Friday, November 29, 2019

Thanksgiving ~Here’s my Holiday Report ~Black FriYay

I hope you all had a lovely holiday.
There’s nothing better than
spending time with family and friends.

What is your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving menu?
Mine...the mashed potatoes and gravy.

But then there’s the Cheesy Carrots.
Thank you Sandy for sharing that recipe with us decades ago.
We have it every year.

This year I tried a new recipe for the Corn.
It involved Cream Cheese and my Crockpot...also delicious!

Our friend, Patty brought Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
Cayenne Pepper gave it just the right kick and
Maple Syrup, just the right sweetness.
Again, delicious!

Hubby’s favorite dish is the Stuffing.
This year I made a triple batch, as I use some to stuff the bird
and the rest goes in the second crockpot.
Just in case you are wondering,
that used a whole pound of butter!

I’m on Team #1 with this dish.
Every time I cook the fresh cranberry sauce,
it reminds me of Officer Carlson.

I keep the green salad simple.
This year, we all avoided the Romaine Lettuce,
so Baby Spinach was my choice, adorned with
Mandarin Oranges, Red Onion, and Parmesan Cheese.
That’s Poppy Seed dressing on the side.

If Thanksgiving was a competition,
Daughter Emily is the winner.
She asked her guests, in advance, what they are thankful for.
Then painted these leaves with names and their response,
to use as place cards.

Another winner was my MIL.
She had received this beautiful centerpiece
from church friends. She brought it to grace our table.

This year, we set the table with our China.

It is vintage china, hand painted Nippon.
My mother inherited it from her aunt Hazel.
She is one of the ladies in the photo at the bottom of this blog.

I just love this piece.

Back to the present. Here’s what is happening today...

It’s a good thing we are not going anywhere.

In the meantime, we are basking in the warm feeling
from spending time with our family and friends.


Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Take care,
~Natalie

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Thanksgiving Blessings to our Family and Friends

Vintage Holiday Crafts
Best wishes for a Beautiful Thanksgiving Day
spent with the people you love.

We will gather around our table later today
with family and friends to give thanks,
to enjoy good conversation and
all those traditional Thanksgiving comfort foods.

My ingredients are set out...
It’s time to get that bird ready for the oven.


I give thanks for each and every one of you.

Take care,
~Natalie

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Thanksgiving Week ~Tuesday’s Tip of the Day ~Try this Tasty Cheese Ball

What does one do on the day after Winterfest?
Well, they plan their Thanksgiving Menu
and gather the necessary recipes, of course.

This is the appetizer I’m preparing for Thursday.
It is so easy, you still have time to make one too.

2 8 oz. packages cream cheese
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 green onions, sliced
1 red pepper, minced
Hot sauce, optional
Salt and Pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

With electric mixer, cream together the cream cheese,
garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Worchestershire sauce.
Gently fold in green onions and red pepper.
Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar.
Season with salt and pepper and/or hot sauce.

On a sheet of plastic wrap, sprinkle 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese.
With your hands, pat the remaining cheese
on the top and sides of the cheese ball.

Tightly wrap, adding two more layers
of plastic wrap to prevent cheese mixture from oozing.
Add rubber bands to create the pumpkin shape.
Refrigerate for four hours or overnight
to set and become firm.

To serve, cut the rubber bands and unwrap.
Garnish the top with the stem of your red pepper.

Credit for this cute idea and recipe goes to the Today Show.
I saw it first on Instagram.

Here are some Tuesday Tips:
*Since our gathering is small,
I’ll make two small pumpkins instead of one large.
That way, one will stay in the refrigerator
to serve later in the weekend.

*This year, I am going to purchase the finely shredded cheese
and use a little extra to hopefully cover the entire pumpkin.

*Using the stem of the red pepper is a genius idea.
I saved it in a little snack size storage bag
to use on the second cheese ball when I brought it
to a Friendsgiving Gathering last year.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Week.

Take care,
~Natalie

Monday, November 25, 2019

Winterfest 2019 ~Now a Memory ~Here’s My Report ~A Wonderful Weekend with Friends, Old and New #WinterfestAberdeen


Part of what we enjoy on Winterfest Weekend
is catching up with friends.
Hubby has lived in this community all his life...
I moved here right after college, four decades ago.
Yes, we do know a lot of people and
 we like to visit with all who stop by our booth.
These longtime friends in the photo were our Winterfest neighbors.
Thom Berg’s booth displays Stained Glass Pieces
from his Northern Lights Studio.

Our friend, Mike Brumbaugh creates beautiful wooden bowls.
He’s the one responsible for getting Hubby hooked on wood turning.
His booth was just to our left.

Meet my new friend, Terra Cypher, of Wild Goat Design.
She does the most beautiful hand painted pieces
with lovely calligraphy messages.

Remember my friend, Betty Clay?
She knits beautifully.
It was always a treat to visit the Yarn Loft in their home.

This couple came from Minneapolis and occupied the booth to our right.
Shawn Beckner is a former student.
He wife Alison Palmer creates a variety of gift items...

...like this handy packet for children
to take to church or for a trip in the car.

Nicole and Meredith are teachers
and we became friends at Central High School.
They use their talents to create items to decorate your home.
Their business is called Love Repurposed.

Another teacher friend is Tiffany.
Her sister, Alisha Teves, and their mother came to display Fiber Arts.
The Macrame pieces were amazing.

Another teacher friend, Ross Hettinger, and his wife, Tara,
displayed creations from their Creekside Creations business.

Jamie Milbrandt and I also became friends through school.
Her father travels here from Wyoming
to sell his amazing pieces. Robert Kern Pottery is his business.

And then there’s this...Lefsa.
Need I say more?

Winterfest is a Community Event.
A Brass Quintet from NSU provided Holiday entertainment.
Central’s Music Boosters sell tasty soup
in a bread bowl for lunch.

Here’s hubby, our master salesman and head cashier.

This photo from the Aberdeen American News post is showing
the view of Winterfest from the arena’s balcony.
This was probably taken as the event was winding down...
only a few people still browsing the handmade wares.

And when it’s over, it doesn’t take long for venders to take down.
This was our spot...it took us four hours to set up,
and only an hour and 15 minutes
to have it all loaded into our vehicles.

Then I follow Hubby in his pickup
to our storage shed to get it all unloaded.

Then it was home for some rest and relaxation.

If you missed it, you missed out!

Mark your calendar for next year...it is traditionally
the weekend before Thanksgiving.
I already have a list of things I plan to create.

Take care,
~Natalie



Sunday, November 24, 2019

Winterfest 2019 ~Day Two Starts at 10 o’clock #WinterfestAberdeen

The Aberdeen Arts Council posted this photo
just before the doors opened yesterday.
Within minutes, those walkways were filled with friends and family.
It’s a wonderful weather weekend to stop
downtown to get catch the Festive Holiday Spirit of Winterfest.

Be There...or Be Square!

Today’s hours are 10 to 4
Take care,
~Natalie

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Winterfest Weekend 2019 ~Here’s my Report on Opening Day #WinterfestAberdeen

Tins and Treasures booth all set up
and ready for visitors.

On Friday afternoon, the Civic Arena was buzzing
with vendors setting up their display stands.
This is how it all starts.

And this is how it looks four hours later.

Our weekend weather is perfect for being out and about.

Here’s a closer look at our display shelves.
Can you spot my newest Santas, Snowmen, and Turkeys?

Speaking of the Turkeys, this popped up in my Facebook Memories.
Five years ago, they were featured in the Aberdeen American News.
It’s was about time I made a new batch!

The gnomes are always a big hit.


Hubby’s wood turning talents are on display here. 

Muddlers and bottle openers make great gifts...

...along with the letter openers and coffee scoops.

Perhaps you have noticed the wine bottle necklaces.
Also a perfect gift to take to the hostess of your next holiday party.



There’s something for everyone at Winterfest...

From Fine Art to Folk Art,
Good Food and Musical Entertainment...
Winterfest is a great place to get into the Holiday Spirit.

We hope to see you tomorrow.

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...