It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ~Christmas 2019 ~Countdown...10 days ~Memories of Christmas Past

Thank you, everyone, for your sweet comments on my last blog post.

Hubby and I are so excited to host Christmas

for our family this year. 

After my morning coffee,

I start working through my To Do List.

Check out this cute plastic plate and bowl

that I found at Walmart. I bought a set just so Jack

can have his own special place setting.

It coordinates with this little plate I found at Target

that he can use for breakfast and snacks.

I washed up all the Christmas kitchen towels

and included all of the Lefsa cloths,

just in case we girls get a chance to make a batch.

I gathered all of the Christmas napkins I could find

in my stash...some paper, some cloth.

I also brought my snowman dishes out of storage.

They are all here on the counter waiting to

run through a cycle in the dishwasher.

I have not used them for years. I forgot how cute they are!

Plus, snowman dishes can stay in my cupboard until spring.

This is another photo from Christmas Eve 2014.

This year, we will set another place for Jack!

Enjoy the Holiday Season.

Spend time with family and friends!

Take care,

~Natalie

A Ninetieth Birthday Celebration ~Here’s My Report

My Mother-in-Law had a milestone birthday on Friday.

When one turns 90,

they deserve to celebrate all weekend long.

We all enjoyed a dinner out with family.

She has always appreciated a bouquet of flowers for her table, 

so this was our gift to her.

They graced our table at the restaurant and

again the next day at her coffee party.

She insisted that she did not want to have a big party 

for her big birthday, so we planned a 

small intimate gathering with cupcakes and coffee

for her closest friends and neighbors.

It was perfect for a weekend afternoon.

The Birthday Girl and her guests enjoyed

the sweet treats and good conversation.

Thank you to everyone that has

also sent Greeting Cards with personal notes.

This next photo showed up in my Facebook Memories...

taken the day of her 80th Birthday Reception.

My Oh My, we all look young here!

Cherish the time you spend with your family.

Such sweet memories.

Take care,

~Natalie

Easter Weekend 2019 ~The Empty Nester’s Report

It was a beautiful Holiday Weekend.

My Newsfeed was filled with family photos 

with Easter Greetings.

I enjoyed seeing your children and grandchildren.

My, how they’ve all grown!

Hubby colored the eggs with me.

Since our kids were little, we always used cups with handles.

It gives them something easy to grip, and not spill!

Another tip is to drip dry the eggs on a wire cooling rack.

I baked another loaf of the Rustic Artisan Bread.

Do not be intimidated by Roomba.

The Easter Bunny stopped by early with a plant...

Beautiful buds, and the bulbs can be planted to last all summer.

Last year I found this tablecloth and centerpiece 

in the Target Clearance aisle.

I was happy to re-discover it this spring in my Easter Storage Tote.

Easter Sunday Worship at Zion.

Unless, you have small children, 

or a cat that cruises your table top, 

you can arrange your place settings early.

I like to set out all my serving pieces, too.

Then you have more time to visit when your guests arrive.

We served Ham, Grilled Salmon,

Baked Potatoes, Spring Berry Salad,

Grilled Asparagus and Roasted Carrots.

It was my Sister in Law’s Birthday,

So my MIL baked a cake.

After the meal, she opened her gifts.

MIL brought a hostess gift for me too!

It was a fresh smelling candle for summer.

The Easter Bunny left this very cute basket on the counter.

I like to keep my bunny decor out for a while.

Happy Spring, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Merry Christmas to our Family and Friends ~Our Celebration ~~A Little Peak at our Christmas Past

We are sending Christmas Wishes from our family to yours.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family.

Here’s a look at how we celebrated here.

There is a box of Hubby’s Toys in our attic.

 I thought it would be fun to create a Centerpiece 

with one of his Vintage Pickups decorated with a wreath 

and a couple of Christmas trees.

Emily knew what I was up to and sent 

the Holiday napkins to complete our appetizer table.

Thanks to my friend and neighbor,

I have these cute little Christmas bowls for my snack mix.

These are the napkins that I purchased in a Boutique,

when visiting our family in Boston.

On the Appetizer Menu,

Mini Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls...

And Raspberry Brie Bites.

These even look like Christmas, Don’t they?!

Grandma’s Table looked beautiful today 

with the centerpiece that she received from family.

And speaking of family,

Here’s a photo from Christmas past.

Our daughters helping Grandpa play Santa 

on Christmas Day was a special tradition.

I hope you all made sweet memories today.

Take care. 

~Natalie 

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Thanksgiving Preparations

It’s Thanksgiving Eve.

Today was the first time...ever, 

that I have had a day for pre-preparations.

Remember those appetizer plates that I found at Target for 90% off.

They are washed and on the table.

I found Thanksgiving napkins in my stash of Holiday supplies.

I used items from around our house 

to create a centerpiece for our table.

I had pinecones, mini pumpkins, and fall floral picks on hand.

I cut bread for the stuffing 

into cubes and toasted it in the oven.

It warmed my heart 

when I brought out my Thanksgiving box 

and found these towels that I received 

from a good friend. 

Thank you, Debra.

And whoooo’s coming to dinner?

Our group is small.

Hubby’s mother and sister, 

and Dr. Robyn, from our Animal Care Clinic.

This photo of a Pumpkin shaped Cheese Ball 

showed up in my Instagram Feed this week. 

It is from the Today Show’s Food page.

It starts with two bricks of cream cheese,

Roasted Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, 

and Worcestershire Sauce.

After that is thoroughly mixed, 

fold in red pepper and green onion.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese is added,

And used to coat the outside of the cheese ball.

Here’s the magical part. 

It is wrapped tightly with plastic wrap, 

and shaped with rubber bands.

I can’t wait to open it tomorrow!

If you are interested in the recipe 

it can be found on my Thanksgiving Board on my Pinterest Page.

Follow the link in my blog’s left sidebar.

Cranberries were next.

I have tried a variety of recipes over the years,

but always come back to the one on the label.

Fresh Cranberries

Water & Sugar

Simmer, then cool.

I love how all the flavors compliment each other.

But most of all, I love spending time with family, 

giving thanks for all of our life’s blessings.

Best wishes for a warm 

and wonderful Thanksgiving.

Take care,

~Natalie