What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Spring Cleaning ~Room by Room: Living Room #Flatten the Curve #Stop the Spread #COVID-19 #Stay Home

When I returned home from staying with family,

I made a commitment to self isolate for 14 days.

Since I had traveled from out of state,

I did not want to take the chance of

spreading this virus, just in case I was a carrier.

This photo illustrates what is most important.

Notice the words...

Home and Families.

Staying at home is a perfect time to tackle Spring Cleaning.

With our foyer complete, I moved on to the Living Room.

It had been a while since I cleaned all the way to the edges.

Remember, last spring I was occupied with

a temporary part-time job,

a trip to stay with family in Okinawa,

a trip to visit family in NH & MA,

and a fractured fibula.

So, it is good to feel like I have some

purpose and direction while here at home.

The Living Room is where I like to “show off”

some of my favorite things...

Great Aunt Birdie’s Sewing Machine,

gifted to me by Aunt Mona.

I also used this opportunity to change the centerpiece

and pillows from Winter to a Spring theme.

We are all set for April Showers and May Flowers here.

When I’m not Spring Cleaning,

I have spent some time in my Sewing Studio.

This Face Mask pattern was posted

on the Avera St. Lukes Hospital Website.

It goes together pretty quickly.

Let’s all do what we can to stop the spread

of COVID-19 so we can return to our lives and enjoy

familiar spring and summer activities.

Stay in your homes.

Wash your hands.

Don’t touch your face.

As of yesterday, my 14 day self-isolation expired.

Thankfully, I feel fine.

Stay safe and well.

Take care,

~Natalie

Weekend Road Trip ~Country Roads ~Sand Lake Wildlife Refuge ~Social Distancing ~Flatten the Curve ~Stop the Spread ~A Message from Jack

The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge

is a quick drive from our home.

I have not ventured out and about since returning

from my trip out East to visit our Family.

This was a great opportunity to break my 14 Day Self Quarantine...

a road trip to see all the geese that are migrating north.

I had not been out here since our girls were young.

I highly recommend it.

Load up your vehicle, immediate family only.

You should be spending time with just the people

that live under your roof. It will be a nice change of scenery

from the inside walls of your home.

From a distance, that looks like snow on the lake.

But when you get closer,

it’s easy to see that it is all snow geese.

It is a stunning site to see.

(Be sure to watch the video in my comments.)

We enjoyed making our way home,

driving through the small towns,

and detouring around the flooded roads.

Jack says, 

”Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.”

Enjoy what’s left of your weekend.

Stay Home and Stop the Spread of COVID-19.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Spring Cleaning ~Room by Room: the Foyer ~Social Distancing ~COVID-19 ~Flatten the Curve ~Stop the Spread

I have been home for a week and a day.

Since I had traveled home from a high risk area,

in two planes, through three airports, 

I committed to self-quarantine for 2 weeks.

If  I am carrying the Virus, I don’t want

to pass it on to anyone else.

As you know symptoms don’t always show up right away,

 and the recommended time to self-isolate is 14 days.

So far, I feel perfectly fine.

When I returned home I first cleaned

everything with Lysol Spray...

my luggage,

the doorknobs,

the light switches,

the remotes,

and all the handles in the house.

Since most of you are stuck at home, there is

no better time to start your Room by Room Spring Cleaning.

As you can see, I stripped the room

and cleaned everything from top to bottom.

  I have displayed some of my grandmother’s hats.

Remember, a lady did not leave her house

without covering her head.

This is my Grandma, Hilda,

with her mother’s headstone in 1964.

He mother, Caroline,

would have been 100 years old that year.

 

On the back if that vintage frame, my mother’s handwriting...

From over eight decades ago.

These are the names of the girls

that she lived with in that Girls Dormitory.

Other keepsakes in our foyer include this

Vintage Chair from the Normania Country Schoolhouse,

which was just a mile from our farmhouse.

I purchased that shopping bag at the World Market

when our daughters and I traveled to Hawaii, years ago.

This doll greets everyone who visits our home.

Notice those little scissors?

They belonged to my mother’s great aunt, Birdie.

She always carried them in her purse.

Your foyer is the introduction to your home.

While it may be the smallest room in your house,

it is also important to feature the style and colors

that visitors will see when they visit the rest of your home.

It feels so good to have the foyer clean from top to bottom,

that I have moved on to tackle the next room.

And most of all, stay in touch with your

family and friends

during this time of self-isolation.

Stay safe and well.

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!

What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~Endless House Chores ~Treat Yourself Now and Then

Who else feels like the house chores are never ending?

They are a good reminder to be thankful for our homes, 

for good food, and for comfortable clothing.

No one wants to see photos of me washing dishes, 

folding laundry, or dusting & vacuuming.

So, please enjoy these photos of my fresh flowers.

I made a mad dash through the supermarket yesterday.

The Clearance Basket of fresh flowers caught my attention.

I’m guessing they were the leftovers 

from the most recent spring dance recital.

I like leftovers...

And for this price, 

they were a good investment.

Somehow, doing my house chores just became more pleasant.

Treat yourself...

You are Worth it!

Take care,

~Natalie

Welcome to Okinawa ~Tourist Day ~Shurijo Castle ~Time with Family ~Another Jack Approved Snack

Until about 140 years ago, Okinawa was an independent nation 

know as the “Ryukyu Kingdom” with a 450-year history.

Shurijo Castle was considered the symbol of that royal court culture.

Positioned at the center of the kingdom, 

the Castle served as the living quarters for the successive kings, 

and also a place to handle political affairs, rituals and ceremonies, 

and for welcoming foreign guests.

We were greeted at each entrance.

Upon entering the castle, 

we were asked to remove our shoes 

before taking the self-guided tour.

The Shurijo Castle is registered as a World Heritage Site.

The architectural designs and masonry have 

great cultural and historical value,

that show a fusion of both Chinese and Japanese influences.

Bingata garments, created at the end of the 19th Century,

were worn by noble class women and boys before adulthood.

The are still used as costumes for traditional dances.

There was a maze of walkways and gates 

that led to the small gardens with view of the city.

There was much to take in, so a quick break to rest, 

check out the rocks, and eat a quick snack was needed.

Don’t forget your water bottle to stay hydrated.

The sunshine is very warm.

Looking over the rooftops.

Beautiful lush gardens.

Jack rode in his stroller for most of the tour,

but it was not allowed on the uppermost levels.

Back in this beautiful courtyard,

that tree provided lovely shade to sit 

for a cool, sweet treat.

Okinawa Pineapple Ice Cream is so delicious...

...that you need a spoon in each hand!

This Nana had a wonderful time.

Thank you, Amy and Jack.

We are blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie