We create new memories each day as Christmas approaches, but there is something about this time of year that also stirs us to reflect and remember even more than we usually do. With this in mind, we decided to include a mix of the old and the new for today’s Simple + Southern Sunday!
Be sure to read to the bottom to find the winners of the Lynch Creek Farm centerpiece.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”
Isaiah 9:2
Speaking of light, Noccalula Falls Park, near our home, is an awesome place to visit anytime but especially around Christmas.
Thanks to Appalachian Digital Media for a great shot at Noccalula Falls Park!
While the park at the falls is quite elaborate and sophisticated in it’s design and preparation, ours at home starts out and remains…fairly simple!
The Grinch was caught in the act of attempting to steal Christmas at a friends house. We are keeping an eye out for him and will not let him get away with one thing!
There is something about a reflection that is remarkable in the variety of things revealed and what each may represent!
EM was attempting to console an unhappy little sister last year as EK was not interested in this stranger. Will a year make a difference? Remains to be seen!
Keeping these candy canes still long enough for this type pose in 2020 will be a challenge!
Some things are just tradition and fruitcake is one of those. Pam and her dad actually like fruitcake. Finding the fruit this year was a little harder than in the past but we did locate some and the tradition has been salvaged for another year. Do you like fruitcake? Just checking!
Looking back to 2017, an early December surprise came for us, as a significant snow fell in north and central Alabama. It was actually just over 2 weeks before Christmas but still a nice touch added to the season. The only white Christmas I recall in my lifetime here in northeast Alabama was in 2010!
Sometimes a reflection provides an intriguing and wonderful pic quite by accident! This shows outside to the back (south), outside to the front (north), as well as the room in between, all in one photo. It is kinda like having eyes in the back of your head!
A little Sunshine Cottage relaxation may be the beginning of a new tradition???
We try to be sure Seth’s birthday doesn’t get lost in the Christmas shuffle which includes making certain that he gets his favorite..red velvet cake. Now PJ informed us that this is the new look or style of cakes these days, leaving the icing thin on the edges and allowing the layers to show through. Maybe so, but for the record, Seth and I don’t like changes when it comes to some things. Knowing this, and after noticing a frown on my face, PJ whipped up more icing and gave the edges a nice thick coating before the birthday party.
European glass ornaments are another tradition for our tree. Most of them are Radko’s and some have been around for many years!
This one seems to say, ” O come all ye faithful”!
Congratulations to Mary G, Everyday Living’s winner. If you wish to know the other Monday Morning Blooms winners, please visit our friends:
Shirley – Housepitality Designs
Mary – Home Is Where The boat Is
Lidy – FrenchGardenHouse
Wishing you all a great week and a joyous Christmas season!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Happy Sunday and such a beautiful post for this Christmas season! I hope you both have a most blessed and joyous week ahead!
Thank you Shannon. Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Love the pictures of past and present holiday season! That reflective photo of north, south and in between has me scratching my head! Have a great week.
That reflective photo confused me when I took it and then viewed it 😂 Wishing you a blessed Sunday, Rita!
Wow, I had forgotten about Seth’s birthday in December! Busy time for y’all.
Funny about the naked red velvet cake. Butch, I’m with you and Seth if I’m going to eat red velvet I want thick icing.
Our Texas grandson ‘s birthday is December 20. They celebrate his half birthday in June. That takes a lot of pressure off gifts.
I love the little candy canes. What a joyful time December is for little ones. I know you are enjoying sharing their delights in all the traditions of Christmas.
The thick icing won out, Bonnie. I forgot your grandson in Texas had a December birthday. A June celebration is a good idea. Have a blessed Sunday!
Beautiful photos all, but I especially love the reflection ones, they are like paintings! I really enjoyed the peace and calm this post brought to me, so many lovely holiday scenes! Have a wonderful Sunday Pam and Butch, and yes please, keep the icing on the cake!
Jenna
I think the consensus is lots of cream cheese icing. Thank you and blessings on this beautiful Sunday morning, Jenna!
Good morning Pam and Butch. What a lovely post to start my day. Happy Birthday to Seth. Really loved seeing the Candy Canes. So many beautiful photos and scripture reminding us of the peace and joy this season represents. Thank you.
Thank you Dianne…blessings on this Sunday!
Pam, a beautiful and happy post. I am with Butch and Seth about the icing. I remember the photo of the girls on Santa’s lap last year and how unhappy Emma was. Perhaps, she will like Santa this year.
Pam, the fruit was not to be found last year in our area. However, Mike found it before Thanksgiving this year and snapped it up quickly. Yours looks yummy, enjoy!
Enjoy the wonderful December days, they are passing so quickly.
Thank you Sandra. I plan to make fruitcakes this afternoon. Wishing you a joy-filled Sunday!
You and Seth are right, cakes are meant to have lots of frosting or there is just no point, LOL!! Gorgeous photos. Keep finding the joy this year where you can.
Yes, Carole let’s find the joy! Thank you…
Such a lovely Christmas post! Your photo of winter snow through the trees was especially beautiful and so peaceful. It sure is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Thank you Sue and enjoy your day!
I’m with Butch… more frosting please! Lol!
Merry Sunday to you both!
