White Pines Inn

Friday, Dec. 17, was a beautiful, sunny, crisp winter day - a great day for an excursion. So, the four "ScoutAbouts" (Chuck, Linda, Carmen and I) headed to the White Pines Inn in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Our objective - to scout out the Dinner Theatre for a possible Learning In Retirement trip. Carmen had set up a free reservation for all of us to enjoy the buffet lunch and the show - a comedic rendition of the Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol! (Thanks, Carmen!)

The two hour ride to the White Pines Inn passed quickly. Much of the route followed the incredible Rock River - filled with wind-blown chunks of ice and areas of rapidly flowing open water. Along the way, we spotted billowing smoke from the gigantic stacks of a near-by nuclear power plant, and an enormous statue of  Black Hawk, the Eternal Indian, situated high atop a bluff overlooking the Rock River. (Check out more information about this statue.)

I've got to admit...once we arrived at our destination, this ScoutAbout was a little worried. We were in the middle of a State Forest looking at a log-cabin style building surrounded by smaller log cabins. Very few cars were in the parking lot, and it looked somewhat deserted. As we approached the "lodge," we saw a sign above the door - Family Restaurant and Dinner Theatre. Phew! All my worries were abated, and we entered. Since we were a little early the hostess sent us to the gift shop (and restrooms) across the way.

Around 11:45, the hostess began seating people. I am not quite sure where all of these people (and their cars) were hiding, but there they were - in line waiting for a table. We were seated at a table right inside the entry door, closest to the buffet. Speaking of the buffet...all I can say is, "Yummmmmmmmy." There were probably eight different salads, three main entrees, and three kinds of bread to choose from. You wanted to savor each mouthful, yet at the same time, couldn't wait to sample the next item on your plate. And for dessert, a choice of all chocolate or chocolate and white cake with VERY creamy frosting!

After lunch, the show began - a comedic version of "A Christmas Carol" with only two actors. I wasn't sure how that would work, until they explained that members of the audience would participate as the other characters! Well, they warmed us up with the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Previously, the audience has been divided into 12 groups and each group was responsible for their part. Luckily, the ScoutAbouts (along with a few tables around us) were assigned day 12, so we only had to shout out our group part once. The song did get the audience laughing and warmed us up for the comedy to come. Without going into too much detail, this was one of the most innovative ways to do a play that I have ever seen. The audience members chosen (at random) to play parts in the play, really put all they had into it. The rest of us were nearly rolling in the isles with laughter. And guess what! Carmen was chosen to play the Ghost of Christmas Future. She did an excellent job! Carmen, I think you have a budding career in Theater.

We were so impressed with the friendliness of the employees and the high quality of the food and entertainment, that Carmen made reservations for an LIR Special Events trip to the White Pines Inn next October to see a different play (with audience participation). I can't wait! It should be outstanding - and the Fall colors along the way should be awesome.

Enjoy a few pictures from our ScoutAbout adventure!

"Still Plays with Trains" LIR Class

The four week model railroading class I attended (through LIR) ended today with a tour of Kalmbach Publishing, the company that publishes the Model Railroad magazine. Chuck did an absolutely fantastic job teaching the class. We not only learned a great deal about model railroading, but we each put together a train car and made trees for the scenery. It was the best class I have taken through LIR so far! Enjoy the slideshow from our class and our tour of Kalmbach Publishing.

Click here to view our slideshow

Osthoff Christmas Market 2010

December 7th was a bone-chilling, cold day. Armed with my mug of hot coffee, I met Linda, and together we enjoyed a "girls day out" ride to the 2010 Osthoff Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake. Along the way, we made note of a few other places we would like to stop on the way home.

We arrived at the gigantic, white, heated tent shortly after they opened. The holiday smell of the fresh Christmas trees led us up the path to the entrance. Inside, Father Christmas wished us warm holiday greetings. As we walked toward the numerous booths to begin our adventure, Linda felt a drip on her head. Soon, we noticed that it was "raining" inside the tent. The heat inside and the overnight frost on the roof were colliding and creating a light misty rain. Thankfully, that did not last long at all.

Booths of every kind lined the perimeter and center of this huge tent: holiday decorations, clothing, food, wine, home decor, jewelry, and on and on.... Of course, Linda and I found "just what we wanted" and then ate a delicious bread bowl German soup lunch. Yummy! After one more trip around the aisles, just to make sure we did not miss anything, we headed toward home, making sure to stop at the wreath factory and cheese factory we noticed on the trip to the Market.
It was a wonderful day for a visit to a unique, winter craft fair!

