spring cleaning

So this past weekend Sam and I finally made time to head down to Zig Zag (the boat) and spend some time on her and get her ready for our cruising schedule. It might be a good thing that it wasn't too light out when I arrived. It was a mess! Typically the boat gets a good scrub down from Sam each time we take it out and it was long overdue.

Seems we hadn't gotten out much this winter - maybe due to seasons passes at Mission Ridge and some good skiing days. Personally when it is chilly out I would rather be skiing plus the clothing is designed for those chilly days on the slopes. And of course I needed to ensure I was getting my money out of my seasons pass.

So really it was one of the first weekends we could make it down. We decided to stay on the boat for a few days while we worked on getting it cleaned up. Plus there were some new restaurants and old favorites I was wanting to try. When I saw the boat in daylight I was a bit horrified and was glad I hadn't succumbed to my idea of inviting some friends down for some appetizers Friday night. Turns out the birds had taken quite a liking to our boat this winter and had really made it their home.

For once I was happy with our division of chores - Sam cleans the outside while I concentrate on the inside. During a warm sunny day I haven't always appreciated my choice, especially when Sam closes all the hatches and windows and I am stuck inside a sauna. On Saturday though I was feeling pretty happy. While the birds had really made a huge mess of the outside the inside was pretty clean - for some reason a boat doesn't collect dust - mildew yes - dust not so much!

So while Sam spent hours scrubbing the outside I cleaned out cabinets and reflected on my good fortune. I didn't even really have to do much scrubbing on the head since we had only been on board for an evening. I would have to say my Saturday morning was much better than Sam's.

Finally he had it cleaned up and we were once again looking presentable on the dock. We headed out for a few hours and when we came back the birds had made their presence known once again. After speaking to liveaboards across from us they told Sam they had never seen so many birds and I would have to agree when we checked out some other boats across the way with their spreaders full of birds. Maybe a chilly, snowy winter in Seattle isn't such a bad thing since then the birds head south.

After a few days on board I wasn't quite as happy with my inside cleaning job - after all a few days in a small space and I really needed to clean up each day. Then I took a look outside and the birds had been paying us a few more visits. Really I would prefer to clean up after people (or animals) I know so being on the inside duty wasn't such a bad deal.

I have decided we will stick with our current responsibilities - as long as Sam is still in charge of the pump out station and any boating problems in addition to cleaning the outside. I may have to go take a few pictures outside to remind me come summer but I think I may have gotten the better end of this deal. Just don't tell Sam and if the boat looks dirty on the dock blame him.

new recipes

So one of my resolutions this year was to try a new recipe once a week. I know when I came up with my list it all sounded pretty good and easy on paper and reality definitely didn't enter into the equation. Pretty much like it was in 2009 when I came up with the same resolution. I had high hopes for all that I would accomplish once again before day to day life got in the way.

Really after a long day of work what I really want is someone else to cook and clean for me. My mom says it is easier to eat at home but I don't buy into her theory at all. I think it is much easier to go out any day and have someone wait on me and refill my drink as needed.

Honestly I had really somewhat forgotten my recipe plan - probably was right there along with my plan to update my blog 5 times a month. But then of course someone asked me and I was busted. So I started thinking back to whether I had come close or not and was surprised when really I hadn't done so badly. Of course it probably helped that this week alone I made 3 new recipes all at one meal. My sister Carla told me it was 4 recipes actually since the marinara sauce and meatballs were 2 items - I like how that gal thinks must be a genetic thing.

So when I thought back I had done pretty well for the most part and had tried quite a few new recipes though not all would be back for a second round. Some were easy like the Brie, apple, turkey paninis I made while others like the sauce I made took a few hours. What I realized is going to be the true challenge is when we are spending more time on the boat.

With my limited space on board I don't have the vast array of ingredients to choose from and an oven that really just gets hot doesn't bode well for any temperature sensitive recipes - especially desserts. It seems I primarily make the same things that I know are easy and where the pans clean up easily. For this reason alone I have banned eggs with the exception of baggie omelets. Eggs on a boat just make me nervous - from breaking in the fridge to cleaning the pans they just don't seem like a boating ingredient.

So I am going to take this resolution to the next step - probably since I am not currently on a boat and ideas always seem better in theory than practice - and try a new boating recipe each time we head out for the weekend.

I am sure Sam and our guests are eager to try something new beside what I (and Tanya) consider boat food - Ceviche, brownies, veggies and dip, chicken skewers with peanut sauce, cheese and crackers, and blue cheese dip. Though I have to admit any of those items right now sound pretty good and I am not tired of any of them, but when anyone who has been on the boat a few times has the menu memorized it might be time for a bit of a change.

Now I am starting to wonder how my Kitchenaid mixer and my Cuisinart can be used on board or nailed to my limited counter space. I can't really think of many new recipes which didn't use at least one of these. I might actually have to learn how to stir by hand again or chop onions on a cutting board. I think for this new plan I am going with simple though that might mean I need a panini maker now - wouldn't a new type of panini sandwich count here? So really this just means I will be bringing new items on board the boat - I just will need to figure out what I can get Sam to get rid of in the name of new good eats!