The reflections are absolutely gorgeous! And I bet the girls can’t wait for Santa this year!
Merry Sunday dear friends!
Thank you Nancy and Blessings on this Sunday!
The candy cane girls are precious! We must agree that all cakes should have lots of frosting. Hopefully the current style will soon fade. Happy birthday Seth! The town lights are beautiful! We went to a small town square nearby and enjoyed their display a few days ago. It was such a pleasant evening that we had fried chicken in the park sitting in a Miata with the top down which is most unusual for this time of year! Others we noticed had pizza on a blanket beside the Christmas tree! All the children were running and playing, having fun. It was a stellar night with lovely decorations and a beautiful starry night when away from the city lights! Enjoyed all the pics; the reflection pic is so pretty! Keep that Grinch away (love that pic, it’s so cute)! Enjoy your day! Clara❤️❤️
Clara, your night out sounds so magical! We could all use a night to make memories. Have a blessed Sunday!
The candy cane girls. Love it. The lights of Christmas still make me smile. From the years my little girl and I would save enough gas for the car to ride around Christmas Eve and look at the lights to 2020, we go for a ride at night to see the lights. I’m still a child at heart. We have snow and 9 degrees today. Going to worship the Lord in our church in a few minutes. Have a blessed Sunday.
I am still a child at heart and extremely sentiments. Your day sounds very cold. Yes, let’s worship the Lord!
I like fruitcake, is tradition in Australia. Cath
Merry Christmas to you and yours, dearest Cath!
Wishing you and yours a magical Christmas. I love fruitcake!! I am special like that.
Nonie
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Nonie!
Loved each and every picture, especially the snowfall…gorgeous. Every year growing up my mother used to trot out the picture of me crying on Santa’s lap. So when I was 36 I had a do-over at the mall for her, all smiles! Put me in the Fruitcake Fan Club and the oodles of cream cheese frosting camp to!! Love the red slippers and the green gingerbread men mug!
Roxanne, I love that memory you shared. Santa always frightened me, so I always wanted to just send him a letter.
I am gobsmacked and thrilled to have won that exquisite Christmas centerpiece, Pam…Many thanks to you and your talented partners for inspiring the Christmas decor for so many homes across our land. A little bit of this and a little bit of that and voila! we have a fair replica of a
beautiful Pam Christmas tablescape, centerpiece and all.. Heartfelt gratitude and Sabbath blessings, dear friend.
You are most welcome. It is a great pleasure to share. Wishing you a Merry Week, Mary!
A great Simple and Southern Sunday!….what a beautiful Christmas light display!…and so envious of all that wonderful evergreen!..Happy Birthday to Seth.
Congrats to the winner!!! Have a Merry Day!
Thanks so much Shirley. Wishing you a Merry week!
I love fruit cake, even the gluten free version I need for celiac disease!
Those new style cakes are called naked cakes Pam & I think that name is apt but not to my taste either! Lol!
Bless you sweet friend,
Jennifer
Yes, I knew they were called that, but mine did not remain naked (lol). Wishing you a joy-filled week!
Lol! 😀 you have a blessed week too sweet friend ♥
Happy Sunday Pam and Butch! Beautiful photos and a look back! Love your sweet girls and I’ll take a slice of red velvet cake AND fruitcake! ♥
Oh Mary, I wish we could share a slice of both!
Adorable pictures! Happy Advent! Cute girls!
Thank you Maristella! Blessings…
Such a lovely Sunday post Butch and Pam! From the Christmas lights to the cake and celebrations…perfect. Wishing you a peaceful and joy-filled week ahead. And yes, depending on the fruitcake, I’ll join Mary in a slice of both the red velvet and the fruitcake! : )
Thank you Lidy, way joy it would be to share fruitcake and red velvet cake with you. Wishing you a Merry, Merry Week!
Everything about this holiday season will be different which is all the more reason to do whatever it takes to make it special. I know you will do just that.
I am doing my best to make this Christmas season special. Merry Monday, Linda!
I love seeing this wonderful combination of the old and the new! Those lights are great and I love the Grinchy photo. Seeing Seth’s cake reminds me of when my mom used to always bake a red velvet cake (then called a Waldorf cake) for my cousin’s Christmas Eve birthday and big family gathering! I should do that one day!
Jeanie, I didn’t know red velvet cake was originally called Waldorf cake, that is interesting. Merry Monday to you!
I’n entranced by lights! More than ever I’m drawn to their twinkling, their brightness, their beauty. You’ve re-filled my tank with your beautiful photos, Pam.
Yet again …
;-}
Thank you Linda and I am so glad you enjoyed!
All your photos are so lovely Pam! The reflections are spectacular – I love that! Hope you have a wonderful week, and happy holidays!
Thank you Barbara!
I loved seeing your beautiful ornaments! And, those dear girls – so precious! It will be interesting to see how it goes with Santa this year! If they even get to see Santa. Everything is so topsy-turvy and unsettled. SO thankful we can shut out all the craziness and enjoy our dear Savior’s birth with our loved ones, in spite of all satan is doing in our world. May the Lord bless you richly this season!
No up close visits with Santa this year. Thank you sweet friend for your visit.
Red velvet cake is so Christmassy!
Yes, it is!