Well, I am working on doing my blog on my computer, not on my iPad. Interesting. Listen, everything I do on my HP computer is interesting. I have downloaded the photos from my first adventure getting here. Now to figure out how to put them on my blog. My goodness, technology is confusing. I can say this, it is so much easier to type with the computer.
We had such a fun trip on the way down.
On Tuesday we left Ocala, FL and headed for Sarasota, FL. A two hour trip, Jim was wonderful and parked the camper in the parking lot while I went on an 11 o'clock tour and a 12 o'clock tour of the mansion. "Ca d'San", house of John.
John and Mable Ringling had no children and left everything to the state of Florida upon their deaths. I think it's Southwest State University that runs it now.
Well here we go again, I type and I type and somehow I seem to shut things down and loose everything thing I have typed and have to start over. Drives me nuts.
I would really like to invite you in to the house of John, I had such fun on the tours.
John Ringling's bathtub was huge and carved out of one solid piece of marble. When that sinks in, pardon the pun, but to think someone can take a huge enough chunk of beautiful marble and have a bathtub carved out of it, it kind of gives you pause. Wow. The attention Mable paid to detail was just mind-blowing. The wooden toilet seats were faux painted to match the marble and they looked so real. All the bathroom doors had beautiful artist paintings on them of floral and fauna. Exquisite birds too. The door knobs were all different to match the décor of the bedrooms, there were about half a dozen bedrooms, and each were color themed, the green room, the yellow room and the rose room to name a few.
The bedroom that was most spectacular besides John's was the Tower Bedroom, All by itself on about the third floor. Will Rogers came often and wouldn't come if it was occupied by someone else and often there were celebrity guests.]
One of my favorite rooms was the ballroom, the ceiling had at least 20 sections, and many sections depicted individual painting of dancing scenes of different countries.
The game room had canvas scenes, the artist painted on canvas and that adhered it to the ceiling. The paintings were fabulous.
I had such fun going through the mansion and of course the main patio overlooked the ocean. Mable and John were crazy about Venice and even had a gondola which eventually sank and I think John had at least 3 boats that all sank.
I had loads of fun. The grounds, the artwork, just taking it all in. What an experience.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
FLORIDA HERE WE ARE
Well here we are in Florida.
The second might we stayed in Chattanooga TN. Very pleasant camp ground but finding a spot that wasn't wet or muddy was a task for the dogs to do their business, I just say that they travel well and Otto is taking on a new doo. He had so many matts in his hair I have been cutting it
about 1/4 inch long. Thank goodness for warm weather. Only 8 hours on the road, so glad we have bananas, clementines and apples for the road though I could have done better. No mattter we will be at our destination today.
This is the third night, we made it to Ocala FL. Grabbed a spot here because it became really hard to find a spot near Sarsota. Yes you guessed it. Wonderful Jim is taking me to the Ringling Brothers Estate so I can see their Mansion - Ca' d'Zan. Means "house of John". We stopped their one year and spent 1/2 a day going through the Art Museum, which by the way is a must see. It was like going through the Old Testament in pictures. And what pictures they were. 10x12 foot paintings depicting all the old stories you
have heard since you were a child in Sunday school. We never went inside the mansion. I get to do that today,
Today is March 1st and that is the start of our rental at Crystal Lake RV resort in North Naples. I can't wait till tomorrow when I take a run down to Wiggins State Park 10 miles from us and romp in the ocean, the sun will feel so good on our frozen Remer bodies. Now let's see if that happens. Maybe Jim can just drop me off. I just want to lie in the sand. Especially my feet.
I can't get in to the grounds until 9:30 - I can just see Jim dropping me off in our camper - he is going to find someplace to go for a few hours - the guided tour starts
at 10 and I want to be on it. They call the mansion "A Terrace of Dreams".
And I can't wait to see if any of the roses in the rose garden are in bloom, I would think it's too early. Can't have everything. I am overjoyed to be able to be dropped off. Hope my back holds out. Standing is my least favorite thing.
We stand too much at church but isn't it funny how a younger pastor doesn't see it my way - I mean who is in charge anyway. Oh that's right. NOT ME.
First night in Effingham I'll.
13 hours on the road but all you can think of is getting out of the snow and not sliding in to the cold sheets. Burr.
