Introducing Miss Ottenbacher

Meet Miss Ottenbacher,

Central High School's newest Family & Consumer Science Teacher.

Here she is with her new school computer.

I was privileged to spend the afternoon with her on Friday.

She is smart and well prepared. 

She had a list carefully thought out questions.

We visited about the curriculum.

She will teach all foods classes, so

we talked about what has been done in the past...

and she will bring creativity and fresh new ideas to the program.

We also talked about student concerns.

Miss Ottenbacher has a kind and caring spirit,

wanting to consider the needs of others.

I am so excited for her, 

and I can't wait to see how she makes this classroom her own.

I couldn't be more confident to turn the reins over

to this young, energetic teacher.

Congratulations, Miss Ottenbacher.

You are going to be a great teacher!

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Summer's Highlight ~Spending a Week with Family ~~Our Time at Home: Day Two ~~Celebrating an Anniversary

This family evening was a celebration of wedded bliss.

It was Amy and Nick's 5th Anniversary. 

We were honored to share their special day with them.

Five years ago we witnessed their marriage ceremony 

and celebrated with them in Rochester.

The happy couple traveled home to celebrate their first anniversary 

surrounded by our family and friends with a dessert reception.

This year, Jake and Emily surprised us with a little Bubbly

to toast the anniversary couple.

The weather was perfect...

We enjoyed a wonderful evening with family.

Again, I went to bed a happy mama!

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Summer's Highlight ~Spending a Week with Family ~~Our Time at Home: Day One

It was our last morning to wake up in the city...

...to enjoy a leisure cup of coffee and brunch at the hotel.

Soon we were on the road, making the six hour trip home.

This is a familiar sight while traveling in the summer time.

We were the first car in line, so we visited with the flag girl 

during that 10 minute wait. She was quite entertaining!

But then, maybe being out in the heat

contributed to her spunky demeanor!

After traveling through road construction, 

we experienced a typical South Dakota hail storm.

Finally, we were home and it wasn't long before the games came out.

And it took even less time for my new helper cat

to discover that our daughters and their husbands

like cats.

Jasmine didn't leave their side...

in fact, she slept with Amy and Nick every night.

It's hard to explain how good it feels to wake up 

to this in the foyer!

Empty nesters, you will relate...

I always slept the best when everyone was home from college 

and sleeping under our roof again.

One doesn't come home for a visit 

without stopping at Twist Cone...

...and ordering your favorite ice cream treat.

A perfect ending to our first day,

was a trip downtown to enjoy the

Summer Concert Series.

Live music, dinner from a food truck,

and being together...

a good time was had by all.

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Summer's Highlight ~Independence Day ~~Spending a Week with Family ~~~There's No Better Way to Spend the Day

Our vacation mornings were so relaxing.

Why does coffee always taste better away from home?

The Depot, Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel,

served a hearty brunch each morning.

The Omelet Chef prepared my veggie entree to perfection.

along with hash browns, crisp bacon, and fresh fruit.

While the guys were getting in a round of golf,

I enjoyed sitting on the patio with a second 

(and third) cup of coffee, catching up on the news.

A trip to Minneapolis is not complete without

a visit to the Mall of America, of course.

Independence Day

The best part of the trip was being in the company

of our daughters and their husbands.

Here we are,

making our to the stadium.

After a quick stop for pre-game

food and beverages, we were in our seats.

America's Pastime...

there's no better way to spend the day!

Our seats were conveniently in the top rows,

so when the sun got the best of us, 

we could stand under the shelter.

While everyone is celebrating America's birthday,

our group was also celebrating Jake's Birthday.

Do you all remember when we celebrated 

with Jake on his  21st birthday?

Another highlight...

It was great to be reunited with Nick's dad and siblings,

and to see how the nephew and nieces have grown.

I hope you all had wonderful holiday week.

I can assure you, that we had the best!

Take care,

~Natalie

Tins and Treasures Etsy Shop Celebrates an Anniversary with a Sale

Nine years ago today, I listed my first item in my

Tins and Treasures Etsy Store.

What was it?

A tin, of course.

The inspriation for my shop's name,

it was one of my most unique handmade items.

It recycles food cans that would 

normally end up in the landfill.

It has been one of my most popular items for years,

as it can be functional, as well as, decorative.

In celebration, you can receive 20% off any item 

in my shop, by using coupon code

9YEARS

at the checkout.

Click here.

Local friends, contact me,

if you would like to stop by 

to browse in person.

The 20% discount offer will expire on

July 18th.

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Summer's Highlight ~Independence Day ~~Spending a Week with Family ~~~Day 1

Independence Day is the midpoint of our summer.

This year I was awaiting this day with great anticipation.

Our daughters and their hubbys were coming home!

They had not been home for nearly two years!!

Amy and her hubby were traveling from Japan.

While I was preparing our dining room for family meals...

Amy and Nick were having a quick bite before their long flight.

While Amy and Nick were traveling through time zones,

we were driving across the state line to Minnesota.

We like to stay downtown...

there's so much to see and do, within walking distance.

We were enjoying dinner out in the city

with daughter #1 and her hubby...

while daughter #2 and her hubby were boarding in Boston.

We ate at the Freehouse in the North Loop.

Hubby and I shared the Seafood Mac & Cheese.

omg...so yummy.

It wasn't long before we got the text that 

Emily and Jake had arrived.

After a quick Uber ride,

we were all reunited.

I went to bed that night, 

one.. happy.. momma.

Take care,

~Natalie

What'cha Workin' on Wednesday ~Our Garage Project Progress Report

Our helper cat has kept watch over 

the work outdoors.

My last progress report ten days ago,

showed hubby standing in the framework

of his new man cave.

Click here, if you missed it.

Here's a view of the addition,

the only way in is through the existing window in the garage.

Next, another shipment of shingles.

But first, the old shingles must come off...

no matter how stubborn they are.

Another delivery?

This time it was siding.

Hubby welcomed the opportunity to help demolish 

the existing wall between our garage and the new addition.

While hubby was taking his work frustrations out on that wall,

our contractor was working his magic on the siding.

Today, I came home from an appointment to the best news...

the..dumpster..is..gone!

That eye-sore has been in our driveway for nine weeks.

I'm sure our whole neighborhood is rejoicing.

And inside our house...

Jasmine is looking forward to a little holiday break.

We'll be back next week to finish the job.

Take care,

~Natalie