Simple + Southern Sunday No. 9

December 21, 2014~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths
and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn”
Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭7‬

“Noble Joseph at her side-callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found in the streets of David’s town in the middle of the night

So he held her and he prayed-shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb he was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith that could make the mountains move”
Labor of Love, Andrew Peterson

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Wintry scene of a country church in rural northeast Alabama

Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus-hand carved olive wood from our trip to the Holy Land!

Seth leading worship!

Butch and I began our day of shopping in Birmingham with breakfast at Alabama Biscuit-I love this place!

Snuggles has been a part of our family for 28 years! He is wearing Seth’s first overalls!

Nico, Isaiah, and Benji (our nephews) at our niece’s wedding last weekend! They were so handsome!!

First dance for the newlyweds…Ryan and Hannah!

Loved the old wagon used at the reception to hold photos

A small snow village (Mother bought me many, many Christmases ago) displayed on a silver tray

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For 3 years in a row, Rudolph the Redneck Reindeer has been a victim of a challenging buck. The holidays coincide with mating season in our area. I guess the attacker went away quite proud of himself! See him in the Christmas spirit here: Simple + Southern Sunday No. 7

A view from about 15 feet above this guy. He had no idea anyone was around. The young man needs to grow a little.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”
John‬ ‭1‬:‭4-5‬

Advent

The fourth candle represents JOY. It is our prayer that you find the true joy that only Christ can bring this Christmas season.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name”
Luke 1:46-49

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Three Mango Seeds, Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict ,Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup, Alabama Women Bloggers

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 8 • Christmas in Dixie

December 14, 2014~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”
‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭1-2

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We were EVERYWHERE this week…and busy as little elves, too!
You could find us in Turkeytown, Birmingham, or Cedartown-even eating fruitcakes and a macaron!
Dinner parties, Roll Tide Santas, and Christmas lights to the max!
On this Simple+Southern Sunday, we’re gonna put our feet up and relax!

I love the simplicity of the wreaths on the doors of this Church!

My precious Daddy, the sweetest man I know

I have a love for macarons! What a lovely surprise from Katy, peppermint and gingerbread macarons!

Awe inspiring nativity in our hometown

Thursday evening dinner honoring our niece Hannah and her now husband, Ryan. They were married last night on 12-13-14!

The hosts and hostesses joining the couple-congratulations to the newlyweds!

On Wednesday morning, the light was the most unusual right after sunrise on our view of Lookout Mountain.

Hunter has taken up riding cows bare-back!

Mini- bundt fruitcakes made by my Mother’s secret recipe. I know all the fruitcake jokes, but her recipe is fabulous!

A beautiful church in the Highlands area of Birmingham

No better way to enjoy a simple + southern Sunday than a candlelit dinner with my sweetheart!

Now this is my kind of Santa! Roll Tide Roll!

The entrance of Christmas at the Falls at Noccalula Park. This pic was taken from inside the park where there are thousands of lights!

Advent

The third candle represents LOVE

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”
John 3:16

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 7

December 7, 2014~ Simple + Southern Sunday

“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream,
saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived
in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus,
for he will save his people from their sins’”
Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭20-21‬

“The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth — the very thing the whole story has been about.” — C.S. Lewis

Sunday is a wonderful day to reflect on the goodness of God in our everyday living. Have you ever thought about seemingly small things–the ones that seem insignificant–as exactly what God will use to glorify himself and carry out his plan? Take, for example, the Christmas story. Caesar Augustus called for a census and that meant each person had to return to his or her hometown. After they arrived in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus there, and laid him in a manger. That is how the prophecy (Micah 5:2) was fulfilled that the Savior would be born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7). Joseph was following the law of the land. But God, in his providence was working this together in order that Jesus be born in Bethlehem, just as he said he would. Don’t overlook the small things–they may, in fact, be the most important.

May you experience the joy of His coming as a baby in the manger!!

We really do live in Turkeytown, a Native American settlement established in 1788. It is named for the original founder of the settlement, the Chickamauga Cherokee chief, Little Turkey. This is a little country church in our area, TurkeyTown United Methodist!

This really made me laugh this week! Looking through my kitchen window into our pasture, I noticed something on the head of the target practice deer! I walked outside to inspect and this is what I saw! We can call him Rudolph the Redneck Reindeer!

Look who was spotted at Children’s of Alabama yesterday-Santa dropping in for Operation Toy Drop! You can read more about it here: Children’s of Alabama.

Yesterday was a busy day and I took time for a guilty pleasure! Espresso with a shortbread cookie!!

Lila Grey was not a fan!

This picture really is special! 2007 was a life-changing year for our family…we hope to share our story with you in January. The very fact that Butch and I were able to make a trip to NYC in early December was nothing short of miraculous. As you can see, the stress put extra pounds on both of us! God is faithful!

I have lived in Gadsden my whole life–and we have the cutest downtown area! Friday night they hosted the “North Poll Stroll” where many came dressed in character. This is a picture of the Ice Princess who joined in on the fun!

On the front page of the Gadsden Times...our Katy and “South Beach Santa’ at the North Poll Stroll!

The beautiful gazebo at City Hall all lit up!

The city of Gadsden’s Christmas Tree. I love the architecture of the Broad Street bridge!

My precious Aunt Mae (83 years young and the last of my mother’s nine siblings) moved from her house where she had lived for sixty-five years to assisted living in early summer. She has the best attitude and is such a joy!

Advent

The second candle represents PEACE.

“And again, Isaiah says, ‘The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him.’ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”
Romans 15:12-13

Linking with Pieced Pastimes , It’s Overflowing , Be Different Act Normal , Silver Pennies , By Stephanie Lynn, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice , Creatively Living , Rustic-Refined , Pink When , Mod Vintage Life , Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House , Dwellings-Heart of Your Home , Savvy Southern Style , French Country Cottage , From My Front Porch To Yours , Stone Gable , Confessions of a Plate Addict ,Worthing Court , Between Naps on the Porch , Cedar Hill Farmhouse , A Stroll Thru Life , The Style Sisters , The Charm of Home , The Winthrop Chronicles , Cornerstone Confessions , A Delightsome Life , Imparting Grace , Craftberry Bush , Posed Perfection , Katherines Corner , The Vintage Farmhouse , My Romantic Home , Chic On A Shoestring Decorating , Rooted In Thyme , Share Your Cup