Another New Years ..Another Oppurtunity ....

Once again another year has passed and another year is before us. Another New Years and Another Oppurtunity ...to live a little longer...love a whole lot more ...and look forward to the blessings and lessons that lye ahead in the days before us ..the days of 2010.

2009 has been full of Joyous moments ..Blessings and so many lessons learned for me.

I suppose that many of you are thinking up New Years resolutions ...what diet you may be going to pursue in the new year, how much money you will try and save, what food you will give up, what job you are going to try out for, and the list goes on and on. I'm sure I have heard many years over that generally New Years resolutions don't work out for most people ..and I have to admit I am without a doubt one of those that doesn't stick to a resolution well at all. Several Years back I decided that resolving to do this or that ..just wasn't for me. However I am in awe at those who can do it. I think resolutions are like forming a new habit ..something you teach yourself to do over and over and over until it's just part of your daily routine ..and here again I have to admit that I am bad at forming habits ..I am one of those that gets bored very easily with things ..and am always onto the next new thing I can learn or do ..or try and so on. So you can see my personality doesn't lend well to resolving to do something for a very long period of time ..LOL !!!

I think when it comes to new years resolutions ..well ..you just have to do what's best for you ..If your the type that can do it ..or just want's to give it a go ....Well Go for it ..and if your more like me and the chance you'll break that resolution by the next morning after making it ...well don't beat yourself up over it ...!!! We are all made differently ...Beautiful and wonderful in our own right...just as God created us....and really that's what makes the world interesting is we all have a little different personality to lend to it.

Our New Years Eve ...we will be spending right here in the comfort of our own home ...I'm sure we won't get much sleep ...Our neighborhood likes to bring in the new year in a loud way ...Wherever you are at home or off for a fun celebration...

Here's wishing all my Kindred Friends ..and Kindred Sisters ...a Happy New Year ..with Joy and Blessings filling it full.

Your Kindred Friend ...Sara

Spirit of Christmas Sale ...only 2 more days left

Seems like time flies anymore ...and before you know it another year has passed ...

Well before it passes you buy ..be sure to stop in to our Website or Etsy Store ..to pick up those after Christmas Goodies ...at our Spirit of Christmas Sale ...which ends on January 31st at Midnight ....

15 % off EVERYTHING

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Just click on the our Christmas Sale logo above to visit our website ..or visit our Etsy shoppe by clicking HERE

Maxine on Jesus......

Hello Kindred Friends ....

A friend of mine in Colorado ..sent me these yesterday ...

I've never seen Maxines like this ..and wanted to share them with all my blogland friends.

Heavens these are so Great !!!

Enjoy !!!

A Simple Christmas ....

Good Day After Christmas ..to all my Kindred Friends.

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It was a truly wonderful Christmas here at our home. " A Simple Christmas " ... I'm calling it this year. At first I was a little hesitant to how a "Simple Christmas" was going to feel ..But now that I have been through it ..I must say it was ever so refreshing !

It was just the three of us this year ..My parents and myself. We decided on No decorating outdoors ..because we have an impending move this spring and felt it may be to overwhelming. I had all the plans though to decorate inside ..and well I ended up with three little table top trees by my computer. However I never had the feeling that it wasn't Christmas.

The week leading up to Christmas ..Mom and I kept thinking of things we could do to celebrate Christmas in a different way this year .. We considered taking a trip up north for a few days ..but that seemed like such a lot of hub bub. Then we talked about a trip to Disneyland ..we haven't been there in over 20 year ..but ..something just wasn't grabbing us with that idea ..so we thought and thought and thought ..then Mom mentioned that there was a Christmas Eve service at a church we dearly love that's a 2 hour drive from us ..and that we might enjoy that ..I agreed ..it really focused on the reason for Christmas ..but being such a long drive ..it seemed we should come up with something else to do. Several days earlier I had received my AAA magazine and Chart House a restaurant I went to a few times as a little girl was advertised in it. I mentioned it was on the way ..and wouldn't that make a Beautiful Christmas Eve Dinner and then Church service afterwards ....

So our minds we made up and that's just what we did. Note: Chart house sits on the ocean ..we arrived early enought to ask for seating by the windows overlooking the break rock and the seaside. And we arrived just in time to enjoy and savor our dinner while the sun set ..

