'Nuff Said

Chico's Story

Through the screen door-

Chico's owners Chet and Irma Johnson have had Siamese cats in the past and they were without a kitty to love for awhile. Irma had her heart set on a flame (orange)-point Siamese and she was going to hold out for one. They went to shelters and told their friends they were looking for a flame-point Siamese kitten...all to no avail.
This fall they came to Texas and there was a "white" kitten wandering around the park for several days. Cynthia Daigle took it upon herself to find a home for the kitten and someone told her about Chet and Irma so she took the kitten to them and they exclaimed with delight because it is indeed a flame-point Siamese. Chico is happy to find a home with them and they are happy to have him. Isn't it strange how things work out?

Shower Tip

There are many people here in Magnolia Park who use the public showers and when I saw this tip I thought there are probably quite a few people here who would find this info handy.
Click here for shower tip

Our weather warning-Winter will arrive

ANY USE OF FIREWORKS THIS NEW YEARS HOLIDAY WILL BRING INCREASED WILD FIRE RISK FOR ALL OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY. IF USING FIRE WORKS...MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS...KEEP FIREWORKS AWAY FROM GRASSY AREAS...AND KEEP WATER OR A HOSE CLOSE BY THE IGNITION. ALWAYS HAVE ADULTS PRESENT WHEN DISCHARGING FIRE WORKS.

A STRONG COLD FRONT IS SCHEDULED FOR PASSAGE THROUGH THE SEMI- TROPICS AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT NEW YEARS EVE... DRIVING WINDS NORTH AT 20 TO 30 MPH AND BRINGING DRY...COLD AIR TO THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY. GALE CONDITIONS ARE ANTICIPATED TO DEVELOP WITH SEAS AT 12 FEET OVER OUR MARINE AREAS BY SUNRISE TUESDAY.

A high of 58 and a low of 36 for January 2- BRRRRR

For more...

If you would like to see more Christmas eve pictures look to your left on this page and click on Brookers Webshot Albums and you will be led to the Christmas eve album.

A Magnolia Christmas Eve

Naughty Kids on Christmas Eve-Shirley as the mother and Pat and Roy are the kids



Taking your picture Ho Ho Ho!


Nice selection of snacks


Wanna trade days??

Merry, Merry

From all the folks at Magnolia Park
The women folk and maybe some of the men folk too are preparing finger food for our Christmas eve party at Allen Hall. There will be lots of treats for everyone and we are looking forward to tingling our taste buds.

The Wildemans

Hey, we are all decorated and ready for Christmas

Info

If you are seeing the album below and the pictures are too small for your liking look to your left and you will see "Links" and beneath that it says Brookers Webshot Albums, once you are on the site click on Christmas Parade 2007. Larger format-different website-problem circumvented

Christmas Parade Slideshow Album

Latest Pics

We have a great little library. You can make donations or borrow a book to read. No restrictions on length of time. You can take it with you on down the road or read and return.

Wildflowers of Texas. -A poster in the library


Merry Christmas from Magnolia Park!!

Bernie's Best Fruitcake

Hmmmm, I am getting hungry for Bernie's Fruitcake!!!

Recipe: Bernie's Fruitcake 12/16/2007
Category: Holiday
Author: Bernie Craig

2 C Flour
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
4 eggs
3 T butter-room temp.
4 Jars Whole Maraschino Cherries (Drain 3 jars)
2 C Pecan halves or pieces
2 C Walnut halves or pieces
1 LB. Raisins

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in eggs, one at a time. Add
remaining ingredients one at a time in the order listed, mix gently.
Pour in ungreased tube pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Increase heat to 325 degrees and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let cool in pan
then remove. Wrap in foil or plastic and store in refrigerator. Allow 1 to 2 days for
flavors to mingle before serving.
I never liked fruitcake until I tasted Bernies. :-)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas
(Texas Style)



'Twas the night before Christmas
In Texas, you know,
Way out on the Prairie,
Without any snow.

Asleep in their cabin
Were Buddy and Sue
A dreamin' of Christmas
Like me and like you.

Not stockings, but boots
At the foot of their bed,
For this was in Texas,
What more can be said.

When all of a sudden
From out the still night,
There came such a ruckus
It gave me a fright.

And I saw 'cross the Prairie
Like a shot from a gun,
A loaded up buckboard
Come out at a run.

The driver was geein'
And hawin' with will,
And horses, not reindeer,
He drove with such skill.

C'mon Buck and Poncho,
And Prince to the right,
There'll be plenty o travelin'
For ya'll tonight.

