Things in Our House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile ~Sewing Studio ~Target Finds ~FaceTime with Jack ~Jazzy Cat

While Cheryl’s She Shed was lost to fire, 

I am still fortunate to have this awesome Sewing Studio in our home. 

It has lots of vintage pieces and plenty of space to work.

This is what it looks like when it is all organized. 

Right now it is chaos, as we prepare for Winterfest!

Here are the working girls, Miss Pfaff, my serger, 

Miss Sapphire, my star sewing machine, 

and on the far right, Miss Elna, who sew all the paper projects.

Yes, that is my mom and dad’s wedding photo. 

They watch over me when I am working.

This is my most recent view when I am sewing...

It has been gloomy weather for days here.

I love my weekly Starbucks/Target date 

with my friend, Lorie.

This Dutch Oven/Stock Pot was on Clearance for half price. 

It matches my cookware, so I couldn’t pass it up.

I already used it to make Chicken Noodle Soup.

All of the Halloween and Fall items were on sale for 90% off...

So, these appetizer plates were 15 cents a piece!

They will be perfect on Thanksgiving for my Cheese Ball.

The highlight of my day was a FaceTime call from this sweet boy.

He was busy eating his breakfast of 

Homemade Blueberry Oatmeal Muffin and Pears.

He is a busy baby, and his mom is a busy PA, 

so I cherish the time we get to chat on-line.

Lucy is not the only one trying to 

make friends with the mysterious new cat!

Speaking of my Sewing Studio...

This photo showed up in my Newsfeed this week. 

I have yet to convince my Hubby 

to build this little attachment in his pickup.

Take care,

~Natalie

Baby Jack On The Move Again ~Meeting Aunt Emily and Uncle Jake ~Along with the Norgaard Extended Family

We were fortunate to spend four weeks with Baby Jack 

and his Mama this summer, with one week in Las Vegas, 

and two weeks at Papa and Nana’s house.

Then, the fourth week was the icing on the cake...

...We spent a week in Minneapolis. 

Jack’s Daddy was traveling from work in Okinawa,

and we were traveling from SD to meet him there.

And then this...

Emily and Jake traveled from Boston 

to meet their new nephew.

Again, love at first sight.

Our family gathers only once a year, 

so we make the most of all of our time together...

even bath time!

Jack also met his great aunt Susan.

And his cousin, Georgia.

We hosted a family dinner at the house, 

and Susan brought this lovely lemon cake for dessert.

I agree with Georgia, the frosting was the best!

Baby bedtime comes early, but the rest of us stayed up 

and enjoyed our time together.

Sweet Treats.

Sweet Dreams!

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Journey to Meet our Grandson Part II ~Las Vegas Trip Continued ~The Main Event

We are so proud of these two.

Our Son-in-Law is a member of an elite group of airmen 

that have been selected to attend Weapons School 

at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.

It takes a lot of hard work and determination, 

and Nick graduated with “flying colors”.

Some of you remember when we attended

 that graduation ceremony 18 months ago.

This time, we were there to celebrate the 

40th reunion of the Weapons School.

A picture is worth 1,000 words...

This mama had a baby just 13 weeks ago, 

and looks simply stunning as she poses in her pretty cocktail dress...

along side the baby’s changing station!

This Nana and Papa were there to take care of baby Jack 

while his Mama and Daddy spent the evening 

with good friends, attending the special ceremonies.

Thank you, all of you, for your service.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania & Where the Weekend Went ~Preparing for Baby Jack’s Visit to our Home

Most of you know that I have been home for a few weeks.

Since her hubby was gone, Amy and Jack drove me into Naha city.

We allowed plenty of time for our trip to the airport,

as it was the start of a holiday week in Japan.

I held Jack one more time 

while his mama got ready.

You can see there...my trip itinerary,

my purse, and a quick breakfast.

This was my ride home.

The twelve and a half hour trip took me 

right over my final destination!

However, we were heading to Chicago,

and then, after a layover, I flew back to Fargo.

At home, the cats wondered where I had been.

They helped me sort the mail pile.

We celebrated Mother’s Day with MIL & SIL.

This package arrived via the usps.

This beautiful scarf was in that package.

Thank you, Emily and Jake.

I got up early the next weekend to watch the Royal Wedding.

This was one of my favorite photos.

We set some record high temperatures 

here in South Dakota.

But this is the biggest and most important news...

Amy and Baby Jack are going to visit us here in a week!

This calls for some new bedding in Amy’s old bedroom.

I have the most generous friends

that lent me the necessary infant equipment.

We have the Pac 'n Play set up across the hall

in Aunt Emily's old bedroom.

I ordered the appropriate bedding

and washed it with 

the appropriate laundry detergent.

This infant seat rocks and vibrates.

This infant seat swings and plays music.

I set up a changing station for Amy and baby,

with some wipes and diapers.

This infant seat is like a cozy little cocoon,

in case Jack doesn't like sleeping in the Pack 'n Play.

Tummy Time at Papa and Nana's house!

Hubby and I celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary.

MIL treated us to dinner at Mavericks

and Mavericks treated us to dessert.

We have enjoying getting things ready

and look forward to having our family visit.

(Stay tuned for photos.)

Take care,

~Natalie

Meeting Our Grandson ~Day One ~A Walk Along the Seawall

All grandparents know the feeling when you hold that 

little bundle for the first time. It is love at first sight! 

I am still pinching myself... Am I really here on the beautiful 

Island of Okinawa, spending time with our daughter, son-in-law,

and this sweet Baby Boy?

Would you like a little peek under that muslin?!

We had to leave the house to obtain my base pass,

so we took advantage of the nice weather with a stroll

along the Seawall.

I'm hoping this post will publish without technology issues.

My laptop "died" right before my trip, so am experimenting 

with an app on my iPad...ugh, so many extra steps! Ha

Keep your fingers crossed because I have so much more to report!

                               Take care ~Natalie