It is hard to believe that it is already 2016 ! Boy 2015 has been an interesting year. With our plan in place, we went through selling off almost everything we own, quit pretty good jobs with great co-workers and even better customers, and moved to our lifestyle on the road. Looking back, we have zero point zero regrets and can hardly wait to see where our travels will take us this next year !
Since the last post we took a trip home to Michigan for the holidays. Our Daughter picked us up at the airport and there were tears and hugging like never before. Remember, we left her 7 months prior and previous to that our largest absence in her life was about a week at a time. It was good to see her! 1st stop (we were hungry) was Champs Pub of course for my favorite sandwich in the world so far. A "Champs Special". Roast Beef, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, and a few hot peppers for the right amount of heat, smothered in Provolone cheese and served on a soft oblong bakery bun.............................MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM !!!
From here we went straight out to my parents where we spent a few days catching up with them. Things seem to be going very well, or at least as well as can be expected. They have a system down that is like clockwork and their care worker Tammy is a god send. Our first morning at my parents we took this next pic of the lake from our bathroom upstairs...............
Looks more like spring than the dead of winter, and felt like it too !
From my parents we moved to the "Peretto Suite" at our good friends, the Loves, house. During the next day I had lunch with some of my favorite customers from the WSU Marketing department. We went to Lockharts BBQ in downtown Royal Oak. And it was confirmed that I still have not had as good of Beef Brisket in Texas as they make here at Lockharts ! Later in the after noon I met some friends at one of the local watering holes for a few beers and male camaraderie. Later that night we met up with the Loves and hit the new Jim Bradys for appetizers and beers. On the walk home we ran into the Browns and headed over to a new local brewery, can you guess which one ?
Yep the Roak Brewery......
You might recognize this type of pic as this is the group that came out to see us in Montana this summer and we toured and "photo'ed" just about every brewery in the state !
Saturday the 19th we headed up north to see Bren's family and celebrate Christmas up there. The weather was still beautiful with highs in the 50's and 60's ! Do you think Jenni missed me ???
It would not be a Worden Christmas with out my Brother In Laws Famous Apple Pie. I wish he would give me the recipe (Hint, Hint, Steve).
Best Apple Pie Ever !
It is funny the differences and similarities of the kids in our families............................
Think they are cousins ??
Guess this means that the booty comes from the Worden Side !
After a great time up north we headed south back to my parents for Christmas with my side of the family. A Christmas tradition in our family for as long as I can remember is Toutalines soup. My Grandmother made these every Christmas and Easter for as long as I can remember. One year we realized that Grandma would not be around for ever, so we went over to here house and had here make this heirloom soup step by step and measured and recorded everything. Since here passing, god rest her soul, we have made the soup at least every year at Christmas and this year was not going to be different. Here is a pic of the hand made Toutalines...........................
Once they dry out, you boil them in a nice chicken / beef broth and it is heaven !
The Saturday after Christmas we were on the move again, back to Royal Oak. We did not get away completely clean of all snow and weather as we had a bit of an ice storm that night......................
But what better way to go through an ice storm, than party with friends. The Loves, Bren and I, met up with some of our other friends Shane and Tamm's. Here is a great pic from the biggest dive bar in Royal Oak (Gusoline Alley).
Alicia, Bren, and Tamm's ! Babes !
Is there a better way of warming up during an ice storm..................Spanish Coffee at Tom's Oyster Bar.........................
MMMMMMMMMMMMM!
Did I mention yet that my GOOD friend Scotty Love procured us 45 yard line tickets to the Lions Game on Sunday ? !! And we were going to a Tailgate Party Prior !!!
Very Nice !
And finally on Monday night we finished up our week of eating and drinking like fools eating my #2 favorite sandwich, the Lamb Burger at Vincetta Garage, so damn good !
MMMMMMMMMMMMM X2 !!
The down side to this trip (and the Cruise) is that my Liver Warning Light came on (LOL) and I have gained back 8 pounds that I worked so hard to lose ! Back to the grind of working out again.
Monday we are going to leave this little spot under our friends beautiful beach house to move further south in Texas to the town of Mission. Down there we will experience much warmer weather though the winter months and Shannon and Debbie will come down to visit. We will miss the time that we spent here at the beach. It is soooooo beautiful here. I am envious of their house and their lives here at the beach. The good news is.............South Padre island is just a hop and a skip from Mission, so when we get beach withdrawals, we will plan a beach day !!
Here is this posts fun little board that we saw........................
Did it get you ?? HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours and may this next year be the best year ever ! Next post from Retama Village in Mission Texas !
More to come..........................................
