It's been ages since I've done a "Life Lately..." post. I'd say it's about time we had one, wouldn't you? so here's a few pictures and a few words about what's been happening lately at Indiantown Marina.
We had a fun Women Who Sail get-together on Halloween (the guys joined later). I was in awe of the culinary creativity of the ladies. Why yes, that pumpkin really is vomiting guacamole.
The bats on these deviled eggs are adorable. Just make sure you don't think they're edible. A couple of people made that mistake.
Our marine toilet is broken and we've been trying to decide whether to switch over to a composting one. Our friend Sandy on s/v Ragtime Gal built one and gave us a demonstration of their system. Yes, this is the kind of thing cruisers talk about. Just normal chit-chat about pee and poo.
Boat projects are in full swing. We've in the process of redoing our portlights (three down, one to go). Goodbye leaky boat.
Before you know it, Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is on its way. Notice the use of the palm frond for the turkey's tail? That's how you do things in sunny Florida.
The marina throws a week-long Thanksgiving celebration with music, food, and drink. Seats are at a premium, but our friend, Michele, is the best when it comes to saving seats for everyone. You know what's better than Thanksgiving turkey? Thanksgiving ham! Who would have thunk it.
What's been going on in your life lately? What do you think about composting toilets?
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I love the pumpkin - that was really creative.
ReplyDeleteTick Tock fits that alligator.
The lady who made it is super creative.
DeleteComposting toilets? #1 project on the next boat!
ReplyDeleteI'm very much for having one, Scott, not so much.
DeleteI can't quite imagine being comfortable about hanging out with alligators, but I suppose you learn to co-exist with them! The pumpkin was suitably gross for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how blase I've become about them. Just the other day, someone came up all excited telling us about the huge alligator near their boat. I just shrugged.
DeleteWhen you're on a boat the head system is ever so important. Ever so important. We have a Raritan Purasan System. We love it. No more pumping out. Best thing we ever did.
ReplyDeleteWe don't attend marina parties. They are okay, but not our thing. We'd rather be boating. Our marina has a season opening and season closing party, and we went a couple of years ago. Didn't care for it. I'm glad you enjoy yours.
Got your new book the other day. It's in my to read pile.
Have a fabulous day, Ellen. ♥
It looks like even these systems are not allowed to discharge in Puget Sound these days. https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Puget-Sound/No-discharge-zone/Frequently-asked-questions
DeleteWe also saw no discharge signs on the Connecticut side of Long Island sound… Stonington, I think it was.
There was a blog/youtube channel that had a home made composting toilet. I’ll see if I can find it.
I've hear good things about the Raritan. Nice to not have to worry about pumping out. Although that's interesting that they might not eve be allowed to discharge. We've got several friends who've built their own, which is what we'll do. Much cheaper than buying the Nature's Head or the other one whose name I can't remember.
DeleteI would have tried to eat the bats. ~nods~ Don't tell your friend, but I never understood putting inedible decoration on food. lol Love the pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteFor my single hosted Halloween party I went all out. Chicken wings were baked standing on end to look like vulture legs, my beefy rice casserole appeared as dirty cat litter complete with sterilized plastic box and serving scoop, I carved a store bought pound cake into a coffin shape, decorated a full blown cemetery onto a home baked sheet cake, mixed fruit punch the color of dirty bathwater, crafted white chocolate ghosts, and even carved 'pig nostrils' into sliced wieners and then filled some with green tinted soft cheese 'snot' to float in my pork and beans pot. Surely there was more food that I've forgotten. Sad to say, I don't know if I have any pictures! But I should have the original cookbook with those ideas (unfortunately I can only take credit for the effort, not the recipes).
As for composting toilets, my husband is always interested in such things for survivalist living, not that we would last a minute after an apocalypse. Heh... Funny enough, just today I was thinking how glad I am to have a clean, never-ending water source. I really don't think the boating life would be fore me. I'm too soft and lazy. :) Best wishes on fixing leaks, my dear. Oh, and this reminds me, we have a broken toilet downstairs. Had to turn off the valve to keep from wasting water as it wouldn't stop filling the tank. Our land based home has endless water issues. I almost think we live with evil water sprites.
Happy Sailing!
How creative you are! I especially love the cat litter box casserole :-) You don't realize how wonderful things like never-ending water sources are until you don't have them.
DeleteIt looks like a good time is being had by all (except perhaps the pig who provided the ham) these last weeks. Good luck on the projects and deciding what to do about your commode.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fabulous time :-)
DeleteHello Ellen.
ReplyDeleteI don't celebrate Halloween, used to as a kid but nowadays only children in secure housing estates can go trick or treating in this country. I must admit that the pumpkin looks very nice as do the deviled eggs, very creative indeed.
I'd forgotten how much of a pain toilets on board can be especially when it comes to pumping the holding tank out. An echo friendly composting system makes a lot of sense.Other than than life here is at the moment not very exciting, just work, work, work.
Blessings to you from Geoff in Johannesburg South Africa.
Marine toilets can be such a pain, especially when they break or the holding tank is full.
DeleteGreat eats for Halloween! We have two heads onboard Denali Rose, one Nature's Head compost, and one Lavac electric pump. For some reason, when queried, all guests have said they prefer the Nature's Head. (Now for a not PC comment) No discharge zones are silly, what do they think the sealife do, get out and use an outhouse?
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of folks agree with you on the no discharge issue. It does seem silly when you think about all of the sealife waste already in the water.
DeleteCan't say I know much about composting toilets, but I'm loving those Halloween decorations. How cute!
ReplyDeleteThey were adorable decorations :-)
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