England in an RV

Well, here we are sitting, contemplating, relaxing and listening to the sprinkling rain on the aluminum roof of this old fifth wheel and both Bob and I have a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. Accomplishments of many things and the satisfaction that goes along with those accomplishments. We've seen beautiful sunrises and sunsets out here on the Columbia River. We've seen things that totally make us just shake our heads in disbelief, amazement, whatever you want to call it. And Bob and I have been able to share those together this year. Is this building our savings? Not so much. But it's ok. I know there is more to life than how much money we can squirrel away. I think life is finding the good in each day and making sure you get at least one deep laugh from the guts. Life is slowing down and taking time to smell the roses and life definately, for me, anyway...I don't know about anyone else...is to be pleasant to at least one person each day. I don't care if it's my mother-in-law or the methhead next door. That's how I want to be remembered when I take a dirt nap and those are the things near and dear to me.
The last week has been all about BBQ's, friends, sharing laughs, beers and some damn good food!

Even Super Dave the Girl Cat wasn't left out of the action, she hung out, too. Smokey Lonesome has pulled a disappearing act and hasn't been seen for a week. I don't know what happened to him, but I wish him the best in his endeavors and when he decides to quit galavanting around, he's always got a home with us. I do hope he comes back.

I've been tending all of this...and stuff is starting to grow and my ideas are paying off and it's cool to watch this week after week.

Take a good look cuz this doesn't happen much...I hate my picture being taken! Here I am with my inspiration!

To date, Bob and I have sampled:

1. Italy

2. Mongolia

3. India

4. Poland

5. Cuba

6. Morocco

7. Korea

8. Russia

9. Egypt

10. Thailand

11. Ireland

12. Greece

13. Israel

14. Argentina

15. Portugal

16. Sweden

17. Japan

18. Singapore

19. France

20. Germany

21. Ethiopia

22. China

23. Nepal

24. Panama

25. French Polynesia

26. England

I just found myself scrolling back through that list and thinking, "Did I really do all that?" and I answer, "Yeah, you did!" I have learned more about different cultures, and the different ways that just sitting down to eat a meal include. I'm starting to see a pattern involving the spices used for these different cuisines. And most importantly, nothing is impossible...just use your imagination and the sky's the limit. I've tried some dishes that made my eyes cross because they were nasty and I sampled dishes that I will probably make at least once more before I die, which is going the extra mile for me because I hardly ever make the same thing twice unless it's super good. I still haven't been able to sneak any lamb in on Bob but I won't complain too much about that...he's game to try all of these meals! Halfway done...wow! I've been waiting for this point because I'm too invested to back out of this now...I'll just keep going and finish it!

Now....

Tonight was our halfway-milemark English dinner and on the menu were Steak & Ale Pie and Apple Dumplings. Trust me...this is filling! These recipes were a combination of several recipes on AR that I combined and tweaked and had to use what I had because I couldn't drop everything and run to the store! I started the Steak & Ale Pie with this gorgeous bone-in rib steak. The recipes I read said to use stew meat...but, when I hear steak & ale, I'm thinking rib steaks!

And a nice blonde ale. I admit it, I'm a beer snob! I can't get into the discussions about the hops or the malt or all that, but I know what tastes good and that's what matters to me...I couldn't care less about the lingo! I used this ale...

And stewed that cubed up steak along with the ale, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, garlic, salt & pepper and parsley & thyme from my garden. I fished the bone out of this and thickened it up with a slurry made from, what else? Beer and flour!

These are the Apple Dumplings. I was reading on Wikipedia that dumplings are fruit with dough wrapped around them...well, I used a can of crescent roll dough wrapped around Granny Smiths, slathered with a mixture of butter, brown sugar, and apple pie spice. Then I poured cream soda in the pan and baked them...sound like a familiar recipe? It should...I used the Country Apple Dumpling recipe http://allrecipes.com/recipe/country-apple-dumplings/detail.aspx and switched stuff up. Delicious!!

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north, Wales to the west, the Irish Sea to the northwest, the Celtic Sea to the southwest, the North Sea to the east, with the English Channel separating it from continental Europe. Most of England comprises the central and southern part of the island of Great Britain in the north Atlantic Ocean. The country also includes over 100 smaller islands, such as Scilly and the Isle of Wright. London is the capital and, also, the largest city. London's Heathrow Airport has more international passenger traffic than any other airport in the world.

The Steak & Ale Pie. I wound up using phyllo dough on the top because Bob doesn't read boxes or ask for help in the store...it's a guy thing, I'm sure...and he didn't get me puff pastry. But, in all fairness, it worked and this pie was fantastic. I love how there aren't a bunch of spices or herbs to cover up the fact that I had some really good ale and super good beef in there! Well done, England...this is fantastic stuff!

The finished apple dumplings...I've made these, I don't know how many times and...well...our neighbor, Ralph, just loves these things so we are taking him half of the pan.

This glorious tasting Steak & Ale Pie...

And those dyamite little dumplings!

Well, as you all know, this will be the last international blog that I will post on AllRecipes. I've started a new website that I will be writing on. If you haven't gotten the link and would like it, send me an email to witchywomanslifeinanrv at hotmail dot com and I'll send you the link. I can't believe how many of you have emailed me for that...I knew that a lot of you were reading these, but I had no idea that the number was THAT high and I thank each and every one of you for that. But I just feel it's time to branch out into the unknown and leave my comfort zone here. So, it's not the end, it is the beginning and the sky's the limit here!

My groceries came to $12.89, so I was able to stuff $7.11 into the Beach Bag. Halfway Week 26 total is $149.65.

I am going to start randomly emailing one of you from my email blog update list to pick the final 25 countries. Bob is picking next week...he can pretty much eat anything now and he's sure has gotten mouthy since his voice has came back, so I told him to pick. Mexico, it is, Bob!!

Oh, yeah....

I think I promised you all a giveaway on this blog, didn't I? chi_phx_singer....you need to send me an email with an address I can send this box of stuff to...congrats, Bob pulled your name out of the hat! You are getting some shot glasses, a salad bowl, heat-resistant spatulas, postcards, air freshener stuff, pastas, spices and whatever else I managed to put aside this last month or so...so email me your address!

A final farewell to all of you cool people here...and a huge thank you! You all are awesome!