Happy New Year 2023!!

Gonzales (no name) Burgers

 Last week sometime we had the timing right to stop into Gonzales Burger on Silver avenue in Donna Texas. We have been there many times over the years but due to Covid and many other things it had been years since we had been there. There is no name on the outside of the building so you usually are introduced to the place by someone else. It is not a place you would just stumble upon by accident even though the place has been in business since 1945. 

They have a given amount of hamburger that they sell and when the meat is gone they are closed. They open at 10:30 AM Monday through Saturday. 

Butch and I order one cheeseburger and fries. I cut off 1/3rd of it for me and it is plenty for both of us. Their prices have gone up over the years but they are still worth the money.

We were surprised to see the sprucing up done to the place. Maybe I should correct that to I noticed the changes. Butch didn't seem to notice.

Here are some photos I took while we enjoyed our very tasty burger:

New Clock

 I have wanted to buy one of these clocks ever since we moved here. I do not have a bedside table on my side of the bed, and I am used to half opening one eye during the night to check the time. I think that is a habit of light sleepers. So it was delivered yesterday and Butch has a reputation for reading directions and getting things set up in the proper method. I do not have that reputation. Now the time appears large and clear on the ceiling. I love it! 

Lime Jello with Cottage Cheese

 This recipe has been around for a long time and I ran across it a few weeks ago and decided to make it for Christmas dinner. I did not think Butch would even touch it because it has cottage cheese and pineapple and those are two things he would never consider edible. But then he tried it and liked it! Surprise! I love the stuff and cannot leave it alone.

Lime Jello with cottage cheese

Ingredients

3 ounce package lime gelatin

1/4 cup granulated sugar optional

3/4 cup hot water

8 ounces crushed pineapple = 1 small can, undrained

1 cup whipped topping defrosted

1 cup cottage cheese

Instructions

Dissolve gelatin in sugar and hot water.

Stir in pineapple and chill until mixture begins to stiffen, but is not firm.

Whip lime mixture using an electric mixer. Add cottage cheese and beat all together.

Fold in whipped topping.

Pour in a flat pan, we use a square 8 x 8 or 9 x 9' pan. Chill.

And then...

 We had a very pleasant holiday with friends Alex and Renie. After our dinner when we all ate too much food, we played cribbage and then we played the card game Golf which I have grown to like and we finished up the day playing Bridge. 

It was reminiscent of the holidays at the Brooker house, not the Butch and Barb Brooker house so much as the J.R and Marion Brooker house, Butch's parents. Every holiday and even just a visit it would not be long before a card game was in progress. It was the way it was and all frequent visitors knew it was going to happen. I loved his parents. 

When the bulk of your life is behind you instead of in front it brings about reminiscences of nearly everything. And when you see Grandma or Grandpa dosing in their chair it might be they are having a peak back at 1950 or some other decade and enjoying the show.

And that's the way it was, and is!

Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas

 I imagine that many of you are busy getting the details of the Christmas celebration just right for friends and family and we will be too when the time is right. We are having friends come over as we did for Thanksgiving.

Now that we have some age on us we look back on those long-ago Christmas celebrations remembering some more vividly than others. Looking back takes on nearly as much importance as the here and now at times. So remember the memories that were and the ones you are making now and value each in a special way. Merry Christmas to all!

What a difference a day...

 ...makes. Yesterday, Renie and I were sitting on her deck discussing the condition of her foot/ankle she suffered an injury from the week before. She had just received word she could safely put some weight on it so she is on the way to recovery. 

I walked over to her place, sun shining, jacketless, beautiful south Texas day. Everyone knew we would be giving up the temps in the 70's for those old familiar "up north" temps in the 30's We were all bracing for it. They predicted 28 degrees with strong north winds. Butch and I showered early and then watched TV. We heard it coming. The wind arrived in full force and we watched the temperature drop each degree and then the lights went out. That will bring everything to a halt. We did have our kindles so we both read for a while and then went to bed.

We were grateful we showered before the lights went out! The lights were out for about an hour as we could tell by the clock when it came back on. I woke up at 6:00 am and noted the outdoor temp was 32. I set the water for a slow drip to keep it from freezing and I just noticed the temp is now 31 so it must still be on the decline.

Fortunately by Monday we will be back on track with our weather.

Misc. Photos

 Bootsie likes Butch and she is a bit fussy about who she does like. Bootsie is the pet of Paul and Sally Kelleher. She is perhaps the fattest cat I have ever seen.

I have taken up a new hobby this winter. It is called Diamond Art. I like doing it very much but I can see where eventually it will be an issue as to what I do with it after I have finished it. It is a bit like painting by number using beads. These are coasters and the first project I tried.

 

On our first trip to Mexico this fall I took a picture of the Rio Grande River as we walked across the bridge.

Another Bootsie pic...

How Trivia Works...

I wrote this as a promotional object for Trophy Gardens but decided on putting it here in case some of my peeps in Jefferson want to share it with friends for next summer. Once people find out it is Pub Style they seem to have more interest in it. I have to agree that other formats pale by comparison.

How Trivia works:

The trivia we play is called Pub-style. We play 4 rounds of 5 questions each with 5 different categories. ( Sample; Animals, Sports, Geography, Presidents, Movies) There are teams of 8 people playing. The number of people on a team may fluctuate, however having more people is not necessarily an asset. It is a courtesy of the teams to make sure all team members have a chance to share their input. A number value (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) is assigned to your answer and the numbers may only be used once for each of the 5 questions in a round. The point values are double in round 4.

Anyone may come to play and if you do not have a team to join we can help you find one. Everyone is also welcome to come and observe.

The rules are simple. 

Please do not shout out the answer.

No Cell Phones. One answer per team, one team per table.

All answers are final. No answers or point values may be changed once your answer slip has been given to the host. We will put in the smallest available value if your answer slip doesn’t contain a point value.

Tuesday Trivia is played in the Main Hall at 6:30 PM. Hosted by Barb Brooker and Renie Stinson- Ya’all come now, ya hear!

Sunday Mixed Doubles Pool

 Eleven pairs came to the pool hall Sunday afternoon for some mixed doubles pool. The goal of this event is to meet new people or get better acquainted with the ones you already do know and play a great game well if it works out. Bottom line- we have fun!

Scores: Barb Brooker/Alex Stinson, Gayle Steinbeck/Elmer Hanke each had 8 wins

            Sally Kelleher/Don Riley-7 wins

The next two Sundays land on holidays so the next Mixed Doubles event will take place Sunday, January 8th. The sign-up sheet will go up on Sunday, January 1st with room for 12 couples or pairs to sign on. Play begins at 1:00 pm.

See you then!

Barb Brooker/Sally Kelleher

Tidbits

 Butch and I went to the pool hall yesterday so I could hone up a bit for today's Mixed Doubles. He plays about 3 times what I do here and I can get rusty in between sessions. Yesterday I told him, "I sure hope this woman comes with me again tomorrow!" I was playing quite well. Time will tell. My friend Sally and I are hosting the event. Bev who does it every week would like a break from it so we will be alternating with her. It is a social event more than a competitive one and that can get lost sometimes. It is a great way to get acquainted with people who may not be in your circle and/or new to the park or the pool hall.

A cold front has made its way to the border and they say an even colder one will be getting here this coming week. This morning temp was 53 and I didn't think it would be that high. They were predicting 40's. Tiz what it tiz. I am crossing my fingers that this winter improves on the last one. Our new abode is toasty and as long as we stay home it remains pleasant.

Trivia is going well. Last week we had 4 teams and the winning score was held by Team Smartypants with 144 for the second week in a row. Maybe a Team smartierpants will come along and get them off their pedestal. I have done the trivia contest for several years now in at least 4 different locations and there is always one team that leads the pack. It is all done in fun however the win is a bit sweeter when it is your team doing the winning. Come join one of the teams! They would all welcome you and you might be just the person they need.

My New Life is...

 Not keeping up. Too much to keep up with every day. I am on the spinning wheel that is sometimes seen in comical commercials. I have a benchmark birthday happening next March and I think I got there ahead of schedule.

I do have the laundry caught up, if I had stated that two days ago. Renie and I have been walking most mornings. Fog, rain, and cold will stop us but we try to make it on all other occasions.

Trivia is going well. We have a core base of 4 teams. And as it always is, there are many choices of activities and decisions that must be made to hang onto and which to perhaps save for another time.

Pool is going somewhat well. There are times when I shoot lights out and times when I cannot hit my butt with both hands. Pretty much like real life.

Tomorrow Butch plays pool with opponents outside the park and I have a fairly clear day.

Thursday is a great day because we go to the Massage School for an hour-long massage. I am very much looking forward to it. Jason tells me there is one in Ames Iowa so we might have to get acquainted with it next summer.

Till next time...

Patio Sales

 Parkwide Patio sales were today and we had some items we did not use and were taking up space so we put them out. They were items that were too good to throw away but not worth a whole lot either so we said everything was either free or a dollar. We made $5. It was fun visiting with everyone.

More later...maybe...

