BACK HOME

Happy Friday!!

My sister Nancy is back home again. She spend a week's vacation in Florida with a friend. Wednesday her husband Larry and I went to pick her up. We had to drive to Pensacola airport. It takes about an hour with mild traffic. It's not the 25 minute trip to Bishop back home.

The airport did not have many waiting or arriving to fly to somewhere. The economy is affecting everything including air flights.

Nancy's airplane landed about 15 minutes late. She was safely on the ground, but no luggage came with her. While switching planes in Alanta she along with about 5 other passengers had 3 minutes to make their next plane to Pensacola. She told me she knew right then she wasn't going to have luggage when they landed in Pensacola.

After giving the needed information to the Air Trans clerk, she was promised the delivery of her luggage from the next Air Trans fly. Air Trans was to deliver it before morning. We were on our way to get something to eat.

Nancy and Larry have been to Pensacola many, many times and knew of a restaurant we could get a good fish sandwich. We stopped at Sami's. I had a grouper sandwich on bun with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion. A side dish of coleslaw. The sandwich was delicious and so filling.

After eating Larry wanted to show me Joe Patti's right across the street. It is a place that sells fish, fish and more fish. Every kind and size of fish you would ever want to buy. Fresh on ice. There was shrimp (all sizes), squid, shark, octopus, snapper, grouper, salmon and many I can't even remember. If you couldn't find the fish you wanted to buy then their is something wrong.

This is a look inside Joe Patti's. At least one side of the store. People are viewing what fish they want to purchase. Right across from the fish area is a store with homemade breads. All kinds of specialty products, wines and just about anything that would make a nice seafood dinner.

Cooked Cut Octopus Pulpo was in the freezer unit. I decided that was not something I wanted for supper. How about you? I really should have read the label to see if it told us how to prepare this octopus pulpo.

Next, we checked out the fishing boats. Joe Patti's was right up front. They were all docked for the day. I'm sure they go out early morning to do their fishing. We were able to walk all around the building and there were many more fishing boats.

Back on the road we arrived back in Gulf Shores around 5 pm. We couldn't let the night go by without a game of Hand n' Foot. I have to tell you the women (Nancy and I) WON!

"Goodbye until later".

LITTLE RED BIRD

This blog is for my friends and family in Michigan. Soon you will all see all the birds that go south for the winter in the green trees and bushes.


This red bird was outside my window the other day just sitting in the brush. Not a care in the world. I'm sure it's a cardinal but it is so small.
It must be getting lots of worms because it's quite fat. It is a male because they are bright red.


I was sure once I took a picture and the camera flashed it would fly away. That was not the case it seemed like it stayed in the bushes for ten minutes.


Hope you enjoy!


"Goodbye until later".

STARTING A NEW PROJECT

I am starting a new project. I call it a sweater. The pattern calls it a jacket. Whatever, I've checked my gauge and sure hope it turns out so I'm proud to wear it in public when I complete this project. The pattern is nothing difficult but knitting clothing is not my forte.

It is called Sirdar and is knit from 5 balls of yarn. The pamphlet is call Country Style DK . This pattern comes from West Yorkshire, England. It was a pattern I found at a yarn shop in Davison and loved the look.

I am using Bernat Satin yarn. As you can see I'm not very far. The color of yarn looks burgundy. It is called Bordeaux on the yarn label.

The back is where you start and then a raglan is shaped. This should keep my hands active while I'm sitting for a while.

"Goodbye until later".

COUNTRY CARNIVAL AFGHAN

I finally finished my strip afghan after two months of crocheting. I started this afghan before Christmas and worked on it on our road trip coming to Gulf Shores. Since we've been in Gulf Shores I have crocheted every night and every time I'm watching TV during the day or just chatting with my sister. I like to keep my hands busy.

I am very glad to have this afghan done. I am tired of working on it and tired of looking at it but I was determined to finish it before starting another project. I ended up buying two more skeins of yarn while I was down here as I didn't have enough.

