Easter 2025 ~Now a Memory

These Retired Empty Nesters celebrated Easter at home,

keeping with all of our Holiday Traditions.

One would never know I taught all about the color wheel

in my Fashion and Interior Design classes.

I was sure that mixing Red and Blue creates Violet…

not brown.

Throughout the week I gathered all things Easter in a basket.

Tablecloth, appetizer plates and napkins, dinner napkins,

centerpieces, and more.

The colors of Spring are warm and bright, fresh, alive, and new.

They symbolize nature, hope, and feeling alive.

Remember, I’ve posted that Peanut Butter M&Ms are the superior Variety…

So I was delighted to find them in the Easter Colors.

They look like little eggs and are perfect on my Bird Nest Cookies.

I delivered some to our neighbors,

and this Smile is all the Thanks I need.

Easter Greetings from family and friends is 

a highlight of any holiday season…

Whether they are in our mailbox.

Or out on our driveway.

This made my day.

Thanks, guys.

It was beautiful weather to enjoy

 some backyard fun with the neighbors.

Sunshine, fresh air, and fellowship with friends.

We have much to be thankful for.

Above all, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

the triumph of life over death, offering hope and joy,

 and the promise of Eternal Life.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Things in our House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make me Smile ~Spring Cleaning Report ~Day One

The Foyer is the introduction to your home.

The Colors and Style should be a hint as to what is

expected when welcomed inside.

I acquired that vintage chair from the Normania School

which was a mile from our Farmhouse.

When I re-finished it, there were layers and layers and layers

 of paint to scrape.

It was a labor of love.

I purchased the doll that summer when I stayed with

my elderly mother to take care of her needs.

Mom thought it was the homeliest doll she had ever seen.

I really like her. She wears a comfortable cotton dress,

 the bodice is adorned with delicate lace.

And attached to her waistline, a pincushion,

a card of vintage buttons,

and my Great Aunt Birdie’s sewing scissors.

Everything is back in its place in our Living Room, as well.

Here’s a few keepsakes that are gifts from

 some special people in my life.

“Families fill our lives with happiness and laughter…

leaving us moments to treasure today and forever after”

This is Great Aunt Birdie’s sewing machine.

It still works, as Aunt Mona used it for making quilts for our 

church, before she moved to Assisted Living and gifted

the family heirloom to me.

Grandma Hilda’s hats…very fancy.

I named her Tillie.

She has the sweetest heart-shaped lips to greet those who enter,

and send good wishes, as one goes out the door.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~But First, Sweet Preschool Memories ~Finding Balance ~Cooking, Cleaning, Crafting, and Self Care

All you parents and grandparents know how busy Preschoolers are.

I came equipped with supplies for some of the projects

I  remember from my teaching days.

Gently-used Tissue Paper, cut into 3 inch squares, scrunched, then dipped

in school glue created these colorful Easter Eggs.

Jojo, Mama, and this Gigi each made one.

This project was a favorite of my High School Students

when we worked with Preschool Children.

The greatest challenge is getting your child to lie still

while you trace around their body.

There were lots of giggles, I guess it tickles.

Daddy joined us on the floor to

add creative embellishments.

Moose was a very good boy and earned a sticker.

Marble painting, another Preschool Favorite.

You can use a box lid or an old cake pan.

Attach the paper with a little tape, add some little globs of paint,

place marbles in the corners, and then Let Them Roll!

I love how Jojo’s Marble Paintings turned out.

Our time with family went fast,

we had a fabulous time,

we made sweet memories.

Crafting

I am thankful that Hubby prefers to drive.

I like to ride shotgun and work on my creative projects.

Cooking

We’ve enjoyed these Home cooked Meals since we’ve been home.

I love this time of year when Hubby can prepare the protein out on the grill,

and I prepare the side dish indoors. This is Chicken Thighs and Pasta Carbonara.

This is Korean Beef on Noodles.

I like a little salad with every dinner.

Spring Cleaning 2025

For as long as I remember, I dive into deep cleaning our house every spring.

When teaching, I often started in June when school was out for summer.

