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

Happy Anniversary to These Love Birds

Just one year ago, Emily and Jake exchanged vows 

surrounded by their family and closest friends.

Happy Anniversary and 

Best wishes for many, many more.

Take care,

~Natalie

Celebrating our Flag ~Dream Vacation ~The Full Story ~~Day Two: Bath Abbey ~~~And Happy Birthday to my Blog with a little Give Away

Vintage Holiday Crafts
May the Stars and Stripes forever wave.

And now, my vacation report continues...

A short walk from the Roman Baths Museum was the 

Magnificent Bath Abbey.

As we got closer, we could hear music.

At first I thought it was a recording...

But, in the courtyard of the Abbey,

this young woman was singing acapella,

"Ave Maria".

Inside, equally breathtaking.

Memorials line the walls and walkways.

The Pulpit.

The choir loft with kneeling cushions.

The endless stained glass.

The ornate ceilings.

Beautiful sculptures everywhere you look.

My photos cannot do it justice.

You must see it for yourself!

Thank you to my terrific tour guides.

In addition to celebrating Flag Day,

this would be my Grandmother's Birthday.

She is the little girl in the middle.

She was born in 1893...123 years ago.

Last but not least,

Happy Birthday to my Blog.

My first post was 8 years ago.

Here is the link,

in case you missed it!

Any blog comments left between today

and my birthday on June 23rd,

will be entered into a drawing for a

gift package.

Take care,

~Natalie

I Won A GoPro Camera ~Thank you Pam of Sidewalk Shoes ~~And it's a Special Sunday, Indeed

Thank you, my dear blog friend, Pam of Sidewalk Shoes.

I am your lucky give-away winner of the GoPro Camera

and the ProPlan Cat Food Coupons.

My camera arrrived almost a week ago,..

I needed to wait to get an SD card, 

and then, I was able to take some photos.

Maybe this will be the spark our sedentary cats need 

to get up  and get moving?

(We once had daughters living at home, that were swimmers, dancers, and runners.

Years ago, we would have had some exciting videos to share.)

Lately...well...

these empty nesters have had a pretty dull life.

But I do have something special to share...

This is our church.

My hubby was baptized and confirmed here.

So GoPro helped me capture the interior of the church.

Our congregation is taking on a major renovation project.

So this is the last look at the old Zion Lutheran Church...

Stayed tuned to watch the progress on this project...

Take care,

~Natalie

A Very Special Worship Service, indeed...and this week's Saturday's Work will Just Have to Wait.

Hubby and his good friend, Brum,

were given the opportunity to serve on our church's call committee.

And after a year of meetings, we are blessed with a new pastor.

The Rite of Ordination for a new pastor is hosted by her home congregation,

therefore a road trip to this quaint little church in Madison.

The Processional was impressive with many visiting pastors in attendance.

Bishop Zellmer was there as the Presiding Minister and to deliver the message.

This is our group that traveled from her new church home

to celebrate this day with her.

In fact, Erin enjoyed a large support group of family and friends.

Pastor Erin and her hubby have an adorable daughter.

And you know how Lutheran church women put on a reception...

sandwiches, pickles, nuts, mints, and cake.

Welcome to your new church home, Pastor Erin.

Take care,

~Natalie