Our Autumn Adventure ~Goin’ on a Road Trip ~But first, It’s been a Year

All our Bags are Packed, We’re Ready to Go…

As this date rolled around, I reflect back on the past year.

September 24 was the day of my accident.

With fractures in my neck, shoulder, and ribs,

I spent two nights here, in the hospital.

You all remember I came with with a fancy neck brace

and a sling on my right arm.

Words cannot express how much I appreciated the love and

support from you, my dear family and friends.

For a year, my primary focus has been on recovery.

Hubby drove me to Sanford, twice a week, for physical therapy,

blood work, and blood pressure checks with a nurse.

I count my blessings that my injuries were not worse.

While my body has changed, I am thankful

that I am able to do the things I enjoy.

Like accepting an invitation from family to go on a road trip.

We look forward to an AirBnB near the Beach,

A Golf Tournament, Fresh Seafood, and a Leaf Peeping Tour.

Of course, being with family will be the best.

So here’s my Day One Report:

Our first stop…

When you live in a town nicknamed The Hub City,

one expects to wait for a train whenever going out and about.

Our second state of the day…

…and the first entry in Hubby’s Burger Tour.

At the MAV Grill in Worthington, this is a Bison Burger,

with Bourbon Caramelized Onions, and Smoked Gouda Cheese Sauce.

That lunch provided the sustenance to get us

to our third state for Day One.

When in Wisconsin, one must order the Cheese Curds.

Cheers to an Autumn Adventure!

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in our House Thursday ~Faces of Fall ~Where the Summer Went

Tomorrow we say Goodbye to Summer.

It is my favorite season.

We spent time at our Family Farm, in my Hometown,

and with my Bestie from High School.

It also felt good to take care of important business there.

We went to the Chicago Concert with Great Friends

and met their new granddaughter.

We had visits with good friends from California and Florida.

We celebrated our 42nd Anniversary.

I have awesome friends that hosted a Birthday Party

for me in their home.

Our daughter and grandsons stayed with us for a week.

We checked everything off our Bucket List,

We went to the Cities twice…

A baseball game, dining out, shopping, another concert,

a football game, and more shopping.

We attended the Downtown Outdoor Concerts and met

friends for coffee, for lunches, and for dinner.

I took a solo trip out of town for a mini-reunion with cousins.

And somehow, we found time to accomplish chores

and projects around our house.

While part of me is always sad to see summer go,

we look forward to a new season with rich Autumn Colors,

Travel, Football Games, Warm Sweaters,

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and 

Pot Roast Sundays.

Take care,

~Natalie

Where the Week Went ~Much Miscellaneous ~A Finish in the Studio ~Helper Cat gets a Checkup ~Garden Harvest ~Good Friends are Priceless

These Autumn Creatures are now finished

and ready for their forever home. 

Good timing, as we received confirmation that we will

have a booth at the Handmade Market Vendor Fair.

So, put this on your calendar!

Lizzie was overdue for her checkup at the Clinic.

She was examined, had a pedicure, got two shots, before

we had a tour of the newly remodeled space.

However, there are no answers for her respiratory concerns…

she has a choking cough, she snorts, and she sneezes.

We came home from the clinic with a basket of tomatoes.

One of the Vet Techs has an abundant garden,

with plenty of produce to share.

There’s nothing like homegrown tomatoes

when making Spaghetti Sauce.

Hubby and I teamed up today get the job done quickly…

…Blanching first, for easy peeling.

We simmered the five gallons of tomatoes

with onion, peppers, celery, and garlic for four hours.

On the second day, I blended the tomato sauce until smooth,

before adding Ground Beef, Italian Sausage, Mushrooms,

fresh Oregano and Basil, along with a variety of Seasonings.

We then simmered it for another four hours.

It sounds like a lot of work, however we froze

eighteen bags of Sauce for meals this coming winter.

I enjoyed visits with two good friends this week.

Debra was home to visit her mother for the second time this summer.

…And she usually makes a little time for me, too. 

I didn’t get a photo with Ann,

 as I was distracted by her adorable cats.

A little gift from each of them.

How sweet was that?!

A thoughtful note with a Tiny Little Ladybug

(which by the way, is my favorite bug).

A hand quilted cushion, filled with crushed Walnut Shells,

will keep my needles sharp.

Perfect hand embroidery and dried lavender,

grown in Debra’s yard.

It’s the Little Things that Make Me Smile.

And the Little Ladybug will bring

good health and happiness.

Take care,

~Natalie

College Game Day ~Here’s my Report

For the second weekend in a row, we enjoyed

seeing our favorite college football team in person.

We’ve been doing that for years…I mean, decades.

Do you think we have we aged?

It was an impromptu road trip.

Good friends offered their seats, as they had other plans.

And we’ve never passed up that opportunity.

It’s an easy trip, and I’m fortunate

that Hubby prefers to drive.

As I prefer to ride shotgun, so I can work on my projects.

These are a couple of smaller details needed

to finish my Thanksgiving Turkeys.

We had to stop at Scheels when we got to town,

just to see What’s New.

Thundar, created with Legos,

is ready for Big Game in the Dome.

Equally impressive in the newly remodeled Scheels,

is The Candy Factory, featuring these Candied Apples.

Which one would you like?

They’re almost too pretty to to eat.

After chatting with friends in the Tailgating Lot,

we made our way inside to the “best seats in the house”!

It had been two years since we had been to a game.

Remember last year, I was sporting a Neck Brace

along with my Bison Spirit Wear and watching

 from home in the ManCave.

We stood in line with 17,000+ fans,

And it was worth our wait.

Photo courtesy of NDSU Facebook page.

Take care,

~Natalie