So we called DirectTV. They seem to be used to getting the calls because they start coming with offers. So the bottom line is our bill has been reduced by $15 for a one year period. They made sure we understood it was only for one year. I made sure they understood we would reassess our thoughts on it in one year also. So for now we still have it including a National feed for PBS. I will make another call next year.
I hope I get to talk to Marsha again...
Thursday, December 31
Wednesday, December 30
Another cold and rainy day
With the weather being cold and drizzly we went to a movie yesterday with Bill and Jo and saw The Blindside. It is a great movie but more than a bit of a tear jerker. Take at least 3 kleenex, maybe 4.
H.E.B. had pork roast on sale for 97 cents a while back and I bought one and cooked it in the crockpot. It was about a 7 pound roast so I had to freeze some for use another time or we were going to get very tired of pork. So when I ran across this recipe it sounded ideal for using up some pork and indeed it was! I poured it over tortilla chips (white ones)and then sprinkled on grated Mexican blend cheese. It was yummy and a make again recipe for me.
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork
1 lb boneless pork loin roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa (from 24-oz jar)
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles, drained
1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz), if desired
1. In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix pork, salsa and chiles.
2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
3. Stir in beans. Cover; cook on Low heat setting about 5 minutes or until beans are hot. Sprinkle with cheese.
Substitution
Vary the taste by using pinto beans instead of black beans and Cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack cheese.
Special Touch:
Serve over hot cooked rice or tortilla chips. Top with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream.
Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 70mg;
Sodium 1550mg; Total Carbohydrate 39g (Dietary Fiber 10g, Sugars 6g); Protein 33g Percent Daily
Value*: Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 8%; Iron 20% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0
Vegetable; 4 Very Lean Meat; 1 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
H.E.B. had pork roast on sale for 97 cents a while back and I bought one and cooked it in the crockpot. It was about a 7 pound roast so I had to freeze some for use another time or we were going to get very tired of pork. So when I ran across this recipe it sounded ideal for using up some pork and indeed it was! I poured it over tortilla chips (white ones)and then sprinkled on grated Mexican blend cheese. It was yummy and a make again recipe for me.
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork
1 lb boneless pork loin roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 1/4 cups Old El Paso® Thick 'n Chunky salsa (from 24-oz jar)
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso® chopped green chiles, drained
1 can (15 oz) Progresso® black beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz), if desired
1. In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix pork, salsa and chiles.
2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
3. Stir in beans. Cover; cook on Low heat setting about 5 minutes or until beans are hot. Sprinkle with cheese.
Substitution
Vary the taste by using pinto beans instead of black beans and Cheddar cheese instead of Monterey Jack cheese.
Special Touch:
Serve over hot cooked rice or tortilla chips. Top with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream.
Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 90); Total Fat 10g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 70mg;
Sodium 1550mg; Total Carbohydrate 39g (Dietary Fiber 10g, Sugars 6g); Protein 33g Percent Daily
Value*: Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 8%; Iron 20% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0
Vegetable; 4 Very Lean Meat; 1 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 1/2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Tuesday, December 29
No More Free TV
Yesterday we received an email from DirectTV informing us our bill would be going up in February. Our bill is already $85 a month. We pay an extra $10 a month for high definition another $10 a month for local feeds of both coasts and we do not get public television, which when we are in Iowa is our most watched station. Part of our expense is because we are in the RV and move from location to location. So we are weighing in on what we are going to do about this. Our first instinct and most likely solution is to give it up entirely. We will get TV off the antenna and settle for whatever shows up. Well according to the news this morning in two different locations, nothing much is going to show up.
We first discovered we were in a fix when they went from analog to digital. The minute the big switch was made our number of TV stations we could watch off the antenna dropped to practically nothing and in some locations it was nothing!! In order to get TV at all we were forced to subscribe to cable or satellite. Now who and how did that happen?!!? I have a few ( Big Business) guesses (Big Business). They snuck that one past us pretty easy!!
The two articles below are both about TV and rates of such. I am about ready to tell them to stick it up their old wazoo and we will go to reading books, taking more walks and getting more Netflix movies.
Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091229/ap_en_tv/us_free_broadcasters_in_peril
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091229/SPORTS020502/912290360/Sinclair-No-deal-Mediacom-hopeful
We first discovered we were in a fix when they went from analog to digital. The minute the big switch was made our number of TV stations we could watch off the antenna dropped to practically nothing and in some locations it was nothing!! In order to get TV at all we were forced to subscribe to cable or satellite. Now who and how did that happen?!!? I have a few ( Big Business) guesses (Big Business). They snuck that one past us pretty easy!!
The two articles below are both about TV and rates of such. I am about ready to tell them to stick it up their old wazoo and we will go to reading books, taking more walks and getting more Netflix movies.
Http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091229/ap_en_tv/us_free_broadcasters_in_peril
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20091229/SPORTS020502/912290360/Sinclair-No-deal-Mediacom-hopeful
Monday, December 28
Friday, December 25
Christmas Morn
When I arose this morning the sky was brilliant. One of these shots is through the front window with the screen on but it embodies Christmas here with the palm tree, the Christmas tree and the pinkest of sunrises. I stepped outdoors in my jammies for a couple of the shots. We are having a cool Christmas with highs in the 60's. Nothing like what is happening further north.
Wednesday, December 23
From Son Gary
I went to 4 different ski resorts in 4 days. Perfect plan for a guy who likes to explore different places and see what they have to offer! I left immediately after my half day of school Friday and drove clear to Denver and thanks to the time change was in bed by 10:30pm. I got up early enough to ski a full day at Keystone prior to finding the Leadville Hostel where I stayed. www.leadvillehostel.com
I give the hostel a thumbs up! You can bring your own food and keep it in their huge commercial fridge and fix good meals for yourself in their kitchen. The bathroom is clean and the showers blast the water. The beds are comfortable and despite 17 boy scouts there the first night it was always quiet at night. They have commercial washers and dryers available to wash up clothes and not bring a ton with you. They have two big TV's to watch Direct TV channels. Internet is available to use for a charge and a nice pool table for $0.50 a game. For a charge of $18 per night you can't beat it anywhere. They've been doing this a long time and they have their system down pat.
They are a little low on snow at Keystone and I scratched up my skis on their open runs. 2nd ski day I went to Breckenridge and it has a little more snow on the hill than Keystone. It was very crowded which I think is normal for them but they also had a big event competition going on. Despite the crowd I only waited once for a real long time in a singles line.
I met a volunteer ski patrol guy in the Hostel who has done that job for nearly 30 years at Ski Cooper. He gave me a free pass and talked me into trying his ski place. Ski Cooper was a huge surprise to me! I thought it was fairly small from Internet research and he told me they only had 2 lifts and they are slow. He was right that the lifts are slow and that was the only drawback. The runs are all over a mile long. The green runs are tough. They are steeper than Steamboat blue runs. They do not blow ANY artificial snow there but they don't have to because they get lots of natural stuff. They had the most snow of any of the 4 places I went on this trip. It was the only resort where I skied some powder on the trip. There are lots of beautiful glade runs. I will definitely go back to the Hostel and back to Ski Cooper on other Colorado trips.
My last ski day was only planned for a half day prior to running out of town to beat a snow storm in the Mountains and an ice storm in Kansas. I picked the right place for a short day. I started skiing at 9:20am and by 10:30 am I had skied every single open run at Arapahoe Basin. It was a very fun trip of exploration.
My other possible trips for the season are Feb 12 - 14 and March 11 - 14 if anybody decides to tag along.
Tuesday, December 22
What I miss about snow
SOUND OF NOTHING
There is no sound quite like the sound of snow falling. At such times I
love standing in a white blanketing field, wrapped warmly in a goose
down jacket and fleece-lined ear muffs, staring up at the diffusing
snowflakes as they scurry about, and -- listening to the sound that
nothing makes.
Saturday, December 19
Wishin' and Hopin'
The last many times son Jason has called to chat he has found that we are too, too busy and we have to call back. He said he understood and was glad that we were having fun. Sometimes it is a fine line between fun and too busy. And many times in the past week we have been riding that line. The holiday season adds to the hustle and bustle too
So perhaps things will slow down a bit in January...yeah right!!
We had a fine parade yesterday in the park and pictures will be posted soon. I led the parade with antlers and red nose. I didn't get a picture of myself but I hope someone will send me one.
So perhaps things will slow down a bit in January...yeah right!!
We had a fine parade yesterday in the park and pictures will be posted soon. I led the parade with antlers and red nose. I didn't get a picture of myself but I hope someone will send me one.
Thursday, December 17
Long time
It has been a very long time since we have experienced weather like we have had the past two days. In fact it quit a few minutes ago! It rained nonstop all day yesterday starting about 3:00AM until now at 7:00 AM this morning. It was not a heavy rain. Moderate would be more appropriate but there was no let up in it. I think it was the first day I did not get either of my walks done. To top it off it was a chilly 45 degrees all day. We do not get many of those either. Thank God!
Wednesday, December 16
Up Close
Good parrot pictures can be a bit challenging. I tweaked this one a bit but if you click on it it will be very close. I took this one outside our motorhome. I was standing less than 10 feet from our front door.
Tuesday, December 15
Jo and her centerpiece
Jo Brooker at Craft Class assembling her pine cone centerpiece. 18 of us made them and they will be placed on the tables for Christmas after which we can take them home.
Monday, December 14
Family is here
Bill and Jo are here. They arrived yesterday around noon. And Marlene and Bernard are in Harlingen. It was Marlene who called about her mouse! I did not recognize her voice. So we ran over with a spare mouse for her to use.
So a family gathering should be happening soon.
So a family gathering should be happening soon.
Sunday, December 13
Always Busy
It seems every time I find a few minutes to post here it pops into my mind how busy we are. Butch is still getting numerous electrical calls and I am getting the computer ones. Yesterday a gal called and left a voicemail telling me she was having trouble with her mouse. Trouble is she didn't leave her name. Her voice was very deep. That is my only clue as I deleted her voicemail before realizing I didn't have a name. Oh well, I assume she will get it fixed or call again.
Yesterday we (Leslie Cleaveland and I) made over 30 omelets in a bag for Saturday morning breakfast. They want us to offer them once a month because they are a hit. It was mighty tasty and an easy way to handle eggs for a large group.
Bill and Jo Brooker are due to arrive today and I have a feeling Marlene and Bernard Kelley are headed for Harlingen too. We have been having cool weather so their transition won't be as severe as in years past. We will have to schedule a family get together ASAP. But not to Mexico.
There was a big drug cartel shooting in Progreso on the welcome back winter Texans celebration day (last Saturday). Several people from Magnolia were down there when it happened. Floyd and Lucy Shaeffer were on the street when the shooting started and a store owner pulled them in and then lowered their metal doors. They all got on the floor and could hear the bullets hitting the metal door.
The Mexican military killed 3 or 4 drug cartel guys. No Americans or Mexican civilians were hurt in the fight which is some kind of miracle. The Mexican military were firing AK7's. Several of them were injured and hospitalized. The bad guys were shooting back.
Right now you can throw a rock on the main street and not hit a gringo. Some are going down but it is eerily quiet down there. Toomire went for Kitties cigarettes and he said it was VERY quiet.
I need some meds but haven't worked up the nerve to go yet. I suppose I will in time.
Those poor people down there are getting even poorer.
The town of Progreso had been spared all the drug cartel fights till now.
Yesterday we (Leslie Cleaveland and I) made over 30 omelets in a bag for Saturday morning breakfast. They want us to offer them once a month because they are a hit. It was mighty tasty and an easy way to handle eggs for a large group.
Bill and Jo Brooker are due to arrive today and I have a feeling Marlene and Bernard Kelley are headed for Harlingen too. We have been having cool weather so their transition won't be as severe as in years past. We will have to schedule a family get together ASAP. But not to Mexico.
There was a big drug cartel shooting in Progreso on the welcome back winter Texans celebration day (last Saturday). Several people from Magnolia were down there when it happened. Floyd and Lucy Shaeffer were on the street when the shooting started and a store owner pulled them in and then lowered their metal doors. They all got on the floor and could hear the bullets hitting the metal door.
The Mexican military killed 3 or 4 drug cartel guys. No Americans or Mexican civilians were hurt in the fight which is some kind of miracle. The Mexican military were firing AK7's. Several of them were injured and hospitalized. The bad guys were shooting back.
Right now you can throw a rock on the main street and not hit a gringo. Some are going down but it is eerily quiet down there. Toomire went for Kitties cigarettes and he said it was VERY quiet.
I need some meds but haven't worked up the nerve to go yet. I suppose I will in time.
Those poor people down there are getting even poorer.
The town of Progreso had been spared all the drug cartel fights till now.
Thursday, December 10
Iowa's Big Storm
From Leo outside Jefferson Iowa. Those sundogs do not appear until it is very frigid!
We keep track of the weather up there in the lands of snow and cold and we reminisce of storms from the past...and the memories are enough for us!!
The two pictures below were gleaned from the online Des Moines Register site. When these big boys get stopped everyone is stopped!
We keep track of the weather up there in the lands of snow and cold and we reminisce of storms from the past...and the memories are enough for us!!
The two pictures below were gleaned from the online Des Moines Register site. When these big boys get stopped everyone is stopped!
Tuesday, December 8
New job
We have taken on a new job here in Magnolia Park. We have agreed to be an after hour and weekend contact persons. We would help people find a spot...if there is one. Answer questions...call emergency people if needed etc. It is a position we saw a need for and offered our services. We are being compensated in an appropriate way for what will be expected. So we are workkamping once again!
Sunday, December 6
Bits and Pieces
Still trying to get warmed up after our cold spell. We participated in the garage sale yesterday and did well with the few items we had for sale. Gained a bit more space in the motorhome but it will fill up fast as it always does.
We picked up a new Verizon phone on Friday and it has a qwerty (full keyboard) so it would be easier to text if we choose and I am not at all sure how much we need to text. I have a computer and to me it seems like duplication of services. It also has a camera and we can send and receive pictures. The Iowa kids said they sent us 2 pictures but they haven't shown up yet in my phone that I can find. Something amiss there. The phone is enough like a computer that I am finding it easier to navigate than the old phone. I sold the old phone on the garage sale for $3.
Butch has been having fun on ebay. He purchased a new driver after much bidding and watching and losing. He finally won. y i p p e e.
I am in touch with several Swedish weavers I have met online. And next Wednesday a few of us are having a gathering in our park. Let's see...originally one is from Michigan, one from California and one from Missouri. The Internet can be a wonderful thing. Oddly enough someone at the garage sale had an old Good Housekeeping needlework book and I looked it over for Swedish weaving and found a few pages on it. I have the book now and we should have fun with that on Wednesday.
Caught up for now...
We picked up a new Verizon phone on Friday and it has a qwerty (full keyboard) so it would be easier to text if we choose and I am not at all sure how much we need to text. I have a computer and to me it seems like duplication of services. It also has a camera and we can send and receive pictures. The Iowa kids said they sent us 2 pictures but they haven't shown up yet in my phone that I can find. Something amiss there. The phone is enough like a computer that I am finding it easier to navigate than the old phone. I sold the old phone on the garage sale for $3.
Butch has been having fun on ebay. He purchased a new driver after much bidding and watching and losing. He finally won. y i p p e e.
I am in touch with several Swedish weavers I have met online. And next Wednesday a few of us are having a gathering in our park. Let's see...originally one is from Michigan, one from California and one from Missouri. The Internet can be a wonderful thing. Oddly enough someone at the garage sale had an old Good Housekeeping needlework book and I looked it over for Swedish weaving and found a few pages on it. I have the book now and we should have fun with that on Wednesday.
Caught up for now...
Friday, December 4
Thursday, December 3
Busy Buzzin'!
Butch and I have both been busy. In the last two days I have had 3 computer repair calls and Butch has had a couple of electrical calls. Butch has been busy cracking and eating pecans we picked up on Pecan Plantation. I made homemade laundry soap. You can find the recipe and products at the following website.
http://www.soapsgonebuy.com
A friend gave me a sample because she uses it too and I love it. The clothes are so soft and that is a problem here due to hard water. It is a bit of a challenge to get it made in the motorhome because of space and container issues but I am going to try it for awhile and see what I think.
Today we plan to go to McAllen shopping. We are due for an upgrade on the phone. I spotted a fiber optic Christmas tree I would like to buy at Target. Butch wants to go to Sports Academy and we need a few groceries.
Tomorrow we have to set up for our annual garage sale. Annual for us, monthly for many in the park. The actual sale is on Saturday and it will be a success because it always is!!
Till next time...or when things slow down a bit. Whew!!!
http://www.soapsgonebuy.com
A friend gave me a sample because she uses it too and I love it. The clothes are so soft and that is a problem here due to hard water. It is a bit of a challenge to get it made in the motorhome because of space and container issues but I am going to try it for awhile and see what I think.
Today we plan to go to McAllen shopping. We are due for an upgrade on the phone. I spotted a fiber optic Christmas tree I would like to buy at Target. Butch wants to go to Sports Academy and we need a few groceries.
Tomorrow we have to set up for our annual garage sale. Annual for us, monthly for many in the park. The actual sale is on Saturday and it will be a success because it always is!!
Till next time...or when things slow down a bit. Whew!!!
Tuesday, December 1
Surprise!
Drum roll please....Our granddaughter Amanda and her husband Brad are expecting a wee one next Spring. This time we may be in the vicinity (Midwest) for the event.
All of our kids are grandparents now...Wow...who knew it would come to this way back when.
Sunday, November 29
The Cactus
The cactus has a story. A few years ago, probably 3, the kids bought me a cactus for Mothers Day. It grew nicely and eventually needed to be repotted. Butch,believe it or not, found the perfect pot for it. It thrived in this pot and now needs a new home. Yesterday we went not quite to Mexico where they sell pots and purchased another perfect pot. I will move it into its new home today. An updated picture will follow.
Thursday, November 26
Thanksgiving
Yesterday Butch and I had a work day. He was doing electrical work for Max who is refurbishing an old mobile home for resale. It is mostly finished. I got the grand tour yesterday for a quarter which I haven't paid as yet. It will make a very nice winter home for some as yet unknown buyer.
I cleaned house and it was long over due. I washed bedding and hung it out to dry. Later then I had to rush out to rescue it when I noticed black Texas snow. A sugar cane field was being burned off and when they do that we get drifting black ash. It stains everything it touches. The good news about it is that it smells like cotton candy you get at the fair. There is an upside to everything which brings us around to Thanksgiving. Giving thanks is a habit for me. Cannot say that has always been true but certainly for the last few years. Every day brings so much to be thankful for it cannot even be counted. So take time today to give thanks for all the great food on the table but also for the thousands of other things too. Some of which may not even cross your mind.
Thanks to all who read this. It warms my heart to know you are out there and think enough of us to care what we are doing. I care about you too and if you email me or start your own blog I promise to read it and be thankful for it.
I cleaned house and it was long over due. I washed bedding and hung it out to dry. Later then I had to rush out to rescue it when I noticed black Texas snow. A sugar cane field was being burned off and when they do that we get drifting black ash. It stains everything it touches. The good news about it is that it smells like cotton candy you get at the fair. There is an upside to everything which brings us around to Thanksgiving. Giving thanks is a habit for me. Cannot say that has always been true but certainly for the last few years. Every day brings so much to be thankful for it cannot even be counted. So take time today to give thanks for all the great food on the table but also for the thousands of other things too. Some of which may not even cross your mind.
Thanks to all who read this. It warms my heart to know you are out there and think enough of us to care what we are doing. I care about you too and if you email me or start your own blog I promise to read it and be thankful for it.
Wednesday, November 25
How to Brine a Turkey: 5 steps (with video) - wikiHow
Interesting...and I may have tried this when I was younger and more adventurous but I think I will do my crockpot turkey again this season instead.
How to Brine a Turkey: 5 steps (with video) - wikiHow
How to Brine a Turkey: 5 steps (with video) - wikiHow
Monday, November 23
Hard to believe
It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is nearly here. It is my favorite holiday. I love the food. You can tell that by looking at me but that really isn't why it is my favorite holiday. I love it because of the meaning behind it. Being grateful and thankful for all that we are blessed with in our lives. Taking time to express that gratitude and all that it means. For me every day is Thanksgiving. My gratitude list is exceedingly long.
Friday, November 20
Thursday, November 19
Wednesday, November 18
Humdrum
No AC this morning! It is a nippy 45. But it is supposed to warm up to the high 70's today. Tuesdays are a busy day for us. We have coffee hour at 9:30 and being an officer of the park association my attendance is required. Golf starts at 11:00 and it is a few miles away so Butch wants to head out at 10:30. We are usually through golfing about 1:30. That includes some social time at the clubhouse. It can be even later when we have more golfers participating. That puts us back in the park by mid afternoon but also puts me in the mood to put my feet up and forget it...bear in mind a morning and afternoon walk in addition to the walking on the golf course. We always try to make the two walks mandatory regardless of how much other walking has taken place. When it comes to walking more is better!
Today Butch plans to get some electrical work done for a couple of folks. I plan to get a haircut. I will have Yolanda do it this time. Kate is my favorite but she is in Atlantic IA. Butch does an okay job in a pinch.
I also have a couple of computer assistance calls to make. One will not take long. The other could be lengthy since she has a new computer.
So now you know what we are up to...not much!!
Monday, November 16
AC
We have had the air conditioner running the past two days but it looks like we can shut it off today with highs in 70's. The weather has been superb since we arrived. The only negative is the bugs. They thrive in this warm, moist environment and the chiggers are the worst! I spray OFF! on my feet and legs every morning before I head out the door.
The only thing that will take care of them is bug spray or a cold spell. We usually get at least one cold spell during the "season" and it usually happens in December or January sometimes but rarely in February. After the cold spell we have Spring!
Sunday, November 15
Picked it up
We picked up Butch's computer this morning and I spent a fair amount of time getting it set up for him. So he is back to having his own to play games and check his email. He does check it more often when it is on his own computer. That doesn't mean he will answer anything just so you know.
It is a cute little thing and hasn't given us any challenges yet. Seems to be zippy enough and Windows 7 doesn't appear to be that much different. I found my way around without a hitch. It doesn't have a ton of hard drive so I do not plan to use it as back up for this one. I have an external hard drive for that tucked safely away. Oops...it does need to be updated. How easy it is to forget that!!
I do not have any idea what I did to this one to make it straighten up and behave itself but it is working fine. I have no plans to make a change until I am forced to. Setting one up for Butch is a whole different ball of wax than setting one up for me.
Saturday, November 14
Butch has a new one
I finally purchased a new computer for Butch. He will have a Samsung Netbook once we go pick it up from Best Buy. He would get enmeshed in Freecell and Spider Solitaire and I would have to scoot him off to get my stuff done. He also missed his settings on his computer-the ones to get him to his financial sites and jigzone and his gmail which he probably hasn't looked at for a month or more.
So after I get it set up for him he will be back in business. Should be most interesting...it has Windows 7!
So after I get it set up for him he will be back in business. Should be most interesting...it has Windows 7!
Friday, November 13
Reseeded
They reseeded the greens at the golf course Butch likes to play best so he hasn't been able to golf much.
Also there aren't that many people here yet. Much lighter in numbers than in years past at this time. Not sure that will hold true all season.
I know of an RV for rent if someone wants to come down. Email me and we can see about details.
Also there aren't that many people here yet. Much lighter in numbers than in years past at this time. Not sure that will hold true all season.
I know of an RV for rent if someone wants to come down. Email me and we can see about details.
Wednesday, November 11
Fun in the sun
We tend to get in somewhat of a rut while here...Tuesdays is golf...Fridays is computer class etc. But what that means really is that life is rolling along smoothly. We both feel well and are doing what we enjoy doing. What more could anyone ask for.
Butch has been doing some electrical work. I have had a few computer calls. We get our two plus miles of walking in every day. Life is good!!
Monday, November 9
Misting
We are getting a mist of rain today. So we are listening to an audio book. Angels and Demons. More Butch's cup of tea than mine.
This was taken this morning on Cherry street.
This was taken this morning on Cherry street.
Sunday, November 8
Sugar, Sugar
This is a sugar cane field. Not ready for burning just yet.
This truck was on the expressway loaded with cane. I assume it is headed for the factory where it is extracted.
This truck was on the expressway loaded with cane. I assume it is headed for the factory where it is extracted.
Saturday, November 7
Solar Oven
So how neat is this!!! I am thinking I would like to have one but I am also thinking I will be told there is no room. Neat though and very interesting.
http://www.solarovens.org/
http://www.solarovens.org/
Friday, November 6
Chicago Hot??
