Ring-a-ling! Oh, howdy Sugar Pies! Have I got news for you! For several months now I have been busier than a queen bee in springtime working on a project that I’m going to launch sometime in June!  Yes-sir-ee! I am so excited to announce that I am writing a book that you will be able to  download instantly and  print it from your own computer. At some point in the future I hope to have it published and available on Amazon, but for now, my Sugar Pie Sistas will have first access to my book that is filled with ideas galore!

This book is all about the BeAuTiFuL, wArM and WoNdeRFuL, good old Summertime! It’s bursting at the seams with ideas, recipes, homemaking and decorating tips, quotes and fun memory making things to do with your family to have the best sun-shiny summer Ev-Ah!

My Summertime book is jam-packed with the kind of  delightful  images that you find here on my blog! It’s full of nostalgia and sweet simple pleasures  that I know will warm your heart.  Each page will take you on a stroll down memory lane where the watermelon is ice-cold, the fresh peach pie is cooling on the window sill and the fire-flies dance in the moonlight. It’s down-home goodness at best!  I gave my sister a sneak-peek and she said “It’s darling! The colors and design remind me of  a vintage kitchen tablecloth”. Hey, I like that!

Laura Ingalls Wilder said “It’s easy to have fun if you plan for it”  which is so true, the joys of summer can pass us by before we know it if we are not intentional about planning for them. Of course fun moments can happen anytime, but if we are too distracted or feeling discontented we can miss those golden blessings that come our way. We need to be deliberate about living life to the fullest! My book is all about planning for a bumper crop of  summer joy!

Guess what Sugars? There’s more good news! I am going  to have a contest and give my Sugar Pie Sistas an opportunity to contribute to my book! If you have a summertime idea, tip, memory, tradition, Quick recipe, things that you LoVe about summer, leave me a comment and I will select a few to add to my book with your name and blog link with it. This is a great way for you to get your name out there in print and it would be a wonderful addition to my book to have a few of my Sugar Pie sista’s featured! If your idea is selected then you will receive a FREE download of the book! I will announce the winners in an upcoming blog post.

Got farm memories? Perhaps you have a delightful memory of  going to grandma and grandpa’s farm when you were just a youngin’, or maybe you grew up on a farm and have a summer memory to share…I would love to read about it!

Got fun family traditions? Something silly, happy, or heartwarming?  Perhaps you have some great Family Reunion tips, or a funny short story about a beloved aunt, uncle or grandparent. Any memories of church picnics? Fun Activities for kids?

Got picnic or camping tips? Quick summer recipes? What brings you joy in the summertime? What are your favorite sights, smells, sounds and tastes of summer? Share your list of summertime favorites!

Oh my! I can’t wait to read your ideas!

To get y’all in the Summertime mood…here are a few of my favorite goodies that get me just giddy about celebrating summer…

The Driving Miss Daisy Sound Track! Of course I love the Movie too! There is something so southern and  summery about the music…makes me wanna go shoppin’ at the Piggly Wiggly!

Oh my goodness I want to eat this! It smells so delicious!! I recently discovered Apricots and Cream by Philosophy and it is amazing! It smells like an apricot or peach orchard at pickin’ time! Yummy!

Another favorite CD Down On The Farm! This C D is so fun because it has actual sounds from a farm! Little lambs, piggies, chickens and cows! It also has several Americana songs…Turkey In The Straw…Square Dance Hootenanny…Shenandoah…The Waltons….Andy Griffith Show…Chicken Reel…Old Mac Donald had a farm…Oh Suzanna….Old Dan Tucker…My Old Kentucky Home and lots more!!  Fill your house with joyful music and feel the joy! It’s the only way to happily clean your house!

My favorite, most comfortable flip-flops EV-AH! Seriously Yellow Box Flip-Flops are sooooo comfy and cushy and cute to boot! They come in all kinds of patterns and colors…I pretty much live in these all summer long!

Okay gals! Now that you’re in the summer mood….be sure to enter my contest and share any tips, memories, ideas, quick recipes, family fun traditions or even a random list of what you love most about SuMmeR!

Here are three things you need to do:

1. When you fill out the form to leave a comment, be sure to leave your email address (it will not be visable once you publish your comment). If your idea is selected, I will email you the free book once it is completed.

2. Make sure to include your full name in your comment so I can properly give you credit.

3. If you have a blog, be sure to leave your internet address and link for it too.

Hip Hip Hooray!! Summer is on it’s way!!

Can’t wait to hear from my Sugar Pie Sistas!

Blessings and Hugs!!

Aunt Ruthie

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Oh Happy Day! Spring is springing! The sun is beaming and the leaves are beginning to burst from the sleepy gray trees! Birds are chirping their merry little songs.  It’s like the earth is waking up and yawning, getting all bright eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to inspire us with God’s glory!

The robins are busy setting up housekeeping, building nests and preparing for new life!

