Warm Wishes for a Safe and Spooky Halloween ~Our Favorite Little Pumpkin ~What a Difference a Year Can Make

Courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts

Halloween Greetings to all our Family and Friends.

It will be a chilly night

for the Trick or Treaters.

Living in the Dakotas, one needed to

design costumes that could fit over a snowsuit.

Pretty sure I share this photo every year,

as it is a favorite family tradition.

Our girls carved Jack-O’-Lanterns with their dad,

while I roasted the pumpkin seeds.

Speaking of Jack-O’-Lanterns,

Here is our little pumpkin a year ago.

And here’s our sweet little Boo this year.

Happy Halloween, Everyone.

Stay Safe and Warm!

Take care,

~Natalie

Wednesday’s Work ~Winterfest Preparations ~Here’s my Report

Turkey Tails. Remember last week

they were taking a bath in the Vanilla Coffee Stain.

A Big Finish for the Burlap Stockings...I did the hand-stitching

in the car on last weekend’s trip to the Bison Game.

I can’t wait to show you what is happening in here!

Stocking hats...Get it?!

Do you like this fabric

for these Snowman Scarves?

These week’s highlight was a package from Japan.

These coffee candies are the best!

I hope our daughter stocks up before they move stateside!

I am so looking forward to giving my feet this spa treatment.

Since I have shed my walking boot and the wraptor,

these feet are in need of some pampering!

And the best...artwork to hang on our refrigerator!

We are thankful that all of that snow melted

and we are enjoying some beautiful autumn weather...

...however, cleaning up the twigs and leaves keeps Hubby busy.

He cleans them up one day, and the next day we go outside

and the yard is covered again!

Do you all have a quick, go-to meal when you are busy?

For us, it is this Shrimp Pasta dish.

I know that looks like grass clippings on the top,

but it is chives from what is left of our herb garden.

Have a Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday.

Take care,

~Natalie

 p.s. Remember that for now, this is now my new motto.

Where the Weekend Went ~Spending Time with Friends ~Bison Football Report

A weekend highlight for us was having dinner with this couple.

We’ve been friends for decades,

so it was great to stop on our way home

for a visit and to catch up.

Of course, we all take watching Bison Football very seriously.

At home, we don our Green and Gold attire

and settle into our favorite chairs in the family room.

We make our favorite Football Food.

I have a whole Pinterest Board just for Game Day Snacks.

For NDSU home games, we make the quick trip to Fargo.

Saturday’s weather was perfect for tailgating,

unlike last weekend when we were in a Winter Storm!

Our seats were way up near the rafters in the dome.

Luckily, my fibula has made a full recovery

and I could handle all of those steps!

In the fourth quarter, we can usually find some seats

that have been vacated closer to the field,

where we can watch the actual players,

instead of watching them on the Jumbotron.

The Bison remain undefeated this season.

Our Furocious Fan is looking forward to the next away game,

so she can watch with us.

I hope your favorite Football Team won this weekend.

Take Care,

~Natalie

Here’s our first attempt at a Family Selfie.

I guess we need to try again...

The Owls are Winterfest Ready ~What a Difference a Week Can Make

Finishing touches on the Owls are complete.

They are ready to travel to Winterfest.

Remember last week at this time?

We were in the midst of an early Winter Storm...

It started Thursday and lasted through Saturday.

Last Friday, this was the view out our front door...

And this is my view today.

Last Friday, this was what it looked like out back.

Today, the morning sun was so beautiful.

And all the snow is gone.

What’s been keeping me busy?

This week I have been painting

on those wooden Santas and Snowmen.

Lizzie, my Helper Cat has provided good support.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Winterfest Preparations ~Crafting ADD is Strong

With six weeks until our local Winter Arts Festival,

I have several projects on my work table.

My helper cat has gotten involved to select fabrics,

and most importantly provide good support.

She wasn’t quite sure how these pieces of Chenille

would become snowmen...

But I think she gets it now.

These Turkey Tail Feathers are soaking in my

Vanilla Coffee Solution for that Rustic Aged look.

Helper cat is also right there to offer support to Hubby

as he creates new Wine Bottle Necklaces.

Hubby has also been busy in his woodshop.

While the paint dries on these Santas and Snowmen...

I can create hats and scarves for these snowmen.

Sounds like it will be appropriate to put snowmen out

with our witches and black cats this October.

Currently, a Winter Storm Warning for our area.

This photo was in my Facebook Memories today.

Looks like Callie and I were in full Winterfest Mode

three years ago on this day.

I will be living by this Philosophy for the next few weeks.

Stay tuned to follow our progress.

Take care,

~Natalie

Woah, Oh Listen to the Music ~Doobie Brothers Concert ~ Here’s my Report

Hubby purchased tickets to the Doobie Brothers Concert

months ago...he worked till noon on Thursday,

and then we were on the road.

We drove cross-country,

and saw some cows that look like Oreo Cookies!

Driving cross-country also requires us to 

drive through a car wash when we get to the city.

Once checked into our hotel,

we changed into our concert attire.

Then, we left to hang out 

with the rest of the 70s Rockers!

First stop, The Toasted Frog...one of our favorite places

to get a pre-concert bite to eat.

Our good friend, Alan,

drove over from Valley City and joined us.

Then we walked over to the Civic Arena

for the Concert.

The Doobie Brothers did not disappoint.

They played all of our favorite songs.

We had seats in the second row of the balcony.

By curtain call, we were down on the floor!

Look how happy these boys are

in their new Doobie Brothers Souvenir Caps.

It was a great way to kick-off our weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie