Happy New Year

Emily, Gayle and Margaret are ready to party!

Michael with Josh

Granddaughter Katherine

Well we are a week into the new year and a week after my birthday. Somehow it seems longer as a lot has happened since I wrote my Christmas Post. I flew to Chicago, landing despite fog, on Saturday the 27 to attend a 50ies themed Bridal shower and batchelorette party for nephew Luke's Bride-to-be Caitlin. I managed to keep up with the younger women until about 12:30 a.m. despite my 4 a.m. rising time. On Sunday they treated me to a brunch as a pre birthday celebration.

Later that day Michael and Karen brought Katherine, Josh and Carl to Ginny's for a visit. Then Monday morning Ginny and I hit the road for Florida having beautiful clear skies and dry roads all the way back to Stuart. The 31st neighbors had us over for a wonderful dinner with birthday candles in my dessert before going on to another neighbors for New Years toasts. I began the New Year with a long bike ride which I hope heralds the start of a good year. I've also been working on my Facebook page where more photos are available.

I will be the "old lady off the road" for a while as I will have major surgery Jan 26 for a hysterectomy. I've been avoiding this since 1995 when my excuse was going sailing. Now however I'm told the size and location of fibroids make it necessary. I plan to use the blog for updates. Meantime I have one more camping adventure first meeting sailing friends in our land "yachts" at nearby Jonathan Dickenson State Park January 21. I plan to keep up the biking until the 25th! We've also had good weather for our pool exercise class. I'm already looking forward to returning to these activies.

Have a happy and healthy New Year everyone.

Florida Christmas

"Don't you miss a white Christmas?" I am asked since I left Illinois in 1996. I wanted to share my Florida Christmas this year. It began with a long bicycle ride accompanied by my neighbors the Schauers. We started at 7:15 a.m. and it was delightful with the early sun rays and the quiet neighborhood streets. Mid morning I headed to the beach to take advantage of firm sand for walking as the low tide would be 1: 15 p.m. There were few others walking that beach and the strong winds created beautiful breaking waves. After the walk I enjoyed a picnic lunch and watched as more and more people came to stake their territory on the beach. A kite surfer was entertainment in itself.

Returning home I headed for the pool where the water was warm even for me. My dinner plans were cancelled due to an illness but I enjoyed my leftovers eaten by candlelight followed by a romantic comedy movie, "Kate and Leopold", I recommend palm trees for Christmas and would welcome company in 2009. You only need to learn the Florida version of the 12 Days of Christmas where the traditional verses are substituted with the following:
1st Day A seagull in a Sabal Palm Tree 2nd Day 2 Turtle Eggs 3rd Day 3 Cracker Cows 4th Day 4 Spanish Ships 5th day 5 Key Lime Pies 6th days 6 Gators Grinning 7th Day 7 Shuttles Launching 8th Day 8 Dolphins Dancing 9th day 9 Ospreys Nesting 10th Day 10 Flamingoes Flapping 11th Day 11 Grannies Golfing and 12th Day 12 Panthers Purring.
Thanks to my water exercise instructor and her grandson's preschool. By the way we had class in the pool on the 24th and 26th. It's a wonderful life! Happy New Year!

Christmas Elf bakes cookies

Tis the season as they say and I guess today I worked my way into it a bit. To start with I forced myself to concentrate on cleaning/straightening the house including washing the kitchen area floor. I put up a few holiday trimmings. Perhaps I’ll photograph the elf I brought back from Rockford. We had divided up the Christmas decorations but the elf was all I took. Somehow he really appealed to me though I can’t say I have any childhood memory of his role in childhood Christmases. Then I put some Christmas CD’s into the player including the German one I bought there last Christmas. Listening to some of those songs brought back wonderful memories of last Christmas in Germany.

While it wasn’t brought about by the time of year, I made a batch of cookies which is really the reason I decided to write tonight. It all started with a jar of peanut butter. Earlier this week I finally finished the Smart Balance Peanut Butter that traveled all the way to Newfoundland and back. The jar on the pantry shelf, Smuckers Natural, had been there quite a while. I would not get the oil to blend in. The date of suggested “use by” was Nov 13, 2008 so perhaps that was the problem. Cookies: that was the answer for this jar. So I “googled” Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. The recipe I chose out of the 400,000 choices did not have chocolate but I added it any way. They turned out so great and were so simple I wanted to pass it along. It might work to make with kids too.

1 16 oz jar Natural Peanut Butter room temperature
½ cup dark brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 eggs, room temperature
Cocoa powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

With a large spoon, mix up the peanut butter with the sugars until well blended(I already cut the sugar quantity in half and used brown instead of all white). Add eggs one at a time and mix well. Add cocoa powder. I didn’t measure but it was probably ¼ cup or less. Mix well. Add vanilla and soda and mix again.

Form into small balls and place on a cookie sheet that has been covered with parchment paper. After placing as many balls as will fit on the sheet, gently press a fork across the each cookie to make a cross pattern.

Bake 10 minutes in a 350 degree preheated oven. Cookies will be soft when they come out and should stay on the cookie sheet for at least five minutes before being transferred to a rack for more cooling. Yum! I would guess it made about 3 dozen small cookies.

Florida State Parks

December 3, 2008 Mike Roess Gold Head State Park Keystone Heights Florida This was one of the first state parks in Florida. It was created from land donated by Mike Roess and developed by the CCC from 1935 to 1939. A sign I found said they were expert craftsmen working with a crew of 18-25 year olds. The picnic benches they created are a work of art. I photographed one of them.
The park has over 2300 acres on rolling sandhills in an area known as the Central Florida Ridge with remnants of ancient dunes formed over thousands of years by rising and lowering sea levels according to the informative brochure handed out with the registration. There are a number of types of vegetation here including a spring fed ravine. The spring eventually empties to form Lake Johnson near my campsite. The park lakes are very low with reoccurring droughts. There are nice rental cabins in the park with screen porches overlooking the lake.
After arriving this afternoon, I biked around the park. It was a great ride with gradual hills. The day had started chilly and was in the upper 50’s but I shed my jacket before long. On my return another camper from near Beaver Dam Wisconsin came over to visit intrigued by my rig. “Never saw anything like it” was the opening line. Of course I went into my sales pitch.
The facilities here are really great and look quite new from picnic benches to the bath house which includes a baby changing table and washer and dryer. Unfortunately there is no heat.
This morning I stopped to photograph the St. Augustine lighthouse. It’s such a beauty. Then did some shopping at Camping World, took a look at the Gander Store but it was very “hunter” oriented, and made a couple of clothes buys at a Liz Claiborne outlet store. Have to help the economy along, don’t I? I paid 1.73/gal for my fill up and I’d averaged over 14 miles to the gallon! Down the road I saw $1.69 natch.
I stopped at Green Cove Springs and ate my lunch overlooking the St. John’s River in a boat repair facility. I was surprised how wide the river is there. I would love to cruise the river someday. We had hoped to do it on Hunky Dory’s maiden voyage but were interrupted by a hurricane.
The trip here via Rte 16 and 21 was through some scenic countryside and few towns. I saw a sign for Bear crossing. Oh and I spotted a deer on my bike ride. Tomorrow I’m off to Payne’s Prairie near Gainesville.
Friday, December 05, 2008 Payne’s Prairie State Park The last two days have been busy. The primary thought I’ve had is the comparison to this trip last year. Many of the same people are here and the activities are much the same, but I feel so much more comfortable with the group and with handling my van. Last year I didn’t have nerve enough to drive into Gainesville nor to offer to ferry people to activities outside the campground. This year I did both without hestitation.
Thursday my trip to Gainesville went smoothly and I particularly enjoyed the countryside on the two lane roads. I was in Gainesville shortly after 11 and managed to get the GPS to find the Museum of Natural History which had been recommended. Arriving there I was stumped by the parking and parked in a tow zone in order to walk over to a parking kiosk to ask for advice. For $3 I was admitted to the small parking area but told I would find more space around the building. Another Roadtrek was there with an Obama bumper sticker—two positives. I later learned that it was the vehicle belonging to the rally organizers and at the rally there was another Roadtrek with an Obama sticker.
The museum is really great. It is free except for two exhibits, one aimed at kids “Gagology” and the Butterfly House with an incredible array of species mostly from the rain forest of Brazil. It was wonderful to watch them. A staff member said they were more active this day then they had been. Today someone went and said they were not active at all because of clouds. They prefer sunny warm days just like me!
I also visited the exhibit on the Florida natives before heading for the Art Museum next door where I had lunch and saw an exhibit on Post War Miami design that was very interesting.
My friend Susan arrived at the campground right behind me. The evening was cold but the campfire helped as we reacquainted and met newcomers. Friday I volunteered to be one of the drivers as we headed for our nature hike about 5 miles down the road but still part of the park. Susan and another solo, Lorraine, rode with me. Four Roadtrekers bicycled but I had already decided to drive. It was a great two hour walk searching out birds. We also saw the wild horses but no bison or deer.
After lunch Susan, Lorraine and I headed out to the park visitors center and then to the small town of Eviston (pronounced just like Illinois’ Evanston). Located there is one of the oldest continuously operating post offices with fresh vegetable in the small store. I bought some fresh arugula picked that morning.
Tonight was our potluck, always a gastronomical treat. Stories of travels in Roadtreks were told many of which involved a trip to Alaska a number of them had made together. I’m supposed to visit the town of Chicken (don’t miss the ghost town and read the book Tisha before the trip.) Look for Mukluk Bettys for good food are some I remember.
Monday Dec 8 Back in Stuart and trying to catch up on mail etc.
Saturday at the rally was overcast as we walked to the trail for more bird watching. In total 35 species were spotted during the rally. Certainly I did not see that many but still was thrilled I saw more than last year. High lights of Saturdays walk included watching 3 eagles go after a fish that an egret had caught. The eagles won. Also spotting a large night heron somewhat blending into his surroundings. He was close enough to see without glasses but hidden enough that we missed him on the first pass. Also a pair of white pelicans.

Photos of the camping rally taken by leader Hugh can be seen through this link http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/IRgMHQnC/1088091/3105644

Back to Camping

St. Augustine Beach. It was a hectic turn round from returning home after 4 p.m. on Friday to departure at 11:30 on Saturday. Big Mama needed fuel. Interesting I paid $1.84/gal. Last time, in September was $3.79.
Checked the air in the tires, (yeah they were still properly inflated!) loaded any food available, clothes, computer and various items which hopefully will carry me through a week on the road.
The reason was a rendezvous with in laws Bob and Sara Larsen who were spending the Thanksgiving holiday in the St. Augustine area. They had been touring with daughter Melissa and son in law Jordan from Tampa. Melissa & Jordan headed west as I headed in. We had a fun visit together despite a lot of rain on Sunday. We even had our cocktail hour aboard Big Mama Sunday night.
They headed out to catch a flight home at Orlando’s airport. I had a great bike ride around the Anastasia State Park where I camped. I decided this is such a great place I would stay two more nights. The temperature is supposed to drop near freezing and my hope is that it will be warmer near the water. This park is on the Atlantic and the beaches have a white sand. It’s a very attractive park with lots of live oaks. Most sites are quite private and there are good restrooms though unheated.
From here I'll head inland tomorrow toward Gainesville where I'll attend a Roadtrek/birdwatching camping rally from Thursday to Sunday. I really enjoyed the gathering last year and look forward to the Paynes Prairie Campground. Sunday I'll finally return to Stuart but only for 3 weeks when I head back to Chicago on th 27th to attend a bridal shower and accompany my friend Ginny as she drives to her winter home in my neighborhood.

