Christmas 2013 with Daisy's Family

Over the river and through the woods to my in-laws' house we go... 

Daisy has a tradition of spending every Christmas with her siblings. As her husband, last year was my first time to be an addition to this merry mix.  It is a little over 1000 miles from our southern base here in Texas to brother-in-law Don's house.  It is winter and we were closely watching the weather patterns as we approached our designated departure date the week before Christmas.  Our intent was to drive via Arkansas so we could check out our house to make sure that I did turn off the water and leave the heat on.  A storm hit the week before we left, but it appeared that the 10 inches of snow that fell on the mountain roads were of no issue by the time of our travel. We were off! 

The tree we saw at Don and Maggie's house

We dressed in sandals and short-sleeved shirts for our departure and after 600 miles we stopped overnight in Sherman, Texas. The next day we arrived in Arkansas to check out our house, wearing jeans, sweatshirts, jackets, and socks. The house was in great unoccupied shape.  I had turned the water off and set the desired temperature on the thermostat.  After a short visit with our next door neighbors, Jim and Val, to catch up on local gossip, we spent the night with our buddy Carol who lives 1 mile away. She provided a delicious spaghetti dinner and we enjoyed her beautifully decorated home.

We only had a 5-hour drive remaining to our Christmas destination, but we had to experience a little more of winter to get there.

Frost and ice covered the road sides.

I am a wimp. It was 75 when we left Texas.

Snow covered Don's yard when we arrived.

The smells of homemade cookies, candies, and roasting turkey plus the warm hugs and laughter of being with family overshadowed any earlier weather worries.

and coffee cakes...

Maggie baked pies...

and made a variety of candies

When growing up and in my previous relationships, going to church for Christmas services has been a cornerstone tradition. Daisy's siblings do the same. We attended the Christmas Eve candlelight service where Daisy's nephew Frank and his wife Lindsey were key elements in the music and worship program. 

Don, Ann, Lindsey, Frank, Mary Lee, Rick, and Daisy after the Christmas Eve service

We had two gift opening times due to work and family schedules.

 

Daisy's brother Don and sister Mary Lee

Attendees included:

Heather and nephew Daniel

Niece Laura and Lauren

Prance the kitty

Cliff and niece Ricka

Everyone had a task to do.

"Now sister, I will hold the bird and you catch all  the drippings".

The gravy lady (Daisy) did her thing under the eye of the roll lady, niece Ann.

Don gave me the honor of carving.

Sister Mary Lee and her husband Rick lead the plate fillers

All the good ole standard stuff...even oyster stuffing

As they say, a good time and a full belly were had by all.

Smiles were everywhere

We had an uneventful trip on dry roadways back to the southern Texas Rio Grande Valley. Unfortunately we arrived back here to find cool weather and a forecast of rainy days to come.

A Christmas gift: "vinderhosen" to clothe a wine bottle.

This is the last blog for 2013.  There will be more to come in 2014 if God is willing and the truck keeps running!

So to sum it up...

Our travel from July 2012 through December 2013:

Total nights in the truck camper: 129

Other travel nights away from the house or 5^th wheel: 48, plus 8 cruise nights, plus 3 nights in Las Vegas (flew there)

Total miles on overnight car trips: 16,099

Total truck camper miles: 23,798

Total car and truck camper road trip miles: 39,897

Happy New Year

and thanks for following us.

Fall activities in Texas

After we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge (pictured below) in Arkansas, we enjoyed a few miscellaneous activities while basing in Texas without moving the trusty truck camper from our site.

Traversing a one-lane suspension bridge near our house in Arkansas on our way to Texas adventures this fall.

Halloween 2013

Halloween is an event that most of the resort users try to be back in TX to attend. We have a dance, great snacks, and costumes. At the party, when asked about how we selected our costumes, we told people the story that Daisy and I had agreed to go as an Indian couple. We just forgot to mention to each other which continent we would be representing. Daisy wanted to wear the sari she had been given as a wedding gift by our friends Ranjana and Vinod. Our friend Carol helped us make my American Indian costume. For our costumes and story, we received the prize as the best-dressed couple.

An Indian couple--East and West

From the front

Back view of Daisy's sari

Presentation of the Couple Award.   "Mine" she says.

Dancing at the Mustang Lounge

Jay and the woman he's with (for 38 years!)

Performer Ruthi is from our resort.

With Mel, Randy, Karen, and Wild Bill

1,2,3-1,2,3: We love to waltz.

Sharon's Celebration of Life Ceremony

A dear friend to many passed on in July. Sharon and I planned what she want to have as her memorial service upon the return of the resort residents for the season. In accordance with her wishes, we carried out the celebration of her life in late fall. The service included prayers, scriptures, readings, and comments from friends.

Up, up, and away

Our friend Sharon

Here is a poem that Daisy read during the balloon release.

Don't Grieve For Me For Now I'm Free

(author unknown)

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Memorial plaque at the park

Balloons filling up our RV

Welcoming drop-in visitors

Bob and Rita came to visit from Des Moines.

If it happens in Vegas it stays in Vegas, or we did take one flight.

Our home was the Las Vegas Hotel.

Palm trees, towers, and skyscrapers

Yet to open. Its name? Beats me.

Monorail

We were attending the annual Association of Career and Technical Education convention. Daisy is the official member and I am the tag-along spouse, or as I have been call by some of her close friends, her "eye candy."  That makes me smile :)

Past presidents of one division of the association

Accepting award for a student

Vegas at night

We ate out just before going to catch a musical show.

Chateau Ste. Michelle wine and chewy rolls

Show was about Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons

Another meal with Andrea, Bret, Cheryl, and Wanda

Dinner at the Lemongrass Thai restaurant

Softshell crab on fried rice

Thai beef with peppers and mushrooms

There was a Cowboy Christmas market in the convention center with boots, clothes, saddles, and trucks.

We won in Vegas...a  photo with a tall blonde cowgirl and a chance for a red truck

Meanwhile, back at the ranch in Texas: In the RV kitchen

I like to make quiche, and we have several friends who like to share it whenever we invite them.

Pete and Becky on one occasion

Pete and Linda on another

Broccoli, spinach, bell pepper, onion, and a mix of 3 shredded cheeses

Christmas 2013 and the annual Hildago Festival of Lights

Fifty of us from the resort joined together and purchased all the tickets for one seating of a sit-down dinner, trolley ride to view 3 million lights, and a musical presentation in the nearby town of Hildago. 

City courthouse, dining, and show area at dusk

Washboard Willy, a one-man band

The musical program was presented by the Estudiantina Guadalupana Potosima from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This singing group is composed of approximately 25 boys of junior high, high school, and some elementary age with mostly excellent singing voices. 

The group had its origin in 16th century Spain and the costumes the boys wear are replicas of a student’s clothing at that time. They sang songs of the folkloric times of the 16th century as well as the traditional Christmas songs.

The above little guy stole the hearts of the audience with his energetic solos, facial expressions and showkidship personality.

Christmas sweetheart food basket auction

In order to earn funds for needy families in the area, we held an auction of snack baskets for two that were prepared by the women from the park. The baskets were created in secret and packaged so that you had no idea who had prepared the basket or what was in it.

Doug won the blind bid for Daisy's charity basket.

I knew what Daisy's food box looked like so I did not bid for it.  The one I obtained, after 5 bidding attempts, had roast beef sandwiches, green salad, vegetables with dip, lemon tarts, and wine.

 I won the bid for Judy's basket for charity. It was yummy.

In search of interesting cuisine

Rio Grande Grill is a local favorite

We are always looking for special local restaurants. We are fortunate to have friends who live yearlong in the area who love to discover great eating places as well.

Janet and Barry

Smoked fish tacos

Tortilla soup with avocado

There is one more blog to come for this year, so we will see you next time.

Thanks for sharing our adventures.