Was Santa Good to You? My Family and Friends, They Spoil Me

It is time to pack away the last of our Christmas Decor

and find the perfect spot for our Gifts.

I so appreciate that my family and friends

spent time and effort to select something just for me.

This new Santa came all the way from a

Bedford Fields Boutique in New Hampshire to join the

Santa Smoker that traveled from the Christmas Markets in Germany,

and the Santa that traveled from Okinawa.

They do make a good looking trio.

The first package that arrived at our door was a box,

with two pots of soil, covered with the Spanish Moss.

With water, sunshine, and some tender loving care,

Amaryllis leaves and buds started to appear.

Now a month later, there are three buds

with the tallest being 20 inches!

I’ll for sure show you when the Amaryllis starts to bloom.

For the Kitchen, these items are a great addition.

You all know how much I love to cook.

In that fancyflours package...this adorable gnome cookie cutter.

This box of rubs and spices was under the tree for hubby,

but I know I’ll also enjoy some delicious dinners

when hubby can get out to the grill.

More favorites...the coffee flavored candies from Okinawa,

and a coffee scented candle.

The Soy Candle is in a coffee mug...cute idea, right?

And I love this pillow to lighten up the couch in the living room.

Also for our home, a welcome mat,

with interchangeable inserts for different seasons.

It will be great to catch the sawdust when

hubby comes into the house from the wood shop.

And now for a little pampering...

a gift certificate to treat myself to a spring pedicure. 

A cozy sweater to get me through

the remaining chilly months of winter.

And this sweet top...comfy cotton adorned with such pretty lace.

To complete the ensemble, this bracelet ties the look all together.

You can see I am a very lucky woman.

However, the best gift of all was being able to spend time

with our family and friends during the holiday season.

Thank you, everyone, for making me feel so special.

Take care,

~Natalie

College Football ~How About Those Bison ~Championship Game ~An Exciting Finish to a Most Successful Season

Hubby and I do enjoy watching the

North Dakota State University Bison play football.

From the first game of the season at Target Field in Minneapolis...

To the atmosphere inside the Fargo Dome...

To the comfort of our Family Room...

We try not to miss a game.

I have a Pinterest Board of recipes for Football Food

to prepare when we are Homegating.

This Cheesy Herb Garlic Bread is Easy and Delicious.

And this recipe for Loaded Tator Tots is a keeper.

How can something that is so bad for you, taste so good?!

We always have plenty to cheer about...

the Bison were undefeated this season.

Under the leadership of a new quarterback,

redshirt freshman, Trey Lance.

So impressive that he was the Walter Payton Award Recipient

at the FCS Banquet on Friday Night.

Saturday Morning is Game Day.

When we get up, we all get dressed in our Bison Gear.

Everyone has their own special seat in the family room.

This game was intense...

I mean, the game was really intense!

But our quarterback remained calm, cool, and collected

and led his team to another National Championship.

And for the eighth time in the last nine years,

Hubby has taken our flag off the patio

to wave it at the end of the driveway.

Yes, it is winter in the Dakotas,

the temperature outside is in the single digits,

and my hubby is wearing shorts.

But that doesn’t stop him from showing his Bison Pride.

Congratulations to our Coach, our Quarterback,

and to the entire Bison Team that played

their hearts out..all..season..long.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~On the Work Bench ~Morning Outing with My BFF

This rustic wooden heart has been

one of the best sellers in our

Tins and Treasures Shop.

The last one in our inventory sold this weekend,

so it was time to make some more.

Valentines Day is just around the corner.

Hubby cuts them and sands them till smooth.

I’m up next, I paint them and edge them.

Hubby applies the stain to make them look aged.

Once dry, I will add the wire hanger and homespun tie.

It’s teamwork at its finest!

Local Friends,

Message me if you want one.

(We can bypass the whole Etsy process)

I have a standing date every Wednesday.

Lorie and I have been going out for coffee

once a week for 40 years.

Now that we are both retired,

we can go in the morning.

We get our coffee and cup holders at Starbucks,

and then we follow our usual route around Target.

Sometimes we have a list...

Sometimes we just check out all the Clearance Endcaps.

But we always walk away from the store

with everything we need.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Weekend Went ~We Partied Like We Were Half Our Age ~Happy Birthday, Logan

Most of you know these friends...

our hubbies met in college and

we’ve all been close for four decades.

Their daughter invited us to a

Surprise 30th Birthday Party for her husband.

We parents met early in the day for a light lunch.

After checking into our hotel and changing into our party clothes,

we all met up at the venue.

Ashley showed up with her squad to decorate.

The girls had a party plan, Ashley’s parents lent a hand.

I thought it was best to just stay out of their way!

Ashley and her girlfriends tested the photo booth.

While waiting, we shared this huge platter of Nachos.

Ashley is a teacher, so naturally

she made sure all the boys were behaving.

Finally, the Birthday Boy showed up.

He had been watching football with his buddies,

the guys that belonged to the girls in Ashley’s Squad.

Of course, she had planned his party attire.

A golden jacket to match hers...

...in celebration of his Golden Birthday.

Logan turned 30 on December 30th.

It was our turn in the Photo Booth.

It was an honor to be included in the celebration.

The younger generation was still going strong,

when we parents went back to enjoy

a nightcap in the quiet of our hotel.

The morning after...we all met for a brunch buffet

before getting on the road.

It was sunny and chilly.

That might look like water,

but it is a thin layer of ice on top of the snow.

You can see how windy it was

when we stopped here to stretch our legs.

That wind created  plenty of ground drifting,

which made the roads slushy and slick.

I was glad when we pulled into our driveway,

and Lizzie was there to welcome us home.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie