May 192015
 

Fabulous Finds For Your RV via J5MM.com // #Airstream #BestMadeCo

I  love this company, and I want to mention, I have no affiliation with them, whatsoever.  I simply adore their products for the great outdoors that I believe are very well made (from the few items that I own).   Here are a few of their things I have (and would love) for the Airstream and our RVing travels:

#1) It’s red and has little white stars all over it — talk about the cutest Banadana on earth.  Would be a great gift for the man in your life, or the dog in your life, or the kid in your life, or for even yourself — I’m totally buying four of them :)

#2) My parents escaped from communism  in (then) Czechoslovakia during Prague Spring in 1968 and came to America — New York City to be exact.  Shortly after in 1971 they had me (I was almost born in the car as my dad was zipping down the NYC streets at 1 am b-lining it for Mt. Sinai hospital, where thankfully I was born).  I am so proud to live in this free country and fly, this flag, proudly.

#3) This one is pricey, and it’s a total dream item for me to buy for hubby and B.  One day I will hold it’s preciousness in my hands but until then I continue to stalk the website and dream about it.  I’d love it on board the Airstream for the purpose of chopping wood for campfires and I’d find a nice place to display it on the wall — somewhere.  It’s that beautiful.  Plus, they have so many other designs to choose from too.

#4)  I have featured this precious pot before here on FFT, but I’m doing it again, because it’s been almost three years and it’s been a total workhorse and cleans up to a brand new finish each and every time.  I have the white one with red handle and I heart it so.  I use it as my little deep fryer on the board the Airstream.  I use it to make porridge for B on chilly mornings during ski trips and I use it to make sauces and even warm up water for tea.  I love love love this little utility pot.

Thank you for being here and I hope you are having a lovely Tuesday!  This weekend is Memorial Day — wondering if you all are heading anywhere?  We are staying put as B has some baseball games to play and I have a garden to tend to.  But we’ll be back on the road soon in the next few weeks and I can hardly wait.

Hugs to you all xoxo
~ Monica

My favorite  pot — in action frying up some apple pumpkin fritters a couple Falls ago :)  Along with the pumpkin fritters is B holding our poor sad axe.  Maybe I’ll ask Santa to bring one from Best Made this Christmas.

Apple Pumpkin Fritters in the Airstream Kitchen via J5MM.com // #Airstream #BestMadeCo

May 162015
 

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Outside Magazine asking if I would be interested in doing an interview about my Airstream cooking adventures.  I was so flattered and am completely beside myself with how the piece turned out.  I love it.

I hope you like it too if you have a chance to read it.

This is a huge honor for me.

Thank you my friends and here is the link to it:  How To Cook Delicious Meals In An Airstream

xoxo

Monica

How To Cool Delicious Meals in an Airstream via J5MM.com // #OutsideMagazine #Airstream

 

 

Dec 092014
 

Last night, after dinner with the boys, I made myself a cup of tea, sat down at my desk and made something.

I made a calendar.
I hope you like it, because I made it for you :)
I hope you print it out and write down all of your hopes and dreams for the New Year to come.
I also hope you share it with your friends and family.

xoxo
Monica

PS If you click on the calendar below, it will take you to the PDF to download. It prints beautifully on 8.5″ x 14″ legal sized paper.

J5MM-2015-Calendar

Jun 292013
 

Overall-Map

July 3 – 21st

After four months of analyzing maps and making reservations for some of the most awesome outdoor adventures while pinpointing hidden gem restaurants, our summer road trip is finally here.  FINALLY.

I have 18 days away from corporate America.  E I G H T E E N.  I can hardly believe it.

And I can hardly wait.

The map above will give you an idea of the places we’ll be going.  Everyday will be full of adventure and delicious food from some pretty amazing restaurants as well as my silver Airstream kitchen (I’m really excited to explore and discover the local markets along our way).

There will also be a {GRAND FINALE} experience in Livingston, MT at the end of our trip (!!).

If you follow us on {Instagram} you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to.  I’ll also be sharing pictures on {Facebook} too.  Once we get back home I will go through all of my photos and create detailed posts here on J5MM covering  everything we’ve experienced.  There will be many posts I am sure of that.

So for now, I wish you and your loved ones a happy summer and hope that it is filled with wonderful adventures :)

Please follow us on {INSTAGRAM} xoxo

Please follow us on {FACEBOOK} xoxo

~ Monica ♥

Feb 092013
 

Recently I upgraded cameras from my beloved Canon T2i to the Canon 5d Mark III.  You can see the comparison of them below:

One thing you may notice are the camera straps — they are absolutely the cutest camera straps ever and they are made by Capturing Couture.

Camera Straps by Capturing Couture

From hiking to the tops of mountains to exploring farmer’s markets down below, it never fails that someone approaches me and asks “Excuse me, where did you get that camera strap?  I absolutely love it!” Even men approach me because they want to buy one for their daughters, girlfriends or wives.  I’m telling you — these straps are gorgeous and I feel that the pictures below really don’t do them justice because you have to feel them to believe how wonderful they are.  The roses are so soft and the back of the strap is lined with black velvet.  Pure perfection!

I am very happy to share where I got my  two straps from because not only does this company produce many different varieties of camera straps to suit everyone’s taste – they are on a mission.

Every camera strap purchase comes with a benefit.  Capturing Couture donates a percentage of their profits to the associated charity listed below.  They believe in giving back to the community and I think that is wonderful!

  • Orange Organza:  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
  • Cream Organza:  Jessie Rees Foundation
  • Hot Pink Organza:  Susan G. Komen for the Cure
  • Purple Organza:  Laura’s House
  • Turquoise Organza:  Children’s Hospital of Orange County
  • Harmony Guitar and Camera Straps:  Little Kids Rock
  • Cobalt Blue Organza:  Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation
  • Posh Plaid Organza:  Dress for Success

Valentines day is just around the corner and hubby is well aware with my obsession over these straps.

I tell him, I’d love roses, but ones that will last a lifetime *hint – hint*

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentines Day

xoxo

 

Jan 012013
 

Hello 2013!

With the new year comes a new start and new beginnings . . .

Meet Oliver, our newest family member.

We love this little guy.  So much.

Today I introduced him to the Airstream which will {soon} be his home away from home ♥

So far Oliver has been on four car trips.  One home, the second to Costco, third to the pet store and the fourth to the park.  Everywhere we went, people stopped me to ask me questions all about him.  How old is he?  How big will he get?  What is he?  He’s so cute!!

He is eight weeks old and fits into the palms of ours hands perfectly.  He is TINY.

But not for long, 10 pounds is the max size he will be.

He is a mixture of Japanese Chin, Poodle and can you guess?  That’s right – Terrier.

He runs around the house chasing our feet (we must be very careful!) and biting our toes.  He just discovered his tail this morning and chases it around and around, non stop.  When we can’t watch him 100% of the time, into his crate he goes — which is very hard sometimes (our hearts are breaking).  But most of the time he is with us.  He also loves to sleep, a lot.

Right now, he is on my lap (sleeping) as I am typing this and tomorrow?  I think I may bring him to work with me.

To work, in corporate America!

Are you reading this Bossman?

{ hope not }

I have a really nice handbag that he fits into perfectly and where I work, just downstairs and outside, there is big grassy spot for him to continue on with his potty training.

We are really looking forward to traveling with our new little guy and bringing him on all of our adventures.  Now I just need a silver Airstream charm from Kristiana for him!

Here is to 2013 and new beginnings!!

{ ♥ }

Jun 192012
 

Sunrise in the Islands

If you have been a regular reader of J5MM you know how much I enjoy sharing our outdoor travel adventures along with epicurean cooking and dining experiences here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Being able to demonstrate the feasibility of making our trips a reality is what drives J5MM.

As you know, we have been spending quite a bit of time in the San Juan Islands here in Washington State.

To me, these islands hold a special place in my heart and being able to share our experiences with you is a great pleasure.  There is something about coming here that will leave you transformed. It will leave you with a feeling of peace, happiness and well – a longing to come back again and again.

I hope that through my stories and photos you will feel how we feel when we are here. From the kind locals to the abundance of organic farms to the clear blue seas and beyond, I do hope that one day you too will be able to experience what we have so far.

It is also with great honor to say that I am able to share my experiences here with the world through a new outlet on The Huffington Post. It is, my friends, a very big deal for me.

My very first article (in a series of four about the Islands) was published last week and I do hope if you have a moment you will have a read and let me know what you think :)

If you do ever come to the islands, I would love to hear about your experiences so I too can live vicariously through you.

Aloha,

Mar 292012
 


~ My cubicle at work, in corporate America

Don’t get me wrong.  I am really, really grateful that in this current economy I am employed and have a career that I honestly, love.  But sometimes, just sometimes . . . I do dream about being able to have one of those careers that enable me to travel to wherever my heart desires while working remotely, in my Airstream of course.  There a few people that I know out there that do have this incredible opportunity and through them, I live vicariously.

But for me.  For us, for my family — that is just not possible.  Not even the slightest bit.

B goes to school and practices his sports on the weekends and when there is no practice, that is typically when there is a school break/vacation for him, or a holiday as some of you may call it.  Those are the times that we plan our trips around.

For myself, I do get a vacation from the office, but it is not too much, or should I say, not as much as I would like.  So, at the beginning of the year hubby and I sit down and go over the calendar and strategically plan our vacations – for the entire year.  We spend hours on-line plotting, planning and staking out where we would love to go.

Then we go about our business and day-to-day lives and routines until those days of travel are upon us.

I still look back on last year.  Even with my limited vacation time and B’s time off from school, I am truly, honestly amazed with all of our adventures we were able to do.

From Eastern, Washington all the way down to Southern Oregon and then back up to Tofino, B.C. — it is hard for me to believe that it was possible.  But it was.

And I am really, really looking forward to our trips we have planned in 2012.  Really, really excited.

So until those days are here and we are getting ready to leave,  I enjoy having our Airstream at home — cooking meals inside because I just love my little kitchen, thinking of new recipes, enjoying movies and just having a place where I can go for some “quiet.” She is my retreat in a way, an escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life and I love her for it.

That sounds corny doesn’t it?

But it’s how I feel :)

Mar 162012
 

a community of home cooks unite!

 

Dear readers,

It is really, with the utmost honor that I get to share this news with you.

~ Monica

 

A couple of weeks ago, a good friend of mine called me up on the phone asking if I would be interested in attending Amanda Hesser’s lecture at Benaroya Hall here in Seattle.  Interested?  Oh my goodness, I was beyond interested, I was thrilled!

What an incredible night it was.  First I was able to enjoy a girls night out with one of my best friends and second?  Well — having the opportunity to listen to Amanda speak.

This was really a dream come true for me.  You see, forever I have looked up to Amanda with all of her accomplishments and notoriety.  So yes, I was thrilled to be going!!

As I sat in my seat waiting for the lecture to begin I was completely beside myself.  When she started speaking, I was glued to her every word.  I don’t think I moved once during the entire lecture. Her speech was so interesting and so very inspiring to me.  She made me laugh and she made me think.  She introduced other food bloggers that I had never heard of and also talked of Clementine Paddleford.  An American food writer in the 1920’s who would fly solo all around the country interviewing cooks from far and wide.  I couldn’t get wait to get home and learn more about Clementine!  She sounded like my kind of lady!

She also spoke of Food52.  With help from friend Merrill Stubbs they both created this most genius site.  If you haven’t heard about it, I promise you are in for a real treat.  Food52 is a beautiful site for home cooks to come together and unite as one.  Everyone shares their recipes but what is really great about Food52 is that you are connected when you are there.  Connected as far as, if you have a question about an ingredient or just about a recipe in general — you can immediately contact the Hotline, online — and within a minute have your question answered.  Also, this isn’t your typical community recipe site — see for yourself and do a search for “beets,” and just wait and see what appears before your eyes.  Beautiful photographs of recipes that contain that ingredient.

Then came Molly Wizenberg of Orangette.  One of my most favorite foodie bloggers out there.  Molly sat down with Amanda after her speech and read questions from the audience.  I was so happy to finally be able to see Molly in person.  Oh and her blog?  It is really, really awesome (and beautiful).  Molly also has a really great writing style that I just love.

After the lecture and Q&A was over I had the opportunity to personally meet Amanda.  I walked up to the stage and introduced myself and as quickly as I could, I explained to her what I do (J5MM).  I think I was stuttering because I was so nervous but she was so nice!

Anyway, fast forward to yesterday (probably one of the most happiest days in my life) when I received this tweet:

Amanda and Food52 really liked my site!  They liked it enough to write about it.

I am really, completely honored and so, so very happy :)

Here is the link to the post and a screen shot of the post — if you do happen to read it I would love to hear what you think!

 

The Tiniest Kitchen