A busy two days

As I get older the time just picks up speed! And it seems like it takes me more and more time to get things done!
I have been working like crazy the last two days and virtually none of it shows. Look at www.thunderbayresort.blogspot.com to see what I just finished. And there was much more around that little snippet than you see.

Hole number 3 through the treesThis is a shade garden made up of plants that do well in the shade.

I did get my walk in this morning and took a few pictures.

Flower garden near the number 4 tee box

Butch's Troubles

Butch is golfing in a fine drizzle. It rained last Wednesday morning and so the seniors were unable to play. So here we are again and it rained most of the night and now there is a fine drizzle. He just teed off with his group on hole number 4. He has his rain gear on. It was beautiful yesterday and probably will be tomorrow. That is how it is with outdoor addictions. Accepting what is can be a challenge. I sound so sympathetic. 
And now about our yesterday. Butch went with me on our morning walk and then later we went into town for lunch at Lickety Split. It is an ice cream shop that also sells meals. Light meals mostly. But Marsha did say that if you do not see what you want on the menu ask me and I probably can get it for you. We both had breakfast as they serve breakfast any time of the day. Butch had biscuits and gravy which he gave high praise. And I asked for one scrambled egg, one pancake and one sausage patty. At a restaurant in Jefferson Iowa (Uptown Cafe) they call that a one on one and it is a favorite of mine. Marsha was right she was able to do that for me. And it was very good, especially the pancake. The outside was real crispy like mom used to make.
We then went to Alpena on a fact finding mission and grocery shopping. First we went to the Alpena visitors center and picked up info about local attractions but especially about bike trails. I had looked on the Internet but I wanted in-hand maps and it was the best place to get them.
Then we came back to the RV park at Thunder Bay Resort, a top notch park by the way, and out current home.

Our Monday

Butch and I put in some serious time yesterday tackling the cobwebs on the decks of the suites. We also painted the inside of the globes on all the lights a nice yellow color in hopes of discouraging the bugs. This little chore on just one of three buildings took us 5 hours. It wasn't difficult, just time consuming.
I finally got around to checking out the website of one of our fellow workkamping couples. Howard and Linda Payne. And all I can say is WOW. They are young, much younger than I thought. The older I get the worse I am at judging age of others. These two were born the same year as Jason , our youngest. What they do and how they do it is on their website and it is one of the best put-together websites I have seen on the subject of RVing and the full-timing lifestyle. Their line of thinking and ours coincides despite the 20 year age difference. As you can tell I was impressed. You can find their website at http://www.rv-dreams.com/. I encourage you to look it over pretty thoroughly. Linda makes and sells jewelry so all you jewelry lovers will want to check that section out.
After we wiped out as many spiders as possible, we came home and put our feet up for a bit. We had chicken for supper and I used a trick of Kay Stilsons. She does an egg coating and then rolls the chicken breasts in crushed French-fried onion rings. You know the ones you buy in a can. Fried them in a bit of canola oil. They were very, very good. Butch loved them! We have been eating at home more than we do when we are anywhere else. I am not that crazy about cooking but it is cheaper and healthier and I hope to continue the trend.
This place is well set up for walking. Their are several routes one can take where the roads are less traveled. I had Butch drive the two routes I have been using to find out mileage and one is .9 tenths of a mile and the other is 1.6. Two great choices.

Elise's Day with Gram and Gramps

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Chet's Habit

Last night we had some free entertainment (donation) and I thought they were pretty good. When we were trying to promote the event we looked for some info on the Internet for this group and there was none . At least we could not find any.
So now there is...at least a little bit.

Ethan and his Grandpa Jason

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Tonights Supper

It looked so good I had to take a picture. Tasted as good as it looks too! Iowa Chop, Coleslaw and Sauted Spinach

I have my blog back

For awhile I was posting to this blog more as if it belonged to Thunder Bay Resort but no longer. They have their own and it can be found at www.thunderbayresort.blogspot.com. I am posting to it too so for the full picture you will have to visit both but then I know there are many of you out there who will.
Butch is thrilled with being able to play golf almost anytime he wants to. He seems to be the most content here as anywhere we have ever been. There are plenty of other reasons to be here. Other things to do and places to see.  I do not feel that I have become as acquainted with the place or the area as I would like to be. I hope that can change soon. Weather has been a bit of an obstacle. Been getting more rain than I would like. You have to remember I could easily become a desert rat. I liked the desert.

Butch tees up.

Busy as Texas

I am quickly becoming nearly as busy as I am in Texas. Everything will smooth out soon just a bit frantic at the moment. I will be posting to a blog that has been in existence since July of 2008 but also has had no new input since then either. So far I have had a bit of trouble accessing it but once those issues are resolved I will be off and running. You can find it at www.thunderbayresort.blogspot.com
As I say there isn't new content yet but keep checking.
I will also be working on a staff newsletter. For me that one is a bit more of a challenge.

Butch had a good birthday yesterday but he was disappointed because both golfing events scheduled were cancelled due to rain. We seem to be getting plenty of it. I know the rest of the Midwest is as well. This too shall pass. We hope!!
Received an email from friends Bill & Kay Stilson. They missed that tornado in Ohio by 2 miles! Much too close for comfort.
Till next time...

'Nother Rainy day

This is Butch's birthday and he was scheduled for golf this morning but it was cancelled due to rain. It rained much of the night. It is starting to lighten up a bit.
As soon as I finish this post my plan is to help Paul and Mary set up a blog. They are staying in the RV park. They hail from Winnemucca NV and are new to the lifestyle. I suggested a blog to keep in touch with folks and they had been wanting to get one started.
Gotta get to Alpena to pick up Butch's birthday cake I ordered the other day. I planned to serve it at couples golf tonight but with the weather we may be dealing with lots of cake.
After we get back from Alpena I am going to get started on a newsletter for resort staff. I have had ideas swimming in my head for a few days. Should be fun to see if I can get it all to swim in sync.
Till later in the day...

Thunder Bay Sweet Napa Salad

Thunder Bay Sweet Napa Salad
A perfect summer salad. (one of our favorites here at the resort) Original recipe from Jan Matthias, Thunder Bay Resort's culinary artist.

Salad ingredients:
1 or 2 heads Napa Cabbage, washed, dried,sliced
8 Green Onions, chopped
1C. Drained Pineapple Tidbits
1/2C. Dried Cherries
1/2C. Toasted Sliced Almonds
1/4C. Toasted Sesame Seeds
2 Pkgs. Ramen Noodles, crushed
- Prepare Napa cabbage. Add all ingredients in order as listed above. Toss.

Dressing:
1C. 90/10 Canola/Olive Oil
1/2C. White Vinegar
1/4C. Brown Sugar
1/4C. White Sugar
2 Env. Seasoning Mix from Oriental Ramen Noodles
1/2 Tsp. Dry Mustard
2 Tsp. Molasses
2 Tsp. Soy Sauce
1 Tsp. Salt
1/4 Tsp. Pepper
1/4 Tsp. Paprika
-Whisk all ingredients in order as listed above in a bowl until no separation occurs. Toss slightly before serving to coat salad thoroughly. ENJOY!!!

I could eat this salad as a meal by itself!!
Our entire menu was:
Five Course Dinner Menu:
Shrimp Cocktail & Pear/Apple Crepe
***
Jan's Hearty Homemade
Chicken Noodle Soup
***
Thunder Bay's Signature Sweet Napa
Salad and Butter Croissant
***
Crown Roast of Pork and Pan Roasted
Red Skin Potatoes
***
White Chocolate Mousse Filled Pizzelles
With Fresh Raspberries

Barb

Carriage Ride, Elk Viewing and Gourmet Dinner

This is a Picasa Album- Click on it to see all the pictures and then you can choose slideshow or you may choose to click on each picture individually. Any problems viewing the pictures let me know.
Last evening was a 4 hour event and we so enjoyed every minute of it. The meal for me was the highlight and the ultimate gourmet experience. As by definition it was a feast for all the senses. And surprise of surprises Mr. Pickypants ate everything placed in front of him with the exception of 2 of the 3 shrimp served. Those he offered to a fellow diner. And what's more he enjoyed it all too.
It would be worth the trip up here for this event alone.
Another surprise last night was when we found out Jack's birthday is the day before Butch's in the same year as well. Jack's birthday is today and Butch's is tomorrow.
June 8th and 9th of 1941