I don't think any Christmas Eve could have been more perfect ...eating a Lovely dinner and overlooking God's Beautiful and Perfect creation.

Spent with 2 people (my parents) God's gift to me. A memory made with them I shall never forget and will cherish forever.

As we were sitting and watching the sun go down ..off in the distance ..I saw a spray come out of the ocean ..then a few seconds later ....a large body arched out of the ocean and once again a large spray arose ...it was a Whale passing by ...I'm sure on it's journey to warm waters. I had to stop a moment and think ..and glory and God's creation ..what marvelous ideas he had and what a creator he was ..I'm so glad I love to create ..It draws me closer to my creator.

As the sun went down ..the beautiful glow of the horizon was left behind the clouds ...

I had to share a little of our dinner with you ...on the menu they had Fried Macaroni and Cheese ...O.k. I admit I am a fan of mac and cheese ..and once on the Food Network .."Ham on the Street" did a deep fried segment and one of the items was Mac and Cheese ..I had always wanted to try that ...Soooooo Here it is .. Not your normal Mac and Cheese though ... this mac and cheese was made with a smokey cheddar cheese ..onions and deep fried in a panko crust ...At first bite your expecting Mom's mac and cheese fried ..so your brain and palette are not sure what to think ..but after that initial taste ...you begin to taste the goodness. I must admit I enjoyed it the day after even more ..!!!

Our last bit was ended with a yummy volcano cake ..drenched in chocolate ..vanilla ice cream and heath bar crunch ... we said good bye ..to a wonderful almost end of the day ...but Christmas Eve service still lyed ahead of us.

We arrived at the church ...and it was beautifully decorated inside and out.

There is one thing about this Church that I rarely have felt in others ...and that is without a doubt the prescence of Christ ... Church is just not a building but a place where God says he dwells and will meet you there ..and This Beautiufl Christmas Eve ...he did not fail ..and met us there.

I had never been to the candle light service on Christmas Eve ..and was anticipating what it would entail. First off ..there were instumentalists ..that came and played Beautiful Christmas songs ..that lulled you to a sweet peace.

Then Dr. Jeremiah ...came out and filled us in on the do's and dont's of lighting candles and such ..and the service began ...it was beautiful ...between Christmas songs representing our Lord Jesus ...we would read the Christmas Story out loud ..Men some parts ..women others and then some sections all together ..

It was truly a Glorious evening and put the spotlight right where it should be ..On Christ the Saviours Birth ....on Christmas Day ! The service filled me with Peace, Joy and gratefullness, sorrow, and kindness, and above all ....Love ..

The service ended on a Very Simple yet Very Powerful Lighting of the candles ..representing the light being born into the darkness of the world ...the lights in the church were dimmed ..a procession of candle bearers ..walked to the alter ..and Dr. Jeremiah ...lighted each of their candles ...they in turn began lighting the candle of the person sitting at the end of each pew ..and in turn we each lit our candle off the other. Within moments what was a very dark Chruch was alight with hundreds of candles ..it was not just light ...but a warm glowing light ..that filled you with the sense of what our Dear Lord is ...Warm and Welcoming .. He is always there for us ..waiting on some ..welcoming others ...and a warm place for his children to come.

As the last Candles was lit ...the Piano began to play ..."Simply" ... "This Little Light of Mine" ...

The words to this song are so simple yet so powerful ...

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This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Shine all over


I'm gonna let it shineShine all over


I'm gonna let it shineShine all over

I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

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After we sang this song ...and the service was coming to an end ...Dr. Jeremiah spoke one last time ...saying that we as Christians have a light to shine... and that in this last year our world has grown darker ...and that as this new year approached ...to Let our "Light Shine"

I challenge you ...to let your "light Shine" too. This world needs the Love of Christ more than ever ...and to know God is to Know Love ..and to follow God is to spread Love. "Love is the Greatest thing" .

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My Hope is that you too had a Very Merry Christmas ..and even if like me it wasn't filled with lots of family ...or friends ..or spent buying and recieving gifts ...but it was simple and quiet ..that you reflected on what it was all about ..not what the world has made it for themselves ..but what Beautiful Gift ...an "Eternal Gift" ..that was given us ...long ago. No one person ..family or friend ..could have bought or provided you a gift so wonderful ....We are so very blessed !

