No Happy Hour for me

I decided to stay home tonight and just hang out with Justin. He got in late afternoon, while my friend was still here so he got to greet her. It had been a long time since they saw each other but he was too filthy to hug anyone. 

For dinner we dined on leftovers, as I had made a wonderful meatloaf for his dinner last night. To make the meatloaf, the first one in ages and ages, was to mix the hamburger with half a package of Stove Top stuffing, two eggs, a little water and then put it in a loaf pan. Over the top I put some bacon strips and ketchup. Turned out perfectly! Not as good as Mom's or as good as Cracker Barrel's but it was the best I've ever made. Next time, I am adding pickle juice to jazz it up!

I had met my friend for lunch at Grumpy's, where I have nearly exhausted my gift certificate from Rosalie and Hal. Only $2.50 left on it, enough for a soda! Then my friend, J, and I went for a car ride, showing her the area. The rest of the time was spent sitting in my river room, catching up and looking at my scrapbooks, etc. I can't imagine where the time went! I got nothing done desk-wise so will have some catching up to do tomorrow!

Speaking of tomorrow, I already have a full day. First I have Bible study at Victory (did my homework tonight!), and then a phone call to make on the ride home. Then, my friend, Carol, is coming over so she can have a little 'vacation' in the river room. We have some meetings coming up for which we (I) need to prepare so this should be quite interesting. I am ready!

A couple things have happened in recent weeks via Facebook, like finding long-lost friends and making new ones. One site I am a 'member' of concerns all things Manitowoc. From that site I have become friends with two ladies from my home town. One had mentioned taking her mom to Easter worship at my home church. That opened a door for me to get to know her and hear her story, etc. Another lady has done a family tree on my mother-in-law's side of the family, which even includes me! She has, I think, 3500 names on the tree, which is amazing to consider. It has to be quite the growth if I made the list! I very much enjoy chit-chatting with these ladies, plus with my old friend, and it's no wonder I get nothing done on my desk!

Food galore!

This evening was spent with hundreds of my closest friends (well, truthfully, I didn't know half of them!) at a fund-raiser event at The Club. Nancy W. went with me on this glorious night. Nice and clear, warm, not too many bugs...There were tables on the lawn and patios as far as the eye could see, covered in white table cloths. The event was called Gourmet Night where area restaurants and vendors were set up inside The Club and around the patio with their fares for us to sample. Additionally, inside, there were silent auction items available for bidding. Neither Nancy nor I bid on anything but there were some very interesting items on the tables.

I actually did know some of those attending since the fund-raiser was sponsored by the Rotary Club for Lighthouse Learning Center. Many of my neighbors were there plus other Club members, but I wanted to make friends with the people with their food displays. I can begin to mention names of restaurants, sure to leave out important ones but here goes: La Nopalera, Texas Roadhouse, McDonalds, Ramirez, The Pie House, Carrabba's, the Hilltop, The Club (of course!), Allegro, plus about 20 more places. Nancy did better with sampling than I did because she could walk and eat while I had to sit down. Too hard to juggle ribs and carry a Diet Coke at the same time!

He had on skinny suit pants...interesting! See The Palace behind him?

Nancy and I finished the evening on the back patio, sitting near the crooner musician (sort of like Tony Bennett or Michael Buble) who sang into an old-fashioned microphone. He was very good, not too loud which means I am not too old! After the singer stopped, the vendors were wheeling their equipment and supplies away, and below us, on the grounds, the Junior ROTC gang was noisily folding up tables and chairs. Nancy said, "I guess they are trying to tell us something..." and we got up to leave. Hated to, though, as we were having such a good visit, complete with eye-dabbing. I DO know how to have a party!

"I order extra MSG..."

Another line of Kramer's (Seinfeld reference) when ordering Chinese food that Justin and I like to use after eating at Koko's. We went there for dinner tonight just because I had a hankering for some fried rice. When we walked in, we were warmly welcomed (lots of w's in this sentence!). The owner, wife of Huong, my favorite chef from the old days, asked us if we had a nice Easter and I said that we sure did, and asked about their celebration. She told us rather excitedly about how special Easter is, about Jesus. This was very cool to know!

Justin ordered sushi only but I had the food from the grille for my dinner. The way the chefs slice the chicken is such a great improvement over the 'old' way of using chunks. I used to share my leftover chicken with the dogs at Great Hang Ups but now I put my to-go box in the car before going into the shop! The box tonight was quite heavy as I ordered extra rice since Justin will be eating the rest of it.

We left Koko's and went over to Publix to get some sweet corn plus a cartful of other stuff. Chicken breasts were on sale and are so versatile that we stocked up on them. Yesterday at the Easter buffet, Jacquie had ordered a baked potato for Mark to enjoy with his prime rib (he doesn't eat the sweet potatoes) which Justin thought looked so good. We bought a bag of Yukon Gold's which are not really 'baking' potatoes but make dandy mashed ones! And, he bought a bag of onions, the kind that make him weep like baby, and make us laugh in the process!

We got everything carried up from the car, in one trip, and it was put away, for the most part. I have an issue with having stuff on the counters, but for the time being, the onions and potatoes would be on the counter until I find a place to put them. I will make corn for our dinner one night during the week, cooking it in the microwave, still in its wrapper. Learned this trick from my neighbor, Gus, and works like a charm!

Today we still did not have Bible study (we're going to have to start over!) but I had other business to take care of there. Late morning I took my wedding dress, my photo album, and my 25th anniversary photo frame over to church. The secretary was making me some copies of Time and Talent stuff so I picked that up in the office. Pastor looked at my wedding album and got some chuckles from it, seeing everyone looking so young. Laughing at the suits, plaid jacket and pants my friend, Gary, wore, and my dad's sport coat being plaid as well as the groom's slacks. The last photo is of my dad and me standing in the back of the church, ready to walk down the aisle. As I closed the book, Pastor said, "Well, now I know what you looked like as a little girl..." That was funny!

The next couple of hours was spent finishing the cleaning of the hymnals and Bibles in the church. I had run out of cleaner last week. Today I did the last three rows on one side plus the scattered hymnals in the back of the church and the ushers pew on the back wall. We normally have four or fewer men ushering---they don't need more than one per man. I found an empty shelf in the lower bookcase to place the spare hymnals, tidying things up as I went. Then I matched up the T&T sheets for those wanting to be greeters with the existing name tags in the basket. Found 5 names on the list with no tags so I can make those tags tomorrow and get them to church on Sunday. 

Tonight, when Justin and I got home from our dinner and shopping, we both said it was time to brush our teeth, as they always feel 'coated' after eating at Koko's. The extra MSG!! It's good to go to bed laughing, with freshly brushed teeth!

Easter photos

This is our sunrise service which was held indoors due to drizzling outside. Pastor is pressing the 'nails' into the Christ candle cross which is also marked with the year, plus the Alpha and Omega. We had fairly good attendance for each of our Easter services.

 Michael never poses for a photo but I caught him unaware, along with my friends, Cliff and Carol. While I was handing out my chocolate Easter crosses to the kids, I had a present for Cliff, too. I bought each of us a copy of a book about the gospel being preached through music. This is a topic of great interest to the three of us.

This is Mike S. enjoying his Easter breakfast, while listening to a point being made by Judy C., next to me. Behind Mike see Jean, Twila, and her grandson, Mark. Sadly, Twila couldn't stay for the Festival service as she didn't feel well so Mark took her home. 

This lily is so tall it would hardly stay standing!

While Justin and I were enjoying our Easter brunch with Mark and Jacquie, the owner of The Club came over and asked me to pose with the Easter bunny. So I did!

Mark took this photo of me, laughing my fool head off, naturally!

 Jacquie and I each wore the same outfits we wore for the fashion show, and posed today in front of The Club by the well. She is taller than I am!

Mark took this 'selfie' (or, as he later referred to it as a 'groupie') shot of the four of us outside The Club after lunch. You can't tell that Justin and I are related, can you?

It's a new recipe day!

Facebook has become more Cookbook these days, as folks have taken to posting pictures and recipes found on other sites. Oh, my goodness! My FB friend, one I've never met in the flesh, posted an easy peasy recipe for slow cooker chicken. I bought the ingredients and made it for our dinner tonight. It was good! Next time I make it, I will know better how to set the time on the cooker (having options of 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours) so I don't overcook the chicken. We have enough now for leftovers, with its tasty sauce.

It takes four ingredients to make: chicken breasts, a packet of onion soup mix, a can of whole cranberry sauce, and 8 oz. of catalina dressing. Of course, while I was putting it together, I was met with scepticism about this creation from my boy, who again accused me of occupying HIS territory. Just like his father! Fortunately, he liked the recipe, so I got a pass.

He offered to make the mini-muffins for our Easter breakfast while I put together the egg/cheese/bread casserole which has to sit for hours before being baked. We stayed out of each other's way and no one got hurt (ha, ha). I wasn't sure there would be paper cups so small for the muffins but he did find some at Publix, buying two packs of 100. That should hold us. He ended up with about 50 mini-muffins, lemon poppyseed flavored. That should about do it!

Our chefs at church, Mike 'n Mike, are taking the year off from making Easter breakfast so we have folks bringing baked dishes, bakery, milk, and such, plus Judy is making biscuits and gravy (to die from!!!). I am sure we will have plenty but Judy is concerned about that. At least folks can fill up on mini-muffins! 

The week ends

On Wednesday, Justin and I were able to join our neighbors at Trivia at The Club. He played last month when I was gone to WI, but two teams reached an impasse. This month's contest was for double or nothing, for all the marbles, as it were. That means we get double free drink tickets as our prize, or none. We got double! Not only did we win, but Hugh picked up the tab for Justin's meal and drinks. The team really thinks the world of Justin and believes we couldn't win without his help. Several people gave him their drink tickets, too, so we have a whole stack of them on the kitchen counter. 

On Thursday, Justin and his underling, Ray, found time in their schedule to stop by church and do some yard work. He reported blowing the accumulated leaves from the beds and knocking down (burning) the weeds and growth. They edged and trimmed, with Mike S. stopping by to pitch in. It now looks nicely groomed and ready for Easter!

Thursday night we went to Maundy Thursday services. While I was rehearsing with the choir, he was helping to put up the tables for the Easter breakfast. When we were both done with our 'jobs', we stopped at Panda Express to pick up our dinner. I just love their orange chicken! Justin orders the calorie-friendly fare but then was able to finish off my fried rice for me. 

This morning I went to Breakfast Club with Nancy W. only, as Pat reported being under the weather. We had to order from the menu this time since the hot buffet was not provided. I ate most of my French toast and brought my entire fried egg home with me, plus two pieces of coffee cake that Kathy insisted I take. She knows I like the strawberry icing she puts on it (this is contrary to the boss's orders...). Kathy said she also thought of little Gracie, the daughter of my friend, Tina, who used to come to Breakfast Club. Gracie is now in school so Tina doesn't come anymore either. I miss them! Soon I will see them at the pool, weather permitting!

Maundy Thursday service

When Justin was a little boy, he'd gotten a 'care package' in the mail from his grandma with home-sewn outfits and pj's in it. I remarked that the Lord had sure blessed Grandma's hands to make those things for him. He agreed, and after a few minutes, he piped up, "The Lord blessed the hands of the banner makers, too..." Who would expect a little kid to notice the banners? All these years later, I can't help but think about that exchange when I see these lovely banners, made by Twila and June.  

From the left see Terri T., Pastor removing his stole, Bonnie, Ellen, Jean, and Twila. The ladies can no longer go up and down the steps carrying the items removed from the altar so tonight Donna handed the items to the ladies for them to carry.

 From the left see Pastor, Jean, Donna, Terri H., and Twila 

This part is usually quite emotional for me to watch, as Terri H. would strip the altar and lay the items on her mom's outstretched arms. Ethel is not well so Terri T. stepped in to help, her first time. The last part of this ceremony is Pastor carrying the brass cross from the chancel, in the darkened sanctuary. Kathy R. played "What Wondrous Love Is This" on the organ while this was going on, timed perfectly with the ending of the hymn. All very well done...