Sunday Blessings ~Quitters Day ~New Year, Fresh Start ~My Word for 2026

I hope you all had a great start to our New Year,

grateful for the accomplishments and blessings of the previous year,

and looking ahead at new beginnings…

A fresh start.

Do you have a 2026 Resolution? 

Or, maybe you call them “Intensions”??

If you are sticking to your new goals,

Congratulations! Keep up the Good Work!!

This Friday was Quitters Day.

Studies show that 80% of people have given up

on their resolutions by the second Friday in January.

I’d rather choose a Word for the Year.

By focusing on a single theme, it becomes a habit.

In 2022, my word was “Organize” and yes, I’m still working on that.

“A place for everything, and everything in its place”

“Gratitude” was my word for 2023.

I am Blessed, and for that, I am Thankful.

For 2024, my focus was “Joy”

This was perhaps my favorite…looking for something

 that brings me Joy, every single day.

I enjoyed finding Joy in the Little Things.

Last year, my word was “Balance” and

This one needs more work.

So, along with Counting my Blessings,

Looking for Joy in the Little Things,

Finding Balance in my Days,

Here is my Word for 2026…

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Storing Away our Christmas

It appears our cats are questioning this.

Why are we putting all this away?

While the warm glow of Christmas Tree lights are gone,

We carry the lasting gifts of Peace, Love, Joy, Hope,

and Friendship into the New Year.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Welcome 2026 ~Our Holiday Report

Christmas is now a Memory…

Visions of Sugarplums Dance in my Head.

A couple of weeks have passed since my last post.

And it was not because our days were not blog worthy.

Here’s my Report.

Christmas Eve Worship services at Zion…

…Followed by a lovely evening with good friends.

We retired empty nesters shared good food

and great conversation with another couple who was

also spending the evening, just the two of them.

Together we created a charcuterie spread of meats, cheeses,

crackers, dips, shrimp, fruits, and veggies.

Thank you, Brum and Katzy.

We prepared and brought Christmas Day dinner to

Hubby’s Mother in her Assisted Living Facility.

She was a pretty Happy Great Grandma.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing our daughters gather

their families together to celebrate a Holiday.

Our grandchildren love spending time with their cousins.

Thanks to Friends and Family,

we had some packages under our tree.

Those Friends and Family, they spoil me.

Consumable items make the best gifts for Seniors.

Homemade Spiced Nuts savory for snacking, and

the Dark Chocolate Cherries are decadent.

We look forward to trying the Honey Mustard and Maple Butter.

More Kitchen Goodies.

Self-Care products include Lotion, Shower Steamers,

a new Make-Up Bag, and Comfy Cozy Pajamas.

New Years Eve found us here,

Sharing an appetizer, and toasting to our memories of 2025.

Celebrating the New Year with Friends,

cheering for the NSU Wolves Basketball Team.

I hope you had a delightful Holiday Season,

along with plenty of rest and relaxation.

Wishing you Peace, Joy, Love, 

 and much Success for the New Year.

Take care,

~Natalie

It’s Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas…the most Magical Time of the Year.

Our Grandsons had a little chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Hubby has been quite busy in his wood-shop,

as he has his creations on display at a local downtown boutique,

the Tumbleweed Market.

These trees are new this year, and are Mazzie approved. 

From my Sewing Studio, this Santa.

He was a special order for a friend of mine.

Gracie was good help checking the lights for our tree.

As soon as the tree was decorated,

Mazzie found the perfect spot to relax and

enjoy the warm glow of the lights.

I switched out my dishes to reflect what’s happening outside.

Yes, I packed up the dishes with flowers, and brought out the Snowmen.

Our soup of the week was Lasagna Soup.

Hubby’s hand-turned candle holders adorn our table.

Battery candles were such a smart idea.

There is nothing cozier that a

Christmas Tree all lit up.

Enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season

with those that you love.

Take care,

~Natalie

Welcome December ~Thanksgiving Weekend Report

It’s a New Day, a New Week, and a New Month.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Thanksgiving 2025

We prepared our meal in five Crockpots and transported 

 it to Great Grandma at her Assisted Living Facility.

She’s 96, she is doing well, and

She looks so happy.

We kept the meal prep and cleanup simple with

paper plates and an easy appetizer.

The five crockpots were filled with a Turkey Breast, Stuffing,

Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Creamed Corn.

This photo greeting came across the miles…

Seeing our daughters and their families

celebrating together brings me Joy.

Friendly Mail also brings me Joy.

Black Friday Blizzard.

On-line Shopping brings me Joy…

Shopping at home, cozy and warm, wearing comfy clothes,

Sipping coffee with a cat by my side.

Notice how the fresh snow actually sparkles.

Yep, those are Bunny Tracks.

It’s tradition for these Retired Empty Nesters to go out on 

Small Business Saturday.

First Stop, Natural Abundance.

At Novel Ideas, we purchased books for each of the Grandchildren.

This is my friend Kristi, she and her hubby

provided wonderful personal customer service,

typical in a locally owned boutique.

Next stop, The Tumbleweed Market.

Here’s Hubby with his second cousin, Tammy.

She and her daughter, Amber, are the new owners

of this charming boutique.

The Tumbleweed Market has something for everyone.

Perhaps you’ll recognize Hubby’s Hand Turned Wooden Trees.

We stopped for a lunch break in a local Bar & Grill.

Lagers has the best Chicken Tenders in town,

So we shared a basket.

We both stayed creative this weekend, Hubby in his Woodshop…

These little trees have become best sellers.

…And me, in my Sewing Studio.

I had this Special Order Santa to finish.

How are you doing on your Shopping List?

This is a great checklist when shopping for Grandchildren.

Today is Cyber Monday.

In addition to shopping your local small business,

remember to check out the Etsy Shops.

When you shop handmade, and make a purchase,

there’s an artist somewhere

doing a Happy Dance.

 Take care,

~Natalie

Thanksgiving 2025 ~A Bounty of Blessings ~Celebrating Friends, Football, and Good Food

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

When hosting the Thanksgiving Meal in our home, I start early in the week,

gathering recipes, making grocery lists, creating a preparation schedule,

and coordinating table linens and serving pieces.

Gracie was focused on this Today Show Segment,

“Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving”

In case you missed it, this was the Big News last week.

Dr. Alan LaFave was named the new President of 

Northern State University.

 Yes, our good friends are coming back to Aberdeen.

Alan and Hubby became friends over four decades ago,

when they were undergrad music majors at NSU.

We attended the reception in his honor.

Our Celebration moved from Alan’s reception on Campus,

to a dinner out, celebrating Bob and Paula’s Anniversary.

We all have much to be thankful for.

The next morning we were up early, dressed in our Spirit Gear,

to make the trip to Fargo for the Bison Game.

Game Day would not be complete without spending time

with College Friends in the Tailgating Lot.

I loved catching up with this “old” roommate.

The atmosphere in the FargoDome is electric.

I am also thankful that we can watch the game indoors!

We attended games two weekends in a row…

And we saw two wins to finish their undefeated season.

We are thankful for the ability to travel,

for the opportunity to secure tickets, 

and especially for getting to visit with college friends.

There are so many things we are thankful for this year…

For our health, our family, and our friends.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with

the warmth and joy of the season.

Take care,

~Natalie