Pilot Knob RV Resort, Winterhaven, CA
Monday,
Dec. 23rd, (wow! Already!) we were up and at ‘em before 7. Bill had
his coffee but I waited and when it was light enough around 7:45, we went for
our walk. It was a mild walk this morning, around 54F/13C but no sun again.
Today, the forecast was for a 50% chance of rain so we didn’t expect much for
outdoor activities. My tea tasted extra good this morning when we returned.
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| A cloudy start to the day And it only got cloudier |
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| Even though the lower sky looked a little promising |
However, saying
that, Bill and I first walked to the clubhouse at 9:00 to put a sign on the big
television for something special we’d planned this afternoon. Then we went to the
bocce ball court and helped Gordon and Barb set up the table and chairs. Game
start: 9:30. It was another great crowd of approximately 20 people and Gordon,
who keeps the score sheet with perfection, made sure everyone got to play a
game or two.
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| This is a teeny hummingbird sitting on an ocotillo branch while we played bocce ball |
I got
lucky, my first game with Kenny (not our Ken) and we won. Yay! That was a 2-way
effort that paid off. Second game, Bill and I both sat out. Third game, we were
up and my partner was the new friend we met at the Ice Cream social yesterday.
Rick and I managed to pull another win out of the hat but that was a 1-sided
game. He scored all the points. It was almost 11 o’clock and Bill and I hadn’t
eaten yet so bowed out of anymore games.
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| Peanut butter cookies in the making |
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| This is the recipe he found |
Back
home, I made bacon and eggs for our breakfast and after dishes, began mixing
the ingredients for those Irresistible P.B. Cookies that Bill found the recipe
for. Let’s just say he was happy. He had other things on his mind or he might
actually have made them! Seriously! He wanted them that badly. Because of the
little plan we had for 1 pm, he took his laptop up to the clubhouse at 12:30
and I covered the batter and followed him soon after.
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| We put this sign at the television in the clubhouse |
I had
texted all of our gang and asked them to meet us up there for 12:50. Our plan
was to make a live video call back home to our good friend, George and his
wife, Suzie. Many of you know them and also know of the situation that they are
dealing with. Because he has come to this (and many other) park for 12 years,
we had asked Cathy, a co-Manager of Pilot Knob, if we could use the big tv
screen for a call. Her and her husband, Joe, also know George and Suzie well.
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| This is our group after Cathy, the manager left L to R front row Bill, Oscar, Judy, Deb, Kimberlee L to R back row Ken, Cheryl, Dave, Jo-Anne & Tom Bob is behind Tom |
With
permission granted, we all gathered and connected with Suzie by text.
Unfortunately, from their end in Stratford, they could only connect with the
video screen on his phone so even though we got a lovely big picture of the two
of them, they had to view our group of 13 on a small screen. That part wasn’t
perfect for them but he turned the phone to see everyone and say ‘hey!’. That
was a fun half hour or 45 minutes and there were a couple of times when Bill
and I fought back tears. It was good to chat with them both and he made us laugh
and visa versa.
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| On the big screen tv George was as big as life |
When we said
goodbye to our friends and returned to the Suite, I finished the cookies. I don’t
know how many the recipe made, maybe just shy of 3 dozen. They turned out
pretty good with the exception of about 5 that got a little browner.
Apparently, a convection oven doesn’t regulate heat, instead storing it for the
next batch. I should have kept an eye on the ones at the back. Cookie sheets
don’t turn in an oven like this.
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| The spirits were good during our chat |
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| Merry Christmas George and Suzie! It was fun seeing you today |
At 3, the
cookies were done and cooling on the island so we made a hot drink and walked
back with our chairs to Dave and Cheryl’s site. It was windy and chilly and
maybe it was us ladies with our hoodies up that prompted Dave to be a gentleman
and offer us warmth inside their Cedar Creek. I don’t think we hesitated too
long at all and all 10 of us squeezed indoors. It is amazing how many you can
actually fit in our units. And comfortably so.
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| ready for the oven |
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| All done |
Dave had
made a batch of his 8-layer dip so of course we all got to taste it with
crackers and pretzels. Hmmm, very good! Again, conversations ensued all around in
the ‘OptiCreek’ (is that right?) and at 5 it was time to go.
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| Dave's yummy 8 layer dip |
The winds brought
rain and by the time we left, the sky to the southwest were clearing. It was a
pretty sight as we walked back home and then I had to slip out as the sun
(which we hadn’t seen all day because we sent it home to Ontario – apparently)
made a spectacle of setting beautifully.
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| I couldn't get everyone in the picture but this our indoor Happy Hour today |
Over
there somewhere, towards Mexico in the free space, my sister and her husband
were set up for a couple of nights. They arrived while we were being happy here
in the park so I’m relieved that they made it safely from Casa Grande today.
This is a nice surprise and we’ll catch up with them tomorrow. Bill and I sat
and caught up on our blog posts. Yes, Bill is working on another one today. 😊
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| The sky was setting up for a lovely demise |
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| Even from our bedroom window, it is beautiful |
We had
kind of planned on burgers for supper but with the rain and winds, changed our
minds. That is an entitlement and as long as we agree on something, all is
good. I went on a search in the freezer. Aha! Mini sausages would be easy to
thaw and cook plus a can of Van Camp’s brown beans. We did have a nice snack at
Happy Hour so the hole in our tummies isn’t too large. That actually worked out really well, we
enjoyed the pauper’s meal very much. Ha ha
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| And a few pretty sky pictures |
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| I think one of those white units out there belongs to my sister and her husband |
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| Arizona sunset Good night! |
After
dishes, we watched tv together and dessert was a topic that may or may not
arise later. This was a good day, we got some exercise with bocce ball, had a
great ‘visit’ with George and Suzie and a fun Happy Hour with friends. I’m
looking forward to seeing my sister tomorrow sometime.
Thank you
for your visit with us today.