Springtime in East Central Illinois - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter Villa: Sharing the Fun Together > The Sunroom: Fun, Games, and Chat
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-26-2009, 08:26 PM   #1
Grammy Grumpy
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Grammy Grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564

Post Thanks / Like
Springtime in East Central Illinois

Being inspired by Eileen's pictures of how spring has arrived at her part of the world, and being that this year our yard seems especially beautiful, I am compelled to post these pictures. All the hard work that these pictures represent is attributed to my DH. This too is exceptional because before we moved to this house 10 years ago the man's motto was "If you can't mow it, don't grow it!" Now he is attempting to take as much grass out of production as possible. He is designing a bridge/walkway over one of the burms (was just a walkway until recently) and he has built an arbor and a four-plex for our neighborhood sparrows. I'll get some pictures of those things and post later.

So, thanks for letting me be proud of his accomplishments and share them with you.













Attached Images
File Type: jpg Flowers 008.jpg (41.6 KB, 64 views)
File Type: jpg Flowers 044.jpg (53.4 KB, 65 views)
File Type: jpg Flowers 069.jpg (34.3 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_3590.jpg (52.9 KB, 64 views)
File Type: jpg Flowers 088.jpg (45.9 KB, 63 views)
__________________


Me and my hunny!




Fall Festival Fun with Friends!

Eagles, and Whales, and Bears - Oh My!!
My Countdown Counting down to: Just us two and a few PPers too!
Lovin' this trip!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsTreehouse Villas 1987, All Star Sports 2000, Coronado Springs 2002, POR 2003, 2004 x 2, 2005 x 3, 2006 x2, 2007 x 3, 2008 x 2, 2009 May Flower and Garden, Sept DD Bday, Dec PPfest! 2010 Sept Bounceback with DH, Dec SSR with Kids/grandkids!!!, 2011 Alaska cruise, Thanksgiving with Mickey!, 2012 Poconos, Cruisin' and NYC, Birthday in the Bubble, 2 whole weeks in the bubble Sept 2013
Grammy Grumpy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2009, 08:43 PM   #2
skateycat
Community Rank: Explorer
 
skateycat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Venice, Florida (south of tampa)
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 10,272

Post Thanks / Like
i love love love the columbines...i so miss those. and your hosta bed is just lovely! that makes two lovely hosta beds i have seen in one week. i am wondering if they grow here or if it is too hot...are they a shade-loving plant? i will have to consult my florida gardening book....thanks for the lovely pics....
__________________





My Countdown Counting down to: fabulous food and wine fun
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Tripstoo numerous to mention! my favorite places to stay are yacht club and pofq. am known to just spontaneously pop over to the happy place on a whim to meet up with other pp's or just to spend the day in pixie dust!
skateycat is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2009, 09:33 PM   #3
GoofyMom
Wannabe Snowbird
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
GoofyMom's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 34,137

Post Thanks / Like
Beautiful, Barb!! Two big green thumbs up to Bob!!

I love the columbines too - they're one of my favourite flowers because they remind me of my Grandma's house. I have a little patch of them but they struggle where I've got them. I can't believe how far along your peonies are! Funny what a difference warm weather makes... my peonies are only about 10" high and show no sign of buds yet at all! They generally don't start to bloom until around the first week of July!!
GoofyMom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2009, 09:36 PM   #4
Cam22
Batman's Gal/Mickey's Pal
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Cam22's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Owensboro, KY USA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 95,254

Post Thanks / Like
Gorgeous flowers and hostas!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAKL Jambo April/May 2017--SSR/OKW Sept/Oct 2016 --AKL Kidani May 2016 -- Polynesian Village Resort May 2015 -- OKW/Magic December 2014 -- AKL Jambo House October 2014 -- VWL May 2014--SSR October 2013--AKL/Kidani June 2013--CBR October 2012--BWI June 2012--AKV Jambo House/Kidani Village June 2011 -- November 2010 Beach Club -- June 2010 Beach Club -- October 2009 CBR and Gaylord Palms -- June 2009 AKV/Kidani Village -- June 2008 VWL --June 2007 OKW--June 2006 Disney Wonder/SSR -- June 2005 SSR -- June 2004 VWL -- June 2003 AKL -- August 1997 Off Property -- March 1980 Cocoa Beach
Cam22 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2009, 09:49 PM   #5
Grammy Grumpy
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Grammy Grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564

Post Thanks / Like
We actually have a couple of "sun loving" hostas in different places. One is called "Fried Green Tomatoes". I can't remember the name of the other variety.

