliding around while under tow.  Before towing, I would stuff tea towels in between the bottles to keep them safe and sound from knocking into each other resulting in possible breakage.  That worked fine and dandy, but it was just another thing to remember to do before hitting the road.

Then one day as I was perusing my local Asian market, I discovered Japanese apple pears.  I know, really off topic here, but just hang on — these deliciously sweet and juicy crisp pears come individually wrapped in styrofoam netting that repurposes SO well as protective sleeves for our glass bottles in the wet bar.  They keep the bottles safe and really snug in our little spot under the sink.  Perfect!

Airstream Cocktail Lounge via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Then one day during my lunch break in corporate America, I happened to walk past a Mexican restaurant that had a beautifully lit up display of colorful liquor bottles in the window.  I took a step closer to see exactly how the bottles were lit up and discovered they sat upon a clear acrylic shelf that had string lights underneath.  “Very nice,” I thought.

Sooner than later I found myself driving to my local Michael’s craft store to pick up some battery operated fairy string lights to replicate the beautifully lit bottle display in that Mexican restaurant.  I could hardly wait to get back to my silver girl to see how the lights would work out.  Here is the result . . .

Airstream Cocktail Lounge via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

A mobile wet bar wouldn’t be complete without cocktail accoutrements that are conveniently stored in a utensil caddy.   Here I have a cocktail recipe book, a selection of aromatic bitters, whimsical cocktail decorations from plastic colorful mermaids to paper umbrellas, straws, tongs, mini whisk, hot sauce and more.  Basically whatever tickles your cocktail fancy would be right at home in this caddy.

Utensil Caddy for Cocktail Accoutrements via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

What’ll You Have? 

Airstream Cocktail Lounge via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

I hope this post brought you some inspiration.

From the very bottom of my heart,

Thank you for being here,

XOXO
Monica Bennett via J5MM.com

My Sleepy Silver Girl Under the Moon & Stars via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream StyleOh and here is where I keep the rubbish bin now – right there in the kitchen next to the pantry:

Rubbish Bin Location On The Airstream via J5MM.com // RV Lifestyle #Airstream Style

Dec 272014
 

They say that if you don’t try, you’ll never know.  This quote gets me every time and hangs on my home office wall.  It reminds me that if I let fear stand in the way of my hopes and dreams, I may never know what “could be,” and that could haunt me for a long time.

So in 2014, I believed that if I worked super hard, good things would come (and boy did they).  I’ve made new friends from all over the world thanks to J5MM and have received some of the most sweetest comments that literally brought tears to my eyes.  It’s a passion this blog of mine and I’m so happy to have you all here in my world.

During this beautiful December, not only did I experience a peaceful Christmas with sweet handmade gifts from B, I received a very special gift of a very different sort.  This gift came from the RVing coalition — GoRVing.com  when they reached out to me.  They happen to think I am pretty good at what I do here on J5MM and asked if I would like to become a blogger for them and share some of our adventures and RVing domesticity with their readership.  I was so completely flattered and so very happy.  I mean, this was Go RVing, they are “THE” RVing coalition.  I will admit, hubby had to pull me down hard from cloud nine ;)

So without further adieu, here is my very first post for GRV.  I hope you like it and share it.  It’s full of recipes and a great DIY for gifts that would be perfect for any time of the year:  It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 

Thank you for being here.  It means so much to me and I truly hope you are having a resultful and peaceful holiday season XOXO

With love,

Monica

Holiday RV Recipes via J5MM.comGo RVing

Mar 082011
 

After a chilly day of skiing up at Alpental, this Mexican hot chocolate warmed hubby and I right up and took no time to make.

I’ve never made hot chocolate this way before using a solid block of chocolate, but I can tell you, once you make it this way, you will always want to make it this way.  It was really rich and delicious! The added amaretto and dark rum weren’t too bad of an addition either, lol. I did find it to be on the sweet side but since I did not sweeten the whipped cream, it really balanced out very well. Even hubby approved (and he’s not a big sweet tooth kinda guy).