Texas State Bank

Texas State Bank brings their money machine to the park. We are required to listen to their spiel which WAS interesting and informative and not high pressure or even low pressure and then if your ticket is drawn you get a turn in the money machine.

Bean Soup Supper

Last Wednesday we had a Bean Soup Supper and it was a big hit.
Leo Tschetter is ready to serve.

Buttery Onion Soup

The 1015 onions will soon be coming on in the Rio Grande Valley and I plan to make the following recipe.


Buttery Onion Soup 1/18/2008
2 Cups thinly sliced onions
1/2 Cup butter or margerine
1/4 Cup flour
2 Cups chicken broth
2 Cups milk
1 1/2 to 2 Cups (6-8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste


Saute' onion in butter 20-30 minutes in 3 qt. sauce pan. Blend in
flour, add milk and broth, heat until boil, boil one minute, reduce it
to low, let it cool down a little and add cheese, do not boil.

In-Park Pool Tournament

The in-Park pool tournament began last night. You do not have to a good pool shooter to be in the tournament. You are paired up with a partner and you take on other teams of two alternating shots. This prevents one person being able to run the table and is reassuring to those of us with lesser abilities. The pool hall gets crowded on Thursday nights because the specrtators have as much fun as the shooters. It is not a serious business. Fun is the name of this game and we all have it.

Hungry for Mexican?

Recipe: CROCK POT TIJUANA PIE 1/17/2008
Category: Main Dish
Trailer Life Directory's Recipe Newsletter


Ingredients:
1 ½ lbs. Ground Beef
1 Onion, Chopped
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
1 tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. Pepper
3–4 Cups Grated Cheese
1 Can Enchilada Sauce (10 oz)
1 Can Tomato Sauce (8 oz.)
2 Cans Chili Beans, Drained
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn, Drained
1 Can Pitted Olives, Drained
6 Corn or Flour Tortillas (size depends on size of crock pot)


Brown beef, onion, garlic and seasonings. Wipe inside of crock pot with oil. Place
one tortilla in bottom. Spoon on meat, a little sauce and cheese. Top with another
tortilla and add a layer of meat, sauce, beans, cheese, olives and corn. Continue
layering, ending with cheese and olives top.

Cover and cook on low 5–7 hours.

Serve with additional hot tortillas

Ropa Quilt

Last season Mary Bruun found a quilt top on one of her Ropa Usada (Used Clothing) expeditions. So the idea of getting it completed and used as a raffle item soon followed. The needlework has commenced. The quilters are hard at work.
Pictured on the left are Judy, Irma and Mary. Below is Irma, Deon and Shirley- Mary is hidden. And below is the group including Dave!

Ocelot- Dead

We were whizzing down the highway when I spotted this spotted cat alongside the road. It took a bit but I got Butch to turn around so we could get a closer look. It is an ocelot a member of the cat family and a prevalent resident of south Texas.

There is a reason...

There is a reason we are known as the friendliest park in the valley. Everywhere you look you find people visiting with each other. Eddie Urbonovic and Dave Gilliam are enjoying conversation in the warm morning sunshine.

Running as fast as I can!!

No posts since Wednesday!! I shocked myself. But I have been one busy woman what with computer issues, golf, trying to get 2 walks a day in, and taking pictures for the directory. My trusty helpers,Betty, Vi, Edie and Shirley B, are gathering information for me so I can really get down to business on the directory for 2008. Leslie C. says she will join the team next year. This park would come to a standstill if it weren't for all the volunteers who make this place run. And we all do it with love in our hearts. Any other way would never work. One of the toughest things for me is running people down to get their picture...sometimes it takes several tries. So if you are one of those I am trying to run down STOP and let me catch you!

B-B-Bike ride

Mary B., on the left said she could always peel off the layers if she got too warm...too warm didn't happen!





Our first ride of the year- we went to Tico's for
taco's on Bridge street in Weslaco TX.












Okay, which one is the Canadian?!! Mary B. is ready for a bike ride while Judy H. (from Canada) went for her morning swim. Outdoor temp was 56 degrees at the time the picture was taken.

Paint Class

Thursdays at 8:00 AM in Allen Hall- Beginners on up are welcome. Instructor on site to assist you.

Keeping in touch

Today's photos Part 3

Pool "shots" from today's tournament hosted by Magnolia

Today's photos Part 2

Magnolia Park was the host for the pool tournament this week.

Today's photos Part 1

An old hornets nest out of a tree at the Bill Brooker house.



Clean up of Christmas decorations- Packed away for another year.


Judy Hunt at paint class and below is a view of her current project.

New Years Eve

There were considerably less fireworks than in years past and that is because of restrictions due to dry weather conditions. It usually sounds like a war outside but this year was far quieter. Another great party in Allen Hall with games, prizes and dancing. A "freeze" dance was part of the games which allows me to get some good photos of the dancers. Too many pictures for this site so to see the bulk of them click on Brookers Webshot albums on the left of this page under the Links heading.

'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
.