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

 

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

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday? Overcoming the "Too Pretty to Use" Syndrome

You all remember that three weeks ago, 

we attended a benefit for our Domestic Abuse Center.

And you remember that my hubby enjoyed some

time at the mock Casino Table,

winning the beautiful Coach purse!

For her first week at home,

she just sat on my dining room table...

Sealed in her Coach plastic baggie.

Was she too pretty to use?

Her leather is as soft as a new baby's skin,

plus she smells like the interior of a new luxurious car.

This problem is genetic.

I inherited it from my mother...she had it bad.

When I helped her move from her townhouse to the assisted living facility,

I discovered a cedar chest full of tissue wrapped gifts that were

"too pretty to use".

So, here she is....

with beautiful purple lining.

Loaded with the bare necessities...

For two weeks now has been

enjoying the good life!

Remember, you are worthy...

You deserve the pretty things that come your way.

Take care,

~Natalie

The Birthday Report ~My Friends and Family, They Spoil Me

My Birthday was a pretty special day. 

I was having a tough time with the realization that 

I am now in the last year of my fifth decade of life.

It was a beautiful morning.

My good friend, Sherri was coming over for lunch.

We have so much to talk about, as we both have a daughter named Emily,

and they are both getting married in August...one week apart!

We hope to meet once a week this summer to compare

our MOB Notes.

Usually, we set out a smorgasbord of snack type foods.

I had made our family's favorite bean dip.

Sherri brought a couple of birthday beverages and fresh fruit.

If that wasn't already enough, she had baked a cake,

and brought a gift...too pretty to open!

We have been friends for almost 20 years. 

Our two girls, and their three children were in dance and on swim team.

We coordinated car pools for a dozen years...until our Amy got her drivers license and could drive all the little swimmers to practice.

Actually, Sherri and I go way, way back...

I was her teacher in High School!

And now, Sherri is a teacher too.

This birthday card was double funny to both of us.

Not only am I a crazy cat lady,

but we think that this is exactly what some of our students might be thinking when we ask them to do something reasonable, like

"please, sit down in your chair."

I did open that pretty box. 

Inside, a pretty, pretty, Vera Bradley mini tote.

It is just perfect for my summer errands,

as my MOB Planning Journal fits inside along with other necessities.

While we were chatting, we received Birthday Greetings 

via FaceTime from the daughter and SIL "across the pond".

And then, the UPS delivered a package from daughter and soon-to-be SIL in Boston.

All of you that sew and craft, will understand this gift.

Gingher Shears are the Cadillac of Fabric Shears.

I have wanted a pair since I worked at Northwest Fabrics in the early 80's!

Hubby had to go to an evening meeting at our church,

but afterwards, we went out and shared a Burger,

and a Birthday Dessert, Amaretto Cheesecake.

Thank you, Flatlanders.

Last, but certainly not least...

what was in that lovely gift bag in the first photo?

Hubby gave me this beautiful handbag.

My family knows that I have an obsession with bags...

We cannot pass a purse department when we go shopping.

And I think my hubby has been paying attention when our daughters and I discuss purse criteria...

as this one is perfect!

I just love both bags and both will be well used.

My cravings for a new purse have been satisfied...

for a good while!

Thank you friends and family for a great day.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. Remember, I am having a birthday giveaway?

I did draw for a winner, but since this post has been long enough already...

I will announce another day...soon.

Please stay tuned.

Proudly Display our Flag ~Remembering Grandma's Birthday ~~Happy Birthday to my Blog ~~~A Birthday Give Away

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. 

It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, 

which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

I like to display my little flags in our 

flower pots in front of the house.

If my grandmother was living, this would be her 122 birthday.

This family reunion is so fondly remembered by all that attended.

Grandma is seated in the center, wearing a floral dress and pearls.

I am the fifth young child from the left.

You can see why we had so much fun?  

We had so many cousins close in age and we always played the best games.

You have seen this photo at the bottom of my blog.

Grandma Hilda (her middle name, Natalie) is in the center.

My very first blog post explains why I started this, 

7 years ago, on her birthday.

And...as always, I am having a birthday giveaway starting today.

Comment on this blog post.

I will draw for a winner on my birthday,

June 23.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

A Girls Weekend & Girlfriend Birthday Giveaway Winner

Our girls were home for the weekend.

The main event was their dad's college band reunion.

(Those pictures deserve a blog post of their own)

While dad was busy with set up and rehearsal...

We had some special girl time of our own.

Emily had planned a little bachelorette party for her big sister...

You see, the next time we are all together,

Amy and Nick are getting married!

Mmmm...Mimosas...

Champagne with a splash of Orange Juice.

Grandma met us for lunch...

Next stop...Pedicures!

The girls treated me too, my birthday gift.

Thank you so much.

I loved the pampering!

And don't worry...

we still had time to choose my birthday giveaway winner.

 

Congratulations to Robin of the Primitive Hutch.

(I will need your mailing address asap)

Be sure to stop over and sign up for her birthday giveaway!

I cannot say how much I appreciate my girlfriends...

those in person...and those online.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. Stay tuned for pictures from the

Precious Cargo Reunion Concert.