A Love Story That Started 74 Years Ago ~Happy Anniversary to my Parents in their Heavenly Home ~Here’s How they Celebrated their Special Day

 Today my parents are celebrating their

Wedding Anniversary in their Heavenly Home.

They were married 74 years ago,

after my dad came home from WWII.

He was a man of few words, however he wrote to her

frequently during the four years that he was gone.

I have those letters, tied with a ribbon

in my mom’s Hope Chest in

one of the bedrooms downstairs.

Along with this book of wedding mementos...

...such as this Newspaper Clipping

and handwritten story of their engagement.

You can see in their Wedding Photo that a bride of that time

often wore a nice suit instead of a long white gown.

It was practical, as they could wear it

for special events over and over again.

Plus those women grew up during the Depression

and were accustomed to making do with very little.

Also in that book of memories, is this photo of their first home,

this majestic old farmhouse. They lived here from that June day

until we moved during the Winter of 1970.

For their anniversary celebration, I picture my mother

spent the afternoon getting ready by setting her hair with rollers,

and sitting under the dryer while polishing her nails.

She would get dressed with her nylon stockings,

pencil skirt and jacket. Of course she wore heels.

My dad came in from working in the field.

He cleaned up and put on a suit and tie.

They would drive the 20 miles into Devils Lake to go to a nice restaurant.

My Dad would order the Ribs.

It would come with a finger bowl on the side.

If the band played Alley Cat, he would ask my mom to dance

and they would two-step around the dance floor.

One of the Bye girls would come to babysit me,

And when I got up the next morning,

I had the treat of eating a package of those fancy crackers

and playing with the little plastic sword that came in my mom’s beverage.

Sweet Memories.

Take care,

~Natalie

Wednesday’s Work ~Winterfest Preparations ~Here’s my Report

Turkey Tails. Remember last week

they were taking a bath in the Vanilla Coffee Stain.

A Big Finish for the Burlap Stockings...I did the hand-stitching

in the car on last weekend’s trip to the Bison Game.

I can’t wait to show you what is happening in here!

Stocking hats...Get it?!

Do you like this fabric

for these Snowman Scarves?

These week’s highlight was a package from Japan.

These coffee candies are the best!

I hope our daughter stocks up before they move stateside!

I am so looking forward to giving my feet this spa treatment.

Since I have shed my walking boot and the wraptor,

these feet are in need of some pampering!

And the best...artwork to hang on our refrigerator!

We are thankful that all of that snow melted

and we are enjoying some beautiful autumn weather...

...however, cleaning up the twigs and leaves keeps Hubby busy.

He cleans them up one day, and the next day we go outside

and the yard is covered again!

Do you all have a quick, go-to meal when you are busy?

For us, it is this Shrimp Pasta dish.

I know that looks like grass clippings on the top,

but it is chives from what is left of our herb garden.

Have a Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday.

Take care,

~Natalie

 p.s. Remember that for now, this is now my new motto.

Celebrating Love with this Special Couple ~Happy Anniversary

It has been four years since our families and friends 

gathered on this hot, windy August day to join 

Emily and Jake on their special day.

It was a week full of fun and festivities!

In June, Hubby and I were blessed to spend a week 

visiting them in their home.

It warms my heart to know that 

they have such a loving, caring relationship.

Happy Anniversary to a very special couple.

Take care,

~Natalie

Things in my House Thursday ~The Little Things that Make Me Smile ~Birthday Gifts ~My Family and Friends Spoil Me

You all know that I celebrated my birthday 

a couple of weeks ago.

It was a great day with family at Fenway Park.

That should have been enough, but I also enjoyed gifts 

from our daughter and son-in-law,

my sister-in-law,

my long-time friend from college days,

and my best friend here at home.

A package came from the east coast, 

a package came from the west coast,

and packages were delivered here in person.

Who doesn’t love a surprise?!

All the gifts were thoughtfully chosen just for me...

gourmet cooking ingredients, 

my favorite kind of coffee, my favorite scented candle, 

and easy to eat snacks.

My friends also know that I have a thing for all things vintage.

When you are my age, you will agree that the bests gifts 

are practical and consumable in nature.

There are napkins that match those pretty summer paper plates 

and a couple of kitchen gadgets that you can’t see in the photo.

And then there is this...

I just can’t help but smile!

Thank you, everyone.

I am blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Family Time in Okinawa ~Fun in the Sun ~Hanging out in the Neighborhood

When it is hot outside, 

there’s nothing better than playing in Jack’s splash pad.

High Five to Mama for setting this up!

The water is cool and refreshing.

Remember Sophie who lives in the cul-de-sac?

Her mommy said she could come over to play with Jack.

Later, after they changed into dry clothes, 

Sophie came back to show Jack that her bubble blower works again.

The bubble blower plays music 

while the flower dances and blows bubbles.

It is seriously the cutest thing for some summer fun!

Sophie showed Jack how it works...

...and even taught him how to push the button.

Another thing...Sophie is quite the fashionista.

Earlier in the week we learned that pink is her favorite color.

Today she showed us how her skirt is attached to her top.

I think Jack is impressed.

Sophie and Jack are good playmates.

We are blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie

Welcome to Okinawa ~Monday Outing ~Zakimi Castle Ruins

There was warm sunshine on the island, 

so it was a great day for an outing off base.

The Zakimi Castle Ruins are located on a hill 

in Central Okinawa Honto.

Only the stone walls remain.

I am impressed how Amy can navigate the island, 

despite how Google Maps takes us down 

some of the most narrow side streets.

Then all of a sudden we are at our destination.

The Zakimi Castle Ruins are always open 

and admission is free!

There is a gravel path to reach the castle wall.

Once inside, visitors can climb to the top of the wall 

and enjoy a beautiful view over the ruins 

and the surrounding area.

We can see the ocean from here!

Many folks stop to read all about it here...

This is a map of the island and of the World Heritage Sites.

Now, we have visited two of them. The Shuri Castle...

...And now, the Zakimi site.

The castle was built in 1400s by the Chuzan Kingdom 

to safeguard against rebels from the north.

Eventually, the island was united into the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Then it was time to move on.

Near the entrance, 

a little shop to stop for a sweet treat.

Since we were all hot,

The Mango Shaved Ice really hit the spot.

We’ll take three spoons, please!

First Mama helped Jack get a bite...

Then he was pleased to return the favor for his Mama.

It was most delicious!

Thanks for a great day.

We are blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie