Edelweiss, Edelweiss, every morning you greet me...

I sent my daughter-in-law a text the other day and asked her to send some recent pictures of the girls, as I thought Emma was getting way more blog time than Sarah and Rachael. It didn't take Rachael long to get this picture of her with some of the fish her dad caught!!

We got a text message from Sarah, telling us Thanksgiving was boring without us....but she is waiting for her Senior pictures...

Emma sent us this picture of the Christmas tree she and her dad went out and cut. Frank told Betty, if she wanted they could go and buy one but Emma was SO proud of this one that "she picked out". Emma has such a good sense of values.....she seems to know what the important things in life are. I hope she never looses that sense of being happy with the little things!

And here is the "Charlie Brown" tree all decorated....We think it's BEAUTIFUL! Great job Emma!!

Wednesday was my birthday (62)....along with calls from all the kids and grand kids....cards and gifts, a bunch of our friends came over with a cake and ice cream (after Salt took me out to dinner).

The cake and ice cream was great....the laughter even better. Thanks guys!!!

Although there was a big turkey dinner at the club house. A bunch of us decided to do out own little dinner right here on our street. I did the turkey, pies and sweet potato souffle and everyone else brought the rest of the goodies. Since I am always afraid of not having "enough" I roasted a 22 lb. turkey....I am going to have to pull out turkey recipe I ever had!

Salt carving the monster...

and here is the rest of the spread.....It was sure nice being able to eat outside!!

This morning we left early and drove to Howie in the Hills to the Yalaha bakery www.yalahabakery.com .

We were greeted by Edith....the wiry little German woman that heads up the entertainment, which is held every Saturday morning.

This week the entertainer was Bob Rafkin www.bobrafkin.comcdelectrictreehouse.html

It was a very relaxing entertaining morning. We are all planning on going next week when the 50, 60 and 70's band Peanut Butter plays.

Salt, me, Diane and Dave Kone in front of the bakery.

The bread and pastries are unbelievable....all homemade!!! while we were sipping our coffee and enjoying a pastry, my daughter-in-law sent a text message saying she missed us....I was just about to send her these pictures when I remembered she was starting a diet today. I decided this would definitely be the photo to send to someone eating broccoli and grapefruit!!!!

Everyone just chilling.....

and the band played on....

We were on the move all day yesterday....

We started out at the Umatilla Christmas Parade. We were surprised to see so many people gather in such a small town. The crowds were actually 3-4 deep.

As soon as I sat down, this cute little pup came and jumped on my lap and then decided to stay by my side for the rest of the parade.


Love the old fire trucks....

the high school band

lots of cute little floats.....

great old cars......

and the OMS float.......

oh look....a bumble bee and a lady bug.....

and the owner of the park.....Karl

I'm not exactly sure how the Star Wars characters fit into a Christmas parade but they were there in full force and the kids loved them! Maybe that's what kids are asking for this year???

There was a "dressed up dog" contest and a lot of these kids got creative.........

There were scads of "twirlers"....all ages

And the Shriners had it all....floats, miniature cars and even a camel!!

Oh, I almost forgot the miniature tractor trailer....Matthew, you would love this!

After the parade,Salt and I headed out to Leesburg to the open door market. I found some things a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to pick up for Christmas gifts. After we finished shopping we headed over to the square for a cup of coffee, a biscotti and some good music by a folk band. There is always so much going on here.

As soon as we got home a bunch of our friends came and got us to go out to the Crazy Gator for dinner (Eustis) and then we walked over to the Classic Car Cruise. It was SO cool!! Eustis had all their Christmas lights on in the park overlooking the lake and there was a DJ there playing all my favorite (50s and 60s) tunes.


There were way too many cars to photograph them all, but here are a few......

I love this car because my Aunt Jenny had one just like this and she always gave me a ride home from church in it and ALWAYS stopped to buy all of us kids a candy bar.

Emma would love this frog car....Kermit was a passenger

Many of the stores were opened but we only stopped in this one gift shop. Here is the resident cat....lays right up on the counter. The shop was fabulous. I am not a "stuff" person but I really want to go back in and buy a few Christmas decorations. It was beautifully laid out....every area was done by color and you just couldn't take it all in!!

And our last stop was "Strawberries", the famous Eustis ice cream shop. I had to take this picture of the "Superman" flavor for Emma and Rachael. I know if they had been with us this would have been their choice. This is the first time I saw this flavor!!

We actually stayed home today.....Salt started putting the trim around the house and I cleaned the inside and did the laundry. We talked to Betty and Emma....one of the girls in her class told her there was NO Santa Clause....boy was she p'od! Betty asked what Emma said to her and she said...."I just told her she would be sorry, cuz if she didn't believe she would only get socs and underwear!" She is SO Paxton!!! She was also excited because she got her ears pierced.

We are looking forward to next weekend when they have the lighting of Mt. Dora....it is supposed to be a spectacular lighting display throughout the entire town. They also make snow in the park and all the kids get to sleigh ride. How cool will that to be to stand in shorts and tank tops and watch the snow???

green alligators and long necked geese......

Saturday is the Umatilla Christmas parade....surprisingly, we understand, it is a very large parade for such a small community. OMS (Olde Mill Stream....our resort) is entering a float.
The theme is "Animals of the Forest"....as we are right next door to 55 miles of the Ocala National Forest. The people on the float, throwing candy will be dressed as "Rainbow People".
For those of you who are not familiar with the Rainbow People, you should definitely go on line under Rainbow People of the Ocala National Forest and check it out. Urch and Harry are very familiar with them since they actually attended one of the conventions.

Here is Buck attaching the "soup pot"....above the fire.


And here is most of the group who helped to decorate....I'm the tall one in the yellow.

News from home.....Emma is loving karate. She learned to break a board....accomplished it on the first hit. It's pretty cool the way they teach them. They use paper, foam a breakable board and then on to a real board. She was so proud of herself!! She is in the middle, working with the master in the purple belt.....the one with her leg way up in the air.

and of course she had to send a picture of the board she broke.......

Here we are at the market in Webster. I am SO happy to be able to go to the markets again. The fruits and veggies are so good and so cheap. We have had a 2 day cold spell here so will look forward to the oranges. They are always much sweeter after the first cold snap!

And here I am with my head in the alligator's mouth. That's for Emma and Rachael....just to let them know I still am a little bit crazy.....and NO it's not alive!

I started a new Bible Study this morning. I think it is going to be a real good one!!

I think I'll just stay at home and take a chill pill.....

We were supposed to go to the big dance at the clubhouse, but opted for a night at home with a pizza and movie. I have been wanting to see the premiere of the Two Mr. Kissells, so that was our Saturday night. Of course, first thing this morning, one of our friends stopped in to tell us what a "fabulous" band we missed....oh well. At least I am rested up for our all day shopping trip tomorrow .

It was chilly when we got up this morning, I grabbed a cup of fresh ground Starbuck's, the Sunday paper (which scads of sale fliers) and hunkered down in front of the fireplace. I didn't even go to church....which I kind of feel guilty about but I will try to be extra good this week....ha ha.

We did scoot down to the hot dog roast at the clubhouse. With the chill in the air and the bonfire going it seemed like a fall day up north.

CONGRATULATIONS to our daughter-in-law, Robin. She had her final in Anatomy and Physiology last week and had a 94 (A). We are so proud of you Rob....you worked hard for that grade!!

Look into my eyes and tell me what you see.....

Joe (my brother) rented out his garage /service bays/office and decided to concentrate on selling cars and his tow truck business (and of course apartments). Consequently, he built this little office for his use. As with the cottage he built last summer, he cut all the logs himself, off his property. We're hoping this will allow him a little time off this winter so they can meet us in the warm weather.....The temperature was 88 today. LOVE it!

Yesterday I had to go in for an eye exam for new contacts. The Optometrist asked me if I wanted to try the continuous wear.....you leave them in for a month, even sleep in them. I love them!! I can see much better than with the ones I had plus they are less irritating so my eyes are not constantly red.

We bowled this morning....I had everyone cracking up with one of my spares. I had 2 pins left standing after my first ball. I threw the second ball, it went into the gutter (my only gutter ball)

hit a pin that had landed in the gutter, jumped back on the lane and knocked down the two pins.

I thought it should be a "money" ball but I only ended up entertaining the crew.

The shuttle launch is tonight and it should be a great show. We considered it, but the traffic is unbelievable, so we opted for bingo.

Tomorrow night is the Welcome home dance, Sunday a Hot Dog Roast, and Monday were headed to Webster for the largest Flea Market in the state. Salt went last week with one of his friends and said it is on both sides of the road and HUGE. We love going to these and picking up our fruits/vegetables for the week. So good, and SO cheap. There are so many booths with the neatest things. We found a lady who makes clothes to fit the American Girl dolls....this is when "Grandma" has to NOT go crazy.

I'm going crazy...don't you want to come along???

Last night our friends, Gene and Ruth Starcher invited us over for a steak dinner and fireside chat. Doug and Darlene Rowe (Connecticut)

Chef Dave....when Dave cooks I call it "Dinner and a Show"!

Our host and hostess...Gene and Ruth

And a picture from home.....Emma in her new Christmas dress/shoes!

We should be receiving Sarah's Senior picture and Rachael's new school photo soon. Can't wait to post them....the kids all change so much in a year!!

Zicke Zackie Zicke Zacke..oi oi oi

The famous German drinking song....

Salt and his buddies have been fishing Lake Pearl (where our resort is). They are freezing the fish until they catch enough to do a big fish fry for the whole gang. Doug says they are about half way there. Here is Dave Kone with his contribution...

Last Saturday our friends Terry and Susie Muldoon took us to a football game in Eustis. It was the last game their grandson, Walker's team would play to determine if they would make the finals. I haven't been to a game in so long....it was such fun to watch these kids play (9 and 10 years old). They won by two touchdowns, so will in fact being playing in the finals.




The proud Grandpa....cheering loudly!!

And the rest of the cheerleaders.....Salt, Terry and Dave


Here we are at Oktoberfest....what a blast we had!! Karl, the owner of the resort, buys all the beer, food and hires the band for the event.

We finally found a way to keep Dave quiet!

The very funny band leader.....We didn't think we would enjoy the music as much as we did . They were very versatile and talented.

...and what would Oktoberfest be without the dancers

These guys were so funny! They called this the "Petticoat Check" dance. The boys would kick the girl's skirts up and then of course get a scolding....

Susie and Terry Muldoon...

Gene and Ruth Starcher (and of course Salt).....Ruth is organizing our Bahamas cruise in January.


Now I have seen Bell "Choirs" but this woman played them all herself.....amazing....never missed a note!
And I saved the best until last....This young Fraulein picked Salt out of the crowd to come up and learn a German dance (I have no idea what it was.....sounded like hunkel frunken something????)

and......this is my very FAVORITE picture. I think Salt stomped when he should have clapped. Doesn't it look as though he is getting %^$#? I love the look on both of their faces.