As the New Year approaches ...May God's Blessings Be on each one of My Kindred Friends ..May his love be shown to them and may it radiate from the. Bringing the light of the world to banish the darkness ...

Wishing you all Warm Winter Blessings ...

Your Kindred Friend ...Sara

The Poinsettia ..Did you know ?

Did you ever wonder what the Poinsettia had to do with Christmas ...?

Did you think it was just because of it's festive Red leaves that it became a symbol of Christmas ?

I wondered myself ...and so I went to researching...what the truth behind the Poinsettia really is.

Some believe the poinsettia also has a Christian significance. Although we now think of the poinsettia as a distinctive American symbol, one tale suggests that it was first brought to this country by Dr. Joel Poinsett from Mexico. It was in 1825 that Poinsett, then U.S. Minister to Mexico, became familiar with this beautiful crimson plant that covers the hillsides in Mexico.

After four years, he returned to his Charleston, S.C., home and brought with him some of the plants. The Mexicans call it the "flower of the holy night," and associate it with a story about a little girl who wept on her way to church on Christmas Eve because she had no gift to bring.

As she knelt on the ground to pray, she saw this lovely plant and gladly took its red beauty into the church as her Christmas gift to the Christ child. Even the holly plant can be viewed as a symbol that points Christians to Jesus. For centuries, holly symbolized the coming of spring.

Its thorny leaves prompted Christians to use it as a reminder of Christ's passion during the joyous Christmas celebration.

Legend has it that a shepherd brought a sprig of holly to the stable on Christmas night as a gift to the Christ child. Its leaves glistened in the moonlight, and its berries were snow white.

As baby Jesus reached out to receive this humble gift, the berries suddenly turned a deep red. Holly has since become a symbol for many of the expectation of Christ's passion. The prickly leaves represent the crown of thorns, which Christ wore during his crucifixion, and the berries symbolize the blood Christ shed for humanity. hope is these legends will bring Christian significance to a holiday that has become so secular. May you not look at a Christmas tree or a holly plant or a poinsettia in the same way again.

My Christmas wish is that when you look at these various symbols of Christmas, you will not only appreciate their beauty, but also see the face of Jesus Christ.

Warm Winter Blessings ...and Merry Christmas

Sara

Maggie Wishes you all A Very Merry Christmas

My Maggie ....13 yrs old and still going ... She wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas !!!

The Spirit of Christmas Sale

Abbey and I decided this morning that we wanted to show our Thanks to all of our Lovely Farmhouse Customers ..and Share the Christmas Spirit ...

So starting today ..Thursday December 17th - Thursday December 31st.. we are offering ..

15% off Everything

At our Sweet Magnolias Farm website and our Etsy Shoppe.

Don't slip on the ice ..trying to get there ..

Our One of a Kinds and Antique Finds ...will go to the Quickest and the Best Farmhouse Skaters.

See You there... The Sweet Magnolias ..Sara and Abbey ...

Merry Christmas Farmhouse Friends ...

My Newest Offering ...

With Christmas just a few short weeks away ..we are winding down here at Sweet Magnolias Farm.

This last week ..while preparing an order of our Vintage Snow Bells ..and after watching ..the movie "The Perfect Gift" ..these Christmas Crosses were put on my heart to make.

The Beautifully compliment ..our Vintage Snow bells, Icicles, and Candy Cane ornaments that we are offering this season.

But Most of all the represent the True Meaning of Christmas.

Our Crosses have Beautiful meaning behind them ..and why we designed them in the pure white with Holly and Berries Attatched ..They represent .. White for the pureness of Jesus Christ .. and Holly has since become a symbol for many, of the expectation of Christ's passion. The prickly holly leaves represent the crown of thorns, which Christ wore during his crucifixion, and the berries symbolize the blood Christ shed for humanity. We thought these would be a nice touch to a Beautiful Tree, Garland or even wreath to remember what the season is all about.

We are offering these Beautiful Ornaments in sets of "3". They can be purchase on our website on page 2 of the "Merry Days of Winter" section or in our Etsy Store ..You can just click on the highlighted links in red to view them either place.

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas ..

Your Kindred Friend Sara ....

The Candy Makers Witness

Have you ever heard of the "Candy Makers Witness" ????

If you haven't then you are in for a real treat. It's a beautiful story of how the Candy Cane came about and the meaning of Christmas that it represents.

