Issuu

HOMEMADE The Winter Issue

chr i st mas at gr a n dm a's make r s ' s tu dio handmade w r appi ng r et ur n to rou n d top l at est proj ec ts our new pod cas t “t ur n i t ov er"

savor the season t he re f u g e i s s u e : a look at g r acious l i v i ng , true r e st + se l f care

THE MAKERS’ ALMANAC

Glory toGod

My grandmother's treasured nativity set. See the entire article, “Over the Top, A Tree Trimming Tradition at Grandma's" on page 100

&peace

on earth in the highest heaven,

to those on w hom his favor res t s .

mondays on t he c h ris t i an par en t i ng net wor k, turn it ov er wi t h susi e and rob Join us as we pull back the rug, turn over everything to God & tackle remarriage, dating, exes, single parenting, finances, life and love, one discernment at a time. s e arch “t ur n i t ov er" on apple + sp ot i f y p odcast s

In case you missed it, Robert and I started a podcast! Christian Parenting, a part of Denison Ministries, is hosting our little corner of the internet. The show, which is available wherever you listen to podcasts, follows our journey as we blend children, finances, friends and family. I think what makes our podcast unique and quite wonderful is that Robert and I are not afraid to be honest and vulnerable. You probably already know that about me, but maybe you didn’t know that about him. In the last episode we recorded, I made a comment that I continue to hold true; I believe women are thirsty and desperate to hear the hearts of their men. Traditionally, it seems that men have become more and more closed off. The men that I know or have dated are wounded, distrusting, emasculated and passive. I believe women want the intimacy of the secret chamber in a man’s heart, but don’t know how to get inside. Perhaps they were the ones who wounded him, or perhaps their man has never opened up. Either way, we as their wives long for their emotional availability, their strength, and their leadership.

It takes a healthy man to embody all of that at the same time. In dysfunctional relationships, often times leadership looks more like abuse. Strength can turn into stoicism and emotional vulnerability is thought to be a sign of weakness. So we are left with men who maybe want to be known, but can’t seem to navigate how. Well, let me introduce you to Rob Brinck. Robert comes from an abusive childhood and more than one broken marriage. If you tune in, he’ll let you peak inside the corners of his mind and the wounds in his heart. It’s such a beautiful and honest look inside God’s masterpiece of man. Robert is altogether precious in His sight, but also in mine, and it’s a joy to share a part of him with you. If you or someone you know are married, divorced, remarried, or if you’ve been touched by divorce even as a child, this podcast is for you! Join us as we sit at the table, turn over our cards and show our hearts to each other. We’re trusting in our God to walk us through this new journey and hope you’ll join us. 5

welcom e to the wi n te r i ssue

susie

DR EAME R | D OE R | E M PA T H

ri s k- ta ker, c om m u ni t y-l o v er, enneag ram t yp e 7

a holiday card |

y the time you receive this issue, Thanksgiving will have passed and the holidays will be in full swing. The fastest days of the year happen in December. Perhaps that’s why we postpone all those New Year’s resolutions. After all, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away till January 1st. We can enjoy ourselves till then. I pass no judgements if this is the way you think. However, I’m going to challenge you to take that same thought process that allows you to indulge and enjoy those second and third helpings of Heavenly Hash (see page 22), and I’m going to ask you to do it in other areas of your life as well. This year my grandmother is celebrating her 20th year of what she calls, “Over the Top Christmas". On page 100, we take an in-depth look at what she does to make the holiday season extra special. I can tell you this though, if you ever get the opportunity to see my grandmother’s Christmas displays in person- you better not say, “oh that’s nice” as you quickly scan the tree. You best pick up an ornament and ask her to tell the story. It would be in your best interest to make a comment about the silverware on the table. I would advise you to take your time… and I mean really take your time. You’ll miss all the rich history and goodness that there is at grandma’s if you look too fast. Isn’t that just like life? This winter, we're making a conscious effort at From: Susie to be intentional and fully present. To a busy-body like me, being present feels slow. Slow can then feel lazy, and lazy can feel just plain indulgent! I wrestle with the idea of “savor". I don’t know how many Christmases I have left with Grandma, but I don’t think it’s too many. She and her sisters are in their 80’s and she’s lost two brothers, a husband, a grandson and a great grandson since she started this Christmas tradition. Time marches on and Jesus will take each of us home when He sees fit. But, until that day comes, and throughout this season, and possibly the next and the one after that one too, I will do my best to savor and indulge in every minute. This year’s Winter Décor Box is full of goods to help you relish this season. Even beyond the holidays, we hope you’ll enjoy our handmade offerings and use them as a base to create moments you can savor forever. Read about my Grandma’s Heavenly Hash, and make it with your mom in Melissa’s hand-thrown Pie Plate. Then jot down the recipe, and keep it in the Made-in-Texas Recipe Box alongside a polaroid of the two of you. Or you can make one of Stephanie’s delicious cookie recipes out of her new cookbook. Display the fresh batch on the Madein-Texas Footed Bread Board for quick grabbing. Decorate for the holidays with Sammy’s Garland or the Seasonal Picks to remind you to savor the season. Wrap yourself and the little ones up in my custom Throw Blanket, and if you’re going through a difficult time, read my sister’s article on the promise and hope of Advent.

