Howdy Sugar Pies! Happy New Year!I hope y’all had a wonderful Christmas! My Christmas was a happy one with all of my kids together…finally! My younger son J.J. lives in California while attending College and my daughter Ashley and her hubby Glen also live there….although not for long… they are moving back here to Branson in February!!! Woo Hooo! My hubby and I are sooooo excited that our new Grand-baby, and Ashley and Glen of course, will be near us! Ashley is due to deliver toward the end of May. I am so thankful!
Well, I just got back Friday night from a whirlwind trip to the West Coast spending time with my family for the Holidays. While we were there, we got to go with Ashley and Glen to see an ultrasound in 4D on a huge screen to find out the gender. It was amazing to say the least! What a miracle! I couldn’t wait to share the news……
Yay!!! All of a sudden I feel like I need to go buy some little trucks, building blocks…and oh yes, some baby cowboy boots! This Grand-mama’s farmhouse is going to have everything to make that little boy happy…most of all lots of love…and pie!
That baby boy already has his first Chargers Jersey! Go Chargers! ( A gift from Uncle J.J. and Aunt Tiffany)
We had so much fun with all of the kids together…we enjoyed lunch at Cracker Barrel Restaurant and several meals around our family table…like old times! We played “Rock Band” and performed skits and sat by the fire sipping hot chocolate. It’s so funny that when our kids are little life seems like it’s always going to stay that way….and somehow they grow up without us noticing…until one day they’re all grown up and we wonder where the time went.( For all of you young mama’s out there, cherish the moments you have with your little ones! ) I am thankful for memories and for photos that freeze those special moments in time. I am one thankful mama to have such wonderful kids.
Kimmy and Dusty (married four years) live here in Branson…just down the street from us. Dusty is the genius that designed my Web Site. Kimmy is the manager for the company she works for, she’s won several awards for being the top salesperson….she’s a real go-getter and perky ‘n’ cute to boot!
J.J. is in his third year of College studying Business and his adorable girlfriend Tiffany has just finished and is now going back to get her teaching credentials to become a math teacher. We were so happy she was able to join J.J. in coming here to Branson for a few days. We couldn’t resist giving her an Ozark-y-hillbilly nick-name….T-Bone! My hubby Gary gave me one too….Ruby-dew! (oh brother! now don’t y’all start calling me that!)
Summer, Gary and I got home Friday night around midnight. It was a long day of traveling as we flew from Ontario to Phoenix to Tulsa, then drove 3 hours home. Although tired on Saturday we decided to go get some groceries….we heard there was a winter storm on it’s way. So we stocked up enough food for several meals, plus the basics, milk, bread and eggs. It’s a good thing we didn’t wait until Sunday to shop because that evening the snow started falling and didn’t stop until we had several inches! Being snowed in is kinda fun (remember I’m a California girl!) It’s so beautiful too….it looks as if the angels sprinkled powdered sugar everywhere!
“Outside it was cold and snowy, but the little log cabin was snug and cozy. Pa, Ma Laura, Mary and baby Carrie were comfortable and happy in their little house in the Big Woods.” Laura Ingalls Wilder
It’s so fun to know that just one hour from where I live sits Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home in Mansfield Missouri. The place where she penned all of her heartwarming stories of life on the prairie. As I look out my window and see the wonder and beauty of the sugar-coated Ozark hills I think about Mrs. Wilder and how she must have also delighted in the cozyness of her glowing hearth with the same breathtaking snowy views.
Dad and Dusty loaded up the jeep from our stockpile of firewood to bring down to Dusty’s house…just down the street. It’s so hilarious that they wouldn’t want to be seen with those burly hats on in California….but here, with temps around 10 degrees, they are pretty much a necessity!
As suggested in the Farmhouse Christmas Cookbook from Gooseberry Patch that I did a video review on, I filled up a dishpan with fresh snow for Summer to enjoy. She’s getting over a cough and cold and was not able to go outside to play…so I brought a little of the outside in!
Here are a couple more pictures of my Ozark Farmhouse in the snow….
While it’s a shivery cold wonderland outside, I’ll be busy as an “oh honey” bee putting away the “Wonderland” inside….
This week I have a lot to tend to! Because I was out of town during the holidays all of my Christmas decor is still up! I’m itching to take it all down but I wanted to get a post out to y’all, so as soon as I hit the “publish” button I have got to get my house in order! I actually enjoy taking down the decorations. I just like how my house looks so fresh and clean….clearing away all of the jolly glitter to make way for the sweet things of spring, which is just around the corner…ahhh, I can almost hear the birds chirping!
One of the verses that I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is Proverbs 31:27 it says “She looks well to the ways of her household.” In the Amplified version it says “She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.”
