Stitching on Sunday ~Face Masks #COVID-19 #FlattentheCurve #StoptheSpread

Like many of you, Helper Cat and I have been

spending time in my Sewing Studio making Face Masks.

We started last weekend. For our first batch,

we used the pattern from the Avera St. Lukes website.

This mask is shaped to fit your face,

And it is reversible, so it is easier to remember

which side should be worn next to your face.

I was so pleased to see this photo.

Our friends had sent a few of my masks to their

daughter who is a physician working  in Florida.

I’m glad she received them quickly

and will make good use of them.

Now, with the CDC recommendations for everyone

to wear a mask when going out and about,

our daughter used this pattern to sew some today.

I like this idea of sewing a pipe cleaner over

the nose area to create a closer fit.

Since elastic is now in short supply,

she used a shoe lace for ties.

Good work, Emily.

They look great on you and your hubby.

This weekend, I finished my second batch.

This one is the flat mask with pleats.

Which style of mask do you like the best?

Please leave a comment if you are in need of a mask.

I am planning to cut more out tomorrow.

Stay safe and well, everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

The Little Things That Make Me Smile ~What’s in my Inbox ~Gigi Misses that Little Boy

This Nana Gigi spent three weeks staying with our family

and looking after our Grandson

while his Mama was training for a new job.

Like all toddlers, we had lunch,

then read some books, and settled down for a little nap.

I kept watch via his monitor.

Sometimes he woke up on his own...

and sometimes it seemed like he could sleep all afternoon.

However, if you have cared for a toddler,

you know that one must limit that nap time,

so they will eventually go to sleep at night.

After two+ hours, I’d slip quietly into his room,

turn off his sound machine, open the blinds,

and sit in his rocker/glider.

From there I’d softly sing some songs.

Songs that I learned in Sunday School years and years ago.

Jesus Loves Me...

Into My Heart...and,

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart.

Soon, he would let me know when he was ready

to get up and out of his bed.

The afternoons, right after naptime

were perhaps my favorite time of our day.

If he was still a little sleepy, he sit on my lap

and we’d rock and sing some more.

And he never seemed to care how well I can sing!

So, if you can imagine, I am missing those times...

Those after nap snuggles and that sweet smile.

I have cherished all the photos

that have since come in my text messages.

Thank you, Mama!

Papa and Gigi look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Take care,

~Natalie

The Most Wonderful Time of Year ~Christmas 2019 ~Now a Memory ~Here’s the Rest of the Story

My digital album is filled with random photos

of the time we all spent together this past Christmas.

It was short...but oh, so sweet.

Remember the photo of great grandma sitting

in her living room while the younger generation prepared dinner?

She was actually watching Jack play with my hubby’s old toy cars.

And what was happening on the home front

when Jack was napping?

Jake wanted to try his hand at wood turning.

Hubby was pleased to take on the role of instructor.

In fact, the guys spent quite a bit of time in the man cave...

This was probably the best $20 Hubby spent at Menards

when we were prepping for the holidays.

The family bundled up to enjoy time outside.

I’m not sure who had more fun...little Jack or the “big kids”?!

And then, there was this.

When you live in the Midwest you take the

Winter Storm Warnings seriously.

They had no choice but to pack up

a day early and get on the road.

Just like that, the house was quiet again.

However, we are still loving the memories

we created during Christmas Break 2019.

Take care,

~Natalie

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ~Christmas 2019 ~Countdown...10 days ~Memories of Christmas Past

Thank you, everyone, for your sweet comments on my last blog post.

Hubby and I are so excited to host Christmas

for our family this year. 

After my morning coffee,

I start working through my To Do List.

Check out this cute plastic plate and bowl

that I found at Walmart. I bought a set just so Jack

can have his own special place setting.

It coordinates with this little plate I found at Target

that he can use for breakfast and snacks.

I washed up all the Christmas kitchen towels

and included all of the Lefsa cloths,

just in case we girls get a chance to make a batch.

I gathered all of the Christmas napkins I could find

in my stash...some paper, some cloth.

I also brought my snowman dishes out of storage.

They are all here on the counter waiting to

run through a cycle in the dishwasher.

I have not used them for years. I forgot how cute they are!

Plus, snowman dishes can stay in my cupboard until spring.

This is another photo from Christmas Eve 2014.

This year, we will set another place for Jack!

Enjoy the Holiday Season.

Spend time with family and friends!

Take care,

~Natalie

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ~Christmas 2019 ~An Exciting Update to our Holiday Plans

If you thought we were excited before, now we can

barely contain ourselves.

As you already know, Daughter #1, her Hubby, and our Grandson

are planning to be home for Christmas.

Today, we learned that Daughter #2 and her Hubby

are coming home too!

If you got a Christmas card from us last year,

you remember this photo.

It’s the last time we were were all together.

It was taken in July 2018.

We did see Emily and Jake this past June.

I spent the month of May with Amy and her boys.

But, to have everyone..all together..under our roof, is priceless.

Empty Nesters, you can all relate.

Whenever they were all home from college,

I would fall asleep at night with a feeling of being complete.

Notice that little boy on the right?

We can’t wait to scoop him up in our arms!

I hope all of your plans for a

wonderful Christmas are falling into place.

Take care,

~Natalie

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