Dec 10, 2012

Wow been so busy in the last week.
First off both Thom and I were in "A Christmas Carol" so we had rehersals and performances to do ... did them all well and finally we are done with this show!! We had are cast party last night and watched a taping of the show. Great job to those that were in the show and all the ones behind the scenes.

We started Saturday off going to install the new Xanbus System Control Panel were the old one was but realized that the new one is about 1/4 inch longer. Would not matter much but the space the old one was in was tight to start with so out comes the dremel to cut the whole panel to separate it slightly in order to fit the new control panel in. We did make sure where we cut that it would not be cutting anything but the panel holding all the buttons and stuff. The whole thing took us about 5 hrs to finagle and figure it out and to do just that part.
We then had the last performance to do for the show Saturday night.
Then on Sunday we got up had 1/2 cup of coffee and started in with putting together the smoker so that we could smoke the ham to take to the cast party at 5pm. After that we started right in on shutting down all electric in the RV so that we could take out the old 1500 watt inv/char and put the new 3000 watt inv/char in. Running the line for the battery temp sensor took a little longer than what we first thought it would take. I think it was at least 6 or 7 hrs to do the switch over. We got it done enough so that we could hook back into and use the heater and what not for the night. We still have to reattach the starter battery to the inv/char and bolt the inv/char down but since we are not driving anywhere for the next few days it will be fine for a few days. If the pass thrus for the new wires were not so tight it would not have taken us so long to do the switch over :)
I will add - If you are not electricaly and mechanicaly inclined then have a professional do the installs!!!! I can not stress enough that this is very involved and even thou we did shut all the electric down and unplug from the shore pedistal that there is still voltage running around in the wires and you could still hit some so be sure you know what you are doing or spend the money and have a professional that you trust do it for you!!
Then just a quick wash and off to the party which we got there about 5:30 pm or so. The ham did not last everyone LOVED it. It's so simple to smoke it the way we do. You put 1/2 spiced rum and 1/2 water in the drip pan then add cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon sticks (break them into a couple of pieces) into the water. Score (lightly cut) the ham and put some cloves and brown sugar. Then just put it in the smoker and keep it at about 250 degrees or so for at least 4 hrs, we did it at 6 hrs thou. Keep an eye on the drip pan and refill with the half rum and half water mixture if it goes empty. We usually use Oak and Apple wood to smoke with but CA has a ban on using Oak so we just used charcoal and Apple wood chips, we added the wood several times while it was smoking.
Last note for today
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHUA!!
Our oldest son turned 28 yrs old today. He took the day off of work and is spending it playing games and some of the day with his wife and when Lisa gets out of school with her too. Games, movies, resturants and family - what more could you ask for for a great birthday?