Sunday Service

We had a nice group at Church Services this morning with several extra people attending....Don and Barbara Howard are down in the valley for a few days and attended services also this morning....It was sure great to see them again and share with them....

This morning's message was a continuation of a series that Pastor Stacey is teaching us...It comes from the Book of John Chapter 21 starting today with verse 15....This has been a great lesson to learn from....The theme for today was "Feed my Sheep"....I know that that may sound funny to you but if you read the verses and study you will find out just what that means....This is a great lesson for all to study and take to heart....Please remember to continue to pray for all those that are sick and for the families of the sick for strength and faith to keep looking to the Lord for help and guidance....GOD BLESS ALL....

Steak Fry

The first steak fry of 2011 took place last Thursday. We steak-deprived seniors of Magnolia park always look forward to them.

Over 200 steaks are cooked within a half hour and it takes many helpful and cooperative hands to get this feat accomplished....

they do a very fine job of it too!!
Dick Cleaveland is the chairman of the steak fry but he would be first to tell you he cannot do it alone. It is so fine to see a group that works well together and this is one of many examples of the way it works at Magnolia Park.

From Ambrose

Ambrose wrote:
Picture of Lil Droogsma , Ambrose Demers and Bonnie Rabe.
This week Lil is the Pitch champ,Ambrose 500 champ and Bonnie the Pinochle champ..
They are strong competitors like most people from our park,luck and good cards are also part of the deal.
By looking at such picture,Ambrose would often say" Look, a rose between two thorns " then he will say "maybe it is the other way around " For you to judge. lol
Lil said that Ambrose won because she didn't play on that day.

Thank you!

Jammin' and Whittlin'

Great crowd at the Jam yesterday. I wasn't there long but what I heard sounded very good.

These two are enjoying comraderie,whittlin and the good South Texas sunshine.

Plate flowers and a bracelet

Peggy Gordon made a coke glass flower 

Kay Stilson made one to rival nature

As did Shirley Weise-The picture does not do this one justice

Irma went with a double flower theme on one and a snowflake look for the second one.

Vi likes the look of blue too.

And doesn't that star show up great in the photo

A perfect flower look for a herb garden

Leslie and Norma have a couple of stunners

  Lucy used a unique center dish for a completely different look 

Eloise finished her bracelet and it is a stunner too.

Mary is admiring Shirley's imaginative blooms.

Up through a palm tree

Sunday Service

A good group was at church service this morning to hear Pastor Stacey's lesson...He is working on giving a series of teachings that tie together for us to study...It helps to continue through a study a little at a time so we have time to grasp just what is being taught and understand it...Today's lesson was continuing the Book of John Chapter 21 with the theme of " Would you recognize Jesus if he appeared to you?"....There is much to thing about in the verses that were read and studied....Please continue to pray for all those that are sick for there are several in the area and the Magnolia family....It seems that the old TEXAS CRUD is quite prevalent....Also there are many that just don't feel up to par, so don't be afraid to pray for any that you think of....GOD BLESS ALL.....

Wood carving show

We enjoyed the wood carvers show near Pharr on Friday!

our own Dave Hughes entered this fine piece!!

Our new refrigerator

Here it is being delivered and I personally think this is a funny picture. Cracks me up!!

I think this one is funny too! 

A gleaming beauty!

Long may she cool our food.

Special meeting

There was a special meeting yesterday to vote on the purchase of a new refrigerator. We had a very good 10 day only offer on a commercial refrigerator so we needed to get the voting done asap. As all things happen as they should the Cleavelands made a sizable memorial donation in Berwyn's name to be used for the good of the majority of the people of Magnolia park and the refrigerator fit that nicely. So thanks go to many; the fellows who did the shopping and footwork at their own expense to get bids for the best deal, and of course to the Cleavelands who picked up a big part of the cost and to all who voted yes. A memorial plaque will be placed in Allen Hall and another in the pool hall because it was such a favorite place for Berwyn.

Berwyn Cleaveland

Jicama Salad

Since we are in the land of good Jicama we can easily try this Jicama Salad
Click to make it larger

Black-Bellied Whistling Duck

I googled the duck to make sure and it is a black-bellied whistling duck. This image is from the google website.

Pool Guest

This morning several people alerted me to a guest in the pool. He is about to be evicted due to deposits made that are visible on the pool floor. Cute though, don't you think?

Service at Magnolia

Well the weather has broken from the cold and we are due to have some warm days in the coming week...For the last few days we have had what we call WINTER in deep south Texas, not the warm days that all the Winter Texans come down here for....At least it's we don't have to shovel snow and that's a blessing....At the service this morning we had a nice group to hear the word of God being being brought forth by Pastor Stacey....The theme for today's lesson was from the book of John, chapter 20 and 21, "Faith and Doubt"...A continuing study that Pastor lead to bring to us....A great many things were brought up in the lesson with much to think about...Remember to continue to pray for the sick and those that are on the road...We all have family members that seem to need prayer at various times so don't spare the effort or opportunity to remember them in prayer...GOD BLESS ALL....

Correction on Roasted Chicken Soup

Correction on Roasted Chicken Soup Recipe below. It seems part of it was missing and I missed that fact. Sorry folks!!

Warmer weather and other stuff...

It did warm up a bit today. I was able to shed a layer and feel comfortable while taking a walk. Computer class went well this morning with 12 attending and we had more gentlemen attending than we have had. I think the fellows may have outnumbered the ladies.
We have a busy week coming up. The crafters will be finishing up their bracelets on Monday. There will be a special meeting of the association at 9:30 AM on Thursday the 20th to vote on the purchase of a new refrigerator for Allen Halls kitchen. And then next Saturday the 22nd will be a resumption of Saturday morning breakfast with Pat Hahn spearheading that venture. Serving will start at 8:00 AM. And of course there are all the usual activities on all the days, like pool in the pool hall, card playing in various locations, shuffleboard and exercise classes. If you are bored here you simply are not trying. There is something for everyone. So pick an activity and show up on time to have fun.

From Norma Cooklin

This is the coolest thing! Just move your cursor around the map and see what the current temperatures and weather conditions are in cities all over North America . http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/zoa/mwmap3.php?map=usa

  

 You can tell we are all hunkered down due to the cold (45) and spending time on our computers. Nice for a change but wouldn't want a steady diet of it!

Barb

From Kay Stilson

Kay says this is absolutely delicious and what better time to enjoy hot soup!!

Swanson® Roasted Chicken with Caramelized Onions Soup

Rated: Submitted By: Campbell's Kitchen Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 40 Minutes Servings: 6

"Start with roasted chicken, add carrots, celery, pasta and caramelized onions to end with a very flavorful soup in only 30 minutes."

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded roasted chicken 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced 8 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth (Regular, Natural Goodness™ or Certified Organic)

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 medium carrots, sliced 2 stalks celery, sliced 3/4 cup uncooked trumpet-shaped pasta (campanelle)

Directions:

1.	Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until they begin to brown, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until onions are tender and caramelized, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat.
2.	Heat broth, black pepper, carrots and celery in 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Stir pasta and chicken in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium. Cook 10 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in onions and serve immediately.