I crocheted the afghan from a book called Magnificent Mile-a-Minute Afghans. The pattern was called Country Carnival. Red Heart Worsted yarn was used. The pattern called for 15 strips and that is what I made but I did make it 10 rows longer. I was hoping it would be long enough to cover Denny's 6' 5" body. The picture really doesn't show the yarn color good but it has greens, tans, and blues in the main color. White is the contrasting yarn.

It will cover Denny's body with some left over. So, this afghan is officially Denny's and now out of my hands. Now I can decide on my next project.

"Goodbye until later".

THE RAISING OF THE CHANDELIER

Today Friday, January 23, 2009 was the raising of the chandelier. My sister and brother in law have very high cathedral ceilings (15 foot)in their dining room. At the top was track lighting (one) over their dining room table. This did not bring enough light upon things.

Denny had promised when he came down for our three months stay he would put a new chandelier up. Today was the day for the raising of the chandelier. First, lots of measuring took place before he started this project. Next, they decided a 12 foot ladder would have to be rented to work on this project. I don't think I've ever seen a 12 foot ladder. Larry and Denny went to the Rent All store and a 12 foot ladder was rented until 4 PM. This project better be done by 4 PM or something is wrong.

Next, Denny climbs the ladder while Larry is on the other side keeping it steady. While Denny is at the ceiling he hangs twinge with a bolt on the other end to determine where to install the chandelier. As the twinge with the bolt sways he finally determines the best spot. Before the project can continue Larry and Denny must go for something that they might screw right end. This doesn't surprise me because no project goes as planned. They came back empty. No place had what Denny was looking for.

A hook was then placed the hold the chandelier while Denny wires up the light. I can hear Denny and Larry laugh and joke as they proceed to work. The chandelier is hung and measured from the floor and from the table. It's beginning to look good and it's not anywhere done.

Next Denny begins to wire up the light. Electricity off. This is no easy task while standing on a 12 foot ladder. He says it's hot up there. Good thing he's doing this project in the winter and not summer. Well, before he continues we take a lunch break.

Back to the serious work at hand. In 5 minutes it's wired up. The electricity is turned on to check if the chandelier works. The glass shades are put on and the light bulbs screwed in. Denny turns on the wall switch and NO LIGHT. Opps! the switch on the chandelier was off. With one turn of the switch and there was LIGHT.

Oh boy! does it look nice. Just take a look at my picture. We're going to try it out tonight and see just how well we can see playing cards under it. As always Denny has done a nice job.

THINGS I FIND DIFFERENT IN AL FROM MI.

• "Hey" means "Hi"
• "Tee, tee" means "Pee, pee"
• The size of an ant hill.
• The size of pine cones.
• Ask for a soda or Coke if you want a pop or Pepsi.
• Instead of a donut shop you go to a Beignet shop.
• The sand is white in AL.
• Road kill is armadillo instead of skunk or possum.
• If you make a scheduled service appointment the time is seldom met.
• The first name of most males are initials.
• You'll never go into a hot restaurant. (I always need my sweater).
• The time zone makes the news come on an hour earlier.
• You can play golf all 12 months of the year.
• In our conversation we say " We are going to take you to wherever". In AL they say "They're going to carry you to wherever".
• You'll never see a Whooping Crane in Michigan.
• Pine Straw (Pine needles for mulch).
• Live Oaks with spanish moss.
• I haven't had any, but they have fried oreos and fried pickles.

GRANNY SQUARE AFGHAN

Ya Hoo!! I completed my granny square afghan last week. When I decided to put the squares together I discovered I was missing one green square. It takes 4 different colors of yarn to make one square. I just happened to bring 2 skeins of green yarn with me. I was thinking I would use up the yarn and make a pair of slippers. I had the black skein of yarn because that is the color I had to use to put the squares together. But I was missing another color green. A lime color. What was I going to do?

Anita said she would look to see if I dropped a square while packing or send any yarn I might need. The problem was I knew I didn't have any of the color of yarn I needed left at home.