Good Morning Sunshine

Butch is out playing golf this morning. He planned to yesterday but the off and on rain put the kibosh to that. Feel sorry for the boy? ...Me, either.
My morning started off slow. A little on the chilly side and it seems my bones and muscles all seize up and  do not want to put any zippiness in me. But the sunshine has now warmed things up and all is fair inside and out. I did get my walk in and that always improves my outlook and energy.
We workers had our end of week meeting last night and there were a few concerns discussed. It seems some are not happy with the lack of structure for us. They want a start and end time and a definite assigned task. It hasn't been or worked that way in the 5 years they have had  volunteer workers and my guess is that it will not start now. Hey, we learned some things at SMR. You can't come in and change things that work for them and are long standing. And wonder of wonders Butch has not had one complaint thus far.
After all this discussion I looked on the assignment sheet to see just what I was supposed to be doing and there staring me in the face is Barb B.- ' MONTHLY NEWSLETTER'. Had not given it one seconds thought since I have been here! So now I am on it. I thought perhaps it would be something I would assist with but I asked Jack this morning and no, there isn't one now and no one is doing it. So I am it. I am up for the task once I gather the content. That project starts on Wednesday.
Tonight Butch and I get to go on the carriage ride, elk viewing, gourmet dinner event. It takes 4 hours!! That will give me plenty to post tomorrow.
In one of the flyers promoting the event are two of the recipes they will be serving tonight. I will get those posted later today.
Till then...

Raining this AM

Butch is mowing greens this morning and it is raining off and on. They need rain desperately here so no one is complaining. Least of all me!
We have been here a week today and  getting nicely settled in. One of the big differences between here and Snow Mountain Ranch is the contact or should I say lack of contact between we volunteers/workers. At SMR we met each other usually at meal time and we do not have the same situation here so I am trying to think of a way to remedy that. Everyone is very friendly at the resort and everywhere else as well. Good old fashioned Midwest hospitality is everywhere.
 I am always impressed by the cleanliness and the green of the Midwest and it is oh so true in Michigan too. People always ask us where we like best and there is no answer for that because each area has its own reason why we love it and we love it all for different reasons. It seems I always like best wherever I am!!

Look Through

If you look very carefully and make this photo larger by clicking on it you can see our MoHo and bicycles behind the trees. This is a shot from the other side of the #3 green.

This shot of 'trees kissing' was taken near the hot tub. I plan to get some folks sitting in the hot tub before I take pictures of it.

Butch is earning his keep doing some electrical work. I was helping...Yes, I was!!

For Brad T...a new Daddy who cooks

Coffee and Molasses Brined Pork Chops

2 cups water

1 1/2 cups chilled strong brewed coffee

1/4 cup kosher salt

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons molasses

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 cup ice cubes

4 (6-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)

1 cup hickory wood chips

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

8 teaspoons Pepper-Garlic Spice Rub (recipe follows)

Cooking spray

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until salt and

sugar dissolve. Pour salt mixture into a large zip-top plastic bag. Add

ice and pork; seal. Refrigerate for 3 hours, turning the bag

occasionally.

Soak wood chips in water 1 hour. Drain well.

Prepare grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to medium-high and

leaving one side with no heat.

Place wood chips on hot coals. Remove pork from bag; discard brine. Pat

pork dry with paper towels. Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon salt over pork. Rub 8

teaspoons Pepper-Garlic Spice Rub evenly over both sides of pork. Place

pork on grill rack coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat;

grill 2 minutes on each side. Place pork on unheated side of grill;

grill 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from heat. Let stand

5 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

CALORIES 254 (31% from fat); FAT 8.7g (sat 3g,mono 3.9g,poly 0.9g); IRON

1.8mg; CHOLESTEROL 107mg; CALCIUM 50mg; CARBOHYDRATE 3.8g; SODIUM 584mg;

PROTEIN 37.7g; FIBER 3.1g

Pepper Garlic Spice Rub

2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon Hungarian sweet paprika

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage

1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground red pepper

Combine all ingredients. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Green, Green Exceedingly Green

Butch had to scrape the mattress off his back at 5:30 AM and all who know him can imagine how much angst that caused him but he did arise to the occasion so he could learn to mow greens. I have lots of catching up to do on many things one of which is laundry. Also had to call XM radio because I noticed an unauthorized charge on our credit card. After that we had to get a cake ordered for Butch's birthday next Wednesday. So I had better get laundry in the works...later.

Oh and the Elk is not real but there are real ones here. Will get pics when I can.

Great Grand Elise- 3 weeks old

Aaaaaaw...

Quilters

Quilt Retreats are one of the many activities offered here. The quilters look so intense so they must be having a good time! When one is concentrating intensely the look on your face can be a bit misleading.

Big smile here!

Butch and friends in the river

From left to right Randy Sadler, Butch Booker and Howard Payne