Fathers Day Blessings ~Love These Three Special Dads

My Hubby, Father our our Daughters.

Our family has always enjoyed spending a weekend

in the cities and a visit to Target Field for a Twins game.

This photo is from years ago, but still one of my favorites.

Of course, I miss my own Daddy a little more on Father’s Day.

This was my mother’s favorite photo of us.

She carried it in her wallet for years.

Our Son-in-Law

and Father of our Grandson...

Sending love and hugs to this special guy

across the miles on Father’s Day

and everyday!

Hug your Daddy a little tighter today.

Take care,

~Natalie

Leap Day 2020 ~Remembering my Daddy

This date comes around only every four years,

the anniversary of the day the angels came

and took my Daddy to his Heavenly Home.

It’s has been 32 years since that Leap Year

when we said goodbye.

I still think think about him every single day.

Take care,

~Natalie

Celebrating Father’s Day ~Where We Spent the Weekend ~Days Two and Three

We stayed at the Tall Timbers Lodge and Cabins 

in Pittsburg, New Hampshire.

This was the view from the balcony right off our bedroom.

Pittsburg, NH, is way north...

about 7 miles from the Canadian Border.

It is a great place to stay if you are an outdoor enthusiast.

The cabins are rustic, but so comfortable. 

We had four bedrooms with two bathrooms...

it’s more like “glamping”.

This was a great room for the family to gather 

and make plans for the day.

The kitchen had everything you need for basic meal preparation.

Becky also brought some things from home.

The porch was frequented to fire up the grill and

 to watch the activity on the lake.

Jake’s mom brought the provisions for our meals, 

with the exception of Saturday Night.

We ate at the Rainbow Grille & Tavern.

The restaurant has been featured as 

one of New Hampshire’s Best.

I can see why...everyone loved their meal.

I ordered the scallops and had enough for a 

second meal when we got home.

They were topped with Panko Crumbs & Parmesan 

in a buttery wine sauce.

So Yummy.

Sunday was another beautiful morning.

Jake and his sister, Jessica, with their father.

Emily with her Father.

We all have plenty to celebrate.

We secured two rowboats.

One for the “seniors” 

and one for the “millennials”

The fathers, with worms in hand, 

took the boat out again for some serious fishing.

The trout were biting.

While catching a fish is fun for everyone, 

unfortunately they didn’t catch enough for a dinner.

It was a good thing Jake’s mom brought a backup...

the Ribeyes on the grill were delicious.

This was the perfect ending to a perfect day.

We are blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Veterans Day ~Honoring all Who Served

I love this photo of my daddy and his brother.

It was taken in 1945.

Today we Honor All Who have Served.

Thank you to the Veterans and their Families 

who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Take care,

~Natalie

Honoring our Veterans ~WW II Love Letters ~~and Say a Prayer for Those Who Continue to Serve Our Country.

This photo is of my daddy, taken in 1941.

He was so proud of his service in the Army.

Central High School hosted our community's 

Veterans Day Assembly.

It has always been one of my favorite days.

(Click here to review my Veteran's Day blog post from 2008)

I have my mom's cedar chest in the bedroom downstairs.

In the cedar chest, this stationery box contains the precious letters that my daddy wrote to my mom while he was stationed overseas.

Notice in 1945, a postage stamp cost 3 cents.

And on occasion, servicemen could send a message for free.

This is so sweet...

My dad wasn't sure if my mom was his sweetheart or his friend.

I'm glad they figured that out.

This post would not be complete 

without a mention of our son-in-law, Nick.

He serves our country as 

a pilot with the United States Air Force.

Our daughter, Amy is always there by his side.

We are so proud of them both.

Stay safe...Love you...

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Father's Day to my Hubby ~and Remembering my Daddy on this Special Sunday

Hubby and I can't think of anything better than,

when our whole family is seated around our table.

Here's my hubby, our family's fabulous father,

always seated at the head of the table, in the captain's chair.

He's the "host with the most"...

whether it is serving,

carving the turkey,

or making the best brunch.

Today, it will be your day to relax while we wait on you!

I was born a premature baby, and was pretty tiny.

I needed to stay in an incubator, 

so was in the hospital for the first month of my life.

This four generation photo must have been taken shortly after I came home.

My daddy, his mother Rhuda, and my Great Grandma Kirkeide is holding me.

(Don't you love the wallpaper in our living room?)

And another four generations with Daddy, My Grandpa Gustave,

and his mother, Great Grandma Medheus.

(I am going to have to check that spelling of her name?)

My first birthday, and a gift from Manns. It looks like a new outfit!

Manns Department Store was the Neiman Marcus of Devils Lake in those days.

I liked to do my daddy's hair...

and I'm wondering if maybe I had cut my own earlier in the day?!

Mom's best recipe was her homemade spaghetti sauce.

In fact, the recipe was a secret.

And you know, there are always a couple of pieces of pasta that stick in the colander.

I have the best memories of visiting my cousins in Minneapolis.

I liked to stand on the edge of the bathtub and watch my daddy shave.

When he was finished, he would put the cap back on the razor and pretend to shave my face.

I can still feel how that vibration would tickle and make me giggle.

When my dad mowed the lawn, I would pull that big red wagon along behind.

When I think about it now...that wagon must have weighed more than I did!

(You can see it refinished here in this post.)

This was my mom's favorite picture.

She carried in her wallet till the day she died.

Love you and Miss you, Daddy.

Happy Father's Day to all who love, 

care for, and protect our children.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday & Hubby's Birthday Report

I am spending my Wednesday night correcting papers.

It is not blog worthy, so I'm not even going to share a photo.

However, Hubby's Birthday Weekend was full of fun!

We drove into the cities. 

I like to stay busy while riding in the car, 

so I finished another Infinity Scarf.

Grandma came along 

so she could spend time with Aunt Darlene.

She is such a special lady.

She was a sponsor at hubby's baptism...

and our first-born daughter's baptism.

Hubby found great accomodations.

We had a great view of the city and great coffee for breakfast.

So, you all know how we both love to shop.

There is a new Outlet Mall in Eagan.

It was completely crazy...

cars, people, police directing traffic.

Shoppers were swarming in.

I'm not exaggerating...here's the story.

(Amy, do you recognize where we are here?)

The prices were good and the customer service was great...

well worth our while.

Next on our Agenda

Matt's Bar and Grill for a Juicy Lucy.

If it's good enough for President Obama,

It's good enough for us.

Do you see that puddle of cheese?

The Main Reason We Went to the Cities

A Twins Game.

Hubby doesn't mind driving in the city,

but we prefer to ride the light-rail downtown.

We met up with good friends at the game,

and our team won that evening!

Can you think of a better way to spend your birthday?

Take care,

~Natalie