Cyber Monday ~Small Business Saturday ~Black Friday ~Shop ‘till You Drop ~Some Flashback Photos

It’s Cyber Monday and time to go online and browse

your favorite Stores and  Etsy Shops.

Since we couldn’t have a Winterfest Booth this year,

Hubby and I have plenty of inventory in our storage tubs,

available for purchase.

Hubby spends much of his free time in his Woodshop.

Wood turning is his favorite…

Making candle holders, bowls, bottle openers, and muddlers.

Sometimes I request a special order for pedestals to complete my creations.

Most recently, he’s been turning trees.

Lots of trees…different woods, different sizes,

in a variety of styles.

You can mix or match and create a display for your home.

Santa says,

I have Sweet Memories of Black Friday Shopping

with our daughters. Both home from college for the weekend,

We’d get up early, grab a to-go cup of coffee,

And be on our way.

Of course we had to share that tradition with our

Foreign Exchange Daughters. This is Line from Norway. 

And Nellie from Denmark.

And on Small Business Saturday,

Hubby and I ventured out to our local boutiques to

purchase special gifts for our family and friends.

If you are still looking for that special gift,

message us for more photos and prices…

Or make a plan to stop over and see for yourself.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Sunday Blessings ~Spending Time with Family ~Priceless

Our Weekend Holiday Festivities continued with a family

visit with cousins, Edie and Warren. They are from out of town,

so we don’t see them often. Hubby’s Mother is Edie’s Godmother.

The cousins were all close when they were growing up.

Great Grandma loved having them there in her home.

We had all afternoon to catch up.

Hubby showed Edie what he has created in his woodshop.

Edie and I had a chance for some heart-to-heart girl talk.

Edie’s Furry Friend, Kaci, was the star of the day.

We had a wonderful visit and it was

a lovely start to our Christmas Season.

Take care,

~Natalie 

Thanksgiving 2022 ~How it Turned Out ~My Report ~Food, Family, Giving Thanks

Our Centerpiece

I created this using a tray,

Hubby’s hand turned candle holders,

surrounded by pinecones that we had collected in the yard,

last Summer when we visited family in Georgia.

Hubby manhandled the turkey.

I can manage lightweight tasks, like putting the

 Creamed Corn ingredients in the Crockpot.

No wonder it’s so delicious,

It involves cream cheese and butter.

We enjoyed the Thanksgiving Day Parade while

putting the finishing touches on our meal.

I had time to make cranberry garnishes

for our beverage glasses…

…and I finished setting the table.

Do you all put little labels in your serving dishes?

I do, to assure that I have something for everything, and

it helps when there are others helping in the kitchen.

We gather around our counter for some Appetizers,

as all the last minute action is in the kitchen.

Just enough to whet the appetite and still

save room for the Main Event.

Our guests arrived…Hubby’s Mother and Sister.

These Empty Nesters tried to get a Family Photo.

Haha, this one was the best, and it’s not Christmas Card Worthy.

Hubby carved the Turkey under the watchful eye

of our Helper Cat.

And, with the Turkey out of the Roaster,

I was able to use those drippings to prepare the Gravy.

I learned from the best, my Mother.

My sister-in-law helped get the food on the table.

That’s how those Refrigerator Mashed Potatoes turned out.

We have much to be thankful for.

We enjoyed a little FaceTime with both our daughters and their families.

Great Grandma is still amazed that this is even possible.

The Cleanup Crew 2022.

A blast from the past…Cleanup Crew in 2009

My sister-in-law baked the pumpkin pie.

We enjoyed dessert after cleaning the kitchen and a little 

Show ‘n Tell out in the Wood Shop.

A Host and Hostess gift from Hubby’s Mother…

‘Fall for Berries” scented kitchen candle.

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Holiday

with your favorite people.

Take care,

~Natalie 

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Thanksgiving Preparations ~Recipe included ~Sanford Report

Thanksgiving is My Favorite Holiday…Always has been.

It’s all about being together with family, good food,

and giving thanks for all of life’s blessings.

I started my preparations early.

With my neck brace and limited use in my shoulder,

I work slowly and carefully, stopping to rest often.

On Monday, I set out my tablecloth,

plates and napkins for the appetizers,

plates and napkins for dinner,

and paper plates for the pie.

Hubby polished our Charcuterie Board with Food-Safe Oil,

however I found a little plate for the cheeseball

to avoid scratches from cutting.

On Tuesday, I prepared the Cranberry Sauce.

Aren’t they the most beautiful color?

They are so easy to make,

and Oh so fresh and delicious.

There are only three ingredients,

cranberries, sugar, and water.

They simmer for only 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Just don’t walk away…

our foreign exchange daughter learned that the hard way!

Hubby cubed the bread for the Stuffing.

Two loaves fill our large Tupperware Bowl.

We had beautiful sunshine for our weekly trip to Sanford.

My “driver” drops me off, and runs a couple errands

while I make my rounds there.

First stop, Imaging department for X-rays to send to the

Neurosurgeon in Sioux Falls.

Then, an uplifting appointment with my Orthopedic Physician.

The X-rays show evidence of healing,

and I demonstrate a fairly good range of motion.

He says I’m on the “50 Yard Line”

Last but not least,

The appointment with Physical Thearapy.

My wonderful Therapist is going me help me across the “Goal Line”

Since it was such  a beautiful Autumn day,

we took the Scenic Route home.

On Wednesday, I gathered all the Serving Dishes.

Our menu is simple this year.

Turkey and Stuffing,

 Mashed Potatoes and Gravy,

Cranberries,

Creamed Corn,

and a Green Salad.

We set out the kitchen equipment and recipes we’ll need.

We reviewed our schedule of What needs to be done,

starting at What time.

Here are Martha’s recommendations for roasting the Bird.

This is the one time in the year that I use both Crockpots,

One for the Stuffing,

One for the Creamed Corn.

Last evening, Hubby and I prepared the Overnight Mashed Potatoes.

I was able to peel the potatoes.

I love this recipe.

When the potatoes were fork-tender,

Hubby took over.

We like to rice the potatoes to make sure there are no lumps.

But you can also use your Mixer.

Sending Thanksgiving Blessings to you and your Family,

From our Home to Your’s.

Take care,

~Natalie