Note* I obtained this recipe from an August 1955 Workbasket Magazine. it
interested me because of a similar one I put together last winter. The salt content
worries me a bit but I plan to cut the recipe in half and try it.
Recipe: Chicago Hot
Category: Relish
Author: Mrs. Theodore Edner-Minnesota
8 C Tomatoes, cut fine
1 C Salt
2 C Onion, cut fine
3 C Celery, cut fine
2 Red and
2 Green Peppers, cut fine
2 C Sugar
1/2 C Mustard Seed
1 qt Cider Vinegar
Let tomatoes and salt stand, covered overnight. In the morning, drain well and add
onions, celery, peppers, sugar, mustard seed and vinegar. Mix, heat to boiling and
can in sterilized jars.
interested me because of a similar one I put together last winter. The salt content
worries me a bit but I plan to cut the recipe in half and try it.
Recipe: Chicago Hot
Category: Relish
Author: Mrs. Theodore Edner-Minnesota
8 C Tomatoes, cut fine
1 C Salt
2 C Onion, cut fine
3 C Celery, cut fine
2 Red and
2 Green Peppers, cut fine
2 C Sugar
1/2 C Mustard Seed
1 qt Cider Vinegar
Let tomatoes and salt stand, covered overnight. In the morning, drain well and add
onions, celery, peppers, sugar, mustard seed and vinegar. Mix, heat to boiling and
can in sterilized jars.
Snippets and a ladybug
You know how you accumulate little scraps of this and that- a meter reading- a recommended book title-tax info that needs filed-recipes- a recommended website ,etc. Well today I started sorting through this scrap pile and ran across a receipt for a package I had mailed on 8/31. It had included a check so went to check out if it had been cashed and it had not so followed up on that and asked for a picture of precious little Nina Grace Cortes while I was at it and got very lucky. This is Nina Grace with her Grandma Donna. You just never know where things may lead you on any given day.
Wednesday, November 4
Tuesdays in Texas
Golf is so much a part of Butch's conversation that sometimes someone will ask me if I play. I usually respond with "On Tuesdays in Texas". So I played yesterday and shot a 41. The first 3 holes I didn't do so well but it improved after that. There were 4 of us from the park who played. That number will expand as the season progresses. I think we had as many as 28 last year.
Monday, November 2
Warm and Wonderful
The weather has been wonderful and the ten day forecast promises more of the same. This picture that I took was through our south window of a mesquite tree with a reflection of a palm tree from the north window. Interesting concept, don't you think? Click on it to make it bigger to get the full effect.
Saturday, October 31
It seems
It seems many of my friends have gone to Facebook. I do have a Facebook page but I have no plans to abandon this blog for it and it remains sparse. Our news and updates will remain here. I find Facebook chaotic and confusing and I am way too busy to "farm" or even help others out with their "farming". Scrolling down to find messages I want to know about is like sorting through spam. The only time I check facebook is if I get a reminder in my email and I may respond at that time. It is easy for me to see who reads the blog and who doesn't...maybe I should just go back to email only.
Hmmm perhaps I awoke on the wrong side of the bed this AM.
Butch went to the flea market. Looking for new golf clubs. Like that is going to help.
Geez...I am grumpy!
This too shall pass....
Hmmm perhaps I awoke on the wrong side of the bed this AM.
Butch went to the flea market. Looking for new golf clubs. Like that is going to help.
Geez...I am grumpy!
This too shall pass....
Friday, October 30
Plunked
When we arrived on Wednesday we felt as though we had been plunked into a hot humid day in the middle of August in Iowa! I haven't sweat that much for a long, long time! And the wind doth blow!! But now a cold front has made its way down and we are considerably cooler. Not supposed to exceed the low seventies today.
Yesterday we went to Mexico for meds. Progresso hasn't changed although they are digging up the street in the first block and replacing sewer pipes. Are they doing it safely? Well no, Mexico hasn't changed that much! We didn't stick around long just grabbed our meds and scooted back to USA. They were being very thorough on the check of the guys ahead of us but we sailed right through the border check. On our return we decided to go to Gonzales Burgers before the crowds get here. We were too late!! The place was packed and we waited just as long as we always do. Butch and I shared a burger and it was plenty for both of us. The prices have gone up though. A humongous cheeseburger is now $4.10.
