Sunday, January 31, 2021

Sunday Funday ~How Does Your Amaryllis Grow?

It’s about time that I report on the progress of our Amaryllis.

This is how it looked in December.
It was a gift from our good friends, Bob and Becky.

Becky has ordered one for us for Christmas, the last two years.
She is a talented gardener, but she doesn’t know
that I don’t have a green thumb.

Bob and Becky are our daughter’s in-laws.
This is not the best photo of the four of us,
but I have no other.

But, back to Mr. Amaryllis.

It’s thriving and has some buds...

...Three buds to be exact.

Here is Mr. Amaryllis posing with my coffee maker
so you can see just how tall he is.

And here are those three buds.

You can see that one of the buds
is getting ready to bloom...

...Giving us a little hint of the color
and beauty that is to come.

I’ll keep you all posted...

Take care,
~Natalie

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Do You Remember Where You Were on this Morning, 35 years ago? ~Space Shuttle Challenger

I know exactly were I was.

I was sitting with my students and other teachers and their classes
in the Holgate Junior High library.
The school probably had a total of three of these carts
with a TV and VCR that that everyone shared.

So when something significant was happening,
many classes would gather in the library to watch history being made.

Students and Teachers all over the country were watching,
as there was a teacher on the Challenger crew.
The explosion occurred just 73 seconds after lift off.
Everyone was silent and watched in horror.

We all went home and hugged our children a little tighter.
Our Amy was just 11 months old.

On this Day of Remembrance, we honor all seven members of the crew,
which included teacher, Christa McAuliffe,
who gave their lives while furthering the cause
of space exploration and discovery.

Take care,
~Natalie

Information and Images
found on google

Monday, January 25, 2021

Monday Misc ~Tummy Time Report ~Weather Update ~Quarantine Cooking ~Teacher Nightmares ~Chocolate Fixes Everything

Big Brother Jack and Daddy provided
good support during Baby Henry’s Tummy Time.
This Papa and Gigi cherish every photo we get from family.

Here on the home front, we had a little snow,
but we escaped the Winter Storm,
which went to the south of us.

If you know me well, you know
that I love to make soup during the Winter.
This week’s recipe was Vegetable Beef & Barley
in the Crockpot. I had plenty,
so shared a container with my MIL.

Yes, we are still celebrating Pizza Friday,
ever since we’ve been staying home on the Weekends...
cooking all..of..our..meals!
We enjoyed this one with Turkey Pepperoni and Veggies.

Last week we made a Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza
with Carmelized Onions.

This popped up in Facebook Memories this week.
I had shared it a few years ago, when still teaching.
So much truth in this short quote.

Would you believe that even after four years,
this retired teacher still has bad dreams about school.

Gaze upon this box of candy.
It was a Christmas gift from good friends.
Dark Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt.

“Much too good for children”
If you love the movie Matilda,
you’ll recognize that quote by Miss Trenchbull.

Here’s another quick peek at this sweet
little bundle of happiness.

Take care,
~Natalie

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Meet Henry Oliver ~Welcome Sweet Grandson ~Jack has a New Baby Brother

This is Henry Oliver.
Born Wednesday, January 13th,
shortly before 10 o’clock in the morning.
He checked in at 7 pounds 5 ounces
and was 20 inches long.

This photo will forever tell the story of what
it is like to be born during a Pandemic.

Henry’s Daddy was able to stay with them at the hospital,
however he was not allowed to freely come and go.

Henry’s Mama, our first born baby, looks radiant.
Baby Henry was anxious to meet his family
and made his entrance to the world a few days early.

Big Brother Jack, was a Trooper, taken out of his bed
in the middle of the night to stay with Family Friends.

The next day, Aunt Emily and Uncle Jake
made the 2 hour trip to scoop him up...

...so he could be at home and
sleep in his own bed.

Here’s the magical moment when Henry,
his Daddy and Mama came home,
and when Jack first meets his Baby Brother.

It is pretty amazing how this tiny human grew
in Mama’s tummy...and then all of a sudden, he’s here!