In retirement, I can start when we return from our Spring Break Trip. 

Going Room by Room (remember that show?)

This week, I began in the Foyer.

The Living Room takes quite a bit longer.

This year, I had help…

Meet Miss Rachel. She helps us out twice  month.

We chat enough to keep up on each other’s life,

and then it’s right to work.

I appreciate her, her work ethic,

her energy, and her attention to detail.

Thank you, Rachel.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

National Pet Day ~Here’s my Report

In this family, we have always been Cat People.

This beautiful cat was gifted to us by a teacher friend, Mr. Sanderson.

He had invited us out to their farm to ride of of his horses

and we came home with a kitten.

The girls named her Patsy, after a cat in one of their favorite books.

This is Callie, she was rescued by a police office, downtown, in a back ally.

She had climbed into the engine of a vehicle,

and her tail was ripped off when the car was started.

Doc Swenson repaired her little bottom and she needed a family

to look after her over the weekend. Naturally, we couldn’t give her back.

She was the best helper cat and she followed me around  from

 room to room as I did my everyday house chores.

Meet Lucy, another Rescue…

This time by a local realtor, showing a home.

This tiny tiny orphan was found in the backyard by the swimming pool.

The mother cat had fallen into the pool, and you can guess the rest.

Lucy was so small she fit in a Sneaker.

Jasmine was abandoned by her first family, who no longer wanted her.

They took her to the Animal Clinic and said to “just put her down”.

We decided to give her a home in her Senior years.

She was a beautiful cat, and so very social.

She even had her own chair in Hubby’s Woodshop to watch him create.

She was not intimidated by the loud noises.

Lizzie rescued herself by running into the Sanford Healthcare Facility.

Not sure why she was in that parking lot, but if someone had dropped her off,

they missed out on owning a very special cat.

She loved our whole family and everyone that visited us in our home.

And now, there’s these two, that make us smile.

Gracie and Mazzie are sisters that rough-house like siblings,

and then cuddle at naptime.

Thanks for following along on my trip down Memory Lane.

A Pet makes your House a Home!

Take care,

~Natalie 

Spring Break Road Trip ~Finding Joy in the Little Things

Our Annual Spring Break Trip to visit family

included a special assignment this year.

This Papa and Gigi stayed with Baby Boy’s Big Sister

and took care of her needs while her parents were in the hospital.

Papa drove her to Preschool, and picked her up every single day.

He enjoyed listing to her sweet voice as she sang

or chatted with her stuffed animals.

I rode along a couple times, too…

…especially when our plan was to stop at the park on the way home.

Playing outside after dinner is definitely a treat…

It was perfect weather for bubbles.

We certainly appreciated that warm sunshine, as

this was what was happening at home.

Thanks, Brum, for this reminder that it is still

winter in the Dakotas.

Moose introduced himself

to the newest member of the family.

Those two are sure to be Best Buddies someday.

Find Joy in the little things…

Sunshine, Bubbles, Swings & Slides, our Furry Friends,

and Spending time with Family.

We are Blessed!

Take care,

~Natalie 

Spring Break Road Trip to Visit Family ~and to Meet Baby Boy

We woke to news of a new baby in our family.

This Papa and Gigi got a sneak peek of that little guy,

when he was less than 24 hours old.

Check out the tiny ankle monitors that the

 newborns wear for security reasons.

Check out Baby Boy’s long toes!

This little girl is officially a big sister now.

She is going to teach that Baby Boy everything she knows.

He is going to be so smart.

One of my favorite things about staying with family

is  getting up early, sitting with my cup of coffee, and

visiting with the grandchildren while they

eat breakfast before leaving for school.

It’s fun to follow their afterschool activities.

It was  beautiful evening for a little T-Ball.

With Baby Boy and his parents in the hospital,

it was wonderful have the distraction of staying with family…

…especially when there are chocolate chip cookies

 and ice cream for dessert.

And then, this happened…

Such a tender moment between Big Sister and Baby Brother.

Siblings and Best Friends for Life.

Take care,

~Natalie