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    • GO To Tuesday: Super Easy Chicken Quesadillas

      Posted at 5:02 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on June 11, 2019

      Chicken QuesadillasI always prefer fresh ingredients to canned or frozen, but there will be times when we are out to sea and run out of fresh goods. I’ve been exploring some healthy options that aren’t full of preservatives and are easy to make and these quesadillas fit the bill nicely. They would also be a great meal for the kids to help with and to make when camping. All of the ingredients are readily available at our Alameda Grocery Outlet and you may even find many of them in the organic aisle.

      Variations: So many. You can leave out the chicken if you want to go vegetarian and of course swap out the canned items for fresh. 

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, GroceryOutlet, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, shoplocal, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • You Live on a Boat?! Part 8: How’s the sleeping situation?

      Posted at 5:55 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on June 3, 2019

      You live on a boat?! How is that? Does it move all the time? How does the weather affect you? Where do you keep your stuff? Do you have electricity? How about fresh water? How’s the sleeping situation? How do you deal with waste? Are you connected to cable and WiFi? Does your dog like living on a boat? What happens when you go sailing?”

      IMG_5266Yes, it’s true. Sleeping on a boat is like being rocked to sleep every night. We keep our stateroom hatch open a crack year-round and can hear the waves and seabirds as we drift off and awaken. When it’s stormy it can be a wild ride, but still so comfy to be cocooned in our bunk while Mother Nature and Father Neptune battle it out.

      After nine years of doing the “mattress mambo” and changing out varieties of foam combinations, we made the investment in a real mattress for our bunk! This is not a “run down to the local mattress store, spend a few hours laying on samples, move a few pieces of furniture to clear a path for the delivery guys to set up” kind of situation. As everything else on a boat, it is more complicated and expensive than that.

      To start with, boat beds are not like home beds. At all. Boat beds, called bunks or berths, are in staterooms (bedrooms) built into the superstructure of the boat. They are a wooden or fiberglass box frame usually built on top of drawers and/or storage space and are immobile.

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      Posted in You Live on a Boat?! | 1 Comment | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, DogOnboard, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, Tayana, Tiki, VivoOSonho
    • Signs of Life

      Posted at 1:00 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 30, 2019

      imgresSpring had finally arrived. The stark branches were dotted with pink flower buds and these little signs of life gave her hope. It had been a harsh winter and her husband had been laid off, making it twice as miserable.

      “You’re late again. Got a boyfriend?” he shot at her from the living room recliner as she walked through the front door.

      “Sorry. I worked late. Thought we could use the overtime,” she answered, balancing two full bags of grocery and her purse.

      “What’s that supposed to mean?” he jumped up, blocking her way. “I’m a highly skilled plumber and deserve top pay. I’ll get a job when I’m good and ready. You trying to piss me off?”

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • GO To Tuesday: Candied Ginger

      Posted at 9:13 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 21, 2019

      Candied GingerI needed fresh ginger for a dinner recipe and our Grocery Outlet had a 6 oz organic bag for the same price of a small piece at the big supermarkets. (This is very common at G.O. Their prices on organic items are incredible!) I figured I’d come up with something to do with the 95 percent of the bag that I had left over.

      Ginger is well-known for treating seasickness, and is also used for reducing inflammation, osteoarthritis pain and indigestion, and improving brain function. I’ve mainly used it in savory Asian dishes, but love ginger-ale and ginger-tea. I had decided to bake a rhubarb cake and thought that candied ginger would add a nice flavor compliment.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged AlamedaGroceryOutlet, BargainMarket, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, GOAlameda, GroceryOutlet, homeofWOW, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, shoplocal, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • Hidden Message

      Posted at 4:46 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 16, 2019

      Kinkade Kirby Cove“X marks the spot. Well, if that isn’t cliche,” Sarah rolled her eyes at her boyfriend as she studied the map that was poorly made to look like a pirate’s treasure map.

      “C’mon, it’ll be fun. Treasure hunts are all the rage right now. And I got a deal on GroupOn. You always say we do the same things. I wanted to shake it up.”

      “I’m sorry. This will be fun and I’m assuming there’ll be drinks and lunch at the end. Let’s do this!”

      Glenn unfolded the instructions and read Clue #1:
      It’s been said that there is no there there. But here you will find your first and last chance to sip a hot beverage. Ask Tom for your next clue.

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 4 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • Abandoned Chores

      Posted at 5:41 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on May 2, 2019

      car2Heather stretched languidly in bed, inhaling the aroma of fresh coffee wafting from the kitchen. She smiled, listening to her husband singing off-key to “American Pie.” He knew every word to all 20 plus verses. Up next would be a collection of Buddy Holly hits. His playlist was as predictable as Dan himself. 