This is when having a sister came in handy. Of course you need a sister that knits and has a stash of yarn. I asked Nancy if she thought she might have a green skein that would help me complete my square. She was sure in her stash there would be someting I could use. The skein I needed was laying right on top of her stash. The exact color that matched my other green squares. I still can hardly believe it, but within an hour and my sister's contribution to the one green square I needed I completed the square I needed to finish this afghan.

It took me a week to put this afghan together. After laying the squares out on my bed to look like the finished project. I than began to overcast the edges of each square with right sides facing together. Once each row was put together. I now had to began to attach the rows together.

I do like the way the granny square afghan turned out. This is the first of my projects I brought with me to be completed and it will come in handy with the cold nights while we're in the trailer.

"Goodbye until later".

"SEEING STARS IN DIXIE"

Seeing Stars in Dixie was a play preformed at the South Baldwin Community Theatre. We went to this play Thursday night.

The time was May, 1956, during the filming of the movie Raintree County on location in Natchez, Mississippi. All of the action took place in Clemmie's Tea Room located in dowtown Natchez. The cast included Clemmie, a widowed proprietor of a small tea room. Tootie, a take-charge kind of person in any crowd. Glease, a man more comfortable in the company of woman. JoBeth, a beauty-queen wannabe prone to diasters. Majorie, a socially prominent lady-about town.

The theatre is run by volunteers. The cast is madeup of volunteers. The price is right, $15 adults for reserved seating.

There was a break between acts. The audience then was able to stretch and enjoy coffee, water or punch with cookies or crackers. A donation was welcome

We enjoyed the play and will go to the February and March plays when they are showing.

"Goodbye until later".

TAKE ME BACK TO THE FIFTIES

A girlfriend of mine sent this video to me per my email address. It brings back lots of good memories.

This is one of the best 50's video's I've seen. You will enjoy this. But only if you were in our generation or very close . . . and if you were not in this generation--listen and eat your hearts out . . . It was one of the best of times . . .

Happy Friday!

http://oldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheFifties.htm

"Goodbye until later".

ONLINE

Finally I'm online again. Don't ask me what the problem was because I have heard so many opinions and each person had a different account. My opinion is I don't really think the people running the wireless know what they're doing. Things run much slower in the south and it takes much longer to get things done.

No wireless service from Friday until Wednesday. I need and want my wireless on my computer. Without it I can't check my email, go to Facebook or post on my blog, read other blogs. This is my connection with friends from Michigan. I know I could call but when I write an email I seem to find more things I want to say. I get on the phone and forget to ask or tell the person many things I wanted to. Going to facebook lets me read what friend are doing and view their pictures. My blog lets all of you reading this find out what Denny and I are doing.

Friday, January 9th we went to Erie Meyer Civic Center in Gulf Shores and saw "River Rats" (Picture above). This was a Branson style show with music and comedy. The tickets were free. The city of Gulf Shores wanted to show their thanks and support this year, the past and the future. The River Rats are made up of three men. Don Mellon, performed with Grandpa Jones and family for seven years on Hee Haw. Don Jones performed with Novel Felts and the late Charlie Rich. Brent Moyer writes his own songs and has been on Broadway. The group has been together for ten years. They played a variety of old songs including western, swing, blues, ragtime, ballads and old pop tunes, topped off with rib splitting clean humor. Denny and I enjoyed the show and would recommend going to see them if your are ever where they are preforming.

Denny has joined a Michigan horseshoe group. I'll post more on the horeshoe group later. We continue to walk and ride our bikes. We have gone to the movie Tuesday and saw Grand Torino. I give this movie a 4 star. If your a fan of Clint Eastwood movies. You'll enjoy this movie. I am almost finished with the granny square afghan. I'll post a picture when completed. I also am in the process of finishing my strip afghan. Then I'll be onto another project.

"Goodbye until later".

NO WIRELESS

I usually don't post on Sunday but I thought I better take advantage of my sister's connection to the Internet.

The wireless is down in our RV park and in order for me to post I'd need to go up to the office and use one of their computers. I cannot post as well doing that. I need to have my own space to think as I'm typing. So, for the time being I won't be posting until our wireless is working.

