It SNOWED!

It snowed, and snowed and snowed.... two feet!

We were going to be able to make snow angels Sunday morning.

Kay and Le Ann soaking up the flakes, oh wait, maybe they are the flakes.

Eileen is an angel already and the snow hasn't had time to accumulate yet.

You need special glasses to see Dave BBQing ...BBQing, in the snow. How fun is that?

Dave is cooking over a hot fire in 30° weather, no wonder he is smiling.

Here the meat is being seasoned by mother nature. This is pure "California" cooking with the white stuff coming down...priceless.

And look, Little Red Riding Hood came out of the cold with a basket of goodies. In the basket Little Red Riding Hood carried a cake for her sick grandmother. The wolf, ate the grandmother prior to Little Red getting there. The wolf enticed her to come in and to get into bed. Having done so Little Red said,

"Grandmother, what big arms you have!"

"All the better to hug you with, my dear."

"Grandmother, what big legs you have!"

"All the better to run with, my child."

"Grandmother, what big ears you have!"

"All the better to hear with, my child."

"Grandmother, what big eyes you have!"

"All the better to see with, my child."

"Grandmother, what big teeth you have got!"

"All the better to eat you up with."

And, saying these words, this wicked wolf fell upon Little Red Riding Hood, and ate her all up.

Jim enjoyed the meal.

Speaking of enjoy, Margrit, our wonderful guest, made three delicious desserts. Carrot cake, chocolate mouse and a chocolate/almond torte...all three were delicious. Come back any time Margrit, R Gang loves good cooks and enjoyed meeting you.

Seems like our weekends are not complete without a little crafting. Here are some seasonal parts to make a card holder book...school buses, pumpkins, houses and chicks. June was especially unique, an invisible tent....really cute Diane.

A little instruction before we get too far along, and, some happy faces doing the craft.

starting the new year

"R" January campout was a fun mix of games, crafts, food and Diane's impeding marriage to Lin! Let's rewind and review.

Friday was a special dinner at Diane's, her home was inviting and cozy with food that looked as scrumptious as it tasted. A colorful green salad, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, dessert...she definitely has earned her nickname of Martha. Thanks for the special evening Diane, it was great start to the weekend. Of course someone forgot her camera!

Kay suggested we bring our Cricuts... that doesn't take much persuasion. Sometimes we forget that the Cricut is ONE thing to bring, there are so many other "must haves" too.

A stack of Cricut Cartridges waiting for use. Most everyone worked on Valentines, from extremely romantic to bears in garbage cans suitable for precious grandkids.

A few bees buzzed in, making their way onto Valentine cards...and they never even stung.

This was a plateful of the best mushrooms, Steve needs to be make these again, they went like hotcakes!

All the food was great, Nancy and Leo did a nice job of menu planning. The room we have there allows us to put the tables into a big square allowing for some interesting "table talk". Perhaps it was the wine or something that Nancy but into the chicken but we entertained the idea of Diane marrying Lin. Over the laughter, we had the invitation making committee, the minister, the flower girl all planned and raring to go. The banter was side slitting but Diane insisted that she wasn't ready to take the plunge. Seems like the visual of such a union was kind of a turn off.

Sunday was lovely, rainy but lovely as we helped ourselves to egg dishes, fruit, sausage, and pastries for breakfast.

Sweet Welcome to 2011!!

We rang in the new year for the second time at Golden Shore RV Resort in downtown Long Beach. Our time was full of "sweet" ...we had each other, good food, laughter, guests, excursions, game playing...in other words, FUN! Unfortunately, after reviewing the photographer's photos, they sure were lacking in telling the entire story. That camera clicker is me so, I have to do a better job.

Judy helped set the mood, especially taking the glaringly bright lights in the room to a soft radiance. She had a banner for the door as well, so welcoming.

Kay and Steve shared the meal planning. The photographer was not on the ball. (She was probably busy eating) All the meals were fabulous and greatly appreciated by all.

The days were glorious, well, at least MOST of them. It rained on arrival day and more the last day. This is the scene leaving Long Beach for a 45 minute harbor cruise. Seas were calm and the view looking east back to the shoreline was spectacular, so rare to see a long line of snowcapped mountains in the distance. Beautiful.

Many of us had to go back to Bubba Gumps. Not only do they make it fun, the food is so delicious. Ask Jim Arnold, he took Marie's advice and ordered her favorite thing...she picked something new, below.

Eileen, Nancy and Carl enjoying their choices.

When we made the decision to try a new location after about eleven years at the beach we had a few regrets. Last year it was shocking to look at large buildings nearby and not the ocean. However, with lots to do around the area, full hook-ups, a cozy room, it has been a nice change. Of course it isn't a campout without a fire and they even have that, a nice large pit with ample seating. Jim brought the wood and made a toasty fire....pass the munchies.

Leo looks so dashing in his "New Year's" shirt.

Happy New Year everyone!!

It's Official...."R" Holidays can begin

It's TRADITION....the first Saturday of the month is our R Gang Christmas Party.

It's a great way to usher in the holidays with our favorite friends!

This year it was the "middle's" turn to host the party and they certainly knew how to make it special. The Bahia Corthinthian Yacht Club was Christmas festive "and the weather outside" delightful.

When it comes to ordering drinks Diane knows how to choose white wine. Being the gentleman he is, Steve offered to buy Diane's drink. Clearly he regretted that decision when the waiter needed to collect $48 for 3 drinks.....yes, FORTY EIGHT DOLLARS FOR THREE DRINKS! While Steve didn't think it funny, most of us had a laugh....at Steve's expense!!! pun intended :)

There were many decorated packages under the tree.

The food was some of the best ever. Caesar salad, beef medallions and lobster tail, butternut flan and vegetables, bread and butter all served on Diane's dishes she insisted on bringing to enhance our dining pleasure. It worked, it was SO good. Desserts were fabulous too, delectable and yummy.

Then it was time to kick back and open our gifts.

A good time was had by all.

Merry Christmas R Gang!!!

October Tails

When you are a blogger it is most important to bring a camera to the event you are blogging about. I didn't. Ordinarily, our Sept campout would have been reported here WITH PICTURES. Alas, my camera was left in my car at home. So, I begin with an apology to the Rabes who had a wonderful September weekend for us to enjoy. A new location, a train ride, soap making and great food, strolling peacocks for ambiance and HOT WEATHER. They set a prime example of first time wagonmasters.

Our weather has been strange, a cool summer, a few days of high temperatures and, for the past several weeks, cold, foggy drizzly days. Under cloudy skies the Irwins hosted our October campout at Yucaipa Regional Park. Normally, we can endure a bit of cool, especially after an extremely hot Sept Campout but....no fires were allowed in the area we were in. What to do? In desperation we improvised.

We planted two portable heaters in the center of our circle. We probably couldn't describe it as toasty, but, at least the word "warm" cropped up in the conversation every so often.

Saturday was a day of exploration. We went in different directions, to a quilt shop, scrapbook store, and apple festival, all fun.

On Sunday, we had a surprise birthday bash for five R Gangers celebrating "milestone" birthdays in the next couple months. Diane is the youngest at 60, Steve, Tom H are/will be 70, Darlene was celebrating her actual 75th birthday and Leo will be 80 in December. What a fun excuse to have a party.

The tallest "volunteered" to decorate. It was colorful and festive.

The Milestone birthday clan posed for a picture in front of a banner Eileen

made for the occasion.

How long had it been since we'd played Pin the Tail on the Donkey? This updated version

came with sticky tails and you can see below how accurate (?) the placements were. Note some of the tails were on the door....way off!

Leo proudly identifies his tail, the closest to the Donkey's tush.

We were drinking Leo's margaritas, perhaps that's why many tails went astray :)

Darlene thumbed her nose at all the celebrating in a unique way.

The clothespin was one of the gag gifts that Eileen and Steve brought to the birthday group.