RE: A Sourdough problem now??
Nah, it should be fine. Just a little watery. How big is your sponge? You can easily "fix" it by adding the appropriate amount of flour, or skimming off that much more hooch the next time it collects.
Last summer I visited San Francisco and purchased a little bag of authentic SF sourdough starter. I have not used it yet, I'm curious as to how long it would take for it to simply become acclimated by the local yeast, and just become "Long Beach" sourdough!;)
RE: Interesting prototype in Texas, Cricket
I really like the Australian expandable, the EcoTourer. I don't believe anyone imports them yet and probably with shipping they would be pricey.
They certainly would be. The AUS Dollar is approaching parity with the US Dollar , probably exceeding that in the new year. So importing them would not make sense. Ecoutour Campers were orginally going to be imported by Aliner. Now a licenced production run would make more sense. I do not know if Aliner is still their US partner.
At over $50,000 USD for the off road model, The Ecotour would be a hard sell in this economy.
The Cricket that the OP mentions seems like a tent-based exercise in corporate benchmarking, considering the very strong design similarities with the Alto by Safari Condo in Quebec.
RE: Char Broil Big Easy
For the past four years I have been using a Camp Chef Keg Roaster, another safe and tasty alternative to deep frying a turkey. I do have a neighbor with a Big Easy, and the results are virtually identical to my Keg Roaster turkey.
They come out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside! And the results are even better if you take the time to brine your bird and rub it with some herbs and spices!
Ya know...I've looked at those for a couple of years now, and was always concerned that they wouldn't brown the skin enough...I like a really crispy skin...does it work well for that?
Whether you are referring to the Camp Chef Keg Roaster, or the CharBroil Big Easy, the answer is yes.
You can get crispy skin with a Camp Chef Keg Roaster by cranking up the heat for a few minutes near the end of the normal cooking time. With the Big Easy, you get crispy skin by placing the lid on, as mentioned.
RE: Never brined a bird but....
I believe firecapt1 has Alton Brown's recipe. We use it and have NEVER had a better turkey. Seems like extra work, but it is certainly worth it!
Yup! That recipe is familiar. I also use Alton's method of brining in a convenient insulated water cooler with frozen water bottles replaced if I want to brine for more than one day.
RE: Char Broil Big Easy
For the past four years I have been using a Camp Chef Keg Roaster, another safe and tasty alternative to deep frying a turkey. I do have a neighbor with a Big Easy, and the results are virtually identical to my Keg Roaster turkey.
They come out moist on the inside and crispy on the outside! And the results are even better if you take the time to brine your bird and rub it with some herbs and spices!
RE: Removing Graphics-Any Experences?
I have seen entire swoosh graphics come off within seconds from motorhomes at self-serve powerwash car wash places. However, they did it un-intentionally!! The heat and pressure of the water is no match for the giant vinyl stickers.
RE: Adding tank level sensors
Up until 2003 the Micro Monitor was standard on Grand Tour Elite Fleetwood/Coleman PopUps. The version used in PopUps back then incorporated the water pump switch, and monitored the Fresh Water and Battery charge level. Only one set of sensors, you are dealing with three!!
It was discontinued not so much as a cost saving measure for the manufacturer but for the sensors being a warranty nightmare for the service departments. They simply do not reliably work.
Just beware that the monitor is nice while it works, but don't expect it to work for very long!
RE: Dad lost his job, so this family lives on the road
I disagree. Why should he put his family in a tent? You sound jealous of what he is doing.
Would you invest in anything in this economy? With businesses going under every day.
I wish him and his family luck. I don't judge him for anything. I think he made a decision he thought was best and probably is.
Paying for a house, any house would deplete savings if he is unemployed. Jobs are hard to find now.
This housing market is not going to get any better and may get a whole lot worse. The economy could get a lot worse too.
I would be afraid to invest in anything right now. Know too many friends that have lost big bucks in investments and this is just the start.
Everyone should start stock piling food and water. Inflation is coming.
I'm absolutely not jealous of that guy's situation. I'm not judging him, just his decision, as written in the story. He's probably a really nice guy! I simply feel embarrassed for the way he is placing his family in jeopardy in this economy.
It's one thing to take your family fulltiming. I have no problem with that.
My problem with the story is that his decision to go fulltiming is written as a solution to his current job situation and as a reaction to the country's current economic condition.
The original story was meant to be an ad-op for the RV industry and "hitting the road", or "making lemonade out of lemons". I just did not see it that way. I am an executive at a Fortune 50 company. I live in a major metro area and see, (and personally know) real executive folks who are "between jobs", just like the guy in the story. They are not taking their family in their RV's to go fulltiming, they are responsibly building their financial portfolio using alternative streams of income, consolidating their expensive real estate holdings, and acting sensibly.
Selling a stick home, (he didn't live in any of the metro areas such as Detroit, with negative and declining real estate values), and "taking it on the road" in a rolling depreciating asset is just economically irresponsible. It's especially bad in this economy.
It does not take a degree in finance to realize that if this was truly being done as a reaction to his job situation and the economy, that there are much better and more sensible alternatives for him and his family.
RE: URGENT PROBLEM: Can't get the bed to slide back in
The bed supports work like the roller-drawers in a modern kitchen cabinet. It's just a rail supported by nylon roller bearings sliding inside of a track, not too complex. You can easily visually inspect the track for obstructions.
The bunk end is probably getting stuck on something. Have you looked underneath the bunk? Are the pole supports clearing underneath? Any tenting still connected with bungies? Is the galley or any other cabinet in the way?
RE: Ethnic Food....
....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/WillieNunez/PandeHuevo002.jpg width=640
That there is a type of Mexican sweet bread specifically called a Concha, (because a mold is used to form the flavored paste on top that looks like a shell - a concha). There are over 400 types of Mexican Sweet Bread. The concha, (or conchita) is just one of many sweet-breads using an egg flour "pan de huevo" recipe.:C
My extensive Mexican Sweet Bread training came as a result of frequenting a local East Los Angelus landmark in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights. A panederia - bakery called La Mascota which over the years has probably made every single type of Mexican Sweet Bread, (and can with a special order), but is also well known for their tamales and Menudo, (the breakfast of champions, er.... a fabled hangover cure and yummy spicy stew containing beef tripe and hominy that we would send our fraternity pledges in college to dutifully acquire, gallons worth, freshly made on Saturday and Sunday mornings from that specific location, along with dozens of fresh sweet breads). ;)
RE: Dad lost his job, so this family lives on the road
Don't be so hard on the guy. What was he to do?
Well, for starters....sell the expensive house and buy a cheaper one (rv's ONLY depreciate). Put your kids in school!! These folks aren't even home schooling, they're learning ONLINE!! Then, if they really still want to "see the world", buy a tent. And $300 per month? Impossible!
I totally agree! Sell the expensive home AND the RV rig! "See the world" in a tent!
He lost his plum job as a Vice President for a Software company, and he can't afford to float $3000/month until he finds a new job??? He apparently has unwittingly publicly exposed some money-management issues. Had he sold the RV rig alone, invested the money in today's economy, the earned interest alone would have solved his immediate problem. And, he would still own an appreciating asset, (the original stick house, if not a smaller more affordable one), that would have slowly continued to build equity, even in this economy.
Who in the world would hire this guy as an executive, now that they know how financially savvy he is!!??
RE: Dumbest Stunt Ever
I think this is the kind of guy I would want standing with me in a alley should trouble present itself. No Fear!!!
Plenty of fear, he was just paid well. During interviews these guys never disclose how much they earn. However, after each outrageous stunt they are normally seen around town in sparkly brand new exotic cars, or purchasing a huge new estate somewhere.
Unless you have a wad of cash handy, he would NOT be the guy you want by your side in an alley.
RE: Thanksgiving dinner
Reminds me, I need to order a TurDuckIn!
I will prepare the turduckin in a grill. I'll also roast a brined and rubbed regular large turkey in a Camp Chef Keg Roaster. That's my cooking contribution for the dinner. I will leave the hams, salads, and side dishes for the women folk in the family!
RE: sharpen knifes
....
There was an old sharpening wheel at the Country Club but I couldn't use it.
He claimed it removed to much metal.
Reminds me of an electric can opener with a built-in knife sharpener wheel my DM had when I was a kid. I ruined my Boy Scout knife, and two of my DM's German forged-steel carving knives. It REALLY removed far too much metal.
RE: sharpen knifes
My FIL gave me a Lansky 4 Rod Deluxe Turnbox Crock Stick Sharpener about ten years ago.
It's very easy to use and produces a razor sharp edge that lasts a very long time.
RE: Disney Land here we come!
Sounds like fun! While in the area you might also be interested in Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios in Hollywood, and perhaps my town Long Beach. We have a nice Aquarium, The Queen Mary museum, and some fun places to hang out, eat, and catch a movie.
If you have not run across it yet, Canyon RVPark is probably the nicest RVPark centrally located to most of the stuff to see in Southern California. If you prefer State campgrounds there is Dockweiler, Malibu State Park, Cabrillo, and Thornhill Broome State Beach which all have nice campsites in interesting unique locations in the Southland. And there is also The Golden Shore RV Park in my town, (it's the most conveniently located place to RV, but it's kinda just a parking lot)!
RE: What's the difference between....
Heh, that's funny!
Being an Industrial Engineer I have heard many.:B
In the Aerospace industry, what's the difference between an Industrial Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer?
The Mechanical Engineer must pass Calculus 3, join a union, and works in a cubicle. The Industrial Engineer must pass one easy technical calculus class, has a bunch of Mechanical Engineers reporting to him, and is in the corner window office.;)
RE: salt water corrosion ?
I live within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean and normally store my PopUp outdoors. Fresh water is your friend. Just rinse everything down, including underneath the trailer and all steel parts as soon as you get back home, and you will be fine.
You do not want to undercoat your PopUp. The undercoating will trap moisture and cause far more problems than rust.
More than rust damage due to salt, I would be concerned with sand. When it gets windy, fine particulate sand gets EVERYWHERE. Every hinge, sliding surface, roller, tent flap, cabinet corner, drawer corner, electrical plug, may get some sand inside. Just be ready when you return home with your other beach camping friend, the vacuum cleaner.:C
