Sunday, September 30, 2012

Grandkids Visit, Motorhome Move and a PACKER WIN!

Let's start this blog backwards.... just finished watching the Packer Game and they won!   By a squidge, but we won.... Happy people in Wisconsin tonight.

Steve's brother, Pete, came over from Menasha and spent the afternoon with us watching the game.  Steveio set up the big screen tv outside, along with a campfire and a card game of cribbage.  I was busy cranking socks during the victory over the Saints.  For our half-time meal, I cooked up a crock pot of chili, Pete brought homemade salsa and fresh fruit.   Plus I baked up a pan of brownies for dessert at the start of the fourth quarter.  (and, of course, the Packers WON)


Earlier in the day, Steve and I packed up the rig and did our "Motorhome Moving Day" routine.  On our way over to our new site 100, we scored on a big pile of firewood leftover in another site.  We pulled up with the Tracker and Steveio piled it in sooo high that there was no room for ME!  I had to walk back to the campsite!  LOL ... but we have plenty of firewood for the week.



Yesterday, two of our little grandtots came to visit!  Erin brought down Chelsea and Clayton for an afternoon at the campground.  The weather was gloriously warm and sunny and lovely. We took a nice long walk around the hiking trails and checked out the cliffs.




There was also a little cliff, just the right size for Chelsea to hop into. 
She claimed it for her very own.  



 We walked around exploring the woods and of course.. the playground! 


We did a little bird-watching too...   I have a wonderful gift box of a pile of new toys mailed here from my mom in Florida.  So Great Grandma Rita is supplying all the grandtots with wonderful treats each time they come to visit us.  Chelsea picked out a pair of binoculars to take along on our walk and then she gets to keep them for her very own!   We also stopped by the alfalfa fields along the far southern edge of the park, and Chelsea had to pick some little daisies, running fast fast fast to her Mommy to give her the precious prize!



I think this is what Grandparenthood is all about... 

spending some one on one time with each grandtot. 
Chelsea got a little bit of time.....
 


Then I hummed some little lullabyes to Clayton as he laid on my chest... 
falling fast asleep in my arms.  
Oh the sweetness....  it makes me cry to look at these pics Erin took of us.




While Clayton slept, Chelsea helped Granfaddah start a campfire.  
They were sure to make Some-Mores over the campfire.


 Yummmmm so good. 



Ahhh heavenly....  the joys of grandparenting.  In a few weeks, there is a big Halloween celebration here in the park, with costume contests, pumpkin carving, hay rides and lots of fun.  We are hoping ALL of the grandkids are going to come and join in for the day.....










Friday, September 28, 2012

Motorhome Moving Day and some quilting pics too

What a lovely day... it got up into the 70's with clear blue sky and golden sunlight through the fall leaves.  Our current electric site 78 was reserved for the weekend, so we needed to move over into a non-electric one (47) for the weekend.

Before moving the motorhome from the site, I used up the remaining fresh water in our holding tank with a few loads of laundry and ran the dryer a few cycles.  I take the Tshirts out at a half-dry state and hang them on hangers.  I found this method of using the motorhome awning support to be a very handy outdoor dryer!

The small wire hooks on the hangers fit very well in the adjusting holes in our big awning.
They are those new thin fuzzy hangers I bought that stack clothes better in the closet.  
The larger plastic type hangers are harder to get into the holes. 


Our friends Paula and Mel left from site 76 yesterday and are headed out to camp up north for the weekend.   We decided to hang close to the campground, and tomorrow some of the grandtots are coming to visit!

While moving from one site to another, I drive the motorhome over to the dump station and take care of drainging the grey (sink/shower) water and the black (toilet stuff).   Because nobody was waiting in line behind me, I did a good rinse with the turbo washer device in the black tank.   Then I pulled the rig forward to fill up the fresh water tank from the potable hose filling station.  It takes a LONG time to fill up 100 gallons as this water filler is veeerrrryyyy slow.  So I sat down on the grass with my Galaxy Tablet, checked email, checked facebook and sent this pic while I was enjoying the sunshiny day!



Once I was done doing that, I called Steve on his cell phone and had him hop on board as I drove past where he was working.  I timed it so it was during his break time.  Good thing to have your hubby working in the campground!  LOL  It's better to have two people backing in the rig, one to drive it and one to be the spotter.  Our site on number 47 is situated so it's reached by backing in on the blind side.  (passenger side)   We hadn't camped in this site before, so it's best to have another person outside to help guide it back.  (and to keep safe any crazy people who think it's fine to walk behind a backing up motorhome!~  that happens more often than you think!)   

Steve went back to work, and I brought over the Tracker, unloaded our firewood and other supplies we tossed in there to haul over to this site.  Then I set up the lawn chairs, ground tarp and other assorted items we like to have around.  There... "Home Sweet Home" in fifteen minutes.  LOL 

Tonight our dinner was grilling up a big slab of salmon, some rice, green beans, and a loaf of Paula's wonderful bread.  What a treat.  We were full to the brim, and only ate half the salmon.  The rest will be lunch  tomorrow.  




As for my new found addiction of quilting, I finished up four of the coasters!  They are sooo cute!  I put batting in between and then a brown backing, sewn around, trimmed and turned right side out.



Oh.. by the way... Paula hauled me off to quilting shops and I had to stock up on some more fabric, eh? 

This is 12 yards of fabrics, all freshly washed, dried, and pressed---
just ready to be cut up into coasters, hot pads, and whatever else strikes my fancy!


Off to bed soon here, while Steve is watching an episode of Grimm.  I am bushed out and I think feeling a little under the weather.  I plan on getting a good night's sleep and hopefully enjoy an afternoon of Grandtots Visiting!!!




.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Crabs and Quilting at High Cliff

Oh what a delightful day we had....

First thing we did was tour the museum/General Store at High Cliff.  I will do a post about that later.

Once we were back to the campsite, Paula and I set out her quilting supplies.  I hauled out my grandmother's sewing machine and learned to quilt!

(Well, I had done a few basic quilts about 35 years ago, but this was learning something new)

She taught me "paper piecing" and I started a coaster.  The one in this photo was already done by her... mine is the tiny one square inch one to the right....   2 triangles! (sewn together!)



We spend a wonderful afternoon, out in the sunshine of the autumn woods, sewing, snipping, giggling and creating.  Mel was busy on his computer and Steve was at work.  So it was GIRLS TIME!



 Soon my coaster was created!


I got it made to the same size as Paula's and it only took me three hours! 


We had to clear up the sewing stuff off the picnic table and start getting ready for supper.  We really didn't mind, because it was a very special supper! Paula has treated us to three pounds of crab legs!  

We set up the Coleman Party Grill which also can function as a single burner propane stove.  We used the big enamel soup pot that I bought for Steve before we got married.  (I only married him to get the soup pot back!)   In went the crab legs into the boiling salt water for 15 minutes... yummmmmmm




We also cracked open a special bottle of wine made by Vintner, Steve Pfundtner!    It was his 2009 vintage of cherry wine, made from the Mount Morency cherries from the tree that grew in our own yard in Oconto.  I bought him that tree years ago, and it soon bore enough fruit to make up a few dozen bottles of wine each year.  



We sat down and pigged out.... the guys had steaks and taters, but Paula and I focused on the crab legs!


We did eat a few sensible things, like veggies and dip.  But the guys did their "meat and potatoes" thing.  Steve did eat one crab leg, but Mel wouldn't touch them.  Paula did have half of a steak too. For myself, I focused on ONLY the crab legs....






HEY..... WE DUN GOOD, HUH?


Tomorrow morning, Steveio has to drive over to Black River Falls for some work related business.  So that means Paula and I get to do our sewing ALL DAY LONG!   I will learn how to finish off the edges of the coaster, and hopefully start a few more.  

soooooo if you ordered socks, please hold for the next available operator!











Saturday, September 22, 2012

Yes, we are the Happy Wanderers

We took a long walk today along the hiking trails in the park.  It was one of those drop dead gorgeous fall days!   The blue sky, the crisp air, the rustling leaves... wearing wool socks, sweaters and long pants.  It was soooo nice.  We heard a group of boyscouts up ahead on the trail, and the troop leader was teaching this song.  I remember it well from my 4H days back in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.  I kept singing this song all day, and it just seemed to fit...... 


I love to go a-wandering, 
Along the mountain track, 
And as I go, I love to sing, 
My knapsack on my back.


Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha 
Val-deri,Val-dera. 
My knapsack on my back.






I love to wander by the stream 

That dances in the sun, 
So joyously it calls to me, 
"Come! Join my happy song!"




Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha 
Val-deri,Val-dera. 
My knapsack on my back.





I wave my hat to all I meet, 

And they wave back to me, 
And blackbirds call so loud and sweet 
From ev'ry green wood tree.




 Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha 
Val-deri,Val-dera. 
My knapsack on my back.



High overhead, the skylarks wing, 
They never rest at home 
But just like me, they love to sing, 
As o'er the world we roam.



Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha 
Val-deri,Val-dera. 
My knapsack on my back.



Oh, may I go a-wandering 
Until the day I die! 
Oh, may I always laugh and sing, 
Beneath God's clear blue sky!



Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha 
Val-deri,Val-dera. 
My knapsack on my back.










--

Friday, September 21, 2012

Motorhome Moving Day - Back to High Cliff State Park

Our week at Calumet County Park is over, and it's a Motorhome Moving Day! 

This morning I am using up the excess water in the holding tank by doing a few loads of laundry.  Nice to catch up on a few things... but we did also find a laundromat in Darboy about 8 or 9 miles away that is clean and neat.  It's only 75 cents to wash, and 25 cents for each increment in the dryers.  Drying takes 2 quarters for most loads, 3 quarters for jeans or heavy towels.  That place was okay to do all the heavy big things like towels, bed linens and all Steve's work pants and jeans.  But I like using my own washer/dryer in the rig for convenience and able to do other things while the laundry is getting done. 

We have a site reserved at High Cliff for the weekend (a non-electric one because all of the electric ones are reserved)  and then on Sunday we will be moving to an electric site for the following week.  Our Safari friends Mel and Paula are coming too on Sunday and have the site reserved right next to us!  She is going to  teach me a special quilting skill of folding?  We are going to start with coasters.  

Been working on socks this week and got more done for my Etsy store again.  I have more to finish up yet, but these are ready to be tagged and uploaded into my store.  



Aldi's stores have some cool toss pillows on sale this week.  TWO for $9.99.   Seeing as my old toss pillows are about 16 or 17 years old, time to TOSS them out and get some new ones!   Aldi's has these pillows in brown, cream or a tomato red color.  Also some matching throws and a large rug that coordinate.  (seeing as I weave my throws and rugs, I didn't buy any of those) 



They came wrapped with some very nice wide matching grosgrain ribbon.  I am going to use that ribbon to update the valances in the bedroom area like I did to the livingroom area.  Hopefully, my Safari-buddy Paula is bringing her handy-dandy staple gun next week so I can do them.  Can you believe my Mr. Fix-It Tool Guy does NOT have a staple gun in this rig???????

They can be used out on the brown loveseat, or even get doubled up into a pillow case for guest pillows on our air mattress if anyone sleeps overnight. 


Speaking of night...  we had a fantastic sunset here at Calumet County Park. 
I cannot decide which pic I like the best---  so you are gonna get all THREE!   LOL  





Now it's time to get my butt in gear.  The dryer is almost done, the sock machine table has to be set down flat on the floor for transport, and I have to remove the leveling blocks and unhook the power.  

We are off to the next campsite! 





Thursday, September 20, 2012

Allegra's Turn at an Excellent Adventure Camping with Us

Little granddaughter Allegra, 2 years old, had to have her turn at an overnight with Granmuddah and Granfaddah Pfun.  Although both she and little baby brother Mason got an overnight last month while we were parked at Ernie and MaryEllen's cottage, it was time for her to have a special night with us all to herself.

It's easier to give total attention to an active 2 year old without the little baby brother soaking up his fair share of attention too.  So I drove up to Green Bay on Monday morning to pick the little stinker up.  She was more than raring to go, and had her little bag all packed, along with her car seat.  We stopped for a few groceries on the way, and little Allegra picked out three pretty new flyswatters for Granfaddah.  (granddaughter Chelsea somehow managed to lose ours on her visit last week)  We drove into the park and found Granfaddah busy in the shop.  He was able to let her explore a bit on some of the equipment.

All of the "Big Boy Toys" were in use over by the Butterfly Pond Project, so we had to steer clear of those.  Not trying to be sexist in showing the grandkids "girl stuff" vs. "boy stuff"  but Jameson got to crawl up and sit on the Big Boy Toys... dozers, diggers, and such fun things.  