And now the transition to a Family of Four begins.

Henry is nearly a week old now.
Quite the little Cuddle Bug...

...who will someday be a
rough and tumble playmate,
and these two will be Best Friends.

Henry Oliver, You Are So Loved.

Take care,
~Papa and Gigi

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Things in our House Thursday ~Saying Goodbye to Christmas ~Say Hello to Valentines Day

How long do you all wait before you take down
your Christmas Decorations?
I suspect that some of you did that two weeks ago??

I’m one that absolutely loves Thanksgiving
and does not bring out Christmas until later on that weekend.
That’s why we usually wait until mid-January to put it all away.
 
Maybe you heard that Dolly Parton
keeps her Christmas up until January 19th, her birthday.
Sounds reasonable to me...

What I really love are the lights on the tree.
This one greats me in the family room when
I go downstairs to exercise or to do the laundry.

Over the weekend, I gathered up all of our Christmas Decor,
all it’s now in storage tubs, waiting for next Christmas.

We all hope that it will feel safe to travel and families
can gather for the holidays next year.

In the meantime, our January Snowman meets
our February Valentine Sweetheart.
Stay warm, Stay safe, and Stay well, Everyone.

Take care,
~Natalie


Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Was Santa Good to You? ~My Family and Friends ~They Spoil Me ~Here’s my Report

 
Our daughters know that I treasure my Santa Collection.
These gifts came from both of them, purchased for me
in Japan, Germany, and a little boutique in New Hampshire.
Every year, they oversee our home, bringing Christmas Cheer.

This year, the first gift that was delivered to our door step
was a wicker basket, with soil and moss.
After three weeks of nurturing, the first signs
of an Amaryllis plant started to peak through the surface.

Under our tree, from Hubby, a new Carry-On.
I look forward to a time when it feels safe to travel again. 

Perhaps you’ve heard Santa’s Rules for buying gifts for children?
Something they want, Something they need.
Something to wear, Something to read.

I think the same rules should apply to Seniors.

So that last photo was my something to wear...
A Sweater from my favorite store,
Yoga Slippers, Socks, and an elegant Bracelet.
Remember my photo from Christmas Morning?
I wore my new soft sweater right away. 

Let’s look at something I need...

Products for pampering my hands are much appreciated,
my hands are often dry and cracked from house chores and crafting.
And now, this year, we wash our hands even more
frequently throughout the day.

When Daughters asked, “What do you want for Christmas, Mom?”
My reply was that I don’t need more stuff in my house...
however consumable items are great.
(If you are a Senior, I bet you can relate)

These items are so thoughtful and perfect for me.
*Whole Bean Coffee “Awaken Ambition”
It smells incredible!
*Extra Dark Chocolate Pralines filled with
Coffee Liqueur Cream, made in Italy.
I will savor every bite.
*Truffle Tagliatelle,
Pasta that is another Product of Italy.
*Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Herbs
A perfect appetizer for us Empty Nesters.
*Gourmet Ranch Dip Mix
Another great appetizer, plus our favorite Football Team
has a spring schedule and this will be a part of our Homegating table.

Speaking of Chocolates, and certainly consumable,
A box of Dark Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt.
Trending this year, the Hot Cocoa Bombs.
Have you seen those posts online?
Pour warm milk over one in a mug...and all of a sudden
you have Hot Chocolate complete with garnishes.
I can’t wait to try them.


There was one thing on my “want” list...
an Olive Oil Spray Bottle.
We have all been cooking at home more than ever...
every..single..meal.
This is a great addition to our kitchen, along with these coasters,
cocktail napkins, and cute snowman serving tray.

A few more things selected just for me...
a kitchen candle, a classy pen for writing lists and notes,
Lavender Sachet, handmade by a friend,
 and clever measuring spoons for our kitchen. 

Nothing says 2020 more than these gifts...
“Let’s Stay Gnome”

And this lovely linen.

Being a Home Body is a good thing now.
Stay “Gnome”,
Stay Safe, and Stay Well.

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...