What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~This Week’s Report

You know it’s going to be a good week when it starts like this.

Our weekly outing took us to Wakeside, a place by the lake.

Good Food, a Lovely View, with Great Friends…

 It is the perfect formula.

And you know it’s going to be a good day

when a Support Cat shows up for Physical Therapy.

Hubby takes on this huge project every other summer.

Here is the “before” photo.

It was a three day project, as the railing with those

spindles takes the most time.

My project was to take inventory of our

Tins and Treasures Creations.

I had help.

We’re looking ahead to the Fall and Winter Vendor Fairs.

We also took photos and listed these fall items in my Etsy Shop.

We were all curious about the noise outside.

Yes, it was our turn to have our street re-surfaced.

The odor of Tar is powerful.

But it will be worth it in the end…no more potholes.

Here is the “after” photo of our deck with a new coat of stain

and everything back in place.

This Helper Cat is exhausted.

Take care,

~Natalie

This is How You Party When You Turn 95

Great Grandma celebrated all weekend.

Her Assisted Living Facility hosted a lovely party for her.

Hubby and his sister are there by her side as she reflects on 95 years.

I, too, was pleased to be seated by the Birthday Girl.

The Birthday cake was quite amazing.

Pineapple, with a hint of orange…

however it was the frosting that was most delicious.

I suspect that yellow is a pudding layer?

And the white is a mix of frosting and whipped cream??

I need this recipe!

Three tables of her friends were there to sing Happy Birthday 🎶

and enjoy that delightful sweet treat.

Hubby brought her a beautiful bouquet,

because that is what his father would have done.

Great Grandma always had fresh flowers on her table…

Valentines Day, Easter, Mothers Day, her Birthday,

Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Good Friends stopped by for cake and a tour of her new home.

See all her beautiful cards on the bookshelves behind her?

She has loved going to her mailbox this week and finding friendly mail.

Thank you, Everyone, that sent a Birthday Card❣️

Pretty sure that Great GMa fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Thanks to everyone that made that happen.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Making Big Decisions ~Out with the Old, In with the New ~Helper Cats on Duty

Great Grandma is adjusting well and appreciating the benefits

of her Assisted Living Facility. Multiple studies have linked

socialization with improved cognitive function.

We are seeing evidence of this.

Plus, she loves to play cards.

Hubby, his sister, and I have been working to re-home

the possessions she has treasured all of her life.

Many of you know this is not an easy task.

Items are sorted to donate, to sell, and for storage.

Of course, we’ve made several trips here.

You know, those folks that grew up during the

depression saved everything.

Meanwhile, here at home, we made a big purchase.

While this might look like a crime scene,

it is a the result of a failing freezer.

A melted Real Fruit Freezie Pop…maybe raspberry?

We were fortunate to find a refrigerator with the features we want,

that fits into this compact space between the wall and the kitchen cabinets.

And then there’s these two, my new Helper Cats.

Sales have picked up in my two Etsy Shops,

 so we have been preparing packages.

Do they look guilty?

They know that they are not supposed to be on the counter.

Helper Cat duties are exhausting.

Take care,

~Natalie

Celebrating a Birthday ~our Family Matriarch turns 95

We’re celebrating a big Birthday this week.

Hubby’s Mother will be 95 years old.

We have always gathered with family on birthdays.

This lady’s birthday, being in July,

usually included a meal prepared out on the grill,

and sometimes concluded with a Tornado Warning!

When you are a Senior,

the best gifts are those that are consumable.

Just two years ago, our treat was a trip to Storybook Land

to ride the Storybook Land Express around the park.

Family was always important to Great Grandma.

Here she is with her four sisters, whom she misses dearly.

Until a month ago, she enjoyed the independence

of living in her own home.

And now she is appreciating the benefits

of an Assisted Living Facility.

Perhaps her greatest joy comes from visits

with her granddaughters and great grandchildren.

This is the baby that made her a Great Grandma.

And now Baby Jack is six years old.

Jack’s little brother Henry enjoys visits to Great GMa’s house, too.

She has Vintage Toys.

You all remember how she loved watching little Joelle

play when they met this past Thanksgiving.

This weekend, we will gather again to celebrate this lady.

She would be thrilled to receive your cards and notes in her mailbox.

Leave a comment and I’ll send her address to you.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Weekend Went ~Independence Day~Good Food ~Celebrating an Anniversary

Hubby kicked off the weekend with a round of golf.

Their team often stops for a bite to eat when they come off the course.

This time, the wives were invited to tag along.

I accepted an offer to ride with Clarence in his Fast Car.

Hubby got a new Smoker.

He wanted to use it for the Fourth.

He loves to prepare, and to eat, Wings.

We had rainy weather for the weekend. However, we

entertained ourselves playing darts out in the ManCave,

dined on good food, and had great conversation.

Here are our Grill Masters.

Thank you Chuck and Wendy for providing the lamb chops.

I took responsibility for the Appetizers and Sides.

If you are thinking about serving those cucumber sandwiches,

that cocktail rye bread is not easy to find.

I went to more than one store,

but oh, they are so tasty and it was so worth it.

We celebrated over the miles, with our daughter and son-in-law.

This was taken over a decade ago,

when we hosted a dessert reception for their first Anniversary.

Congratulations 🥂 Cheers to Many More

We all had fun over the weekend.

When you play hard, you sleep hard 💤 

Take care,

~Natalie 

Happy Independence Day to all our Family and Friends

Celebrating the Land of the Free and

the Home of the Brave.

Enjoy your day!

Stay safe, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Independence Day 2024 ~Americana Decor…all Summer Long ~Do Y’All Have Plans for the Holiday?

If you are heading out to celebrate with family or friends

and bringing wine, turn your bottle into a Gnome.

Created from recycled Patriotic Sweaters.

Keep them on display into November

for Election Day 🇺🇸 and Veterans Day 🇺🇸

Remember our last Road Trip to see family?

I was riding shotgun and hand stitching

these flags.

Those are Vintage Buttons from my Grandmother’s Button Tin.

One of my favorites is this wooden flag…

A collaboration between Hubby in his wood shop and

me on my work counter.

In a couple of days, people across the U.S. will celebrate

Independence Day with family and friends.

This day commentates events in 1776 when the second Continental Congress

officially adopted the Declaration of Independence.

Wishing you a Peaceful and Prosperous Independence Day…

And a Fourth of July full of Sunshine and Joy.

Take care,

~Natalie