Sunday Funday ~Where the Week Went ~Quarantine Highlights ~Much Misc ~Etsy Shop ~Face Masks ~Our Grandson ~Pizza Friday ~Grandma’s Garden ~Helper Cat

Over a week has passed since my last blog post.

I had to look at my photos to see

if anything blog worthy had happened.

I’ve been to the USPS with a couple of Etsy Packages...

like this Scarecrow.

 

And Hubby’s Wood Turning Creations

have gotten a lot of attention in my Etsy Shop, too.

I’ve had a few requests

for youth size face masks...

And it warmed my heart, when one of my former students

tagged me in her First Day of School post

with her children wearing the masks I created.

That was just the motivation that Lizzie and I needed

 to bring out the Cutting Mat and Ironing Board to make a new batch.

This is the black, white, and gray collection

I created for a neighbor’s request.

Let me know if you want to see what else is in my inventory.

Good friends traveled out of town to visit their children...

And brought us some treats when they returned!

Papa and Gigi are always over the moon

when we get photos and videos of our Grandson.

Doesn’t he look like such a big boy here?!

It was too hot to turn on the oven last week. So we ordered Pizza.

That darling pizza cutter is a gift from a friend...

A thank you for my making masks for her and her hubby.

I’ve been into making No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes lately.

And I love this crust that uses Ritz Crackers.

It is just the right amount of salty with the sweet.

My Mother-in-Law’s Garden has been producing...

and she generously shares tomatoes and cucumbers with us.

No store-bought tomato can compare to

the color and flavor of a tomato from Grandma’s Garden.

Last and certainly not least...

this photo was in my Facebook Memories.

This Cat.

She was really my best helper cat,

faithfully following me from room to room

as I worked on my daily house chores.

Stay safe and well, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Tortilla Spirals ~Chile & Cheese Mexican Pinwheels ~Appetizer Recipe included

 Mexican Pinwheels

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 4 ounce can diced green chilies

1/4 cup diced red pepper

6 green onions, sliced

1 6 ounce can black olives, chopped

4-6 taco size flour tortillas

Chop, dice, and slice ingredients.

Drain the chilis thoroughly.

Combine Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese,

Chili’s, Green Onion, Red Pepper, and Black Olives.

Spread a generous half cup of the mixture on each tortilla.

Roll up and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.

Chill for one hour.

They can be made ahead and

kept in the refrigerator for up to two days.

 

Remove plastic wrap and slice each roll into 3/4 inch pieces.

Garnish with Cilantro, if desired.

Guests can serve themselves with a toothpick. Enjoy!

I had some requests for this recipe after

I posted about my Hubby’s Birthday Party.

Let me know if you make them!

Stay Safe and Well.

Take care,

~Natalie

When your Hubby Turns 60 ~Celebrating Pandemic Style ~Birthday Party Report

We “Partied” here all weekend.

Starting on Friday Night...

It was Pizza Friday.

We enjoyed a Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza with

black olives, red peppers, and green onions.

Hubby said it was my best homemade pizza yet.

 

Saturday was for the final party preparations...

Hubby blew all the sawdust out of his woodshop

and set up our outdoor chairs for social distancing.

I spent my day in the kitchen with food preparations...

...and organizing serving pieces for the evening.

These were available for those wanting extra protection

while serving themselves.

Wendy and Chuck created these

toothpick skewers for the appetizer table.

They made my Tortilla Spirals look festive.

Hubby set up the Cornhole boards and bean bags,

and sanitized the darts and dartboard.

All the guests were content to just sit and visit...

I guess we’re all getting “old”.

Fresh blueberries added to the cherry pie filling

adorned the top of the Black Forest Mini Cheesecakes.

We ended the evening by singing Happy Birthday

to the Honored Host along with the dessert.

Another reason to celebrate the day...

It has been five years since these two tied the knot.

I borrowed this lovely photo from Emily’s Instagram Post.

Sunday was Hubby’s actual birthday.

It was great to have a morning for the Birthday Boy to sleep in

and I had a chance to put away the Party Paraphernalia.

We closed out the weekend with good friends and dinner at the lake.

It was a lovely evening to sit on the patio.

Thank you to everyone that sent Greetings,

that chatted with us on FaceTime,

and celebrated in person.

Stay Safe and Well, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Planning a Party ~Pandemic Style ~Celebrating Hubby’s Big Birthday

 This Papa is celebrating a Big Birthday this weekend.

Party Plans are coming together...

all CDC Guidelines being considered.

*gathering limited to 10 guests

*outdoors with seating spaced 6 feet apart

I referred to my favorite cookbooks to plan a menu of foods

that guests can help themselves without sharing utensils.

I like homemade taco seasoning...as I can limit the sodium.

Walking Tacos are on the dinner menu, so guests

can help themselves and stay social distanced to eat.

You can even stand off in a corner to enjoy a Walking Taco!

My friend, Wendy, suggested Appetizers on a Toothpick...

Fabulous idea, these are my ingredients and 

She is also bringing something special. 

When you are as old as my Hubby,

you’ve accumulated lots and lots of beverage koozies.

They are ready to go to his Outdoor Bar.

These are just too cute for words...

Also going out to the bar.

A Birthday Party isn’t complete without Birthday Cake.

Birthday Cheesecake, that is!

These will also be an individual serving size...

Can’t wait to see how they look on my cupcake tree!

Stop back on Sunday to see for yourself

in my Birthday Party Report.

(I hope I remember to take photos)

Of course, Roomba has had quite a work-out this week.

Lizzie has had quite enough of that

and trapped him on the edge of the stairway.

“Error...move Roomba to a new location and press start”

haha

I’ve posted this meme before...

it is just so fitting.

Have a wonderful weekend, pandemic style.

Stay Safe And Well.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Thursday Thoughts ~The Days Seem Long ~The Weeks Go Fast

Every Day is the same, but my routine feels safe.

For that I am Thankful.

Hubby has mastered the art of preparing our Weekend Brunch...

Perfect Over Easy Egg on Toast, Hash Browns, and Bacon.

And it is now Peak Season for many types of Fresh Fruit.

These Cherries are juicy and delicious.

None of us know if our communities

will host a Winter Arts Festival, so

I have been busy taking photos and listing

our creations in my Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop. 

This week we enjoyed one of our Go-To meals...

Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta.

It also involves mushrooms, red pepper, and green onions.

It fast and easy to prepare and so very tasty.

Hubby enjoys spending time in his wood shop after

a day at the office working with Unemployment.

This is just one of his hand turned bottle openers that is available

for purchase. It would be the perfect stocking stuffer

for your favorite bartender.

Remember if you are a local friend, you can contact me

to make arrangements and we can bypass the Shipping Charges on Etsy.

Stay Safe and Well.

Take care,

~Natalie