TRUE success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful." Paul Sweeney
Just a thought to ponder as April 15th rolls around again. Just when things start looking good, there is this big debt to pay. I guess I might as well get used to it. I can't take it with me. Retirement looks better every year. Just two more years to go.
Well, let's see if I can share some news with you guys. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. I know I did. I had the church kids over for a big Easter Egg coloring and then the Bunny hid the eggs, plus there was arts and crafts, mosaic pots, coloring, ring toss, etc. The parents were a lot of help and everyone ended up having a terrific time, so terrific I think I GET to do again next year. The following Sunday, Easter Sunday, about 15 of us got together for Easter Sunday dinner and it was very, very special.
On a much sadder note....I received an email from Carolyn Waterman that Jim's mother passed away the end of March. Jim and Alex Cox are from Smith Lake. We are all sorry and we all hurt when we lose a loved one and our prayers go out to you especially during this time.
DID YOU KNOW that Alabama is becoming the destination state in the South? This was reported in the Birmingham News on March 15 of this year. Apparently Alabama is emerging as another destination state in the South. Net migration in Alabama in 06-07 was higher than it was for 35 other states and the District of Columbia, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimates.
Beth and David Melling from the Smith-Byrd House in Prattville finally got their clearance from the city on March 25 and they are officially open. You go guys!!!! They are hoping to have the Tea Room up and running by the time you read this. I am excited about that. They are working now to set a date for a ribbon cutting Grand Opening with an Open House hopefully sometime this month while David's parents are here visiting from California. I hope I get to make that trip. I worked in Prattville for about a year and loved the area and the people.
A man asked his wife what she would like for her birthday. "I'd love to be six again," she replied. On the morning of her birthday, he got her up bright and early and off they went to a local theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park: the Death Slide, the Screaming Loop, the Wall of Fear, everything there was! Wow! Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park, her head reeling and her stomach upside down.
Right to a McDonald's they went, where her husband ordered her a Big Mac along with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate shake. Then, it was off to a movie-the latest sci-fi epic, and hot dogs, popcorn, Pepsi cola and M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!
Finally, she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed. He leaned over and lovingly asked, "Well, dear, what was it like being six again?"
One eye opened and she said, "You idiot, I meant my dress size."
The moral of this story is: If a woman speaks and a man is actually listening, he will still get it wrong. Just a bit of humor ........
Let's talk about the conference in 09.... January 18, 19 and 20, 2009. Lake Guntersville Lodge.
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I am making my reservation tomorrow, after I wash the towels and sheets, make breakfast, and do general clean-up. I so love my job. Mary wants to make sure that all the guys out there know about the golf course right there at the front steps of the lodge, or almost at the front steps. I want to know about shopping. I am from rural country and never get to shop. Are there places to go? Girls can shop while the guys get together on Sunday to play a round. . If there is enough interest we can try getting tee times for the whole group set up in advance and maybe include the greens fee on the conference registration form. |
Reservations will have to be by phone, no online service available as yet. When you book you need to give the group code CGABB1 in order to get into our block of rooms they have put aside for us. You will have until December 18 to book a room before they release our block of rooms. Reserve early as that weekend is their very popular Eagle Watch Weekend. Rooms start at $98.
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Another ServSafe Certification class will be held on Sunday for those interested. Remember, it will be mandatory before 2010. There will also be another Aspiring Innkeeper Workshop offered that Sunday as well as an interim Innkeeper /Inn Sitter Certification class. Don't forget about the Silent Auction. That is always fun. I am looking forward to seeing a lot of Vendors and lots of free stuff. If anyone can think of a vendor they would like to see, soaps, shirts, baskets, marketing items such as pens, gifts to sell or give away, please email me and we will see what we can do to get more vendors at the conference. |
Let’s talk pricing.Registration for the 2009 conference is as follows:
BBAA members - $175 for the 1st person, $125 each additional.
Non-members - $200
Vendors- $200 before the deadline/$250 after the deadline. What is the deadline? Dec 31
We are also adding something extra to the optional vendor sponsorships. The $500 Silver sponsorship will include hosting of one of the morning or afternoon breaks. The $1000 Gold will include hosting either the Sunday or Monday afternoon reception, breakfast or lunch. The $1500 Platinum will include hosting either Sunday or Monday dinner. These sponsorship hostings will be highlighted in the program and on signs.
There are a total of 112 rooms and all rooms as well as the Lodge are Non-smoking facilities. Each room and suite has in-room refrigerators and microwaves, plus the other amenities such as hair dryer, coffee and coffee pot, TV and DVD player, iron and ironing board, etc. There are different prices for the different rooms and I can let you know more as soon as I find out which block of rooms we have. I do know that the room rates start at $98.00 There are also 13 suites available, and several cabins and chalets. All rates are per night and do not include lodging tax. And as always, all rates are subject to change. I am not going to bombard you with all the info now. I will give out more info as the time gets closer to the conference.
Mary Hightower was gracious enough to share a recipe with us. It sounds wonderful.
BAKED RASPBERRY ALMOND FRENCH TOAST
1/2 cup whole milk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons amaretto or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons raspberry preserves
2 large store bought croissants, halve horizontally
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
confectioners sugar for garnish
Fresh raspberries for garnish
Place the milk, egg, sugar, amaretto, cinnamon and salt in a shallow 1 quart baking dish and whisk to blend well.
Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons of the raspberry preserves over the bottom half of each croissant. Replace the croissant tops and press them together. Place the filled croissants in the baking dish, turning to coat with the custard. Let the croissants soak for 30 minutes to absorb the custard mixture, turning often.
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a cookie sheet.
Place the almonds in a shallow bowl. Carefully remove the soaked croissants from the bowl and coat both sides with almonds. Place the coated croissants on the buttered baking sheets and brush with melted butter. Discard any custard mixture left in the baking dish. Bake until the croissants are puffed and browned, and the custard is set 25 to 27 minutes.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the croissants to serving plates. Sift confectioners sugar over them, and garnish with fresh raspberries.
Makes 2 servings.
Thank you, Mary. I may have to try this out in the morning.
Now, just one more thought before I close...
Thoughts
Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words
Words
Keep your words positive because your words become your actions
Actions
Keep your actions positive because your actions become your habits
Habits
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values
Values
Keep your values positive because your values become your DESTINY
(I wish I could give the author credit, but I can't make out his name.)
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Meeshka, the Akita, says "till we meet again."
PS: If you need more BBAA Comment Cards, please e-mail David Worthington at info@magnoliasprings.com and he will be glad to mail you a batch. Please be sure that the return address is 707 PO Box, Montgomery AL 36101-0707 NOT Stafford, TX |