Going Home

90 Photos from Carleen Worland's 90th Birthday April 2008

Monday November 24 Clarendon Hills Illinois Yes I’m on the road again. This trip was sudden and unexpected. My mother passed away at 11:30 Tuesday, November 18. She had been declining for over 10 years suffering from a form of dementia along with a number of other medical conditions. Yet when her time to go came it happened quickly overnight and we were unprepared. Everyone pulled together though, booked flights from all over the country and prepared a service via emails and telephone calls. Finally we put the finishing touches on it Thursday night for the Friday morning service at the funeral home. Having no religious affiliation and my being the oldest of the six children I was elected to lead the service. My sister Margaret played both the electric piano and hammered dulcimer for the music which included Amazing Grace, Blue Skies, and God Be With Us Til we meet again. The latter song as well as “In the Sweet By and By” played as the service began were the hymns requested in the Will of Mama’s grandmother, Mollie Smith Jones in 1924. Grandson Evan played “Love Me Tender” on a guitar made by son and Luthier Jim Worland (http://www.worlandguitars.com/ . In her latter years Mama had “found” Elvis and he was featured at her birthday parties, the most recent being her 90th last April when he was represented on the cake as all six children gathered.
Daughter Margaret a florist and gift shop owner in Rock City Illinois (Rock Run Peddler) did a fantastic casket blanket as well as a spectacular bouquet from the children and grandchildren with a rose for each grandchild to take at the end. The Worland cousins also sent a gorgeous bouquet that would later be donated to the House of Hope, a school for challenged children. They dry the flowers and later sell them.
Daughters Margaret and Gayle and daughter in law De Ann, granddaughters Emily, Jamie, and Anna all spoke their reminiscences of Carleen Worland. I gave a bit of her history which being so old, I have the most. One of highlights was the wife of one the original employees in 1948 at Rockford Propane, Del Lang’s widow Shirley. To my amazement and her credit, I remembered her face and name! I had last seen her 17 years ago at Ken’s funeral.
After the cemetery we had a luncheon at the Stockholm Inn. It is a big Rockford gathering place and Mama used to like to go on Friday nights to hear the accordion player. He even came to play for her birthday at Elder’s Eden, the small group home where she resided since February 2008.
My son Michael with Karen and Katherine were able to come and Katherine’s early walking steps won everyone’s heart and put a smile on the sad faces.
Saturday Jim Worland opened his home to those of us still in town and we went over old photos and jewelry. As someone said it was like being a child again going through Mama’s jewelry box. At the service I had worn pieces of her jewelry that she had given me over the years. Many were wearing clothing items that had either been made by her or worn by her (Margaret wore the old green corduroy gardening jacket as she read her presentation which included a letter she thought Mama might have wanted to write to those gathered).
Now I’m at Ginny’s. She’s been in San Antonio for a conference and will return tonight. I’ll stay until Friday going with Michael, Karen and Katherine to Margaret’s house in Rock City for Thanksgiving.

Home Again

A highlight of the weekend in Chicago was celebrating granddaughter Katerines birthday. She's shown here with Dad Michael, Mom Karen and brothers Carl and Josh. Party was at Cheesecake Factory in Oak Brook Illinois

Chicago area had a beautiful weekend and Sunday Ginny and I took advantage of the weather and went to Morton Arboreteum. School Children in the area had created scarecrow figures and this was one of the more elaborate.

My return trip to the US was smooth with a flight from Stuttgardt to London's Heathrow where I had several hours to wait for the flight to Chicago. Everything was on time and my suitcase arrived along with me! Emily was waiting at the curb when I came out of the airport. We headed for her Chicago Loft condo and I managed to stay awake until 10 p.m. and managed to sleep until 5:30 a.m. Breakfast before 8 and then Brett drove Emily to work and me to the train station for my ride to Clarendon Hills. I tried to nap in the afternoon without success. That evening we attended the Soweto Gospel Chorus concert at College of DuPage. It was a rousing presentation but I was fading by the end.

Saturday Emily came out to go to the birthday party. After the official party she and I went to Mike and Karens to visit with them and watch as Katherine became acquainted with her birthday gifts. Then Ginny provided us with dinner before Emily headed for Ohare again to pick up her college friend Melinda who was visiting the rest of the weekend. Friday Emily headed again to Ohare for a flight to Taiwan for Motorola!

I left Ginny's before 6 a.m. via taxi for my 8 a.m. flight from Midway airport. Snow was predicted and I was ready to escape the midwest weather. Florida provided a beautiful arrival with temperatures in the 70's and low humidity. I immediately went to work on removing my hurricane window covers so the beautiful sunshine could come in. All was well here.