It is such a luxury to have a bread maker in the trailer. And to have paid only $5 for a brand new one only makes it more precious. We sometimes make 2 loaves a day as the children have actually, in some weird solidarity, decided all the foods they once liked are disgusting and quite frankly, have no desire for any food other than bread and butter. Ellen will eat fresh jumbo shrimp though. All four will eat sugar in massive quantities when possible. So basically, sugar, bread and butter. With the breadmaker we don’t have to run to the store daily for bread AND can make whole wheat bread, which is rather rare here in Mexico.
Jamie has taken to bean roasting. The past two days he has had a quiet fascination with the stovetop, an enamel frying pan and coffee beans. The trailer has had a lovely smell of coffee for days and we’ve only gone through 12 tanks of propane. But hey, he has freshly roasted beans. 
I have never liked any coffee other than the Evil Empire whenever we’ve tried a coffee other than the “Kirkland/Starbucks Evil Empire of Coffee” beans (that we buy in 3lb bags) at Costco. I thought that I had gotten used to that particular coffee and I was so used to it that I would never like anything else. I am so happy to find that I am LOVING these Xilitla beans. They are Arabica beans and while they take about 5-6 hours to roast (toast), they are amazingly FUERTE and taste wonderful. Not bitter (yet STRONG), not acidic (yet STRONG) with a bold taste. I’m no coffee gourmet but I’m liking Jamie’s roast.
We already wash our own clothes (as does EVERYONE in Mexico) so I’m guessing soap making and crop growing won’t be far behind.
The sun came out today and the kids talked us into two more days here at the beach. We’re headed to a balneario after this and I wonder if they think they’ll never see the sea again. For now we’re simply enjoying the fact that the clothing should now dry, we can leave the trailer and we’re not in great danger of mildew.
I’ve started a new project on Flickr; a self-portrait a day and a picture a day. I was so un-inspired today after all the lovely possibilities with the kids and bubbles yesterday so today’s prospects were quite low in creativity.
Rock on Jamie.
I keep promising myself that I will take my coffee love to the next level and roast my own beans. Home roast will take the Vibiemme espresso to a new level of Mmmmmmmmmm!
I just wanted to say I love reading your blog.
Especially when it’s snowing and cold here in Montana. As a mom with wiggly sons, I can sure relate to cabin-fever! (and as a coffee-lover on a budget, I have to admit I usually buy the Evil Corporation beans too. Though once in a while, when I’m feeling especially guilty, I buy some organic fair-trade coffee from the local co-op. lol)
Thanks so much for sharing your journeys with the Internet Land.
Found your link on Susan’s blog….she has mine listed, too.
I am fascinated with your life choice….Good on you all!
I had a neighbor in college who roasted his own beans with a retrofitted hot air popcorn popper. I’m not sure what the benefit of his set-up was supposed to be over using a pan, but the aroma sure was great!
I love our bread machine! I love even more the smells of fresh bread. I can imagine in the smaller confines of a travel trailer, it’s better and lasts longer.
Now that you remind me, it has been too long since we used it, I’ll have to get it out. Sourdough is my favorite type of bread.
Hellooo,
I am enjoying the photos, but am missing your descriptions of life and travels in Mexico. WSould you please start writing?
By the way, Kitty, I was floored when I saw a couple of your “self-portraits”. I had to go get the large picture of Grandma Schaffler to confirm what I thought I saw. I was right. You do have a very profound resemblance to her when she was in her 40-50’s.
Love,
Aunt Kathy
Thankyou Aunt Kathy for saying what alot of us are thinking. We are all missing her writing and waiting as patiently as we can.
URGENT.
Must have a post soon, please!
We reached a high of 43 degrees today!
It is a heat wave after our below 0 days.
I just booked our rental car for our trip to visit Ma & Pa at the end of March. We are all looking forward to some fun on the beaches!
According to my latest email, K&J are in travel mode today, so hopefully, hopefully, we’ll have some posting going on at the very earliest tomorrow (????) We all waited with bated breath (which, of course, is better than baited breathe, unless, well, you’re a fish.)