Dinner with Jim's army buddie Norm and his lovely friend Judy. She is amazing, after becoming a widow, she has drove her rather large 5th wheel to Golden Colorado and that is no small feat. I think of taking this beast, sorry beast, I mean "The Castle" all by myself and I shutter. We sure make ourself dependent on our men. Thank you Jim.
I get such a kick out of Jim and Norm on the phone, a couple of old hens.
The second might we stayed in Chattanooga TN. Very pleasant camp ground but finding a spot that wasn't wet or muddy was a task for the dogs to do their business, I just say that they travel well and Otto is taking on a new doo. He had so many matts in his hair I have been cutting it
about 1/4 inch long. Thank goodness for warm weather. Only 8 hours on the road, so glad we have bananas, clementines and apples for the road though I could have done better. No mattter we will be at our destination today.
This is the third night, we made it to Ocala FL. Grabbed a spot here because it became really hard to find a spot near Sarsota. Yes you guessed it. Wonderful Jim is taking me to the Ringling Brothers Estate so I can see their Mansion - Ca' d'Zan. Means "house of John". We stopped their one year and spent 1/2 a day going through the Art Museum, which by the way is a must see. It was like going through the Old Testament in pictures. And what pictures they were. 10x12 foot paintings depicting all the old stories you
have heard since you were a child in Sunday school. We never went inside the mansion. I get to do that today,
Today is March 1st and that is the start of our rental at Crystal Lake RV resort in North Naples. I can't wait till tomorrow when I take a run down to Wiggins State Park 10 miles from us and romp in the ocean, the sun will feel so good on our frozen Remer bodies. Now let's see if that happens. Maybe Jim can just drop me off. I just want to lie in the sand. Especially my feet.
I can't get in to the grounds until 9:30 - I can just see Jim dropping me off in our camper - he is going to find someplace to go for a few hours - the guided tour starts
at 10 and I want to be on it. They call the mansion "A Terrace of Dreams".
And I can't wait to see if any of the roses in the rose garden are in bloom, I would think it's too early. Can't have everything. I am overjoyed to be able to be dropped off. Hope my back holds out. Standing is my least favorite thing.
We stand too much at church but isn't it funny how a younger pastor doesn't see it my way - I mean who is in charge anyway. Oh that's right. NOT ME.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
POST TWO WEEK AFTER SURGERY
Well time does fly by. So much to do before our bake sale Saturday. I went to see Linda and June yesterday afternoon and she had built two Ginger Bread Houses - too cute.
THANKSGIVING DAY
How wonderful to have my Alexis, River and Autumn home. If only I was clever enough to put a photo of the table runner Autumn made for my table scape. Autumn did the most incredible job on the table runner. It is exquisite to say the least. What fun for me and how proud I am of her. She can do anything she sets her mind to it.
So they came home on Wednesday and Skye and Jon came home Thursday with the pies. 3 pies. Lovely. Apple, pumpkin and French Silk all from Bakers Square.
Ali & the kids stayed Wednesday night and Skye & new Beau 'stayed Thursday night - what fun.
First time we met Jon - they have known each other 9+ years but just started dating after having fun together at a mutual friends wedding.
So October 1st is their Anniversary date - been connected 2 months
now. They seem well suited for each other. He is 12 years older
than she but she doesn't mind at all.
Skye just took a part time job to make some extra monies to finish off her basement and get out of debt.
Will take her a while.
You should have seen the snow yesterday- it was just beautiful- warm out too - must be 30-34 - too bad it's a heavy wet snow.
Let's see a I had my surgery on November 18th, female surgery, so it's 2 weeks ago today, feels like it's longer ago than that.
Healing takes time and I am not a patient woman.
I just too much to do. We went to the Rapids, (Grand Rapids) yesterday, but befor we went I made a double batch of Banana Nut Sour Cream Bread, 20 mini-loaves, and 7 dozen Russian Tea Cakes. Everything is in containers on the back porch, have to use that for my fridge.
I mixed up 3 batches of cookies this morning. Cut out sugar cookies and Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal cookies and Cottage Cups, they are a lot like Pecan Tassies. Having fun but I do run out of
energy quickly. Now to bake everything. That's time consuming.