      Dan cracked the bedroom door to see if she was awake, then entered with a bed tray laden with a heaping plate, two steaming mugs and a vase with a daisy from their yard.

      “Matzah Brei?!” Heather exclaimed. “It’s not my birthday. Did you buy the Tesla? Seriously, if you bought the Tesla, you’re taking it back.”

      “Take it easy! I didn’t buy the Tesla. I just wanted to do something nice for you. Scoot over.”

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      Posted in Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • GO To Tuesday: Vegan White Bean Salad

      Posted at 12:37 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 30, 2019

      IMG_0080I’ve been exploring the vegan lifestyle for the past year as we’ve been spending time with Aaron’s cousin, and several of our friends are vegetarian. All of my vegan/vegetarian friends offer to bring their own food, but I’m of the belief that when you invite folks to your home for a meal you should try your best to ensure they can eat what you serve.  We hosted a dock party that included the traditional barbequed chicken and hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon, apple pie and chips and dip, and I wanted to add a dish that would be filling as a main course for our vegan guests and also serve as a side dish for the carnivores.

      This is really good stuffed in a pita with hummus, on crackers, or on it’s own as a main course or side. It can be served cold or at room temperature and is better the same day as it got a bit watery when I had leftovers a day later, although it was still good.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, Tayana, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • GO To Tuesday: Deviled Eggs

      Posted at 2:48 pm by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 23, 2019

      Deviled EggsIf there ever was a controversial recipe, it would definitely be deviled eggs. Just like potato salad, the argument begins with mayonnaise versus Miracle Whip and then the choices of seasonings and condiments are across the board.

      My daughter loves them straight up traditional with no fancy seasoning, which is what these are. The basic recipe is based on my Nana’s, with my addition of the sour cream and Dijon mustard. It makes the mixture a bit more creamy with a slight tang. It’s easy to change them up depending on what flavors you love and I’ve put a few ideas in the variations below.

      All of these ingredients are stocked at our local Grocery Outlet and you probably have most of the seasonings and condiments already on hand. I particularly love their selection of eggs … all sizes, brown or white, organic, etc., and at prices far below your average grocery store.

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      Posted in In the Galley | 0 Comments | Tagged AlamedaGroceryOutlet, BargainMarket, BoatingLife, Cruising, GalleyCooking, GOAlameda, GroceryOutlet, homeofWOW, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, shoplocal, Tayana, TinyKitchen, VivoOSonho
    • The Empty Vessel

      Posted at 4:37 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 18, 2019

      SirenThe foursome were enjoying their sundowner cocktails and pupus in the cockpit when John suddenly jumped up.

      “We’ve got company.” Everyone turned towards the pretty boat entering the narrow passageway between the reefs into the secluded cove.

      “It’s almost dark. We better help them get moored. C’mon, Tom, you drive.”

      Tom maneuvered the dinghy carefully around the reef, approaching the boat as John hailed, “Ahoy there! We’re here to give you a hand. It’s a tricky reef.”

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      Posted in Mermaid Tales, Story Shelf | 0 Comments | Tagged 2LWA, BoatingLife, GalleyCooking, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, ShortStory, Tayana, TinyKitchen, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
    • April 16th

      Posted at 9:42 am by Heidi Benson Stagg, on April 16, 2019

      AJ at helmToday is a significant date. First and foremost, it is my husband’s birthday. Aaron, the Captain of my boat and my heart, was born in 1964 and is 55 today. He is the most unselfish person I have ever met, giving of his time and talent, and most of all, Love, to his friends and family. He is completely devoted to our three Grands and, with his retirement, he spends more time with them than any of the grandparents, including me! He coaches Little League, builds props for my daughter’s photography business, and shows up just to cuddle our little princess when mommy needs a break. This from a guy who never had children and became a step-father when my kids were teens! We are blessed to have him in our lives and will celebrate with the kids after he coaches a baseball game this afternoon.

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      Posted in You Live on a Boat?! | 1 Comment | Tagged BoatingLife, Cruising, LifeOnboard, LiveAboard, LivingTheDream, MarinaLife, Tayana, TLWA, ToLiveandWriteinAlameda, VivoOSonho
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    Heidi Benson Stagg

    Heidi Benson Stagg

    I live aboard a 42 ft Tayana Vancouver sailboat, hull #5 laid in 1979, with my husband and little dog. We left our berth of 15 yeas in Alameda, California in the Fall of 2022 and now live in La Paz, Mexico. I enjoy blogging about our journey, cooking in my tiny kitchen and writing short stories.

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