Spring Break 2017 ~Here's my Report ~My Last School Haircut ~Guinness Beef Sliders Recipe Link ~~Pinterest to Practice

Hopes of spending early morning hours relaxing on the couch

were dashed by Lucy, who is used to having her breakfast at 5:30 a.m.

Spring Break allows time for extra errands

and for some extra pampering.

Remember how well we were treated at 

Hair Addictions at the time of the wedding?

click here to see that post

Jennifer has always been our "go-to girl" for hair...

Prom, Back to School, Special Occasions.

And on this occasion, my last school haircut.

I often posed an interesting challenge.

She was able to create a the latest style 

for this High School Fashion Teacher...

yet professional enough to meet with parents at conferences.

These Guinness Beef Sliders caught my Pinterest eye,

so were on our menu for St. Patricks eve.

Hubby broiled the asparagus with garlic and parmesan.

Speaking of Pinterest,

it can make correcting papers a little less tedious.

For St. Patricks Day, Hubby and I went all out 

and put green food coloring in our beer.

We wanted to stay home to watch our Girls and Boys Basketball Teams

at the State AA Tournament. We enjoyed a quiet night at home.

Of course, St. Patty's Day weekend wouldn't be complete 

without Hubby's Corned Beef Hash.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

Dream Vacation ~The Full Story: Day Four ~~I've Been to London to Visit the Queen ~and Honoring our Fathers

Our adventure into London was certainly another highlight of my trip.

It is not exactly conveneint to get there...

first a two hour drive, in traffic,

(that big truck is called a lorry in the UK, btw)

then when we got closer to the city, Amy drove us to three different towns 

before we found a place to park her little minicooper 

so we could catch a ride on The Tube.

Have I mentioned that Amy was the best little tour guide.

I still get chills when I think of this spot...  

We had gotten off the underground rail transit,

and rode at least three sets of escalators to reach the street.

Of course, I was busy watching my step 

so that I wouldn't fall in all of the congestion.

And when we came out on the sidewalk,

I looked up.

This is one of many favorite moments.

Big Ben was right..across..the street!

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Next stop...

Westminster Abbey

Add this to my list of favorites.

In a way, I felt like I had been here before?

google image

And this is why...

I always loved, loved, loved Princess Diana.

I watched her wedding to Prince Charles with great interest, 

as we both were married in 1981.

google image

And then years later,

I set my alarm to get up in the middle of the night to watch

William and Kate's wedding...

google image

...right here in the Westminster Abbey.

Taking photos is prohibited here.

(they will confiscate your camaras/phones)

So thus, the google images.

It was breathtaking to be here in person.

Next stop...Buckingham Palace.

Stay tuned!

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Father's Day to all who care for and nurture our young.

Here is one of my favorite posts honoring my hubby and my daddy.

What'cha Workin On Wednesday ~Time Change and Term Change...

This has been a challenging week.

I think most can agree that it is more difficult to "spring ahead" than it is to "fall back".

While we only lost one hour on Sunday,

most days this week I felt like I was a half a day behind!

Add to that, the changing of the term. This is the time for teachers to on the top of their game...

correcting tests, papers and projects from 3rd term,

and intruducing new classes, students, books, and curriculum materials for 4th term.

Honestly, some mornings I just wanted to go back to bed 

and snuggle with the cat...

Take care,

~Natalie

A Home Away from Home~Tuesday's Tip of the Day

Most of you know that during the month that my mom was in the hospital,

I stayed at a motel in Grand Forks.

I so appreciated a bed to sleep in...

A shower to freshen up...

Some Wireless to be in touch with family and friends...

A Continental Breakfast to nourish...

But what's up with a Motel

and their lack of electrical outlets?

Here you see

Our mini refrigerator...

Our Microwave...

Our Wall Light...

...And Emily's Phone Charger...

OK...

...We still have more stuff to plug in...

So I purchased an inexpensive power strip...One I can use when we stay out of town...and it will be stored in my suitcase.  That way, I cannot...will not... forget to pack it. 

In this day of technology...we need more outlets...

for multiple cell phones, camera battery chargers and computers.

We need to plug in alarm clocks, lamps, shavers, hair straighteners, and blow dryers.

If motels do not provide enough access to electrical outlets,

You need to be prepared!

Things In My House Thursday

My blog posts have been so random lately. I think now that school has started, I need to be a little more "organized". (If that's necessary in the blog world?!) Anyway, I like the "what's in my house" Thursday posts. I figure, I could do this every Thursday for 100 years and there would still be stuff to show you!!

This chest of drawers is in our dining room. On the left, candle holders from my aunt and uncle. He was in the airforce. They were living in Tehran, Iran for awhile and bought many lovely things. Both of them have since passed away. I miss my aunty Vivian very much! She was my favorite aunt on my dad's side of the family. She also treated my daughters as if they were her own grandchildren.

The vase was a wedding gift from one of my high school friends (so 27 years old). It has been broken and glued together (darn cats).

The little platter was given to us when the neighbors across the street moved away. They were native of India. Angels were a gift from dear friends when I had surgery two years ago. They sit atop of books that had belonged to my mother...one called 'Ideas and Ideals' and the other 'Heap O' Livin".

I want you to see the CooCoo Clock that hangs above. My mom traveled with friends to Europe several years ago...she had this shipped to us for a Christmas gift. It is such a treasure.