We let Granfaddah go back to his work for the rest of the day... and we went up to the campground.  I put little Allegra to work picking up trash with the fun picker-upper-tool.  She sure enjoyed it and we made 2 rounds of the campgrounds to pick up trash.  There wasn't much to pick, so she practiced on leaves and sticks too. LOL 



She worked very hard and we had to take a little break for some lunch and a well-needed nap!  (for Granmuddah too)   After naptime, it was time to get "road worthy" to move the rig.  We were heading down to Calumet County Park to camp for five days.  link: Calumet County Park   It's only a few miles south of High Cliff Park.  The power work at upgrading the electric service and some of the posts was starting at High Cliff, so we figured we would bugger out and head to the other park with electric service while the wee one was visiting.

She LOVED sitting up front in the motorhome with the big big windshield to look out of as I drove it over to the dump station.  It is the first time she ever rode in it, and was amazed that the rest of the "camper" was going down the road right along with us!  She said:  "Grandmaw, even the BATHTUB is going for ride????"    

We drove up to the stop sign where the road gets very close to the "High Cliffs"  and she was marveling at the stones and how close it comes to the windows for her to see them.  A lot different view than when riding in the car....



It's only a short distance of about a mile to the dump station, but you would have thought we took an entire journey by the amount of excitement she showed!   Once we got to the dump station, she "helped" me do the jobs... and even wore a pair of my blue gloves when I was doing the dumping.  She said: "ewww it smells like POOP"   No kidding, eh?   In this pic below, our gloves are gone because we had pulled up the rig to the fresh water filling station... that is what is going on, in case you notice the lack of gloves in the picture.

Once our dump station chores were done, we drove over to Granfaddah's shop to wait out in the parking area till he was done for the day.  Allegra got to meet Ranger Rob, and explore more of the shop.  Soon it was 4 p.m. and we could hit the road!

Allegra and Granfaddah were going to take the motorhome to Calumet County Campground while I followed in the Tracker.
HEY... WAIT UP GRANFADDAH!!! WAIT FOR MEEEEE!~~!

We drove on down to the other park and pulled right into our reserved campsite.  It was getting cold and windy and blasting across the lake to our shoreline site.  Brrrrrrrr   And then the rain came... and came... and came....

It was too wet and windy and rainy for a little one to explore the new park.  So we had to be content with cooking up a pizza, playing games, and cuddling for the evening.  I gave her a bath in the tub, and let her dress up in her new High Cliff  tshirt that I had bought her for helping collect trash.  The smallest they have is a Youth Small.  On a 2 year old, it makes a great sleep shirt!




Granfaddah had to go to work the next morning, so he put on HIS own High Cliff tshirt too... don't they make a great pair???  Look.. they even have the same smiles!  She hugged him goodbye and she set about the morning to have some fun with Granmuddah.  It was still windy, rainy and quite icky outdoors.


We waited for the weather to clear up, so we ate breakfast, wrassled with the dogs, played with sock puppets and then baked cookies!

Of course more chocolate chips went in her mouth than went on top of the cookies.. for sure.  

By the afternoon, the weather finally cleared up so we could go OUTSIDE!   Yes, a 38 foot motorhome gets a little small when a rambunctious two year old is cooped up inside of it for too long.  LOL

We took out her little bug cage and went hunting for something to catch.  Finally we found two spiders!  One daddy long legs and one tiny little guy.  She insisted she was "scardt" of spiders...  but she told them to stay IN the cage so she could look at them.  (we set them free later before going home)
Those little bug cages are so cute... I bought one for each of  the older grandtots.  They come with a magnifying glass to help view each bug and a tweezers for the squeamish to handle the bugs.

We got in some playground time, and went over to the camp store to buy some treats and toys and look for postcards.  (they didn't have any)   Will have to stock up on postcards for the grandtots' next visits so they can send one home to their parents.

Finally.... it was NAP TIME!  Whew... I needed that more than she did.  LOL   We napped together as snug as two bugs in a rug, and then Granfaddah came home from work. Whee heee it was joyous noise again as she rattled on and on about her day in the park.

We loaded up her gear, strapped in her car seat to the Tracker and headed on north to bring her back home.  A quick stop for hot dogs and ice cream finished off Allegra's Excellent Adventure!~





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