Pear tree lane Farmhouse

~Welcome home~

This blog is dedicated to my dear family who live many miles away, and to you dear ladies , who have a heart for keeping the home fires burning. You, who love and cherish your family, and have a desire to create a home that says "Welcome, you are loved and cared for."

My desire is that when you leave that you will be encouraged and know that you too are loved.

Sue~

~Savoring Christmas Memories~

Written by Sue, Friday December 13, 2019      Cold rainy day, 50's, a good day to blog!~smile~

When I was a child I thought December  was the longest month  of the year and that Christmas would never come. Now, wanting to savor each day, it seems to be the shortest month, I am wanting to put a stop on time, it seems to be flying by so fast!

Tuesday Mr P. and I decided to take a trip to see how my grandmother/great uncle's  old homestead was doing, we were so pleased that the old home place is being  so well taken care of! I love this place, it holds so many wonderful memories for me, both childhood memories and memories of bringing our children here for Sunday lunch, where the children played with the farm animals.

100+ yrs.

 Christmas was so special here, my g-uncle would go out into the woods, cut a small pine tree, secure it with crisscross wood slats, Granny and I would cross our fingers as we plugged in those  large, colorful  lights,  (if one would not burn then none would.)~smile~  she didn't have many decorations,  but they were beautiful decorations,hand painted mercury bulbs, oh how I wish I had her decorations today, one thing that she placed on her tree that I still do, is the silver tinsel!

This tree is our memory/homespun tree, my favorite Christmas tree, each year we buy a Frazier Fir,
it is decorated with bubbling lights (another childhood memory),
Handmade ornaments by our family, children and grandchildren made many years ago, the final touch is the silver tinsel!Here are a few of the ornaments that make this tree so special, The cloth cut-outs were made by my sister Mary, Susan and I about 35 yrs. ago. The white felt angel was made by my Mom a few yrs.ago. the painted wood ornaments by grands during summer visits, and a few by our sons 30 + yrs. ago. Lets not forget about Rudolph and his family,he has been with us for many years too!
Some crocheted, some smiling, happy faces, some sleeping waiting for Santa!

Each handmade ornament brings such a special memory, such as the cloth cut-outs we girls made, I remember  that evening many yrs. ago, laughing, talking and making plans as we hand stitched  and stuffed each one.... I must find this angel's secret, she has aged so much better than I have. ~wink~
 Each tree has its own nativity ornament, ... the reason for the season

I remember our sons painting the wooden ornaments at the kitchen table while I prepared dinner, I can now hear their sweet voices as they talked about what Santa would be bringing them, so anxious for Christmas to come, I think all children feel as though times stands still all through December. A tree must have an  old teddy bear.

Each year I would buy each of  them a Christmas coloring/activity book! Would you believe that I still have some of them packed away somewhere. Even though the children are grown and live far away, I still buy and read children books.  Some folks refuse to grow up!~grin~


 I don't usually share photos of myself, here is an exception, Susan and I take a Christmas  selfie every season!
2018
2019

Here is a special ornament just for you, dear friends you are so special!
Love,
Sue

~Tis a wonderful,busy,glorious season~

Written by Sue, Tuesday, December 10, 2019. cloudy warm for this time of year, high temps. 70's ♥️

Each year Mother, Mr P., Susan  and I visit a few dear Ones who are convalescing and take them a few goodies. Isn't she beautiful, 91 yrs. young and can work circles around me. ~wink~

Our first visit was yesterday, with a dear lady, a family member who lives in another town,  who had just returned home from the hospital a week ago, and was doing really well, giving thanks to our Lord for His healing touch. We stayed for almost two hours talking, laughing  and catching up on old and new news. Though we felt the visit was long, she didn't want us to leave. We prayed with her and soon left!

Mother had prepared several meals for her to have this week,  there were gifts and other goodies too!


Since she had been ill there were no Christmas decorations around,  the little lighted gift Mother had made brightened her table next to her chair. Isn't this the cutest evah! Mother made 20 of these, as usual my Mother gave me one too, it has the cutest lights, I just adore.

She also made these lap blankets to give this year, they are cut, edges are hand crocheted by her! 
**********************************************************************
Today, I am catching up on laundry, housework, and blogging, while Mr P. is away from the farm, he asked me to promise not to be climbing on any ladders, my requests to him were, please be careful  while working, look twice before leaving a stop...... kiss, kiss, "I love you"!πŸ’‹πŸ’‹πŸ’•
BTW!!! He had a great report from the Dr!

Our Christmas plans are ... Relax, enjoy time with family and friends, be thankful, don't rush, don't stress, set priorities, be kind,  don't go into debt, enjoy great food!

Most of all  we Celebrate the real reason for the season.

Luke 2:14~ "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men!"


Blessings upon you and your household,
Sue







~A note from home~

Written by Sue, Sunday evening, Dec. 1, 2019... Rain, sunshine, windy, temps. 70, Nice!

Do you like surprises? I do. Isn't this poinsettia pretty and unusual, a surprise gift from dear daughter and her sweet boy friend! It kind of looks like a cross between a rose and a poinsettia, it even has a slight rose fragrance. (Bought at Lowes)


♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
I received a notice this morning on  my i phone informing me that I averaged 21 mins. of screen time per day last week, that seems to be par for the course for me these days, so much going on here at the farmhouse,.. and with family, that there has been so  little time for social time, for which I so apologize!......

We lost our dear sister-in-law, Betty, suddenly, two weeks ago, she not only was my SIL, but she was such a great friend. Betty was one of the sweetest persons, tirelessly giving of her  time and financial means to others.We went to high school together, played basketball together, Betty is fifth from  he left, oh what wonderful memories! See if you can find me in this photo, hint' I am one of those kneeling, answer at bottom of post.


 married brothers, worshipped at the same church, and shared many secrets! She was such a great example to me of what a Christian should be. I miss her so much.

Mr P. had to postpone his elective surgery of knee replacement until January for a very necessary surgery to remove a skin cancer, he has been recuperating so nicely, tomorrow he gets the stitches removed , 20 to be exact! Prayers for continued great reports.

As for me, I decided three months ago to get serious about my health, including proper exercise, 4.5 miles of walking 5 days a week, proper meals which is needing lots of improvement, and drinking lots of water! Two out of three is not so bad, ehh! As a result of these simple life changes, I am feeling so much better! I Thank my heavenly Father for His hand in my life and for my cheerleader, Mr P.
 I would like to share sometime of the situation that brought this about!

Through all of life's situations and circumstances I have learned that there are some things that remain stedfast, one being the "Faithfulness of God"!

Psalm 18:30~ As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

My journey of scripture memorization some time ago, has taken me to many stops on this journey called life. When you repeat a scripture verse day after day it becomes ingrained in your mind, body and soul, and applied to your life, this is what I have found. I am so thankful for the Bible, it answers any question I might have about life, yes, even an untimely passing of a friend.

 Praying for continued joy, peace, and happiness for you my dear friends,
love,
♡♡♡♡♡
Sue

Answer: 2nd from right, facing photo.

~It's that time again~

Written by Sue, Thursday Oct. 31, 2019   very warm, rain showers 80+ degrees

I guess you might say this week was the beginning of  my official holiday baking season. ~wink~ I started off with two  pies, a regular pecan

and a  cream cheese pecan pie, the cream cheese was a new recipe, it got two thumbs up.

Tuesday and Wednesday were cookie baking days, I baked 8 1/2 dozen chocolate chip, 



 Ginger snaps,  were next, 7 1/2 dozen, great for dipping in milk, or coffee, which I love.

Both packaged and delivered to a special nursing and rehab center by someone special.πŸ˜‰πŸŽƒ
Little Red Riding Hood, found some helpers along the way.
 Susan is Director of Nursing at the facility. This facility has three sections,. Re-hab, short term care and long term care.We are so proud of all of her accomplishments, she loves her job so much. Nursing is a very noble, and dedicated profession, nurses go over and beyond what is required of them, I have witnessed this first hand.
 I love to bake, one of the many reasons I enjoy this time of year so much.

A Good friend is like a four-leaf clover;
hard to find and lucky to have.
~Irish Proverb~
That's how I feel about you dear Friends.


May your days be filled with many blessings.
Sue


"Hello Monday"

Written by Sue, Monday, October 21, 2019    partly sunny temps. 70's
I love birthday celebrations, we recently celebrated our daughter, Susan's special day.
It was a small informal birthday dinner here at home, she loves her dad's grilled steaks, the sides were baked potatoes, creamed corn, green beans and salad,


Oops! grin~can you find the crooked candle? ~

 of course birthday cake.
She requested "pig picking", or black midnight.

We surprised her at work with her favorite, black midnight, the layers are dark chocolate, with a caramel icing, topped with, toasted pecans, I have made this for her birthday since she was very small.


Time to open her gifts, like me she loves scented candles!
 More gifts...Notice her feet, remember I said it was informal, we don't wear outdoor shoes inside, either socks or slippers~wink~

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Who enjoys Soup besides me?
I love soup year round, most especially in fall and winter and on cool rainy days, Saturday fit that bill perfectly. One of our favorites is vegetable beef/sweet Italian sausage soup, with grilled cheese/cheese toast.
Most of the vegetables used were vegetables we grew. I made a huge pot, enough for several meals and to share with dear daughter.

Today I will be working in the vegetable garden, getting ready to plant the garlic, weeding, winterizing by mulching.
Thank you for visiting and for your most beloved comments.
Blessings,
Sue

Recipe :Vegetable/Beef/Italian Sausage Soup
Brown/cook 1lb. organic beef, 1lb. 'sweet Italian sausage in casings, drain, and slice sausage.
saute' 1 medium onion, large minced garlic clove, in 1 Tbsp. olive oil, drain.
in large pot place 2qts. tomatoes, add beef, sausage,onions, bring to a simmer,
add veggies,...I used lima beans, corn,carrots, peas, okra, chopped cabbage, potatoes, bring to slow boil, simmer. Voila' serve with either grilled cheese or cheese toast! I prefer cheese toast on Italian bread. Yummy, warms the tummy. It is even better the next day.

note..
Any vegetables that you like will do.




"The last hurrah of summer",

Written by Sue, Saturday, October 19, 2019   partly sunny with rain this evening, cool fall day 60's


Hello dear friends, hope you are having a great day, fall weather has finally arrived here in our area, I  wish you could see me smiling. πŸ˜ƒπŸ‘
Our days are full preparing for winter, each year we trim our hedges, and perennials, place fresh pine needles down for coverings, we call this bedding the plants down for a long winter's nap.

The potted plants in the garden were replaced with pansies, one of our favorite flowers, they have such a sweet mild  fragrance. Did you know they are also edible?
Pansies are  happy flowers, they are always smiling, they bring lovely color to the winter garden,
 
The two toned have a butterfly face in the center. What do you think? Now, how did Sue come to this conclusion? 

I recently read a most delightful book, written by a favorite actress of mine, Roma Downey! Can you guess what tv show she played on?This is an autobiography  as well as a devotional, it is so encouraging and uplifting, the book would make a great gift,  I enjoyed it so much I am now rereading it.

In the book she tells of her mother's passing when Roma was a young girl, and that her mother's favorite flower were pansies. She told Roma that the faces in the pansies looked like a butterfly, I had to check for myself, yes, they do look like butterflies
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
Maya Angelou
Like the butterfly we go through many changes  to become and fulfill God's will and plan for our lives. I am sure the butterfly grew weary while struggling to escape the cocoon, but it didn't give up. Just as we face many challenges in our lives, we must remain stedfast to achieve this goal. The cocoon was the butterfly's protection, just as God is our protector and covering.
"The last hurrah of summer"

The roses were so pretty, we decided to not trim them until after the first frost.

 One of our favorite plants are begonias, they come in many colors and varieties, notice my thyme plants below,   these are on the covered porch and will also be left until frost, probably will go in the garage.

These will also be left until frost,  garage too!
The mandevilla is still beautiful, another overwinter in the garage, I have two that are about ten yrs old.
I planted these early spring they have really flourished this summer, I can't decide if I want to replace them with pansies or to place them with the other plants in the garage. Oh my, decisions, decisions!
I must go my watch says it time to look alive and walk.

 Thank you for visiting, have a great day!
Blessings,
Sue