Chalkboard Love

Written by Aunt Ruthie on April 17th, 2009

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I know what’s sweeter than Micky D’s Sweet Tea!

It’s YOU my Sugar Pie Sistas! ( If you’ve had Mc Donald’s Sweet Tea you know it is the sweetest tea “evah”! You can find it in most of the Southern states, and may I say, it is delicious!) Anyhoo! Thank y’all so much for your wonderful comments, cheer-leading me on as I endeavor to bring you down home goodness from my heart to yours!

In this post I want to share  with you my down-home love for chalkboards! In fact I have them all over my house proclaiming all kinds of messages of love and joy! Some have scriptures, quotes, and  love notes. I use them to show off the menu for  get-togethers, or a warm “Welcome Home” greeting.  I write instructions like “don’t forget … Violin Recital Sunday…3 pm!”. And I love writing seasonal messages for all of the holidays…it just seems to add a special sparkle in the air! Little reminders of all of the fun to come! They help to set a happy tone in the home!

img_0224Most of all I enjoy telling my family in all sorts of ways that I love them!  Happy messages help create a positive atmosphere and they remind us to stay positive! They help sweep out  negative attitudes. Good or bad, attitudes are contagious! Remember the old phrase “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” ? If we are grumpy, our family will be grumpy! That’s not fun!  So we need to keep sweet by thinking good thoughts. Chalkboards help. When I am having a “bad hair day” or worse, (feeling overwhelmed or blue…you know when those “Ladies Days” arrive!) my chalkboards with scriptures remind me to be thankful and focus on my blessings rather than minor inconveniences (annoying as they may be).

img_0215As a kid I remember when someone said something mean, the come-back would be “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt  me.” Oh my, that is sooooo not true! Words can hurt us…but they can also help us, encourage us, lift, warm and bless our hearts!

I really believe that words are like seeds…spoken words and written words. Whatever seeds (words) we plant, we will end up harvesting. If we want to harvest love, joy, thankfulness, peace,  faith and hope why not plant loving, joyful, thankful,  peaceful, faithful and hopeful words

img_0247Chalkboards are such a simple thing, yet it’s message can be profound and life changing. They can bring comfort, and can remind you and your family to stand strong in what you believe in.  

img_0217This idea came from The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen Book (Click here to see my video review for the Farm Chicks Book!), which is filled with so many darling farm-style ideas for the home as well as yummy recipes! It’s an old drawer that I painted on the inside with Chalkboard Paint! The great thing about chalkboards is that you can change the message for a whole new look and theme!

 Think about using a chalkboard to write words of praise to your child to build up their confidance, significance and sense of belonging.  A little drawer like this would be perfect to personalize for a child, and to place in their room. I was thinking, you could glue a couple clothespins along the bottom or sides to clip on a  family photo,  extra love notes or sticks of gum and candy! What child wouldn’t love that? What a cozy little nook of love that would be!

img_0221You may notice that the artwork and writing on my chalkboards are very clear and bright…..it’s because  I have discovered the wonderful world of Chalk Ink Markers They are the same product that Starbucks Coffee uses on their charming chalkboards!

pumpkin-spice-latte-sign-7854461The great thing is they come in a variety of fun colors and they’re all washable! When you are ready for a new look or message, you wash it off! You can use water, or Windex. Sometimes I sprinkle on a tiny bit of Bar Keepers Friend (sink polish) if I have gotten the color on real thick. Take a look at BEFORE AND AFTER on my pantry door…img_0241

This is the “BEFORE” with regular chalk…..(as you can see the regular chalk was starting to smear).

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And AFTER with the Chalk Ink Markers! The colors are also blendable as you can see by the peaches I drew.

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Chalkboards can also add a happy touch of what I call “Disney Whimsey!” (y’all know I’m a Disney girl!)

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This past Christmas I hung this chalkboard (it used to be a headboard!)  in my kitchen for a little Holiday Sparkle!

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You can use Chalk Ink Markers on plastic, metal, mirrors, car windows!img_0255

Gals, it’s the little things we do to make our house a home.

Gals

Don’t you just love to get together with a gaggle of gals for a little Girl~Talk? We learn so much great stuff from each other! Well, I am so excited about a new feature that I’ll be adding in a week or two…It’s a forum….Girl-Talk with the Sugar Pie Sisterhood!  This is where everyone can join in and talk about anything from cooking, gardening, beauty, decorating, Holiday ideas, parenting or anything to do with homemaking! You can share your favorite recipes, products, tips and advice. You’ll also be able to ask a question or answer a question! I know all of you have lots of great ideas to share…well, your chance is coming! Woo hoo!

To celebrate, I will be having another give-away!

Be sure to check out my new Blue Ribbon Product Review and see those chalk in markers in action!

I also wanted to remind y’all to change the address you have listed for my site from warmpiehappyhome.blogspot.com to www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com (thanks sugar!)

Blessings and hugs!

Yee Haw!
Aunt Ruthie

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Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Written by Aunt Ruthie on April 9th, 2009

Chicken Dinner

Congratulations Miss Amy from Picket Fence Cottage, you have won the Sugar Pie Sisterhood giveaway! When your package of goodies arrive, I hope you put your sassy little Mary Janes’s Farm apron on and stir up something sweet to eat! Many blessings to you my Sugar Pie Sista!

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I want to send out a big THANK YOU to all of you gals (my new sista’s!) for signing up for the Sugar Pie Sisterhood! I hope y’all liked the newsletter I sent a few days ago! And I also want to thank all of you for the absolutely fabulous, heartwarming, encouraging and sparkling comments you left for  me! WOW! What a way to make a girl feel special! I am so glad y’all like the new look! (I’m so proud of my boy!)Please keep in mind that this is just the beginning of more to come! A couple of gals mentioned that they wanted to see photos of my home…I’m happy to say, it’s in the works! Along with more recipes, videos, product recommendations and a few more surprises up my sleeve! Please know that it’s just little ol’ me working on Sugar Pie Farmhouse (with some help from Dusty after he’s worked hard all day at his job) so it is going to take a little time for me to add all of the fun stuff that I am envisioning.

Playing Checkers

You know, my mission is to encourage homemakers of all ages to turn their hearts back home and create a warm and cozy nest for their loved ones, so I have to make double sure that I keep my own home and family as my priority. I am a homemaker, just like you, with a lot of responsiblilities like doing the laundry, cooking, taking care of my home, grocery shopping, Doctor’s appointments, school events, church activities, spending time with my hubby and kids, maintaining friendships, getting some walking in, and of course spending time with the Lord and reading my Bible (and lots of other stuff!). In our home, we have decided that after dinner is family time, so I don’t get back on the computer until the next day. I know y’all understand! The good news is that slowly but surely, as the weeks go by, you will see more and more new ideas to help you make your house a Home Sweet Home! Thank you for being patient!

Talk About Sweet!

Strawberries Close

Isn’t it wonderful that fresh strawberries are now gracing the produce section of the grocery store? Oh happy day!

Strawberries

I want to share with you one of my favorite dips that goes lusciously with these juicy red berries!

Marshmallow Creme

There are only two ingredients!! One jar of Marshmallow Creme and one 12 oz. tub of regular Cream Cheese.

Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor

I use my mini Cuisinart Chopper (See it on Amazon!) to whip it together. Because it is so thick, you need to pulse it a few times then open the lid to stir it with a spoon, repeat a few times until creamy. You could also use an electric mixer to whip the two ingredients together.

Strawberry and Creme

This is so simple yet the flavor is so delicious!

Strawberries and Creme

Fresh washed strawberries and this easy fruit dip is a wonderful treat the whole family will love!  This would be an easy and yummy addition to your Easter Celebration! Enjoy!

This Easter as you savor the chocolate bunnies and the Easter egg hunts with baskets full of jelly bean-giggles, be sure to savor hope, mercy, grace and love. That’s what the Cross brings to all of us. Jesus left the glory of Heaven to come to this earth to take the punishment for sins  He did not commit so that we could be with Him for eternity. He could not bear the thought of living forever without us so He died for our sins…that is how much He loves us. The Bible says that the payment for sin is death….. He took our place. Such love…such wonderous love!

Cross with heart

This twig cross was made by my daughter Ashley about 15 years ago, I bring it out every year  to remind us of the true meaning of Easter. Notice that Jesus is no longer hanging on the cross…because the wonderful news is He rose from the dead and is now preparing a place for us far beyond anything we could ever imagine!

Easter Decor Ideas

“There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true.”
– John 14:2

Cherry Blossoms

“It is finished!” He cried. And the great Creator went home. (He’s not resting though. Word has it that His tireless hands are preparing a city so glorious even the angels get goose bumps upon seeing it. Considering what He has done so far, that is one creation I plan to see.)” ~Max Lucado

Have a Blessed Easter!

Hugs!
Aunt Ruthie

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