The office tells us it is the cables that go to the tower. They have the ok to fix but need to get someone to do the work. Well, the work in the South is slow. And I have no idea when they will be getting someone in to do this work for them.

I will just let you know as soon as the wireless is working I will do some more posting.

"Goodbye until later".

MONSTER MOUNDS

Monster mounds, that is what the Baldwin Register calls them. We saw many of these mounds on our way down to Gulf Shores once we were in Alababma along side of the highway within several feet of each other.

These mounds can get up to 18 inches high. The Baldwin Register writes that as the weather gets hotter and driver, red ants burrow deeper into the ground to reach cooler temperatures. I really didn't think it has been that hot so far. It is warmer than last year.

Fire ants build these mounds everywere. The picture I attached is of a mound at WalMart in Gulf Shores. Caution must be taken when walking around these feisty little creatures. Within a matter of seconds, an unsuspecting hand or foot can be covered with hundreds of the stinging pests. After latching on with barbed mandibles they sting repeatedly with their spiked tails, releasing a fiery venom published by Baldwin Register.

I hope I am never a fictim of these red ants.

"Goodby until later".

MICHIGAN CLUB

We have been coming to Gulf Shores, AL for nine years and this year we decided to join the Michigan Club. Each state has a club for their residents to meet other snowbirds from that state. It costs nothing to join and you can reap the many activities that can be joined, volunteer or trips that can be taken.
I filled out our registration card and took it to another table to get our name tags and a calender of activities. Denny went to buy raffle tickets for the donations that would be passed out. As we're looking for a place to sit Joe (from Midland) came up and wondered if we wanted to sit with their group. Joe and his wife Gail (exercise leader) are 2 trailers down from us in the RV park we are staying.
Many tables were sat up so you can sign up for golf, horeshoes, lunch specials, Pensacola dog track, trip to the casino, and the list goes on. There will be 2 Michigan meetings each month. There is coffee and donuts available for all who would like them before each meeting.
The meeting was brought to order at 10AM sharp. Officers are introduced and requests are made for volunteers to take over for some of the officers that want a break. The pledge allegiance to the flag was next and then the leader of each group of activies came to the mic to tell about the activity, the date, time and where to sign up. This probably took an hour.
We next got up to stretch. This was much needed. Before ending, the president, with the help of some others called out the raffle ticket numbers and the many, many donations were passed out. We didn't have one of the lucky numbers being called out but, it was fun to hear were the winners were from. If you did win a donation you were asked to stand and holler out the city you lived in Michigan. I think the yoppers won the most donations.
It was announced there was 517 members sign up for the Michigan club. This number is down from last year. Believe me I don't know where they would have seated anymore.
I am sure we will meet many people from Michigan and find many things to do because we joined the Michigan club.

"Goodbye until later".

NEW RECIPES

I found a couple of recipes in the Baldwin Register. We are in Baldwin county while we are in Gulf Shores. I was told this is the largest county in the US. I put each of these recipes in my Master cookbook on the computer. I'm also going to share them with you.

MEAL-IN-ONE
2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 large bag frozen hash brown potatoes
1 16 ounce container sour cream
1 24-ounce container cottage cheese
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Brown ground beef, onion and green pepper in skillet. Drain. Season with salt and pepper.
In slow cooker, layer one-third of the potatoes, meat, sour cram and cottage cheese. Repeat twice.
Cover. Cook on low for 4 hours sprinkling Monterey Jack cheese over top durning last hour.
Serve with red or green salsa.
Note: For a cheesier dish, prepare another cup of shredded cheese and sprinkle 1/2 cup over the first layer of potatoes, meat, sour cream and cottage cheese, and another 1/2 cup over the second layer of these ingredients. 6-8 servings

If I make the above dish for us I will have to divide the recipe in half. Also, I would not want a cheesier dish but some of you might want it cheesier. Your choice.

