New Stuff - Gear or Toys?

Ah, the age old question.  Spouses have been asking this question since the first cave person brought home yet another bow or added another newly carved stone chair to the cave.  And then there are the categories when it comes to gear - vital, necessary, nice to have, luxury.  This is where is gets grey and crosses over to toys.
So having said all that....check out our new "gear".

Hand crank coffee grinder for freshly ground coffee.  Yes, it takes a little work in the morning vs pushing the button on the coffee grinder but still way better than store bought, stale, pre-ground.

Ice maker.  Always messing with getting ice, refilling the cooler, having ice for cocktails, melting, getting more ice, transporting ice....ia a pain in the ass.  Enter the counter top ice maker.  This thing ROCKS!

It make 9 magically ice cubes in 7-14 mins.  And yes....we are making ice in our aft head!  It was the perfect spot for this little gem with plenty of room, ventilation for the until, electricity, and a drain in case of leaking or spillage.

 I read all the instructions (so female of m), plugged it in this morning and it has been making ice non-stop since for the cooler and bevs throughout the day.  Loving it!

Fresh Out of Grandmas TDay 2011

While most folks are heading over the river and through the woods to Grandma's this Thanksgiving, we are once again happily on s/v Honey Ryder.  Despite the lack of Grandmas, we are on the boat so all the world it right.  And the weather is warm to boot.  Almost too warm as the no-see-ums think it's spring and have hatched for some nourishment on unsuspecting boaters.  But even still...we are on s/v Honey Ryder so little else matters including invisible bugs.

HAM Part 2 - Hello? Is there anybody out there?

KD0QAG - My HAM License number.  But don't call me just yet.

 Getting my HAM Tech License is just step one.  Now the fun starts....learning to actually use our SSB.

And no, this isn't our SSB.  It's an old HAM mic we have at home.  Don't ask, the story is too long.  Let's just suffice it to say that it's shown up in more than one party pic throughout the years.
Ground Control to Major Tom are you receiving?