Thursday, January 28, 2016

Things in My House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile ~~My Valentine Tree

This little tree just makes me happy!

It's on the vanity in my bathroom.
The warm glow of the lights create the perfect nightlight.

We purchased it last year.
Remember when our daughters and their guys 
talked about coming home for the holidays?

I had promised them, if they all come home for Chrismas, 
I would put a Christmas Tree in every room of the house!

And that does include the bathroom.

Well, after everyone went home...
and we took the Christmas decor down...

I just couldn't let that little tree go into storage.

So, for the second year,
it's here in my bathroom...
Adorned with my valentine ornaments.


Lighting my way when I get up in the night...

and cheering me up when I get ready for work 
in the wee hours of the morning!

Take care,
~Natalie

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Monday Mail Call ~Just Love Friendly Mail and Surprise Packages ~~So, After Fifty-nine and a Half Years...

I love hearing from family and friends during the holidays.
I am still enjoying the greeting cards 
that are arriving each day in January.

Last Monday, I was tickled when I checked the mail 
and found a package.
Everyone needs Friendly Mail on a Monday!

Daughter #1 had sent a hair straightener
and a new scarf to add a spark to my 
dreary winter wardrobe!

And yesterday...this came in the mail.

Yes, Hubby and I have been given
the opportunity to travel
"Across the Pond".

A once-in-a-lifetime-experience for us!

Take care,
~Natalie

Monday, January 25, 2016

Where the Weekend Went ~Date Night and the Selfie Stick ~~Transit Authority, the Chicago Tribute Band

We still have not mastered the "Art of the the Selfie Stick"...
but here we are ready for Saturday date night.
Hubby had tickets for a concert and 
we were meeting friends for dinner.

We had not eaten at Romas since the Rehearsal Dinner,
so I ordered my favorite, Shrimp Scampi.

But my favorite, was visiting with these good friends.

I felt so at home in the Civic Theatre.
As a teacher at Central High School, I enjoyed years of assemblies, 
plays, and concerts on this stage.

Transit Authority is a Chicago Tribute Band.
It was so fun to listen to their music.

Especially because Hubby's first band 
played so much of their music...

It was like traveling back in time!

Take care,
~Natalie

Monday, January 18, 2016

Monday Mania ~I Hate Winter Week ~Pajama Day ~~Battle the January Blues

Target had some of the cutest pajamas this fall.
On one of our weekly coffee dates,
Lorie and I knew we just had to have these.

I think you all know about my obsession with 
vintage dress forms and sewing machines.

So it was quite appropriate that 
I would wear them to school on pajama day!

I was afraid that no one would take me seriously,
but the students had their PJs on too!

The third Monday in January is the

I hope you and your co-workers have found 

Take care,
~Natalie

Saturday, January 16, 2016

TGIF ~Friday Night with Friends and Live Music ~Perfect Ending to a Busy Week ~Make Half Your Grains Whole ~Recipe Link

We are hardy folks in the Dakotas.  While the weather is frigid,
we easily filled our Friday Night table at The Brass Kettle.
Good friends warm the heart.

The Aberdeen Jazz have been booked to play 3 Fridays in January.
Maybe some of you will join us next weekend?

Patty and I have been "groupies" for years.  
Our hubbies have played together for as long as I can remember.

This was the first full week of the new semester.
This is our foyer on a typical morning.
My bags are packed and by the door.
My teacher school bag,
my staff computer,
my student's folders,
and a couple waffle irons.

Yes, my Fitness for Life students made whole wheat waffles...

and did the syrup comparison.

Focusing on carbohydrates,
you know the recommendation is to 
"Make Half Your Grains Whole".

You can use blueberries or raspberries...
or a combination!

They taste so good...
they taste so healthy!

Happy Weekend...Stay healthy...Stay safe and warm.

Take care,
~Natalie

Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Bison Make History ~A Football Watch Party for Two with recipe links ~~Learning the Art of Using a SelfieStick

No team in college football history, at any level, 
has a won five straight National Championships.

And a convincing win, it was!
photo credits to North Dakota State University

The game was at 11 a.m. so I was up early to gather my NDSU decor.

I had to have the beads ready.
If ever there is reason to believe in superstition,
it is certainly when your favorite team is playing in a big game!


New to our tablescape this year are these 
Championship Game beverage glasses.
Thank you, Alan and Kari.

These empty nesters experimented with my new selfie stick.
(please don't judge us)

I prepared our favorite game day snacks.
Olive dip

Hard Cooked Eggs

and
Buffalo Chicken Dip

Why the eggs, you ask?
Well, it was still morning and a breakfast food seemed fitting.
Plus, we needed something healthy, 
to offset the fat and sodium in our dips.

The Bison were up 24 - 0 at the half...

...so we moved our little watch party downstairs.
(remember, I am a selfie stick novice, and having trifocals doesn't help!)
You can see I baked some cookies too.
my hubby has a sweet tooth.

There, we could enjoy the fireplace and a bigger TV.

Final seconds and the final score.

Proud to be a Bison.

Take care,
~Natalie

Visiting Family ~Weekday Routine ~Some Recreational Shopping ~Another Burger Battle Entry

Like all busy young families, the weekdays are filled with work, school, and activities. This Papa and Gigi enjoyed being able to attend bot...