I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve sat and watched YouTube videos, it’s just not my jam. But in week six of lockdown all that has changed. I’ve been binge watching sailing videos.
No, we are not going sailing. Steven gets severely seasick and I have zero interest in even being in or on water, although being next to it is okay. But not on a beach, I don’t like to be in hot or windy weather, so more like a mountain lake, in a cabin, with a glass of wine, by a fire. We lived by a lake for almost 11 years and I never once went swimming. I did like to putt around the lake on our party boat, but no swimming. I don’t like to get wet. Which is funny, because I am a Pisces. Not a very good one, apparently, but a Pisces nonetheless.
Anyway, enough of my pickiness. What got me started on the sailing videos was provisioning, the buying and storing of enough food and supplies for the sailors and their crew, for an extended voyage at sea. And wow, I fell hard down that rabbit hole, because sailors are world class shoppers when it comes to buying and storing food on their boats. This is the only part of sailing that interests me. And I don’t want to brag but, I would totally rock this part of sailing.
Obviously, being in lockdown, I think about what food and supplies we could and should have on board Bijou. Until this lockdown I never bought packages of beans or rice. We don’t cook a lot of rice and even fewer beans. Hardly any, in fact. I do like packaged black beans and rice and we brought plenty of those from the states to have in Norway because it is so expensive there. I once bought two packages of heirloom beans from Rancho Gordo in Napa, and a year later I gave one package to my friend Kris in Portland. I decided to keep the other package because I thought I might try cooking the beans, but a year later Kris got those, too. I’m just not a fan, really.
I could say I’m just weird that way, but the truth is I had an early childhood trauma with beans. My Mom cooked beans and cornbread all the time and everyone in my family loved them, except me. I remember sitting at the dinner table long after everyone else was finished being admonished to eat those damn beans. I’m pretty sure I won that round and probably a couple more just like it. Anyway, all that is to say I once again have plenty of dried beans on board and a couple of canned ones, too. I’m taking bets on whether or not I still have them when we decide to sell Bijou and move back home. I also have a few bags of rice, but I have learned to cook that properly and so we are eating more of that.
A couple of other things I have on board that I don’t usually carry is pasta and canned goods. I remember when we first moved into Scoopy and had visitors (hi Dee & Jim Walters!) Dee asked where I stored my canned goods. I said I don’t really have any. Maybe some chopped tomatoes, but that was about it. I just rarely cook from cans, I guess. But in times of lockdown, Steven wants some corn, so I got some. And since I don’t eat it, he has it for three meals in a row and now he’s tired of it. I’m not buying any more, but he’s going to have it until it’s all gone whether he likes it or not. I do try to have a bag or two of pasta, but certainly not the amount we have now.
I did not plan on having all this stuff, so it has taken over my cabinets. I am not really happy with my storage systems now because I seem to always be searching in my cabinets for some ingredient I know should be right there. So I found some inspiration during my time on You Tube, which of course required a trip to the big store, my first one since lockdown. Steven and I hopped on our bikes and headed to Auchan, France’s answer to Fred Meyer. We were in search of storage containers.
Of course the big difference between a little camping car and a sailboat is weight. A boat can carry a whole lot more stuff than little Bijou. Our carrying capacity is practically zero, which means we were nearly overweight before we even moved in. Personally, I think it’s criminal how manufacturers build and sell camping vehicles with no carrying capacity, but that’s a blog post for another day. (I’m kidding, it’ll never happen.) We have to live our lives, though, so we do try to keep weight in mind when we shop. Basically we get what we need and some of what we want and hope the wheels don’t come off one day because we got too much.
We returned from our outing with a few containers. I didn’t want to get too many because I wasn’t sure they were the right size and type. And frankly, if I’m honest, I like things to be matchy matchy, and they didn’t have any more of the ones I liked most. My favorite ones are from IKEA, but that’s a no-go during lockdown, so I had to settle for a different kind and I am not sure they are as good. Time will tell.