The driver in Levi's
And a shirt that was red,
Had a 10-gallon Stetson
On top of his head.

As he stepped from his buckboard
He was really a sight,
A beard and a moustache
So curly and white.

As he burst in the cabin,
The children awoke,
And were both so astonished,
That neither one spoke.

He filled up their boots
With such presents galore
That neither could think
Of a single thing more.

When Buddy recovered
The use of his jaws
He asked in a whisper,
"Are you Santa Claus?"

"Am I the real Santa?
Well, what do you think?"
And he smiled as he gave
A mysterious wink.

Then he lept in the buckboard
And said in his drawl,
'To the children of Texas,
Merry Christmas, ya'll.

Merry Christmas Greeting

This is not a new one but I enjoyed it last year and again this year. I hope you do too.
Click on:
http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

Cold Front? Yeah right!

We have a cold front going through but I think most of us were ready for it. Cold here is usually 70 but it can get lower than that and sometimes easily.
H.E.B., Texas grocery stores, have what they call the feast of sharing every year where they feed all who come for dinner. They have the system down pat and feed an amazing number of people in a very short period of time. We went today and were back home in 45 minutes. We were served Ham, potatoes and gravy, mixed vegetables,a roll, apple pie and drinks. It is very nice of them to treat all their customers that way.
The trees are losing their leaves. It happens every year but always surprises me. It is such a slow process and the new leaves will be coming back in about 6 weeks. Every area of the country has seasonal cycles. It is merely different in various places.

Jigzone Puzzle

Message from Tony S

Just to let you know that I am doing as good as can expected. This will be my first Christmas with out Jo. I sure do miss her. This house gets very lonely at times. I just don't have the ambitions anymore. The weather has been good so far this winter This summer was very good I got out and played golf a couple times a week. My daughter Rose lives in town so I have Sunday dinner with her and her husband. I have a older brother in town he is unable to get out so my younger brother and I have lunch with him every week. I just wanted all of you to know that I do miss you. May God Bless and Protect each and every one of you Tony Spagnuolo

You can email Tony at JOTONYSPAG@webtv.net

The First Christmas Gift

Click on:

http://www.andiesisle.com/thefirstchristmasgift.hs.html

Magnolia sign

We have been enjoying (?) above normal temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley. That means the AC has been running. We have not had to shovel any snow and the propane salesman's pocket is not overstuffed with dollars. The electric company is doing quite well however.

On a street where we live

Merry Christmas

Your Magnolia Association officers want to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Click on the link below:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1237642226

Mr and Mrs Santa

Mr and Mrs Santa are keeping watch on the comings and goings at the Huttons

Tuesday Morning Coffee

Karl, Lloyd and Carol hand out smiles and donuts every Tuesday morning at coffee.


Many of us turn out to find out the latest park news bulletins.
Afterward some of us head to Peter Piper Pizza and some of us head to the golf course.
Not sure what the rest of us do!

Scoop the poop

Unless your dog is this well trained we will rely on you to pick it up.
It is a rule and you never know which one of us little ol' ladies is watching you!!

90 some degrees

It is 90 some degrees outside and I am cooking Chili! I purchased the makings for it a few days ago and it had to be cooked. It certainly does not feel like Christmas is only 3 weeks away!
I haven't heard anything mentioned about the Christmas Parade here in the park yet but I am sure there will be one. You still have time to prepare your entry.
There have been some new arrivals in the past week and I am sure there will be a trickle from now till after Christmas when the bulk of people get here. Some have been here and then go back north for Christmas to return later.

Park Sale

We had our park garage sale today and we rented ($2.00) a table since we had accumulated a bunch of this and that. We sold most of it and gave the rest away and came out $80 ahead. We feel real good about that. Down here is sure the place to unload the excess. They open the doors at 8:00 AM and its like a flood! We were nearly sold out by 9:30. Things you wouldn't think would sell at all are gone and many times without a haggle
.

Joe and Lucy

Joe Urius was a buyer for The Maytag Company, mainly steel. And Lucy held several jobs one of which was at a dairy farm doing anything that needed to be done.

Conversations

When we head for the Rio Grande Valley or other points south we are for the most part among the ever growing retired population and the folks we come in contact with have no idea what we were employed doing prior to retirement. Yesterday after playing golf I asked a few questions and found out that Ed Urbonovic worked his way up the ladder at General Motors and his wife Mary held several jobs one of which was bookkeeper/accountant/money manager at the school system.

Mary and Ed Urbonovic

Monday Morning Shuffle

The new courts are great. No curving and a bit on the slick side. So if you have a bad shot -can't blame the court!!

