The Labor Of Love...

"If more of us valued food and cheer

and song above hoarded gold,

it would be a merrier world."

- J.R.R. Tolkien 

This past weekend... was the FIRST

time I attempted my PRECIOUS... Momma's

FAMOUS soup recipe!

The original recipe reside's on a old piece of wood...

that I've searched high & low for, BUT... know in my heart

that it's inside these walls, JUST where though!  

At the moment I don't know... 

So... I took to a recipe found in Momma's 

recipe's that held the same 

name & ingredients of what's to be found on the 

ole' wood piece.

Prep started on Saturday & then finished on 

Sunday morning... for Sunday's dinner.

To say there were tears would be an understatement...

it was balling tears... knowing how proud Momma 

would be to see that her legacy STILL lives on.

My hubby had longed for THIS soup

since Momma had went on to be with The Lord.

I kept enticing him with other meals & recipes...

knowing my heart wasn't ready to attempt SUCH.

And... NOW, I'm beaming with JOY...

hearing him speak THESE words, 'this soup tastes JUST

like your Momma's'!

I understand... Momma's labor of love... 

the gathering of ingredients & the moments 

spent over the stove were ALL for her family!

The HOMEMADE... potato soup 

brings about a feeling of home... a warmth; 

a feeding of the soul that NO other taste could offer!

Unfortunately at this time I'm unable to share

the recipe... due to it being published.

SO... stay tuned THIS year for recipes...

from Vina B's Collection!

BUT... for now... you're WELCOME

to sit at our table; laugh in our home... & enjoy

a comfort of HOMEMADE goodness!

With My Love... 

JUST In Time 4 Valentine's Day...

But friendship is the 

breathing rose,

with SWEETS in every fold.

- Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

 When you have LOTS & lots of happenings

throughout each day... it's a BLESSING

to be able to resort to a quick way!

NOT that I prefer the quicker way of

baking; gardening OR creating a home... BUT,

in order to offer a SPECIAL 

treat, sometimes we have to lean 

that direction.

THESE... cherry bites are for instance...

I'm like my PRECIOUS... Momma...

in many ways, especially when it comes

to homesteading duties.

Her go to for any dough rolling 

would be an ole' flour towel, even though

the pastry mat waited inside her stone crocks,

she preferred her way!

Often times... she used the 

vintage, oatmeal glassware to cut her

rolled dough.

Here you find me using an old biscuit/cookie

cutter... BUT, I have been known to follow

her footsteps with the glassware.

I've used both ready made... Pillsbury Pie Crust

& homemade in THIS easy, peasy sweet... due 

to the flakiness of homemade... I choose

the ready made with it's pliable 

consistency & thinness. 

After cutting out all your pastry circles...

spoon in cherry pie filling by ONLY 

using one cherry per shape.

Pinch sides as shown in photos... & tuck

into a glass baking dish... I prefer vintage, 

as always to create more of a HOME feeling.

Right before dish goes into the oven...

I sprinkle granular sugar over the 

cherry pie filling... 

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes...

give OR take depending on individuals oven.

Remove from the oven... & sprinkle 

with sugar AGAIN to add CHARM & more sweet to the taste!

JOIN me over on the

 Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden FB Page

for a COMPLETE episode of showing

step by step on baking THESE scrumptious bites!

JUST in time for 'Valentine's Day'...

ENJOY... every bite... & PLEASE, do let 

me know if you gave THIS sweet a try!

-Blessings... & Happy Valentine's Day!

Rising UP...

Your life is an occasion.

Rise to it.

- Dustin Hoffman 

It's the beginning of a NEW year...
a moment to reflect on the past year, BUT, not dwell!

It's a RISING UP year for me & I pray for MOST!
THIS... year '2019'... I'm claiming
'RISING UP' as my word/words!
You know... 'the word of the year'
instead of offering resolutions... MANY
have turned toward JUST one word
to embrace the coming months ahead!

What have YOU chosen for '2019'???

'RISING UP' came to mind several days
ago... while I was praying & seeking
for God's hand in what to offer in '2019'.
It's a season... for 'RISING UP' from
being normal; staying comfortable & being
the introvert that I am.  (YES, I truly am)

You see... I've longed to burst out of THIS shell
for many years... BUT, just this last year...
it was almost suffocating to stay
closed up in that tight environment.

