Photos from the Mystery Dinner

People are pouring over the obscure hints as to what is on the menu, trying to figure out the puzzling clues. After a certain point, one must simply make a decision and have fun with the results. This table features Jayne's family, with her step-son, Trey, at the head. Further down is Julaine, Judy J., and the Douglas's.

Jim was given a bottle of bubbling grape juice in lieu of wine (from Pastor) and he wished to share with us all. Carol got the mini-cups and the communion cup filler to help him share his wine. Debbie, Jean, and Twila watch the process. Miraculously, after we all had a little taste of the 'wine', there was yet a half bottle remaining.

Mom's first course turned out to be chicken, two big pieces, plus deep fried corn 'n rice balls. Oh, and a spoon with which to eat it! A spoon was not needed for this very hot finger food, however. She was able to take home the larger piece of chicken since it was too much to eat in a short period of time between courses.  

Gretchen, Terri T., and I all got a large brownie with a scoop of ice cream and whipped topping for our first course, along with buttered bread. And a spoon. We are not fools---we had dessert first! Gretchen was in her glory, as she loves nothing better than chocolate and bread. She recently told me that she could live on sandwiches, using Publix bread, but knows she should not. That's where the chocolate comes in!

The wrap up

This is the sky that began the day, an hour prior to our departure for the airport. Mom and Lynn were quite ready to go with Mom even coming to my door to check that I had not overslept. It was only 7:20 with our planned departure at 8:00 a.m. Oh yes, I was up but just not at 'em!

When I did dress and come out, Lynn helped me carry down some of the trash, leaving the empty soda cans at Connie's door and throwing my trash into the bin. I got my neighbor's mail to free up space in her box, as this is my job for now. I think I might turn the keys over to the neighbor who held them previous to me, since they have returned from vacation.

I moved the car closer to the lobby area to make it easier to load the luggage. Connie had arrived in the meanwhile and helped us get the suitcases and the walker into the back of the car. We were leaving plenty of time for the commute, being warned the day before by those who do this daily. It is the first day of school in Duval County which complicates things and add to that possible storms. The way things worked out, we got there with about two hours before Mom and Lynn's flight was due to take off which is what they wanted. Perfect!

Hugs and kisses ensued with many thanks for the visit and hospitality...and now, my heart is heavy as I face my mostly empty home. As I Windex the glass table in the living room, my prayers of thanksgiving go up that Lynn was able to escort Mom to see her old friends, and me, as well as asking the Lord to be with them on their travels home. The only thing that comforts me is strawberry pretzel torte....

Our last day together

Today after church, a group of us, 8 total, went to lunch at Chili's. Because we go so often, Justin and Terri T. qualify for  the free chips and salsa appetizer. I had my usual meal of potato skins and chucken tenders on the sampler platter, while Lynn enjoyed quesidillas and soup. Mom had a BLT with baked potato soup. Justin had a fiesta salad, just to embarras me, I like to say. The last thing we needed in the fridge was more leftovers, but yet, some of mine came home with me. Oh well....

While we ladies were at church last night for the Mystery Dinner, Justin was at home making strawberry pretzel torte for his auntie and grandma. And for me! We were so full from our dinner and to allow the torte to properly set, the decision was made to have it for breakfast instead. So, this photo shows Mom having a nice piece of torte before church this a.m. Such is life at Kim's house!

Dinner was a Mystery!

Tonight at church, in our newly remodeled fellowship hall, we enjoyed a Mystery Dinner. We were presented with a menu with vague or entirely opaque clues on it from which we were to choose our meals. Served in three courses, a person could choose wisely and get an appetizer to eat with a fork. If one did not figure out the system, they would enjoy a lovely brownie with ice cream and buttered bread as the first course---maybe even get a spoon to eat it with!! Such fun seeing the strange combinations some came up with. I was the one who had the dessert and bread for my first course and ended up having to bribe the waiter for a fork later on. It really was fun and better than that---delicious!!!!

Pool time!

With nothing on the schedule for today, Mom, Lynn, and I went out to the pool late morning in hopes of spending the better part of day there. It was not to be! Before the storm rolled in, we did get to enjoy a couple hours of outdoor fun and a wonderful lunch from the cabana. Mom really likes to get in the water and move around freely, the way water allows one to do. Lynn floated around on my exercise noodle for a bit. Both ladies are getting lovely tans, at least on the upper torso. 

We heard the thunder rolling and then Laura the lifeguard came around to urge folks from the pool. We could have waited it out in the cabana but are extremely glad we did not. The storm was a powerful one of high winds, lots of lightning, even junk hitting my windows! Lynn was thinking we should move the glass pieces from the window in the living room because the trees were bent over so far, almost touching the window. We did not do that, as the storm had a comparatively short run. 

Lynn and I kept our swim suits on for a while in case we could go back out but the weather was simply not going to cooperate. Drizzle continued and the sky was clouded over, not in keeping with my terms for enjoyment at the pool.  

Mom had requested a meal which I used to make when I was married, called Busy Day Chicken. Mid-afternoon I got busy in the kitchen making the dish, getting it ready to put in the oven when it was closer to dinner time. Justin came home from work, showered, and then collapsed on his bed to rest after his busy day. His plans did not include dinner with us as he was joining his friends at Bahama Breeze later on.

Lynn, Mom, and I sat down to watch the Jaguar game but Mom didn't make it to the end. So glad the team is doing well in the preseason and allowing such great entertainment on Friday nights! Tomorrow night we are dining at church (yay! the fellowship hall is done!) but the menu is a Mystery. Can't wait to see what's in store for our dining pleasure....

I missed Wednesday!!!

Mom got her wish and we went to eat at Clark's Fish Camp for dinner. Our original plan had been to go after Bible study this noon but fortunately, one of the ladies mentioned they might not be open for lunch. She was right! 

Going for dinner instead allowed Justin to join us, BUT he messed with me (us) tonight----because he had worked outside all day in the beastly heat, he wanted to eat indoors. My face got a cramp giving him the stink eye but if we wanted him along (why????), we ate indoors. He owes me big time!

The table we were given had full glass on two sides of it, with Mom and Lynn facing out toward the water so it was 'almost' like being outside, with only one fly to swat at as we ate. The fried dill pickles were great, and my fish fingers a delight. Mom enjoyed her all-time favorite fish dish at Clark's, the crab stuffed flounder. Licked her plate clean!

Justin had the tilapia basket while Lynn had crab cakes. No dessert for us as we were satisfied with what we had. On the way out, the four of us visited the aquarium and alligator tank they have recently added, and used the new elevated height bathrooms. No more water coming up through the floor, or, if it does, Clark's has big problems!

Sadly, the Packer game was not being shown in our market, which is probably a good thing since they were doing horribly. I did get a very nice comment on my Facebook page from the former pastor at FG, Steve Hahm, who sent his greeting via me to my mom. He also relayed a link to a memorial service recently conducted for a lady at his church in Baton Rouge, where he sang " MÜDE BIN ICH GEH ZUR RUH" at the close of the service. He has promised to sing it for Mom's service "unless she outlives us all!" 

Primary day

This morning the day began with water exercise class for Lynn and I, with Mom serving as the audience. We had a great class with a few new faces, some who were guests of the hotel. Lynn fits in perfectly due in part to her being with us before plus she works out daily at the fitness center in Manty. Jokingly I said she should not talk to Marlena about this so as not to give her ideas for tougher routines!

Mom and Lynn had gotten up hours earlier with a plan to see the sunrise. Around 5:00 a.m. they did see the moon, a quarter moon, and some stars, but no sun. Mom was thinking it would come up an hour earlier here than it does in WI but it does not work that way. Closer to 7:00 a.m. the sun came up in a less than spectacular way, but only Mom saw it as Lynn had fallen asleep in the living room chair. I looked up the sunrise times online and told them to be watching at 6:52 tomorrow. Or sleep, whichever.

As we enjoyed our time outdoors we could see folks going in to vote at The Club. It is primary day with several of my friends or acquaintances running for seats. Diane H. manages some money for me and is a dear friend, running for Travis' seat on the Board of Commissioners. The lady who manages Travis' races, Marge, is running for the same seat, but my heart and vote belongs to Diane. Both ladies have invited me to 'watch parties' tonight but I accepted neither invitation.

One of my friends wrote on Facebook about a horrible exchange she had while waiting for her dinner to go: a 20-something young man saw her "I Voted" sticker and asked if she voted for president. She told him no, but she did vote for judges, sheriff, school board members, county commissioners, and so on. The guy asked, "Oh, they let you vote for them?" The good news about this was this young man's vote did not cancel out any of hers. We have a problem, America!

                                           

No problem in my house, though, as between making dinner for us all, Justin went over to The Club to vote. He made us a stuffed chicken breast dinner using a Publix recipe. It was good! There are some leftovers of that as well as the potatoes he made to go with the chicken. He admits that potatoes are not his best attempts which his grandma attributes to his not liking them as a child. So, there you go!

For lunch we went to Honey B's on Fleming Island, at Lynn's request. The former Sister's Tea Room folks run this one, and the food is divine. I brought home toast points to snack on and a dessert of bread pudding for Justin. Next, we went to Wal*Mart for a few things and got to see Danny Roy, as he called to me down the aisle. Nice! 

Wednesday is our shopping day, after water exercises, of course. Mom wants to get to Beall's for sure, and Wednesday is Senior Discount Day. Lynn is looking for shoes and there is a big shoe store in the same plaza, if Beall's does not have what she likes. 

In order to squeeze in our all dining out (as Lynn said, "So many restaurants, so little time!), I think we will have lunch at Cracker Barrel. Mom can have the breakfast she wants, and Lynn, her catfish! Likely, meatloaf for me, or perhaps I will be in the mood for pancakes!