Finally got around to installing a closet door in one of the bedrooms. Only had the parts sitting around since last fall.

Planted a funky grass plant at the end of the driveway to hopefully someday became something that can identify the place. It’s called Miscanthus S -Strictus and it’s suppose to get 4′ to 6′ tall, has green blades with yellow bands and a copper plume.

2011 Ford Fiesta

There is something fun about ordering a car. I’ve been going over all of the options and models for months. Then I started thinking about what I really need. I was close to ordering the fully loaded car with leather interior and almost all of the options. What probably stopped me was the perimeter alarm. The best option was the heated seats. Loved them in the Mini and can’t think of getting a car without them. It’s required along with alloy wheels & a sun roof. Don’t know when it will be delivered. In four weeks is when I’ll likely get a production date.

Fixed the screen door which must have been caught in the wind and ripped off one of the closers and almost the second. Installed the “No Vacancy” sign. Rewired and installed a new dining room lamp. Fixed the computer which had non-functioning USB and memory card ports. Fixed the shower handle that fell off in Kevin’s hand. At Two Lakes had wild mushroom ravioli Friday night and barbeque chicken (with bacon!) pizza Saturday.

Overall a good weekend.

As usual my favorite part of a trip after the driving is the eating.  Sunday night was the free buffet at Harrah’s Casino in Metropolis which wasn’t bad, but then everything tastes better when it is free.  I love meatloaf (as you’ll soon tell), but got cold meatloaf at the Cracker Barrell in Perry Georgia on Monday night.  So I’ll probably not be visiting them for another couple of years again.

At Walt Disney World on Tuesday night I had Cinnamon rubbed Grilled Pork Tenderloin & French onion soup at The Wave at the Contemporary Resort. Wednesday was Dad’s Tradition Meatloaf at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe (where I earned my clean plate sticker).  Was disappointed in my S’mores dessert because it didn’t have enough melted chocolate.  Thursday was duck Pot Stickers with creamy ginger soy sauce and Pan Asian Noodles with Chicken at the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort.  Friday was La Forchetta Italian Ristorante in Kissimmee.  The service & the food were great and definitely not a chain.  Saturday was Meatloaf (I said I love it) at the Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge where the waitress said we left the door open in Wisconsin & that was why it was so cold in Florida.

Back on the road again, had an incredible dinner at the Barnsley Garden Resort . Started with a butternut soup with apples & toasted pumpkin seeds and a main dish of grilled quail over shiitake-apple risotto. The cheap meal of trip, if you don’t count the free buffet was at Niemergs Steak House in Effingham Illinois. Everything included the salad bar & that could have been a meal by itself.  Someone mention that it was the 2nd busiest family restaurant in the country & I’d believe it.

Got back home a few pounds heavier then I left.

I was on a road trip with Kevin and our friends Patti and Gary. It was three days driving down, five nights at Walt Disney World and three days driving back. We headed out on Sunday Janurary 3rd after I spent a good hour packing the Chevy Traverse. Kevin and I packed too much (as usual). On the way down stopped at a Thornton’s gas station and took a picture just because because we know a Thornton.

It’s not everyday that you spot a Hawaii license plate on a truck in Madison. Probably not a common sight in the Midwest. I was trying to think of the logistics of getting it here. My guess it was somebody in the military because I thought they would ship their personnel’s vehicles to where they were stationed.

Tonight was the first time that my shadow has graced a Hancock bar. In one fell swoop, we hit them all. Started off at Sneaky Pete’s. Not bad! Drinks were cheap and the place wasn’t that bad even thuogh it hasn’t been touched in years. Next up was Potter’s Bowling alley. Recent updates and cheap drinks but my least favorite of the night. The Hotel turned out to be the favorite. Last updated in the seventies but still clean. Drinks were a quarter more but were bigger. Patrons were nicer and a better view of the street dance.

The yard up north was a shade of orange due to the hawkweed being in full bloom.

Covered bridge in Rural Wisconsin

After a couple hours of garage sales (with a couple of nice finds), we are just north of Wild Rose.  On one of our random road trips a couple years ago we came across a little country store with antiques and haven’t been able to figure out where it is.  We think its north of Wild Rose so any time we are in that area we take a road hoping to find the place again.  Struck out again, but came into the small unicorporated town of Rural on the east side instead of the west.  There we stopped at the gift shop in the mill.  I notice a sign saying covered bridge, so I walk down the steps down to the river and take this picture from the banks.

First lupine grown from seed

Always loved seeing the lupines on the drive up to the house in the spring so in 2007 we planted some small plants and planted some seeds.  The plants didn’t survive into the next year, but the ones started by seeds did.  Last year we had no flowers, but this year we did & here is the first one to bloom.