And... day by day... The Lord
has been seeing me through... & I
know that YOU can notice
the shell has cracked open & I'm emerging!
The Lord... has seen me through MANY
valley's in my life... & the last one
almost took me out, (the passing of my precious momma)
BUT... GLORY TO GOD
He had other plans in the works!

It's a 'RISING UP' to His calling year!
And... I'm ready for whatever He has
in store for my relationship with Him;
my marriage; my family & career.


O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
Psalm 139: 1-6

Whatever... YOU, my friend may be facing
KNOW... that we serve a MIGHTY & faithful
Father... whom NEVER leaves us NOR forsakes us!

Will THIS be your 'RISING UP' year too???


-Sincerely... 

Opportunity...

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.

We are going to put words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity

and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year...

from my home to YOURS!

It's CAKE Time...

Home is the nicest word there is.

- Laura Ingalls Wilder 

There's NOTHING that screams HOME...

more than HOME COOKED meals; 

HOMEMADE, fluffy cakes & sipping coffee 

around the table!

That's MY experience growing up...

& a tradition that I don't take lightly!

 Throughout the seasons here at the farm...
there's ALWAYS been a staple
that's delighted many!

THE... 'ole' fashion brown sugar cake'

And... I'm here to share ALL the details
in baking THIS scrumptious sweet!

 The possibilities are ENDLESS...
when consider the additions you can
add to THIS cake!

Leave PLAIN with absolutely no glaze
(my preference) BUT, most love the
EXTRA sugar!

Tweak the glaze by adding...
juices from an orange... totally optional,
BUT, adds JUST the right citrus hint!

 When preferring to add the citrus juice...
I love adding some embellishment to the
overall appearance.  The EXTRA...
just adds more BEAUTY, especially when gifting!

When adding the glaze make sure
it's the right consistency... PLEASE...
refer to the REPLAY on the business link BELOW.
Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden FB PAGE

The glaze isn't an icing spread...
it's to be drizzled while the
cake is half cooled!

The appearance of THIS cake...
may look to be overdone... BUT, it's
completely at the SUPERB stage!

This recipe is a heavy one... & with that
the cake needs to have THIS tone of color
to ensure it's completely baked all the way through.

EXCUSE... the excessive worn cake pan...
you can vision it's been WELL loved through the years!

'Ole' Fashion Brown Sugar Cake'

1 box yellow cake mix 

(I prefer... Betty Crocker Cake Mix)

1 box instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2-1 cup brown sugar

4 FARM eggs

1 cup oil

1 cup warm water

1/2 cup chopped walnuts; almonds; pecans (optional)

Mix ALL ingredients... pour into a WELL oiled 

bundt cake pan.

Bake... 350 degrees 

45 minutes to 1 hour depending on oven variations

*GLAZE*

powered sugar

vanilla

milk

(juices from citrus, optional)

NOW... back to the oranges... 

I've had a surplus throughout the Christmas season

& to make sure there's no waste... I dry them

for garlands; outdoor, bird feeding & potpourri.

Of course... the end waste makes it's way 

to the compost tumbler.

Slice the oranges/apples thin...

blot with a paper towel... dry in the oven at

200 degrees for 2-3 hours.

Make YOUR house a home by offering

SIMPLE handmades; homemade & natural pieces!

Hoping THESE words... bring JOY

to your day... ENJOY every scrumptious bite

of THIS homemade cake... &

go dry some citrus!

SWEET... blessings, from the farm!

It's CAKE Time...

How cruelly sweet are the echos that start,

when memory plays an old tune on the heart.

- Eliza Cook 

Hello, darling friends...

from my kitchen to YOURS!

It's CAKE time/season/week... whatever

you'd love to call it!

I've been banging my head pondering

on WHEN to share THIS recipe.

It brings about SUCH warm memories of 

my PRECIOUS Momma.

SO... I've decided it would be the PERFECT

timing THIS coming up Sunday JUST in time

for the New Year!

Mark YOUR calendar & set YOUR alarm...

Sunday, December 30th @ 4 EST.

JOIN me over on the... 

Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden FB PAGE.

Simply... click on the link ABOVE!

