Thursday, December 19, 2019

~ An Extra Baby Jesus ~ Tis the Reason for the Season ~ Merry Christmas



~ An Extra Baby Jesus ~







Although this is not my story this is from a group I am part of,
May you enjoy this as much as I have...

I hope you have a little extra Jesus to share as well!

An Extra Baby Jesus...


About a week before Christmas a family bought a new nativity scene. When they unpacked it they found 2 figures of the baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a baby Jesus because we have 2."
"You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there."

The manager of the store copied down mother's message and the next time they were in the store they saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long they waited for someone to call. Surely, they thought, someone was missing that important figurine. Each time the phone rang mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus," but it never was.
Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time.

He suggested just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it.
"Put baby Jesus back in the box! What a terrible thing to do," said the children. "Surely someone will call," mother said. "We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone calls.
When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father "just run down to the store" to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight."
"Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!"
"Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you," Tommy and Mary began to put on their coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. Tommy and Mary ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Mary got to the store first and pressed her nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," she shouted. "Every set must be sold."
"Hooray," Tommy said. "The mystery will now be solved tonight!"


Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home. When they got back into the house they noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called and she went out to deliver the figurine," my father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present."
Then the phone rang. Father yelled "answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for the baby Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk. "Now what has she gotten us into?" my father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this."

When they got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room and, the moment we set foot on the porch steps, my mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here, Oh thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies."
"Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" my father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way."
"Never mind all that now," my mother interrupted. "There isn't any heat in this house and this young mother is so upset she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy."

My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down.
"I been doin' washin' and ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept going' through my mind. 7162...7162. Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight and I called your misses. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace."

"Okay, Okay," said father. "You've come to the right place. Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."

Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them.

Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes sir, you came to the right place", father grinned.

On the way home father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed?"
"Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here. I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?"

By this time the rest of the family were pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after their bedtime when they were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let them ride along in the back of the truck. No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older

I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all.

Jesus saves, that's what He does.

Author unknown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until Next Time
Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Failures and Perserverance ~ Never Give Up


Absolutely .. my failures in life are too numerous to count or even remember .. and even when I just wanted to sit down and quit which I tried on some occasions for a short time.. then realized I had to get up and keep going and it's been worth it. I've learned so much in life by persevering... The Lord has brought me through so many failures and blessed me in ways I would never imagine.


 
 
 
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12: 1-3
 
 
Don't Stop - Don't Give up - Failures, Doubts are part of life. They are there to mold and shape us and help us to look inside ourselves and then look around and ask what can I do better, How can I change the direction of the path I'm on , and then continue on with a new vision a new hope and renewed faith in God that he is able and willing if we will surrender and follow his leading. 
 
 
Until Next Time
Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara

Monday, December 9, 2019

All new Farm Girl Fancies Upcycled Flannel Shirts ...


All new Farm Girl Fancies upcycled Flannels are now available in my Etsy shop ... 
 
Each shirt is curated, designed and then sewn by me  .. No 2 are alike as they are all custom and made from castoffs, vintage, and antique materials, laces, trims etc. that I have collected throughout the years.
 
 

Here's a sneak peek at what's awaiting you...













You can visit my Etsy shop HERE

Until Next Time

Wishing you 
Sweet Farmhouse Blessings

Sara

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Happy Thanksgiving from the Sweet Magnolias ..


It's a cold wintery day here in the Ozarks with rain falling and the temps in the 30's .. to me it's a perfect day to be cooking, baking, and curled up on the couch.


Our Tiny Turkey for 3 is just headed into the oven .. but the most important part of the dinner is complete .. I made my Grandma's delicious Chocolate Cream pie with graham cracker crust this morning and it's in the fridge chillin'. So far it's just been a lovely relaxing day here for us which I am so grateful and thankful for. I hope you've all had a beautiful day too be it with family or friends ... 


Wishing you all a very beautiful Thanksgiving Day from the 
Sweet Magnolias ... Sara & Abbey.



Sunday, November 10, 2019

When we all get to Heaven ...



I must admit I reminisce about the past more often than maybe I ought to.  I find the older I grow my mind reaches back to the memories of my yesteryears. And as I've sat sick in bed and on the couch the last few days too exhausted feeling to do more than make it to the kitchen or the bathroom .. I've found myself remembering back to a simpler time that I thoroughly enjoyed.

And one of those memories which I've shared on many occassions is singing hymns in Church growing up. As a young girl I found them endearing and of all the music I have ever encountered in my life .. Hymns have always stuck with me. I think it's because words are very important to me. Words can make or break, Can encourage or discourage, enlighten, empower, words can be full of passion, empathy, understanding, rejoicing ....and so on .. Words are powerful...

She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.
21 The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18: 20 - 21






For me Hymns have great meaning wrapped in them. They speak truth.. and carry a simple straight forward heartfelt message. 

When we all get to Heaven .. I can hear the entire congregation belting this one out on Sunday morning .. it didn't matter what your age this one song brought everyone to their feet, bellowing out the words and shouting out at the end "V - I - C - T - O - R - Y" .. Each person had the joy in their heart that one day that one special day when they left this earth and entered in to heaven that it would be without a doubt a day of rejoicing in heaven.  .. 


One day we'll all rejoice together ...

In the meantime I'll rejoice here thinking about the day I get to meet Jesus face to face .. 

For now I'll enjoy the life he has blessed me with here, The gifts he has bestowed on me, The blessings he has so generously given me, The lessons he has taught me, and how thankful I am to know him as my sweet saviour.

May you all have a beautiful and Blessed Sunday and week ahead.. 
 

May our prayer this week be: 
(  lyrics from another song)


                                              Make me a servant, Humble and meek,
                                             Lord, let me lift up those who are weak,
                                          And may the prayer of my heart always be:
                                                        Make me a servant today.


 

Wishing you all
Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara



 

Friday, November 8, 2019

Flour Sack Christmas Towels have arrived in our Etsy shop ...



Our Christmas Flour Sack towels are back this year .. 

We have 11 designs to choose from 

in our Etsy Shop... 
 
 Our beautiful farmhouse flour sack towels are handmade by Lil' ol' us. As well the Graphic designs are made here at the farmhouse so you won't find these at your local stores. 

Each Flour sack towel is 100% cotton, is Low Linting, soft, absorbent and generous in size 28 x 29 inches not including the 5-1/2 inch ruffle.

Here's a sneak peek at a few of the 11 that are available .. 







You can find these and several other designs in our Etsy Shop HERE
 
Our Towels make wonderful gifts and of course will fill your home sweet homes with Christmas Cheer .. 



Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara

Sunday, November 3, 2019

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Sweet Magnolias Farm


I hope this post finds you all having a beautiful Sunday Evening... 

After a long hard several weeks of work toward preparing for the Christmas Open House at The Vintage Peddler .. today I am taking a much needed day of rest. And Oh how my body is appreciating it.

This weekend was the Christmas Open house at The Vintage Peddler and Abbey and I decked our shop space out with lot's of Christmas Cheer. 

We started last Tuesday on the top of the portico above our shop space creating an "Old Fashioned Christmas" display ... From our very vintage southern Velvet and tulle dress.. embellished with Rhinestones and Camillias ... I found this beauty a few years back in a small town antique mall hiding on a clothing rack tucked in with some polyester 70's beauties..



Some Greenery, Lights, bulbs, of course a light up snowman ..and my 1960's Cellophane Christmas tree that I found at a thrift store a few years back .. I see the small cellophane trees occasionally but this 5 footer is a rarity .. I love the old fashioned sticky style branches it has...


Below the Portico our shop space got a complete makeover from top to bottom .. Wednesday through Friday it all began to get dressed in Holiday Style....




