Monday Memories ~Counting our Blessings

We celebrate Hubby’s Birthday in August.

After walking around in the barns at the Brown Co Fair,

we were ready for air conditioning, a Birthday beverage, and lunch.

We enjoyed the goats, sheep, pigs, cows, bunnies,

And a variety of big birds…chickens, turkeys, ducks, 

Guinea fowl, and an Emu.

It was a perfect day to have ice cream for dinner.

My summer is not complete until I have had a Turtle Sundae…

Hot Fudge, Hot Caramel, and Chopped Pecans.

Speaking of Treats,

We’ve been enjoying these gifts of

Freshly Roasted Whole Bean Cowboy Coffee,

Gourmet Bear Snack Mix,

a Roasted Coffee Scented Candle

and, almost too pretty to use…

This beautiful set of Jams and Marmalade

created by Meghan Markle, herself, 

along with her Lifestyle Company called As Ever.

It was the one year anniversary of Hubby’s Heart Attack

and quadruple bypass surgery.

We are thankful for the Sanford Cardiac Team here

and at the Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

We are so blessed with this group of friends.

We all keep busy with work, travel, house chores & projects,

appointments, aging parents, and grandchildren.

We all gathered for an evening together,

the first time in months.

Savor what’s left of our Summer.

Take care,

~Natalie

Thankful Thursday ~It’s the Little Things that make me Smile

Like these memories.

You might remember it was a year ago that I

stayed with family to help with childcare.

This was Granddaughter’s Summer Birthday gift,

along with the promise to create these little projects together.

The kit contains separate packets with all the materials

needed to complete each project.

The popsicle sticks were already colored,

so no messy painting is involved.

Each packet contained simple instructions with illustrations…

Easy enough for a preschooler to follow with

just a little guidance from this Gigi.

Every preschooler loves stickers!

Getting those feathers to stick was a bit of a challenge!!

These were an exercise in patience and persistence.

Each of the colored pom poms was dipped in glue and carefully placed.

A perfect task for tiny three-year-old fingers.

Naturally, Moose wanted in on the action.

The memories make me smile.

Time spent with grandchildren is time well spent.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Home Again, Home Again ~Back to our Everyday Ordinary Routine

We’ve been home ten days now.

You all know the Re-Entry Routine…

Unpacking, Laundry, and Putting it all Away.

That all takes me a couple of days.

Hubby didn’t waste any time getting back to his lathe.

We’re both building our inventory for the Fall’s Makers Markets.

The hand-turned trees are his best seller, however

 these Wooden Vases have caught the eye of several customers.

The red hue is stunning, isn’t it?!

The Vase is turned from a Cedar fence post,

Which explains the natural crack from top to bottom…

…like the cracks in this weathered rustic fence post.

The tall Cedar Fencepost Vase is looking for a Forever Home.

As you know, when we go on a road trip, Hubby prefers to drive.

And I prefer to ride. The Road Atlas in my lap becomes my work table.

I had plenty of time to complete all the hand stitching for the eyes

and bellies on these Vintage Wool Owls. 

Decorative Pillows all Hand Stitched on a couple of Road Trips.

These Vintage Wool Owls are all created from up-cycled fabrics.

Hubby cut a live edge base for their support.

I saved my favorite for last,

this Boxelder Bowl with the live edge.

It measures ten inches across and is two inches tall.

 I love the grain in the wood, the splashes of red throughout,

and of course, the live edge.

Next? We’re creating Santa’s.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Memories ~It’s Been a Week ~Papa and Gigi in charge ~On our Way Home

It’s been a week since we said goodbye to our family,

and these beautiful, lush neighborhoods where our family lives.

The flowering Crape Myrtle Tree thrives in the sunny, 

warm climate of the Southern States.

This is my favorite route for a morning walk…

And it’s even more special with a Grandchild in a stroller!

Part of our time there was to provide childcare

 for grandchildren, while their parents were away for a wedding.

During the week, the kids spent the day at their preschool.

On the weekend, this Papa and Gigi were in charge.

We enjoyed a couple of hours at an indoor Play Park.

The space is divided into age appropriate spaces for the children.

Perhaps you can see our granddaughter right in the middle of the photo,

up there on the second level? She’s wearing a red TShirt.

Her little Brother was with Papa in an area for Babies and Toddlers…

Diaper-wearing Children, only.

This was perfect, as it was way too hot

to go to an Outdoor Playground.

Big Sister is quite helpful when it comes

to entertaining her little Brother.

Also helpful? A little Screen Time…

This worked well when Gigi was getting dinner on the table!

This week night outing was a highlight…

Dinner with the whole family, and watching the kids bowl.

The way home…as you know, we like to find unique places to stop for a break.

We found this “upscale dive bar” in Wentzville, MO.

Naturally, we shared a Burger and sides.

Sometimes the Lunch Special is too pretty to eat!

This was at Crave in Sioux City, IA

In the evening, after checking into our hotel, we find a local hotspot

to have a beverage and share an appetizer.

These Nachos were so tasty.

Thank you for following us along on our travels.

Now, at home, it’s all about our everyday,

ordinary house chores and projects.

Stay tuned to see what’s new from the Wood Shop 

And Sewing Studio.

Take care,

~Natalie

On the Road Again ~Visiting Family ~A Mother’s Prayer

It has been eleven days since we left home for a little

trip south to spend time with our family.

I am fortunate that Hubby loves to drive, as I like to ride shotgun

and work on my handstitching projects.

As if it wasn’t humid enough already…

This happened.

We frequently stop at Rest Areas to get out of the vehicle to 

straighten our backs, stretch our legs, and get some steps.

This one is a favorite in Paducah, KY.

Papa with our firstborn grandchild, the one that made us grandparents.

He’ll always hold a special spot in our hearts.

We enjoyed a little ice cream after a delicious dinner of Grilled Ribeye Steaks,

 Fingerling Potatoes, Green Beans, and Corn on the Cob.

Yum, tastes like Summer!

And my all time favorite is when the whole family gathers together.

Knowing that our adult children and their spouses enjoy each other’s company,

and watching our grandchildren build relationships with their cousins,

All makes my heart happy.

Take care,

~Natalie

Sunday ~Counting our Blessings ~How to Tell if you’re a Crazy Cat Lady

Today is my Mother-in-Law’s Birthday. She is 97 years old.

She is our Family Matriarch, one who provides wisdom,

and emotional support for her family.

She is a a blessing for all of us.

Hubby and I enjoy the opportunities we have as Retired Empty Nesters.

Especially the retirement part, being able to gallivant around the countryside.

Summer seems to be fleeting fast and we’ve celebrated many blessings in our life…

Starting with our 45th Wedding Anniversary in early June.

We celebrated a Milestone 70th Birthday for Me.

Of the nine Birthday Cards I received,

Six of them were cat cards.

I think that makes me an official Crazy Cat Lady.

We went to my All-School Alumni Days.

We enjoyed spending time with my classmates celebrating

 our 52 years since graduation.

Seeing our Family Farmstead is not a celebration.

It is sad to see the deterioration that has been caused

by the flood waters of Devils Lake.

Speaking of Retirement,

Hubby no longer needs the many suits and sport coats

that he once wore to work.

He cleaned out his closet and has donated them to

the Chamber of Commerce and University Career Center.

You should consider doing the same.

   

I love summer for so many reasons.

A daily walk provides the opportunity to give thanks for the sunshine,

 green grass, trees, birds, and flowers.

The highlight of my week was a little road trip with a friend

who invited me to attend a ladies luncheon at her home church

in the little town where she grew up.

Our speaker talked about Brain Health and Cognitive Decline.

Let me know if you like to hear more about that.

I won a Silent Auction item and Yep, we wore aprons.

I wish I had taken a selfie of us.

Like most of the Country, we have been living in an Extreme Heat 

Warning…for over a week now.

How have YOU coped with the heat?

Take care,

~Natalie