Chinatown in Chicago

LIR Trip to Chinatown in Chicago - November 4, 2010

Learning in Retirement is a great organization. They offer so many wonderful and educational classes and trips for those that have the time.
On Nov. 4, a bus filled with 55 LIR members headed to Chicago's Chinatown. At the Cultural Center in downtown Chicago, our guide, Jason, boarded the bus. From the moment he boarded, Jason began a history lesson of what we were seeing as we drove through downtown. What a knowledgeable guide, and what a good speaker! We learned about the great Chicago fire, the railroads, the stock exchange, history of some of the buildings, etc. Upon arriving in the present Chinatown, Jason described every detail. Our stops in Chinatown included the Museum, a Chinese bakery, and the Phoenix Restaurant (amazing authentic food). After leaving Chinatown, we toured Little Italy and the Greek neighborhood, all the while listening to the interesting history of each. We even drove past Harpo Studios (home of the Oprah Show).

What a great, informative day! Thanks LIR!

Melting Pot Halloween Mystery Dinner

Halloween is such a great time of year. Adults get to relive a small part of their childhood and dress up in costume. When Malena told me that the Melting Pot was offering another Mystery Dinner and we could come in costume, I jumped at the chance. Not since I was married have I spent Teachers' Convention weekend creating costumes. Here was my chance. I decided to go as Sherlock Holmes - who better to solve a mystery. So I began planning my costume. I had an old black trench coat that was just the right length. All I needed now was the hat, the pipe, the cape, the magnifying glass, and a pair of men's pants with cuffs. A trip to Goodwill produced the pants, even though I had to take them in about six inches in the waist. I had planned to make a cape out of a black tablecloth I also found at Goodwill. I did not like the black on black, so instead I cut up an old, ripped duvet cover. Not only did I get a cape, but I was able to cover the two baseball caps (placed on top of each other facing opposite ways) I used for the hat. The hat I had found at the costume store was pathetic, although the pipe was just what I needed. There was even enough fabric for a tie (an afterthought). I did get a magnifying glass in the kit (from the costume store) with the hat and pipe, but found a much bigger and much better one at Pick 'N Save.

The Mystery Dinner was great. Kim and Malena came in costume, too, as did many of the guests.
We actually did guess the right suspect in the murder mystery, but then changed our minds at the last minute and got it wrong. And we even had two Milwaukee police officers on our team. Always go with your gut!

Malena wanted to go karaoke-ing  after the dinner. Here is the link to our very scary experience:
http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/YOTwEvSYhjUqYdS0  :) lol

Blessing of the Animals

On October 2, Rick and I decided to take our furry friends to church for the Blessing of the Animals (part of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi). Quite a group of animals and owners turned out: dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, and even a stuffed animal. Father Dave began blessing the animals in the line that Rick and I ended up in. He bent over each animal and placed his hand just over the animal's head. Well, when he came to Gemini (Rick's German Shepard), something very unexpected, and scary, happened. Gemini lashed out at Father Dave, scraping his thumb. Thank goodness, Rick and Father Dave have very good reflexes, otherwise this would have been a lot worse. For the life of me, I don't know what triggered Gemini's response. He is normally such a good boy. Next year, we will have to remember to bring Gemi's ball so his entire focus is on playing.

Did you ever have "one of those days"?

OK.  I know I am getting older, but in this case, that is no excuse. I was cleaning the house the other day - actually doing dishes. I loaded the dishwasher and noticed that I was out of Cascade dishwasher soap, so I looked through the bottles under my sink to see if I had a different kind. I found a sample bottle of another brand and squirted it into the dishwasher soap dispenser, then turned on the water saver mode. While the dishes were washing, I filled the sink and began washing those dishes that can't go in a dishwasher. A little while later, I glanced at the dishwasher. I couldn't believe my eyes! Soap suds were pouring out of it all over the floor. I felt like Lucille Ball in one of her I Love Lucy episodes. Of course, I looked at the bottle of dish washing liquid that I had used. Yup, it was concentrate, and I had obviously used way too much. To put a positive spin on this act of utter stupidity, my floor is nice and clean now!