Happy Happy Birthday to our Granddaughter

This little Princess is now three.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.

Love,

Papa and Gigi

An Anniversary in Heaven

Seventy-nine years ago today,

My parents said “I Do”

This is that lovely Pearl Choker Necklace that the Bride wore with

 her Wedding Suit. The precious keepsake is now displayed on my dresser.

Looks like my Daddy had a new Wedding Suit, too.

Here are the details of their Engagement.

My Daddy had returned home after his four years of Service in WWII

and wasted no time in purchasing a diamond.

He popped the question when he picked up my mother 

for her Thanksgiving Break.

She was teaching in Michigan, ND

Engaged in November, Married in June…

They made their home here, from 1946

 until 1970 when we moved to the family farmstead.

Now, they celebrate their love story in Heaven,

Probably sharing a nice dinner and then dancing the two-step

to my Daddy’s favorite tune, Alley Cat. 

Take care,

~Natalie

Father’s Day 2025 ~Hubby, Girl Dad, Papa, and More

Happy Father’s Day to my Hubby and Dad to our daughters.

Seven years ago, Hubby added the title of Papa.

He enjoys the time we spend with our four grandchildren.

My Daddy.

My Mother always said he would have given me the moon.

Hubby liked being a Girl Dad for those first 20+ years.

And then our daughters fell in love, got married,

 and we were blessed with Sons-in-Law.

So now, in addition to still being a proud Girl Dad,

Hubby enjoys doing Guy things with his Sons,

like playing darts out in the ManCave.

Or a Corn-hole Tournament in our driveway.

As the head of their households, these two Daddies are loving and caring.

They provide guidance and bring happiness to their families.

We are Blessed.

Sending best wishes to all the Dads, Fathers, Father-figures,

Papas, Pops, Gramps, and Grandpas.

Happy Father’s Day

Take care,

~Natalie

Flag Day ~ Happy Heavenly Birthday to my Grandma Hilda ~Happy Birthday to my Blog

Today we honor our Nation’s Flag.

It symbolizes our American Values and

the Sacrifices made to defend them.

June 14, 1977, is the date when the Continental Congress

approved the design for our first flag.

Those Stars and Stripes stand for our Principles of

Freedom, Liberty, Unity, and Patriotism.

It is a day to display our flag and to participate in

our community’s Patriotic Events.

My Grandma was proud to share her Birthday with Flag Day.

Born June 14, 1893, she would be 132 years old.

I grew up on a farm, about a mile from town.

Everyday, my mom and I drove in to collect our mail at the local post office.

Every day we stopped at Grandma’s  house…

And every single day she had fresh baked goods, cooling on her table.

My favorites were her Banana Cream Pie,

and her soft Molasses Cookies that we called Cry Babies.

June 14 is also the Anniversary of my first Blog Post.

Here’s what I had to say, Seventeen years ago, in 2008!

May our flag continue to proudly wave.

🇺🇸 Land of the Free…Home of the Brave 🇺🇸

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Anniversary Report ~Thank You, Everyone, for all of your Greetings ~And a Year of Selfies

Forty four years ago we stood in this location and said “I Do”.

That is the Church Bell Tower there behind us.

We enjoyed hearing from each and every one of you,

thinking about how we became friends.

We are blessed to have many friends, family, classmates,

 co-workers, and former students in our lives.

Thank You.

This beautiful bouquet of flowers are a gift from my Hubby.

They will brighten up our kitchen all week long.

I gifted him an updated, large print, Road Atlas to use

 when he “plans our next adventure”.

I guess it’s obvious which one of us is the Romantic,

and which of us gives Practical gifts. Haha

I’ve compiled all the “selfies” we’ve taken in the last year,

since our last anniversary.

These adventures have taken us to North Dakota,

Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Georgia…

Plus all the States in between.

When traveling, we take a mid-day break to stretch our legs,

get some steps, and have a bite to eat.

Remember New Years found us downtown Omaha, enjoying the fireworks,

before finding a place to eat. Pretty sure we were the oldest couple in that Sports Bar.

We appreciate pretty scenery, especially if there’s water.

Trip Highlights of our 44th year include Brewery Tours,

Professional Baseball Games,

  Niagara Falls, the Mackinac Bridge,

The Hallmark Crowne Center, Storybook Land,

a Pumpkin Farm, Bison Football, and

Worship in my Hometown’s refurbished Country Church.

Selling our Creations at local Makers Markets

help us pay for these adventures.

We celebrated our Anniversary with these Special Friends…

(minus that little girl)

We didn’t know who she was?!

Of course, our greatest highlight of the year is traveling to

spend time with our daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

And plans are in the works to do just that in a few weeks.

We are excited…So stay tuned.

Take care,

~Natalie

Hello June ~What Happened to May ~Monday Memories and Much Miscellaneous

We Retired Empty Nesters ushered in June with

a trip downtown to the Farmers Market.

We were pleasantly surprised with the wide variety of booths.

All of our purchases were Consumable Items…

Locally produced Beef Sticks,

Home grown Sprouts, and Freshly baked Kuchen.

We enjoyed the Live Music 🎶 

I love this time of year when the early morning sun

hits the patio just right.

And it’s nice enough, not too hot, not too humid, to have the Patio Door open

and listen to the birds and their early morning song.

I enjoyed seeing all of your Graduation Photos..

Preschool, High School, and University.

I love these old photos of my Super Study/Advisory Groups

that pop up in my Facebook Memories.

And the best part is staying in touch with these young people,

seeing them with successful careers,

and many of them are married with children.

Spring Cleaning Report…

as y’all know I’ve been tackling the Deep Cleaning, Room by Room.

My latest accomplishments were the Pantry and the Linen Closet.

Can anyone use some extra baskets?

Tastes like Summer…

Perhaps my favorite meal is Salmon prepared on the Grill.

This is what the sun looks like when the skies are hazy

with smoke from the Canadian Wild Fires.

Prayers for all those directly affected.

I hope you all had  sweet ending to your school year

and to the Month of May.

Take care,

~Natalie

Honoring all Who Serve and have Made the Ultimate Sacrifice for our Country 🇺🇸

 

Image by Vintage Holiday Crafts

"As we express our gratitude, we must never

forget that the highest appreciation

is not to utter words but to live by them."

John F. Kennedy

Take care,

~Natalie