• Uncategorized

    Bobotie: A Flavorful Journey Through South Africa

    We love to travel and to eat.  We learn so much about a place through its food.  South Africa is certainly one of those places.  We have traveled there several times over the past few years (staying at Umndeni Game Lodge), taking friends with us to enjoy the adventure.  (You can see some of those trips here.)  While braai (grilling) is king, bobotie is a close second. South African cuisine is delicious and one of my favorite dishes is Bobotie. Let’s delve into the delightful world of Bobotie, a beloved part of South African cuisine that combines curried minced meat with a luscious egg custard topping. If you see food…

  • Travel Adventures,  Uncategorized

    Umndeni Game Lodge: The Best Safari Experience in South Africa

      If you are looking for an amazing safari experience in South Africa, you should definitely check out Umndeni Game Lodge. Just so you know, this blog post isn’t based on one visit.  My family and I have visited Umndeni Game Lodge four times in the past two years.  We love everything about it and have started bringing friends with us.  I am always blown away by their hospitality, professionalism, and passion for wildlife. In this blog post, I will share with you what I loved about Umndeni Game Lodge, and why you should trust them with your safari dream vacation. What is Umndeni Game Lodge? Umndeni Game Lodge is…

  • Wood Family Reunion 2024

    Wood Family Reunion May 25, 2024

    Agenda   8am-9am: Coffee and Donut Meet and Greet   9am-9:30am: Registration and Name Tags   9:40am – 10:40am: Why are we here?  The Story of James and Isabella Wood   10:50am – 12:00pm: Business Meeting and Auction   12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch   1:pm – 1:30pm: Quick clean up from lunch   1:30pm: Depart for local tours. (PLEASE CARPOOL FOR THESE TOURS. PARKING IS LIMITED IN SOME OF THE LOCATIONS.) Milford Cemetery Old Brandon Cemetery Brandon Cemetery White Rock: Home of James and Isabella Wood   4:00pm(ish): At the conclusion of the tours, you are invited to join Jana and Jerry for light refreshments  at the home of James…

  • Ferguson,  Frazier,  Patterson,  Ward,  Wood

    From “The Lone Star State” published 1892

    The following is a bit from the chapter about Johnson and Hill County. THE LONE STAR STATE “Johnson and Hill Counties” 1892   Mrs. Jane M. Patterson, relict of John Patterson, and a lady much respected for her many excellent qualities of mind and heart, was born in Glasford Parish, Scotland, December 29, 1833.  Her parents, James and Isabel(sic) Wood, were natives also of Scotland, in which country they were married, and in 1851 they came with their children, nine in number, to the United States.  Previous to this, the father had bought some land in Texas from an English colony company and had sailed to America to settle on…

  • Ferguson,  Frazier,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2024

    1859 James Wood Land in Erath County and Sale to M. Frazier

    Page One   The State of Texas County of Hill   Know all men by these presents that I, James Wood, of the county of Hill and state aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of $125 dollars to me in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged have bargained sold aliened and conveyed and by these presents do bargain sell alien and convey to Monro Frazier of the county of Erath and state of Texas his heirs and Assigns forever all of the following described tract or parcel of land to wit, lying and being situated in the county of Erath on the Paluxy River about…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  Patterson,  Wood

    John Patterson Loyalty Statement to the United States of America – 19 Nov 1869

    John Patterson signed a loyalty statement following the US Civil War. Below is the transcribed letter (for easy reading) and a photo of the letter. Enjoy!   Transcription: United States of America The State of Texas, County of Hill   I, John Patterson, do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God that I will hereafter faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States there under and that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existence of the present rebellion with reference to the emancipation of slaves so help…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2024

    12 June 1866: S. Candlish to James Wood

      Transcribed Letter: St. George’s Square Sheffield June 12, 1866 Mr. Jas Wood My Dear Sir, Before you read this letter the enclosed funeral card will have conveyed to you the sad intelligence of the death of your Brother – He died from apoplexy- was only five hours ill- and was never conscious after being seized – Tho not being vey well for about two months, he attended to his business until the hour he was summoned above all earthly things. It has passed from amongst us a deeply lamented and much missed man, passed however into an honored grave, we can sayhe served his God faithfully and like his…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  The Homestead's History,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2024

    27 November 1896: Emily Ann Frazier letter to Jane Wood Frazier Patterson

    Transcribed Letter: Valley? Farm Nov 27th 1896 Dear Jane, You must not think that I am going to tell you anything new or strange because I write. That would be out of my power. You have lived here and know how little news reaches here. I send you two newspapers the only ones I have seen since I came here except a Dutch paper sent her to Mr. Wickeland as it will not be very interesting to you or I, I will give it to Mr. Frazier for gun wadding. I think we will hear more news now as there is a regular mail to Fort Graham once a week. …

  • Uncategorized

    19 October 1862: John Wood to his mother, Isabella Wood

    Transcribed Letter: October 19, 1862 Mrs. Wood I now take the opportunity to you a few lines to let you know that Im well at present. The boys from our sctelinen are all well but Obe we are campt close to El Parsons.  Arch and Eli are at our camps every other day or to.  Archy and Eli has got as fat as hos Parsons Men are bringing in yanks every day or to. Obe has got the flux I saw Mat Finch in des ark as We past thrugh. I didn’t get to see John Patterson but Bob said looket well. Corn is plenty. Is plenty in this part…

  • 1846 Homestead Renovation,  The Homestead's History,  Wood,  Wood Family Reunion 2024

    26 January 1880: William Riddell to his sister, Isabella Riddell Wood

    Transcribed Letter: Wellgreen 26th January 1880 My Dear Sister, I received your letter of 16th Agust 79/ all right and was glad to see you were all well once more, as you say the time is uncertain, it will not be long that we will have the priviledge of writing to one another in this world, but I hope we are all Trusting in Jessus Christ, so that when our latter End does come we may all meet in a Better world, and meet with those who are gone Before, to Dwell for ever with he Lord, this is a world of sin and Sorrow and triles, but if we…