It’s funny what has changed over the first year of travel from when we first moved into Bijou to now. Our cabinets are nothing like they were when we first moved in. For starters, the bottom cabinet by the entry door is no longer used for shoes. I know, I thought it was brilliant, but it’s not. First off, shoes in an enclosed space stink. Second, I did not keep my Eddie Bauer white leathers pristine for over a decade by having a pair of nasty Crocs tossed on top of them. So the shoe cabinet didn’t work out. Bummer. The top cabinet where I originally planned to keep bottled stuff is now my spice cabinet and I love it. I love the organization and the function. It’s all nice and tidy when we travel, but when I’m cooking I can drop down the cabinet front and set spices there so that I have access to everything. And the smell, OMG. It smells like Morocco when I open it thanks to a few bags of Ras El Hanout.
The cabinet above is now where we sit the microwave. We thought we couldn’t do without one, and when we finally found one that fit this space, we snagged it. But then we never used it, partly because we got out of the habit, but also because the electricity in campgrounds is rarely strong enough to run it. But now that we are on lockdown, we are really happy to have it and we have great electricity here. The neat thing is that we didn’t really lose any countertop space because now we just set stuff on top. We don’t really use the pegs on the wall for coats because we hang them in the shower. Nor do we keep anything permanently on the back shelves. We did keep a Bose speaker there but after it came flying off during travel, we learned our lesson.
The closet hasn’t changed much, except now we keep our eggs and other foodstuff in there as well as clothes. Eggs are not refrigerated over here. I thought it was kind of sketchy to find eggs on a grocery store shelf instead of the refrigerated section, but I’ve come to appreciate it now. I’d rather use that space in my fridge for something else!
Nothing has changed with regard to all the cutlery and dish drawers. We’ve added a few things, but they generally function as they did from the get-go.
The biggest change of all is the use and function of our overhead bins. When we first moved in, Steven got three, I got two and one was dedicated to food. As you might imagine, that didn’t work out at all. Now, Steven has one and a half, I have two and three are now used for food and supplies. I think this is perfect.
Of course, having more food storage means I buy more food. We brought a ton of stuff back with us from our holiday visit to the ranch, but I’ve accumulated plenty more, too. What happens is I open something and then for storage I put the package and all in a ziplock bag. So my cabinet is stuffed with plastic bags an I have to take them all out to find what I am looking for, which inevitably has made its way to the dark no man’s land in the rear. Thus, new storage containers. Plus, I can keep like items separate, yet together, if that makes sense. For instance, multiple varieties of salt including table, Fleur de Sel, sel gris, Maldon and garlic. And yes, I use them all regularly.
I’m sure you get the picture but, keep in mind, I’m only getting started with this storage business. This is just a test run. 🙂
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P.S. On our last post we know some of you tried to comment but were rudely denied and deemed to be a BOT! Steven did find an issue that he thinks has fixed this for everyone except a couple of you, whom we now believe to be real bots. But we love you anyway and can’t quite figure out how to completely fix this issue. Just know we are working on it, so please keep trying to leave your comments. We love comments, even if you are a bot.
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I also remember those wonderful summer days trolling around on Pine Lake on our “high speed” floating docks with the electric motor on #5. All around us was fast pace cities and giant companies but on those floating docks on Pine Lake it was like being on another planet.
I always thought Theron and Tracey’s boat was faster than ours, they always seemed to fly by. 🙂 Those were lovely summer days, for sure.
We need to get you on the boat just to see what the storage options really are! So much of it is taken up with parts & repair supplies. And where to store all this eggs when making a looong crossing LOL! Miss you guys 😘
I might come on your boat, but not very far out. I think the reason it looks the way it does is because it’s missing a woman’s touch. A gal in every port just isn’t the same. 🙂 Hope you are doing well there. The political situation seems tenuous.
I’m definitely not a bot, I just don’t comment a lot. LOL! I’m not a can person either so I love that you can buy tomato products in boxes. Love your storage ideas, every shelf, drawer and cabinet in our moho and home is crammed with storage containers. I hope you can get on the road again soon, looking forward to your next adventure!
Those tomatoes are from Spain! We snagged them as we were racing to France just before the lockdown. They come in red and green and I have no idea what the difference is. So much better than canned and I am so glad to have them. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we’re glad to hear from you!
Wow! 4 kinds of salt. You may be addicted, have you ever considered counseling? 🙂
Five kinds. 🙂 And I remember when Jo wrote a blog about food storage in your 5th wheel. I remember how stuffed those cabinets were. Maybe group therapy?
Nothing says “camp host“ like that big ass clothes dryer! You must own the joint.
Right? All that’s missing is the sign. Maybe we’ll make our own. We are really going to miss that thing if we ever get back on the road again.
We are isolating at home, out in the country, with three refrigerators and a chest freezer. My wife has taken away my darkroom for more food storage ( she says its perfect for root vegetables and her much needed wine!, in addition to her 6×8 pantry. And if thats not enough we are using the frig in our RV! Amazing how you can expand to fit whatever space you have. Our daughter is telecommuting to college. All three of us are good cooks, two are Great cooks. Talk about expanding to fit!!! Its a good thing all i wear is T shirts!
Your blog is great! Your Staying in Place is even interesting!
It’s good of you to take one for the team, root veggies and wine are important. Especially wine! It sounds as though you have a great set up to ride out the worst of the pandemic with good food and family. Thanks for your very kind words and taking time to comment.
Not only is the grass getting tall, it’s starting to come through the asphalt! 😉
Yeah, and the asphalt is also covered in moss, too. It’s all growing up around us! I hope we don’t get cut off from civilization! 🙂
I’m just in awe of how y’all are managing. I love hearing your adventure! Stay safe!
Thank you, Alice. I hope you guys are safe and doing well during this challenging pandemic!
Two weeks ago you said you weren’t doing anything blog-worthy, yet this week you entertain us with the joys of finding storage containers and where they fit into the whole. Alas, no Ikea for you! I’ve traveled virtually with you since you were seeking Bijou many moons ago. I wish we all knew how many more moons will pass before you can get back on the road to more adventures. Be safe.
Well, I can yak on and on about anything, but whether or not it’s entertaining is another matter. I’m glad you enjoy reading my ramblings! I hope we get to hit the road sometime this year! I still spend time planning, it brings me joy. Thanks for your sweet comment!
You can use beans instead of flour to make brownies and cakes. Here is a video on making cake wiht navy beans – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUjy3wsHzLM .
We are dealing with 100 degree days here in Mesa Arizona. Waiting for restrictions to lift and we can go get our motorhome at Carrier. Who knew this was a bad year to leave it there for new carpets?
Hey Bill, good to hear from you! 100 degree days? Bummer! That’s one big reason we hoofed it out of Morocco and across Spain when the lockdown seemed imminent. I can’t even imagine, because we have no air conditioning in Bijou! It’s super nice where we are now. And about baking with beans, I know some people like them, but I am not one of them. That whole bean thing…ew. 🙂 Say hi to Diane!
Love your ramblings and your storage proficiency. I see that your laundry drying contraption is still hanging in there, too. Try not to go stir-crazy and maybe write about the places you’ll go when you can actually “go”. We’re dreaming of that ourselves.
LOL, that drying contraption has been awesome. It also doubles as our decontamination area. I throw my jacket on it when we get back from the store because I feel so germ-y. I’ve been thinking about a post on hopeful travel, because I never stop planning and looking at my maps! Hope we all get out there soon!
Hi Linda: I have never commented on your blog, but have followed you and Steven for years. Just thought I would pass along this flourless chocolate cake recipe I tried from another blogger. Here is the web site:
https://saltysweetlife.com/2015/01/16/molly-wizenbergs-winning-hearts-and-minds-cake. You do need 1 tbls. flour, but if you love chocolate this is a good cake. It is very rich. I noticed you had hershey’s cocoa in your baking stash and I think that would work. Just be sure to bake it long enough. It does wiggle in the middle after baking for 20 minutes and I did add additional series of 2 minutes, but I think I should have gone on longer. Mine ended up with kind of pudding in the middle. I would bake it until very little wiggling.
Thank you so much for taking time to comment and share this recipe! I can tell just from reading the recipe this is my kind of cake. It has so few ingredients and it looks like it’s kind of crunchy around the sides, like a brownie if you cook it long enough. The flour, though… still looking for that. Wonder what would happen if I left it out? And, we still haven’t used our oven since we’re saving on propane, but I think we’ve about decided it will be okay a time or two. Oh, and I do have fabulous French butter and chocolate bars! Perfect, right??
Linda: I just asked Google about substitutions for flour and they suggested cornstarch! They said just use half as much cornstarch, i.e., use 1/2 tbls. instead of flour. I figured the flour must be a thickener and so cornstarch should do the same thing? Good luck – would hate to see you waste any fabulous French butter/chocolate, but I think it will work out. Lynn
On my first trip to the store after lockdown I grabbed a box of something in the flour section. It was in French, of course, so I had no idea what it was. Turns out I have a giant box of corn starch. How perfect is that?? Thanks for figuring that out, now I’m going to make that cake!
Nothing brightens up a day like nice plastic storage containers with good volumetric efficiency. When we had the travel trailer space was at a premium. You two found a nice place to wait it all out. I saw on Nina Fussing’s blog today that the green areas of France will be having some restrictions lifted. Life will be better.
I agree totally about containers. It’s a sickness. 🙂 We did find a lovely place to lockdown, we remind ourselves every day how lucky we are to be in such a great place with everything we need. The only itty bitty issue is that unlike Nina, who is in a green zone, we are in a red zone, department 89. So we are not certain yet if we will get rules lifted in our area on May 11. We will just have to wait and see. No matter, though, we will carry on as needed! Thanks for commenting!
It must feel like you are waiting in the Twilight red Zone. Even though it is a lovely place. Thank goodness for the internet for a distraction and dreaming. I am so glad you dashed from Morocco.
Oh, I am sooooooo glad we are not in Morocco. Thousands of folks got stranded. Some abandoned their camping cars and flew out, while lots of others are still there. It’s getting hot there, too! If we had landed in a place we were not happy with, this would be a whole different experience for sure! We feel very lucky!
This was such a funny blog. I loved the tour through Bijou with all your containers and food stuff and how you decided where and how to store everything and then keep changing. Nothing really has chaged. My pantry and cabinetts are still stuffed. That’s just how I roll. Lately I’v been finding things in the pantry have apparently been there a loooooong time but i was sure I needed it at the time. Ha! Anyway, thanks for entertaining me. Also, no, I don’t need no stinkin’ therapy!
I love ingredients and containers. I still have more ideas and need more containers, but I’m gonna wait until we can go to IKEA. I am worried about the lid popping off some of the smaller containers I just got. Can you even imagine cocoa powder spilling all over the sofa?? It makes me want to cry just thinking about it!
I know how you feel Linda! We rolled into Wittmann, AZ (near Surprise) March 4th thinking we would be there a max of 3-4 weeks, but then the world changed. We ended up being there 8 weeks, and have now been able to move north 140 miles to Flagstaff where it is much cooler. Traveling with my brother and sister-in-law helps. Being in one place too long does begin to wear upon one’s sense of purpose when you are used to new things, and new views on a regular basis. Of course, our Alaska trip is on hold once again, but if the Canadian border opens in the next 4 weeks we will try to give it a go. I love your writing…..Elaine heard me laughing a few times and wanted to know what it was that was making me laugh. Miss you both…..be safe, and healthy….this too shall pass.
So good to hear from you, Clarke, and thanks for your kind words about the blog. I am just shaking my head at the bad luck you’ve had in trying to get to Alaska! Two years in a row! UGH! I’m glad you are with family and friends and hope you stay safe and heathy. Hugs!
As the greenery surrounds you it’s good that we all know where you are if you don’t surface after lockdown!!
I have sooooo much storage space here, even after we took out a pantry and coat closet in the kitchen upgrade – and I miss the fun of making everything fit :-)))) I had just started making refried beans from scratch and then the world ended and haven’t been able to find bulk beans for almost two months. So now I make them from canned pinto beans and they’re pretty good.
You always have the most interesting food items! Many I’ve never heard of that all sound wonderful.
Can’t believe there’s still no end in site, but glad you’re both doing well and staying safe.
You might have to send in some explorers to find us if this goes on. Do you miss traveling? You’ve been in your house for a very long time. It must be getting fairly hot there by now. You should order beans from Rancho Gordo, they are heirloom beans. Loads of different kinds to try if you’re interested. Stay safe!
We really miss traveling but are happy to be here with Ezra and his folks. Can’t believe we’ve been here over seven months!! Last week was hot, but we’re happy to have mid 80’s this week. Gonna check out those beans!