For the last 3 Christmas's ..here in our neighborhood they have a festival of lights. All of the homeowners are asked to participate by putting up any amount of Christmas lights from a single strand to elaborate themes ..more than anything just some lights. Then a few weeks prior to Christmas the HOA comes around and jusdges the homes and hands out awards ..Then Christmas eve ..Santa comes and is driven through the streets ..while carolers are pulled in trailers and even this year I hear they are having a golf cart parade.

Christmas is a big deal at our house ...we love to decorate, bake, and share in the giving and the joy of the season. Most of all we love to share why we celebrate Christmas with those passing by ....Because Christmas is the Birthday of Jesus ..the best gift ever.

In sharing this ..we will hand back home made cookies, cakes, candies and oodles of goodies along with making piping hot..hot chocolate and Coffee ..which we hand out on christmas eve to all those passing by ..along with their treats for their tummy ..we hand out a 4 x 6 index card with the story of the "Candy Makers Witness" ..with a mini candy cane attatched to it with curling ribbon. People always love the story and most have never heard it ..and are always so thankful to receive it.

Will this year ..we are not participating in our neighborhood festivities as we have an impending move in the new year we are preparing for ...and we just felt it would be very overwhelming to try and decorate so extensively and then have to re-pack it all shortly after along with all that a long distance move brings. So I thought I would share the story ..here on my blog with all my friends ..

Plus a bonues ...I turned my index card with graphics and story on it ..into a PDF file ..this way ..all you need do is open the link to the file ..and save it to your computer and print up and hand out as many as you like ..

Rather you hand out the cards...to the local cashier ..or if your having a bake sale ..or you want to take them to a local ladies shelter or recovery shelter for those in need this year. It's a low cost gift ..letting others know the Free Gift that Jesus Christ is to them ...An Eternal Gift !!!

So click HERE to retrieve the PDF file ...once you open it just click in the top left corner on FILE and then click on the option SAVE AS and you can then save it to your computer . ( PLEASE NOTE: it may take a few minutes for the file to load ..so once you click to open it ..you may want to open another window to continue on to your next site. It will load ..as I have tested it ..but it did take a few minutes. )

Below is the Story ..if you would just like to read it ..or want to copy and paste it to your own Christmas Cards.

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"A Candymaker's Witness"

A candymaker in Indiana wanted to makea candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He Incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.

He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the Foundation of the Church, and firmness of the Promise of God.

The Candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Saviour. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which he reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift our the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray.

Thinking that the candy was some what plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The Large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the Promise of Eternal Life.

Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas Time. But the meaning is still there for those who"Have eyes to see and ears to hear." I Pray that this symbol will again be used to witness TO THE WONDER OF JESUS AND HIS GREAT LOVE that came down at Christmas and remains the ultimate and dominate force in the universe today.

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May you all have a Very Blessed and Very Merry Christmas ...

Celebrate with all your might ..the Birth of our Lord and Saviour !

" Happy Birthday Jesus"

Your Kindred Friend ...Sara

The Perfect Gift ......

What if the World threw you a Birthday Party ... and

You weren't invited .....

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A few days back while I was working away ...My Mom told me that she was unable to sleep well one evening and while surfing the channels on the t.v. she stopped to watch a movie with Jefferson Moore in it. She said it was a movie that truly touched the heart and was so very eye opening and that she recorded it on the DVR and I had to take the time to watch it.

Well several days later .."last night" to be exact ..we sat down for the evening to relax and she put it on for me to watch. Well I have to say she was so right ..Once again ...Jefferson Moore ..has simply touched on the "Truth" ..in such a gently and awe inspiring way.

You May be asking ...who's Jefferson Moore ... Will He's a man after God's heart ..that has brought Jesus ..to the movies. He's shown us ..that Jesus is our Friend ..He's shown us that Jesus ..is "LOVE" ..His other movies include "The Perfect Stranger," "The Stranger," and "Another Perfect Stranger," to name just a few. If you haven't seen these ..I highly recommend them ..I could watch them over and over again ..and I always long for that embrace He gives to those he meets in the end. Once you watch them ..you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

If you haven't seen His newest movie " The Perfect Gift" ...then I suggest highly that you watch it. It really puts the true perspective on Christmas and what it really is all about ..and how the world treats and views it ....And what we can do as individuals to keep Christmas ...well Christmas !!!

