It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ~Christmas 2019 ~Countdown...Two Weeks ~Where the Weekend Went

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Remember I have the stained glass window from our farmhouse...

hubby hung it over our fireplace mantle.

This weekend I brought out the Winter Garland.

Of course we need a tree

downstairs in our family room.

On Christmas morning we will gather here

to see what Santa put in our stockings.

I love this Santa...

we purchased it when our girls were

coming home for the holidays the last time.

And remember Hubby’s Vintage pickup truck

that I found in his childhood toy box last year?

I loaded it up with Christmas trees.

I strung lights on our third tree.

This will be Jack’s tree.

He can help us decorate it with

all of our special children’s ornaments.

This Santa is at the top, watching over us...

...adorned with a snowflake.

Quite appropriate for our current weather.

These ornaments are waiting for Jack to get here.

Hubby hung lights and garland outside

to welcome our family home.

The Weekend Highlights

Besides holiday preparations, here’s what else happened.

The Jazz group played at the historic Ward Hotel on Friday night.

On Saturday, we cheered our Bison on to another win.

The Buffalo Chicken Dip is easy to make

and such delicious Football Food.

This makes me chuckle.

Our Lizzie is not intimidated by Roomba.

It bumps into her and then proceeds to go around.

Lizzie is not giving up her spot in front of the heat register!

This came across my Facebook newsfeed.

I thought I’d share it with you...

After all, it is what the holidays are all about.

Be Kind to One Another.

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in our House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile

If you have followed my blog for a while, 

you know that I absolutely love dress forms...

Especially Vintage Dress Forms!

We found this gem in an antique store near Rochester, MN, 

when visiting Amy there.

She is standing watch over 

great aunt Birdie’s antique sewing machine.

During the holidays, a friend of ours discovered 

my passion for dress forms and gifted this one to me.

I love the metal basket on the bottom.

Thank you, Robin!

She is a wonderful addition to my collection.

She is on display in our family room, 

with my Grandmother’s Treadle Sewing Machine.

The tree on my bathroom vanity is adorned for March.

These two keep me company 

when I get ready in the morning.

My Sewing Studio is the logical place 

for my Dress Form Collection.

This girl greets all who enter there.

This dress form pin cushion 

is a gift from my Sister-in-Law.

This stands on my dresser in our bedroom,

 a gift from my hubby.

It is the perfect way 

to store necklaces without tangling.

This is my one sturdy working girl. 

She displays items for the photos 

I am taking for my Etsy Shop 

and the on-line Rummage Sale. 

She often accompanies us to help work at Winterfest.

I know what you’re thinking...

enough is enough!

However, I would love to have a 

Vintage Wolf Dress Form.

It would be a dream come true, 

if hubby and his buddy came home 

from an auction sale with one in his pickup!

I think Jasmine was a fan, too!

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in Our House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile ~Sewing Studio ~Target Finds ~FaceTime with Jack ~Jazzy Cat

While Cheryl’s She Shed was lost to fire, 

I am still fortunate to have this awesome Sewing Studio in our home. 

It has lots of vintage pieces and plenty of space to work.

This is what it looks like when it is all organized. 

Right now it is chaos, as we prepare for Winterfest!

Here are the working girls, Miss Pfaff, my serger, 

Miss Sapphire, my star sewing machine, 

and on the far right, Miss Elna, who sew all the paper projects.

Yes, that is my mom and dad’s wedding photo. 

They watch over me when I am working.

This is my most recent view when I am sewing...

It has been gloomy weather for days here.

I love my weekly Starbucks/Target date 

with my friend, Lorie.

This Dutch Oven/Stock Pot was on Clearance for half price. 

It matches my cookware, so I couldn’t pass it up.

I already used it to make Chicken Noodle Soup.

All of the Halloween and Fall items were on sale for 90% off...

So, these appetizer plates were 15 cents a piece!

They will be perfect on Thanksgiving for my Cheese Ball.

The highlight of my day was a FaceTime call from this sweet boy.

He was busy eating his breakfast of 

Homemade Blueberry Oatmeal Muffin and Pears.

He is a busy baby, and his mom is a busy PA, 

so I cherish the time we get to chat on-line.

Lucy is not the only one trying to 

make friends with the mysterious new cat!

Speaking of my Sewing Studio...

This photo showed up in my Newsfeed this week. 

I have yet to convince my Hubby 

to build this little attachment in his pickup.

Take care,

~Natalie

Christmas 2017 with our Friends and Family ~Here is my Report

Christmas Eve Eve

These newlyweds were home for the weekend.

Remember their lovely wedding in June?

We empty nesters were happy to be included in their

family holiday meal & football watch party.

Sisters...reunited.

However, the star of the show was this Prime Rib...

...roasted to perfection.

Twice Baked Potatoes...my contribution to the meal.

Fresh Green Beans completed the menu.

Winning the game makes everyone happy.

Thanks for the great Kick-off

to the holiday weekend.

Christmas Eve

We attended the evening worship service.

I was one of the scripture readers, 

stationed in the balcony, so was able to take these photos.

My favorite part of the service is when the congregation

sings Silent Night by candlelight.

Here are my friends and talented musicians,

Sonya and Sue,

playing an upbeat postlude to send us on our way.

Meanwhile, at home, the table was set.

We gathered for Chicken Wild Rice Soup,

bread, meat, and cheese.

A highlight of our evening was FaceTime with

both of our daughters and their husbands.

There were presents for everyone.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

 

Christmas Morning

Santa still visits these empty nesters.

Combined age of those vintage stockings... 118 years.

Christmas Day

Traditional dinner at Grandma's.

Do you see her photobombing us in the mirror?!

I hope you all enjoyed time with your

family and friends this Christmas.

Take care,

~Natalie