Holiday Greetings RVers - Desiderata

If you are a wordy sort like me you may have a few poems or stories that inspire you, cause you to reflect, remind you of what's important. Used in author Max Ehrmann's 1933 Christmas greeting and intended for use in Adlai Stevenson's 1965 holiday message, Desiderata is especially relevant in today's world.

It's noted in the book "Desiderata: a survival guide for life" that Ehrmann wrote this prose for himself 'because it counsels those virtues I felt myself most in need of'...it was his guide for striving for simplicity, sincerity, and serenity.

I keep a copy near my desk and once in a while choose a snippet to ponder. I think there's a little something for everyone in this poem.

If you are familiar with Desiderata perhaps you'll enjoy seeing it again. If it's new to you take some time to explore it and consider how it relates to your life.

Desiderata

written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Learn more on these websites:
Desiderata Rises from the Grave
Desiderata...a survival guide for life

Here's to the kickoff of a fabulous holiday season,

Evanne
www.RVCookingShow.com

RV Thanksgiving Recipes

Holiday greetings, friends!

Poof! All of a sudden we’re coming into the busy, busy winter holiday season so I'll make this brief. Do the words "RVing" and "turkey" in the same sentence have you shaking your head, thinking "can't happen"? Well think again!

In this episode of the RV Cooking Show I'm sharing my little turkey secret...the crockpot. Moist, tender, and easy. Take a look at Crockpot Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving, we think you'll agree...it's delicious!! Print the recipe here...I have a feeling you'll be including this in your RV kitchen repertoire for years to come.



We’ve also got some other Thanksgiving goodies in the archives:

Try Mom’s Famous Cranberry Sauce…folks in 18 countries over five continents did and gave it a thumbs up.

I’d always been on the lookout for an easy and elegant sweet potato recipe…well, here it is. No video – just a text recipe – but worthy just the same.

Go a bit "rouge" yourself this year with one of our wacky but delish recipes...Trash Can Turkey for the adventurous or double the sauce recipe, use turkey breast instead of chicken, and crockpot a Trailblazer Turkey.

Question: do you track your RV travels? I’ll share my method in this RV Cooking Show episode and have blogged about it around the RV Cooking Show virtual campfire – our blog. Check it out here.

May I take a moment to say that I’ll be counting YOU, our loyal viewers and readers, among my many blessings this year.

Happy thanksgiving to you and yours.

Most sincerely,

Evanne and the RV Cooking Show family
www.RVCookingShow.com

RV Campsite Party Light

ALERT: This would make a terrific holiday gift for your favorite RV, garden, or outdoor lover!!

Whether you’re out there camping, have a reservation for your next RV trip on the books or are simply dreaming about going RVing it’s always a pleasure to create a useful, unique camping craft to take along. If you’ve ever taken a walk around a campground at night chances are you’ve seen what I like to call “RV party lights”. They come large and small – hanging on a plant hook, off a rig or strung together on an awning.

I was first introduced to this kitschy must-have camp item at my very first RV rally – the Trailblazers. Upon winning a raffle I was offered a choice of prizes. My eyes immediately locked on to the colorful – and practical – RV party light. From then on my husband and I were hooked. We made them for ourselves, we made them for our neighbors, we made them for visiting friends. Fun stuff!! Based on a request from an RV Cooking Show fan, I’d like to share with you the how-to’s of making a cheery RV party light.

The RV party light will be a colorful, low-light source. Imagine an embossed planter turned upside down and embellished with see-through colorful beads in an eye-pleasing design. If desired, theme your RV party light. I’ve seen USA, Christmas, flower garden, and seashore themes to name a few. Let your imagination run wild and hey, send us a photo of your completed party light, okay?!?!

Supplies Needed

• Hard Plastic Embossed Planter with saucer (drip catcher) – light color – size of your choice (Walmart usually stocks a selection)
• Acrylic Beads – a variety of sizes, shapes and colors (I like multi-colored but you can certainly go with a color theme matching your RV, a holiday, etc.)
Starburst 12-25mm
Tri-beads 11mm
Faceted Rounds 8mm
Faceted Rondelles 6mm
• 4 1 ½ x 8 brass drywall screws
• Medium base, keyless lamp socket with 6-foot power cord
• 60 watt light bulb

Other Items Needed

• Drill with 1/8, 3/16 and 3/8 inch drill bits
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Here’s What You Do

Step 1 – Create a bead design on the outside of the planter. Mark with small dots.

Step 2 – Remove the saucer (drip catcher) and using your 3/8 inch bit, drill a hole for the socket threads in the center of the bottom of the planter. Drill 3 evenly spaced vent holes an inch or more out (depending on the size of your planter) from the socket hole for heat ventilation.

Step 3 – Using the 3/16 inch bit, drill holes on the outside of the planter corresponding with your marked bead design.

Step 4 – Using the 1/8 inch bit, drill 4 evenly spaced holes around the top outside edge of pot (which will be the bottom of the light) approximately a ½ inch down from the edge. Drill 4 matching holes (must line up with planter holes) in the saucer (drip catcher) piece – sitting right side up.

Steps 5 – Using your hot glue gun attach the beads on the outside of the planter over the drilled bead design holes (so light can sparkle through).

Step 6 – Install the lamp socket inside the planter. Screw in the light bulb. Test to make sure it works.

Step 7 – Assemble the saucer (drip catcher) “base” with the 4 drywall screws. The saucer (drip catcher) piece should be smaller and fit inside the mouth of the planter – which is now upside down - the saucer (drip catcher) is right side up.

Step 8 – Hang your RV party light, plug-in and enjoy!!

Some safety notes: Never leave the party light unattended – always unplug it when you go inside or away for the evening. Don’t leave it out in the rain – the lamp socket is not weatherproof. Keep it clean and free of cobwebs, fallen leaves or anything else that may be combustible. Use common sense safety rules.

Feel free to send me a message or post a note on the blog if you need help, suggestions or have a comment.

Follow these easy and simple directions and you, too, will become an RV party light lover!!