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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, July 14, 2013

This and that on another rainy day

I woke up to overcast drizzly skies this morning, of the kind that suggested they would stay that way all day.  And they did.  Nothing much to do outside other than dump the tanks, so I truly took the day off and just fiddled around on the computer and started making some lists.  I’m going to be driving down to Rochester, MN, on Thursday to visit all of my kids.  It will be a five day trip for Emma and me, but we’ll be leaving the rig here.   My oldest son, Daniel, is renting a dog friendly house in Rochester right now with an extra bedroom I can stay in.  My youngest son, Andy, and family live in Kasson which is a short distance away, and my daughter, Robyn, will be coming up with Avery and Phoebe from Indiana to spend the weekend. 

I think the last time I was able to be with all my kids and grandkids was for my mother’s memorial service.  This time, it will be a happy occasion.  I’m really looking forward to it.  Get ready for a bunch of family pictures next week.  That’s why I’m making lists so I don’t forget anything I want to bring with me.

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I don’t think I’ve shown you the new patio yet at my site.  Here it is.  It’s very nice.  I took this shot last week before any rain turned the surrounding dirt into a mud pit.  Some grass seed was supposed to be planted, but that hasn’t happened yet, and the nice white cement is now very messy looking with lots of muddy dog prints on it.  Sad smile

Do you see that green bundle laying on the edge of the green carpet?  That’s my screen room.  During the construction, it got blown away down the hill, and some of the poles got bent.  With all the wind we’ve had this week, I haven’t even tried to put it back up, but it may be beyond repair. 

Lately, I’ve really been thinking about making a return trip to Alaska.  I went there in 2004 pulling a small trailer behind with my 87 year old mother, and Robyn accompanying me.  (Robyn got called up to active duty before we were half way through the Coachmen Caravan trip we were on.)  I know lots of people can’t understand why anyone would go on a caravan trip, but for me at the time, it was my only option.  I’m glad I did it, and had an unforgettable trip.

I’d like to return and do things more at my own speed.  I also don’t want to drive my big rig up there, so I’m thinking of flying up and renting a class C for one to two months.  However, I really don’t want to do it alone.  Anybody out there want to go along?

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For those of you that don’t know what sponge candy is, I chopped a dark chocolate covered piece in half so you can get an idea of what I’m talking about.  See how the center looks like a sponge?  Some of you may be Oreo cookie aficionados that twist the cookie apart to eat the creamy center out first before crunching down on the crisp cookie.  I have a similar technique when eating these candies, only I bite off the chocolate coating all the way around first.  That leaves me with one melt in your mouth morsel of the actual sponge candy.  I like dark chocolate, but I’d really rather just have plain unadulterated sponge candy for a sublime treat occasionally.

Well, enough of my mental wanderings tonight.  I’ve got to pack a lunch for tomorrow.  I’m supposed to be finishing up the breeding bird atlas blocks this week, but tomorrow has an 80% chance of rain in the forecast.  I really don’t want to bird or mow in the rain, so if the weather guessers are right for a change, I’m not sure what I’ll work on tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

28 comments:

  1. I'd love to go with you but think sam and riggs would probably starve to death, or get buried in laundry.

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  2. Is the sponge candy made with honey? It kind of looks like See's Candies' (west Coast Candy Company) Molasses Chips. They're made 'honey-comb' about 1/2 inch wide by 2 inches long, dipped in either milk or dar chocolate. They make a box of them - about 20 paper candy cups with 2 molasses chips in each cup.....Yum.
    When it's rainy and not very pleasant, I LOVE TO READ a good book. I even try to have one on hand for just such days - or maybe just for lazy days! Enjoy your family - I lived in Edina Minnesota eons ago.

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  3. Looks like Sea Foam candy to me. yum yum but a little goes a long way!

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  4. Sounds like a super fun week you've got coming up. Have a blast.

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  5. It's funny how we all have our way of eating something that is really a treat! I always let the chocolate on peanut M&Ms melt in my mouth before I eat the peanut!

