Easter Weekend 2019 ~The Empty Nester’s Report

It was a beautiful Holiday Weekend.

My Newsfeed was filled with family photos 

with Easter Greetings.

I enjoyed seeing your children and grandchildren.

My, how they’ve all grown!

Hubby colored the eggs with me.

Since our kids were little, we always used cups with handles.

It gives them something easy to grip, and not spill!

Another tip is to drip dry the eggs on a wire cooling rack.

I baked another loaf of the Rustic Artisan Bread.

Do not be intimidated by Roomba.

The Easter Bunny stopped by early with a plant...

Beautiful buds, and the bulbs can be planted to last all summer.

Last year I found this tablecloth and centerpiece 

in the Target Clearance aisle.

I was happy to re-discover it this spring in my Easter Storage Tote.

Easter Sunday Worship at Zion.

Unless, you have small children, 

or a cat that cruises your table top, 

you can arrange your place settings early.

I like to set out all my serving pieces, too.

Then you have more time to visit when your guests arrive.

We served Ham, Grilled Salmon,

Baked Potatoes, Spring Berry Salad,

Grilled Asparagus and Roasted Carrots.

It was my Sister in Law’s Birthday,

So my MIL baked a cake.

After the meal, she opened her gifts.

MIL brought a hostess gift for me too!

It was a fresh smelling candle for summer.

The Easter Bunny left this very cute basket on the counter.

I like to keep my bunny decor out for a while.

Happy Spring, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Miscellaneous ~Where the Week Went ~Looking for the Blog Worthy

 This is Us...Seven years ago.

The photo showed up in my Facebook Memories.

We look so much younger!

Where does the time go?!

Oh, and my Facebook Messenger 

was hacked this week.

Notice it looks like I am 

using a phone number in Nigeria.

Why don’t these computer wizards 

use their technology skills for something useful?

Have you all been watching “This Is Us”?

That season finale gave us viewers so much to think about.

Their writers are amazing!

The older we get, 

the more we like to prepare dinner at home 

with fresh ingredients and our favorite seasonings.

Now that we have had a tiny taste of spring, 

I am looking for new recipe ideas.

This looks like a tasty salad.

According to Fitbit, 

I have taken 3 million steps since the middle of June.

We went out to Minervas 

with our Friday Night Friends.

Hubby and I shared the Firecracker Shrimp.

I recommend it.

One of our friends gifted all of us girls

with a spring daffodil bud.

Thank you, Charlotte.

We used the last Corned Beef Brisket from our freezer.

I roasted it on Saturday...

Hubby made Corned Beef Hash on Sunday.

A spring storm is in our forecast.

Enough already.

Is there no end to House Chores?

I have been working at a temporary part-time job 

for the last couple of weeks.

After my last day, 

it will be time to resume my spring cleaning at home.

But first, we are going to have one more round of winter.

Stay safe and warm!

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Things in my House Thursday ~Look Who’s Ready for Some Baseball

Chicken Tortilla Soup...one of my favorites.

Last night, I made a whole stock pot full.

I am happy to eat it for lunches, several days in a row!

Those are called “planned overs”, not “left overs”.

It is perhaps the easiest recipe to prepare, 

as it requires only opening a few cans.

Remember, I had shredded chicken in my freezer, 

as I had braised those breasts when our refrigerator went down.

However, you can use leftover rotisserie chicken 

or even a can of chicken.

I also added about a cup of chicken stock (not pictured), 

to create the soup-like consistency that I wanted.

This week I sold the last of these Spring Bunnies, 

so it looks like I should make another herd.

Remember this photo? 

Hubby spends all winter clearing snow off the driveway.

Then in spring, I spread it around in the warm sun to melt...

Back..on..the..driveway.

On Monday, I told you that our refrigerator was fixed. 

I was just kidding.

I discovered on Tuesday that it was not very cold inside.

Apparently it was still leaking Freon.

So the appliance repairman was back again yesterday.

This time...I hope for good.

Another big chore was chopping the ice and snow off our patio.

Thanks, Hubby.

Perhaps now, we can think about getting to our grill?!

The warm sunshine requires spring decor.

The pastel colors really do brighten up a room.

This centerpiece features the first wood bowl that hubby turned.

Along with a bunch of the wood carrots 

that we created together.

Do you see those speckled eggs?

Those are M & Ms with a Peanut Butter filling...

Say Whaaat?

While it is still looks snowy outside our window...

We are all dreaming of the Spring days to come.

And another sure sign of spring...

America’s Favorite Pastime is back.

Baseball players, coaches, grounds keepers,

and fans are geared up for Opening Day.

Who else is ready for some Baseball?

This Boy!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~Here’s What’s Happening on the Home Front ~And a couple of Minor Inconveniences

I haven’t made homemade Yeast Bread 

since I last demonstrated for my Basic Foods Classes.

Lately, I’ve had the urge to get my hands in the dough again.

This is a no-knead bread, baked in my small Dutch Oven.

I added fresh Thyme and Rosemary.

I’ve started a Bread Board on my Pinterest Page,

and I’m looking forward to trying other recipes.

Our last snowstorm was a doozie!

It was so bad that even hubby’s office was closed...

He’s worked there for 31 years, and this was a first.

It was so bad that even Twist Cone 

postponed their season opening.

We cannot complain about our snow.

Cities and States to the south of us received rain.

Those folks have experienced devastating floods.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

As the blizzard blew in, 

our refrigerator gave out.

I reached in the freezer to get some ice, 

And found water in the trays!

Everything in the freezer had thawed.

I am thankful for our trusty old fridge in the garage.

It comes in handy when our family is home, 

and during the holidays.

And I guess, when our kitchen refrigerator fails.

So we cleaned this refrigerator out..completely.

Hubby took three large garage bags to the dumpsters.

I browned all the ground beef and braised all the chicken breasts.

After the weather calmed down, and the streets were cleared, 

an appliance expert made a housecall and delivered the diagnosis.

Repairing the refrigerator was the best option.

So today, for the first time in 13 days, 

things are chillin’ in our kitchen!

When it rains it pours...later that afternoon,

I was heading out to an appointment and my car didn’t start.

Seriously? On the same day??

Again, I am so thankful for hubby’s big pickup in the garage,

and his willingness to drive me to where I need to go!

And here’s what’s even better...

Good friends who help us out in a time of need.

Thanks, Alan, for working with Hubby 

to get the vehicle towed out for repairs.

This week, things are looking up.

The warm sun is slowly melting the snow.

And, I saw a robin in the tree just outside our kitchen window...

a sure sign of spring!

Take care,

~Natalie