When you live in an RV full-time, it is important that you are organized and tidy.  Some of the things that you have when you live in a house really just sits in the cupboard, but when you live in an RV you have to choose what you really want and either sell the rest or give it away.  We regularly visit the good will store giving away things that we find that we don’t need or use.  It is hard to give things away but by doing that you live a very stress free life. It is very frustrating if you can’t find things that you want when you need them.  I have 10 tips for you to stay organized in your RV.

10 tips for organizing your RV

1. Food

With your food, herbs and tins as soon as you open up a cupboard you should be able to see what is in there without moving things about.  Have food in clear containers like Rice, beans and Pasta and Oats.  You then know exactly when you need to buy more. Dont buy food that you don’t need there is not room.

2.   Dvds

Keep you DVD’s in their containers and keep relevant films together so you can find them easily and have a cupboard designated just for them.

3.   Office Draw

I work at my desk and I cannot work if it is not tidy.  Make sure your desk is clear and tidy as a tidy desk is a tidy mind this includes your draw so that you can find things when you need them. The RV draws are really deep and really need a tray that you can add-on the top I bought this tray from Michael’s and helps me stay organized with my office

4.   Cutlery Draw

It goes without saying that your cutlery draw should always be tidy so that you can find what you need purchasing a cutlery tray should be one of the first thing you purchase.

5.  underwear draw

Your Clothes have to be limited when living in a fifth wheel. By organizing them better though you can gave more than you think. To give you more room for underwear you should roll them so that you can get more in and they stay tidy.

You didn’t think I was gonna show you my underwear did you.?

6.  Filing Paperwork

We all have paperwork that we have to file away and keep.  Organizing this can still be in a file cabinet we have one that sits on the floor and we pick it up and just sit it on the couch when we move.  Keeps everything nice and tidy and is labelled so paperwork is easy to find.

7.  Shoe Racks

We have two shoe racks.  One that we use when we come into the RV so that your shoes are taken off when you come in to help keep the RV clean and the other I have on the back of my bedroom door which holds all the rest of our shoes. The shoe rack by the door folds flat.

 

8.   Towels

There is no need to have tons of towels when you live in an RV organizing them can be difficult with little room.  Normally the cupboards allocated for towels are very small the best thing to do is not to fold them but the roll them and then you will get more in.  There are 4 large bath towels rolled into this small cupboard.

 

9.   Pillows and extra Bedding

Use the space saver bags by Ziploc for extra Pillows and bedding for guests.  the picture below is 2 pillows that have been sucked down and then fit into a cupboard really easily.  A whole bedding set can be sucked down to a really small size and easily used and then put away again.  Organizing your bedding in this fashion saves so much space.

Here is link on Amazon

 

 

10.   Hangers for Clothes

If you’re like me then I don’t like two sets of items on one hanger in the wardrobe.  It makes your clothes hard to find and it is irritating.  To help you save space I found that just by switching out my hangers from rounded plastic hangers to the flock coat hangers.  One advantage is that it gave me double the room to be able to hang my clothes, the second is that the clothes do not fall off the hanger so easily.

My clothes are in order of my husbands and mine.  On the one side of the wardrobe, we keep things like suits and dresses that are not worn very often, and on the other side regular every day clothes. The white hanger is the one that we now use that gives us more room.

 

 

Please click to subscribe to our blog to receive regular updates

The Crafts that I have made while living in my RV full time are sewing, quilting, crocheting and gift baskets.

RV Crafts

I have seen many people work from their RVs doing RV Crafts such as woodwork, embroidery, making gift baskets, sewing, quilting and painting.

I really like crafts especially, sewing and quilting.  When our children were small my husband and I would spend hours cutting out and sewing clothes for school for them. We had 5 children all at high school age and needed to save the pennies somewhere.  We would quite often make Christmas gifts like table mats and table runners to save money.  People that received our gifts have been very grateful.  There is something about having something handmade that makes it extra special.

RV Crafts, as opposed to crafting in your home, is a little different as you are limited on space.  The way that I have coped with this is to be very organized with my crafts.  I have an allocated a cupboard just for this and I put my material, ribbons, zippers, biased binding etc. all in clear boxes so I can see at a glance what is in the box.  I have stuffing material in bags behind my chairs and my sewing machine sits on our dining room table along with my sewing box with everything I need.

I am so lucky to have a husband who supports me to do crafting as he likes to sew and crochet too.  my husband is very talented as cutting out patterns and also crocheting.  Not many men admit to that.

Sewing Box

I have had my sewing box for a long time and I find it holds quite a bit like, thread, thimbles, buttons, sewing pins, measuring tapes, stitch rippers, scissors, rotary cutter, pencils, needles etc.

The only way I cope with this box is to keep it tidy, otherwise I can’t find what I need when I need it.  When I am sewing I have this out open on my table in the corner where it is out-of-the-way but I can easily get to it to obtain what I need. It closes down really small and fits into my cupboard.

 

I am making a small quilt mat to put my sewing machine on at the moment.  I am waiting for fusible batting to come from amazon so I can sandwich it to start quilting.

I like the colors what do you think?

When you are living in an RV I don’t like to take up room with a large ironing board so I use a small one that fits onto my counter top to do the pressing.  When I am sewing I can leave it out and it is not in the way and does not infringe on any part of the RV. I put it on top of a towel so it doesn’t scratch the counter top.

When I am not using material and other items, I store them in a plastic bin in the overhead cupboard and again I keep things very tidy so I can easily find them.

Organization when doing RV crafts is key.

I do not buy most of the time what I do not need, I really think about what I want to make and then use up most of the things I buy so that I do not have tons of stuff just for the sake of it.

I buy a lot of my items from Amazon, I saw a fabulous sewing machine on their yesterday that was only $134 crazy price.  Check it out on the link below.  I’m thinking I want an embroidery machine next.  Do you have one, any suggestions on what to get?.

Brother CS6000i Feature-Rich Sewing Machine With 60 Built-In Stitches, 7 styles of 1-Step Auto-Size Buttonholes, Quilting Table, and Hard Cover

My sewing machine sits on the kitchen table and we move the table further towards the wall so that I have room to easily get in and out.  When I am not using it I just push it towards the back of the wall and when I am sewing I pull it to the front. I also pull out the side of the table which gives me extra room. We eat outside most of the time but when we eat in there is nothing in our way.  The only time I put it all away completely is if someone is coming to stay and we need all four chairs otherwise it is not in our way and does not look unsightly at all.

My intention at the moment is to finish my mat tomorrow and then to start making a queen size quilt and I am excited to get started.

If you live in an RV and have any more tips on how you can do RV crafts then please let me know and I will let you write in my blog.

Please feel free to subscribe to my blog at the top and receive regular updates on how I live fulltime in my RV.

Daniel Radcliffe

 

We are staying at the RV Park at Half Moon Bay on the site of Camerons Inn and had a visit from the one and only Harry Potter.

Daniel Radcliffe who played Harry Potter in the movies sang on the karaoke and surprised everyone by rapping on the mike.  I actually heard all the singing and clapping from my RV wondering what was going on as people were normally louder than usual. I sometimes hear the singing as we are only literally 50 footsteps away from the Pub.  Not like this though as it was much louder than normal.

It wasn’t until the very next day that I found out that he was the one singing.  I could hear him but just didn’t know it was him.  I was actually going to go over and see what was going on but decided not to.  I really wish I had now gutted.

Harry Potter

My husband and I watch DVDs and actually had just been watching Harry Potter which is kind of weird that he should then pay a visit to Camerons Inn.  Our daughter Frances is such a fan too maybe he will come again. I know if I had met him she woud have been jealous.  So close was I.

 

Harry Potter “Daniel Radcliffe” Rapping at Camerons Inn

 

Living at Half Moon Bay RV Park you never know who is going to visit.  It is such a great place, everyone loves England and it is just like you stepped into a pub in London.  I am from England so for me it is like being at home with English food and drinks available right on my doorstep.  When I am in the pub I feel like a celebrity myself because as soon as I speak to people they start asking lots of questions about England because of my accent.   I would have loved to have had a chat with Daniel Radcliffe             ” Harry Potter” as we would have had the same accent.