Taken in 2017

I took this photo in 2017. These are our 3 boys. I stopped by Rich and Gary's Facebook pages to see if anything new was posted. Nope! Jason doesn't even have a Facebook page. I found this photo on Rich's. He is in the middle, Gary on the left, and Jason on the right.

These 3 guys are the very best of Grandpa's.

For your Veggie Tooth

 When you have had your fill of seasonal sweets you might want to satisfy your "Veggie Tooth" and there is no better way to do it than with Cucumber Salsa. It is surprisingly good. I add some dill weed to it but it is fine without it. It is suggested that you eat it with Scoops. Frito Lay scoops are pricey and I have discovered the HEB brand ,Texas Dippers, are as good, maybe better, and quite a bit cheaper.

We are living in the very best place for fresh produce too. So now is the time. It might sound like I have a vested interest but I assure you I do not even though I sound like a commercial. 

Cucumber Salsa 2

Dice 2-4 large cucumbers- I take the seeds out.

Dice 6-8 Roma tomatoes-Again I take the seeds out

Dice half red onion-whole if you enjoy more onion flavor

Mix 3-4 TBSP Vinegar with one packet of dry Ranch dressing mix.

Mix together and let it sit in fridge overnight.

Enjoy with Scoops

Have you noticed?

 I have quit grumbling about the weather. There is nothing to grumble about. It could stay this way for the rest of the season and I would be surprised and very happy. Daytime highs are in the 80's and nighttime lows are in the 60's! Yeah!!

Pecan Pie Bars

Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients

12 sheets graham crackers

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups pecans, chopped

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F and line a 9×13 baking sheet with foil sprayed with vegetable oil.

Line up the graham crackers tightly (break crackers to fill in any gaps).

In a large saucepan on medium heat add the butter, brown sugar, and salt.

Bring to a boil and stir constantly for 3 minutes.

Add in the pecans and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.

Stir in the vanilla extract.

Pour the mixture over the graham crackers.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and let the pan sit – do not try and move the foil.

Let cool completely before breaking apart.

Notes

• There are so many variations for this recipe that you can make an assortment based on your preferences.

Ideas for Variations

• Crust: Instead of using graham crackers as the base try using broken up pieces of vanilla wafers or saltine crackers. You could also use various kinds of graham crackers like cinnamon graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers.

• Nuts: Although this recipe is based around Pecan Pie, you could make it with any kind of nuts. Try using almonds, walnuts, or a mixture of your favorite nuts.

• Maple Syrup: Pecans and maple syrup make a great combination. To bring that into your bark recipe replace the vanilla extract with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.

• Bourbon: To make a boozy Pecan Pie Bark try adding in 2-3 tablespoons of bourbon at the same time you add pecans.

• Chocolate: Toss in a cup of chocolate chips to the sauce pan to melt in with the butter, sugar, and other ingredients to make this into a Chocolate Pecan Pie Bark.

Keeping Bark Fresh

• Serve: You can keep the bark at room temperature for up to a week. Keep the bark covered or put it in an airtight container.

• Store: To keep them fresh longer, you can keep the Pecan Bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

• Freeze: Bark is also a great recipe to make ahead of time and freeze. Put the broken-up pieces of bark in a freezer bag separated by parchment paper. It will keep well for up to 6 months.

 

Where we have been in November and stuff

Every month I get a rundown of the places we have been so I decided to take a screenshot so you too can see where we have been in November. Just for fun.

Little wrinkles appear in one's life every now and then and we had one this week. We went to Weslaco to pay a tax bill ($58). The bill was in the former owners' name as if it had never been transferred to us and we did not have the title. If it was mailed to us we had not received it. So the wrinkle begins. With the help of the people who handled the paperwork for the sale, we were able to get it done. Thank God for their help because we would have been in a much bigger wrinkle without it.

Dealing with government entities can be a challenge in the best of times. So now we have a title, the bill is paid, we are listed as the owners and they have both of our addresses. Done deal, after 3 different offices in 3 different locations. But it is a done deal and that is the good part!

Trivia is going well. The winning team last night, Team Smartypants, had a game total of 144 points. That is the highest score I have seen in quite some time. I told them some team might come along and take their smarty pants off of them! We do have a good time despite the winners and losers. It is more about the comradery and friendship than the scores anyway. We always welcome new folk and you can come as a single and join up with a team or you can observe if you prefer. We hope you give us a try. Tuesday nights in the main hall at 6:30 pm.

Christmas lights

 Butch finally got around to getting decorations up.  So I took a few photos.

This is my favorite one.

From the street...

On the deck atop the fridge.

Our inside tree...it is a mini

His job is done!

 

Bill and Sandi's, our next door neighbors

On the street where we live...