As we look forward to a new year, lets look well to the ways of our household by being thankful, joyful and contented. And lets do our best to create a home our family feels loved in! It’s all starts with a sweet and nurturing attitude!
The best is yet to come!
Bless you Sweet Sugar Pie Sistas!
Thank you for all of your encouraging comments they make my heart sparkle!
Hugs y’all’
Aunt Ruthie
Merry Christmas Sugar Pies! I hope that in the midst of all of your busy preparations…baking those yummy sugar cookies….shopping and wrapping those last minute gifts….doing laundry, cooking meals, and keeping the house tidy…that you would take a few moments from all the flurry to sit and ponder (like Mary did) at the dazzling-wonder of God’s most wonderful gift to us…..the reason why we are celebrating! So go grab a yummy cup of hot cocoa or tea and come spend a few Christmas moments with me….
“O star of wonder, star of light, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect light.” ~Old Christmas Carol
“Oh Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world, in sin and error pining, and He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn…..
…Fall on your knees,Oh hear the angel voices. O night divine, O, night when Christ was born, O night divine, O night divine!” ~ A. Adam
“Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them” Luke 2:19
The Word of God says that Jesus is the light of the world. Light brings life. We couldn’t survive without light on this earth. If the sun no longer shined every plant would wither and die. No plants, no food, no life, no beauty, no joy. Ahh, but when the sun shines the sky is blue, flowers bloom, fruit hangs sweet from the trees, sunbeams warm our skin, the birds sing and beauty fills the earth. It is the same with our souls. Our souls cannot survive without Jesus, it’s His light that brings us life. It’s His light that fills our heart with hope and goodness, love and comfort, mercy and grace, truth and wisdom, beauty and joy and of course Salvation with the promise of eternal life in Heaven with Him. His Word (the Bible) lights up the path of our life so we can see the right way to go. Think about this…when we come home at night and everything is dark, the first thing we do is turn on the light. It makes us feel safe and it helps us to see where we are going. It also helps us to recognise and feel that comforting sense of belonging…we think to ourself….ahh, it’s good to be home! That is what Jesus does for us when we invite Him to make His home in our heart. He turns the light on…and wonder upon wonders… hope and beauty fills our soul! The wonderful news is, His light is eternal….it can never be snuffed out. We never have to live in darkness again.
“Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12
Let the glory of the Lord shine in your heart today! If you find yourself in a dark and lonely place this season, ask the Lord to turn the light on in your heart so you can feel the warmth of His love for you and see the glow of a brighter future.
“Look up! However dark your night, there’s a Star shining for YOU, it’s the Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ, your Lord, Light of the World.” ~Peggie Bohanon
If you need God’s help, Pray this Prayer…Dear Heavenly Father, you are Holy and so Loving, thank you for sending your Son to this earth to rescue me. I believe that He died for my sins and you raised Him from the dead and He is alive and hears my prayer. I need your grace and mercy, please forgive me of my sins and make me white as snow, come into my heart and fill me with your goodness and love, I make Jesus my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer you are no longer alone! Your Prince of Peace has rescued your soul and He has an amazing future designed just for you and you have the promise of Heaven. This doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps in the road, but He will be right by your side, holding your hand every moment of every day. You must read His life giving Word to stay strong and to get to know Jesus personally (I recommend the New Living Translation). Read Psalm 139 to find out how the Lord had all of your days planned before you were born…and the thoughts He thinks about you are so many they out-number the grains of sand! He is always watching over you…He loves you so much He just can’t take His eyes off of you!! Then read the Gospel of John to learn about our wonderful Jesus. And read Psalm 91 to remind yourself that God is your protector. Welcome to the Family of God!
“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory fo the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1
Please leave me a comment if you prayed the prayer of Salvation…I would love to know!
Jesus is the best gift Ev-ah! That is why I love to decorate my home for Christmas in celebration of His Love and sacrifice for me. All the lights and sparkle are perhaps a little glimpse of heaven…..
…a reminder that He is preparing a glorious take-your-breath-away heaven!
“Considering God decorated the heavens–His own dwelling place–it seems no less fitting for us to dress up our homes with strings of lights, carols that worship His name, and symbols and seasonal reminders to help us celebrate the birth of His Son. ” Karla Dornacher
These are a few vintage ornaments from my childhood Christmas tree. I love that my favorite ornament as a little girl had the title of my favorite Christmas song…Silent Night…the same song I sang my babies to sleep when I became a mama.
Here are a few more peeks into The Farmhouse….
Simple adornments….hurricane lamps filled with tinsel garland….pine branches…a string of shimmering snowballs. I bought a package of tinsel strands for 99 cents, and it transformed the whole look of the mantel into a sparkly winter wonderland. I remember putting this same silvery tinsel on my Christmas tree as a child….what was old is new again!