Even Petunia I mean Bernard .. you see her I mean his name had to have a change ... I brought this guy home a few weeks back and had immediately began referring to my find as I was loading it in my car as Petunia .. My mom decided to tell me that it was a he and not a she which I figured but I just liked calling it Petunia well we couldn't have that so after he was decked out in his lighted garland and bulbs and ready for Christmas I changed his name to Bernard ... He's keeping watch over the aisle way and the cash register ...
 







The Shop is filled to the brim with Antique, Vintage and Christmas decor ..
From Hand painted signs and Pails.. 






To  this very cool channel letter lighted open sign .. 











A cute vintage 1970's handmade sled that I gave a cute make over to..



Lots of new Farm Girl Fancies Upcycled Flannel Shirts ... Designed, Created and Made by me ..

 







Some darling wood Candy Cane Pens and Magnetic Christmas Note Pads .. make the perfect stocking stuffers and gifts ...

And Lots of great ironstone serving pieces, vintage kitchen wares and our very own Sweet Magnolias Farm Christmas Flour Sack Towels ....










It's been a few years since I last made and offered my hand sculpted paper mache Christmas pieces ..but this year I decided to bring it back and made a little over a dozen pieces .. several found new Home sweet Homes this weekend ...












I'll Continue to add more Christmas Cheer over the coming weeks .. so if you're local or passin' through be sure and stop in and take a stroll around the shop .. And if you're too far to come in I hope you enjoyed a little stroll around our shop space through the photos .. 



You can visit our shop space at The Vintage Peddler in Springfield, Missouri 1432 E Trafficway 

I hope to have our Christmas Flour Sack Towels available in our Etsy Shop by late this week for those of you who have been waiting .. I'll post as soon as they are available...
 
 
Until Next Time
Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara



Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Happy Fall Y'all .. Farmhouse Pumpkins Display









It's always such a joy to receive photos from clients who have purchased your handmade goods and have beautifully decorated their home with them. I receive this stunning photo from Susan a few days ago .. sharing with Abbey and I the Farmhouse Pumpkins she purchased from us at The Vintage Peddler .. She did such a beautiful fall display ..

 I love how she put them on different height pedestals .. It makes for such an eye catching display !!! 

It's such a blessing to be able to do the work we love and have others love the work we do. 

Enjoy Your Fall Display Susan, Happy Fall, And thanks so much for your purchases and for sharing your stunning display ! 


If you're local visit our shop space at The Vintage Peddler in Springfield, MO 1432 E Trafficway where you'll find more OOAK farmhouse Pumpkins and for those online we have a few left in our Etsy Shop 



Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Our Farmhouse Flour Sack Towels are Back Just in time for Fall !!!



Well Happy Fall Y'all ...

We're starting to offer our Farmhouse Flour Sack Towels once again..

and

we thought we would start it all off by offering a few of our Fall Towels...


















Our Appliqued pumpkin towels are each hand dyed to have a wonderful aged appeal .. with hand dyed linen pumpkins and stems a sweet jute tie and a charming twill banner with a fall word
These are each One of a Kind Towels ..  No 2 alike. 










Our Flour sack towels are generous in size 29 x 30 inches when open. Some have double ruffles and others single ruffles with lace trim .. They Are oh So soft and are just the right touch for your farmhouse or country chic kitchen !
 
and 

We have a few of our Fall Farmhouse Pumpkins

available as well .. 

Our pumpkins are all handmade One Of  a Kinds made here at the farmhouse ! 

Each pumpkin is stuffed with pine sawdust making them wonderfully solid .. Yet so soft and every year you just give em' a hug and a squeeze and they plump back up .. that is if they get squished when stored. .. They all have turned wood spindles stems and a charming twill banner with a fall Word or saying ..






Our Flour Sack Towels and Pumpkins can be found in our Etsy shop


Well it's back to work for me ... I hope you all are having a great start to your week and that fall has begun to poke it's head out in your neck of the woods ! 

Sweet Farmhouse Blessings
Sara