It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas ~These are a Few of my Favorite Things ~Christmas Lights ~Wrapping Gifts ~Good Food ~Football Fun ~And our Helper Cats

By now, I’m sure y’all know much I love the glow of Christmas Lights…

in the Living Room, the Family Room, the Dining Room, the Foyer,

and even in my Bathroom.

Who else likes wrapping gifts?

It’s another one of my favorite things.

It wouldn’t be the holidays without Party Mix…

I made a Quadruple Batch!

It was decades ago when I made this Santa with

my Creative Friend, Tammie.

Do you still hang yours every year, too?

In December, my favorite Breakfast Treat is this…

Whole Grain Toast with Cream Cheese and

that Homemade Cranberry Sauce left from Thanksgiving.

Not a favorite, but a sign of the season…

frigid winter weather 🥶

I enjoy seeing an Old World Santa tucked into unexpected places.

Another quick trip to Fargo for Christmas Shopping,

to see our college friends,

and to cheer for our favorite football team.

Even our Nachos are Christmas colors!

The Bison did not disappoint.

You remember we have great seats, and

the game was pretty great, too.

The roads were slick due to

a little freezing rain.

Travel was slow.

Finally, Home Sweet Home.

Now my Motivation Monday Morning Routine…

Helper Cats are here to support as I coordinate

my Calendar and To-Lists for the Week.

This meme always makes me chuckle 🤭 

Enjoy the Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of Christmas

shared with Family and Good Friends.

Take care,

~Natalie 

It’s beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas ~Weekend Fun ~Shopping, Good Food, Playoff Football, Holiday Prepping, Visits to Santa

These Retired Empty Nesters enjoyed a quick trip

out of town for some Christmas Shopping.

I was pleased to find gifts for several people on our list.

And then I’m still needing ideas for a few more.

We went downtown for an early dinner at The Toasted Frog.

We shared the Cajun Lavosh…Tasty chicken, shrimp, andouille,

roasted red pepper & onion, candied lemon.

By the time we left, Broadway was lit up.

What really brought us to Fargo?

Bison Football, of course. We enjoy tailgating with College Friends.

We had amazing seats…in row three,

surrounded by enthusiastic fans.

The Gold Star Marching Band is sure to pump up the crowd.

We are so close, it feels like we are part of the team.

But they do say, the fans are the 12th man on the field.

In case you hadn’t heard,

the Herd won and is going onto the Quarter Finals.

Another highlight…

The Grandchildren sat on Santa’s lap this weekend.

This little girl told Santa that she wants a Reindeer for Christmas.

Not sure this Papa and Gigi can help the Big Guy with that request?!

Our Grandsons chatted with Santa, too.

We really don’t know what they asked for??

But these photos are all that I need.

Thanks to their Mamas for send them.

Since we played Friday and Saturday,

Sunday was all about the House Chores and Projects.

It was time to bring out the Snowman dishes

and pack the flowers away.

We are all finding Joy in the Lights of the Christmas Season.

Take care,

~Natalie

Friday Finds ~Cyber Week ~Shop Handmade

Countdown to Christmas = 17days

There’s still time to purchase that perfect gift.

These Gnome Toppers add a special touch to a bottle of wine

for the host and hostess of your Holiday dinner party.

These Gingerbread Cuties will certainly cheer up your kitchen.

The Vintage Rick Rack Trim and Buttons,

all hand stitched in place.

Here’s another way to dress up a Wine bottle,

or  perhaps a bottle of gourmet olive oil for your favorite chef.
 

Upcycled vintage Chenille, the cuffs of worn-out socks,

cotton flannel, and rusty jingle bells, all come together to 

create these snowmen, supported by Hubby’s hand-turned pedistals.

It appears Santa has worked all night in his workshop…

Check out his Wild Hair!

Speaking of the workshop,

Hubby has been spending time there, too.

One can never have enough decorative pillows

on their couch or the bed.

Whooo needs a Wooly Owl?

Hubby spends time at his lathe nearly every day,

creating hand turned candle holders, vases

and everyone’s favorite, the trees.

If you are interested in any of these creations,

please leave a comment for information on prices,

shipping, or local delivery.

Take care,

~Natalie 

It’s been a Blog Worthy Week ~Winterfest ~Thanksgiving ~Weekend Shopping ~Here’s my Report

Winterfest 2024 is now a memory.

It was just a week ago that we were tearing down,

packing up, hauling out, and storing away.

We appreciate all of you that stopped by our booth

to say Hello and make a purchase.

Here’s the annual photo of Hubby

with his friend and Wood Turning Mentor…

…and here’s the annual photo of my friend, Meredith, and me.

Remember we taught next to each other at Central,

and now we are often neighbors at

our local Makers Markets.

Before our vehicle and trailer were completely unloaded,

my attention turned to Thanksgiving preparations.

I use the same menu and recipes every year.

Who else cooks homemade cranberry sauce?

It’s so easy and tastes so fresh.

I cubed and toasted two loaves of bread for the stuffing.

That’s enough for a quadruple batch.

One of my favorite tasks is coordinating the tablescape.

Our friends created this beautiful and tasty

charcuterie platter to nosh on, with our wine,

while Hubby carved the turkey and I prepared the gravy.

Good Food and Great Company,

Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday.

Here’s a blast from the past when our daughters were in college…

we’d get up early to go out and about on Black Friday.

Now, it just makes more sense to shop

the Black Friday deals on-line.

Now, Small Business Saturday is a different story…

Hubby and I like to shop at our local shops and boutiques.

I don’t want to spoil any surprises,

but we found a perfect gift here at the Finery.

Be sure to take a moment to read that sign.

We have a new locally owned store downtown, Novel Ideas.

It is filled with Books, Games, and Great Gifts.

We made the perfect purchase here, too.

Across the street, The Swag Shoppe.

Looks like there’s a Swig for everyone on your list.

A quick stop at the Tumbleweed Market,

where you’ll find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list.

It was time for a break, in a locally owned  pub, of course.

We discovered that they serve the best Chicken Tenders in town.

The Thanksgiving Weekend went fast.

We said Goodbye to November,

and welcomed in December which brings

a new Holiday Season.

Take care,

~Natalie