Renewing Old Friendships ~Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum ~~Wine and Cheese Tasting Event

It was just the best start to our long weekend...

getting acquainted with this special friend.

We met almost 40 years ago!

What brings us back together now?

Remember, our hubbys are the original members of a band 

that will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April.

Click here if you missed that post.

We had beautiful weather for our weekend road trip.

Yes, this is what traveling in the Dakotas looks like!

It was so nice that we checked into our downtown hotel

and walked to the Washington Pavilion.

Live music was provided by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors...

with former inductees invited to perform.

We tasted wines from a local South Dakota winery.

The cheeses were provided by Dimock Cheese.

Our friends are part owners and sponsored this table.

They produce the best Colby Cheese in the midwest...

but there were so many creative varieties.

This was one of my favorites.

It was a busy evening, however, 

these two had a chance to step into the Rock and Roll Museum,

and have some serious discussion.

And then, this happened...

The Band invited my Hubby up to sit in for a few numbers.

We enjoyed spending the weekend with this special couple..

And we look forward to seeing them again in April.

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Renewing old friendships...

While everything in our lives has changed,

nothing has changed between us.

Take care,

~Natalie

Summer Fun with Friends ~Wine Tasting Event with the Mother of the Bride

This summer was filled with so many highlights.

Shortly after our dress shopping day, 

the bride's mother hosted a wine tasting event in their home.

A Wine Guide took guests through an educational wine tasting... 

We sampled 5 complimentary bottles of wine from around the world. 

We learned the 4 steps to wine tasting, and how to properly pair food and wine.

While the Wine Guide conducts the class,

the hostess can have fun serving her guests.

Kari's Bruschetta was delicious...

As well as, her cucumber sandwiches.

Here, you can catch a glimpse of the Bride doing our dishes!

I hope you are all having some Summer Fun!

Take care,

~Natalie

Summer Fun with Friends ~Wine Tasting Event with the Mother of the Bride

This summer was filled with so many highlights.

Shortly after our dress shopping day, 

the bride's mother hosted a wine tasting event in their home.

A Wine Guide took the guests through an educational wine tasting... 

We sampled five complimentary bottles of wine from around the world. 

We’ll learned the 4 steps to wine tasting, and how to properly pair food and wine.

While the Wine Guide conducts the class,

the hostess can have fun serving her guests.

Kari's Bruschetta was delicious.

As well as, her cucumber sandwiches.

Here, you can catch a glimpse of the Bride doing our dishes!

I hope you are all having some Summer Fun!

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~How a Teacher Spends the Holiday Break ~~Was Santa Good to You? ~~~Addendum to the 2015 Report

While high school and college students are on semester break,

their teachers are correcting end-of-course exams,

final projects and portfolios.

I'm not complaining...after all, I get to do this at home 

in my pajamas with a second cup of coffee.

This shopping bag is full of student

work that has been corrected and entered. Yay!!

Thank you, everyone, for your 

sweet comments about my Christmas gifts.

I have couple more things to show you.

A vintage kitchen utensil,

and another year's subscription to a favorite magazine.

I know, most people look at publications on-line now,

but nothing beats opening a new magazine while riding shotgun on a road trip!

My favorite purse size calendar.

Again, I know my smart phone has a calendar,

but the images by Karen Good in this pocket planner 

just make me smile.

My new favorite mug from Santa.

It's enamel...reminds me of grandma's kitchen!

My daddy and I shared a love of black licorice.

Yeah, I know we are in a minority.

This ornament will hang on a peg in our hallway,

as we are looking forward to our trip to the UK.

And with that in mind, this was on our agenda today.

It hasn't been all work and no play.

I enjoyed lunch out twice this week.

The Brass Kettle has a great thing going...

Each day they feature one lunch item.

It's fast and so reasonably priced.

Today we enjoyed a Turkey Melt

(on their own homemade bread)

with delicious Broccoli Cheese soup.

I'm so proud of former students that own and operate this restaurant.

Last but not least, I enjoyed an afternoon with a good friend.

She is a retired teacher and was hankering to correct some papers.

So we both went to work, and got it done...

...then enjoyed some refreshments.

Thank you, Karren.

I hope you are all finding a balance between 

work and relaxation this holiday week.

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~~Back to School & Sunday's Report at Winterfest

All of you artists and crafters will get this...

I always have several projects started, 

and then before a show, there is the big finish.

I had a batch of these wine bottle bags started...

they just needed their drawstring at the top 

and their buttons on their belt.

Since Winterfest doors don't open till 11:00,

I had plenty of time to get them finished early Sunday morning.

Here he is, on display, with hubby's wine bottle jewely.

I still have two left, so let me know if you would like to purchase one.

They would ship easily too!

And speaking of hubby's wine bottle necklaces...

we sold many, but still have several left in our inventory.

These are a great gift idea to have on hand during the holidays.

They are lightweight and ship easily also,

so let me know if you are interested in the prices.

It was a short night.

We unloaded our display stands at the storage shed.

Our inventory is stored here at the house.

We had a bite to eat and before we knew it...

It was Monday morning.

It was buzzing at the supermarket when I got there at 7 a.m.

Aisles were filled with boxes to stock the shelves for Thanksgiving,

and the assortment of turkeys was quite impressive!

I was there for pizza ingredients...

the last of our yeast bread labs.

Cooking is a science and an art!

Looking good, Ladies!!

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Birthday to my Etsy Shop...Let's Celebrate with a Discount Coupon!

I've been sewing and crafting since I was a wee one.

My mom wouldn't let me use her sewing machine until I was 10 years old.

So everything before that was handmade.

My first venture into selling our handmade items was at a craft fair,

sponsored by our daughters' elementary school PTA...

There were tables set up around the gym for the crafters,

and the PTA sold homemade soups for lunch.

I was hooked...

I had to come up with a name...

"Tins and Treasures", it was.

My decorative tins created from recycled food cans 

are perhaps some of our most unique items.

And then everything else falls into the category of "Treasures", right?!

My "Crafting ADD" probably explains why I have such a collection of items in my shop.

I like to sew, knit, crochet, paint, and hot glue!

Even, my hubby has gotten into the action.

He has an awesome set of power tools out in the shop.

The best seller at our local arts festival, is his Wine Bottle Necklace.

He can get a couple made during a football game in the fall

(depending on how close the game is, of course).

My Infinity Scarves are a hot item too.

Waiting to be finished and listed are these owls.

I started them last fall, before I broke both of my wrists...

and now, just getting back into my studio.

Today, July 11th, is the anniversary of the opening of

my Tins and Treasures Shop on Etsy.

To celebrate, I am offering a 20% off coupon.

At checkout, enter the coupon code

6YEARS

If you are a local friend, just contact me to get together.

You can still use the discount and we can skip the shipping charge!

Double Bonus!!

Take care,

~Natalie