Christmas in Review 2025

Good day everyone... 

Hope all is well with thee 

and that you all had a merry Christmas!

 

We celebrated our family Christmas again this year on New Year's Day.  

Our grandson didn't get in from Manitoba until New Year's Eve and our oldest son had to work on Christmas Day.. 

So waiting until Jan 1 was much better.. 

Our youngest son was not home as this is his busiest season at work.. 

But he was here in our hearts as always.

 

Terry and I celebrated Christmas Day quietly and waited patiently for our big day with our children! 

So here is a little recap of December planning and doing and celebrating!

Here are a few pics from around the house..

I didn't decorate as much as usual and was not all together happy with a lot of it but it was fine...

the mantel in the family room.. 

a collection of old pics of one of our Christmas Days at home when I was a girl.. 

I put them in a frame to remember... ❤

Getting a parcel ready to mail out to our son... 

made some spice and orange potpourri for wee gifts..

candy making and wrapping to give away.

little parcels..

worked on some felting... 

will show you the finished product next time.. 

I did a mole and a hare also.. 

made a few batches of nougat .

everyone's fave

not mine, though.. lol  

give me chocolate.. or butterscotch.. 

found a child's Christmas book and was able to make some tags..

And I had reprints made of Terry and my first Christmas together and made cards for everyone with old vintage papers I had... 

I think they liked them... 

so so blessed with our beautiful family.. 

so thankful!

as you are too.... xo

I made this last year and will probably always hang it over the fireplace..

Jesus.. 

Our reason to celebrate and rejoice!! ❤

Our five grandson's table has enlarged... 💞

someone's plate.. 😏

Our two oldest children.. 

They are so wonderful!  

Dinner was delicious!  

They all brought stuff for dinner this year and it was so much easier for me... 

Terry helped me to clean and decorate and all was well.. 

gift time.... 

the guy who only got a couple of hours sleep... lol...

Just a lovely lovely time!

❤❤❤❤❤❤

Us with our dear grandchildren... 

So precious to our hearts... 

and one with Shonda and Dave.. 

Trevor and Tammy had to leave early as he had work very early the next morning.. 

They all arrived home safely though as there was a huge snow storm and the roads were terrible!

So dear hearts this is all for today... 

Nothing extra but just a small chat ... 

I want to wish you all a very 

Happy New Year....

2026

May our great God bless and keep you this year... 

May we all draw closer to Him and follow his leading.. 

Trust more

Pray more 

Love more 

Give more

Grow in Grace

Increase our Faith

And put him first place in our lives... 

Love to you all 

and hugs from New Brunswick... 

this is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible.. 

bye for now... xoxo

This week's fall blessings..

Good afternoon my friends.. 

Another little fall post for you this week...

October is coming to an end and I thought I would take another chance to chat with you all.. 

These are a few early morning pics on our way to St. Stephen one day last week.. 

One of those morning when the fog covers the river as your drive down to Sussex..

 Beautiful!

So thankful to be alive and well and mobile.. 

Thanking the Lord every morning for these blessings.

I am beginning to think of Christmas... 

Made some Apple Cranberry Juice for punch and to give away.. 

I made this last year with orange and was not really happy with it.. 

Terry brought me in a pail of apples so simmered them for awhile and strained the juice and used it instead of boiling water.. 

It is only canned for 25 minutes so an easy gift to make.. 

Kind of got into some baking the last week or so.. 

Made bread twice.. 

Then yesterday a bunch of tortillas...

And a flavoured oil with garlic, parsley and chili flakes...

I guess the autumn urge to bake has hit... 

My dear friend gave me a huge bag of pork fat....

Rendered it down and there is enough to make a batch of soap and I made a few rolls of bread and such using lard instead of oil.. 

So much healthier and tastes really great.. 

And a little pot for greasing my tortilla press and such... 

Next year I hope we can raise a pig or two along with meat kings.. 

I can hope!!  lol!

Stopped by St. Andrews on our way home from St. Stephen... 

We attended a funeral for a family member there.. 

St. Andrews is a beautiful town beside the sea... 

It has it quota of wild deer also ... 

They are present in every village and town now, it seems...

A simple homemade breakfast one Saturday morning..

It is something we began many years ago.. 

Not that we practice it every week but often.. 

Just a slow homemade breakfast that is a bit special.. 

Homemade bread and butter.. Jam on the side.. 

Or half green tomatoes sliced with salt..

(another gift from our sweet friends) 

A few fried potatoes and bacon of course... ❤ 

And a perk full of fresh coffee... 

Do you have a special breakfast on Saturdays?

On our way home from church this morning we took a little drive and came across these sweet creatures... 

I wonder if they make some goat's milk soap?? smile.. 

I came across this and thought I would share it with you... 

HOME

There is no place like it in the whole world... 

When you have a precious place that calls your name and means the world to you it is a gift from God.. 

It is not about the decor or the fancy food and silk sheets.. 

Nor the immaculate kitchens and such .. 

Here, it is the old heirlooms and homemade meals and flannel blankets and duvets.. 

It is sweet music and the scent of candles and the fairy lights twinkling as the the evening comes on... 

The smell of homemade bread when you open the back door and what is that simmering on the stove that smells so good..  

A pile of books wherever you look and craft projects always on the go.. 

A couple of special chairs and cozy blankets.. 

Bibles that are worn and the lingering whisper of prayers ... 

Sweet smells of incense... 

And yes the dust in the corners and chores that need done..

 But there are the memories hanging around of laughing voices and the slamming doors.. 

A sweetness that can only be found in your home.. 

Thanking Jesus everyday for this blessing.. 

Well my dears this is all for today...

Thank you for stopping by.. 

Nothing special ... just a little chat and I hope to hear from you.. 

I truly appreciate your visits and notes.. 

God bless you this week.. 

Hugs from New Brunswick... 

A Fall Ramble and Roll Post for you...

Hello everyone.... 

Thanks for dropping by the Blessed Hearth today.

Just a bit of ramble and roll here for you.. 

a bit of this and that... 

It is a beautiful autumn day here in New Brunswick!

The rich colours of Fall are here and we are indeed blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving to all here in Canada!

We are so thankful beyond measure for all the Lord has provided and blessed us with.. 

The old chorus goes.. 

There is a roof up above me.. 

A fine place to sleep..

Food on my table and shoes on my feet.. 

You gave me your love, Lord 

And a fine family.... 

Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me.. 

So true... 

a special time of thanksgiving...

Hope all is well in your world... 

Fall is here in the upper hemisphere and it is a great season.. 

So fresh after the hot summer.. 

Makes us feel more alive, I think.. 

It sure brings out the cozy... ❤

Rambling on....

I have done a wee bit of decorating for the season but not nearly as much as usual... 

We are not having our family meal here this year.. 

So many are working or away or busy.. 

That happens every once in awhile.. 

Are you all having a big dinner at your house?

We will hopefully all be together at Christmas as always so that is something I so plan for and look forward to.. 

Mentioning Christmas... 😙

This is a beautiful quilt I picked up a bit ago at the thrift store ... 

It was only eight dollars and just right for Christmas decorating.. 

I love red and white quilts, don't you? 

Rolling along... 

Terry took me on a road trip yesterday since we weren't having the kids here for Thanksgiving dinner.. 

I have been wanting to go to Maine to visit the Amish Pioneer store and have a little drive around the area... 

These chickens were right beside the road... 

It has wheels on it and they were just sitting there.. 

Comfy as could be... 

I loved the clotheslines they had.. 

It is quite easy to tell which houses are Amish.. 

Buggies, no hydro and such... 

I love driving by them.. ❤

We saw the buffalo farm.... 

Last time we were there they were standing up but I guess this time they were having their seista. 😏

I did get this lovely cook book and several other neat finds at the store.. 

I love thier unique dish cloths, canning and kitchen supplies and oh.. 

their cinnamon candies.. 

I bought a bag for my sister and one for me.. 

This is a tuna macaroni cassarole I made for lunch from the cookbook.. 

It was very good.. 

Rambling along here.. 

  

I did a lot of canning this year.. 

Well, I guess I always do... 

mustard pickles 

and a sweet friend gave me a box of green beans to can.

I so appreciated it.. 

Our garden died mid summer due to the heat and us not at the farm to water it.. 

We have had such a drough here in southern New Brunswick.. 

Still not getting much rain.. 

Praying it comes before freeze up or we will be in a mess.. 

Any way.. 

Rolling along..

A few dinners and such..

stir fry and rice.

the best zucchini bread from my friend Carla... 

white bread and herb and garlic cream cheese spread... 

fish chowder

I dried some pears and need to do more.. 

I keep the really good dried ones in a separate jar to use for my 

gift tags.. 

Look so neat glued on a tag for giving away preserves... 

Still rambling along.... 

Yes!

I loved this!

I just pray God keeps me able and mobile enough that I can make and do for quite a long time yet!

Such a blessing, Lord!  Thank you!

Spent an afternoon with these two dear girls...

Shonda has been a part of this blog since I started it back in 2010... 

This is her sweet friend that is like a sister to her.. 

She was visiting as she lives in another province.. 

Christine is my most faithful follower.. 

Love her very much! ❤

And we are still rolling.. 😏

Was so thankful to celebrate with this dear man for his birthday dinner.. 

He loves Chinese buffet and had a great dinner and a discount.. 

He loves that!  

LOL .... even if I am paying for it.. 

We have celebrated a lot of birthdays together.. 

❤❤❤

Oh, I wanted to show you the sweetest thing I bought from amazon..

This is so sweet.. 

It is a lamp which is probably for children or old ladies.. lol.. 

I have it on my night table and when I have to get up to go to the bathroom all I have to do is tap his butt.. 

It has 3 settings but the lowest is enough for me to see to get 

to the bathroom without waking Terry or myself...lol..

It doesn't run on batteries but plugs in like your phone.. 

My precious sister is in a home now and so I got one for her.. 

In case she wakes at night and just needs a low light for a few minutes.. 

She just loved it, too.. 

Amazon.. smile.

I loved this ...It was on Tumblr.. 

Well, dear hearts this is it for another time.. 

Thank you so much for dropping by and for your sweet notes.. 

I try to answer them now... 

Although I may miss one or two.. 

Have a great fall and enjoy everyday...

As I say so often now.. 

This world is not my home.. 

I am just passing through...

I don't need to get my heart and mind all involved in the chaos of this world!  And there is certainly lots of that!

All we really can do is to really pray for so many things.. 

Lean on the Lord and trust him for the peace he brings.. 

Enjoy everyday and make them count.. 

Tell someone that Jesus is coming soon and that we need to prepare our hearts... 

Take care!!

God bless you all.. 

A little devotional for you...