TBN ..will be playing it again .. click HERE ..to view the schedule for the next showings.

And to read more about the movie ..and see some clips ..just click on the "Perfect Gift" Banner above ....

This is a Wonderful Movie for the whole family ..from small children to adults ...You can sit down together ..and learn the True Meaning of Christmas.

Take the time ..to slow down this season ..and enjoy "The Perfect Gift" ... it's an Eternal Thing !!!!

Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas ...

Happy Birthday Jesus

Almost White Wednesday ....

Well it's an almost White Wednesday here at the farmhouse ...

I guess you could say these have shades of white ..and fit in beautifully in a white room.

This week we were going through some of our boxes of Antique Goodies ..and Found a stash of Antique Bear Brand Stockings we had purchased.

So we took a pair and added Antique Lace , trims and Buttons to them ..and we love the way they came out . We love mixing our Whites and browns ...it's such a warm Romantic Look ..what we call "Farmhouse Romance "

These have been added to our line of Farmhouse Romance Items that we create and ..

Really ..they can be used for Christmas Display or all Year round Display ...

They would look so Wonderful at christmas hung in a large fur tree ..and during the year from an old peg rack in a bedroom or bathroom.

( you can click on the pictures for a larger view)

(Please don't take our pictures without our permission though)

We decided that we would offer this set for purchase to our Kindred Friends ..so we have them listed on our Website in the "Sleeping Quarters" section( to visit the listings on our website click HERE ) ...Or they can be purchased in our Etsy store ...( to visit our Etsy Store listings click HERE )

We Wish you a Wonderful White Wednesday ..

and a Very Merry Christmas ..

December Storm

Well across the west it's been a cold and blustery few days ...some more than others of course. As I read about the storm that would be approaching our area ..I was actually very thankful ..as we have not had rain in forever ...near a year .. ! So any rain we can get around here is very much a blessing !

Sunday Evening ..the sun began to dissappear and the winds picked up ...and this was the storm headed in our way ...the one that just moved out and is crossing the midwest.

The Cloud Bank ..was really massive and I had to get some shots of it to share with you all.

Well yesterday we got the much needed rain we were hoping and praying for ..poured all day . Now they are saying possible rain for the next 5 days out ...which is great !!!

I personally always love it when the weather changes this time of year ..I'm always hoping for some rain ..as snow is rare in these parts ..( 3 years ago we got a dusting which was exciting)

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Well it's been a busy few weeks at the farmhouse ..we have been working non-stop around here ...between creating new handmade offerings and preparing antique pieces for the shops . It always seems like time flies when your busy and it's so hard to believe that Christmas is just around the Corner ..

Christmas is without a doubt my favorite time of year ..from the twinkling lights and beautiful displays ..to the cheerful music and the kind ways that people show ..it's a time of year that Shines top all the rest. And of Course it's my Dear Jesus Birthday ..which tops it all. I am so thankful for God's gift of Jesus .. a gift that never stops giving !

Merry Christmas ...My Friends ..

Sara of Sweet Magnolias Farm

Pretty In Pink Ice Skates ..another Etsy Treasury Pick

Good Sunday Morning to all my Kindred Friends ..Gosh ..I haven't been able to get in here and blog lately ..as Work has been keeping me so busy ...!!

I had to share though ..that once again one of our offerings on Etsy was picked for an Etsy treasure last Night. Pam of WickedDarling ..picked the treasury ..full of wonderful vintage goodies. A Big Thanks to Pam for including our Pink Ice Skates

Are these Pink Ice Skates ..not just wonderful and full of yesteryear charm !!! With their Faux fur tops and Bells on the toes ..well it just makes you want to bundle up and goe Ice skating ..like a princess !!!

To see Pams Treasury click "HERE"

To Visit our Etsy Shop ...click "HERE"

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Merry Christmas Friends ..I hope to get back in to the swing of my blog this week ..so stay tuned !!!

Hugs and Blessings ..Sara

Guest Artist on Primitive Gathering

I am so honored to have been asked to be a guest artist on the Primitive Gathering this month.

If you haven't visited the Primitive Gathering ..your missing out !!!

There are so many wonderful artisans with spectacular offerings.

Just click the logo below to visit the artisans page ..or click HERE to visit our Guest Artist Page to see our offerings.

Merry Christmas ...Kindred Friends !!!