xo !

I’d like to give special thanks to my grandmother, our family’s matriarch, for her continual inspiration and her commitment to create a home for the holidays for our family. Grandma, your over-the-top Christmas décor makes this time of year so very special, but I hope you know we all just come to see you.

HOMEMADE EDI TOR IN C H IE F, Susie R obb

C reat ive D irect o r, Ash ley Sla te r Pho t o g rap hy b y C o rt ne y Dani Ph otog ra ph y

Di rect o r of Mar k eti n g , L a u ren Si ga la O n l in e C o n t en t C reator + Writer, Amy Willia ms D irect o r of Ret ail Services, Sa rah Gay D esign Pro ject Man age r, R a egen Ha in

C o n t rib u t o rs: Reveren d Vic t o ria R obb Powers No rm a Ro b b T ho m ason Ro b ert B rin c k Sam m y Al l en of Iris and Everg reen St ep han ie Rac k l ey of T h e Hea lth y Ch ew B en an d Lyn n e McC all of 8FD Design

Spec ial T han k s t o ... JMG Rem o d el in g, LLC

T h e Mille r Family

Jam ie C ro u ch

Junk Gypsy

THE MAKERS’ ALMANAC

W E SU PP ORT

T he Ma k e r. Shopfromsusie.com has a heart for the American maker. Our goal is to create a collaborative effort that supports local businesses and provides our customers with quality goods for their home. Whether domestically, or a world away, you will find goods here that are responsibly and ethically made. We pride ourselves on sourcing the unique, utilizing superior materials and promoting the talented home artisan .

Meet Sammy Allen of Iris + Evergreen! Read more about her creative pursuits and passion for crafting handmade goods on page 25.

wa rm w int e r c onte nts 18

s avor th e mome n t

A Sermon by Victoria Robb Powers

h e ave nly h as h

iris + eve rg re e n

48 64 72

78 100 128

Grandma's Holiday Salad

Meet Sammy Allen

natural g if t wrapping

diy with Cuter Tudor

re turn to round top

Inside the Fall Show th e wande r inn

A Weekend with the Gypsies th e h e alth y c h ew

Meet Stephanie Rackley our l ate s t proj e c ts

Miller + Crouch ove r th e top

Tree Trimming with Grandma le t te r to my s ons

A Note from Rob

gr ani t e p eak

90 72

100 48

savor

t he maker s' almanac 20 r eci p e keep sa k e b ox 24 var i ed seasona l pick s

32 ha n d - s t rung orang e s l ic e g arl and

70 low coun t ry p i e pl at e

4 6 a l der r ais e d s e rve r

76 “si mple, sweet t hi ngs i n li fe" cook b ook

62 f rom : s u s ie c able knit th row 15

“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest. But

from a chr i stmas ca rol b y char l e s dick e n s

I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” A Defense of Christmas From Scrooge's nephew, Fred Holywell

