Our Annual Spring Trip South ~Week One Report

Our Fourth Annual Spring Break Trip South…

We escape the Spring Snowstorms in the Dakotas,

plus we get to spend time with our family.

That’s the best part.

As you know, we prefer to drive,

as we enjoy seeing the countryside. We travel through seven states:

South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia.

And we cross five big Rivers:

Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Missouri.

You also probably remember, we stop for lunch, and for years,

we have been searching for the best burger.

So far, the best one might be in Wahpeton, North Dakota.

Frequent stops allow us to get out of the vehicle

to stretch our legs and to get some steps.

This pretty view is at a Rest Area in Tennessee.

That’s Lake Nickajack.

We stayed with Emily’s family for the first week.

Hubby and Moose watched a little 

March Madness together.

Our Budding Artist

There was quite a story to this creation.

Gigi was invited to add just a few Blue Birds in the sky.

This little guy is about ready to walk.

We spent a day at the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo.

It features over 100 exotic and native animals.

They have been rescued due to being orphaned, abused, illegally purchased, 

or just in need of a forever home.

The animals appreciate donations of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.

They welcome gifts of Toddler Toys for the little monkeys…

Especially toys that the monkeys can sit on.

Our favorite was a darling little baby bear. 

When we got home,

Jojo and Gigi made Homemade Pizzas for dinner…

One Pepperoni & Black Olive

One Chicken Alfredo

Making Sweet Memories

Stay tuned to see my Easter Report and all about Week Two!

Take care,

~Natalie 

What Happened to March? Here’s my Report ~In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb ~We are Blessed

We say goodbye to March, as we celebrate Spring and Easter week.

Our new Holiday Table Decor passes inspection.

In the Dakotas, March came in like a Lion.

We celebrated being with good friends, attending a Spring Concert.

It was the annual Northern State University Jazz Festival,

featuring guest musicians and a band that combines students from

 the university, high school, and even the middle school.

Those are some talented kids!

A second March snowstorm came two weeks after the first,

and after all that first snow had melted.

We enjoyed Hubby's Corned Beef Hash, twice,

to celebrate St.Patricks Day.

Holiday table decor makes me smile.

Our furry friends like it, too.

Hubby stayed busy in his Woodshop, nearly every day,

creating trees, vases, bowls…

…and hand turning wooden carrots for me to paint

and embellish with greens.

They’re a good collaboration between Hubby at his lathe

and me at my work table

Several bundles of carrots sold in my Etsy Shop

and to local friends.

Last, but not least, we spent time planning, packing,

and preparing for our annual Spring Trip to visit our family.

So at the end of another month, we give thanks for our blessings…

a warm home, good food, comfortable clothing,

wonderful friends, and a loving family.

Take care,

~Natalie

Irish Kisses and Shamrock Wishes

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, Family and Friends 🍀

One doesn’t have to be Irish to celebrate with wishes for

luck, blessings, happiness, and cheer.

And maybe a little green-themed fun.

Hubby’s Corned Beef Hash is on our Menu.

We’re looking forward to our annual Spring Trip to visit our family.

This was St. Patrick’s Day, two years ago.

Making Sweet Memories

Thinking of you and Wishing you a Day filled with Joy.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Wishing a Happy Happy Birthday to our Dear Emily

Celebrating our Daughter Emily today.

We are proud of the Woman you have become.

You are strong, smart, and beautiful,

balancing your life as wife, mother, career woman,

daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Here you are, just a few hours old.

A typical March Blizzard had us all snowed in the Hospital.

Before Social Media,

We announced babies with sweet little cards, 

delivered by Snail Mail.

While your Sister made us parents,

You made our family of four complete.

You two sisters often played school,

and you were rewarded with stickers for a Job Well Done.

You brought love, laughter, and joy to our family.

You are a lifelong blessing.

Have a delightful day.

Take care,

~Natalie

 

Happy Caturday

“Squirrel”

🐿️ 

Make it a great weekend, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

The Little Things that Make me Smile ~Dress Forms, continued

Thank you, everyone, that left kind comments on my previous post,

Welcoming the new Vintage Dress Form to my Collection.

My friend, Joan, asked how many I have?

These two stand proudly on my Bathroom Vanity.

The girl on the left wears two precious necklaces.

On the longest chain, a sweet gold heart shaped locket.

My Grandpa Gus was so proud to gift each of his granddaughters

with a gold necklace. Some got a cross, some of us, a locket.

Someday, I’ll pass this necklace on to our only granddaughter.

Google image

The other is a Sølje Necklace.

A piece of Norwegian Traditional Silver Jewelry.

Its dangling spoons are to reflect evil away from the wearer,

protecting one from trolls and other dangers.

Perhaps I should be wearing that one?!

There’s just one dress form in our bedroom.

She’s also wearing a very special chocker necklace.

You might recognize it from this photo.

Yes, my mother wore that on their Wedding Day

In 1946.

Entering my Sewing Studio,

This little dress form is the first thing you see.

She wearing a hand-stitched message 

for Blessings.

So, in the Studio, this dress form is wearing

an antique gold watch.

Oh, how my mother treasured this piece.

It once belonged to her Aunt Birdie.

This wall hanging was a gift from my sister-in-law.

As well as, this dress form pin cushion.

Thank you, Stacy.

Last, but certainly not least,

is my Working Girl.

She was my first, and I use her when taking photos for my

Etsy Shop and the On-line Rummage Sale.

Now you’ve met all my ladies…

Some are vintage, Some young girls,

Some are Working Girls, Some are for decoration.

All are special in their own way.

Take care,

~Natalie

Welcome to this Old Lady~I Love all Things Vintage ~Meet all my Old Ladies ~Thank You Hubby

If you have known me for a while, or have been to our home,

you know that I love Antiques…

plus I have an obsession with dress forms.

This past week, we welcomed this new Old Lady.

Hubby found her in an On-Line Auction site.

He checked in often to make sure he

was winning the bidding war.

His persistence paid off.

She has a cage and her stand is on wheels,

making it easy to move her around.

Here’s a close up of her ID tag.

She is adorned with decorative metal hardware.

So, here’s a similar dress form listed on Etsy…

For a mere $825.

And why do I have this obsession with dress forms?

I think it started when I was a little girl.

My mother had a dress form and I loved to watch her

as she was fitting and pinning her new garment.

When I went to college and majored in

Fashion and Textiles & Clothing,

we were each assigned a dress form in the

 Clothing Construction Lab.

Not sure if my other “ladies” are jealous?

This was my first…we purchased her in a great little

Antique Boutique near Rochester, Minnesota.

We were visiting our daughter when she worked at Mayo Clinic.

She is posing here with a Vintage Sewing Machine

that belonged to my Great Aunt Birdie.

She also taught Home Economics.

After Birdie died, that machine ended up with my Aunt Mona,

who used it to sew quilts for the Church.

And when Mona was moving to a smaller place,

it was delivered to me.

This awesome dress form was a gift from a friend.

Thank you, Robyn.

She is posing with an Iranian Samovar,

A gift from my Aunty Vivian.

She sent it to our family from Tehran.

She and Uncle Jim were stationed there,

when he was in the Air Force.

Collect the things you Love.

Surround yourself with what brings you Joy.

Then, your House becomes your Story.

Take care,

~Natalie