Welcome to this Old Lady~I Love all Things Vintage ~Meet all my Old Ladies ~Thank You Hubby

If you have known me for a while, or have been to our home,

you know that I love Antiques…

plus I have an obsession with dress forms.

This past week, we welcomed this new Old Lady.

Hubby found her in an On-Line Auction site.

He checked in often to make sure he

was winning the bidding war.

His persistence paid off.

She has a cage and her stand is on wheels,

making it easy to move her around.

Here’s a close up of her ID tag.

She is adorned with decorative metal hardware.

So, here’s a similar dress form listed on Etsy…

For a mere $825.

And why do I have this obsession with dress forms?

I think it started when I was a little girl.

My mother had a dress form and I loved to watch her

as she was fitting and pinning her new garment.

When I went to college and majored in

Fashion and Textiles & Clothing,

we were each assigned a dress form in the

 Clothing Construction Lab.

Not sure if my other “ladies” are jealous?

This was my first…we purchased her in a great little

Antique Boutique near Rochester, Minnesota.

We were visiting our daughter when she worked at Mayo Clinic.

She is posing here with a Vintage Sewing Machine

that belonged to my Great Aunt Birdie.

She also taught Home Economics.

After Birdie died, that machine ended up with my Aunt Mona,

who used it to sew quilts for the Church.

And when Mona was moving to a smaller place,

it was delivered to me.

This awesome dress form was a gift from a friend.

Thank you, Robyn.

She is posing with an Iranian Samovar,

A gift from my Aunty Vivian.

She sent it to our family from Tehran.

She and Uncle Jim were stationed there,

when he was in the Air Force.

Collect the things you Love.

Surround yourself with what brings you Joy.

Then, your House becomes your Story.

Take care,

~Natalie 

You’re Never too Old to Miss your Daddy

Thinking about my Daddy a little extra this weekend.

He died on February 29, 1988.

My Dad was one of three Bus Drivers in our small community.

When my mother had Ladies Aid in the afternoon,

I would ride his bus route with him, sitting in that first seat behind the driver.

Some of the older girls on the bus would come to sit with me,

Like built-in baby sitters!

After we dropped off the last student,

my Daddy would point to the Glove Box where I’d find a Candy Bar.

It was often a Bing Bar, as there were two pieces in the package,

one for him, one for me.

He’d say, “don’t tell your mother”

Because when we got home, she was also home from Church

and had prepared something for our dinner.

His  primary occupation was Farming.

This was a typical coffee break, 

my daddy sitting on the running board of his truck,

 with a cup of coffee, a sandwich, and homebaked cookie.

During the harvest, neighboring farmers would often

work together to bring in the crops. 

When I was in High School, my parents had the opportunity

to purchase the Family Farmstead.

He would be heartbroken to see what

the waters of Devils Lake have done to our land.

We had the privilege of living in this beautiful family home,

built by his grandfather.

And he’d be heartbroken to see what vandals

have done to this house.

My Daddy was a man of few words,

But his silence spoke volumes.

I miss him.

Take care,

~Natalie

Looking for the Blog Worthy in our Everyday Life ~February Report ~Winter Wonderland

Every day seems the same around here…Chores and Projects.

I’m not complaining. There is comfort in having an Ordinary Routine.

Y’all don’t want to see photos of me cleaning,

So here we are cutting out some Owls from my Vintage Wool.

Valentine Roses from Hubby stayed beautiful for over a week,

before they started drooping.

Remember my Valentine package that came in the mail.

It was filled with essential kitchen items for the next Season…

 Cute Carrot Dish Cloths and Soft Bunny Dish Towels.

Plus Cocktail Flavored Jelly Belly Candy

for a special Sweet Treat.

Thank you, my dear friend. You made my Day!

There’s been crazy Winter weather

all over the country.

The forecast was for snow, but we weren’t expecting a full blown Blizzard.

This was the view from my Sewing Studio window.

This snowstorm intensified as it made its way across the country

and is now dumping record amounts of snow on the East Coast.

We watch the National Weather and send Warm Hugs

to all of you that have been affected.

Speaking of watching TV,

we especially enjoyed watching the Olympics…

and loved this surprise participant.

February is the shortest Month,

but full of Good Friends,

Family Birthdays,

Tasty Food,

and Fun Activities.

I hope you all found a little time to relax

And diddle daddle a bit, too.

Take care,

~Natalie

Valentines Day 2026 ~Sending Love from our Home to Yours

Best Wishes to Family and Friends on this day that 

celebrates love, romance, and affection.

When all the Christmas Decor was packed away

our Valentine Decorations came out…

And I think Mazzie approved.

Who remembers decorating a shoebox, 

 to bring to school for this special occasion?

Our daughters created these, years ago.

They now  are perfect for storing my Valentine decor,

up on the shelf, in my Sewing Studio closet.

One of the treasures in those boxes, heart shaped crystal dishes,

which were wedding gifts, nearly 45 years ago.

Of course, one holds Peanut Butter M&Ms,

the Superior M&M.

A Valentine Candy display would not be complete without

Dove Dark Chocolates.

And then there’s this bowl of felted wool hearts…

They have generated some fun around here.

Gracie and Mazzie have been obsessed with them.

Best Cat Toys, ever.

Another highlight of the week was friendly mail,

a Valentine Box from a friend.

It was filled with individually wrapped sweet surprises.

Stay tuned to see what’s inside.

Cheers to love, laugher,

and sweet surprises this Valentines Weekend.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Birthday Dear Amy

Watching you grow into the woman you are

has been one of our greatest joys.

Our sweet baby at seven hours old.

Remember in the days before social media,

a birth was announced via snail mail.

Birth Announcements, Address Book, and Postage Stamps

were packed in the suitcase that went to the hospital.

Amy Christine is the baby that made us parents.

We are proud of you and your strength, kindness,

thoughtfulness, creativity, organization,

sense of humor, and more.

We love you.

Take care,

~Dad and Mom

Happy Weekend ~Where the Week Went ~Where did January Go ~These are a Few of my Favorite Things

It’s always a highlight to chat with

a former student when we go out and about.

Especially when it is someone as sweet as Jasmine,

a beautiful young woman and a great Mother.

We have had typical January weather here in the Dakotas.

“Cold Surges of Air”…that’s for sure.

We have enjoyed our time indoors with

a little Stitching and Stewing.

The Handstitching is done on this Flock of Chickens.

Or maybe I should say “Three French Hens”

They are ready for our Fall & Winter Makers Markets.

January is definitely Soup in the Crockpot weather.

Chicken Tortilla is a favorite.

Thanks to Courtney, another former student, for the recipe.

Hubby and I collaborated to create another batch of wooden hearts.

By far, the best seller in my Etsy Shop.

Out in the Woodshop, he cuts, sands, and drills the holes.

In my Studio, I paint, edge, and embellish with Homespun Ties.

There’s still time to purchase one for your sweetheart.

Just leave a comment or send a message.

Another favorite meal in our house is Salmon.

In the summer, Hubby prepares it out on the Grill.

In Winter, in the oven.

We serve it with my Pasta Carbonara.

Here’s what’s Happening in the Woodshop.

A batch of hand turned trees waiting for stain,

and those Fall/Winter Markets.

FaceTime with any of these young humans makes my day.

Well, chatting with their parents does, too.

Another favorite of  my Go-To Recipes is Shrimp Pasta.

It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s delicious.

Now, on my Worktable, another favorite,

My stash of Vintage Wool.

Stay Tuned to see how it comes together…

…as it appears we’ll be enjoying our indoor projects

for while yet.

Stay Safe and Warm, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie