Ho Ho Ho and Happy New Year to y'all

Well, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that everyone is looking forward with great hope and enthusiasm to 2009 - despite the rather bleak economic outlook. Keep in mind, it's just money - unless you don't have any!!

We had a nice Christmas season here at Woody Acres.

My friend Kathy and I ran the gift exchange here at the park. Those participating bring a wrapped gift in the $5-10 range. Each person got a number when they arrived. The gifts went on tables in the center of a large circle of chairs. This year we had 67 participants - up from about 40 last year. We ran it last year and everyone had so much fun that the word spread this year. Then we drew number to determine who selected a gift first. They opened their gift and displayed it to everyone and had to keep it in sight in front of them. The second person did the same and so on. At any point a person could choose to "steal" a gift that is open rather than to take one off the table. A gift could only be stolen twice - the first time it got a green DOT - green for GO. The second time it got a red DOT - red for STOP. At that point it belonged to the person who had it and was no longer in play. When a person's gift was stolen, they then got to either take another gift off the table and open it or they could steal a different gift. Lots of wine, candies, nuts, salami and cheese were popular gifts and made their way around the circle until they got their red stickers. There were lots of laughs, lots of good-natured whining and teasing, and all-in-all everyone had a fun time. Let's face it, a $5-10 gift is just for fun since none of us in RV's have room for or NEED anything!

We were invited to Becky and Roger's for spaghetti on Christmas Eve. After we played a few games of pegs and jokers, we headed out to Keith and Cheryl's (Minnesotans) for their Christmas Eve open house. They used to be in the park but a few years ago bought land and built a home here in Fulton. They open their home to friends from the park as well as other friends from their church etc. - there are usually at least 40-50 people - on Christmas Eve for Tom & Jerrys. Everyone brings some goodies to share - lefsa, cheese and crackers, cookies, other snackies, etc.

We had Christmas dinner at the clubhouse. We pay $4 each and the park provides roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, as well as coffee and iced tea. Everyone brings a dish - vegetables, salads, desserts, deviled eggs, relish trays, etc. etc. Certainly no one went away hungry. Then, at 5:30 we all went back and had an instant replay of leftovers. There were bread and rolls for those who just wanted a turkey sandwich but there were still salads, potatoes, stuffing, and gravy, vegetables, etc. Good food and lots of fellowship. When we walked home after lunch, we were pleasantly surprised to find a rosy spoonbill in the pond by our "house." A spoonbill is a pretty pink bird that is in the area but not too common so it's fun to see one up close - see picture above.

Friday morning at 5:30 a.m. four of us gals (Becky, Cheryl, Kathy, and I) headed to Corpus Christi for the after Christmas sales. Macy's opened at 6am so we headed there first. Cheryl decorates her main tree with crystal ornaments (Waterford, Sarovsky, etc.) so she was on a mission. We also hit JC Penney, Dillards, Stein Mart, Tuesday Morning, and had lunch at Macaroni Grill. Back in Fulton, we made a stop at a wonderful store called "Shop the World." Each of us found a few things but Cheryl came home with the mother lode - she will have lots of new Christmas decorations for next year - haven't heard what Keith had to say about her purchases . . . .

Saturday was, as usual, pizza with the group and then poker in the evening. It was a good night for both of us. I held pocket aces on the final hand and they held up so I padded my lead and ended up first. Chuck cashed in at third so it was a good night for both of us. It's always fun to play but it's more fun to win!

Finally getting this posted! Been too busy having a good time to sit down at the computer and finish what I started a week ago!!! We're leaving tomorrow morning for two weeks in Orlando FL = meeting Chuck's brother Jon and his wife Phyllis. Taking the computer along so will be "connected" while there.

Keep warm - more later . . .

I could start by whining about the weather here - we have had a couple of cold and windy days - but since I have already had a phone call and an e-mail complaining about the weather in Wisconsin, that probably wouldn't be well received! People in Wisconsin would be out in t-shirts if the weather got back up in the 40s!! Anyway it's 60 here now and supposed to be in the 70s the next few days and back up to 80 by Monday.



Not much new here at Woody Acres - cards ( I was high score at bridge on Tuesday among 4 tables - whoo whoo!!), bingo (both Church and I won Monday night for a grand total of $12.50 - neither of us won on Wednesday night). Yesterday morning the clubhouse kitchen was open for cookie baking - the park provided flour, sugar, oatmeal, eggs, shortening, salt, baking powder, baking soda, etc. etc. We just had to bring the "special" ingredients for our particular recipe. There is a group going caroling around the park tonight so they made up bags of cookies for the shut-ins - the elderly people in the park who can't get out much due to illness and disabilities. They are having turkey soup after caroling then a small Christmas program and cookies in the clubhouse. So filled the bags, left trays and containers of cookies in the clubhouse for tonight, ate a few (had to try each other's recipies), handed out a few to all the men who trooped through stating "it smells good in here", and brought a few home. Good way to bake since neither of us needs to have a whole batch of anything sitting around to tempt us!



