One night last week Jeff and Nancy told us that they wanted to share one of their favorite meals with us.. and asked whether we could stay away from the boat till 6:30pm while they prepped it. “Sure!” we said.. and we did as we were instructed. We were greeted with great smells as we stepped on the boat… Hot lasagna and warm bread fresh from the oven. And it was really good. But the surprise was that the meal came from the oven.

In 2008 when we purchased the boat, the propane stove/oven had issues. It flat out did not work. At all. So last spring I installed new a new propane regulator on the tank, a new solenoid shut-off and a new electronic panel that governs the system and monitors for gas leaks. Wa-la! The stove top and broiler worked, but the control knob for the oven was stuck and did not move at all…

Last week, Jeff went after the stuck knob and decided it would either break free or simply break (no downside to that action) and was able to enable it. So the meal was a big surprise; but the oven working was the really big surprise.  (Brenda celebrated yesterday by making a chocolate cake!)  One side effect of baking, however, is heat. And on a hot boat, adding a 350 degree oven is rather..warm.  But it is GREAT to be able to add a fire to the hole..

Some of you have asked how meal prep works with two couples… only one of which eats meat. There are so many ways we can gross out our friends (literally had Jeff running out of the boat as I fried a hamburger) that for the most part eat out together or just as couples… or fix simple meals on the boat. Sometimes we cook first and then Jeff or Nancy preps their food; or visa versa.

But there are so many places to eat in town.. and it is so cheap to do so, that frankly we eat out a lot. Tacos on the street are about 5 pesos… about 40 cents. Quesidillas with chicken, pork, or beef cost about a buck. Pacifico or Corona is about $1.25 (15 or 20 pesos)  For breakfast you can get eggs ranchero or french toast Mexico style.. for a buck or two.  Some “establishments” are nothing more than plastic chairs in the street and a small kitchen in the front of a home. Others are true restaurants with actual menus… (doesn’t help. Can’t read em anyway.)  They are more expensive, but still dirt cheap compared to Perkins.

We have lost weight, but not for the lack of food. We’ve been walking A WHOLE LOT MORE than we do in Sioux Falls.  We aren’t wasting away, but Brenda says I’ve lost my butt.

Now that the oven is working, however, we can bake all sorts of goodies… cookies, cakes, and Brenda’s famous brownies. (And of course, meatloaf) We can find those lost pounds…

Thane