A clearer view

Click on map for larger view. We are in Donna TX near Midway road. The squiggly line is the Rio Grande River. The red star is on Nuevo Progreso Mexico which is where we go to buy meds and margaritas.

Computer Class

Update 10/2/2013: Technology info changes very quickly. Info from 2007 is not going to have much to do with the same issues in 2013. Check with me if you have a question. *smile*

Today was an informal gathering of five and we talked about computer maintenance for the most part. The main questions were concerning spyware.

(Do not confuse Anti-Virus protection with Anti-Spyware protection) They are separate issues with different levels of danger.
Any questions? Email me at keep.movin.on@gmail.com


We got off topic which happens frequently but what better way to spend a drizzly morning than with interesting conversation. Our sunshine will return soon.

Thanksgiving Day @ Magnolia Park

The Dessert Table

It gets real quiet once the food is served!!


Yummies in the Tummies

Pumpkin and Maple Turnover

Thanksgiving Day brings out all the good cooks we have in the park. If any of you had recipe requests bring the recipe to me and I will add it here. The recipe below is one I will make again at Christmas. It was a hit.
Each pie crust in the package makes one recipe.

Pumpkin and Maple Turnover
Prep Time: 10 min ; Start to Finish: 1 hr
Just 10 minutes prep time for this luscious (and easy!) dessert, and it's
off to the oven.
Ingredients:
Turnover
1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust (from
15-oz box), softened as directed on
box
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon maple flavor
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Dash salt
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon maple flavor
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted*
1.
Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll crust on ungreased large cookie sheet. In medium bowl, mix
pumpkin, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon maple flavor, the pumpkin pie spice and salt until
smooth.
2.
Spread pumpkin mixture over half of pie crust to within 3/4 inch of edge. Brush edge with
water; fold crust over filling. Carefully move turnover to center of cookie sheet. With fork,
press edge to seal; prick top several times.
3.
Bake 23 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet to
cooling rack.
4.
In small bowl, mix powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon maple flavor and the milk until smooth and
desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm turnover. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Let
stand 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool.
Preparation Directions:
*To toast walnuts, sprinkle in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently
until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown.
8 servings
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): No change.

Weather alert!!

EEEEEWWWWW!

Special Weather Statement
WED NOV 21 2007

...COLD AIR TO POUR INTO DEEP SOUTH TEXAS ON THURSDAY...

BY THANKSGIVING MORNING BIG CHANGES ARE EXPECTED FOR RESIDENTS OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS. AFTER DAYS OF TEMPERATURES WELL ABOVE AVERAGE... COLD TEMPERATURES...GUSTY NORTH WINDS AND OVERCAST SKIES WILL BE THE NORM THANKSGIVING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. AREAS OF RAIN AND LOW OVERCAST SKIES WILL MAKE CONDITIONS RATHER DISMAL... ALONG WITH INTERMITTENT FOG.

TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 70S DURING THE LATE EVENING HOURS ON WEDNESDAY WILL FALL INTO THE UPPER 50S TO LOWER 60S BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. BY FRIDAY MORNING...TEMPERATURES IN THE 40S WILL BE ENTRENCHED OVER MOST OF DEEP SOUTH TEXAS...WITH THE IMMEDIATE COASTAL AREAS REMAINING IN THE LOWER 50S. CLOUDY AND COLD WEATHER WITH PERIODS OF RAIN WILL CONTINUE FRIDAY...WITH TEMPERATURES ONLY RISING A FEW DEGREES...AS COLD NORTH WINDS AND OVERCAST SKIES DOMINATE OUR REGION. SIMILAR TEMPERATURE AND GENERAL WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST SATURDAY MORNING...WITH SOME SUNSHINE PIERCING THROUGH THE OVERCAST SKIES TO WARM THE VALLEY TO NEAR 60 DEGREES. THEN ANOTHER SURGE OF COLD AIR VISITS OUR REGION SATURDAY NIGHT AS AN UPPER LOW DIGS DEEP INTO SOUTH TEXAS AND ALLOWS MORE COLD...DRY AIR TO ENTER FROM THE NORTHWEST. THE NEW AIRMASS USHERED IN BY THIS FEATURE WILL KEEP TEMPERATURES IN THE 40S AND 50S SUNDAY MORNING...WITH A WARM UP INTO THE 60S BY AFTERNOON. LOW TEMPERATURES WILL STILL BE IN THE 40S AND 50S MONDAY MORNING...BUT AS SUNSHINE FINALLY RETURNS FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY...TEMPERATURES WILL RISE BACK INTO THE 70S.