I found these vintage ice-skates at a fleamarket…when I saw them heartfelt memories of my own ice-skating days were brought to mind. I “frosted” them with clear glitter and snowball pom-poms.
A frosted snowman from Homegoods and a handsome clock from Walmart! Embellishing your home doesn’t have to be expensive!
The Disney-girl in me just loves to create this snowy village each year….
I love this Victorian house with the bay window…inside a bountiful table is set with all of the fixin’s …turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, pies, homemade bread, asparagus and candlelight! I was asked where I got my village houses…..this one is Snow Village– Department 56—and the title is “Thanksgiving At Grandmother’s House”…..all of my other houses I got at Walmart several years ago.
“Oh, the snow, the beautiful snow, filling the sky and earth below; Over the housetops, over the street, Over the heads of the people you meet, dancing, twirling, swirling along.”~ James Watson
The framed artwork is Thomas Kinkade.
Oh dear…the deer is eating Frosty’s carrot nose!
A favorite family tradition…picking out the Christmas tree! The fragrance of a pine tree is the most wonderful smell in the world!
“For years we put the Christmas tree in the parlor. It was the fanciest room in the old farmhouse–carpeted, wallpapered and curtained. It seemed fitting to celebrate the Master’s birthday in the best room.” ~ Jean Bell Mosley, The Christms in Mama’s Kitchen
“Children’s happy voices sing ‘Glory to the newborn King!’ while the church bells joyfully ring… this is Christmas!
“Festive trees and child’s delight, carols ringing through the night, frosted panes aglow with light…this is Christmas!” ~ Beth Edwards
Here are a few ideas for some last minute gift-giving…you can order from Amazon and in most cases have it delivered to your home in two days…
Farmhouse Christmas Cookbook: This is one of my favorite Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks…it’s filled with yummy recipes including the sweet and chewy and very farm-wife-y Hot Milk Spongecake! There is also a section in the back for gifts you can make, heartwarming Christmas memories that you can adopt for your own family, and fun things to do with your kids. Some of the chapter titles are Farmhouse Breakfasts, Fireside Soups and Breads, Cozy Kitchen Suppers and Homemade Desserts.
Check out my new video product review
about this book and watch me giggle!
(oh brother!)
The Trip To Bountiful: Oh my, oh my! This is one of my most fave movies EV-AH! It’s for anyone that gets giddy over old fashioned movies set in the 1940’s and 50’s. The adorable Miss Geraldine Page won an Acadamy Award for her role. The clothing…the sets….the cars…the story….just wonderful! Click here to see it on Amazon.
It’s Your Time: By Joel Osteen: I am in the middle of reading this book and in Joel Osteen style, it is powerfully encouraging! Of the 23 chapters here are a few titles: Thriving, Not Just Surviving….Be A Bounce Back Person…Gaining Strength Through Adversity..Finding Your Place of Blessing.Joel is a gifted encourager. This book is a blessing and a great boost as we enter a new year with new dreams and goals. Click here to see it on Amazon.
Eat This And Live: By Dr. Don Colbert: This glossy, full color book is filled with information on the kinds of foods we should and should not eat and why. Each subject is on a two page spread with photos and graphics and very easy to read. A few chapter titles are: What to Avoid…Stayin’ Alive With Living Foods…Targeting Your Intake Of Specific Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals… What To Drink: The Miracle Cure…Tips For Healthy Kids…etc. As we approach the New Year, one of my goals is to eat healthier! Oh , I’ll still have some pie every now and then, but on a limited basis…this book is a great start! Click here to see it on Amazon.
VillaWare Pizzelle Baker: Pizzelles are Italian Waffle cookies…light and crisp and especially delicious sprinkled with powdered sugar. Growing up in an Italian family, there were always trays filled with a variety of delicious homemade Italian cookies at every holiday gathering….and there were always cookies at Grandma’s house….and my favorite were her Pizzelles! My daughter Summer and I have so much fun making them….Summer, age 11, is a pro! The baker comes with recipes! You can even roll them up in a cone or make an ice-cream sandwich! I use this year-round! Click here to see it on Amazon!
Bless you Sugar Pies! Have a wonderful sparkly Merry CHRISTmas! I will be taking the next couple of weeks to spend with my kids and spending time in California to see the rest of my family…Yahoooo!
May the King born in Bethlehem find room in your heart today!
Happy Birthday Jesus….You are everything wonderful!
Sending lots of Blessings and hugs!
Aunt Ruthie
P.S. To the sweet gals who asked…my wall color is Burnt Almond–Behr Paint–Home Depot and the Markings on my vintage Choir boy reads “Artistic Latex Form Co. New York City 1958”.
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