Well, we've been here two weeks and we're already planning to go somewhere else! Chuck's brother Jon and sister in law Phyllis had been talking about going to Florida for a week or two to escape Cleveland's winter. We offered to meet them and use our Hilton points for a condo. I started looking for cheap airfares and checked on Allegiant Air which we flew last year from Duluth to Las Vegas. Found that they fly out of McAllen TX - a bit of a drive but doable. Got tickets to Orlando for $29 per person each way - YES, $29!! Our total round trip for the two of us with taxes and fees is $170. Got on the phone to Jon and they are also flying Allegiant out of Toledo OH for $59 per person each way. Then got online and reserved a two-bedroom Hilton condo on International Drive for two weeks. Don't know what we will do while there - may just play it by ear. I'd like to do a day at Epcot - haven't been there in over 20 years, and maybe an airboat ride through the Everglades

Last night we were watching the National Finals Rodeo on tv from Las Vegas and decided to talk with friends Kathy and Bryan about taking a bus trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show in February. We have never been to the rodeo there and Billy Ray Cyrus is performing the day of the scheduled bus trip. Would be a new experience!

Well, stay warm and keep repeating, "Spring will come, Spring will come."

Winter Texans

We made it! We arrived in Fulton TX about 4:15 p.m. yesterday. We headed straight to Panjo's to meet the group for pizza. No problems on the trip down - just some rain and a few crazy drivers. After pizza we headed to Woody Acres to park the rv and head over for Texas Hold'em. Chuck took 3rd and I took 4th so we both made a few $$ - good beginning.



We had a good last few days in Branson - another day at Silver Dollar City with great weather and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at 76 Country Buffet. I can't believe they can prepare and serve such delicious food for SO many people. Turkey, ham, prime rib, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with pecan praline topping, green bean casserole, beef stroganof, barbequed chicken, catfish, carrots, fried okra, corn, etc. etc. and to top it off, pumpkin pie, apple pie, warm blackberry cobbler and warm pecan pie cobbler. They were open from 11am to 8pm and the line was huge all day but moved steady. My hats off to the cooks and staff!



Today we are getting set up. Last night we just parked and plugged in the electricity. Today we straightened up, leveled, hooked up water, sewer, etc., got the grill out and set up, the DISH TV set up, and I worked inside: setting up the computer table and the computer and printer, putting up Christmas decorations, arranging all my STUFF, and making my grocery list for my first trip to HEB (a big Texas grocery chain).



It's always fun to get back with our Texas friends - we call them Texas friends even though they are from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, British Columbia, etc. Tuesday night is the free fish fry that Fulton-Rockport puts on to welcome back it's "Winter Texans." Becky and Roger got us tickets and volunteered us to work with them again last year. It's more fun to "work" than to just go and eat. Tonight is game night - we play a game called Pegs and Jokers with a group, tomorrow afternoon is cribbage and tomorrow night is bingo here at the park - etc. etc. We've been "officially" welcomed by our friendly geese - Clyde a grey goose and his/her pal, Little Goose, a white goose - they were over this morning begging for bread. Yes, bread is on my grocery list!



As I just told Chuck, DISH TV is up and working, wireless internet is up and working - LIFE IS GOOD!



Keep in touch

Linda and Chuck

Branson, Missouri

We hit the road for the winter on Saturday, November 15. After final packing, a last-minute check of RV tires, and readying the house for winter without us, we hit the road. We went as far as Osceola IA. We intended to stay at a RV park near a casino just outside of Des Moines but found that it had closed for the winter (it used to be open year-around) so they called ahead for us to make sure the one at Osceola was still open. We made it to Branson the next day and settled in at Treasure Lake RV Park.

I found out that Danny O'Donnell was performing here - we have just missed him several times - so I called immediately to see about tickets. We were able to get tickets for Tuesday and absolutely loved his show. He is an Irish singer who has done several programs for public television. He is very charming and has a beautiful voice. He had a female Irish singer performing with him - Mary Duff. They will be taping a new show for public television this coming Monday so I would urge you to keep watch on public television for him.

Wednesday was a beautiful, warm day so we headed out to Silver Dollar City. We never did go to the truck for our jackets - it was in the mid-60s most of the day! We headed right down to see their production of A Dickens' Christmas Carol. It was an hour-long musical production with special effects, beautiful costuming, excellent voices - really well done. We also watched a cute stage show that gets the little ones involved - Frosty the Snowman. We browsed the shops, watched the evening light parade and watched the music and light show including a five-story Christmas tree on Main Street. We will probably head back out there again on Wednesday to see a couple of shows that we didn't get to last week and buy our season tickets for 2009.

Yesterday we headed up to Springfield and stopped at a big antique shop and spent some time at the huge Bass Pro Shop. We got gas on the way home for $1.58 9/ per gallon - the lowest we've paid so far.

I think we will go downtown today and walk through Branson Landing. There are lots of bus tours in town this time of year to see Ozark Mountain Christmas and to shop at the outlet malls.

More later . . .
Linda

AppleFest Weekend

Friday, October 3
It's AppleFest Weekend in Bayfield, WI! Friends Karen H, Pat S., Phyllis N., and Judy F. left on
Friday morning (unfortunately Carol J., Pat J., and Alice P. were not able to join us- we will miss them). Our first stop was Bargain Bill's in Rice Lake, then on to Spooner for lunch and a stop at Dahl's Furniture and Gifts. From there we continued north to a quilt shop in Trego, Simply gift shop, wonderful fabric and yarn shop in Gordon, nice gift/yarn shop in Solon Springs, and the Bunkhouse Shop in Iron River. We visited Karen's friend's farm to feed carrots to her horses - they were a bit wary at firest but soon were pushing each other aside to get more than their share. We then headed to the cabin to unload our STUFF before it got dark. On Bark Point Road we encountered a flock? of ten orphan ducklings - Karen had been watching the family for the past two weeks so knew the mother duck had been hanging out with the little ones on the road near her cabin. Apparently the mother had been killed and and the little ones had been rounded up at least once and taken back to the farm but probably were looking for Mom - so sad! Well, Karen hauled out a cardboard box from her trunk and she, Phyllis, and I (mostly Karen) rounded up the little ones, put them in the box, and Karen took them back to the farm
from whence they came. The guy gave her a small jar of honey as a token of thanks!

After unloading and staking out our beds, etc. we headed back into Port Wing for dinner at a local bar/restaurant. Fresh Lake Superior Whitefish, pork tenderloin and shrimp, nice soup and salad bar - a very good dinner. On the way back to the cabin, Karen was driving slowly and carefully since this is deer and bear country. Suddenly in the middle of the road was a BOBCAT! Because weren't racing down the road, he was able to get out of the road in time. How exciting - none of had ever seen a bobcat in the wild before. Back at the cabin, we had a great time relaxing, talking, laughing, and eating yummy Crumb Cake for dessert. A fire in the stove made for a very cozy, warm setting. Finally, we gave it up and headed to bed to be ready for Bayfield tomorrow.

Saturday, October 4
No one is in a big hurry to get moving this morning. Coffee drinkers need their morning fix - I'm satisfied with a nice cold Diet Coke! There are yummy muffins and caramel rolls for breakfast. Mid-morning we finally get moving and head to Cornucopia for stop at the harbor to see if Leonard is there with his rustic tables, lamps, and coatracks. He was there! and I think he was looking for us. Karen bought two tables and Pat bought one. They loaded them up and headed back to the cabin to drop them off. Meanwhile, Judy, Phyllis and I headed up the road to a thrift sale at an old motel and from there to the coffee shop. I had French Vanilla Chai tea and a yummy brownie while waiting for Karen and Pat to return. From there we headed toward Bayfield, turning around to stop at a booth just outside of town with baskets, wild rice, and carved wood items. They were very nice people--she is from the Bad River tribe and he appeared to be Norwegian. She made the baskets and he did the carving. Several purchases later we were on our way into town. We parked close (thanks to Judy's handicapped parking permit), and headed to the gazebo. We split up and headed out to do our own them at the craft show, etc. Karen met up with friends from Owen and had lunch with them. We met up at the appointed time and hit some of the shops. The highlight?!? was when Phyllis located the type of purse that her daughter had given her and we had all been admiring (aka coveting!). We all descended on the little shop and after endless consideration, discussion, reconsideration, etc. we each chose our particular style and color and left satisfied with our purchases. The ladies in the shop were thoroughly entertained with our selection processes! Deep fried cheese curds, fish kabobs, carmel apples, apple dumplings were just some of our "treats" from the many street vendors. Satisfied and exhausted, we headed back to the car and back to the cabin. Dinner was Phyll's hotdish, Karen's barbeques, Linda's pumpkin roll - good comfort food. Another evening of conversation, laughter, and sharing with good friends.

Sunday, October 5

Summer in Wisconsin

July 2008
This weekend was Family Reunion - my father's side. It was fun to see cousins and cousins-several-times-removed (our grandfathers were brothers - not sure what that makes us!). Good times and good foor. We had been Up North picking wild blueberries earlier in the week so I made my mom's blueberry coffeecake with butter sauce for the reunion. Wild blueberries are SO much better than the commercial ones - no comparison.

Also this week we had the first home-grown sweet corn of the summer. What a treat! Two of my very favorite summer things - wild blueberries and sweet corn - in the same week!! It just doesn't get any better than that. Oh, yes, and the first ripe tomato from the garden. As you will come to see, I travel on my stomach. lol . . .