I am going to move onto the updates on previous blogs I have done on here and thought you may like to know how my Camping washing machine and Tower Garden was coming on.

Camping Washing Machine

I thought I would let you know that my washing machine that I purchased two weeks ago is working fabulously.  I am absolutely loving it and I am using it everyday.  I can’t believe how much money I am saving by not using the washers on site here at Half Moon Bay.  My clothes are really clean and it is so easy to use. You can buy the camping washing machine from Camping World on the link on this site.  Only $104.

Tower Garden

My Tower garden is coming on fabulous and my lettuce is ready to use.  I can just take leaves from the back of the lettuce and it will continue to grow.  I don’t need to purchase anymore.  My herbs I have already been using and the rest of products are growing nicely.  They are liking the weather here in Half Moon Bay.

You can go to Tower Garden and buy yours today.

Son In Law home from The Falklands

I wanted to take this opportunity first of all to tell you that my son-in-law Paul who serves in the Royal Air Force is home now in England from his 4 month tour in The Falklands.  I know my daughter and his two beautiful children are happy to see him home. Thank you Paul for serving to protect our country and for all those who work hard to protect us wherever you are.

Please register on my site on the link above to receive regular emails with blog updates.

Sharknado 3

Today is the day that Sharknado 3 will be aired on Syfy at 9/8c.  You may wonder why I’m so excited and I’m going to tell you.  Although I live in my Fifth Wheel and that is what I normally talk about.  We all have family right.  Well I am no exception.  Today is about my son.

My son Michael Hardman is the Foley editor and ADR Recordist on this film along with Sharknado 1, Sharknado 2 and now Sharknado 3.  Michael is not just the least ad singer of the band Dinosaur Parade but also is an ADR and Foley Engineer working for the Asylum in Burbank, Los Angeles, which he enjoys very much.  I wouldn’t normally brag so much but I think as a parent I have the right to.  Michael is only 23 years of age and if you see all of the 72 projects he has worked on albeit mostly B movies,  I think I have the right to brag, Michael Hardman will be a name in the future that you will see winning awards I have no doubt.  He graduated from College with his Bachelors Degree at the age of 19 and was Valedictorian so it is no surprise that he has such a great job.  I am sure that in the future someone who works on A movies will want him to work for him and I really wish that for him.  He works very hard and is very dedicated to his craft.

Michael and his friends have written and performed a silly song about Sharknado 3 which I think you should all listen to.  The Best Worst Movie Sharknado 3.  You might want to have a few beers tonight, listen to their song and then watch Sharknado 3 Oh Hell No! on the Syfy Channel.

All the Sharknado films have had a lot of media attention as it is so silly and classed as the best worst movie.  When these films first came out there was so much media attention that twitter just blew up. They now have a cult following and I am no exception to that. Tonight I am sure will be no different as there are so many stars that are going to be in the movie you can watch the previews on Syfy.  The film Sharknado 3 was filmed on the east coast from Washington DC to Florida.  It will be great fun to watch and laugh about.

The one liners in past Sharknado films have just absolutely cracked me up.  I hope you enjoy the film tonight as I am sure you will.  I am excited and I hope you are as excited as I am.  I can’t wait to hear the one liners in the film tonight.

Enjoy! Don’t take life so seriously,  Life is about having fun.

 

 

New Camping washing machine

I am on a site in Half Moon bay and the washing machines here are $2.50 now you might think that is expensive and yes it is but the local washing launderette it $3.00 to wash. The Dryers are also $2.50 on my site and the dryers in town also the same.

Everywhere I have ever been in California I have only paid from $1.25 to $1.50 to wash and just $1.00 to dry.  San Francisco is way more expensive than everywhere else and that’s just the way it is.

