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

Where the Weekend Went ~Game Day Report ~Spooky News from Georgia ~Everyday Routine of these Retired Empty Nesters

We made the three hour trip to cheer for Bison Football.

We enjoy attending the game in the Fargo Dome,

however equally as fun, is catching up with Sorority Sisters.

We’ve been friends for over..five..decades!

We had plenty to cheer about, indeed.

While it was close, coming down to the final play of the game,

the Bison beat the Youngstown Penguins.

I never tire of this sight…

A Beautiful Sunrise or a Stunning Sunset.

We like to stop for a break from the drive to have

a quick dinner with these good friends.

We didn’t get a photo this year,

But this one from November 2023 works…

I don’t think any of us have changed a bit.

Halloween Greetings came from our

Grandchildren in Georgia.

This Papa and Gigi enjoyed the photos

and FaceTime calls we received this weekend…

definitely a highlight for us.

What’s keeping us busy?

Hubby goes to Cardiac Rehab three times a week, and

cleans up the yard at least twice a week.

At ten weeks since Heart Surgery,

his weight restriction has been reduced.

He can now lift up to 20 pounds.

New from the Woodshop,

A hand turned French Rolling Pin.

And me?

I am officially in the Third Stage of Life.

“Enough Said”

Take care,

~Natalie

Game Day Report ~The Dakota Marker ~A Little History, a Lot of Tradition

If you know us at all, you know we love to cheer for 

North Dakota State Bison Football.

The Dakota Marker Game was this weekend.

The first Dakota Marker game was played in 2004 and continues

to be a much anticipated matchup between these two Rivals. 

The Dakota Marker Trophy is a model replica of the quartzite monuments

 that were used to decipher the border between North Dakota

and South Dakota when the Dakota Territory was split into two states.

This game gets a lot of attention, as the Bison and the Jackrabbits

 are the two top ranked teams in FCS Football.

Here’s the prediction by the ESPN Game Day analysts.

This year, it was the Bison’s turn cross the

 border to take on the Jackrabbits…

…and this year, the Bison brought home that Dakota Marker.

Historically it’s a close matchup, with 

NDSU winning the bragging rights 12 years,

and SDSU has won the trophy 10 years.

And just how much does that Marker weight?

Just a mere 75 pounds.

The game was broadcast on ESPN.

We watched from home, in Hubby’s Man Cave…

…Tailgating with Homemade Pizza.

Heart Healthy Pizza, of course.

Rest up fellow Fans.

There’s plenty of  Football left this season.

Take care,

~Natalie

Searching for the BlogWorthy ~Recovery Report ~Embracing the Ordinary, Everyday Life

It has been two weeks since my last blog post…

I had to look at my Camera Roll to see where our time has gone.

It has been eight weeks since the Heart Attack and Open Heart Surgery.

Some of the limitations have been lifted,

and Hubby has resumed some of the hobbies he enjoys.

He has kept busy cleaning up the leaves in our yard,

and then rewarded with time at his lathe.

Another return to our “normal” was an overnight trip

to Fargo to attend a football game.

There’s nothing quite like being in the FargoDome with “old” friends,

to cheer for the Bison, along with the Gold Star Marching Band,

and the thousands of faithful fans.

Hubby continues with Cardiac Rehab at Sanford

three mornings a week.

And I continue with my Physical Therapy, nearly every day.

Here’s part of my PT Support Staff.

Here’s to finding value and contentment

in our ordinary, everyday life.

Take care,

~Natalie

Sunday Blessings ~Pumpkins ~Family ~Football ~Good Food ~Fall Fun

Here’s a Flashback!

 This photo showed up in my memories today.

Grandpa and Grandma always had a big garden,

and our daughters got first pick in their Pumpkin Patch.

There’s no more Family Garden…so,

Hubby and I visited the Pumpkin Patch at Menards to get our Mums,

Pumpkins, and Cornstalk for our porch.

Photo Credits to our granddaughter who snapped this

picture during a recent FaceTime Call.

A highlight of my day is hearing from our family.

Our daughters often send a “photo of the day”.

This one at the golf course…

…to the this outing at a local Pumpkin Farm.

We’ve been enjoying our beautiful autumn weather here, too.

We have been “Homegating” and watching football in Hubby’s ManCave,

with the Garage Doors open.

It’s a challenge to find Heart Healthy Football Food.

These are Cheeseburger Sliders…

Just a little seasoning, and skimpy on the Cheese.

And they are served with all the Fixings.

We’ve had plenty to cheer about…

Two weeks in a row.

It was a beautiful evening to drive out to the Lake.

We snagged a table by the window,

with a view of the water and the Fall Foliage.

Just livin’ the Retired Empty Nesters Dream…

Taking advantage of the last summer-like weather of the year.

Behind us, a vibrant Sunset cast beautiful colors

over the entire sky for our drive home.

I hope y’all had a Wonderful Weekend.

We are Blessed.

Take care,

~Natalie