EASY CROCK POT STROGANOFF
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pound beef sirloin or stew meat, cubed
1 can beef broth
1 cup sour cream
12 ounces egg noodles, cooked
Combine soup, broth, and beef. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Switch to high and cook for 3-4 hours. Add sour cream and cook 20 minutes more. Serve over hot buttered noodles

This recipe looks especially easy and one I'll try while we are down here. I like recipes I can put in my crock pot, go have fun and come home to my supper. I will diffently let you know if I make either of these recipes and I'll look for more new recipes to post.

Let me know if you try either recipe.

"Goodbye until later".

TROUBLE UNDER THE SINK

Monday afternoon was spent trying to stop the pipes under the kitchen sink from dripping. I suppose we should expect when we travel 1,080 miles with this fifth-wheel to have something jar around and come loose. But it was not an easy fix. Nothing ever is.

I have found over the years that my husband can fix most anything but his patience are very short when things don't go his way. So, I just hold the flashlight and listened to him express his feeling about these pipes.

It wasn't only our pipe line but we discovered that the water faucet was leaking also. Of course he brought many tools with us, but the wrench that would have worked the best is home so, that doesn't help matters. Also, when your 6' 4" tall and have bad knees trying to work in a small area can test your patience.

Finally, after struggling for an hour Denny decided to go and get some new plastic pipes to replace what was there. That meant a trip to Lowes. That probably took 45 minutes. He also bought new sink baskets while he was there. The old ones were plastic. After Denny installed the new pipe and stainless steel baskets in no time the dripping was fixed.

One problem fixed and one more to go. Now Denny had to figure out why the faucet was leaking. After taking it apart he decided we'd just go get a new one. Back to Lowes we went. Yes, I went this time to make sure it was one I liked. It had to have a faucet with a sprayer and it had to be installed with three holes in the counter.

We now have a new Moen stainless steel single handle faucet with side sprayer (see photo above) but, Denny wasn't finished yet. The directions said easy installation. Easy enough if the flexible hose we bought would connect to the hose that brings the water up to the faucet. Yes, you guessed right another trip to Lowes. First, I made supper. Denny started this project at 2:30 PM and it's 5:30 PM by this time. No man can work on an empty stomach.

As soon as we're done he was off to Lowes one more time. Lowes sales people helped Denny find a connector and shut off valve. Within a half hour things were put together. The connection was still dripping. At 8 PM the problem still wasn't solved and I told Denny it is time to quit for the night.

This morning we went out to breakfast and then went to Petersen's RV Sales and Service. Denny bought a new connectors with different seals. We then went to Home Depot and got longer flexible pipe. As soon as we got back to the fifth-wheel Denny had everything hooked up in less than 5 minutes. The short of the long story there is no more drips. Denny said "I guess if you have the right parts then things work." He would have gone to Petersen's yesterday but there business hours are 8:30 - 4:30. By the time he knew he didn't have the right parts they were closed.

"Goodbye until later".

FOUR MILES

At the moment I am sitting in our fifth wheel at the table with a bottle of water trying to cool off after walking 4 miles. It's Sunday and the weather is warm and sunny. There is a nice biking/walking path in front of our RV park. I had taken a week off from walking and decided not to put it off any longer. Denny would usually walk with me but he feels like he is getting a cold. So, as soon as we got home from church I changed my clothes, put my visor, sun glasses and walking shoes on. But before I headed out the door I grabbed my ipod and cell phone.



It's 2 miles up to the corner. I had the path pretty much to myself as I'm making my way down the path. I pass one couple going in the opposite direction. The time seemed to go right along as I listened to Malice (audio book) on my ipod. As I'm walking I'm thinking it's amazing how green the grass is and trees are all leaved out. We had a thunderstorm last night and the ground is still damp and the air is humid. Not many water puddles as the ground is so sandy it seems to disappear fast.



This path is much more challenging than our walking route at home. Lots of curves and a couple of hills to climb up and go down. This gives my legs much more of a workout. At home we are mostly walking on flat ground except when we enter the park path.



The path down here is black topped and centered between the houses and Fort Morgan road. The road has lots of traffic but gives me a sense of security. One can never be to careful.



