Brrrrrr!!

Like so many others, we had a white Christmas!! It is VERY exciting for us, for while it does snow here, it's been a long time since it's snowed on Christmas. Also, this was a deep snow!

                                                   We had eight or nine inches!!! Woohoo!!!!

     It was great! We still have snow and are trying to stay warm as it's been only in the 30's all week!

     I think it's time for a cup of hot tea and a shortbread cookie. Mmmmmm....I LOVE snugging in,  in  the  wintertime. Stay warm sweet friends and many blessing to you all~~~~Shine~~~~

Traditions

I am so thankful this year for so many things. I have witnessed a great many hardships over a short time. Hardships in my own family, and so many others. Most of the hardships I see in other families make mine seem small, I have SO much to be thankful for. God has given me so much more than I deserve. When I think of what I actually might truly deserve, it makes me tremble, for it is not much. But although we may have a very meager lifestyle to some, I think to others we may seem like kings and queens! I have four beautiful children. All alive and living very rich and full lives. All awesome human beings and wonderful creations of my Lord. I have an awesome home...filled to the brim with every kind of trinket and lovely thing you could think of. I have a wonderful husband that has been good and faithful to me for 28 years. He has loved me and provided for me and our children without fail. We have never had alot of luxuries, but we have never done without neccesities either. From time to time I have had selfish seasons when I thought only of myself and how much easier my life would be if I had only myself to worry about. But by the grace of God, He has always drawn me back to Him and helped me to see just how blessed I am to have this crazy, busy, imperfect life. I hope He NEVER lets me out of His hand for even one moment, for I fear I would make some terrible, tragic choice on my own. Thank you Father for all you have done for me. Most of all, thank you for your precious son, Jesus.
For many years we have had a few sweet traditions that are very special to our family. Here is a small sample of our lives here in TN. Since my children are classical violinists, they always play Christmas carols at nursing homes and retirement centers during the holidays....oh...and at the Fantasy of Trees!

     We also love to make ginger bread houses as a family. When the children were younger, we would have lots of kids and moms over for decorating and fun. Now that my children are getting older, we love to just have a family day and decorate and have a meal. My future daughter-in-law always says "It just doesn't feel like Christmas till we do gingerbread houses!" I always beging baking in Oct. (I have to make 8-10 houses!)
Here are a few pictures from the last couple of years....SO much fun!

Just beginning.

Doesn't take long to get them together, however, the magic doesn't happen till the candy comes out!

Hubby is the Master at gingerbread house decorating!

ALL the kids LOVE this tradition...old and young!

Looking better:)

After ten years of this tradition, I finally tried my hand at one!

Anna's is always such a happy house.

Ms. Kenley is also a master decorator.

Carolina and Coy have an AWESOME house, thanks to Carolina's sensibility:)))

Zeb and Amanda's house is always unique and super cool....just like them!

Even Ben has fun....and his house is super cute!!



Anna getting ready for the crowd.

So these are just a couple of our traditions...what are some of yours?
Have a lovely evening dear friends.



~~21~~15~~12~~

Whewwee! I think I did it again!! Three of my children's birthdays..two very close friends birthdays....Halloween, and a quick trip out of town with my sweet mother and daughter.Also....two violin recitals and one major concert..... Now....let the festivities begin!!!!!

Don't You Just Love 'Em?

Nandina Bushes That Is.

I never really paid attention to these bushes before we moved to our current home, but now, they have become some of my very favorites.

 I LOVE how their berries are white in the summer, orange in the fall and brillant red at Christmas. Not to mention the fact that the berries are PROLIFIC!

 I use them to decorate with all year. Their green and red leaves are great for fillers too.

Think I'll keep several of these in my yard from no on....no matter where we go.
Have a lovely evening friends! Many blessings~~~~Shine~~~~

Ghoolies

This year I've done something a little different. For years our family really hasn't celebrated Halloween.I just kinda felt it was a little weird celebrating ghools and goblins. Instead choosing to celebrate the goodness and beauty that God created. We have always done lots in the way of "fall festivals"......going over and beyond with decorating and celebrating everything autumn. I didn't think bad of people celebrating Halloween...just thought we were different, and that's OK. This year Anna wanted to craft some Halloween something or another. So.....In the October issue of Country Living they had these super cute ghosts. 

  There are really good instructions and we had alot of fun spending the afternoon together. We hung them in our dining room on the chandelier and we call them Anna's friendly ghosts. I would truly still rather just celebrate fall and harvest, but I also know that Anna will only be a child a short while. So for now....these little fellows join us at meal time, and school time. Then, before you know it, Halloween will be gone and a little girl will be a little older.

~~~~~Autumn~~~~~

 I am SO loving this weather. Life is always busy...doesn't seem to slow down for anything, BUT! at least in the midst of the busyness, we have all this BEAUTIFUL weather!!!!! And the smells, just everywhere you go are delightful. Thought I show a few of my favorite things here at home

 Here in Tn, the temperature is just now getting cool enough for a cozy fire...so...soon these lights will be replaced with a real flame, but for summer and early fall...they are so cute and can really "homey" up a cold fire box.

 Anna and I made these cute pumpkins last Sat. afternoon....quick and easy. Think we'll make lots more....all different shapes and sizes.

 Last year a sweet friend gave me these gorgeous flowers. Just dug them out and plopped them in my little pewter pitcher.....CUTE!!!

 Sophie likes this snuggie place...also just happens to be one of my favorites too:)

Aren't these warm colors lovely?

Have a beautiful evening sweet friends.

Blessings~Shine

More yumminess

I told you last week how I LOVE apple pie and autumn...and anything that has to do with this awesome season and it's sights, smells and sounds. Mmmmmm. Anything apple is good isn't it?

 These little apple pies are so easy and delicious. Anna and I love making them and the boys LOVE eating    them!!

                 Aren't they pretty? Baked........ so you don't feel QUITE as guilty as the fried version:)

 Light and crispy......the crust has powedered sugar and butter so you can imagine it's delicious richness.

 They look beautiful set out...that is if you can keep the male species away from them long enough to plate them!

Here's the quick and easy recipe. Enjoy!! And have a beautiful autumn day in the Lord!

With much love,

Shine

Baked Apple Pies

For shell

2 & 2/3 cups ap flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup butter

4 to 6 Tblsp cold water

Mix dry. ingredients well. Cut in butter then add cold water to make dough.

Apple Filling

About 4 cups apples

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. butter.

Cook all together till apples are soft. Cool before making pies.

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 to 2 Tblsp. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix and drizzle over pies when cool

To make the pies:

Roll dough on floured surface.

Use a saucer to cut small rounds, then spoon cooled pie filling(about 2 Tblsp) .

Fold over and crimp edges.

Bake pies at 375 about 20 minutes. 

Makes about 12 pies.