It takes us a bit to settle in for 5 months and we are not fully settled but we are making progress.
Yesterday we went to Mexico for meds. Progresso hasn't changed although they are digging up the street in the first block and replacing sewer pipes. Are they doing it safely? Well no, Mexico hasn't changed that much! We didn't stick around long just grabbed our meds and scooted back to USA. They were being very thorough on the check of the guys ahead of us but we sailed right through the border check. On our return we decided to go to Gonzales Burgers before the crowds get here. We were too late!! The place was packed and we waited just as long as we always do. Butch and I shared a burger and it was plenty for both of us. The prices have gone up though. A humongous cheeseburger is now $4.10.
It takes us a bit to settle in for 5 months and we are not fully settled but we are making progress.
Wednesday, October 28
Arrived in the Rio Grande Valley
We have arrived in very warm,windy sunny South Texas. We are settled in Magnolia Park. I must say not many people are here yet but a little down time before the deluge starts suits me just fine. I will put the time to good use getting ready for a busy winter.
Our trip down started with a bit of excitement of the negative sort. We use a brake buddy on our car. For the uninitiated, it is a device in the car that puts the brakes on in the car when Butch puts the brakes on in the motorhome. It is an additional safety device. Well the little bugger failed and not in a good way. The brakes came on in the car and stayed on!! Fortunately Butch noticed rather quickly as we have a device in the MoHo that lights up when the brakes in the car come on and we were able to exit I-35 and attend to it. We disconnected it and continued on our trip without incident...except for the wind. 40 MPH headwinds all day. But we are here!!! We saw this H.E.B. truck and took the advice. We went to the store first thing!
We had a fun time in Canyon Lake with the Linders. Butch and Terry played the Fling L golf course in Bandera TX while Lisa and I explored the town of Bandera.
It is full of cowboys,bikers(the Harley type) and old people. It is a very interesting town indeed. I took a photo of an artist who was working in the senior center thrift shop. She had on very interesting pants.
Our trip down started with a bit of excitement of the negative sort. We use a brake buddy on our car. For the uninitiated, it is a device in the car that puts the brakes on in the car when Butch puts the brakes on in the motorhome. It is an additional safety device. Well the little bugger failed and not in a good way. The brakes came on in the car and stayed on!! Fortunately Butch noticed rather quickly as we have a device in the MoHo that lights up when the brakes in the car come on and we were able to exit I-35 and attend to it. We disconnected it and continued on our trip without incident...except for the wind. 40 MPH headwinds all day. But we are here!!! We saw this H.E.B. truck and took the advice. We went to the store first thing!
We had a fun time in Canyon Lake with the Linders. Butch and Terry played the Fling L golf course in Bandera TX while Lisa and I explored the town of Bandera.
It is full of cowboys,bikers(the Harley type) and old people. It is a very interesting town indeed. I took a photo of an artist who was working in the senior center thrift shop. She had on very interesting pants.
Tuesday, October 27
Rain Day
Yesterday was a rain day so we spent it in San Antonio. We enjoyed a shopping expedition with friends Terry and Lisa Linder. It poured rain all day but with the promise of sun and dry for Tuesday it didn't seem too bad. Butch and Terry have golf plans for today.
Sunday, October 25
Movin on down
We left the Pecan Plantation and our friends Mike and Sharon Bryce and moseyed on down the road to Canyon Lake TX...north of San Antonio.
When we open the door of the MoHo and hear the twirling chirp of grackles we have arrived in sunny South Texas!
When we open the door of the MoHo and hear the twirling chirp of grackles we have arrived in sunny South Texas!
Friday, October 23
Swedish Weaving Class-Granbury Texas
I met Cindy a few years ago online through a Swedish weaving site on Yahoo. I met her in person last year about this time. I told her we were in the area and she told me about her class so I stopped in yesterday afternoon.
Shortly after this photo was taken Cindy poked herself with a very large needle (the blood really spurted!)and had to go for medical attention. So our visit was cut short but Cindy is okay and will live to weave again.
Shortly after this photo was taken Cindy poked herself with a very large needle (the blood really spurted!)and had to go for medical attention. So our visit was cut short but Cindy is okay and will live to weave again.
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