TGIF ~Where the Week Went ~~and Happy Anniversary to my Notion's Shop ~~~Recipe Link and Coupon Code here

As long as there is snow outside our window,

we are going to enjoy Pot Roast Sunday.

My favorite is a Beef Bread and Butter Roast..

seasoned with salt and pepper.

Hubby's favorite meal is Corned Beef Hash...

So I roasted a brisket this week also.

Find the recipe for his Corned Beef Hash here on our Cooking Blog.

This came in our mail on Tuesday.

We are so excited to host this special week here in August!

Therefore, wedding thoughts are never far from my mind...

even when I 'm shopping for somthing else

at Hobby Lobby.

or in the early morning getting lab supplies at our supermarket.

Some of you know that I have a 2nd Etsy Shop to sell supplies.

I wanted to keep these listings separate from my 

handmade items in my Tins and Treasures Shop.

During my first years teaching,

 I worked a second job on nights and weekends at Northwest Fabrics.

Yes, it was a long time ago...1979 to 1985.

Much of my 'stash' is considered vintage! 

I also have my mother's vintage scarves,

her vintage jewelry,

and her vintage kitchen items listed.

I am offering a 20% discount on all purchases in my 

Natalie's Notions Shop

from now until the end of April.

Use coupon code

6Years

when you check out.

Stop back later for my "Saturday's Work" post.

We have a DIY Project going on here...

And it is turning into a very long story!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~~Back to School & Sunday's Report at Winterfest

All of you artists and crafters will get this...

I always have several projects started, 

and then before a show, there is the big finish.

I had a batch of these wine bottle bags started...

they just needed their drawstring at the top 

and their buttons on their belt.

Since Winterfest doors don't open till 11:00,

I had plenty of time to get them finished early Sunday morning.

Here he is, on display, with hubby's wine bottle jewely.

I still have two left, so let me know if you would like to purchase one.

They would ship easily too!

And speaking of hubby's wine bottle necklaces...

we sold many, but still have several left in our inventory.

These are a great gift idea to have on hand during the holidays.

They are lightweight and ship easily also,

so let me know if you are interested in the prices.

It was a short night.

We unloaded our display stands at the storage shed.

Our inventory is stored here at the house.

We had a bite to eat and before we knew it...

It was Monday morning.

It was buzzing at the supermarket when I got there at 7 a.m.

Aisles were filled with boxes to stock the shelves for Thanksgiving,

and the assortment of turkeys was quite impressive!

I was there for pizza ingredients...

the last of our yeast bread labs.

Cooking is a science and an art!

Looking good, Ladies!!

Take care,

~Natalie

My Mother's Day Diary

Such a different Mother's Day, it was.

I fought off the urge to just stay in bed and cry.

I guess I was missing my mom and our daughters.

But that would have gotten me nowhere...

I would have just felt worse, instead of better.

And, thanks to technology,

(texts, skype, facetime, snapchats, and phone calls)

 I was able to visit with each daughter...Twice!

While so much was different,

much was the same.

We have always had our Mother's Day Celebration

with my hubby's sister. She is a wonderful hostess and makes a delicious dinner.

She has two delightful cats...this is Ella.

Plus, there was weekend mail!

The tissue and ribbons were so pretty that the packaging alone made me happy!

Such a pretty card...

along with special gifts.

Thank you, Emily.

I have a perfect place for this, right here.

And you know how much I love to wear bracelets...

I have a perfect place for this,

right here!

My forever thoughtful hubby

found this gem of a card...

With four more cards inside!

There's an inside story to his gift...

but this is already too long, so I'll save it for another day.

Thank you Amy and Emily for your texts, calls, facetimes and skypes.

Thank you to my hubby, his mom, and sister for spending family time together.

And thank you to some special friends that sent facebook messages and shapchats to make my day brighter.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

Lovely Gifts from Norway and What'cha Working on Wednesday

Line presented our family with lovely gifts from her home country. This book is filled with beautiful photos of Norway...the scenic country side, the customs, the attractions, the people...I enjoy learning more about Line's background.

In another package...this cheese slicer of handmade Norwegian Pewter.

This necklace is special because it was made by Line's Mom's friend. It is black, silver and green...some of my favorite colors. Thank you so very much.

And what was I working on today? Time for the Annual Check-up at the Animal Health Clinic. Callie was skeptical at first...but soon we were all ready to go.

The ride in the car is perhaps the most stressful...can you see the eyes peering out as us?

At the clinic we received a clean bill of health. Callie lost a half a pound...Lucy gained a half a pound so they're even, I guess...

We have also spent some time preparing for Emily's return to college...washing the car...washing clothes. Since she does not have an ironing board, I pressed several items for her...

This is also County Fair Week...more on that another day...

Twenty-Eight Years in Review

1981 to 2009...Together, we have supported each other and shared a wonderful life that has included:
Daughers~both away at college in Physicians Assistant & Physical Therapy studies
Homes~three houses, & an apartment
Career Jobs~Men's Clothing Retail, Insurance Sales, DOL Program Rep, FACS teacher
Pets~1 dog Sparky, 4 cats Sambo, Patsy, Callie & Lucy, 2 birds Chipper & Skyler
Vehicles~Cutlass, Cavalier, Bronco, Blazer, Taurus, Explorer, Tahoe, Yukon, & Trail Blazer
Supplemental Income Jobs~ Playing in a band, Teaching drum lessons, Working at NW Fabrics, Teaching Summer School, Writing curriculum for the State, Designing & Sewing costumes for Children's Theatre, Working at Midstates, Online Sales & Directing the Praise Band
Family Activities~Fishing, Sewing, Hunting, Cooking, Swimming, Dance, Church Groups, Golf, Cross Country, Track, SAAD, Peer Ministry, Teen Court, Girls BB, National Honor Society, Crafting,& Beer Brewing.

In addition~trips to the hospital...Natalie for overnight stays, hubby to emergency room (softball injuries!)

~a master's degree

~numerous home improvement projects

Last night we celebrated with Grandma and Emily. We had a delicious meal at Bully's Chop House...and this Grand Finale...Death by Chocolate.