New Years Eve Party

Music and dancing!!!
New Years Eve in Magnolia Park's Allen Hall at  8:30 PM till ?
Featuring music from our own musicians, Don and Marty Tank, Dean Johnson and Dave Greening.
Bring snack food and drinks and make an evening of fun and merriment bringing in the NEW YEAR if we can all stay awake that long!
I may not have all the details exactly correct in the above message but I am certain someone will straighten me out and then I will post a correction. So check again later...

Hawk with dinner

Darlene stopped by and said "Hurry and bring your camera!" On Frizzell's patio sat this hawk with its dinner. (Rabbit ) A crowd had gathered by this time but the hawk didn't move. It was not about to give up dinner because a bunch of seniors had gathered round to watch him. After all, none of us were trying to take it away from him. It is a reminder though to keep small pets inside as much as possible.

Our morning walk

Our morning walk was a visit infested one. First of all Butch started up a conversation with someone near the dumpster that lasted awhile. I was waiting and chatted a few minutes with Dorothy Brandes. Further on down the road we encountered Larry and Noreen Ergen. Chris and Ron Pearce were in the back seat. The guys said if they had to endure a trip to Michaels there would also be a stop at Harbor Freight.

There was a gathering at the Vern Wendt residence trying to figure out a puzzle with his RV.

Then we went past Santa's place and found him a little deflated. Butch noted he was still able to give us a thumbs up.

 

I was in a hurry to return home as I was in the midst of cleaning but that didn't last long. (See post above)

Something Special

This is a you tube presentation sent to me by a classmate of mine and Rozetta's. I felt compelled to share it with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WxjZB5S_g7s#t=0s

Jerry and Kathy Walker Update

Word has been received this morning that Jerry and Kathy will be back with us in about a month. I am sure the prayers sent on their behalf has been more than a little helpful.

Crafters meet today

The crafters met this afternoon as usual but today was special in that the projects for the weeks coming up were shown and decided on. There will be lots of different projects worked on this season.

 These are the cute Santa fridge magnets the crafters put together as favors to all on Christmas Day

Christmas Service at Magnolia

Today we had 63 people in attendance at Christmas Service....A nice crowd indeed that seemed excited about Christmas and getting together to worship the Lord.....On this day we had a shorter service as there was much going on at Magnolia Park and no one wanted to hold up some of the other events....We all sang Christmas Carols to mark the season....Pastor Stacey brought the message to the people with the theme "The reason for the Season"....He taught that God gave his only begotten Son to the world in order for us to be saved.....We just need to be ready and willing to accept the gift of Christ....On this day of giving and receiving we mustn't  forget to accept God's Gift....

Remember to continue to pray for those of the family that are sick....We shouldn't forget the family's of the sick and injured as they also are going through some tough times also....We just need to count our blessings for you don't have to go far to fine someone a lot worse off than we are......See you in church next week.....Merry Christmas one and all......

Christmas Dinner

Committee Heads Marlene Harkin, Thelma Domer and Jan Brom-Stinchfeild and many of their elves put together a delicious Ham and scalloped Potatoes dinner. We were greeted at the door by a welcoming crew of Lil Droogsma and Susan Van Houweling. Many, many more elves helped out with all the facets needed to put on such a feast. It was wonderful in every way.
Below are a few pictures from the event:

Lil asks Art Wildeman to sign the guest book

The dessert table is a busy place before the meals

Pat Jones cuts her festive popcorn cake

Fran and Noreen visit before the meal

The table next to us were creating hats. Mary Bruun shows hers off.

Merry Christmas from Droopy

A mockingbird I have dubbed Droopy has been a resident of our park for quite some time. I have a picture of Droopy taken in 2008 and I am thinking he may have been here even longer than that. For the 2008 picture go to www.brooker3.blogspot.com and look for the post a few days ago. Below are pictures taken today. Droopy stops by and chirps his little heart out to get our attention then Butch will go out with peanuts and feed him. Today being Christmas Butch is giving him a Christmas feast. I looked up the average lifespan of a Mockingbird and it is 8-9 years so if we and he are lucky we can enjoy his company for a few more years. He does have his longstanding wing injury so he never gets very far away.

Merry Christmas Droopy!!

From all of us

To all of you!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiTGXP_p9mo&feature=share

Remember this?

Hidalgo TX Festival of Lights

A group of us went to Hidalgo TX last evening for the Festival of Lights. The festival begins December 1 and runs through the 31st. You can find out more about it on the site below.
http://hidalgofol.info/

We decided to ride the trolley for the 3 mile distance of the lights. We chose a perfect night for it. We have all decided it was well worth the trip. Below you can find a few pictures. As you might expect it was far more impressive in person.

Killer Bee

Update on the Walkers

Jerry has a broken hand and some lower back injuries. Kathy has internal injuries and bleeding. Their children are with them. The doctor told Jerry it would be 5 or 6 days before they could even talk about going home. Kathy is the one in most need of concentrated prayers at this time. So we all will continue to do that.

Jerry & Kathy Walker

Word was received this morning that Jerry and Kathy Walker were in a serious accident on the way back to Oklahoma for the holidays. Jerry and Kathy live in a  park model on Cherry street in Magnolia Park. Kathy is in critical condition and Jerry has some broken bones. So as always happens with our Magnolia Park family we need to pull out the heavy duty prayers for them so we can once again see their happy smiling faces on the streets of Magnolia Park.

Jerry and Kathy Walker

Church Service

Well it has been very cool, wet, and very little sunshine for the past few days but it was still a good day to go to Church at Magnolia on Sunday morning...It's always good to see members of the Magnolia Family getting together for Church Services and learn the Word of God together...

Pastor Stacey in the sprite of the season taught from the Book of Saint Matthew, chapter 2 starting with verse 1 thought 12....The theme of the lesson was "Who or What are You searching for".....He taught that the wise men in the Bible were searching for the Christ Child to worship....He ask the question of just what we are searching for in our lives....Looking for God in our lives or just the material things of the world...This is a great lesson to study and think on, so read and decide for your self....Remember to continue to pray for those around us that need some encouragement or healing in there lives....See you in church next week.....Merry Christmas to all....

Guess Who?

Hints: They are in the park at this time. Some people think he is kind of nutty.

Piquant Pork Chops For Two

Piquant Pork Chops For Two
    Throw this in the oven with a couple of scrubbed potatoes or a rice pilaf ready for baking,  and dinner is almost ready. 

2 lean, meaty pork chops
4 thin slices from a whole lemon
Medium onion, diced 
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons ketchup
    Find a baking pan just big enough for your two chops. Put pork chops in sprayed baking pan and top each with two slices lemon. Sprinkle with onion. Drizzle with molasses and ketchup. Cover with foil and bake 30 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees. (Shorter time for thin chops, longer time for thick cuts.) Uncover and bake another 20-30 minutes until chops are glazed. 
Optional: de-glaze pan with a little water or wine and pour over potatoes or rice.  

After the parade

After the parade 159 sub sandwiches, chips and cake were served up by the association officers and board members. I know there were that many sandwiches served because 160 were ordered and there was only one left! A few more sandwiches were ordered than the number of people who signed up but that was cutting it a might close.
We also had a bit of a panic moment when it was thought we had run out of sandwiches but a box of them had been overlooked in the fridge so all was well.
After everyone was well fed the warblers treated us to a few Christmas tunes to up our Christmas spirit a notch or two. I think it worked. I know I am feeling all Christmasy.
HAVE A HOLLY, JOLLY CHRISTMAS. IT IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

2011 Christmas Parade

John and Judy Warner

Carmen's little yellow bug

Mary and Edie

Mary P

Carmen in her bug.

Marty and Don Harper and their babies

Lucy U

Dave and Mary Bruun

Jack and Marlene

Tony and his assistant Lili

Chet and his tropical theme

Sandy W

Edna  and Sandy

Don and Marty H

Dean and Betty Lewis

Arleen and Carol

The McIntyres

Lucy

Roy and Shirley B

The Wingert's, Ron and Elaine

John and Judy

Dorral

Bonnie and Fred

Spectators