That is what Easter is all about…new life!

 

It’s a time to Rejoice!

Rejoice! That God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die on the Cross for our sins that whoever believes in Him would get to go to Heaven one day!

Rejoice! That Jesus, the Lamb Of God, was willing to sacrifice His life for us! To wash our sins away! You see, sin separates us from God. The Bible says that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” ( Romans 6:23). That is why Jesus died, to pay our debt so we could live!

He could have called ten thousand angels ……

“He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.” ~Song by Ray Overholt

Jesus was in complete control of His death on the cross. It was His decision to become the Passover Lamb….because He loved us so much…He could not bear the thought of living without us forever. Jesus is our rescuer!

“Oh how He loves you and me,

Oh how He loves you and me,

He gave His life, what more could He give?

Oh how He love you, Oh how He loves me,

Oh how He loves you and me!” ~song by Kirt Kaiser

“The next day John saw Jesus coming to him and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world!” ~John 1:29

Rejoice! Jesus is alive! He rose from the dead three days after being crucified…just like He said He would and He is preparing a wonderful place in heaven for those who abide in Him and call Him Lord and Savior. And the great news is He is coming back for us someday!

This  chalkboard message is my little reminder! Whenever I get discouraged or overwhelmed I always tell myself  “No matter what happens in life, I  still get to go to heaven!”….and heaven is going to be AwESOmE!  That hope fills my heart with joy and strength to handle the hard things that come my way because I know the best is yet to come!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3

My relationship with Jesus is what gives me joy, peace and hope! He is everything wonderful! It truly brings me joy to honor Him in my home! For without Him, my home would just be a house.

Come take a peek at the rest of my Easter decorating ideas.

I had a lot of left-over straw from fall so I decided why not use it to decorate farm-girl style! Here, I filled  up a glass cookie jar with barn straw and “sugared” eggs.

Did you know….that you can buy chalkboard contact paper and cut it into any shape? It is so fun! I love it because you can stick it anywhere on most anything and when you want to change it or remove it, it peels right off! You can find it here on Amazon! Think of the possibilities! You can cut a piece to fit a cabinet door…. make placemats…. tags…. cut a large heart shape and put it on your kid’s bedroom door and leave love notes and reminders…or a small heart on your bathroom mirror to write a scripture, affirmation or a note to your sweetie!

This beautiful oval shape is also chalkboard paper! I found it on Amazon also. It’s called Wall Candy! It just sticks on the wall and won’t damage paint. It’s a good size too: 31 1/2 x 18 1/2. I’m thinkin’….. put this on a flat door to write inspiring quotes or important reminders! Or above your daughter’s bed on the wall with a note of sweet-dreams! AdOrAbLe!

It’s a good thing to decorate for the seasons. Even if it’s just a little spot. One little table. It takes so little and yet adds such joy! It also sends a message to our family that we notice God’s goodness in each  fresh season. Decorating is part of the celebrating.  It shows we appreciate the beauty that the Lord blesses us with. It also lifts our spirit to find fresh beauty in the corners of our home!

“Into all our lives, in many simple, familiar, homey ways, God infuses this element of joy from the surprises of life, which unexpectedly brighten our days and fill our eyes with light.” ~ Samuel Longfellow

Eggs in a cookie jar….is that silly? Adding a bit of whimsy is like sprinkling glittery joy into the hearts of our family.

“What will your children remember? I will do something special or silly or unexpected with a child today. The child may use it to make a better world tomorrow.” ~ Gloria Gaither

Our family tradition is to hide an Easter basket inside the house for each child…even adult children and their spouses! My hubby is real good at hiding them! We also hide plastic eggs with surprises inside throughout a couple rooms. I think my hubby and I have the most fun of all watching the kids hunt for the goodies! And of course we look forward to our Church Easter service!

Every house where love abides and friendship is a guest is surely home, and home sweet home; for there the heart can rest. ~Henry Van Dyke

“You have to look for the joy. Look for the light of God that is hitting your life, and you will find sparkles you didn’t know were there.”
~Barbara Johnson

Twigs….vintage music….golden straw….farm-white eggs….music to my ears.

Thank you all for your warm and wonderful comments for my son J.J. and his fiance’ Tiffany on their engagement!  They so apprciate your kindness! In fact JJ left a sweet comment himself….

“Thank you mom for posting that special day. No doubt in my mind you are the BEST mom in the world. I love you. Thank you to all for your best wishes for me and Tiffany!”

Some of you may have missed seeing this photo…it was taken at the exact moment that JJ proposed! A nice couple was driving by and took a picture, promising to email it.  I got it a few days after I posted my blog about the engagement…I just had to share it! JJ is just beaming! (Oh Honey!!) I am too because he is coming here to Missouri from California for Easter! Yay! I get all four kids back home for the Holiday!

May all of you Sugar Pies be blessed this Easter!

Lot’s of hugs!

Aunt Ruthie

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