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

We Drove to the East Coast and Back ~This was the Main Event

This is the third year that we traveled to Massachusetts 

to participate in this event.

Our daughter works for Jett. It is a non-profit Foundation that

empowers people and families impacted by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Emily is their Event Coordinator.

The event is held at the Pine Hills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA,

Home to Two 18 Hole beautiful Golf Courses.

Here’s Emily with her boss and other Jett Foundation employees.

Their work develops transformative programming,

educational opportunities, and on-going support

for every Stage of a Duchenne journey.

This Golf Tournament is their largest fundraising effort.

Our Son-in-Law sponsors a team and invites

Hubby to golf along with a couple of his buddies.

After 18 holes, the golfers enjoy Happy Hour with Appetizers.

I’ve hinted that they bring a cup of the

 New England Clam Chowder back to the Airbnb for me.

However, not possible, as they’re busy for a few more hours…

Browsing the Silent Auction Items and the Live Auction packages.

There’s one of Hubby’s Hand-turned vases,

among the many lovely gifts that were donated.

Here’s the setting for the Buffet Dinner and Program.

Despite the inclement weather, just four days before, the event was a success…

another record breaking total for the amount raised for

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Congratulations, Emily, on a job well done.

Be sure to stop back here to see what I did all day,

while everyone else was on the golf course.

Take care,

~Natalie

We Drove to the East Coast and Back ~And yes, there was a Nor’Easter

Our family had this trip to Scituate, MA, planned for months.

With the forecast of a Nor’Easter bringing rain, wind,

flooding, and power outages, we needed to stay

inland for a couple of extra days.

So when we came across Destiny USA in Syracuse, NY,

we decided to stop and check out the shops and have lunch there.

The second largest mall in the country,

second only to the Mall of America in Minneapolis…

It was easy for us to spend a few hours here.

Back on the toll road again,

we happened across an Amish Farmers Market, 

where we purchased an onion, garlic, tomatoes, a cucumber,

and this fun stalk of Brussels Sprouts.

All for six dollars.

By the time we got to Massachusetts and the Nor’Easter…

It was gloomy and raining.

Making the best of the unfortunate weather situation,

We found a charming place to stay and in the Berkshires.

To be honest, stopping in the Berkshires has been on my Bucket List,

ever since our daughters lived in Massachusetts.

The next day, we made it to The Cape.

With raincoats, hoods up, we ventured out to see the lighthouse,

the vicious waves, and look for pretty shells and rocks.

Making sweet memories.

Take care,

~Natalie

Fall is for Friends and more Football ~ It Looks Like I’ve got some Catching Up To Do

It has been a Busy Month for these retired empty nesters.

Imagine if we were working and away from home for nine hours a day?!

And what’s been keeping us busy?

For starters, that’s Hubby’s new vehicle.

It’s Football season, and I’m not sure which I enjoy more?

Sitting with with good friends at the Game, or

Watching our Favorite Team Win?

Definitely being with good friends.

And Winning is fun, too.

We’ve managed to attend home games at 

Hubby’s Alma Mater, Northern State University.

Plus, we made a couple of Weekend Trips to Fargo for

games at North Dakota State University,

my Alma Mater.

It was great to see Julie, who served as our

Kappa Delta National President.

Our chapter is proud to claim her as one of our own.

We had great seats in the Fargo Dome,

For the game and to watch the Gold Star Marching Band.

A warm hug from this woman,

Dr. Virginia Clark Johnson, was a highlight of my weekend.

She was an instructor and my advisor at SDSU when

I earned my Masters Degree.

She then crossed the border to NDSU to serve as the 

Dean of the College of Human Services and Education.

I enjoyed visiting with her…She is an inspiration.

And Winning.

Winning is a Highlight.

After the game we like to drive part way home,

then find a small town pub for a bite to eat.

This is Barney, ND

Population = 43 residents

The servers were delightful and we shared a rack of ribs…

Which were tasty and fall-off-the-bone tender.

This may have been one of Hubby’s Weekend Highlights.

I see that my last blog post was over a month ago.

We had a plenty of blog-worthy things going on,

so stop back again to hear all about it.

I hope September was good for you, too.

Take Care,

~Natalie

Are you Ready for Some Football? ~The Season of Friends, Football, and Good Food

Ready or Not, Here we come!

We kicked off the Football Season with two big Games.

We made a quick weekend trip to Fargo.

The Football fun begins here, in the Tailgating lot.

It’s the perfect place to catch up with college friends,

like these Kappa Delta Sisters.

We made a lot of memories together in the 70s.

Joan and I were roommates and

she was a Bridesmaid in our Wedding.

It was great catching up with her and all the girls.

The atmosphere in the dome was electric.

There were over 18,000 fans, and they were loud.

Our seats were amazing, in the third row.

Right behind the home team.

It felt like we were on the field…a part of the play!

NDSU won their Home Opener.

Just two days before, we attended the Home Opener for NSU,

our home town University where Hubby went to school.

We had fabulous seats here, too. 

We were honored to be invited to watch from the Presidents Suite.

There are outdoor seats, along with places to sit inside,

complete with food and beverages.

Our husbands like to watch the Marching Band, too,

as they were once members, decades ago.

The night capped off with a perfect view

of that beautiful full moon.

A Football Game is not complete without Good Food.

A couple of Notable Mentions…

~Poblano Chicken served over fresh Tortilla Chips,

covered in creamy chorizo Queso.

lettuce, pico de gallo, and cumin lime aioli.

And this Brunch Pizza

~Cheese Sauce

Parmesan Reggiano Hash Browns

Bacon, Scrambled Eggs

Five Cheese Blend

Drizzled with Maple Syrup

It was a good weekend, as both NSU and NDSU

won their Games.

I look forward to doing it all again this week!

Take care,

~Natalie