Where the Week Went...

...let's see, where did the week go?

Last Sunday was such a nice spring day.

We went out to lunch with Grandma after church.

As a young girl, it was always exciting to spot the first robin,

a sure sign that spring was here.

And there... in our neighbor's yard...three robins.

In fact, I saw seven robins on our way to church!

After lunch, we took a little tour of Grandma's yard and garden spot.

(Notice that all of the snow was gone.)

But our sure sign of spring was a false alarm...

I'm not sure who was more excited 

about our early release from school,

the students or the teachers!

The wind came first...blowing our chairs right off the patio.

Then the snow...and it just went downhill from there.

Here's the following morning, a late start...

I love the sunshine on the waves of snow!

When the school has a late start, 

teachers are to report at the normal contract time.

Think about all of that uninterruped time to correct papers and plan lessons!

A Celebration in the Old Farmhouse Gathering team on Etsy 

prompted me to finish these cotton crochet scarves in spring colors.

It was Quick Breads week in my Foods class.

Waffles, Muffins, Biscuits, Banana Bread and Pie.

Biscuits and Gravy...yum yum!

And that, my dears,

is where the week went!

Take care,

~Natalie

click here to visit my 

Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop.

click here for a printer-friendly

Sausage Gravy recipe.

Grand Opening Day~Spring Celebration in the Old Farmhouse

The artists of the Old Farmhouse Gathering team 

are celebrating the coming of spring.

And soon... it will be here again!

There's not much better than coming home from school 

and soaking in the warm sun out on the patio.

That photo was taken in May of 2013 when Nellie was living with us.

And for dinner that evening?

Danish Meatloaf.

To view the recipe, click here.

And, to view all the Farmhouse spring creations.

click here.

Have a marvelous Monday,

Take care,

~Natalie

Cyber Monday and OFG Spirit of Christmas Celebration ~ Grand Opening

The Old Farmhouse Gathering, our Etsy team,

is pleased to announce the Grand Opening tomorrow...

our Spirit of Christmas Celebration.

The artists have been stitching and stuffing, painting and staining,

to fill the Farmhouse with all new Christmas goodies...for gifts and to decorate your home.

The new listings will become active today, November 26.

Click here for the link.

So plan to spend some time in your comfy duds...

with your favorite beverage...

and take advantage of all the Cyber Monday Specials.

Enjoy the Holiday Season.

Take care,

~Natalie

Chili Cooking Contest...Our Family's Favorite Chili Recipe...

Vegetarian Chili

1 15 oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz. can red beans, rinsed and drained

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz can hominy, rinsed and drained

1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies

2 small zucchini, halved and thinly sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 to 2 cups water

1 to 2 tbsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. salt, optional

1/2 tsp. sugar

In a large kettle, combine ingredients. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese.

Now, get your family's favorite chili recipe and cook up a batch...the weather is now perfect for chili!

Snap a picture and enter your recipe on the Old Farmhouse Cooking blog...

and you might just win this Farmhouse Kitchen Cookbook.

Good Luck!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mail Call ...

It was an eventful summer...

After one of our summer out-of-town trips, we returned to a stack of mail which included this wonderful package.

I had won Ann's birthday giveaway.

She has fabulous handmade baskets in her Etsy shop.

The basket is lovely,

and Ann included a lovely handwritten note.

It's the perfect size for the important things on my nightstand.

Be sure to stop by Ann's blog and say "Hi".

And here's the link to her Etsy shop to see more of her handmade baskets.

Happy Back to School, everyone,

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania and Where the Weekend Went...

It was Monday...All...Day...Today...

My day got off to a hectic start...

But, you can choose your attitude.

and, you can choose to make a great day!

Where the Weekend Went...

Hubby and I had a busy weekend,

starting with Friday Happy Hour Jazz at the Historic Ward Hotel.

Deb and her husband joined us for an evening of

fun, good food, and great music.

Deb and I are in-person friends and on-line friends, 

as we are both members of the OFG and PAFA teams on Etsy.

Stop by her blog and say Hi.

Deb and I didn't know this until a couple of weeks ago,

but our husbands met during college and have known each other a long time!

On Saturday, we were invited to a 50th birthday party for a long-time friend.

There was a lot of delicious food...

And lots of good friends that we hadn't seen for a while.

There were people in the living room...

People in the dining room...

People in the garage...

And people in the kitchen.

A good time was had by all!

On Sunday, I was invited to attend the baby shower 

of a former student/recent graduate.

 Aren't these just the sweetest girls?!

Here's the mommy-to-be with the grammy-to-be...

Of course, we played some games 

to bring out the competetive side in all of us...

The baby's name will be Natalie Faith...

and she will be the best dressed little girl on this side of the Mississippi River.

This little shower guest was given the honor of bringing the gifts to the mommy-to-be.

And, she took her job very seriously...

We had a lovely time.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend...

Best wishes for a Terrific Tuesday.

Take care,

~Natalie