Where the Weekend Went ~Good Friends..Good Food ~Work Hard..Play Hard ~God Bless America

It has been tradition for us to gather with these friends

on Memorial Day. This was Pre-Coronavirus,

before Social Distancing was a part of our lifestyle.

This year was a different holiday, indeed.

We spent most of our weekend working at home.

Hubby worked hard on the yard and planting our flower pots,

while I worked inside on the everyday house chores.

A hearty weekend breakfast of eggs and toast...

my personal favorite is the Over-Easy Egg.

This is one of the Wash Tubs that my mom and I

used on Laundry Day. We salvaged it from the Farmhouse.

The highlight of our Memorial Day was the

Taps Across America event.

Trumpet and Bugle players around the world

came out to their balcony or front porch and

played Taps to honor America’s fallen heroes.

Several of us drove over to their neighborhood

to listen to our friend, Dennis, play his trumpet on the front porch.

He performed with perfection.

Later in the afternoon we gathered at Alan and Kari’s home

for some good food and great conversation...

with the appropriate Social Distance observed.

It was a beautiful evening, so we could be out on the patio,

roasting some marshmallows, making S’Mores.

If you are still in need of a mask for your summer outings,

I have several available in a variety of colors and prints.

Memorial Day is a special holiday to remember

and pay tribute to those that serve and

to their families who have given the intimate sacrifice.

Stay Safe and Well, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Mother’s Day 2020 ~Here’s My Report ~We Celebrated Across the Miles

I am blessed to be Mother to these Special Young Women.

While they no longer live nearby,

they still found plenty of ways to help me feel the love!

On Friday, this lovely card arrived with a

heartfelt handwritten note from Amy and Nick inside.

Included in the envelope, this card from Jack for Nana Gigi...

Art Work, Spring Stickers, and his Hand traced on the back.

It is proudly hanging on our refrigerator,

and I smile every time I see it!

Thank you, Amy, Nick, and Jack.

After Hubby made brunch, we ventured out to the Garden Centers

to select the traditional Hanging Basket for Great Grandma.

Hubby also treated me to these pretty flowers

to cheer up our kitchen counter.

 Thank you, Honey.

In Saturday’s Mail this gift from Emily and Jake.

Each day features a quote and short story written by Hoda.

They are a quick read and perfect for my Morning Coffee Time.

We all need more inspiration to start our day.

Yet, another package arrived yesterday...

A glass water bottle with bamboo lid.

A good reminder to drink more water!

Thank you, Emily and Jake.

Like a couple of old Empty Nesters,

Hubby and I went for a Sunday Drive late in the afternoon...

Ending up at this familiar landmark in Aberdeen.

I have two favorites at Twist Cone.

This is the Mounds Sundae.

Next time, I’m ordering the Turtle Sundae.

Both are sinfully delicious.

Whether you live across the country, or just across town,

 there’s a chance your family probably didn’t celebrate

all together due to the quarantine.

I hope you enjoyed a little time chatting on FaceTime

or through the glass of your Picture Window.

Stay Safe and Well, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Spring ~Things in our House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile

Spring has Sprung.

Jack’s Mama purchased these

cheerful yellow tulips to grace our table.

Everything spring-like is a good reminder that

fresh and new is just around the corner.

While I stayed in their home, caring for Jack,

we often spent time playing outside on the patio.

We enjoyed some mild weather...

...so then, we brought the Outside Tonka Trucks out to play.

Can you think of any better activity?!

Playing with Trucks, Cars, and Tractors is always a good time.

Today, the first day of Spring,

brings a hope of better and brighter days to come.

Happy Spring, Everyone.

Take care,

~Natalie

As you all know, I traveled home early due to the COVID-19 Crisis.

But I have lots of photos to share of the time spent with our family.

I hope you enjoy my memories!

Sunday Funday ~How Does Your Amaryllis Grow?

What’s a perfect Christmas Gift for Empty Nesters

that are trying to downsize their possessions?

The answer...a flowering plant.

It has been fun to nurture and watch this beauty grow

in this frigid winter weather in the Dakotas.

The Fed Ex delivery arrived in early December.

There were two pots, like this, in a basket, in the box.

I watered it and kept an eye on it for days.

This is how they started at White Flower Farms on the East Coast.

And then, there were sprouts, and then stalks, and then buds.

The tallest was all of a sudden

almost two feet tall!

I started getting little hints as to what color was inside.

Oh, the anticipation...

Now, there’s another bud ready to burst open to share its beauty.

...along with another baby sprout peeking out of the moss.

I’ve never had a green thumb,

so I am pretty proud of myself and

how our Amaryllis is thriving.

The Amaryllis symbolizes a strong, confident, beautiful woman.

The star shaped blossom also symbolizes pride.

Thank you, Bob and Becky, for this bright spot of color

to cheer us up during these cold weeks of January.

Take care,

~Natalie

Looking for the Blog Worthy ~It’s Been Nine Days Since my Last Post

My days have all been the same...

Physical Therapy, House Chores, Crafting

When I haven’t posted to my blog for a while,

I look at my camera to see what photos I’ve taken...

and then, I know where my time has gone.

Most of the photos are of our cat and 

of what we’ve prepared for dinner.

We’ve had plenty of rain here in this neck of the woods.

Our plants out front are thriving!

There have been a few breaks in the wet weather,

enough for Hubby to grill something for dinner.

I graduated from Physical Therapy this week.

We enjoyed some live jazz music at The Ward.

Always a great way to kick off the weekend.

Saturday is Bison Game Day.

This week our Football Food was Super Nachos.

As you know, I like to make our own Taco Seasoning,

so I can limit the amount of salt in my diet.

Aren’t the spice colors pretty?!

OMG, Lizzie, GET DOWN!

I had my back turned while I mixed up the taco seasoning.

I have never seen her do this before...and I hope I never see it again!

So...I saved the Taco Meat, 

and we enjoyed Nachos with all our favorite toppings.

Here’s Lizzie staying calm and watching the game with Scott.

Another weekend highlight was 

a little FaceTime with Amy and Jack.

Hubby has perfected our Sunday Brunch of

Hash Browns

Bacon

Egg and Toast

Then, just like that, the weekend’s over,

 and it’s another week of the same routine.

I hope this finds you all dong well.

Make your life Blog Worthy!

Take care,

~Natalie