Oh I wish you could see the two bald eagles in our largest pine tree at the side of the field. They come down to the middle of the field and eat the fish guts that Jim throws out.
So they came home on Wednesday and Skye and Jon came home Thursday with the pies. 3 pies. Lovely. Apple, pumpkin and French Silk all from Bakers Square.
Ali & the kids stayed Wednesday night and Skye & new Beau 'stayed Thursday night - what fun.
First time we met Jon - they have known each other 9+ years but just started dating after having fun together at a mutual friends wedding.
So October 1st is their Anniversary date - been connected 2 months
now. They seem well suited for each other. He is 12 years older
than she but she doesn't mind at all.
Skye just took a part time job to make some extra monies to finish off her basement and get out of debt.
Will take her a while.
You should have seen the snow yesterday- it was just beautiful- warm out too - must be 30-34 - too bad it's a heavy wet snow.
Let's see a I had my surgery on November 18th, female surgery, so it's 2 weeks ago today, feels like it's longer ago than that.
Healing takes time and I am not a patient woman.
I just too much to do. We went to the Rapids, (Grand Rapids) yesterday, but befor we went I made a double batch of Banana Nut Sour Cream Bread, 20 mini-loaves, and 7 dozen Russian Tea Cakes. Everything is in containers on the back porch, have to use that for my fridge.
I mixed up 3 batches of cookies this morning. Cut out sugar cookies and Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal cookies and Cottage Cups, they are a lot like Pecan Tassies. Having fun but I do run out of
energy quickly. Now to bake everything. That's time consuming.
Oh I wish you could see the two bald eagles in our largest pine tree at the side of the field. They come down to the middle of the field and eat the fish guts that Jim throws out.
Monday, November 16, 2015
CHRISTMAS IS A COMIN
Well here we are - thought it was time to blog - I am working on a scarf or shawl for Laura - it s really turning out or be pretty - red fun fur and hi-lo red yarn.
Had a really great weekend - LEFSE LEFSE - WHO'S GOT THE LEFSE.
We met at Heid's church "Sepherd of the Hills" in Edina and did our lefse there.
Heidi & Pat were there with her kids - Maggie, Joey & Ali, Erin & Josh & Riley & Jackson, then I and my brood, Mac, Laura, Hope Hudson, Alexis &Autumn and Skye. 17 from what I can decifer.
It was lots of fun and Alexis, Autun, Skye and I all went to Macs to visit. I stayed at Macs and Alexis and Autumn stayed at Skye's.
The real funny part, in Remer at Bethany we spent Friday morning getting lefse ready for rolling out on Sunday. So I was part of a roll a roll out Saturday of 30# of white, 10# of sweet and on Sunday of 25# of white. BUSY BUSY BUSY.
Every week is full - we want so to live life full out and then our bodies remind us it is not going to happen.
I can make one bone builders session this week - then female surgery Wednesday.
The next week is Thanksgiving and Ali and Skye will be home. Too fun and I will get to meet Jon - Skye's new squeeze. She is happy.
The time see is a flying.
We have a Lion's meeting tonight and I am bring a Baker's Dozen of lefse to be auctioned off.
Should be a hot - we also have game night at church. Wish I could be at both.
We ave to be in Duluth tomorrow by 9am so I only have today to clea. Up my mess I. The pole building and it should be enough.
Later then.
Had a really great weekend - LEFSE LEFSE - WHO'S GOT THE LEFSE.
We met at Heid's church "Sepherd of the Hills" in Edina and did our lefse there.
Heidi & Pat were there with her kids - Maggie, Joey & Ali, Erin & Josh & Riley & Jackson, then I and my brood, Mac, Laura, Hope Hudson, Alexis &Autumn and Skye. 17 from what I can decifer.
It was lots of fun and Alexis, Autun, Skye and I all went to Macs to visit. I stayed at Macs and Alexis and Autumn stayed at Skye's.
The real funny part, in Remer at Bethany we spent Friday morning getting lefse ready for rolling out on Sunday. So I was part of a roll a roll out Saturday of 30# of white, 10# of sweet and on Sunday of 25# of white. BUSY BUSY BUSY.
Every week is full - we want so to live life full out and then our bodies remind us it is not going to happen.
I can make one bone builders session this week - then female surgery Wednesday.