Donna, our peonies are suppose to bloom right around Memorial Day so this year they are right on time. Some springs that are warmer than this one finds them bloomed and gone by this time.

Next up will be the Day Lillies and the other lilliums which will probably bloom during the month of June.

What we really need to find are some late summer and fall color for the garden, so it's really a work in progress.
__________________


Me and my hunny!




Fall Festival Fun with Friends!

Eagles, and Whales, and Bears - Oh My!!
My Countdown Counting down to: Just us two and a few PPers too!
Lovin' this trip!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsTreehouse Villas 1987, All Star Sports 2000, Coronado Springs 2002, POR 2003, 2004 x 2, 2005 x 3, 2006 x2, 2007 x 3, 2008 x 2, 2009 May Flower and Garden, Sept DD Bday, Dec PPfest! 2010 Sept Bounceback with DH, Dec SSR with Kids/grandkids!!!, 2011 Alaska cruise, Thanksgiving with Mickey!, 2012 Poconos, Cruisin' and NYC, Birthday in the Bubble, 2 whole weeks in the bubble Sept 2013
Grammy Grumpy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 01:48 AM   #6
chezp
PassPorter Message Board Manager
PassPorter Guide Author

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
chezp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Maidstone, Kent, UK
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 190,285

Post Thanks / Like
How beautiful.
__________________

Relaxing on board the Magic. The trip report for our back-to-back cruises on the Disney Magic has started!
My Countdown Counting down to: 2019
Happy New Year!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips21 trips to WDW, 6 to Disneyland in California, 9 to Disneyland Paris, 1 to Hong Kong Disneyland, 1 to Tokyo Disney, 1 to Aulani, 1 to Hilton Head, 2 to Vero Beach and 13 Disney cruises on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy
chezp is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 05:16 AM   #7
buzzspal2
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: northern california
Posts: 9,588

Post Thanks / Like
Beautiful flowers.
__________________
Tammy
My Countdown Counting down to: Siblings trip.
Switched to January so Todd can get out of the snow.
My Previous TripsDixie Landings 1999, BWV 2001, OKW &BCV 2003, SSR&BWV 2005 OKW &WLV 2006 and BWV 2008, WLV2011, AKL 2013.BWV 2013,BWV 2015.
buzzspal2 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 08:53 AM   #8
lauren-roxy
Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
lauren-roxy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ohio Football Hall Of Fame
Posts: 42,304

Post Thanks / Like
How beautiful!!!
__________________
Lori
My Countdown Counting down to: Last day of school!!!
My oldest is off to the middle school!
My Previous TripsWe go to Disney every July for our Annual Trip
lauren-roxy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 09:17 AM   #9
Colexis Mom
RED SOX NATION!!
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank:
Legend VIP
 
Colexis Mom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Connecticut
Concierge Level: 9
Posts: 136,854

Post Thanks / Like
Great pictures Barb!!
__________________
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsAUG '16 - POFQ, APR '12 - POFQ, JUL '10 - DL, AUG '09 - DCL Western, AUG '08 - POFQ/BC, AUG '06 - AKL/BC/DisneyWonder/Poly, DEC '05 - AKL, APR '05 - AKL/BC, DEC '04 - AKL, MAY '04 - AKL/BC, MAY '03 - WL/BC, MAY '98 -offsite, MAY '94 - BC, AUG '85 - Poly, AUG '83 - Poly, AUG '81 - Poly, JUL '79 - World Inn, JUL '76 - World Inn
Colexis Mom is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 09:27 AM   #10
home4us123
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

Community Rank:
Legend Extraordinaire
 
home4us123's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Endicott, NY
Concierge Level: 7
Posts: 34,154

Post Thanks / Like
Beautiful pics
__________________


Mindy PassPorter Co-Guide for The Family Room, Going Behind the Scenes and The Porch
My Countdown Counting down to: Walt Disney World
My PassPorter Bookshelf <table width=100% height=75 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 border=0><tr><td width=86 style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/concierge/ticker/countdown22512-659.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/concierge/walt-disney-world-2013-trip659.html' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=86 border=0></a></td><td align=left style='background-image: url(http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/shelf22512.png); background-repeat: no-repeat;'><a href='http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/club/bookshelf.php?member=22512&name=home4us123' border=0><img src='http://www.passporter.com/forums/club/images/bookshelf/transparent.png' height=75 width=200 border=0></a></td></tr></table>
My Previous TripsWDW 1988, WDW 1990, Feb. 08. OffSite, August/September 09 Saratoga Springs THV, August/September 2010 POFQ, August/September 2011 Pop Century, August 2013 SSR
home4us123 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 10:06 AM   #11
Caldercup
Eileeeeeeen!™
PassPorter's Club Passholder


What's this?

PassPorter Guide

Community Rank: Legend
 
Caldercup's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 28,861

Post Thanks / Like
Oh, my...!! Tell Bob that I heartily approve of his skills.

That hosta bed is divine and so perfectly spaced!

The columbines make my pulse race and the just-about-to-burst peonies.... be still my heart!

Love close-up of the clematis too.... sigh.

Ijust love flowers.
Eileen

PS - are you guys just past the redbuds and iris combination that used to knock me flat when we lived in East Central Illinois? All that glorious purple!
__________________
My Previous TripsSometime in the 70's with mom; 1990 honeymoon; 1994 trip with brother; 2002 Dec - POFQ; 2003 May - ASMovies; 2003 Oct - ASMovies; 2004 May - Pop; 2004 Sept - AKL; 2004 Nov - PORiverside; 2005 May - Grand Gathering #1; 2005 Dec - Mousefest w/Karen; 2006 March - DLR w/Karen; 2006 June - Beach Club w/Karen; 2006 Dec - Grand Gathering #2; 2007 Feb DLR Girls Trip; 2007 Dec - Appetizer trip/Mousfest w/CLT; 2008 Jun - CLT+2 meet the Koenigs; 2008 Dec - CLQ Broken Ankle Tribute; 2009 Mar - Unclenching at POFQ!; 2009 June - Sweating with Friends; 2009 Dec - Sousefest09; 2011 Dec - 3 to a bed; 2012 Jul - Even Eileen! (DLR)
Caldercup is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 10:47 AM   #12
DisneyFanAnn
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 13,176

Post Thanks / Like
Beautiful!!!!!!!!
DisneyFanAnn is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 11:37 AM   #13
Grammy Grumpy
Community Rank: Explorer
 
Grammy Grumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Illinois
Concierge Level: 1
Posts: 9,564

Post Thanks / Like
One note about the dark pink Peonies. They are cuttings from plants my father planted for me from his plants. Please note, the original cuts from his plants were put in the ground by him about 40 years ago. They were originally planted at the house we lived at for more than 30 years and then the ones we have now are cuts from them. So, the original plants are/were probably 50+ years old and were still blooming the last time I saw them less than 4 years ago! My mom and dad passed away a few years ago but up to the end their yard was my dad's pride and joy. They had the most amazing soil and with his green thumb it was very nice. It's a real joy to look at them and have such nice memories.
__________________


Me and my hunny!




Fall Festival Fun with Friends!

Eagles, and Whales, and Bears - Oh My!!
My Countdown Counting down to: Just us two and a few PPers too!
Lovin' this trip!
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsTreehouse Villas 1987, All Star Sports 2000, Coronado Springs 2002, POR 2003, 2004 x 2, 2005 x 3, 2006 x2, 2007 x 3, 2008 x 2, 2009 May Flower and Garden, Sept DD Bday, Dec PPfest! 2010 Sept Bounceback with DH, Dec SSR with Kids/grandkids!!!, 2011 Alaska cruise, Thanksgiving with Mickey!, 2012 Poconos, Cruisin' and NYC, Birthday in the Bubble, 2 whole weeks in the bubble Sept 2013
Grammy Grumpy is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 12:28 PM   #14
SarahJ
Community Rank: Scout
 
SarahJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695

Post Thanks / Like
Now this is some beautiful gardening! I love the combinations of color and texture. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous, I hope you'll post some more. And I love the history behind your peonies!

Kudos to your DH for his hard work.
__________________

My Happy Place
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable." ~ Walt Disney
My Previous TripsAug 2012 Disney Wonder to Alaska - Sept 2006 Disneyland Hotel Concierge! - Aug 2005 WL - Dec 2004 AKL & GF - Feb 2003 WL - Sept 2000 Honeymoon at the Poly & DCL Cruise
SarahJ is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2009, 06:11 PM   #15
mrsmac2001
Community Rank: Explorer
 
mrsmac2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Cypress....Deep in Southern Illinois, close enough to see the Kentucky blue grass
Posts: 9,546

Post Thanks / Like
Great pics!
__________________

Just me
Lori

My Countdown Counting down to: OMG I am finally going back to DISNEY!!!!!!!!
Gone to my happy place
My Previous TripsWDW 1977, WDW 2003 CBR, WDW 2005 CBR
mrsmac2001 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply




Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:24 PM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger