Wednesday, June 25, 2008

My Birthday

So, it was my birthday the day before yesterday. My day started with a phone call from my Mom, who lives in North Dakota and my daughter who lives in Nebraska. Phone calls from my family always make my day!



My husband took off early from work to prepare for an awesome party for me. He restrung and hung my windchimes...swept the deck...fixed the patio table...mowed the lawn...and then prepared the dinner!! Our guests included our daughter, his mom and his sister, and three couples.

The first to arrive were our good friends, Paula and Bob. She brought a dozen roses and daisies...


The Menu
Steak on the Grill
Wild Rice & Brown Rice Blend
Grilled Asparagus
Paula's Salad
French Bread

Everything had such great flavor. Friends brought appetizers and my mom in law brought cake. The good conversation was the best!




Then I opened cards and gifts!



















Do you see a theme of "cat" cards? This last one has to do with a recent BonJovi concert!!

It wasn't exactly like this...

Monday, June 23, 2008

Summer Arts Festival


Our Summer Arts Fesitval was this past weekend. It is usually one of the highlights around here. My husband and I do not have a booth because it is the same weekend as our Home Swim Meet. Since both of our daughters were swimmers, we had been heavily involved with running the meet. (Scott was always one of the head timers, and I was the announcer for the meet.) Some year, maybe?!


The food is usually one of the best parts of the weekend. Here, our daughter and I shared an Indian Style Taco. It was amazing, and big enough for two people!!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Crock Pot Pizza

I just really hate to turn the oven on in the summer...hmmm...air conditioning cools the house....oven makes it hot in the house....


Today, we need a meal where the serve time is flexible, since our lifeguard daughter doesn't know definately when her supper break will be. So...this is what I put together for tonight (or late afternoon!)

Crock Pot Pizza
1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg. sliced pepperoni
1 pkg. pizza style canadian bacon
16 oz. cheese, I used mozzerella, asiago, and parmesan
1/2 onion, chopped
1 box pasta, rigatoni or mostaccioli, cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms
2 jars pizza sauce
Brown hamburger and drain off the grease. Brown the onion (perhaps green pepper would be a nice addition here) with the hamburger. Alternate layers in the crockpot. I divided the ingredients into thirds, so had three layers of everything. This is the recommended order.
hamburger
canadian bacon
pasta
cheese
cream soup
mushrooms
pizza sauce
pepperoni
Cook 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high.


Of course, we haven't tried it yet, but it smells good as it is cooking. If anyone is curious, I'll let you know how it turned out! Oh, and this filled the crockpot to the top...Would be enough for a big family. We, three, will be eating this for several meals!

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Finally, It's Summer!







Until this week, the weather has been quite cold and cloudy. This week has been beautiful...mid 80's, light breeeze...perfect summer days! I love it!!
Since I am thinking about an online craft shop, I have been taking inventory of what I have on hand.

The first crate that I brought in included the Bunnies and Gardening Angels. These 'girls' (in the above photo) are dressed in Homespun dresses and pantaloons. Their Aprons feature button flowers for spring and summer.

These are wooden bunnies look great hanging from a peg. They have curly wire whiskers!





This angel bunny is equiped with his pitchfork...ready for the garden!


All of these things, and more, are needing a good home!!





I guess I'll check them over again and repack them until we're ready to set up shop.
Later, Natalie

Monday, June 16, 2008

Mom & Dad


My Parents were married 62 years ago today.

My mom was teaching country school.

My dad had returned from his service in WWII.

Together, they made a home for our family in a small farming commununity.

My mom still lives near there.

She continues to be active in Ladies Aid, Eastern Star and Senior Citizens.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Father's Day


Today, we honor all fathers. My dad was a farmer. He worked so hard to put in our crops, to monitor their progress, and then to bring in the harvest. And it was all so unpredictable. Anything could happen in between...too much rain...too little rain...strong wind...prairie fire...insects...weeds...

My dad died in 1988. I still think of him often. My mom always said, "Your daddy would have given you the moon, if he could!"

Happy Father's Day to my husband, Scott, the father of our children. Together, we have two daughters who are now beautiful young women. Our father's day celebration also included Scott's Mom and Sister.


Saturday, June 14, 2008

Flag Day

Good Morning! Today would be my grandmother's birthday. She would have been 115 years old if she was here. Her mind was sharp until the day she died. I would love to spend a day visiting with her about her growing up, teaching in a one room school house and raising a family of 9 children. I wonder how the women of her generation had time to take care of their children, the house, the garden; to prepare all of their meals at home, from scratch; to bake delicious cookies and pies; and still have the energy to crochet bedspreads and create beautiful quilts. These women were amazing!

So, it is fitting that I venture into this world of technology with my own blogspot, on my grandma's birthday. This concept would have been so far beyond her wildest imagination. I have tried to expain what the internet is to my mom,who's 87, and have just touched the surface.

I am contemplating the idea of selling my crafts online. I have looked at hundreds of craft websites, craft directories, craft malls, craft shows, craft communites, etc. over the last week. I am impressed! If anyone has some advice or words of encouragement, I'd be happy to hear from you.

Later,
Natalie

Fall Foliage Trip ~Time with Family ~Our Typical Day at the Beach House

Plymouth, MA, has a quaint downtown area with  unique shops, pubs, and restaurants. We both had good luck finding souvenir gifts. While we p...