Feeding the crew...

I have had the privilege of having a crew of men stay at The Lodge for the past 6 weeks or so.   They have been a delight to be around.  I don't normally cook but I do for these young men cause they work from early in the morning till after dark each evening.  They enjoy my cooking and I enjoy cooking for them.  Hope you enjoy some of my pics of the good food we have shared.  I always appreciate new recipes and several have passed on their favorites to me and I try them out on "the crew"

 Bacon wrapped cheeseburgers and jalapeno brats are always a big hit

 perfecting the art of making gravy

 this recipe for Habanero Cheddar Jalapeno Bread was a big hit and we have served it often

 Joel request the Pork Loin covered with a rub and simmered in the crock pot all day

 Morgan taught me a new Breakfast casserole which is delicious

 The large mushrooms are stuffed with Buffalo Chicken Dip.  Yummy...

 Sometimes we serve pizza

 They had never tried 15 Bean Soup before

Pork Steak on the grill

 Zucchini Bread cooling

 Home made cookies warm from the oven

 These are a special group of men and I certainly will miss them when they go home.  I think they need their own reality show.  Heck,  they are much smarter and funnier than the Duck Dynasty guys...

 They enjoy my cooking and haven't found anything they don't like,  except maybe oatmeal...

 Joel always has a smile on his face morning or night

being away from friends and family is always hard and cell phones are wonderful.  Although getting good reception is not always so...

Hope you enjoyed my little food preview.  Some new members have been added to my imaginary Walton family here in the country.  Living the good life and sharing it with others!

Let's sit around the fire pit and tell stories and remember times gone by...

Now that the weather is cooler but not cold enough to snow yet why not gather around the fire pit and listen to the sound of coyotes.  We did that the other night with two of my grandkids and it was a great time.  We threw some hot dogs on the stick and grilled them and sat around and told "when your momma was little" stories.   Life is short and uncertain so don't waste any of the precious time we have been given to live on this earth.  Do the important things while there is still time.  Hug your kids and tell them how much you love them.  You'll never regret it!

New tire swings at the Retreat Center

It's all about swinging

I recently realized that for some strange reason I have never been on a tire swing. And tire swings are a tradition as old as man I am sure. Since I had a couple old tires lying around I figured the homestead needed an addition.

I

First a suitable tree had to be found.

Then the perfect tire was picked out...

Notice my grandson is wondering how this is gonna work...

And of course the "bigger kid" has to make sure it swings properly.

Then it was Mark's turn to climb on and make sure it was just right.

So I thought since swing #1 worked so well that we needed another one up by the kids play gym. So I pulled the truck up next to the tree and with much caution and prayers going up to the Father above, I climbed on top of the truck to put the rope around the tree. I will have to admit that it later had to be taken down and the tractor brought around and a chain put from tree to tree much higher up before it was completed. Whatever...

Grandson Mark thought this swing worked great also. And it will be the perfect height for little brother Kaden to climb up on also.

Now everyone is happy. One smaller tire swing and one bar swing. Now to cut off the excess rope. We can officially say we have a good old fashioned country tire swing at The Retreat Center. . In duplicate. Bring on the good times!

This squirrel is having a bad day!

My Lodge guest noticed one of my resident squirrels had gotten itself into a jam so to speak.  Like jammed into the hanging bird feeder. 

It's almost 100 degrees outside so I'm sure he won't last long especially wedged in the plastic tube.

So my guest tried to pull him out by the tail but the squirrel dug his heels in and wasn't gonna have any part of that.  Unfortunately,  his tail is now missing a few parts..

We finally had to get a screwdriver and take the end off.  Even with both ends off he didn't want to come out.  When he did come out it was with part of the plastic cylinder still wrapped around his mid-section.  And he made a dash for the nearest tree and tried to climb with the plastic still wrapped around him.  There was no way we could get close enough to pull it off.  Eventually,  he worked his way out of the tube and headed up the tree.   Bet that is one traumatized squirrel much in need of some counseling. 

Just another day here at The Retreat Center!

Large mouth bass makes guest smile!

It's almost 90 degrees outside today but my guest staying in The Lodge  and his son headed down to the pond to try their hand at fishing.  And they were very successful.  They caught several fish each but the catch of the day was this Large Mouth Bass.   Fishing is just one of the benefits of spending some time in our country Retreat Center. ..Make your reservation today!

We'll leave the light on for you!

If you're going to be arriving after dark we'll be sure and leave the lights on for you here at The Retreat Center!  We know not all our guests can arrive before dark and we want you to feel welcome when you get here!

Are these your common ditch Lilies?

My Daylilies that I planted along the front walkway are in bloom and the question is "Are these the common ditch Lilies you see growing along the road sides?"  Looks like it to me even though when I bought them the box said they would be a beautiful cream colored lily called the Gentle shephard.  But sometimes surprises happen and beauty can be found in everything.   Including the common Ditch Lily....

Baling Hay at The Retreat Center...

