It’s National Pumpkin Day ~A Versatile Fruit… Or is a Vegetable??

It’s a fruit, as it is a product of the seed-bearing structure

of flowering plants.

Or like I’d say to my 9th grade Basic Foods Class,

“It’s the fleshy part that surrounds the seeds”

Three decades ago, our daughters picked out their pumpkins

from the garden in Grandpa and Grandma’s backyard.

Hubby and I? We picked out our pumpkins

in the Garden Center at Menards.

We took our Cart Caravan inside to the Checkout Counter,

Hubby with the Corn Stalk and Pumpkins.

I was driving the cart with the Mums.

8

We had purchased smaller decorative pumpkins at

the ThunderMart a few weeks ago.

They work well with Hubby’s Hand-turned Vases

for a centerpiece. 

I love the pop of color that pumpkins bring to Fall Decor.

An outing to a Pumpkin Farm is great fun

for families with young children…

…and Grandparents.

And there’s something for everyone at a Pumpkin Farm…

Hay Rides, Corn Mazes, Petting Zoo and 

Snacking on Apple Cider Donuts!

You know who else likes snacking on pumpkins?

Yep, the squirrels.

Callie seems dismayed by this situation.

Here’s a pumpkin patch of non-edidble pumpkins

for our booth at the Makers Markets.

The biggest challenge is finding sweaters in the

 pumpkin orange and rust colors.

And what pumpkin is edible?

This savory cheese ball.

This is easy to create with a little plastic wrap and some rubber bands.

Start with either a homemade or a purchased cheese ball,

just remember to save a stem from a bell pepper.

Pumpkin also makes a decadent Cheesecake.

This one garnished with caramel and chopped pecans.

Here’s to Celebrating the Great Pumpkin.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Weekend Went ~Handmade Market ~Here’s my Report

It was a beautiful Sunny weekend. A little Breezy, a little Chilly…

However, it wasn’t raining and nice to go out and about.

We had a great turnout for the Handmade Market.

Our friend, Kari, was one of the first to stop by our booth.

Since we set up our booth the day before,

I had time to walk around and chat with some of the other artists.

You remember Meredith. We taught together at Central High School.

Her booth is the 1918 Dirt Road Decor.

She’s a busy young woman, as she’s also working on her Masters Degree,

along with supporting her husband on their farm.

Another friend, Paula, here in her booth, Rags 2 Stitches.

We also met at Central High School, during Parent Teacher Conferences.

Her boys were in my classes…great young men.

I enjoyed being their teacher.

A new friend, Lynn, of Aman Crafted Goods,

Upcycled, Handmade, Homegrown.

I love that!

Next Stop, Spruce Mallet Woodworking,

Another local Business.

We’ve also visited their booth at our Saturday’s Farmers Market.

Then I met these retired teachers, Jan Hillestad and Meri Erickson.

Jan’s business is Down Home Creations.

Meri has MLB Creations. 

I had to look for Karin to say Hello.

We met a few years ago.

I love how she and her hubby combine Tin & Wood.

Two of my favorite materials to work with.

Another local friend, Cheryl Olson.

Her talents were on display with one of her favorite creations,

Layered Shadowed Boxes.

Sooo very creative.

This sweet Mother / Daughter duo was directly across the aisle from us.

Sarah Suko and Laurie Suko.

They were wonderful neighbors and their creations were displayed in a booth called

Guided Steps by Design

psalm 37:23

We rented a double booth and set up with a His and Hers Side…

Here’s my Tins and Treasures display. “Upcycling” is my philosophy, too…

Vintage Wool Skirts & Coats

Hubby’s Cotton Button-up Shirts

Food Tins, Mop Heads, and Vintage Buttons from those Coats.

Hubby’s Geff’s Woodworks

He also doesn’t purchase new materials for his creations.

The wood comes from trees cut down on our farm, our own yard,

 and whenever our friends are having a tree service come to their property.

Hubby just might be there to check it out!

So, What’s up next for these Retired Empty Nesters?

More Bison Football

Winterfest and

A Thanksgiving Visit from Family

Take care,

~Natalie

Since we’ve been Home ~Countdown to the Handmade Market = Three Days ~Saturday, October 17th, 10 to 4, at The DEC

We traveled to the Cape and back again.

Hubby and I have been home for a week and have spent much

of our time in our Creative Spaces…

Hubby in his Wood Shop, and at the Lathe.

For me, I’m creating in my Sewing Studio, at the Kitchen Counter,

or on my lap..in the car..riding shotgun on a trip.

Those hand stitched messages are now decorative pillows.

Hubby’s Hand-turned Cedar Bowl is a Showcase Item.

This year’s batch, or I should say “flock”, of turkeys is created from

Vintage Wool. Yes, I cut up the Wool Skirts from my early teaching years.

Back in the day, Teachers dressed up in Skirts, Blazers,

pantyhose, and heels for school every day.

Hubby has created a wide variety of bowls…

So many that they all won’t fit on the display shelves.

He’s saving a couple of storage tubs of bowls for Winterfest,

which is November 21 & 22

French Hens for the 12 Days of Christmas

This bowl is one of my favorites,

The live edge and the color of the wood.

I created a new pattern for owls, using more of that Vintage Wool.

This year, Hubby has the largest stash of trees, ever.

There will be plenty of those saved for Winterfest, too.

More Owls. All the handstitching was done on one of our trips.

A rustic Fineal makes a unique gift.

A few Santas are packed and ready to go.

Most will make their appearance at Winterfest, as well.

Come out to the DEC on Saturday.

There will be something for everyone…I promise.

Stop by our booth and say Hello

Take care,

~Natalie

We Went to the Cape ~Gigi’s Day with the Grands ~Spending time with Grandchildren is Priceless

Our Main Event was the Jett Foundation Golf Tournament.

Since Mama was the Event Coordinator, she left the Airbnb early.

However, the grandchildren were up when the Golfers,

Daddy and Papa, left for the course.

This is how our day started.

Since we drove, we were able to bring some toys,

plus there were more toys at the Airbnb.

We took everything out!

Screen time for our grandchildren is limitied,

however I needed about 15 minutes to get lunch on the table.

This worked well.

The Airbnb’s kitchen was well equipped.

I discovered these little lunch trays in the cabinet which were perfect for

the cheese & meat, and the fruits & vegetables

When her little brother went down for his nap

I helped Jojo get “Fancy”

I curled her hair, and she applied some of my makeup…

Specifically the blush, eye shadow, and lipstick.

Then we had a photo shoot with

the pretty shells she collected on the beach.

Nap Time was short.

Perhaps little brother was having a little FOMO?

Gigi was helping Jojo with a little project,

I’m hoping maybe someday she’d like to learn to sew?!

We took a walk along the seawall. We threw rocks in the water.

This is the first day that we didn’t have rain.

We snacked on Yogurt and Oyster Crackers.

Whew…What a Day we had, 

making sweet memories.

Take care,

~Natalie