Adopt-A-Family Food List Reminder

We still have a few weeks before the deadline ( Dec. 17) to drop off food on Elsie's porch...but the elves are just the teeniest bit nervous 'cause, so far, the cupboard is a little bare.

Pick up a few items from the list below, and drop them off at Elsie's #114 (she's not there-just open the door to the porch and go on in).

Deadline in Dec. 17

Also...if you have any blankets or quilts in good condition that you no longer need/want, give them to Bernie #36. They are going to be given to the families to keep warm.

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SANDPIPER’S ADOPT-A-FAMILY

2009 FOOD DRIVE for
NON-PERISHABLE GOODS

Drop off Donations
Elsie’s # 114
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUGGESTED DONATIONS
Applesauce
Beans, Black, canned
Beans, Kidney, canned
Beans, Pinto, canned
Beans, Pinto, dry bagged
Beans, re-fried
Cereal
Cinnamon
Cocoa, hot chocolate mix
Cookies, packaged
Cooking oil (vegetable, canola, etc.)
Crackers, packaged
Flour, all purpose
Flour, Masa
Fruits, canned
Hominy, canned 6 lb. +
Jelly/Jam
Jello, any flavor
Juices, canned, bottled
Lard, labeled “Manteca” in Spanish
Macaroni & Cheese, box
Meats, canned(Spam, Ham, etc.)
Menudo (soup), canned
Milk, Evaporated, canned
Milk, Sweetened Condensed, canned
Noodles, Ramen
Pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, noodles)
Peanut Butter
Rice, white
Soups, canned or dry
Spaghetti sauce, canned/bottled
Stews, canned
Sugar
Tuna Fish, canned
Vegetables, canned (corn, green beans, etc.)
Vermicelli, (pasta), 5 oz. box Q&Q Brand in yellow box

Gals Luncheon & Tour

Calling all Gals Luncheon
Come one come all!

Join us On Thursday, December 3th, 2009
for a Mexican lunch at

La Cazuela

2207 N Roul Langoria in San Juan, Texas
956-781-2808

Leaving Sandpipers at 11:00am

After our lunch we will stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan.

This is a national shrine and arrangements have been made to have a tour of the Basilica.

You will be well informed of the dedication and spirituality of the Mexican people for Our Lady.

Please sign up in the pavilion if you will attend as reservations

will need to be made by NOON on the 2nd.

For more information

please see Phaleta #406.

Bits and Pieces..Riverwalk, Lasagna Tickets, Adios Mobil

I just got a most inspiring travel report from Patsy.
Makes me want to run up to San Antonio immediately!

Send me your travel finds, with or without pictures, and I'll share.

*********

Hi Sandpipers,
Garland and are in S.A. for Thanksgiving.

We went to the Riverwalk to see the extensions that have been added.

Were we in for a treat! The Riverwalk has been extended up to Pearl Brewery.

They now have a River Taxi so that you can stay in one of the many hotels on the S.A. River, park your car and never get back in it until your stay is over.

There are, of course, many choices of dining on the river.

Since we lived in S..A. from 1968 until 2 years ago, we were not really expecting to be thrilled by the sights on the river, but taking the River Taxi was incredible.

Imagine locks (think Panama Canal) on the river!

The landscaping is beautiful, and you see everything from a new perspective.

The VFW is in an old Victorian (?) house open to the public.

A main attraction there is the $2.00 beer.

San Antonio contracted with 9 artists to decorate their part of the river using sound and light. These artists came up with unique ways to use

sound and light to enhance your enjoyment of the river.

You need to see the river in the daytime and at night,

so plan to your visit accordingly.

Go on a warm, sunny day, eat on the river,

and jump back on the River Taxi for the night art show.

It gets rather chilly on the river at night, so take a jacket.

Even if you've been to the Riverwalk before, you'll be amazed at this new addition.

Plan on about 3-4 hrs. to really savor the sights, sounds, people, and food.

Patsy #108

******

Wow! Patsy, you should work for the Chamber of Commerce!

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Did you see the big open space at the front of Sandpipers, by the gate?

Good-bye old office mobil!
Going....

Going....

Gone!

Guess it was a tight squeeze!

******************************************
I hope you got you lasagna Dinner tickets from Tom & Louise yesterday.

It was a blog moment, with a large crowd queued up at noon to

snatch most of the 5o tickets available.Dick was the first in line....

followed by a combo of warmly dressed and hardy souls.We are all looking forward to Louise's lasagna, even Blue!

********************************

Then...on my way back home to the back 40...

DRAMA in the SKIES!

Sandpipers was buzzed by a trio of ultra-lites.

One flew right over the tennis courts. Then exited the park by way of the pool and office.

I know they've been warned not to do this, but I think it's kinda neat to see them...and since it was pretty chilly I'm sure they were disappointed in the "sights"!

They didn't get a peep of us SandPeeps.

***********************************

Oh...Oh...one last thing...

Do you sleep in the nude?

Inquiring minds want to know!

We run around all day (at least warm ones) in the nude.

Do you slip on PJ's at night?

Leave a comment.

You have a few more days until the end of the month. Time to get into the fabulous cigar box for free lunch tickets. Any comment, every comment, gets a chance!

Think I'll make a poll......check the side bar.

Thanksgiving Memories.

Our Turkey Day was filled with lots of seriously delicious food, good wine, and the sounds of friends enjoying each others' company.

Something about the pavilion...

was it the festive decorations reminding us that somewhere leaves turn brilliant colors...

or the placing of the tables into intimate spaces...

or the soothing background music...

or the fact that the clean-up crew quickly, quietly and efficiently

whisked away dirty plates and left us feeling like we were pampered guests....

Something was special and a little different...

and nice!

What a delicious and generous spread of delicious food!

And two kinds of turkey! Did you try the smoked?

Deeelishus!

Thank you Jay & Karen for providing the turkeys.

Thank you everyone who brought the wonderful dishes.

Thank you John for the music.

Thank you clean-up crew for making the evening seem effortless.

Thank you to whomever I forgot.

And a special thank you to Gloria for overseeing all the

bits and pieces that go into a successful dinner.

After a long and unhurried Thanksgiving meal several of us lingered
to talk and sip our wine.

And when we returned home there was football...

Ahhh..life is sweet!

Generosity!

Thank you Dennis & Nora, for your generous donation for the butterfly garden.

Besides transplanting all the plant material from the front fountain garden

(scheduled for demolition...come out on Thursday, Dec. 17th, to help move plants)
we want to put in a couple of benches

so we can sit and watch the butterflies, hummingbirds and listen to the bees buzz.

Their most generous donation gets the ball rolling toward building materials.

If you would like to contribute, every dollar helps.

**********

At the next Junque & Java (Dec. 5) we are going to have something a little different added.

A free table!

No...not a free table...a table with free junque on it.

If you have something you don't want to bother about selling,

and just want to get rid of,

and it's just too good to throw away,

and somebody here may want it,

well, bring it down and add it to the free table.

*

Catherine is going to be in charge of the free table for the Dec event.
In charge means...when Junque & Java is over she'll walk the leftovers out to the Angel Cart, or dispose of it in some other way.

Of course, you can always take it back home again,

but really, aren't you trying to clean out that closet?

*

The Sandpiper Cookbooks will be at Junque & Java again...need Christmas gifts?Remember...a sliding price scale.

The more you buy, the cheaper per book they become.

The Days of Wine & Movies.

Bob & Bernie have returned from the sunny beaches of Cancun,

and look what they have scheduled for us!!!

***
Greetings: Fellow 'Wine Enthusiasts'

We are now back to Sandpipers and will be taking reservations for the

Wine Appreciation Classes. They are the following:

January 10th: Wines of Sonoma Valley, California

$8.00 per person

February 14th: Italian Food and Wine

$15.00 per person

March 14th: Wines of Washington State

$8.00 per person
The classes will be the second Sunday of the month at 3:00 PM in the Community Room.

We have already purchased some of the wines for the Sonoma Wine Class and have already purchased all of the wine for the Washington State Wine Class.

Wine for the Italian Food and Wine Class will be purchased as soon as the menu is fixed.

As a special for signing up for all three classes, the cost will be $30.00.

This will making change easier and save you a dollar!

Remember you are not signed up until payment is received.

Also, last year the classes were sold out.

Also.......

On Sunday, December 13 at 3:00 PM there will be the annual "Bring Your Own Wine Tasting", again in the Community Room.

There is no charge other than you must bring a wine that you may have procured this Summer or one that is special and you want to share it with fellow Sandpipers.

Maybe, it's one you have made!

Also please bring a wine related snack.

Bob and Bernie

*********

And GREAT movies are on the calender for December!

"Australia" on December 2nd

"Obsessed" on December 9th

"A Time to Kill" on December 16th

"The Taking of Pelham 123" on December 23rd

"The Ugly Truth" on December 30th

All at 7pm, in the Comm Room.
Just bring your beverage and maybe some popcorn and enjoy!

Somethings to Think About.

At the next FunBuzz on Dec. 1st, Lanny is going to talk about a few subjects.

This is a heads-up to get you thinking about them.

1. Show of hands if interested in tour of Crowley sugar mill.

2. Show of hands if interested in tour of Falcon Dam.

3. Upcoming fire extinguisher training class.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ken (409) asks...Is anyone interested in going on a Copper Canyon trip?

Let's get a trip organized.

Perhaps a show of hands at FunBuzz to see if this is worth pursuing.

+++++++++++++++++

BIKE RIDE SCHEDULE……………………………………DECEMBER 2009

HOSTS: Lanny and Donna Talbott #16, 956.358.1923

Rides depart at 9:00am from front gate unless otherwise noted


Dec 01 Los Ebanos Ferry & Diaz Ordaz Mexico.

Ride the last hand-drawn ferry across the Rio Grande (border ID required).

Lunch at Vallarta seafood in Diaz Ordaz.

Dec 08 Port Isabel.

Mostly waterfront ride of shrimping fleet, historic area & fancy homes.

Meet at PI Lighthouse at 10:30AM.

Lunch at White Sands Restaurant.

Dec 15 Mission Bike trail.

14 mile round trip, along canal route.

Lunch at Pepe’s on the River.

Dec 22 Christmas week – no scheduled ride.

Dec 29 Bentsen State Park,

Mission. 5 mile ride in bird & wildlife reserve. Fee area.

Lunch at Danny’s Mexican Restaurant, Mission.

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And lastly, the old office mobile is out of here in the next day or so, if the weather cooperates. Then we are going to dismantle the front fountain garden and have some new flag poles there instead, with a red, white and blue flower theme at it's base.

So...

we need gardeners/helpers to:

dig up and trim plants...

decide where they will be moved (butterfly or firepit)...

transplant....

Thursday, Dec. 17

I'm starting at 9am, but come over when you can.

CookBook Correction

The first of many...I hope not.

IOWA CHOPS WITH PLUM SALSA page 56

"4 plum tomatoes" should read "4 plums"

NO TOMATOES

Killer Bees Outing

From Ken (#409)

KILLER BEES HOCKEY
WINTER TEXAN SPECIALS
(ANY HOME GAME MONDAY THUR THURSDAY)
$6.00 PER PERSON

I am proposing a Sandpipers Night Out for Tuesday, the 29th of December.
Anyone interested please contact Ken at Lot #409 or call
956-386-1506

Weekend nights are $12.00 per person (on your own).

For Information concerning Winter Texan deals,

call 956-843-7825

Yummmmm! Lasagna!

This event may prove to be a real high-light!

I understand we will be waited on hand and foot by a wait staff eager to please...and the lasagna sounds super delish! There will even be an eggplant version if you are of the vegetarian persuasion. I think I'd like to try it even though I am a committed carnivore.

And salad! Not just salad...caesar salad, my very favorite!

And garlic bread...

and wine....

Mangiamo

Balls and Cookbooks!

What a combo, Balls & Cookbooks!

First...thank you Penna & Bob, for donating those

nifty colored water volleyballs to our ball inventory.

They are a little different feeling from the balls we are used to

but I predict they'll be useful in expanding our finesse.

Perfect for setting!

******

Next..

The Sandpiper Cookbooks are sitting in three large boxes under a table in my Texas room.

Lot 38...back in the corner, the back 40...come on back!

Come and get 'em!

(we are leaving on a road trip from Nov 29-Dec. 9 or 10,

but Sue P can break into my house for you)

*

Pricing is flexible.

The more you buy the cheaper per book they are.

One book is $10.

Two are $9 each.

Three makes it $8 each.

And four or more brings the cost down to $7 each.

What a deal we are giving you.

Can anyone say Christmas gift?

Butterfly Garden Gets Trees!

Thanks to a very generous donation from Les & MaryAnne, in memory of their parents,

we have a couple of Wild Olive trees in the butterfly garden.

Additional thanks to Patsy and Garland for our ability to add a wider range of butterfly attracting plants to our inventory.

We added Cape Honeysuckle, a shrub that has brilliant red/orange flowers. Firebush, a very showy shrub.Gregg's Mistflower...a must for attracting butterflies, especially Monarchs.And Mexican Tarragon or Mint Marigold, which is not a mint, but is a variety of Marigold and has culinary uses as a substitute for tarragon.

Smells great and butterflies adore it!The garden is looking great.

Hard to believe after the long hot summer, but what has survived, has thrived.

And now we have shade trees.

Mexican or Texas or Wild Olive...attracts hummingbirds by the truckload.

Annie & I were lucky to find a great price on some beautiful trees...one big, one smaller.

And to the delight of Bill & Jim, the trees were not only delivered, but planted as well!

It was a BIG job!They dug.......and dug...
...and dug some more.
The small tree went in first..Of course we had to pose as if we had done the hard part.

See the real worker lurking in the background? He was shy.

Then the big tree was wrestled in.

Wow! I'm sure glad we didn't have to do that!It takes experience...and muscles!
Ta-da!
The plants are spreading...
...blooming....
...and attracting lots of butterflies.Next we'll work on benches and memorial plaques.

Adopt-A-Family Meeting

There will be an ADOPT-A-FAMILY organization meeting

in the Community Center at 10:00am Friday November 20th .

We need elves to purchase gifts for children aged newborn to 11 years old.

One family has five, one has four, one family has 3

and two families have 1 child each.

We will also need wrappers and strong able elves to deliver food and gifts.

We will be enabling those who wish to be shoppers with the means to shop.

If anyone is going to be out of the park Friday morning and would like to help, they may drop a note off at Lot 5 indicating where they can assist in this endeavor.

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Elsie’s elves headquarters

Beautiful State Parks!

Last week the bicyclers toured Estero Llano Grande S.P., a lovely little gem on 1015 just before you hit the border for Nuevo Progresso.

It was chock full of water features and birds and alleged alligators.

Donna L. has a lens on her fancy shmancy camera that puts my poor aim & shoot to shame.

Here are a few pictures she liberated from her computer treasure chest. This is a Grebe. No, it's an Anhinga, Anhinga, Anhinga!

Also called a snake bird...you can see why.

The alleged alligator. And...look closely at this pile of leaves.

It's, do I remember correctly, a Night Hawk? Sleeping on the forest floor, guarding her nest.

Yesterday we traveled to Brownsville to visit a brand new state park, Resaca de Palma.

*
Drove through the rain.

Questioning Lanny's purpose to lead us hither & yon on a fool's mission.But...he was right (tho it pains me to admit it).

It was a lovely bike ride. The sun came out. It finally warmed up. The scenery was gorgeous.

We didn't see many birds. In fact, I think this was the one and only.But the ride and the company were great.
There was the possibility of seeing snakes.Eeek! There goes one now!Now, lest you shudder, be aware the indigo snake EATS rattlesnakes!

Good boy!It was magical, riding through the woods.

We also became a feast for mosquitoes while posing on an overlook.

But isn't the view worth it?

Magical. I tell 'ya!

Romantic!

We all didn't hold hands.But we could have...very romantic!

One un-named rider (Annie) ran over some scat (poop to all you civilians) that wedged in her gears, spokes, cables, tires....Stinky & GROSS!

Pauline to the rescue.

Pauline used a well known Canadian technique for removing the offending substance. A stick.

After recovering, we adjourned for my favorite part of the day.

Lunch.

But first we had to drive by all the restaurants in Brownsville.

But a good one was picked.

Las Mismas.

No English spoken here, but great food.

We all got a delicious soup.And the food came out pretty fast, was hot and well prepared.Milanesa...kind of a Mexican Chicken fried steak plate. And ...shoot...what did they call this? It was tostados piled high with fixings but called something else. Memory jog, anyone?

And enchiladas stuffed with white Mexican cheese and chicken. Then my plate. The journey to try mollejas whenever possible, continues. This was a good one.

What are mollejas, you query?

Maybe someone will comment and answer your question,

plus get an entry into the free lunch ticket drawing.

Each and every blog comment goes into the magic cigar box to be drawn at the next FunBuzz.
******

We had a super time. Thanks Lanny & Donna.

Next week it's another great adventure. The McAllen bike route down Col. Rowe, with lunch at New York Pizza.