Passport Info

It seems they will be letting people ease into the passport requirements according to this US Government website.
And sometime next summer is when the hard and fast rules of having a passport will be enforced. BUT that is not what they are saying at the border. Are they telling people at the border they will need a passport January 1 2008 to push them into getting one? I do not know.

Thanksgiving Food Trivia

Thanksgiving Food Trivia

Ben Franklin originally wanted the turkey to be America's national bird; he started referring to male turkeys as "Toms" because Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea.

The first and simplest of all pumpkin puddings made by the Pilgrims, involved picking the pumpkin, washing it, hollowing it out, filling it with cream or milk, and baking it whole. This is what developed into pumpkin pie about 50 years after that first Thanksgiving.

Cranberries are almost 90% water and good, ripe cranberries will bounce; bounceberry is another name for them. They survive a long time, too: Some cranberry beds are over 100 years old and still producing!

The The potato, which originated in Peru, took a long journey to reach North America. The Spaniards took it back to Spain in the 16th century; from there it made its way to Italy and northern Europe, then to Bermuda and the Virginia colonies of North America. Instant mashed potatoes were introduced commercially in 1955. , which originated in Peru, took a long journey to reach North America. The Spaniards took it back to Spain in the 16th century; from there it made its way to Italy and northern Europe, then to Bermuda and the Virginia colonies of North America. Instant mashed potatoes were introduced commercially in 1955.

For News Freaks

I am not a news freak. If anything I am an anti-news freak. It is my belief that too much focus on the news creates and/or intensifies a negative attitude. When medical people treat depression the first thing they do is suggest the patient stop reading newspapers or watching news on TV. But for you news freaks who do not agree with my way of thinking here is a website tailor made for you.
A click on the website below will let you know what strange & dangerous things are happening in the world at any given time. The site updates every 6 minutes, 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. You can move the map around, zero in on any one area & actually up-load the story of what is going on. You may be surprised at what is happening right here in the U.S., perhaps even in your own state or city.

Global Incident Map: There is a lot happening in our world every minute:

http://www.globalincidentmap.com/home.php

Doves

QMags

Okay folks, this one has me a bit excited. I used to be a magazine freak. I bought several every month and clipped out articles of interest etc. Well, when we went full time I gave them up for many obvious reasons. But recently I discovered you can get your subscriptions online! Now I suppose this has been around a long time and I didn't know about it but it is new to me!! We have always enjoyed Motorhome magazine but it was one we gave up for the cause so to speak but this morning I ordered it and read it from cover to cover. It comes in Adobe Acrobat Reader .pdf file and it took a tiny bit of study on my part to easily read it. So if you would rather get your magazines online click on QMags and see if they carry the magazines you like. Save a tree!!

Mexico Trip

g

We went to Nuevo Progreso Mexico for the first time this season. The crowds were light and the beggars many. I checked on some medication prices and they were down a little from last year. The pancho's at Garcias above the Canada Store are as good as ever. We used our passports when we came back but they are taking their time at the check station and there was only one customs official on duty. They are telling people at the border that a passport WILL BE REQUIRED after January 1st 2008. This should be interesting. I hope they are building a big jail because I do not foresee everyone abiding by it.

Audio Books

TODAY'S TIP:
Audio Books for the Visually Impaired

A friend who is completely sightless, has used this perk from our
government for many, many years, and I only today heard from him that it
is available for anyone who has a disability. I thought it was only for
those who had been blinded because of being in a war, but it is for all
of us who qualify because of physical reasons.

The Library of Congress will provide (free) audio books upon request. My
friend has been able to get them even if they were not already on tape,
by simply making his request and the LOC will have it made for him.

Home Page of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped http://www.loc.gov/nls/
 

Walkin',yes indeed

We are walking twice a day, a little over a mile each time. I am feeling the benefits of doing so. It is also an easy way to be nosy about what is happening in the park.
Don and Judith Raglin who were workampers 2 years ago are back this year. They have both had some health issues taken care of but are doing fine now.

There are several older mobiles leaving the park for one in Mission. It is a new park over there and they are recruiting units from other parks. Ours has some empty spaces now and some pretty nice locations if you have a hankering to bring in a new one.

Shuffleboard starts tomorrow at nine. It will be the first time on the newly surfaced courts.

The forecast is for a cold front to come through. The high tomorrow is projected to be 74 degrees. Sounds good for a change. We will be able to turn the AC off tonight.

Here we are!

Roses on Pine street
Below is a line up of golf carts. The people who own them are attending
the non-denominational church services.

I should be doing other stuff but here I am posting things on the blog!

Lots of projects

There are lots of projects taking place in the park. Similar to what happens up north in the spring; cement is getting poured, decks getting built. I think the park looks pretty good as we go for our twice a day walks. Things look neat and clean.
Speaking of our walks...it is 1.1 mile if you walk on every street in the park and that is what we do. I know some who walk around the edge instead and they will have to tell me what that measures out to be.

Roadrunner Offer

For those of you wanting a roadrunner connection for Internet here is a link to their current offer.

Monkey Business

On Rose Street



I spotted some monkey's in a tree this morning on my walk.

Our location

Click on any image for a larger view
A beehive of activity at the shuffle board court this morning.
The new benches are being installed. Pictured below are Elmer, Butch(hidden), Eddie, Larry and Don


The scoreboards are being moved to the opposite end.
It will give everyone a whole new outlook.

Passport Info

We have ours but this site has the latest info on the requirements.
http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm

We're Here!!

We left Canyon Lake TX at 7:30 AM and arrived at the park about 2:00 PM.
We hit the ground running getting settled in and cleaned up so we are both a bit pooped this evening. We have had many visitors already getting us all up to speed on the changes that have taken place. The shuffleboard courts have been refurbished!! I know that will be a big surprise for a few of you. Larry has made new benches and they are talking of putting the scoreboards on the other end which makes sense all the way around when you stop to think about it.
There are other surprises too with people who do not plan to come back this year. Some have quit altogether and others are taking a year off. And here I thought I was going to have an easier time with the directory this year. NOT!!!
It feels good to be here and it always feels like home. The trip down was without incident and we are grateful.
I will try to post on both sites. I usually do personal stuff on www.brooker3.blogspot.com and Park stuff on www.magnolianews.blogspot.com. But it always seems to overlap. Aha!! I know! You will have to check both to see where we stand. Come on it isn't that tough as there is a link to the other one on each site. Right side near the top.

From Kay and Jim V

Jim is getting ready for the Halloween season.......(retirees have extra time on their hands...)

Checking in...

Just thought I better give the results of the GARAGE SALE last Saturday..... We had a great sale with lots of buyers and sellers.. A good time was had by all, lots of sales and bags of goods going out the door most of the morning... Don Howard said that the barbecue was a success with many sandwiches being sold....Marj had a bake sale for the Park and it did well also.... This morning was the last week for Coffee Time in the little hall as we are getting too crowded (over 30 in attendance) with the new ones coming in, so Don Soole said that next week it will be in Allen Hall even if it is a little warm ... We just need the room for all the ones that will be coming in this week as I hear that quite a few will be in by the next coffee.. Don't forget that the next GARAGE SALE will be November 3, with the first business meeting on the 5th, so just as well come before then to attend.....

A Sure Sign Of the New Season

Just in case you aren't in the park already, you need to know that the first GARAGE SALE of the new season will be this coming Saturday....We have quite a few signed up for tables and it looks like it will be a good one to start the year.... Don Howard is going to make barbecue sandwiches available so there will be food to eat..... That's always something that brings in a crowd, once they find out it's available....We have a few people coming in now that it is getting somewhat cooler up North.... I expect to see quite a few come in this month...If you are ready to start the new season with attending the first garage sale, you better hurry up.. HA HA.... The Tuesday Coffee is slowly gaining a few , but we are still having it in the little hall, but that will change pretty soon.. More later......

From Kay V.

We were guests of Mary and Dave for a few days.....We had a great time visiting with them and seeing the historic sights of President Lincoln in the area.

From Kay Voss

HI to all---

We went to see our former neighbors from the Park this week! Eileen and Jerald Lowrance, now at home in Farber, Mo. They are doing well, and send greetings to all old friends! Kay

I must say Kay, they do not look all that happy about leaving Magnolia Park.;-)
Barb B.

First Potluck for the new season

We had a great first potluck for the new season with a nice size crowd.. Twenty-nine people were fed a great meal.. Don and Marj Soole and Don Howard provided and cooked the meal for the first one of the season....They said that something special was going to come about and it sure did.. We had lasagna , scalloped potatoes, baked beans with pie, brownies, and ice cream cups for dessert... You can't beat that can you?? Eddie and Doris Culpepper and their girls showed up just in time for potluck supper, can you beat that for timing???? A lot of catching up on stories and plans for the coming year were talked about by all with many ideas for sure.. We are all looking forward to many more of the Magnolia family coming down in the days and weeks to follow..

The providers and cooks for the meal