savorthe moment byrevvictoria robbpowers 18

“For now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

11-13

recently officiated a wedding for a good friend of mine in Portland, Oregon. She’s 34, had previously never been married, and had been through more than her fair share of heartbreak. I remember years ago going on walks with her where she’d share with me the pain of her loneliness, the heartache of relationships that ended, and the betrayal of partners who were unfaithful. It seemed like every time there was a promise for a fruitful relationship, it would be taken away. She was crushed time and time again, and as a close friend, my heart ached for her pain. Fast forward five years since those long walks, and she’s met the great love of her life. He’s everything she deserves – faithful, kind, and generous. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet him until moments before the ceremony, but I could tell from the joy that radiated through her smile that he had fulfilled all her hopes. She chose this scripture from Song of Solomon for her wedding day, because she felt like her season of winter had passed, and she could smell the sweet fragrance of a hope fulfilled. The passage is a fitting one for any wedding. Song of Solomon is a book that recognizes and honors human love. It’s a scripture that celebrates faithful companionship and tells of the goodness of humanity and all that God created for us to enjoy in one another. Human love, at its very best, is a reflection of God’s love. Whether that’s a love shared between romantic partners, a love of a parent to a child, a love between friends. Each of us possesses the capacity to mirror to the world what the love of God is in our love for one another.

transition from season to season. There are moments when the love that surrounds us is so palpable, God so close, we can feel God’s embrace. For those seasons, we give thanks, and we savor them. We savor the goodness, the hopes fulfilled, the joys that abound. As I stood before my friend and her soon to be husband, I reminded them of the inevitable winters that will come again, because life is good, but it’s not easy. When the storms arise and dusk returns, it is my hope that her memory of the grace and goodness of God will serve as a light in the darkness. We savor the moments of beauty partly because we know they’re finite, but also so we can hold fast to the promise that spring always returns. The worst things are never the last things; love always wins. Every December in the church, we celebrate a season called Advent. Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means “to come." In Advent we prepare for the Messiah that is to come. But Advent isn’t a season confined to the month of December. We always hang on to the Advent hope that spring is coming, and Christ will return. This Christmas, as you embrace all the hope, the joy, and the light that comes with celebrating the season, may you savor all the goodness. Allow yourself to embrace the light, the joy, the hope, the cheer. Savor the season, so you can remember the promise that spring returns and hope can never be lost.

My friend’s wedding was a true celebration of love. As they spoke their vows, I caught a glimpse of the Spirit of God. Love was abounding that day, and all of us present were privileged to share in the moment. As I officiated the ceremony, I was reminded, though, that it was Solomon who also taught us that there is a season for everything – a season for dancing, a season for rejoicing, a season to laugh, but there are also seasons to weep, seasons to forgive, seasons to die. Life is an ongoing

| r ec ip e k eeps ake box | 8FD Design, Texas, USA Why do we make a big deal about our pieces that we craft here in Texas? Well, primarily, because we take such pride in our makers and we want you to see the full picture when you open your products. There’s no particle board here, no MDF. This is real, native, American alder that is cut, sanded, glued, nailed, oiled and waxed BY HAND. The time and effort it takes in creating this Recipe Box, makes it worthy of holding generational recipes, grandpa’s love letters, and old photographs. No judgements here if you prefer to pin your recipe on a cork board or if you use a dry erase marker for your grocery list. This box is meant for the finer things and it’s built to last a lifetime. Organize your selections with the built-in divider and display what you need using the groove at the top. 7-1/2” W x 5-1/2” D x 5” H Retail $58

heavenly hash If you're looking for a quick and easy take-along for your next potluck, this is it! A sweet and bright southern salad (or dessert permitted at dinner!) handed down from my great grandmother to my grandma. This side is similar to Ambrosia Salad and pairs beautifully with ham or turkey. My hope is that this will be the first recipe that you add to your heirloom Recipe Keepsake Box, and that you'll make it a part of your own Christmas traditions.

HOMEMADE I NG R E DI E N TS

8 oz can pineapple

Mother's Heavenly Hash INST RUCT IONS

Drain pineapple, save 1/2 cup juice.

1 egg slightly beaten

In a saucepan, mix juice with egg, sugar, flour, salt. Cook on low, stirring until thick.

4 cup sugar 1/4 cup flour

Stir in lemon juice and cool.

dash of salt 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 cup whipped cream 16 marshmallows, quartered

Add whipped cream and lightly fold in fruits, nuts and marshmallows. Store in the fridge for 24 hours.

