Pickling at Flamingo Terrace!

As some of you know, one of my favorite places to go when I have some extra days to travel, is to Little Rock, Arkansas, to visit my friend since childhood, Kay Allen.  Kay and I usually start my visit by going to our hometown, Beebe.  This trip was no exception.  We went to Beebe on Monday to help celebrate our dear friend, Sandra Garrett's, birthday along with our other good friend, Carolyn Lovelady. This was followed by a great visit with "Teresa Anderson" and her husband at Sandra's home. We then did our "roaming" to revisit our childhood landmarks and eventually headed back to Little Rock.

The rest of the week was filled with "hanging out" with her wonderful friends, a little walking, estate sales and watching every night of the Republican Convention Circus, I mean Convention.  Kay and I are proud of the fact that we can make our own fun doing anything with very little effort.

However, the big event of this trip (that is taking place as I write)  is that Kay and a few of her closest friends (she only has a million; another thing we have in common) are in the process of canning garlic bread and butter pickles that they estimate will make up around 160 pint and quart jars.  This all began with around 125 pounds of cucumbers, 50 pounds of onions, and on and on and on.

It is a two day process so this writer has been pretty impressed with how it has all evolved up until now.  I actually was "allowed" to slice a few cucumbers myself so that I would be able to take part in this "experience".

The cool part about all of this is that not only will there be pickles all over the place, but also, that there has been two days of people doing their part to make something happen and having a blast doing it.  It isn't easy to have "many cooks in the kitchen" with something like this, but I have watched it happen with much love and laughter among everyone.

I am sharing pictures with you that began at the beginning of this process and hopefully will end with it.  The weather is threatening to send thunderstorms and since a lot of this is set up outside, it could be a factor.  However, there is NO doubt in my mind that these ladies will prevail.

This is a small example of the 125 pounds of cucumbers that were sliced.

Post food processor.

King Jerry at the food processor.

Vicki got the short end of the deal by peeling the onions!

Selma seriously slicing! (how is that for alliteration!)

                              Moppy was on her perch doing her slicing amid the vast number of jars!

Cack is holding up the first sliced finger of the night.

Kay and I pretending to look like we are making a contribution.

Once the cucumbers and onions are sliced, they are iced down overnight with added rock salt for crispiness.

Right before the pickling begins, spices are arranged beautifully in bowls for convenience during the prepping.

The "recipe" is conveniently taped to the umbrella pole because there will be at least two batches per ice chest and by the end of the day, some of the cooks could get forgetful!

Ice chests full of cucumbers and onions are ready to go!

I wish I could describe the awesome aroma of this pickling taking place!  It takes about 20 minutes per batch.

Pickles are then poured into pint and quart jars to begin the canning process.

A few examples of what was necessary to get this job done!

First batch done!!  Many more to go.

They definitely know where their feet have been today!

Okay, so the pickling process has been going on for about four hours at this point with probably one more hour to go!  I am hoping to take one last picture when all the jars have been filled.  This has been quite an experience to behold.  These girlies have worked very hard.  All I did was wipe the sticky off the outside of the jars.  I wanted to "do my part" so some of these pickles will make it back to Texas!

Just look at how much fun these gals are having after being on their feet all day!  However, I did hear one of them say and I quote, " I don't ever want to see another pickle again!"

Magical Trip to Michigan

In June of this summer, Ron and I took one of our most favorite trips together to Montague, Michigan.  We went there so we could experience the Third Coast Trombone Retreat of which my son, John, is a co-founder along with his friend, Nick Schwartz.  Neither of us had ever been to Michigan and I can say that personally I didn't have a clue as to how beautiful this place was going to be.  It was not only the perfect weather, but the charm of this area (Montague and Whitehall) and the ultimate warmth of the people we met while there.  As John's mother, I have no words to express my pride in him as I watched the day to day activities of the trombone retreat.  The staff that came together, along with other guests artists were incredible.  Listening to their wisdom about their craft and then listening to them play was such a joy.  The participants were a group of very fine young people who wanted to learn to be better musicians.  I truly believe that this occurred during this week.  I will use the phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words" as I become brief with my own words as I caption the pictures to follow.  They each hold a very special memory until we can go back again.

Part of the channel before it pours out into Lake Michigan.

One of many pictures I took to capture the different textures of this beautiful place.

My "feet" were on the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan on this beautiful day.

That's Ron out in the distance as I caught the tracks in the sand.

One of the views from our room at The Weathervane Hotel.

Ron and I had an anniversary at a restaurant on White Lake.  This was at sunset.  It was stunning.

Same place, different direction.

Fifteen years and still counting.

One more quick peek before the sun goes down.

Cheers!  Happy 15 years!

The most beautiful children's bookstore I have ever seen in my life in Pentwater.

Standing here with the owner of Story Book Village.  Inside it looked like the one in the movie, "You've Got Mail."

Obviously a lighthouse but I will have to get back with you for the name!

Beach area surrounding the lighthouse.

Love this shot to show how majestic it really is.

I

John conducting a master class.

John, listening to the student play.

More...

I love the attention of the student as John talks.

We got to hear John perform two pieces.  He was accompanied by Daniela Candillari, who was an incredible pianist.

I love, love, love this picture.

A different day/view from our room.  Just look at those clouds.

Our home while we were there.

Farmer's Market in Muskegon.

Wish I could have gotten this pot on the airplane.

A band playing Sousa marches.

We stumbled into Luddington where they were attempting to break the Guinnes World Record for the longest ice cream sundae.

Ice cream would eventually be on these tables, reaching all the way up the street.

Jim Markey, Principal Bass Trombonist from the Boston Symphony.

Another favorite place.

I was so happy to catch this shot of the little girl playing in the sand.

It's just water to you, but absolute beauty to me!

Complete Lower Brass Section of the Detroit Symphony.

Fun at the Barn Party.

Jim and John!

We were not here for the final performance but I know it had to have been incredible for everybody.

Final performance in their new yellow t-shirts, directed by Daniela.