Linda's former highschool classmates, known as 'Girls of 65,' planned a retreat at the lake house owned by Nettie Echols Cartwright's son. We planned to gather there Friday night for a meal and again on Saturday and leave on Sunday after lunch. There were beds at the lake house for about a dozen to sleep. Gil decided to take the RV and camp at the Jimmie Davis State Park, just down the road from the lake house. Our friends, Reba and Eddie Beard, also planned to camp at the park. Gil and I arrived at the campground Thursday afternoon and once set up at the campsite joined Reba and Eddie for the evening meal at their campsite. Reba had made chicken and spaghetti, green salad and a cake for super.
We had a lovely visit with them, getting to know them better and hear about their children and precious grandchildren (2 children, 9 grands). On Friday afternoon Reba and I drove to the lake house where we began to prepare the evening meal for the Girls. I made 'gumbolaya' - my version of gumbo which many say is more like jambalaya because I cook the rice in the same pot. The version I made for the Girls was my smoked sausage recipe. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. Reba had wonderful garlic bread and someone else brought a big green salad. We also had several desserts including crepes made by my dear highschool friend and classmate Charlene Whitaker Bailey. About a dozen of the girls spent the night at the lake house.
On Saturday we gathered once again after breakfast and another 12 of our 'Girls' from highschool drove in for the day. Several live in Bastrop, several more in the Monroe/West Monroe area and a number had driven in from Texas for the weekend retreat. We had so much fun visiting and laughing and just 'hanging out.' The house was right on the water and had a nice dock for fishing. Then in the afternoon we all had the opportunity to go on a boat ride with James (owner of the lake house). It was a fast boat and he really showed us a good time as he took us around the beautiful lake so we could see the lovely homes there. Naturally, he took out only 5or 6 at a time. It really was a lot of fun.
On Sunday morning Gil and I decided to drive into East Texas to see the wildflowers since they were at their peak. Texas had had a lot of rain the previous week and some of the ladies who drove to the retreat told us that the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes were lovely. We ended up having some repairs made on the motorhome in Lufkin and again in Marshall, TX. BUT all in all it was a great trip. The Girls are planning to make this an annual retreat at Lake Caney and I really look forward to it again next year. There were 25 of us Girls there on Saturday. Hope more can come next year. Our name 'Girls of 65' comes from the fact that we graduated from highschool in May 1965, BUT this year is significant in that most of us turn 65 and go on Medicare. I think we are a bunch of beautiful ladies! We sure know how to have fun!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
19th Annual Daffodil Festival, Camden, AR
The Daffodil Festival this year turned out to be so nice because of the weather, but the daffodils were at the very end of their life because the very mild winter and warm temperatures in February this year made them bloom early. There were a few late bloomers in my yard this year and the daffodil committee did come to our yard and the little field Mama planted next door to cut flowers for the downtown stores and businesses.
I had a book signing at the Farmer's Bank on Friday during the morning hours of the festival. This was a lot of fun and I sold several books.
Gil helped CMA Charity Ridrs park bikes for the Bike Show on Saturday. The car show was also a big success. The town streets were blocked off as usual for the many craft and food vendors who set up for the enjoyment of all the people who attended the annual festival. The newspaper stated the next day that the steak cookoff was also a big success and tickets were sold out early in the day. The rain held off so the cemetery walks and historic home tours were held as planned. All and all, it was a very good daffodil festival for everyone.
I had a book signing at the Farmer's Bank on Friday during the morning hours of the festival. This was a lot of fun and I sold several books.
Gil helped CMA Charity Ridrs park bikes for the Bike Show on Saturday. The car show was also a big success. The town streets were blocked off as usual for the many craft and food vendors who set up for the enjoyment of all the people who attended the annual festival. The newspaper stated the next day that the steak cookoff was also a big success and tickets were sold out early in the day. The rain held off so the cemetery walks and historic home tours were held as planned. All and all, it was a very good daffodil festival for everyone.
Spring trips March 2012
GARVAN GARDENS, near Hot Springs:
Gil and I drove to Garvan Gardens to see the tulips on Tuesday this week. The sun was out, the temperature was perfect and the tulips were at their peak. We walked arond the paths looking at the lovely flowers and enjoyed the spring day. There were other people in the garden, but it was not crowded. We had a hard time deciding which tulips were the pretiest.
There were benches along the paths so we stopped often enjoying the view and watching other people who were out doing the same thing. There is a miniature village with a small train running through the buildings. We also enjoyed the short walk to the Chapel made of steel and glass. The bells chiming out on the hour and half hour made the walk so pleasant. That reminded us of the beautiful church bells we often heard in Europe in the various places we lived and visited.
HISTORIC WASHINGTON, AR: Then on Thursday we went with the seniors from our church to Old Washington to tour several of the historic buildings there. The church van was comfortable for the 20 plus people who went. Washington was the Confederate Capital of Arkansas form 1863 to 1865 when the Civil War ended.
We toured several homes built there in the mid 1800s. The town at one time had 14 physicians and 17 attorneys and was on the only road that crossed the State of Arkansas at that time. Three Arkasnas governors came from that little town over the years.
We saw a demonstrtion of weaving testiles in one home, and saw cotton and wollen being carded in another building. "Miss Carrie" greeted us at one home and showed us the kitchen were she prepared meals for the family she served (as a slave in mid 1800s). We visited the local blacksmith shop and then had lunch at the park's tavern/restaurant.
The meal was delicious and very reasonably priced. The small building is capable of serving about 72 people and is open only at lunch each day. The manager says they are closed only 2 days each year, Christmas and New Years Day. The lovely restaurant had original beams in the ceilings, original floors and fireplaces from 1832. The entire tour was very informative and pleasant. Our tour guide, Vickie, told us a lot about the town and its history.
It really was a lovely day for such an outing.
Gil and I drove to Garvan Gardens to see the tulips on Tuesday this week. The sun was out, the temperature was perfect and the tulips were at their peak. We walked arond the paths looking at the lovely flowers and enjoyed the spring day. There were other people in the garden, but it was not crowded. We had a hard time deciding which tulips were the pretiest.
There were benches along the paths so we stopped often enjoying the view and watching other people who were out doing the same thing. There is a miniature village with a small train running through the buildings. We also enjoyed the short walk to the Chapel made of steel and glass. The bells chiming out on the hour and half hour made the walk so pleasant. That reminded us of the beautiful church bells we often heard in Europe in the various places we lived and visited.
HISTORIC WASHINGTON, AR: Then on Thursday we went with the seniors from our church to Old Washington to tour several of the historic buildings there. The church van was comfortable for the 20 plus people who went. Washington was the Confederate Capital of Arkansas form 1863 to 1865 when the Civil War ended.
We toured several homes built there in the mid 1800s. The town at one time had 14 physicians and 17 attorneys and was on the only road that crossed the State of Arkansas at that time. Three Arkasnas governors came from that little town over the years.
We saw a demonstrtion of weaving testiles in one home, and saw cotton and wollen being carded in another building. "Miss Carrie" greeted us at one home and showed us the kitchen were she prepared meals for the family she served (as a slave in mid 1800s). We visited the local blacksmith shop and then had lunch at the park's tavern/restaurant.
The meal was delicious and very reasonably priced. The small building is capable of serving about 72 people and is open only at lunch each day. The manager says they are closed only 2 days each year, Christmas and New Years Day. The lovely restaurant had original beams in the ceilings, original floors and fireplaces from 1832. The entire tour was very informative and pleasant. Our tour guide, Vickie, told us a lot about the town and its history.
It really was a lovely day for such an outing.
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