    I know you are looking forward to family time with the kids and grandkids! Enjoy....

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  6. I've had problems with my screen room getting blown around in the wind. Sometimes at Lassen I had to take it down for a few days. Haven't used it for a while, but usually I pack so much stuff for a trip I barely have room to take it along.

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  7. Oh, I'm betting you can hardly wait for Thursday. Have a wonderful time!!! Can't wait to see all your photos.

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  8. AND in New Zealand we call it hokey-pokey. We buy it in chocolate coated bars and squares, Cadbury's put it in their boxes of mixed chocs and we have little crunchy lumps of it in icecream. Hokey-pokey icecream is our top seller in cartons and cones. It's one of the first cooking experiments many children do. You make it by dissolving sugar in golden syrup, bringing it to the boil for a oouple of minutes. Pull off the heat and add baking soda. Very fun thing as it froths right up then you have to be quick to pour it into a greased baking tray before it goes hard in the pot. http://www.chelsea.co.nz/baking-and-recipes/210/hokey-pokey.aspx

    This was one of my go to activities if Mum was out when I got home from school when I was about 10 or 11 years old.

    Blessings

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  9. Ah and in Australia we call it honeycomb. Delicious. My mother used to make it.

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  10. Thanks for the shot of the sponge candy. We might be interested in Alaska. What is your time frame?

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  11. I don't believe I've ever seen or eaten that type of candy.

    Your new patio looks nice and will be even nicer when the grass fills in. Maybe they'll sod it for you.

    Making lists....something you don't have to do when you travel in the MH, huh?

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  12. I want go to Alaska with you but Kathy will probably divorce me or beat me severely but I would love to go.

    Please be careful on the road.

    Rex

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  13. What fun you are going to have with the family. We love getting together with the girls. Hope your weather is good.

    The patio looks great. Once the rain stops and they get the grass in, it will a great place to enjoy the sunshine.

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  14. If Dennis and I were not "grounded" indefinitely we could go...Our aunt and uncle are going need help for God only knows how long...Hey, You are half way there now...just keep heading North!!!

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  15. Here is a blog published by a woman who has been living in Fairbanks now for many years: http://susanstevenson.com/blog/. You might find it interesting to read as you plan your trip. Have fun with the family.

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  16. Nice patio! Glad you got it before the rains came.

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  17. Haven't had sponge candy in years. Makes my mouth water just looking at the picture!

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  18. Thanks for the Sponge Candy picture - I do know what it is now and have had it as a kid. I can't say it was my favourite candy though as it sort of tasted like dried out sponge to me.

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  19. love that candy ... kinda like a malted milk ball texture .. didn't call it sponge candy though but can't remember what we did call it. whatever ... haven't seen any in eons.
    nice patio and love family pictures. What a fun time to look forward to.

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  20. You've found Marti's all time favorite candy. I rarely get a chance to eat even one on those occasions when she buys some. Have to agree, it's really good!

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  21. Well if you decide to take your rig up to Alaska we will show you a spot where you can get uncoated sponge candy, as well as a few sights in Alberta's West Country. We have been to Alaska twice in the last 6 or 8 years and the roads are really quite good. You might run into a little construction along the way but for the most part it is as least as good as most of the roads in the Lower 48. And you will have all your own stuff along on the trip.

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  22. I'd go with you in a heartbeat. Except for the darn job. :( Have fun with the family!!!!

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  23. candy looks yummy...I would love to go ...but my
    travel is on hold right now as you know...have a great
    time with the fam...

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  24. We agree with you about flying to Alaska and renting a rig to travel around in. . .that's what we will do if we ever return. . .or. . .we may take a cruise from Vancouver to Seward. . .get off. . .rent a rig for a few months, and then take a cruise back. . .cruising the inside passage is fabulous. . .and almost or or as cheap as a plane ticket. . .wishing you all the best on that decision!

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  25. Have fun in Rochester

    Patio looks good

    Alaska, sometime for us maybe, probably do a caravan or ferry from Washington.

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