It's time to mow the hayfields so my son Kevin and my grandson Caleb have been working hard to get the hay mowed and raked and baled.  Here they are passing each other while one rakes and the other bales.  I'll miss driving up my drive between two fields with fescue waving in the breeze.  Yep, we truly are a working farm here at The Retreat Center!

You can paint those ugly old pots!

My old flower pots were looking kinda shabby and not in a good way.  And I stopped to visit with an old friend and she was taking her old pots of all sizes and shapes and materials and spray painting them.  Now that opens up a whole new world of fun and projects!  So off to my local Walmart I go and bought some purple and pale yellow and then I thought "why not paint my old metal chairs too?"   It's looking pretty colorful here on the shaded patio of The Lodge!  Now what can I paint next is the question?

It's my Birthday!

It's my birthday and my sweet friend Vicky found this sign and sent it to me.  How cool is that?  So I put it on the mantle in front of my flag sign.  My hope is that my guests and friends and family will find this 80 acres a place they can gather to make memories.  Life is short and little ones grow up and people move away.  So spend as much time as you can making memories with those you love!

Strawberries straight from the patch

I have a friend who has a strawberry patch so I ordered some freshly picked strawberries to serve my guests.  Come with me as I drive out to pick them up.

How delicious do these look?  Ready to be picked up by the customers and taken home to have some whipped cream or bananas added to.   Or how about strawberry shortcake? 

You can either pick your own or they will pick for you.

I put them in a couple of my antique bowls and added a banana and served them to my guests for breakfast this morning.  They enjoyed them with their Amish Breakfast casserole,  biscuits hot from the oven and some zucchini bread while sitting on the deck listening to the turkeys gobble.  Ah, the simple pleasures of life!

Right out of the oven....

This morning I'm baking Zucchini Bread in these cute little individual loaf pans for my guests.  Won't they be great with coffee for breakfast or as an evening snack?
      I can thank my dad who raised the zucchini and then grated and packed them , froze them and delivered them directly to my freezer.  And I think I have about 50 bags.  I appreciate very much him doing that for not only me but he also did the same thing for my other sisters!
   

Spring storms are starting early...

Been a busy week here at The Retreat Center.  We have had storms the biggest part of last week and on the last day of Feb. we had strong winds that took the roof off our barn and bent the large, sliding door of the tractor barn in.  The same storm totally destroyed my neighbor's barn and between his barn and my barn we now have sheets of metal scattered all over the hay field.  A few of the sheets of metal blew up and hit the house but thankfully we are made of logs and didn't hurt us.  Met with the Insurance adjustor this week and now waiting on an estimate so as to get started with having a new roof put on.  I've learned when it storms around here to not poke your head outside cause too much danger of stuff blowing around.

On a positive note, I am thankful The Lodge  is built solid and we have a full, finished basement.  I never even heard the storm until the electricity went out and the darkness is what actually woke me.   I'm thankful for the little things in life and especially thankful for God's protection over me!

The Pioneer Woman

I'm sure there is no one on the planet that hasn't heard of this woman by now but just in case I'm posting her web site.  She must be my sister from another mother is all I an say.  She likes living in the country,  cooking,  photography and gardening.  And she loves blogging about all those things.  Check her web site out at http://thepioneerwoman.com

Healthy Smoothie

Here's a great smoothie recipe I found on YouTube by Dr. Oz's daughter so you know it is healthy.  She said her dad called it the "Magic Drink" when she was little.  The one I made this morning just had yogurt and bananas and strawberries and yogurt in it but think I will try her version next.  And if you don't like the things she puts in hers just leave them out and I'm sure they will taste fine.  But it will be healthier if you put them in.

                                Daphne's Superfood Breakfast Smoothie
1/2 cup yogurt, 1 cup fresh fruit, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp psyllium husks, 2 Ester-C tablets (broken open), 1 cup Ice.  Blend all together and serve! It's $1.79 per person and has all the nutrients and vitamins you need already in it.  Drink it every morning.  It's good for you!  Kids will love it also!

Flowers and Chocolate--How romantic!

Little boys are so gullible!

My grandson Mark believed me when I told him I could teach him how to call up the Blue Heron that resides on the premises. You can usually find it down at the pond keeping a sharp eye out for it's favorite fish. Bring your binoculars and see this beautiful bird for yourself!

Welcome to our Blog!

We've been busy here at The Gathering Place Retreat Center and have decided it's time to add a blog. This will be a great avenue to share the adventures of life in the country, recipes, pictures of our grounds and the guests who have enjoyed their stay with us and whatever else I happen to have on my mind. It's a new adventure and I am excited about sharing it with you!

Check out our website at www.countrygatheringplace.com for more information about our log home Retreat Center with a Lodge and a Cabin on the grounds which are  located in the middle of 80 acres just south of the Kansas City area. We're also a short distance from the Branson area and the Stockton Lake all located in beautiful Southwest Missouri.

Come join us and let your stress and cares slip away during your stay at our off the beaten path countr y retreat. Here you will find no schedules, no interruptions and no alarm clocks. We trust the combination of friendly people, warm hospitality and peaceful surroundings in a beautiful log home will make your stay with us one you will remember always. Then we will know we are truly a success. We look forward to welcoming you!