Happy Weekend ~Countdown to Winterfest ~In the Sewing Studio ~Out in the Woodshop ~Plus a Couple of Road Trips

These Retired Empty Nesters took a break from House Chores

and Creative Projects for an overnight road trip

to cheer on our favorite college football team

in their last home game of the season.

We all watched with pride as our friend was chosen as an

Honorary Captain and took part in the Coin Toss.

Congratulations, Keith and Cathy!

Countdown to Winterfest = Six Days

We’ve all been busy making finishing touches

on our projects in the Sewing Studio…

…and out in the Wood Shop.

Road trips provide the perfect opportunity for my hand stitching.

Stay turned to see how these Santas come together.

Remember when we cleaned out our storage unit?

Remember..there were five old bicycles??

We finally made contact with the gentleman that refurbishes

old bikes to donate to kids that are less fortunate.

So, a quick road trip to deliver the bikes to the Broken Wheel.

I tried a new recipe for Game Day food…

Bacon wrapped Chicken Bites with a Brown Sugar Glaze.

Helper Cat keeps me company as I tediously stuff my Santas.

The football game was a nice getaway for us.

Mark your calendars and plan to attend Winterfest

this next weekend.

Mazzie says you won’t be disappointed.

Take care,

~Natalie 

 

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Here’s my Report ~Countdown to Winterfest ~Sixteen Days ~Helper Cats Doin’ their Job

Our morning starts early with the To-Do Lists,

Messages, and Inspirational Readings.

On the top of the To-Do list is making finishing touches

 on our creations for the upcoming Winterfest.

These Santas are waiting for some hand-stitching…

along with their belts.

With two weeks to go, we are cutting out another Santa.

Y’All remember that I stay busy with hand-stitching

while riding shotgun on our Road Trips.

These are the tedious Gnome Noses.

The larger noses complete these guys.

And the smaller noses finish off

another batch of these wine bottle toppers.

Out in the Woodshop, the lathe has been spinning.

These are all new trees, some in the natural wood color,

some stained green, and some white-washed.

Hand turned wooden vases and candle holders

can become a part of your Holiday Centerpiece.

Hubby also uses his precious time at the lathe to create

pedestals for some of my Santas and Snowmen.

Be sure to put Winterfest on your calendar.

November 23 & 24

You will experience good food, music, and talented vendors.

There’s something for everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Weekend Went ~Friends & Football ~Halloween Report ~A Tasty Pizza ~Helper Cats

Fifty Year Friendship.

We four met as Freshmen in College,

pledged Kappa Delta, and became sisters and good friends.

I love visiting with our friends just as much as watching the  game.

We kicked off our Weekend fun with Halloween.

I enjoy the children that come to our door in their costumes,

Especially these neighbor boys.

It has been watching them grow up right before our eyes.

We cherish the photos that we get across the miles.

Our grandsons dressed as an astronaut and fighter pilot.

And our granddaughter was a Princess by day…

…and a Dinosaur by night.

I can just imagine that “Roar”.

Between Trick or Treaters, I prepared a Homemade Pizza.

This Italian Sausage & Carmelized Onion is a favorite.

There’s hope for our Mischievous Kittens.

They may just grow up and be good Helper Cats.

They’re most interested in the Sewing Machine.

Gotta keep those Paws clear of the needle.

I hope y’all had a great weekend and a

good start to the New Week.

Take care,

~Natalie

Home Sweet Home ~Last Leg of our Fall Foliage Trip ~A Brewery Tour

Y’All know that we’ve been home for a couple of weeks.

This was the highlight of our last day on the road.

Leaf Peepin’ through Wisconsin.

These Retired Empty Nesters cannot spend ten hours

in the vehicle without taking a mid-day break.

It is Octoberfest in Chippewa Falls.

This was our tenth, and probably not final, brewery tour together.

We registered online, and when checking in,

we were issued Four Tasting Tickets.

I appreciated having one of my samples

before the tour started.

There’s a lot of history behind these walls.

Established in 1867, it’s a big part of this community.

With vintage charm on the exterior, the inside is modern,

 and an up-to-date brewing process.

A brewery tour on a weekday is ideal, as one can experience

the whole process. We were there on a Sunday,

so saw a video of the bottling of their tasty brew.

I liked their workplace philosophy.

Our tour guide was knowledgeable and delightful.

Thank you, Leinengugel Brewery.

Our tour finished back in the Lodge, for our last sample,

 a salty snack, and a little shopping.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Home Sweet Home ~How We Got Here ~Leaf Peepin’ ~Good Food ~Big Bridges ~Great Lakes

Most of you know we are home, however

I have a couple more highlights of our trip to share.

This year we had plenty of sunshine to bring out

the rich warm colors of the Fall Foliage.

We left Niagara Falls and enjoyed the drive across Ontario.

A couple of hours in the vehicle allowed time

for us to dry before taking a break.

When in Canada, one must order Poutine.

Back in the States, next stop Mackinaw City.

No, we didn’t get to Mackinac Island this time.

That’s a whole separate trip, and is still on my “bucket list”

Yes, we were eating again.

A beautiful Visitor Center, Gift Shop, and Museum there.

The Mackinac Bridge is the seventh longest suspension bridge

in the world, and the longest in the Western Hemisphere.

It opened in 1957 and is 5 miles long.

It connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan,

uniting the communities of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.

Our route took us along the shores of Lake Michigan.

We saw four of the five Great Lakes on this trip.

It was a beautiful day for Leaf Peepin’

It has been two weeks since we

pulled into our driveway.

As you know, when returning home from a trip,

the first few days are all about the re-entry process.

Then our focus turned to the Handmade Market.

Thank you to everyone that stopped by to visit,

and especially thanks for your purchases.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie