... : 2004

Friday, December 31, 2004

Just received this message from some folks up north- Hello Barb:
We just wanted to tell you we really enjoy your Magnolia Park Website. We live at Hancock Iowa and you have featured our folks, Dick and Dorothy Brandes, in the "Party Bunch" Pictures on Dec 28th and today Dec 31st. I hope that "Party Bunch" isn't TOO WILD, LOL! We have not been able to visit the folks in Texas yet, so it was nice to see the great pictures of the Park on your nice website.
Wow, and a White Christmas in Texas... those pictures were great too.
Our son Benjamin is serving with the Iowa Army National Guards in Afghanistan, so I'm going to forward your website,via email, onto him so he can see what Grandpa & Grandma Brandes are
doing in Texas - (PARTYING) HA!
Thanks again for helping us keep in touch with our folks, keep up the great work!
Ken and Jane Brandes
Hancock, Iowa 51536

Runza Casserole

We were discussing this recipe last night. I haven't made it in quite some time but I have the ingredients on a grocery list. When it is just the two of us, I cut the recipe in half. It also reheats well but the leftovers never last long. I have received some good humored flak about recipes but this one is different-trust me!

Runza Casserole
Yield: 12 Servings

2 lb. Hamburger
2 medium Onions, Finely Chopped
4 C. Cabbage, Shredded
Salt & Pepper, To Taste
2 tubes Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
1 lb. Mozzarella Cheese, Shredded

[Note: One of my standby recipes. One that Butch is always happy to
see on the table. ]
Brown hamburger and onion, drain. Put cabbage on top of meat and let
steam for a few minutes. Add salt and pepper. Using one tube, spread
the crescent roll pieces over bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan. Spread
hamburger/cabbage mixture on top. Add layer of cheese. Using the second tube of crescents, put pieces on top of cheese. Bake in 350 F. degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, covering with foil the last 10 minutes to soften the crust

Remember the party bunch? Here they are again at a different location!

This fluffy feline lives with the Hahns.

If I knew my geography a little better I would have known Singapore was not affected. But we have heard from Manuel and here is his message. hello barb,
yes thanks we did survive!
thanks for your concern..........it would be ironic that a weblog fan of urs be killed the day after u meet him......lets not allow it to happen ...LOL
u can't get rid of this mexican soooooo easy lah!
take care of urself toooo
cheers
manuel and wife santha

Thursday, December 30, 2004

If you are having a problem seeing past entries look for the Archives on the lower left side of this page. They will be listed by month. I am placing two days only on the main page to accomodate those with older, slower computers. But if you check the Archives, past entries should all be there.

Remember the post from Manuel from Singapore? He saw the blog and wrote to me about all the fun it looked like we were having down here. Well, I wrote to Manuel to see if he was okay after the tsunami because I do not have a good idea exactly where he was located and I have not received an answer. Manuel, if you see this blog, please let us know you are okay.

Wednesday, December 29, 2004

The swans are back at the Schildberg quarry on the northwest end of Atlantic. A program will be held on Thursday at the quarry talking about the swans.

I "picked" this off of the Atlantic News Telegraph website. Attention Cass County Iowans.

Hometown Newspaper

Your hometown newspaper may have an online version. To check it out go to this site

I have run this before but thought it worthy of putting it to your attention again.

Pidgeons on a wire between Center and Texas Street

Do You remember Edna?

Edna Anderson has been trying to rid the west side fence of sandburs. She has spent endless hours digging away at them. Edna used to be a resident of the park but had to move due to the number of pets she adopted. She still lives nearby.

Early morning dog walking. I was hoping to get a good shot of these two dogs together since they are both poodles. We had a bit of fog early today.

John and Barb with friends from Casa Del Sol.

Today's funny: A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet and says, "My dog's cross-eyed, is
there anything you can do for him?"
"Well," says the vet, "let's have a look at him."
So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then checks his teeth.
Finally, he says, "I'm going to have to put him down."
"What? Because he's cross-eyed?"
"No, because he's really heavy."

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Tony Spagnuolo was saying "Hello" to his neighbors, newly arrived Delbert and Shirley Weise. There have been so many new arrivals in the past two days it seemed like everytime I went for a walk there were new ones.

On my evening walk I spotted a party. I have seen parties at this spot before! I think they get together often.

Goldie and Joey are the pets of Glen and Thelma at 476 W Pecos Street.

Joey

Goldie

Here is the 10 day forecast for all of you wondering what our weather is like after our White Christmas.

Monday, December 27, 2004

Gigi

This pampered pet, Gigi lives with Herb & Pat Jones at 2 Cherry Street. The sunlit halo effect was a happy accident.

Sunday, December 26, 2004

I do not know what this cottony looking plant is but it is growing on the west fence.

I finally got a good picture of the little brown puppy. He is so cute but so very skittish.

Molly belongs to George and Edna Morgan. Molly has an extensive wardrobe and she has needed to wear many of her outfits the last few days.

A couple of interesting items from the news last night. It was the first white Christmas EVER in the Rio Grande Valley. It sure was a surprising coincidence. Second- A freeze does not hurt the citrus crop. In fact it seals in the juice. The ground crops however, such as cilantro are wiped out.

Texas Snow Photos

Webshots Community - barbie1943's Photo Home Page
I have created a new album of Texas snow pictures. They are mostly the same pictures here. It is just another spot to find them.

Saturday, December 25, 2004

The Lorings- Don & Marilyn

So they posed for this one.

These ladies were having an informal chat and I caught them but they wanted a second chance soo....

Dishing up desserts

Table Decorations put together by the crafting ladies

An email I received from Manuel hi barb, greetings from sunny singapore.....
i am manuel and my wife is santha,
we come across ur blog this morning really enjoyed the great pics!!! U all look like u are having such a wonderful time.
I want to let u know of our BED AND BREAKFAST here in SG. we have been in opperation since "99" , thats when i moved here. I am from Mora, NM and my wife is from Malaysia. Just pass on my address to all those frens who might be interest in coming to Asia for travel......thank u.
is the place in Donna Tx. one of the retirement communities? sure looks wonderful?
cheers
manuel