Around Here: Twice to Windhill for Food and Halloween Decorations, Stucky's for Jim Sieg and the Legion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Drove to McHenry, Illinois, and had the $5 half pound burger special at Windhill Pancake Parlor on Il-120 at the bridge.  It cost extra for additional toppings and I got the crumbled blue cheese and grilled onions for $1.50.  One great meal.  But the main reason for going there was the Halloween decorations.  They definitely go overboard decorating for Halloween.  Everywhere you look there is something to see.  I know of no other place that decorates this much for the occasion.

We then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg to see the return of local entertainer Jim Sieg who we've been following for years.  He came down with a bad case of the Covid and has recovered now.  He had his full band and he was having a great time.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

We went back to Windhill Pancake Parlor again, this time with Kevin and Kelly and try their fish fry and fish boil.  I got the fish boil and Liz the fish fry for $14.25 each.  It was AUCE, but neither one of us could finish and we took plenty home.  Kevin and Kelly had not been there for the decorations and were impressed.

Afterwards, we went to the Fox Lake American Legion where Kelly pretty much drank for free answering the "Wheel of Fortune" questions.  We then had the fifty-fifty, but none of us won anything.  Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville in the basement and watched the World Series game,

--Why Go Anywhere Else?  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:  Q:  My childbirth instructor said it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure.  Is she right?   A:  Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

JSS: Snow-- Sunnyside Customer Party-- A Windhill Pancake Parlor Christmas-- Da Bears

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  SNOW--  We received about an inch of the stuff last night, no problem.  My neighbor was nice enough to clear the 15-18 inches of snow we got while I was in North Carolina.  I have been knocking the heavy snow off the evergreens since I have been home and trying to pull out the covered Christmas lights.

2.  SUNNYSIDE CUSTOMER PARTY--  Last night, we had the customer appreciation Christmas party at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.  Lots of friends there and good times.  Free food as well.

3.  A WINDHILL PANCAKE PARLOR CHRISTMAS--  Thursday, we drove into McHenry and went to this wonderful place which really goes out of their way to put up a Christmas display inside every year.  It is getting to be a tradition to go there this time of the year.  If you can't get into the spirit there, you aren't going to get into the spirit.

4.  DA BEARS--  Later we will go to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside to join the Usual Suspects in our final Bears game of the season. (Next Sunday we will watch the Packers play in Twin Lakes at Donovan's.)  With a record of 3-11, we will be pulling for a Bear win, but hoping for a loss for draft considerations.  We could really use a quarterback now that the Cut has proven to be not the guy.

--RoadDog

And All the Spider Webs Were Hung With Care

Well, not spider webs actually, but the orange lights are up all across the front of the house as well as on the gazebo.  The grave yard is in place and looking real eerie, especially with the fence and dead overgrown plants.

Pumpkins line every front window, the Halloween village is set up on top of the speaker and various button toys are all around.  Patti Playpal has on her Trick-or-Treating outfit and bag for candy.

The candy is bought and we are getting ready to go over to Windhill Pancake Parlor in McHenry for a Halloween dinner and to look at all their decorations.  I know of no other place with as many scary things all over as they have.

I am listening to the Drive's Halloween Spooktacular A to Z, seven hours of real scary music from noon to 7 p.m., CDST.  It streams so go scare yourself.

Looks Like It Will be a Frightening Good Time.  --RoadDog

A Good Christmas Eve

Yesterday, I took the empty key back to the liquor store and got my $40 deposit back.  Then I went to Menard's and Home Depot and bought some 50% off lights.  I came home and put two strands up and then found I had to replace an outdoor timer on the deck.

We drove over to McHenry Savings Bank to see the miniature train display, but they had already closed.  We then went to Windhill Pancake Parlor in McHenry for lunch and were the last ones in there as they were closing early for Christmas Eve.  Great pot roast and, of course, these folks really go above and beyond when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations.

We also drove by the PLAV building (Polish Legion of American Veterans) and were happy to see the outside bar lights on.  The place had caught fire Mother's Day 2014.  Talked with Jerry and were given a tour of the place.  They've only been open since Monday.

Last stop was at Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg.

We drove around a couple neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights, including ours.  Even if I do say so, our house is right up there with the best.  Came inside and just had to watch one whole complete showing of my all-time favorite Christmas movie, "A Christmas Story."  I love the marathon on TNT.  I've been watching parts of it off and on today and will watch it one more time.

A Good Christmas Eve.  --RoadDog