THIS recipe of the 'Ole' Fashion Brown Sugar Cake'

is light; moist & SIMPLY heavenly... along 

with a EASY, homemade glaze!

See YOU... Sunday!

Our Hearts Grow Tender...

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood

memories and love of kindred,

and we are better throughout

the year for having, in spirit,

become a child again

at Christmas-time."

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tis' several days before

Christmas Day... & STILL

many things to be completed.

The gifts sit waiting for a 

printed paper to entangle them;

the ingredient list for Christmas day

needs marked off & the home could

use a through cleaning.

BUT... what do I do... 

I sit here with the MOST

precious gift... in my arms...

my FIRST grand baby!

My mind can't seem to

focus on any other thing...

his beauty & healthiness 

IS joy to my soul.

A joy that ONLY God could provide

through a small, little child.

The present state of ALL

the things of the world can wait.

For time we can't relive & it 

finds no mercy on anyone.

The gifts are INSIDE...

not on the appearance of that 

beautiful paper.  The ham has

been bought & staples in the cupboards...

so what IF that one dish doesn't 

get prepared OR that favorite cake

isn't baked... I still have my

little family!  And... oh, the dust

bunnies can JUST hide for there'll

be TOO much laughter; stories

to be told & love to be shared to

even notice THAT... 7 layered,

dust covered ceiling fan!

May YOUR Christmas...

be filled with peace; love & JOY!

From my home to YOURS!

BIG NEWS...

We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.

- Winston S. Churchill 

It's PURE joy in doing what you LOVE & GIVING at the same time! I'm overly grateful for folks supporting small businesses; farmers & artist... the TRUE staple of today's community! I have some SWEET news to announce  following Christmas.  It's a gathering that's  been on the agenda for sometime now & hubby is ALL on board! Stay TUNED... for come January...  I'll be looking for the sharpest tools in the shed! HINT... a pop-up market!

The Gift That Keeps On LIVING...

Remember that the happiest

people are not

those getting more,

but those giving more.

- H Jackson Brown Jr

Thank YOU, for joining me over here

on the blog... THIS post

is focused on recapturing 

ALL that was shared last

evening on the LIVE episode.

Tis' the season for GIVING...

& while you're giving... WHY not

offer a token of LOVE

that keeps on LIVING!

It was a pleasure visiting with

each of YOU last evening... 

over on the Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden

FB page... & JUST in case you missed 

the LIVE... stroll on over by simply clicking

on the business name above.

Grab YOUR coffee/tea & ENJOY!

I offer step by step on creating

THIS... 'Living Pine Cone' & how to care

for it throughout the winter months.

I share advice/tips on caring for 

your SUCCULENT containers as

they're brought in for the winter.

Along with how to propagate by 

simply placing on top of a layer of soil.

Shown ABOVE... you will notice the 

small pup/rosette that has emerged from

an older leaf/petal... already sprouting roots.

Another caption of small pups/rosettes

emerging from the top of a leaf/petal.

Simply twist gently each one & place on top of 

a layer of soil... again.... they'll sprout small roots

that will eventually turn into a larger root system.

I created THIS piece not for a 

Christmas ornament, BUT...

as WINTER enjoyment!

To hang in a window throughout 

the winter season.  

Succulents will need the sunlight & little water...

therefore... what PERFECT way then to

embellish a BEAUTIFUL, natural pine cone.

When spring arrives... lift the moss & succulents

from the pine cone; remove the nandina berries

& guinea feathers; place in a planter filled 

with well-drained soil.

The JOY in growing THESE wonderful

plants... is that they JUST keep on giving!

Throughout January & February...

here at the shop... I'll be offering a

SWEET selection of the 'Living Pine Cones'

as well as the SINGLE succulents for you

to create your very own!

Remember... to visit the FB PAGE & 

watch the REPLAY!

Have a BLESSED & Merry Christmas... 

Tis' The Season...

Love and kindness are never wasted.

They always make a difference.

- Barbara De Angelis

 While it's normal for THIS season to be

filled with hustle & bustle... there is another

off the beaten path to roam.  And that's a path

of wellness & caring for oneself naturally!

Time WELL spent in silence; in rest; close to a 

roaring fire; twinkling lights; tea & a soaking bath.

THESE are JUST a few of the solid

benefits of living, BUT... we as humans

have to take the initiative to make it happen.

I've been taught by trial & error way... was NEVER one

to take heed to advice until years later in age.

NOW... I'm still & listen to what my body is

trying to speak/tell me!

JUST this weekend... I surrendered to my 

body calling for rest & restoration.  

For TWO days... I humbled myself; rested;

sipped HOT tea & resorted to JUST being in my home!

 As an avid gardener, one whom LOVES 

the growing; the beauty & THE benefits of herbs.

I found it a MUST to have done my research

throughout the years of gardening on ALL things herbs!

I'll speak of JUST one... herb in THIS blog post, 

for The GOOD... Lord knows... there wouldn't 

be enough space to consume the words of what's

 been learned through the years!

SAGE... is one of many herbs that would

take center stage in my garden OR at least a hefty corner.

It's BEAUTY compliments so many of it's 

 neighbors in the garden/potager... offering a silvery tone.

The leaves are superb in shape... & pack a strong punch

when using in the kitchen.  Not ONLY do I consider

this herb for cooking & health benefits... BUT, for 

the simplicity it brings to a home when creating 

a finished wreath OR dried floral.

Our main bath provides JUST what the season

calls for... a RELAXING moment of self care.

As late autumn arrives, JUST before frost 

spreads a fine layer across the foliage of 

growing things... I harvest the sage here at the farm.

It's a staple as I enter into 

the winter season... for tea drinking.

The benefits are simply AMAZING... but, 

my MAIN reason for consuming THIS helpful herb...

is to BUILD my immune system & it did JUST 

that this past weekend.

There are MANY rewards to growing 

SAGE... I encourage you to do some 

research & find ALL the benefits.

I'm heading to the kitchen to prepare

more tea... would you care to join me???

Warm Blessings... from my home to YOURS!

Christmas Is Coming...

Christmas Is Coming... 

FaLaLaLaLa... 

The months have turned into days...

& the days have turned into hours... for Christmas

 is SURELY to come... no later than VERY soon!

To make the season somewhat simpler...

try out easy recipes that take few ingredients

& JUST moments to prepare, BUT...

are TRULY a hit for everyone!

JUST an example of the MANY recipes

I've shared these last, few weeks!

Comes from the recipe collection of...

Mr. & Mrs. McGuire & I'm honored

to have been gifted SUCH a treasure!

I've literally nibbled myself into 

a frenzy with THESE scrumptious

bites! 

Pecan Praline Graham Cracker Cookie

1 cup sugar 

2 sticks butter

1 cup chopped pecans
Plain Graham Crackers

Grease a baking sheet well & line 

with graham crackers.  In a small sauce

pan cook sugar & butter. 

Bring to a boil & let boil for 3 minutes.

Add pecans to mixture & spread

evenly over the graham crackers.

Place in 350 degree oven & bake

for 7-10 minutes.

Cool & break into desired pieces.

*NOTE... I found it easier

to line my baking sheet with foil,

MUCH less cleanup.

Also... it's your preference on type

of sugar used in this recipe...

white sugar OR brown sugar.

Be sure to visit THIS link... below

Beehind Thyme Farm & Garden Facebook Page

in order to watch the REPLAY

on preparing THIS recipe.

Also... for those campers/glampers

in your tribe... I've HANDMADE...

a sweet collection of ornament campers!

Plain OR personalized... $12.00

Shipping is available as well.

Thank YOU, for visiting with me

& do have a BLESSED... Christmas!

Rising Up...

Mountains know the secrets

we need to learn.

That it might take time, it might be hard

but if you just hold on

long enough you will find the strength

to rise up.

- Tyler Knott Gregson

'Away In A Manger'

THESE simple words should find YOU lifted up JUST 

as the mountains!  We're here to CONQUER fear, not allow it 

to consume us... rise above doubt & the dullness of life!

REACH for that mountain top & live JUST as 

Jesus would have us to!

THESE... words bring great meaning in my life

& I hope that they'll provide guidance for YOU

in whatever OR wherever fear is found!

NOW... go on your way...

& bring light into today... by doing something

you've hesitated on for some time now.

Jesus will STAY by your side!