Comments | seekerval: Car Woes & Scavenge Wins & Baking

seekerval

Car Woes & Scavenge Wins & Baking

Feb 21, 2016 16:23

The Mighty Steed of Smoke and Shadow (a.k.a. my minivan) has been whining and wailing for a couple of weeks now. We were thinking "belts are going" while I hoped it was just that the power steering fluid was low. Not that I really believed in the ease of topping off a fluid to solve the issue. Cutting to the chase on this topic: yup, a belt is ( Read more... )

car stuff, scavenging, baking

Comments 13

earthmother45 February 22 2016, 04:27:41 UTC

Minivan problems aside, (but I like the name Mighty Steed of Smoke and Shadow better) I loved your post so much! I know you do it all the time, but finding these treasures must be so exciting and rewarding. I've always thought what you do by finding and repurposing things was so cool and fun.

Your sour cream bundt cake looks delicious! I love the idea of a "tasting slice followed by a savoring slice." A just reward for a good day's work!

seekerval February 22 2016, 12:10:48 UTC

Thanks, I rather enjoy the name too.

Turns out the "Find" isn't as great as it seemed. None of the houses I opened &/or pulled out has its lighting element. As far as I can figure, they probably shoved the electrical bits in another box or bag rather than working it into the styrofoam packing, and that box or bag didn't get put out at the same time. So they won't be quite so easily sold or for quite as much--but they are still fun and will eventually sell for more than if I hadn't picked them up. Oh well...

Maybe I should have a slice of cake for solace.

changeling72 February 22 2016, 07:18:03 UTC

Car are a bloody expensive hobby! Nightmare.

Well done on the scavenging finds - every little helps in the coffers!

The baking looks *nom*

seekerval February 22 2016, 12:21:18 UTC

It does cost a lot to keep an older car going, doesn't it? The Mighty Steed is eleven years old with well over 193K miles on the odometer.

Unfortunately, it will be less in the coffers than we thought since the lighting elements seem to have all been stored elsewhere and not put out for pickup yesterday morning. But even that little is welcome. Just might not be worth posting on eBay. I may try setting them up for photos, and posting them on Craigslist at $5 each or something like that instead.

The cake does taste pretty good. I think MyJeff had 4 slices yesterday, and he's usually satisfied with one sweet per day.

puddleshark February 22 2016, 08:42:33 UTC

Ack. Car woes indeed... At least it sounds like you have a good trustworthy local garage, which is a real blessing.

Some interesting chance finds - your hunting instincts must be very finely honed!

Mmmm. Cake. Looks heavenly.

seekerval February 22 2016, 12:29:23 UTC

We've been going to this particular garage for many years. With MyJeff's 15 years as a courier, his vehicles needed prompt and frequent attention for oil changes and any issues. These guys know us well and treat us well. And they much appreciated the cake I brought them last night.

The old hunting instincts (BTW: I like that term a lot) weren't able to note the missing lighting elements for the houses. It is a bummer, but there's still some value and they are charming little houses and businesses: all Victorian and decorated for Christmas.

kaishin108 February 23 2016, 18:36:50 UTC

That Bundt cake looks so yummy! I really need to buy a Bundt pan so I can make some.

I am so sorry your car (Steed) cost so much, yikes!

You are funny about stopping for the free stuff. I love to stop for things and for garage sales. But my husband just speeds up, lol.

Maybe by now you have your vehicle back :-)

seekerval February 23 2016, 23:02:42 UTC

I really enjoy Bundt cakes and encourage anyone who wants to bake cake to find themselves a Bundt.

Thanks for the commiseration on the vehicle costs. At nearly 194K miles and 11 years, I guess this is unavoidable.

MyJeff used to have "issues" with my scavenging. Until I started showing him in writing how much money I made selling the things I scavenged. He even helps some now, albeit with a frequent air of embarrassment and guilt. But he knows how badly we need the dollars I make selling the "recycled" items. So he just rolls his eyes and pretends he's not there.

kaishin108 February 24 2016, 02:00:58 UTC

Your Jeff sounds very sweet!

One more question about the Bundt cake. Did you just leave it in the pan and serve it from there. I often do that with other pans. Just wondering :-)

seekerval February 24 2016, 10:49:12 UTC

He is a sweet guy. I'm pretty lucky in that.

No, I let the cake cool in the pan for 15 - 30 minutes, run a plastic/rubber spatula around the outer and inner rings, and turn it out onto a cake plate. BTW: Turning it out works best if you've sprayed or greased then lightly floured the pan before adding the batter. Some of the pans have the type of interior surface that you really wouldn't want to risk scratching up with slicing a cake.

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