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

Looking for my Blogworthy ~Countdown to Winterfest~Five Days #WinterfestAberdeen

It’s been a while since I have posted an update here.

Whenever that happens, I check my photo albums

to see what has been blogworthy in my life.

I feel like all my posts have been the same lately.

*Winterfest Projects

*Bison Football

*What’s for Dinner

*What Lizzie is doing

You can see I have finished the little Snowmen

and this Rafter of Turkeys.

Hubby used his Wood Turning talents to create pedestals

for my Vintage Wool Bluebirds.

These Snowmen are also created with Vintage Upcycled Fabrics.

We enjoyed a Bison game on Veterans Day weekend.

I tried a new recipe for Chicken Mushroom Pasta.

I added fresh herbs and cream cheese to make it rich and tasty.

Then there’s Lizzie, my helper cat.

She plays hard...

Then, sleeps hard.

Her new favorite place to nap is on the rug by the kitchen sink.

She discovered a heat register there.

Who can blame her?!

I should have more Santas and Snowmen finished

and ready to show you tomorrow.

Local Friends,

We hope to see you this weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

Wednesday’s Work ~Winterfest Preparations ~Here’s my Report

Turkey Tails. Remember last week

they were taking a bath in the Vanilla Coffee Stain.

A Big Finish for the Burlap Stockings...I did the hand-stitching

in the car on last weekend’s trip to the Bison Game.

I can’t wait to show you what is happening in here!

Stocking hats...Get it?!

Do you like this fabric

for these Snowman Scarves?

These week’s highlight was a package from Japan.

These coffee candies are the best!

I hope our daughter stocks up before they move stateside!

I am so looking forward to giving my feet this spa treatment.

Since I have shed my walking boot and the wraptor,

these feet are in need of some pampering!

And the best...artwork to hang on our refrigerator!

We are thankful that all of that snow melted

and we are enjoying some beautiful autumn weather...

...however, cleaning up the twigs and leaves keeps Hubby busy.

He cleans them up one day, and the next day we go outside

and the yard is covered again!

Do you all have a quick, go-to meal when you are busy?

For us, it is this Shrimp Pasta dish.

I know that looks like grass clippings on the top,

but it is chives from what is left of our herb garden.

Have a Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday.

Take care,

~Natalie

 p.s. Remember that for now, this is now my new motto.

Where the Weekend Went ~Spending Time with Friends ~Bison Football Report

A weekend highlight for us was having dinner with this couple.

We’ve been friends for decades,

so it was great to stop on our way home

for a visit and to catch up.

Of course, we all take watching Bison Football very seriously.

At home, we don our Green and Gold attire

and settle into our favorite chairs in the family room.

We make our favorite Football Food.

I have a whole Pinterest Board just for Game Day Snacks.

For NDSU home games, we make the quick trip to Fargo.

Saturday’s weather was perfect for tailgating,

unlike last weekend when we were in a Winter Storm!

Our seats were way up near the rafters in the dome.

Luckily, my fibula has made a full recovery

and I could handle all of those steps!

In the fourth quarter, we can usually find some seats

that have been vacated closer to the field,

where we can watch the actual players,

instead of watching them on the Jumbotron.

The Bison remain undefeated this season.

Our Furocious Fan is looking forward to the next away game,

so she can watch with us.

I hope your favorite Football Team won this weekend.

Take Care,

~Natalie

Here’s our first attempt at a Family Selfie.

I guess we need to try again...

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