I have space in my RV to have a full hook up Washer dryer fitted and have all the connections to do that, the problem with that is that I then lose more or less a whole cupboard where at the moment I have my clothes.  I really cannot afford to lose that space.

I came up with another solution and that is to have a portable camping washing machine, I looked at all the ones that were available and some were just a bit bigger than I would like, especially when we move it can cause problems if there is not enough space for it.

The one that I chose is made by Base Camp outdoor systems and is called a camping washing machine a lever portable.  It is only 21.9″ and is only 14.2″ wide.

I have used it today and I have done  6 full loads of normal washing and caught up with all my washing as I refused to pay another $2.50.  I actually managed to wash sheets, jeans and towels just in smaller loads is all.

Regular washing will help me keep on top and it works perfectly fine.  I think my whites came out better that the camp washing machine actually.  I just felt like I had gone back in time when I was a young girl helping my Mom do the washing with her twin tub only this was much easier.

If you would like to purchase a camping washing machine then you can click on the image below.

I am a very happy shopper today.

 

 

Video of my new camping washing machine

 

 

Cooking Utensils

I use several items when cooking in my fifth wheel.

1. 3 tiered steamer
2. Nutribullet
3. Wok
4. Crockpot
5. Outside grill
6. Microwave
7. Oven
8. Top cooker
9. Rice Cooker

I read someones blog recently that said that fifth wheel cooking or rv cooking was really hard to do.  My take on that is that if you just use the cooker that is available in the fifth wheel or rv then I can see that to be the case.  If however you have a few gadgets to help you then the cooking can be made much easier.

3 Tiered Steamer

This is probably one of my favorite cooking utensils. I actually bought this one from Bed Bath and Beyond it is so easy to use and I just love it.

One of the meals I would do in this is a Salmon dinner.  I would put the salmon on the bottom tier and I would put herbs sprinkled onto it.  I would then put potatoes on the second tier and they would be any type of potatoes I would also put carrots in this tier as well.  On the third tier I would put broccoli and cauliflower.  I don’t always need all three tiers sometimes I just use one tier just for vegetables of all sorts.

I put water into the bottom and then stack the food turn it on and then 35/40 mins later my meal is cooked.  No fuss but amazing tasty food.

The steamer collapses down and fits into a cupboard easily.

Nutribullet

This isnt obviously cooking but I use my nutribullet to make fruit smoothies that we would have and would add frozen bananas, kale, strawberries and summer fruits.  Very tasty and great for a sweet

Wok

I use my wok on my top of my cooker sometimes in the RV and outside on the Grill.  I like to cook chicken or beef cubed along with vegetables like, onions, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and mushrooms. and I braise the meat first with the herbs for about 10 mins throw in the vegetables tossing the everything in the wok continually after about 15 minutes I throw in the bean sprouts for a few minutes and it is then cooked and ready to eat.  Could not be simpler, meal in one.

Crockpot

I just love my crock pot for cooking.  Couldn’t be simpler.  I use this more in the winter but also in the summer as well.  I like to cook stews, curries or chilli in this.  When making a stew, the first thing I do night before is to always soak my pinto beans or mixed beans in water.  I then braise my meat in the pot first with celery and onions chopped along with herbs of my choice,  once all meat in browned I then add vegetables like, carrots, swede, potatoes and peas.  I would then add water turn it on and let it cook all day.  By the evening my dinner is all ready to eat.

 Outside Grill

I just love cooking outside sitting and just waiting for my lunch or dinner to cook.  some of the things I cook on my grill are fish, chicken, beef, pork chops.  I tend to cover my meat in the herbs of my choice and then cook them over a flame once they are browned I leave the flame on but move the meat on the side with no flame. I turn the flame down and then put down the lid and let it cook turning occasionally.  Just sit and relax sip a glass of wine and wait.  We would normally have this with a tossed salad or I would also put some vegetables on too into little packages of foil with some butter and place on the side where there is no flame also.  vegetable cook in about 20 mins like this.

Microwave

I only use my microwave for cooking bacon and warming up food.  I really don’t use it to cook anything.

Oven

I really do not like my oven I very rarely use it.  It is hard to light and does not cook things well at all.

The only time I really use the top of my cooker is when I am cooking with my wok.  I don’t use it really for anything else.  It only has 3 burners and I would rather use other methods of cooking.

I love love love my rice cooker.  It is so easy to use.  You put the rice in cover it with water where the water is about a thumb nail over the rice.  Turn it on and it cooks rice to perfection.  I would not be without it.

Most of the items I have mentioned you can get at amazon and have them delivered.  I recommend getting extra gadgets to help you cook easily in your RV as generally the RV cookers are really not the best at all.  I am not by any means a good cook but I find these ways of cooking nice and easy and anyone can do them.  Why work hard when you can work easy.

 

Amazon Links

1. 3 tiered steamer
2. Nutribullet
3. Wok
4. Crockpot
5. Outside grill
6. Rice Cooker

Growing your own vegetables on the road

Just because you live in an RV doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own fruit and vegetables.  I have a hydroponic tower garden that I take along with me and I grow my own salad.  Living healthy is very important to all of us.  My husband and I have changed the way that we eat massively over the last few years.  We have very limited wheat and dairy and we eat much more vegetables and fruit than have ever before.  It makes sense therefore to grow our own.  The excitement you get when your very own crop starts to grow is just amazing.

It takes up virtually no space at all.  The water usage is very little and recyclable.  This is what we are growing at the moment. The water comes up the middle of the tower garden and then trickles all over the roots of the plants inside and is on a timer where it comes on for 15 minutes at a time.

• Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Dill
• Basil
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Thyme
• Garlic Chives
• Strawberries
• Peppers – different types
• Lettuce – different types

The tower garden seedlings above is only 2 weeks old.  I will give you an update in a couple of weeks and show you the growth.  After just 3 weeks I will have some lettuce and other produce available.

If you would like to know more about this then click the link below it will take you to you tube and explains everything.

Tower Garden

If something grows up out of the ground basically that is what you can grow in a tower garden.  I have had my tower garden for over a year now and I absolutely love it.  We are getting ready for our next crop and we are very excited to be able to just go outside and cook some chicken on the barbecue and just pick our salad right off the tower garden when we need it.

Looking after a Tower Garden is just like looking after a swimming pool really.  You just need to get the nutrients right and all the instructions are on the pack and very easy to do.  This crop is in the early stages so only needs water to be topped up once a week, once the crop is much larger then it may need topping up twice a week.

I find that when I have my tower garden in full bloom and that my crop is available, I save so much money.  I try to keep replanting as I go so that I can always have a crop available.  I do like to however wash my tower garden every 3 months and I take it apart wash it all and then put it all back together whether there is a crop in there or not.

Keeping it clean really does help to keep it healthy.  I check it every day for any butterflies that may have laid eggs or for any bugs and I get them off right away.  Checking for caterpillars can be hard on green leaves but if I see that some have been eaten I don’t give up until I find them.  This is my crop for dinner not theirs and I aim to keep it that way.  The brilliant thing about having a tower garden is the fact that it is nice and clean and no dirt is involved.

There are different ways that you can get your seedlings.

1. You can buy them on-line at Living Tower Seedlings
2. You can visit the live garden in Santa Barbara at Chapala Gardens
3. You can grow your own from seeds
4. You can buy seedlings in dirt then wash off all the dirt and plant them.

We are lazy and we like to purchase the seedlings.

If you would like to purchase a Tower Garden you can do so at Tower Garden Purchase

Chapala Gardens is an amazing place to visit and get your seedlings from.  The amount of fruit and vetables that they grow there is amazing.  You can also purchase produce fresh from them as well.

When I purchased my tower garden I paid over a 12 month period and now my tower garden is paid for in full.  You can have a tower garden of your own for $525 which works out to $45.25 per month.  I acatually paid $64 and had the extension which gave me 28 spaces for seedlings and was 7 ft tall the original one would have been 5ft.

Tower Garden

Tower Garden Purchase