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

Where Great Grandma Grew Up ~Weekend Road Trip ~This Old Dog Struggles to Learn New Tricks

This is what social distancing looks like in the Dakotas...

not another car in sight!

 

It was a beautiful day for a drive out in the country.

Hubby got his big pickup ready for a little road trip.

We picked up his mother and headed northwest

to visit the little town where she grew up,

went to school, and met her sweetheart.

This was her childhood home.

Oh how we loved to hear her reminiscing

about the house, her family,

the neighbors, and the local businesses.

I was disappointed that we couldn’t find

the little country cemetery where her mother is buried.

Hubby suspects that it is underwater.

In fact, he had to use four-wheel drive

just to get us back to the road.

It was a beautiful day for an outing.

We spent the whole afternoon and evening looking around.

The perfect ending to our day was

a Twist Cone Turtle Sundae!

Take care,

~Natalie

Perhaps you are wondering what “new tricks” I am referring to?

Google apparently felt the need to update their Blogger App.

There have been plenty of kinks and glitches,

which explains why my posts have been few and far between. 

I know, I’ll be the first to admit,

it’s a challenge for this retired empty nester

to adjust to new technology.

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

Remembering our Mom and Grammy ~We said Goodbye Seven Years Ago

My mother cherished the time she spent with family.

We all tried to visit her as often as we could.

Here we were, celebrating one of her

milestone birthdays at her Assisted Living Facilities.

Remember, I had gotten the call seven years ago,

before 7am on January 28th.

Because she was a high-risk patient,

she was being transferred to the hospital in Grand Forks.

We made arrangements so we could travel and meet her there.

Typical for the Dakotas, the temperatures were frigid.

She had surgery, however, suffered a stroke, and spent

the next week in the hospital before passing away on February 7th.

Being an organized person, she had written her own obituary.

When I opened that box of her important documents,

I found all of her funeral arrangements,

along with this poem.

Mom, I think of you often. I miss talking to you every day.

Especially today, the day you flew with the angels

to your heavenly home.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Here’s my Full Report ~Etsy Creations ~Comfort Food ~Date Night ~Cat and Mouse

When you purchase a handmade item on Etsy,

there is an artist somewhere doing a happy dance!

I package my sales wrapped in tissue,

with a handwritten note, and a token of my appreciation.

This week, I wrapped this sweet Wooden Angel on the left

and sent her off to New Jersey.

On my work table, her shorter and wider sister,

waiting for her eyes and her halo.

Hubby doesn’t know it yet,

but that sale was the last tall, skinny, hanging angel in our inventory,

So I have the pattern out and ready for him

to take out to his workshop this weekend.

You remember we finished our Wooden Hearts

and I now have them listed in our Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop.

While I am creating, Lizzie is busy protecting her Hut

and keeping all of her rodents in check.

When I need a comfort food for lunch,

I make an Egg Salad Sandwich.

I grew up on a farm in the middle of nowhere.

Once a week, my mother and I would go into town.

I had a piano lesson, we shopped for necessities,

and we’d share an Egg Salad Sandwich

and a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie.

It was January 29th, seven years ago,

when I received the phone call that my mother had fallen,

and fractured her hip.

I am happy that I have those good memories

of Egg Salad Sandwiches and Lemon Meringue Pie.

After my lunch, I took that Etsy package to the USPS

and then stopped at my favorite supermarket.

Their sale ad has everything you need

to prepare all of your favorite football foods.

Plus, when you purchase groceries there

you can earn Pump Perks points.

Some of my points were expiring the end of January,

so Hubby invited me out to gas up his big pickup...

...and then to Burger Night at the Circus.

You all have your favorite Dive Bar, right?

This..is their entire kitchen.

On the left is their grill, and the fryers.

This is the Sous Chef setting up the baskets

to deliver all that deliciousness to their patrons.

Meanwhile, on the Homefront, Lizzie and her new mouse were

soaking up the heat on their favorite rug by the register.

Life is good.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy 90th Birthday to my Mother-in-Law

Today is a Milestone Birthday 

for my hubby’s mother...

We plan to celebrate all weekend!

If you’d like to send greetings 

please contact me for her mailing address.

She enjoys the independence of living in her own home, 

with the help of my sister-in-law and my husband.

Here she is entertaining us on Christmas Day.

She misses her sisters dearly,

as they have all passed on to their heavenly home.

They always had so much fun at family gatherings.

Once you are a certain age, you are allowed to enjoy your pie 

and a leisurely second cup of coffee on Thanksgiving, 

while the younger generation cleans up the kitchen.

Last year, we celebrated her birthday with dinner at home.

She sat on the patio to watch the grill-master at work.

She embraces her role as great grandmother.

This is the first time she and Jack met face to face...

he is certainly charming for his great grandma!

We had to take “four generation” photos.

Best wishes for a wonderful birthday weekend,

and here’s to many more!

Take care,

~Natalie

Mother’s Day Blessings ~Family Time in Okinawa ~Celebration: part three ~Enjoying a Day at Home

Mother’s Day Brunch

Cheers to Mama...she’s the best.

We three enjoyed a tasty brunch at home...

Starting with orange juice and a toast to Jack’s mama.

Jack’s orange juice was diluted with water,

Mama and Nana enjoyed a splash of bubbly in theirs.

It was a special brunch, on a special day,

with very special people.

Amy was up early to finish the Baked Oatmeal.

We had done the pre-preparation the night before.

The oatmeal includes banana, strawberries, walnuts, 

and mini chocolate chips.

She also served

Cheesy Scrambled Eggs and Fresh Fruit

After brunch we walked to a neighborhood park.

Sophie is Jack’s friend that lives in his cul-de-sac.

Her mama was called in to work, 

so she spent part of the day with us.

She is a delightful little girl, 

smart and articulate,

And she plays so nicely with Little Jack.

After lunch and quiet time,

We had some fun in the sun with 

Jack’s new Splash pad.

The cool water feels so good on a hot day.

Since Amy treated us to a lovely brunch, 

this nana prepared dinner.

It was great to spend a relaxing day at home.

One of my favorite things is to visit our adult children in their homes.

Being a part of their everyday routine, having a meal at their table, 

helping with house chores, lounging in their family room, 

all fill my heart with joy.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie