When Great Grandma Turns Ninety One

You might remember that last year we had a Party

for Great Grandma’s Milestone 90th Birthday.

However, I’d say that now, every birthday we celebrate

with her is a milestone!

Hubby’s sister invited us to her house for dinner.

She purchased Salmon, cause Great Grandma loves Salmon.

Hubby was in charge of preparing it on the grill.

The menu also included Rice, Salad, and Bread...

Along with our first Corn on the Cob of the season.

It was delicious.

For her gift, I found a cute basket and filled it

with some of her favorite consumable items.

After all, a Senior doesn’t really need

any more “stuff” for their house!

We included a bottle of Pino Grigio,

Harvest Wheat Crackers and Cheese,

Her favorite Sweet Snack Bars,

A Bunch of Grapes,

And Fresh Cut Flowers.

My Sister in Law gave her a roll of Stamps...

I think that is a genius idea for a

Senior Birthday Gift.

We topped off the evening

with a little cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday.

Here’s to Many More!

Take care,

~Natalie

A Love Story That Started 74 Years Ago ~Happy Anniversary to my Parents in their Heavenly Home ~Here’s How they Celebrated their Special Day

 Today my parents are celebrating their

Wedding Anniversary in their Heavenly Home.

They were married 74 years ago,

after my dad came home from WWII.

He was a man of few words, however he wrote to her

frequently during the four years that he was gone.

I have those letters, tied with a ribbon

in my mom’s Hope Chest in

one of the bedrooms downstairs.

Along with this book of wedding mementos...

...such as this Newspaper Clipping

and handwritten story of their engagement.

You can see in their Wedding Photo that a bride of that time

often wore a nice suit instead of a long white gown.

It was practical, as they could wear it

for special events over and over again.

Plus those women grew up during the Depression

and were accustomed to making do with very little.

Also in that book of memories, is this photo of their first home,

this majestic old farmhouse. They lived here from that June day

until we moved during the Winter of 1970.

For their anniversary celebration, I picture my mother

spent the afternoon getting ready by setting her hair with rollers,

and sitting under the dryer while polishing her nails.

She would get dressed with her nylon stockings,

pencil skirt and jacket. Of course she wore heels.

My dad came in from working in the field.

He cleaned up and put on a suit and tie.

They would drive the 20 miles into Devils Lake to go to a nice restaurant.

My Dad would order the Ribs.

It would come with a finger bowl on the side.

If the band played Alley Cat, he would ask my mom to dance

and they would two-step around the dance floor.

One of the Bye girls would come to babysit me,

And when I got up the next morning,

I had the treat of eating a package of those fancy crackers

and playing with the little plastic sword that came in my mom’s beverage.

Sweet Memories.

Take care,

~Natalie

Flag Day 2020 ~Remembering my Grandmother on her Birthday ~Happy Birthday to my Blog ~My Annual Birthday Give Away

The Origins of the first American Flag Day

go back to the Revolutionary War, and involve

the nation’s founding father, George Washington.

He tasked seamstress Betsy Ross with the making of

a flag for the American cause. On June 14, 1777,

the Congress approved the design of the official American Flag.

Centuries later, in 1949, President Harry Truman

proclaimed June 14 to be Flag Day.

I found this quote by Senator John Thune of South Dakota,

“I believe our flag is more that just cloth and ink.

It is a universally recognized symbol that

stands for liberty and freedom. It is the history of our nation,

and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.”

June 14 was a day when we celebrated my Grandmother’s birthday.

If you have ever scrolled to the bottom of my blog,

you have seen this photo. She is there in the center.

Today, she would have been 127 years old.

This photo was taken on Thanksgiving Day in our old Farmhouse.

That is me sitting on my Grandpa’s lap.

Then Grandma Rhuda and Grandma Hilda seated next to him.

Standing behind us is my Daddy and my Uncle Milford.

My Grandparents lived nearby and we saw them often.

I started this blog on Flag Day in 2008,

with a tribute to my grandmother.

A woman who taught in a one room schoolhouse,

got married, and raised a family of nine children.

She milked the cows, baked all their bread,

and grew all their produce in her garden.

How she found time to sew quilts

and crochet bedspreads is amazing.

Today, on my blog’s 12th Birthday,

I am hosting my traditional Birthday Give-Away.

Anyone who comments on this post, will be considered.

I will draw a name on my birthday, which is June 23rd.

I have done this every June and it is fun to see

where all the packages have traveled to.

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Stay Safe and Well.

Take care,

~Natalie

 

Mother’s Day 2020 ~Here’s My Report ~We Celebrated Across the Miles

I am blessed to be Mother to these Special Young Women.

While they no longer live nearby,

they still found plenty of ways to help me feel the love!

On Friday, this lovely card arrived with a

heartfelt handwritten note from Amy and Nick inside.

Included in the envelope, this card from Jack for Nana Gigi...

Art Work, Spring Stickers, and his Hand traced on the back.

It is proudly hanging on our refrigerator,

and I smile every time I see it!

Thank you, Amy, Nick, and Jack.

After Hubby made brunch, we ventured out to the Garden Centers

to select the traditional Hanging Basket for Great Grandma.

Hubby also treated me to these pretty flowers

to cheer up our kitchen counter.

 Thank you, Honey.

In Saturday’s Mail this gift from Emily and Jake.

Each day features a quote and short story written by Hoda.

They are a quick read and perfect for my Morning Coffee Time.

We all need more inspiration to start our day.

Yet, another package arrived yesterday...

A glass water bottle with bamboo lid.

A good reminder to drink more water!

Thank you, Emily and Jake.

Like a couple of old Empty Nesters,

Hubby and I went for a Sunday Drive late in the afternoon...

Ending up at this familiar landmark in Aberdeen.

I have two favorites at Twist Cone.

This is the Mounds Sundae.

Next time, I’m ordering the Turtle Sundae.

Both are sinfully delicious.

Whether you live across the country, or just across town,

 there’s a chance your family probably didn’t celebrate

all together due to the quarantine.

I hope you enjoyed a little time chatting on FaceTime

or through the glass of your Picture Window.

Stay Safe and Well, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Sending Birthday Hugs to this Special Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to this Big Boy. Today he is two years old!

As you know this Papa and Gigi had plans to be there

for his Birthday Celebration. Since those plans changed,

we were happy to FaceTime with him today.

Look how much he has changed...

His Mama posted this Birth announcement two years ago.

I was fortunate to be able to travel to Okinawa

to visit him when he was four weeks old.

He already had so much to tell me.

And then, he came to visit us in the Midwest,

when he was four months old.

Jack enjoys the water...

Playing with his toys...

And eating good food.

I visited the family again last spring.

It has been so fun to watch him grow.

Since we couldn’t celebrate with him in person today,

we chatted and watched him open his gifts on FaceTime.

Happy Birthday, dear Jack.

We hope you had a wonderful day!

Take care,

Papa and Nana Gigi

Happy Birthday, Dear Emily

Birthday Wishes to Darling Daughter Emily,

You came into this world a tiny baby

with a big personality.

You completed our family of four.

Your sister has a forever friend in you.

You have a life full of love...

...and adventure.

You fill the “Aunty Em”role very well.

Here’s to a Lovely Birthday Lunch,

A Weekend of Family Fun,

And a coming year of Love, Happiness,

Health, Success, and Prosperity.

Take care,

~Mom and Dad

Valentine’s Weekend ~Here’s My Report ~It All Started with a Lovely Dinner Party

It was a wonderful weekend to celebrate love.

We were invited to a Dinner Party with

our Friday Night Friends.

We get together every Friday to celebrate the weekend.

We are all retired, empty nester couples...

all of our children and grandchildren live far away.

Our hostess, Wendy set a lovely table.

The red heart doilies under our salad bowls stole my heart.

Here we are...the Galentines.

We all know that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Wendy worked all afternoon on her Bolognase Sauce.

She kept it warm in her crockpot.

Charlotte prepared her Olive Cheese French Bread.

And Patty tossed her Salad with homemade dressing.

My assignment was dessert.

I made a Chocolate Ribbon Cheesecake

with a Strawberry Garnish.

Here’s my recipe if you are interested.

Here are our Valentines.

A gift from the heart...

There isn’t anything better than that.

This came to me in the mail this week

from my long time college friend, Debra.

I love, love, love, getting something in the mail

besides bills and junk.

“Much too good for Children”

Who else remembers this quote by Mrs. Trunchbull on Matilda?

Sending love over the miles.

Guess which card is from our grandson, Jack.

Of course, Hubby treats me like a Queen.

His coffee-themed card, a new mug, and a Starbucks gift card

came together to be the perfect Valentine.

I mean, here’s the bottom of my new mug!

So...our Valentine’s Day lives on with these chocolates.

You all remember those Crystal Candy Dishes on my table?

Hubby’s favorite candy on the left,

My favorite candy on the right,

And something for everyone in the center.

Take care,

~Natalie