It’s Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas…the most Magical Time of the Year.

Our Grandsons had a little chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Hubby has been quite busy in his wood-shop,

as he has his creations on display at a local downtown boutique,

the Tumbleweed Market.

These trees are new this year, and are Mazzie approved. 

From my Sewing Studio, this Santa.

He was a special order for a friend of mine.

Gracie was good help checking the lights for our tree.

As soon as the tree was decorated,

Mazzie found the perfect spot to relax and

enjoy the warm glow of the lights.

I switched out my dishes to reflect what’s happening outside.

Yes, I packed up the dishes with flowers, and brought out the Snowmen.

Our soup of the week was Lasagna Soup.

Hubby’s hand-turned candle holders adorn our table.

Battery candles were such a smart idea.

There is nothing cozier that a

Christmas Tree all lit up.

Enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season

with those that you love.

Take care,

~Natalie

Welcome December ~Thanksgiving Weekend Report

It’s a New Day, a New Week, and a New Month.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Thanksgiving 2025

We prepared our meal in five Crockpots and transported 

 it to Great Grandma at her Assisted Living Facility.

She’s 96, she is doing well, and

She looks so happy.

We kept the meal prep and cleanup simple with

paper plates and an easy appetizer.

The five crockpots were filled with a Turkey Breast, Stuffing,

Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Creamed Corn.

This photo greeting came across the miles…

Seeing our daughters and their families

celebrating together brings me Joy.

Friendly Mail also brings me Joy.

Black Friday Blizzard.

On-line Shopping brings me Joy…

Shopping at home, cozy and warm, wearing comfy clothes,

Sipping coffee with a cat by my side.

Notice how the fresh snow actually sparkles.

Yep, those are Bunny Tracks.

It’s tradition for these Retired Empty Nesters to go out on 

Small Business Saturday.

First Stop, Natural Abundance.

At Novel Ideas, we purchased books for each of the Grandchildren.

This is my friend Kristi, she and her hubby

provided wonderful personal customer service,

typical in a locally owned boutique.

Next stop, The Tumbleweed Market.

Here’s Hubby with his second cousin, Tammy.

She and her daughter, Amber, are the new owners

of this charming boutique.

The Tumbleweed Market has something for everyone.

Perhaps you’ll recognize Hubby’s Hand Turned Wooden Trees.

We stopped for a lunch break in a local Bar & Grill.

Lagers has the best Chicken Tenders in town,

So we shared a basket.

We both stayed creative this weekend, Hubby in his Woodshop…

These little trees have become best sellers.

…And me, in my Sewing Studio.

I had this Special Order Santa to finish.

How are you doing on your Shopping List?

This is a great checklist when shopping for Grandchildren.

Today is Cyber Monday.

In addition to shopping your local small business,

remember to check out the Etsy Shops.

When you shop handmade, and make a purchase,

there’s an artist somewhere

doing a Happy Dance.

 Take care,

~Natalie

Thanksgiving 2025 ~A Bounty of Blessings ~Celebrating Friends, Football, and Good Food

Happy Thanksgiving Eve

When hosting the Thanksgiving Meal in our home, I start early in the week,

gathering recipes, making grocery lists, creating a preparation schedule,

and coordinating table linens and serving pieces.

Gracie was focused on this Today Show Segment,

“Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving”

In case you missed it, this was the Big News last week.

Dr. Alan LaFave was named the new President of 

Northern State University.

 Yes, our good friends are coming back to Aberdeen.

Alan and Hubby became friends over four decades ago,

when they were undergrad music majors at NSU.

We attended the reception in his honor.

Our Celebration moved from Alan’s reception on Campus,

to a dinner out, celebrating Bob and Paula’s Anniversary.

We all have much to be thankful for.

The next morning we were up early, dressed in our Spirit Gear,

to make the trip to Fargo for the Bison Game.

Game Day would not be complete without spending time

with College Friends in the Tailgating Lot.

I loved catching up with this “old” roommate.

The atmosphere in the FargoDome is electric.

I am also thankful that we can watch the game indoors!

We attended games two weekends in a row…

And we saw two wins to finish their undefeated season.

We are thankful for the ability to travel,

for the opportunity to secure tickets, 

and especially for getting to visit with college friends.

There are so many things we are thankful for this year…

For our health, our family, and our friends.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday filled with

the warmth and joy of the season.

Take care,

~Natalie

What’cha Working on Wednesday ~Finding Joy in the Everyday Ordinary ~The Lottery of Life

With a Career in Teaching, every day was different.

Family & Consumer Science encompasses 

an endless variety of concepts…

Foods, Nutrition, Fashion, Child Development,

Personal Development, Mental Health, Relationships,

Budgeting, Home Management, and More

In other words, adulting!

Now, in Retirement I appreciate my time at home,

staying busy with house chores and projects.

My morning starts with coffee, an inspirational reading,

sending messages to our family and close friends,

then checking my calendar and To-Do Lists.

“Finding Joy in your Work”

I love this one.

Ordinary Work is a Privilege.

When I am tempted to complain about the daily chores of

Cooking and Cleaning,

I remind myself that we are blessed…to have our own home,

which provides shelter, security, conveniences, and creature comforts.

We are blessed…to have food in the pantry

that is nutritious and delicious.

There is peace in consistency….

a mundane, ordinary, everyday routine feels comfortable and safe.

Yes, we have Won the Lottery of Life.

Take care,

~Natalie

How it Started ~How it’s Going ~In Hubby’s Wood Shop

Thanks to family and friends,

Hubby has a good stash of wood in storage.

If you are cutting down a tree, or lose a branch in a wind storm,

Hubby may show up with his pick up and chain saw.

Thanks, Bob, for this beautiful supply.

This pretty Walnut is from a neighbor.

Have I told you I LOVE a live edge on a bowl?

It is a challenge for a wood turner to keep it intact,

as it tends to chip away on the lathe.

This bowl measures about 5 1/2 inches across the base.

Let us know if you are interested.

The wood for these trees came all the way from Georgia.

Hubby collected a few pieces when we were there visiting family.

There’s that live edge again.

And again on this one, too.

Pretty cool, right?

This bowl has a special spot in my heart,

as it is created from wood that came from our Family Farm.

When we High School Girlfriends were having a reunion in June,

Hubby had his Pickup and Chainsaw out at the farm.

The sweet live edge, and the pretty grain of the Ash.

No two trees are alike.

It has been 12 weeks since Hubby’s heart attack and surgery.

His Recovery has gone well,

and he’s been able to enjoy time in the Wood Shop again.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie