MERRY TOSSMAS

Check this out before you go "Christmas Shopping"

Be sure and watch it to the very end.

FARKLE AND SUPPER

I forgot to take pictures again tonight. My friend in Minn. seems to always have her camera ready for every event, big or small. I meant to take some tonight. We had guests over for supper and played Farkle afterwards. If you haven't played Farkle yet you don't know what you're missing. Well, it's actually sorta a mindless game, but fun nevertheless.

Supper was simple, but I did something different. I made meatloaf and baked it in a cupcake pan. It made 6 individual meatloaves, which I served on a meat platter. I used the large size cupcake pan. Each serving was browned and didn't fall apart like when you bake it in a casserole dish. I wish I had taken a picture of it !!!

I also served baked potatoes/sour cream, carrots with brown sugar/butter sauce, spinach and mandarin orange salad (made my own dressing), and apple crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

NORTHVILLE GIRL'S ANNUAL REUNION

This year was the 55th annual Northville Girl's Reunion

It's neat to see former students that you haven't seen in awhile and also meet some of the younger ones. More older ones attend than the younger crowd. It's usually a nice banquet, but not set up too good for mixing. We received a numbered ticket when we arrived, which was later drawn for the prizes. This year the prizes were home made pies, cookies, fudge, bread, custard, and some other goodies. They were made by the committee. My number was drawn when most everything was picked, but I got a huge dish of raisin custard (which I love) and the nice big dish was included.

Here was the menu

Buffet Luncheon: Roasted Chicken, Baked Ziti, Red Potatoes, Vegetable, Mixed Green Salad, French Bread, Dessert – Coffee, Tea and soda are included

Entertainment
Hilarious and gracious – Shea Lauria, as hostess, 50/50 raffle and delicious prizes!!

I grew up with Shea ( she was Mary Lou back then) We lived in the same neighborhood, played hopscotch, rolling poley, softball, dolls, , and many little clubs.

Here is the table of prizes. I don't think they were all there yet when I took this picture.

There were only 3 of us from my class there. This is Nancy and Marilyn from my class

The lady in the purple sweater is the wife of the principal when I was in school

The banquet was over around 2 p.m. I had to get home to a prepare supper for guest. A couple and their girls. (6th grader and 9th grader). I made my famous speghetti sauce, salad, garlic bread and apple crisp for dessert. We had such a good time that I forgot to take pictures. I was so mad at myself. They brought me roses so I did take a picture of them after they left.

I need to rearrange them

BILL GROGAN'S GOAT AND SAM

Sam is our resident goat.

He loves people and if he's outside loose he will follow you around like a dog would. He gets lonesome and tries to find whomever might be outside. Well, this morning he couldn't find anyone, so while I was working in the kitchen he must have heard me. This picture shows him looking for me.

He's standing on the wicker couch

Now you've probably heard of Bill Grogan's goat, right?

Bill Grogan's goat, was feeling fine

Ate three red shirts right off the line.

Bill took a stick, gave him three whacks

And tied him to the railroad tracks.

The whistle blew, the train drew nigh

Bill Grogan's goat was doomed to die.

He gave three moans, of mortal pain

Coughed up those shirts and flagged the train.

Sam didn't eat any shirts but he did start eating my table scarf that was on the porch

We all love Sam !!!!

VETERAN'S DAY and "MY HERO"

Today is a day to be thankful for all our veteran's and remember their sacrifices to their country. Each one of us should thank at least one veteran today. I have two uncles that served in WW II of which both are now deceased. My Uncle Don lost his leg and almost his life while in a fox hole in Germany. Thanks Uncle Don for your sacrifice.

Now here is "My Hero" my husband. He served in the army reserves for many years and then was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. We had two little kids at the time when he had to leave home. Thanks Honey for your part in protecting our country. Enjoy your day and always remember we are proud of you.

1961

Hurray...the Dam is getting fixed

I know that some of you reading this may not think this is very interesting BUT to me (and my family) it's been a long wait to get this done. We haven't been able to drive around the pond for 3 years. I know that everyone that uses the pond will be so happy it is fixed.

This is the erosion which has taken out over half the road by the dam.

Owen Jensen and Larry assessing the situation before Owen "digs" in with the backhoe.

The first "bite"

It scares me seeing the water drain out. I fear for the fish, but I've been told that there'll be enough water left in the pond for them until the dam is rebuilt.

Taking out the road

The water running out on the other side of the dam

The only sad thing about fixing the dam is that we are going to lose this beautiful clump of white birch. Their reflection in the pond is such a beautiful sight. I talked to Steve Cook, my cousins son, and he has told me how to preserve the logs. They have to dry out for a least a year before they can be used to build with. I've asked Steve if he could make me a bed from it and he assures me that he can and will.

Now we have to wait until the pond drains down about 2 or 3 ft before the next step. The upper part of the pond, near our cabin is going to be bulldozed as soon as the water level goes down. A lot of dirt has come down the creek over the years, plus lots of cat tails and weeds have grown up. The bulldozer will push the muck over into the neighbors front yard, which will bring them closer to the pond and also build up their yard.

TO BE CONTINUED !!!!!

A PRIVILEDGE

This is where we voted today. (Note the historical museum in the background) That red sign says, "Vote Here". Voting in a small town like ours brings the community even closer. We cast our vote, and are each proud of the others that have come out to cast their vote. Many friendly hello's, how are you's, and chit chat takes place. The local Rotary Club was selling food, which also promotes community gathering around to enjoy the refreshments. I'm glad to be an American and a part of "Small Town America."