Once, I reached the corner I called Denny to tell him I was going to look in the book store. That way I could cool a little before heading back. I didn't think to bring some $$ or I could have went to Burger King and bought a drink.



The book store is combined with a video shop. I first checked the cookbooks (mostly southern titles) out along with the 50% off table. Next I check out knitting and beading book. After 10 minutes I decided I'd start back.



As soon as I'm on the path I started to listen to my ipod. This time I'm listening to Allan Jackson but then I thought this would be a great time to call my younger sister. Susan lives in Michigan. I could find out how she was feeling. The last I talked to her she had a cold. This was a great idea because before I knew I was in front of our RV park. Talking on the cell while walking was like I was walking with her. It sure passed the time and I found out how her weekend was going while I walked. The best part was I got my 4 mile walk in.



"Goodbye until later".

HOME FOR THREE MONTHS

After 2 1/2 days, 1,080 miles, 2 audio books and a tired bottom we are now in Gulf Shores, AL our home for three months.

We finished listening to "Judge and Jury" by James Patternson. Another good book. And again I have to say Nathan you would like this book. Well, really anyone that reads much would enjoy these two books.

We woke up to rain this morning and it was 50 degrees. We had a nice breakfast at our motel of eggs, sausage, waffles, coffee, juice and a donut.

We were on the road by 8:15 AM. It didn't take long and we drove out of the rain. By the time we drove through Montgomery it was sunny and 62 degrees. This was the only area that they were doing road work. Of course no one was working today just alot of orange barrels.

As we quite driving we would run into rain and then it would become sunny. But it was not long and we came to Hwy. 59. After leaving the expressway and driving on Hwy. 59 it takes about another 45 minutes before we are in Gulf Shores. We decided to stop and have lunch.

When we finally arrived at the RV park it was 2:30 PM, sunny and 76 degrees. We are now all hooked up, everything in it's place and just taking it easy. It feels good to finally be here.

Nancy (my sister) had us over for supper tonight. It was so nice to talk and caught up on things with her and her husband. Now it's time for me to go to bed.

"Goodbye until later".

ALABAMA

We are now in the state of Alabama. We're spending the night at a Quality Inn in Pelham, AL. We arrived here about 6:30 PM Alabama time. We gained an hour. Denny wanted to get through Birmingham tonight so we are south of Birmingham.

The first time we came down here we stayed in a motel one night (it's usally so...cold) and stayed in our fifth-wheel the next night after it had warmed up. Last year with me recovering from a broken foot and Denny's arm hurting from a pinched nerve we spent both nights in motels. This year we decided we'd do the same. That way we don't have to hook up and unhook. We get up, get eat some breakfast and we're on our way.

We have decided New Year's Eve and New Year's day are the days to travel. Especially when your pulling a fifth-wheel. Very little traffic going through the bigger cities. Nashville, TN has six lanes and usually all six lanes are full of traffic but not today. So, I could just sit back and crochet. Usually I've got my eyes on the road. You'd think I was driving. I enjoyed going through the larger cities much more this time.

This morning we left at 8:30 after having breakfast and the temperature was 21 degrees. One hour later and we were in Kentucky. At 1PM we stopped at Springfield, TN at a Cracker Barrel for our dinner. The temperature was 46 degrees and sunny. We still wore our coats. When we crossed into Alabama the temperature continued to rise to 56 degrees and all day it was sunny. At the first rest area we could get out without needing our coats.

The last time we filled up with gas we had drove 791 miles total. I'm sure it's a little more as that was before we went through Birmingham and stopped at Pelham.

Tomorrow our destination will be Gulf Shores, AL. We plan to arrive early afternoon. We take 2 1/2 days so when we arrive we aren't so whipped we can't set up and get things settled.

We finished listening to "Lifeguard" by James Patterson. Excellent book. Nathan you would like that book. After lunch we started listening to "Judge and Jury" by James Patterson. His books are so large that it will take us all the way on our journey tomorrow.

"Goodbye until later".