What’cha Workin’ on Wednesday ~So Long, Santa ~Helllo Snowmen

It was about time for Helper Cat and I to pack up

the Christmas Decorations.

I love the glow of the lights in the evening...

and since we don’t decorate until after Thanksgiving,

it’s nice to leave them up until mid-January.

Santa and Friends gathered for storage.

And then, there’s this...

Helper Cat wasn’t sure if I could get that mess

straightened out and into the storage tub.

In fact...she decided to take a little break.

With the Christmas Decor put away, the house seems so bare.

Having a few snowmen to fill in the void helps.

Remember, these were new for Winterfest this year.

These have always been a another favorite of mine,

made with all Upcycled Vintage Materials.

Bundle up...there’s plenty of Winter left on the calendar.

With our temperatures in the deep freeze...

...Comfort Food hits the spot.

After Pot Roast Sunday,

we enjoyed Hot Beef Combo Monday.

Stay safe and warm, my friends.

Take care,

~Natalie

The Most Wonderful Time of Year ~Christmas 2019 ~Now a Memory ~Here’s the Rest of the Story

My digital album is filled with random photos

of the time we all spent together this past Christmas.

It was short...but oh, so sweet.

Remember the photo of great grandma sitting

in her living room while the younger generation prepared dinner?

She was actually watching Jack play with my hubby’s old toy cars.

And what was happening on the home front

when Jack was napping?

Jake wanted to try his hand at wood turning.

Hubby was pleased to take on the role of instructor.

In fact, the guys spent quite a bit of time in the man cave...

This was probably the best $20 Hubby spent at Menards

when we were prepping for the holidays.

The family bundled up to enjoy time outside.

I’m not sure who had more fun...little Jack or the “big kids”?!

And then, there was this.

When you live in the Midwest you take the

Winter Storm Warnings seriously.

They had no choice but to pack up

a day early and get on the road.

Just like that, the house was quiet again.

However, we are still loving the memories

we created during Christmas Break 2019.

Take care,

~Natalie

Santa Claus is Coming to Town ~Countdown to Winterfest ~Two Days #WinterfestAberdeen

It wouldn’t be a Winter Arts Festival without Santa.

We designed a couple of new patterns this year.

Ho..Ho..Ho..

Like the snowmen in the previous post,

Hubby and I collaborated to create this project.

Again, some of the work is done

out in the wood shop,

and some in the sewing studio.

Santa’s tree is created from a cinnamon stick,

adorned with homespun and twine.

All ready for the big weekend.

See you there!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Miscellaneous ~Where the Week Went ~Looking for the Blog Worthy

 This is Us...Seven years ago.

The photo showed up in my Facebook Memories.

We look so much younger!

Where does the time go?!

Oh, and my Facebook Messenger 

was hacked this week.

Notice it looks like I am 

using a phone number in Nigeria.

Why don’t these computer wizards 

use their technology skills for something useful?

Have you all been watching “This Is Us”?

That season finale gave us viewers so much to think about.

Their writers are amazing!

The older we get, 

the more we like to prepare dinner at home 

with fresh ingredients and our favorite seasonings.

Now that we have had a tiny taste of spring, 

I am looking for new recipe ideas.

This looks like a tasty salad.

According to Fitbit, 

I have taken 3 million steps since the middle of June.

We went out to Minervas 

with our Friday Night Friends.

Hubby and I shared the Firecracker Shrimp.

I recommend it.

One of our friends gifted all of us girls

with a spring daffodil bud.

Thank you, Charlotte.

We used the last Corned Beef Brisket from our freezer.

I roasted it on Saturday...

Hubby made Corned Beef Hash on Sunday.

A spring storm is in our forecast.

Enough already.

Is there no end to House Chores?

I have been working at a temporary part-time job 

for the last couple of weeks.

After my last day, 

it will be time to resume my spring cleaning at home.

But first, we are going to have one more round of winter.

Stay safe and warm!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~Here’s What’s Happening on the Home Front ~And a couple of Minor Inconveniences

I haven’t made homemade Yeast Bread 

since I last demonstrated for my Basic Foods Classes.

Lately, I’ve had the urge to get my hands in the dough again.

This is a no-knead bread, baked in my small Dutch Oven.

I added fresh Thyme and Rosemary.

I’ve started a Bread Board on my Pinterest Page,

and I’m looking forward to trying other recipes.

Our last snowstorm was a doozie!

It was so bad that even hubby’s office was closed...

He’s worked there for 31 years, and this was a first.

It was so bad that even Twist Cone 

postponed their season opening.

We cannot complain about our snow.

Cities and States to the south of us received rain.

Those folks have experienced devastating floods.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

As the blizzard blew in, 

our refrigerator gave out.

I reached in the freezer to get some ice, 

And found water in the trays!

Everything in the freezer had thawed.

I am thankful for our trusty old fridge in the garage.

It comes in handy when our family is home, 

and during the holidays.

And I guess, when our kitchen refrigerator fails.

So we cleaned this refrigerator out..completely.

Hubby took three large garage bags to the dumpsters.

I browned all the ground beef and braised all the chicken breasts.

After the weather calmed down, and the streets were cleared, 

an appliance expert made a housecall and delivered the diagnosis.

Repairing the refrigerator was the best option.

So today, for the first time in 13 days, 

things are chillin’ in our kitchen!

When it rains it pours...later that afternoon,

I was heading out to an appointment and my car didn’t start.

Seriously? On the same day??

Again, I am so thankful for hubby’s big pickup in the garage,

and his willingness to drive me to where I need to go!

And here’s what’s even better...

Good friends who help us out in a time of need.

Thanks, Alan, for working with Hubby 

to get the vehicle towed out for repairs.

This week, things are looking up.

The warm sun is slowly melting the snow.

And, I saw a robin in the tree just outside our kitchen window...

a sure sign of spring!

Take care,

~Natalie