The next week is Thanksgiving and Ali and Skye will be home. Too fun and I will get to meet Jon - Skye's new squeeze. She is happy.
The time see is a flying.
We have a Lion's meeting tonight and I am bring a Baker's Dozen of lefse to be auctioned off.
Should be a hot - we also have game night at church. Wish I could be at both.
We ave to be in Duluth tomorrow by 9am so I only have today to clea. Up my mess I. The pole building and it should be enough.
Later then.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
TUESDAY ALL DAY
I don't think I have too much going on today, I know I told Audrey I would be honored to be her guest at the grand opening of
"The Soo Line Saloon" - we had "The Pickled Loon" in that spot for six months but they left town and moved their place to Outing. Big mystery there but if this place has good eats we will be super happy. Opens at 5pm.
Love having decent food in town. We have "The Woodsman" but we have our Lions meetings there once a month with dinner so having something else too is always nice, we are only a town of 370 I think or 317 - I never can remember.
Been busy - Sunday I am happy to say went wonderfully- we were 28 for the fish fry - we went through 138 fillets of sunnies. I cut them in half and this time we used McCormics beer batter and it had just the right amount of spices. Every piece went. Wonderful Dar brought an extra 30 fillets just in case and I packaged them up and gave them away at the end - all people had to do was guess my favorite number and of course it's #7. I even have a rock at my front door with the #7 on it. It's funny I have had #7 in so many addresses - in Alexandria it was 207 Hazel Hill Rd - Jim's address was 2070 Carnelian Lane - we lived at 207 Heritage Circle in Burnsville to name a few - of course I was "Idea Agent - Wester, PJ Wester 007." At ChartHouse so "7" is an endearing number and it was so funny because Susan guessed it right away.
Now to get Jim willing to make fish for me for D.O.S.S. On the 28th. We girls will gather here at 4pm. Most of us are retired so we think it's 5 o'clock somewhere at any given time in the afternoon.
Jim took care of the flowers at church and used the back stairs and low and behold- we found 4 old funeral bouquets all dead and dried out. What a hoot. I came back at 4 pm Sunday but just to deliver the communion cups. It was Audrey's and my turn to do the set up, I am now a member of Alter Guild and Audrey is a great partner for that. She did the setup, mainly because I forgot to show up on Saturday morning at 9:30, so I did the clean up. Worked out fine because she was not at church on Sunday.
On MONDAY Jim met me at church and we cleaned up the mess in the back hall. I sure would be interested to know who left it. We could have used the flowers at church instead of have them die in the hall way. Bet there is a story there. Maybe someone got locked out. Our dehumidifiers at church are running overtime. I am there every M-W-F for bone builders and we usually do the cleaning on Thursday or Friday these days so plenty of Chance to empty them.
I had such a busy day Monday, after bone builders,and we had 6 of us there, good turnout.n anyway I saw Pat Jansseen at the Remer Arts and Crafts, I used to work with her for two years at the RAC store. She makes beautiful cards and she wants some wine bottles. Now that I can accommodate. She makes wind chimes out of them. They are adorable, she had some on display at the store. We chatted for an hour. Time does fly, I was going next door to see if they had any old bananas, want to make Banana bread. If you like Banana bread you have to go on line to allrecipes.com and look up Sour Cream Banana Nut Bread. I tell you that recipe is to die for. I no longer coat the pan in cinnamon sugar like it suggests, just too messy bit I get 8 Minnie loafs and freeze them, great to have on hand when company pops in or you visit someone. I have never had a complaint about that bread being dry.
Went home, Jim told me Pam-John, Rachael and Mickie were coming to spend the night, house and guest rooms were in order so I just had to make chocolate chip cookies without nuts and made up some Bergers for us to grill and a salad to pass for our Lions picnic at 5:30. We drove separate and Jim got home right after the kids drove in from up North, Park Point Resort in Voyager National Park, they had been there since Thursday. Jims kids have had their hands full with the passing of their Mother, Jane, she was just 72. Heart failure brought on by a heart attack a year ago. We went to the funeral last Monday a week ago. Fortunately Jim was able to be there for Carrie and John three days before she died and when she passed. They took her ashes down south near Sleepy Eye. Forget the name of the town. I think she is buried with her grandparents. Carrie just is in the process of selling her house, took a lot of thing and put them in Janes townhouse, sounds like it's full to the brim. Should have put their things in storage so they could move. Been crazy time for them, they now have to find a place to live, probably in Stillwater. Carrie has checked out schools there and likes that area. David's business is in Maple Grove so that could prove to be quite a drive to work. We will see where they end up.
Was a full day anyway, here it is Tuesday and I have two Doctor appointments on the calendar. One in Remer for physical therapy on my back and one in Deer River for an MRI. We just want to see if something can't be done to releave some of the pain in my lower back, you know my philosophy is "just keep going" if you sit too long - you might never get up again.
Been busy - Sunday I am happy to say went wonderfully- we were 28 for the fish fry - we went through 138 fillets of sunnies. I cut them in half and this time we used McCormics beer batter and it had just the right amount of spices. Every piece went. Wonderful Dar brought an extra 30 fillets just in case and I packaged them up and gave them away at the end - all people had to do was guess my favorite number and of course it's #7. I even have a rock at my front door with the #7 on it. It's funny I have had #7 in so many addresses - in Alexandria it was 207 Hazel Hill Rd - Jim's address was 2070 Carnelian Lane - we lived at 207 Heritage Circle in Burnsville to name a few - of course I was "Idea Agent - Wester, PJ Wester 007." At ChartHouse so "7" is an endearing number and it was so funny because Susan guessed it right away.
Now to get Jim willing to make fish for me for D.O.S.S. On the 28th. We girls will gather here at 4pm. Most of us are retired so we think it's 5 o'clock somewhere at any given time in the afternoon.
Jim took care of the flowers at church and used the back stairs and low and behold- we found 4 old funeral bouquets all dead and dried out. What a hoot. I came back at 4 pm Sunday but just to deliver the communion cups. It was Audrey's and my turn to do the set up, I am now a member of Alter Guild and Audrey is a great partner for that. She did the setup, mainly because I forgot to show up on Saturday morning at 9:30, so I did the clean up. Worked out fine because she was not at church on Sunday.
On MONDAY Jim met me at church and we cleaned up the mess in the back hall. I sure would be interested to know who left it. We could have used the flowers at church instead of have them die in the hall way. Bet there is a story there. Maybe someone got locked out. Our dehumidifiers at church are running overtime. I am there every M-W-F for bone builders and we usually do the cleaning on Thursday or Friday these days so plenty of Chance to empty them.
I had such a busy day Monday, after bone builders,and we had 6 of us there, good turnout.n anyway I saw Pat Jansseen at the Remer Arts and Crafts, I used to work with her for two years at the RAC store. She makes beautiful cards and she wants some wine bottles. Now that I can accommodate. She makes wind chimes out of them. They are adorable, she had some on display at the store. We chatted for an hour. Time does fly, I was going next door to see if they had any old bananas, want to make Banana bread. If you like Banana bread you have to go on line to allrecipes.com and look up Sour Cream Banana Nut Bread. I tell you that recipe is to die for. I no longer coat the pan in cinnamon sugar like it suggests, just too messy bit I get 8 Minnie loafs and freeze them, great to have on hand when company pops in or you visit someone. I have never had a complaint about that bread being dry.
Went home, Jim told me Pam-John, Rachael and Mickie were coming to spend the night, house and guest rooms were in order so I just had to make chocolate chip cookies without nuts and made up some Bergers for us to grill and a salad to pass for our Lions picnic at 5:30. We drove separate and Jim got home right after the kids drove in from up North, Park Point Resort in Voyager National Park, they had been there since Thursday. Jims kids have had their hands full with the passing of their Mother, Jane, she was just 72. Heart failure brought on by a heart attack a year ago. We went to the funeral last Monday a week ago. Fortunately Jim was able to be there for Carrie and John three days before she died and when she passed. They took her ashes down south near Sleepy Eye. Forget the name of the town. I think she is buried with her grandparents. Carrie just is in the process of selling her house, took a lot of thing and put them in Janes townhouse, sounds like it's full to the brim. Should have put their things in storage so they could move. Been crazy time for them, they now have to find a place to live, probably in Stillwater. Carrie has checked out schools there and likes that area. David's business is in Maple Grove so that could prove to be quite a drive to work. We will see where they end up.
Was a full day anyway, here it is Tuesday and I have two Doctor appointments on the calendar. One in Remer for physical therapy on my back and one in Deer River for an MRI. We just want to see if something can't be done to releave some of the pain in my lower back, you know my philosophy is "just keep going" if you sit too long - you might never get up again.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
AUGUST UPDATE
Well to say it's been awhile is an understatement, I had been having problems with my hot-spot and that is what I use to get on-line with. What a crazy busy summer and it has been fun too.
Last weekend Ali-Mac & Laura, Skye and kids home for Harvest Fest. Was fun. The blow up bed in the camper kept deflating, I think we finally have that fixed. Hope and Hudson kept flattening out. But you know kids, they can sleep anywhere.
U
The weekend before that I worked at the Library. Try and work 2 days a month.
We had our family reunion at Sibley State Park this year. Was fun. I have to keep Makons out of the fray and with Jim it is not an easy task. Makons bit my middle toe on my left foot on July 25th and
its is still red, swollen and painful, at least it's starting to scab over.
We had a fish fry at the family reunion and we are having our annual church fish fry out here tomorrow. Will be fun. Lots of details left but it will come together. I hope so anyway.
Well just wanted you to know I was still here.
Some sad news. Carrie and John's mother died August 1st. We went down for the funeral last Monday. She was only 72. Jim was with the kids Thursday through Saturday before she died and I am greatful for that.
It seems every day is super filled, I have bone builders every Monday-Wednesday and Friday morning, bible study evert Wednesday at 3:30, prayer group every Friday morning at 8am, help clean
the church every Thursday I an in town, Lion's meetings and activities, working at the Library and I
just joined the Altar Fuild at church. I am having great fun but Jim and I had a break this summer. We went to Ill for a week and then Dot Nancy and I camped for a week in Fountain City WI.
What a dog, I was merely walking up to a picnic table and she was under it and bite me. Thank goodness it was me and not one of the kids. I am starting to use the shock collar on her. It seems to be working. Thank you Gail so much for the use of it.
Next week I am having an MRI and start therapy to strengthen my back. We all know it will never be wonderful but I wish it could be a little better.
I am having DOSSIER the end of the month and another fish fry. Nancy and Dot will be coming up to help. Yes and drink wine. Jim just took me to Total Wine. What fun I had.
Have to get busy.
Will keep you posted.
Last weekend Ali-Mac & Laura, Skye and kids home for Harvest Fest. Was fun. The blow up bed in the camper kept deflating, I think we finally have that fixed. Hope and Hudson kept flattening out. But you know kids, they can sleep anywhere.
U
The weekend before that I worked at the Library. Try and work 2 days a month.
We had our family reunion at Sibley State Park this year. Was fun. I have to keep Makons out of the fray and with Jim it is not an easy task. Makons bit my middle toe on my left foot on July 25th and
its is still red, swollen and painful, at least it's starting to scab over.
We had a fish fry at the family reunion and we are having our annual church fish fry out here tomorrow. Will be fun. Lots of details left but it will come together. I hope so anyway.
Well just wanted you to know I was still here.
Some sad news. Carrie and John's mother died August 1st. We went down for the funeral last Monday. She was only 72. Jim was with the kids Thursday through Saturday before she died and I am greatful for that.
It seems every day is super filled, I have bone builders every Monday-Wednesday and Friday morning, bible study evert Wednesday at 3:30, prayer group every Friday morning at 8am, help clean
the church every Thursday I an in town, Lion's meetings and activities, working at the Library and I
just joined the Altar Fuild at church. I am having great fun but Jim and I had a break this summer. We went to Ill for a week and then Dot Nancy and I camped for a week in Fountain City WI.
What a dog, I was merely walking up to a picnic table and she was under it and bite me. Thank goodness it was me and not one of the kids. I am starting to use the shock collar on her. It seems to be working. Thank you Gail so much for the use of it.
Next week I am having an MRI and start therapy to strengthen my back. We all know it will never be wonderful but I wish it could be a little better.
I am having DOSSIER the end of the month and another fish fry. Nancy and Dot will be coming up to help. Yes and drink wine. Jim just took me to Total Wine. What fun I had.
Have to get busy.
Will keep you posted.
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