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

Monday Mania ~Here’s What’s Happening on the Home Front ~And a couple of Minor Inconveniences

I haven’t made homemade Yeast Bread 

since I last demonstrated for my Basic Foods Classes.

Lately, I’ve had the urge to get my hands in the dough again.

This is a no-knead bread, baked in my small Dutch Oven.

I added fresh Thyme and Rosemary.

I’ve started a Bread Board on my Pinterest Page,

and I’m looking forward to trying other recipes.

Our last snowstorm was a doozie!

It was so bad that even hubby’s office was closed...

He’s worked there for 31 years, and this was a first.

It was so bad that even Twist Cone 

postponed their season opening.

We cannot complain about our snow.

Cities and States to the south of us received rain.

Those folks have experienced devastating floods.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

As the blizzard blew in, 

our refrigerator gave out.

I reached in the freezer to get some ice, 

And found water in the trays!

Everything in the freezer had thawed.

I am thankful for our trusty old fridge in the garage.

It comes in handy when our family is home, 

and during the holidays.

And I guess, when our kitchen refrigerator fails.

So we cleaned this refrigerator out..completely.

Hubby took three large garage bags to the dumpsters.

I browned all the ground beef and braised all the chicken breasts.

After the weather calmed down, and the streets were cleared, 

an appliance expert made a housecall and delivered the diagnosis.

Repairing the refrigerator was the best option.

So today, for the first time in 13 days, 

things are chillin’ in our kitchen!

When it rains it pours...later that afternoon,

I was heading out to an appointment and my car didn’t start.

Seriously? On the same day??

Again, I am so thankful for hubby’s big pickup in the garage,

and his willingness to drive me to where I need to go!

And here’s what’s even better...

Good friends who help us out in a time of need.

Thanks, Alan, for working with Hubby 

to get the vehicle towed out for repairs.

This week, things are looking up.

The warm sun is slowly melting the snow.

And, I saw a robin in the tree just outside our kitchen window...

a sure sign of spring!

Take care,

~Natalie

Remembering my Mom ~This Day, Six Years Ago

Those of you that have lost a parent will relate. 

Even tho’ you expect it will happen someday, 

when your mom dies, it creates a big hole in your heart.

I used to call her every day to chat, 

on my way home from school.

But this time of year, I miss her more than ever.

She had fallen several times, 

but the spill she took on January 28, resulted in a fractured hip.

Because of her heart condition, she was considered a high risk patient.

She was transferred to the hospital in Grand Forks, 

where she had surgery to repair her broken hip.

The following day she suffered a stroke.

Scott and I traveled back and forth from Aberdeen to be with her.

She died on February 7th, the day before a huge blizzard.

 I love these photos of a very special weekend...

A much happier weekend.

It was the last time our daughters visited their Grammy. 

We all spent Mother’s Day weekend with her, 

before they both moved away.

Mom lived in an assisted living center, 

so we would eat with her in the dining room,

and then sit out in the warm spring sunshine on the patio.

But, back to this week in February...

Due to the Winter Storm, 

Valentine’s Day, and the Presidents Day Holiday,

we held her funeral on this date, February 15th, 2013.

She planned every last detail herself. 

She let me know where to look when the time came.

In addition to her Obituary, and the Funeral Plans, 

she left this poem, 

“Miss Me, But Let Me Go”.

My Mother, 

always organized, 

always considered every detail.

I miss her.

Take care,

~Natalie

On the Mend ~The Return of Winter is Our Top Story ~~My Chicken Soup Recipe Link

It has been snowing all..day..long.

About nine inches has fallen.

We just received the school reach call 

for a two-hour late start.

That means that students have a two hour late start,

and teachers still report at their normal contract time.

I hope I don't get stuck!

I'm currently making adjustments to my lesson plans.

Thank you, all, for your well wishes.

I am feeling better this evening.

Hubby was thoughtful to bring a cup of soup 

home from Romas after they were done playing.

The Jazz Group played both Friday and Saturday...

I was disappointed to miss out on all the fun.

Between our Winter Weather and my Influenza,

the soup from Romas really hit the spot.

Tonight I felt well enough to cook up a pot of our own.

Here is our favorite recipe for

Chicken Noodle Soup.

This came across my Facebook Newsfeed this week.

I couldn't agree more!

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Week Went...

...let's see, where did the week go?

Last Sunday was such a nice spring day.

We went out to lunch with Grandma after church.

As a young girl, it was always exciting to spot the first robin,

a sure sign that spring was here.

And there... in our neighbor's yard...three robins.

In fact, I saw seven robins on our way to church!

After lunch, we took a little tour of Grandma's yard and garden spot.

(Notice that all of the snow was gone.)

But our sure sign of spring was a false alarm...

I'm not sure who was more excited 

about our early release from school,

the students or the teachers!

The wind came first...blowing our chairs right off the patio.

Then the snow...and it just went downhill from there.

Here's the following morning, a late start...

I love the sunshine on the waves of snow!

When the school has a late start, 

teachers are to report at the normal contract time.

Think about all of that uninterruped time to correct papers and plan lessons!

A Celebration in the Old Farmhouse Gathering team on Etsy 

prompted me to finish these cotton crochet scarves in spring colors.

It was Quick Breads week in my Foods class.

Waffles, Muffins, Biscuits, Banana Bread and Pie.

Biscuits and Gravy...yum yum!

And that, my dears,

is where the week went!

Take care,

~Natalie

click here to visit my 

Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop.

click here for a printer-friendly

Sausage Gravy recipe.