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

Handmade Market 2024 ~Today, Saturday, October 19, 11am to 4pm ~See Y’All There

These Retired Empty Nesters returned from their

Annual Fall Foliage Trip just ten days ago.

Our focus turned to creating new items

for the upcoming Makers Markets.

All those hours in the car provided me with the 

opportunity to do some hand sewing.

Beautiful items…hot off the lathe.

We both took inventory, priced, and packed our creations.

Set up…this is how it starts.

Remember, last year we divided our booth into His & Hers.

And we have plenty of items that complement each other.

I love Autumn decor that you can leave out through Thanksgiving.

And carrots are good all year long.

Stop by my Pumpkin Patch.

All those trees in Hubby’s Wood Shop are now here.

The Bottle Openers and Muddlers are always

a great Stocking Stuffer for your favorite Bartender.

While trees are always popular at Christmas,

Hubby has made a couple just for me

and I keep them on display all year.

Here’s another look at that bowl.

Check out that impressive live edge.

This is one of my favorites.

It’s a lovely autumn day.

A great day to stop out at the DEC

and stroll through the Market.

Take care,

~Natalie

Fall Foliage Trip ~The Way Home ~Lunch Break ~Sunset ~Niagara Falls

This was July 2012, the Summer our daughter moved to Boston.

We didn’t have a lot of time, nor our passports,

 but we made a quick stop at Niagara Falls, the American side.

This year, another trip to Massachusetts,

provided the opportunity to see the Falls again.

After a wonderful week together on the Beach,

we enjoyed breakfast together before saying goodbye.

Yes, we are all wearing our matching Jett Foundation Zip-Ups.

This Papa and Gigi headed north for a little Leaf Peepin’.

You might remember last year that was our plan,

however it rained…and even snowed…

every single day on our way home.

After four hours in the car, we need a break to stretch

our legs and have a little lunch.

The Cheesecake Factory Salads did not disappoint.

Chicken Breast, Rice Noodles, Green Onion, Almonds, Crisp WonTons,

Bean Sprouts, Oranges, Sesame Seeds, Chinese Plum Dressing

Glazed Beets, Quinoa, Avocado, Fresh Orange,

Arugula, Honey Yogurt Sauce

That lunch was just what we needed for the drive to Niagara Falls.

Our day started with an incredible Sunrise,

 and ended with a beautiful Sunset.

With Passports in hand, the next morning we drove across

the International Rainbow Bridge, which connects the cities of

Niagara Falls, New York 🇺🇸 and Niagara Falls, Ontario 🇨🇦 

Most folks, even the Locals, recommend visiting the Falls

on the Canadian side. It is clean. It feels safe,

and it is simply amazing. 

Plus, from this viewpoint, one can also enjoy the American Falls.

See the mist? See the wet walkway?

Yep, it’s like it’s raining.

We recommend bringing a raincoat, a hat,

or a change of dry clothes in the car.

All that moisture leads to the beautiful green and lush

landscaping along the walkway.

And an occasional rainbow in the grass.

The Maid of the Mist Boat Tour provides

an up-close encounter with the Falls.

We hear it’s pretty spectacular, however,

we weren’t planning to spend that much time there.

There was a long line for tickets and to board.

I think it would be delightful on a hot summer day!

We returned to the Visitors Center looking like a

couple of Drowned Rats, along with everyone else there.

But it was totally worth it.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie