Warm Wishes for a Safe and Spooky Halloween ~Our Favorite Little Pumpkin ~What a Difference a Year Can Make

Courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts

Halloween Greetings to all our Family and Friends.

It will be a chilly night

for the Trick or Treaters.

Living in the Dakotas, one needed to

design costumes that could fit over a snowsuit.

Pretty sure I share this photo every year,

as it is a favorite family tradition.

Our girls carved Jack-O’-Lanterns with their dad,

while I roasted the pumpkin seeds.

Speaking of Jack-O’-Lanterns,

Here is our little pumpkin a year ago.

And here’s our sweet little Boo this year.

Happy Halloween, Everyone.

Stay Safe and Warm!

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Winterfest Preparations ~Crafting ADD is Strong

With six weeks until our local Winter Arts Festival,

I have several projects on my work table.

My helper cat has gotten involved to select fabrics,

and most importantly provide good support.

She wasn’t quite sure how these pieces of Chenille

would become snowmen...

But I think she gets it now.

These Turkey Tail Feathers are soaking in my

Vanilla Coffee Solution for that Rustic Aged look.

Helper cat is also right there to offer support to Hubby

as he creates new Wine Bottle Necklaces.

Hubby has also been busy in his woodshop.

While the paint dries on these Santas and Snowmen...

I can create hats and scarves for these snowmen.

Sounds like it will be appropriate to put snowmen out

with our witches and black cats this October.

Currently, a Winter Storm Warning for our area.

This photo was in my Facebook Memories today.

Looks like Callie and I were in full Winterfest Mode

three years ago on this day.

I will be living by this Philosophy for the next few weeks.

Stay tuned to follow our progress.

Take care,

~Natalie

Welcome to Okinawa ~A Visit to the Sea Wall ~Another Jack Approved Snack

It was a beautiful day for an afternoon outing 

to the Sunabe Sea Wall.

There many quaint little cafes along the walk-way.

Today’s Sweet Treat...Sugar Balls.

Also known to us, as Donuts.

There are several varieties to choose from. 

Jack’s Mama ordered the Cinnamon & Sugar to share.

Mama and Nana also enjoyed some coffee.

Oh, so delicious!

It was low tide, so Mama and Jack walked out 

on the mossy ocean floor to look for little sea creatures.

The sun was warm and  ocean breeze was refreshing.

Thank you for a sweet afternoon.

We are blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Halloween ~Then and Now ~A Family Update

Happy Halloween from our home to yours.

We have so many sweet memories of family fun on this day.

It was tradition for Hubby to carve pumpkins with our girls. 

I was usually busy in the kitchen roasting the pumpkin seeds.

It was also family tradition to have 

a homemade Halloween costume.

Often, it needed to be oversized, 

so it would fit over a winter coat.

We met up with good family friends...

...and went trick or treating with friends in the neighborhood.

Those were the good old days when children 

would wear their costumes to school, 

and the students would march 

in a parade for grandparents and then have a party.

And where are our darling daughters on this Halloween?

Here’s Amy, on the other side of the world,

She is a busy military wife, working in a clinic, 

and an awesome mom to our grandson, Jack.

The cutest Jack O’ Lantern I’ve ever seen!

Here’s Emily, 

celebrating on the 

other side of this country.

She, too, is a busy wife and works

as the director of Zone Wellness.

She and her hubby hosted a 

Halloween party in their home.

Their costumes are so creative!

I set out my basket of treats early in the day...

however, we have had no visitors yet.

While this teacher is retired, 

my Halloween vest does not need to be put to rest.

Best wishes for a Safe and Funfilled Halloween Evening.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Halloween to our Family & Friends

Have a safe and fun filled evening.

This photo was taken 25 years ago,

and is one of my favorites...

carving a jack-o-lantern together 

 is a great family tradition.

Trick or Treat!

~Natalie

Autumn Joys ~Football Snacks ~Fall Wreaths ~Soup in the Crockpot ~Trick or Treaters ~and National Cat Day

We enjoyed the weekend watching our favorite 

college football team

with fresh bread, flavored olive oil and herbs.

This awesome wreath was at Target. 

Lorie and I had admired them for several weeks, 

and now they are on sale!

We each had to have one!!

Who else remembers when McDonalds served their 

Happy Meals in these cute pumpkin buckets?

I still have one with my Halloween decor...

It was perfect to bring treats to school for my students.

Hubby's Jazz Band played in a new venue on Friday.

They were so well received, 

that they are invited back for next weekend.

It was a beautiful night for trick or treating.

This special family rang our doorbell.

With a chill in the air, soup in the crockpot really hits the spot.

Here's my recipe for Chicken Wild Rice.

This would a great recipe to use your 

leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

My seniors in super study...

sharing stories and discussing life lessons.

Did you know it was 

National Cat Day this week?

Isn't every day Cat Day?!

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in my House Thursday ~Welcome October

It was time to bring out the Fall Decor...

Ghosts, Witches, Pumpkins, and Black Cats...

It's a Spooky Time of the Year!

Take care,

~Natalie