1/2 cup chopped nuts 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved

P r ep T im e : 1 0 Minu t e s

Tota l T im e: 2 4 Hours

Yield: O ne B ow l

Make things easy on yourself, and make this dish ahead of time. It will keep in the fridge for up to three days, but do not freeze as it will become soggy. GRA NDMA' S T I P:

Opposite page: A closeup of the original recipe, written by my great-grandmother and handed down through the generations. On the back, is a letter to my grandmother, telling her about her brother's new baby, dated 1958.

| va r ied s ea s onal pic ks | Atlanta Market, Georgia, USA Faux greenery is the easiest, most inexpensive way to transition to new seasons. Pastel florals in the spring, bright blossoms in the summer, pampas grass in the fall, and evergreens in the winter. This season, we are pleased to offer not one, but two sprigs for decorating. Use these around vignettes, peeking out from behind candlesticks, under cake stands, and so on. You’ll love the �real feel' branches. These look-alike stems instantly add a festive touch and are easy to use year after year. Set of 2, each Décor Box varies. Retail $16 each

a creative

portrait

ir is +

evergreen meet sammy allen [ ARTIST + creative ] In the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Sammy Allen found her creative muse early on, surrounded by intense natural beauty. Born out of prayer and circumstance, her business “Iris + Evergreen" blossomed through her curiosity and inclination toward fine and digital art. She credits her talented twin sister for paving a way for her through her own artistic creation. “When we were little, we were always working on an art project or an inventive pretend game- my interest in the arts started very young. My sister is an incredible artist and for a long time, I thought that title just belonged to her. However, I came to a crossroad in my life, where I thought and prayed really hard about my next step. It became clear that doing something creative was next on my journey. Starting my own business has been a leap of faith, but it has also been liberating." Sammy is self-taught in every aspect of her work and business, from painting to digital drawing and fiber arts. She states,“Everything I’ve learned, I have learned from trial and error. I love getting a new idea and then working through the process of making it come to life. Exploring different areas of my creativity has also been a journey. Digitally creating stickers, greeting cards, and wall art, as well as acrylic painting, have become really fun aspects of my business that I absolutely love."

fast facts SELF TAUGHT + TRAINED

BORN + RAISED IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

PROUD DOG MAMA TO SHIHTZU/COCKER SPANIEL MIX, LUCY

LOVER OF ALL THINGS HOLIDAY, FESTIVE + TWINKLING

SEEKER OF COZY

creating the garland “Last Christmas, I saw a TV show segment about drying oranges. During the pandemic, with people being home so much, these types of traditional crafts and activities became more prevalent and kind of resurfaced. I loved the look of traditional dried orange garlands, but I was unsure of my drying capabilities and I wanted something that would have a little more longevity. Thus, the idea of making my own orange garland was born! I drew a dried orange on my iPad and made each orange and strung each garland by hand. This was truly a labor of love!"

j oyful creations "IT ALWAYS AMAZES ME THAT, AS ARTISTS, WE CAN BRING A WHOLE NEW FEELING TO A ROOM WITH JUST A FEW MATERIALS AND SOME TIME. BRINGING JOY TO PEOPLE IS MY FAVORITE PART, AND THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF MY BUSINESS. I LOVE SEEING HOW PEOPLE STYLE MY PRODUCTS OR WHAT PIECES THEY CHOOSE TO GO TOGETHER. I LOVE HEARING FEEDBACK OF HOW HAPPY MY CREATIONS HAVE MADE THEM."

To learn more about sammy's products and creative journey, follow her on Instagram @irisandevergreen

| han d - s t ru ng orang e s l ic e g arl and | Iris and Evergreen, North Carolina, USA Traditions of time come alive with this hand-strung garland uniquely styled by Samantha, owner of Iris and Evergreen. A nod to the dried fruit garlands of Christmases past, Samantha has used Texas-cut acrylic circles and her digital art skills to make realistic looking orange slices, strung with cypress wood beads, cinnamon sticks, and red wooden “cranberry" beads. Handmade in North Carolina, the garlands are each handstrung on hunter green yarn, leaving a slip knot at each end for ease of use. Orange Slice Garlands are a beautiful and simple way to dress up a tree, mantle, or window frame. This garland can be made cozy by layering with a knit garland, or keep it fresh and simple by hanging it solo or with our Seasonal Picks. This timeless piece is a festive and reminiscent element that can be styled in many ways for years to come. Approx. 85" Retail $38

holiday crafting + diy

naturally gifted

HOL I DAY WR APPI NG WIT H DR IE D FRU IT

by amy williams of cu ter t udor

Giving From the Heart To Christians, Christmas gifts represent the tributes made to baby Jesus by the three wise men after his birth. Therefore, gift giving has become an important part of the holiday season. It is a way to show love and kindness to our family and friends. In addition, beautifully wrapped gifts tell the gift recipient that you have something thoughtful to share with them. It makes them feel special and provides that exciting element of surprise that Christmas morning brings.

natural elements USING W H AT YOU H AVE Natural elements and dried fruit used in Christmas decorations provide a nostalgic feeling of traditions long ago. The importance of dried orange slices used in winter decor is to welcome a bit of bright �sunshine' when the days are often cold and dark. Therefore, dried orange slices and other fruit add warmth and charm to your decor. Plus, it is a great, eco-friendly alternative to decorating your home for the holidays.

A feast for the senses, dried fruit is beautiful, versatile and accessible. Try displaying it in your tree as ornaments and filler, or place in bowls around the house. Renew scent with a drop or two of natural oil. 37

drying fruit

Step 1. Thinly slice oranges 1/8 inch thick with a knife and cutting board. However, a mandolin vegetable slicer will provide perfectly even, thin slices every time.

Each kind of fruit dries in different amounts of time. I prefer to turn the oven on low to dry fruit, and keep it slow and steady. Most importantly, keep an eye on any fruit in the oven to prevent it from under or overcooking. For example, if the rinds of the orange begin to harden, they are done. Typically, this is around the 4 hour mark.

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Step 2. Place sliced oranges onto baking sheet in oven for 4-6 hours at 170 degrees. Be sure to rotate the fruit every hour to ensure even cooking.

Step 3. Lastly, remove from oven to cool and place on paper towel. If possible, hang to allow oranges to completely dry.

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Pears and apples tend to take around 6 hours to fully dry. Basically, the thicker the slice, the longer it takes to dry in the oven. Apples and pears are a bit different than citrus fruits. Therefore, douse these fruits in lemon juice before drying to prevent browning. Once completely dry, seal the dried fruit with clear acrylic sealer to prevent spoiling.

hunt + gather TOOL S OF T H E T RA DE Wr a p g i f t s w i t h a n e c o - f r i e n d l y a p p r o a c h b y u s i n g n a t u r a l e m b e l l i s h m e n t s , reusable cloth ribbons or fabric, and recyclable papers. Natural elements are bio-degradable and better for the environment. Therefore, you can still make your packages look pretty while using greenery from your garden, neighborhood walks or dried floral arrangements. Lastly, keep a basket next to the tree on Christmas morning to collect ribbons and cloth to reuse year after year.

Here's what you'll need to get started:

k r af t paper or c ot ton ca n vas fab r ic c lot h r i b b on , yar n or t w i n e dr i e d f ru i t & ci n namon stick s f r es h or dr i e d g r e e n e ry h an dm ade pape r 40

Opposite page: We picked up these mini bread boards at the Fall Show in Round Top. We are currently making more at our own workshop, and should have them restocked in time for Christmascheck back soon!

wrapping the presents

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1. First, tape one end of yarn to the back of the package before wrapping several times. Then, with an embroidery needle, thread the other end of the yarn and push through the off-center of a dried orange slice. Next, place a cinnamon stick in the center and pull the threaded needle over the stick and through the back of the orange slice. Repeat step and secure the end of the yarn on the back with tape. Lastly, tuck greenery underneath dried fruit.

2.Wrap package three to four times with yarn, securing on the back with tape. Then, tuck in sprigs of greenery and dried oranges between each layer of yarn. Adhere with hot glue, if necessary.

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3.Wrap package with two or three cloth ribbons and secure with tape on the back. Then, thread a dried orange slice and cranberries together with yarn. Hot glue the yarn and greenery on the underside of the ribbon.

4. Wrap package with two layered cloth ribbons and secure on the back with tape. Then, thread a dried pear slice with yarn before tying a cinnamon stick and sprig of greenery into the knot. Hot glue the tied foliage onto paper tag.

5. First, wrap package with cotton ribbon. Next, use embroidery needle and yarn to thread cranberries; bend into circle before tying ends together. Then, place cranberry wreath onto package and secure with yarn in same direction as ribbon. Lastly, write gift recipient's name on paper scroll before hot gluing to berries.

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| r ai sed s erv er | 8FD Design, Texas, USA If there’s one thing our shop has no shortage of, it’s bread boards and risers. They are the most versatile and most functional home décor piece in our entire line up. In true maker fashion, this season’s raised server is form defined by function. An exclusive design from our favorite wood workers in Texas, this hand finished, alder wood riser is multi-functional and will last through generations. A serving caddy on the table, a charcuterie board, a riser to add height, a coffee table tray… the possibilities are only limited by the imagination. The oiled and waxed-finished board is beautiful on display and safe for food use. 7-1/2" W x 16" H Retail $65

re tur n to

round top by a m y w ill iams

the greatest show t he j u nk i n' t r a il Round Top, Texas is a tiny town with a population of 90, that hosts about 100,000 visitors during the two week biannual show. Since we had so much fun at the fall show, here's a look at a 'day in the life' of our trip to Round Top. We kept our goals in mind! We wanted to source vintage and handmade products for the shop, while meeting fellow entrepreneurs, creatives, makers and artists. Also, we like to look for inspiration from displays and unique finds. And lastly, we shop for one-of-a-kind pieces for clients and our own homes. As a bonus, we really get to connect and have fun with our team.

round t op, texa s is a t in y tow n w ith a p opulat i on of 90 , th at h osts a bout 100 ,000 visi t ors dur i ng th e two w e ek bia n n ua l s h ow .

m e e t the team First, there's Susie, the dreamer and doer behind everything, from owner of the home décor shop, "From: Susie" to interior designer and founder of the 626 Foundation, a non-profit design firm. In the Spring of 2021, Susie began publishing her own magazine, named "HomeMade" as part of her seasonal Décor Box. Most recently, she and her newly married husband Rob, became podcasters. Then, there's me, Amy Williams, Susie's bestie, content creator for Susie and for my personal blog, CuterTudor.com. Reagan Hain is the assistant interior designer, operations manager and Susie's doppelganger. Next on the team is Lauren Sigala, the social media gal, Pinterest guru, mood board designer and answer to when you 'Like to Know It.' Lastly, there is Cortney Dani, an amazing photographer who makes sure that Susie never posts a bad photo of herself. Like ever.

t h e spr i ng + fall s h ows a re th e m a in s h ows in r ound t op. wi nt e r + s um m er s h ows a re a m ore abbrev iat ed vers ion for first-t im ers .

find ers ke e p ers sta rt ing off Our first stop of the day is at 'The Arbors' where you can find a variety of high-end boutiques, clothing, fine art, imported décor and one of Susie's favorites, the Bloody Mary. We look for makers and artists that we can add to the shop. Last year, this is where we met artist, Mary Gregory, who is featured in our summer collection. While our goal is to search for handmade and vintage finds for the shop, we did a little personal shopping, too. For instance, we met fellow entrepreneur Madison, 23-year-old owner of "Happy Heart Clothing". We loved her creative spirit and found some cute accessories for our own girls. Support the Makers is not just a slogan on a t-shirt... we truly love to support makers, artists and small businesses.

s ea rch + rescue Susie searches for unique pieces that she loves and believes that her customers will love, too. Furthermore, when she purchases multiples of one product for the shop, know that each one is still hand-picked. She rummages through stack of baskets, buckets of bowls, and rows of grecian planters to rescue items and give them a new life. Sometimes, she is looking for a perfect combination of imperfections. Other times, it may be individual character, but quality is always on the forefront. Shopping for vintage and handmade finds isn't as easy as it looks... questions arise with each item. For example, how will we get it home, how well will it ship to customers and is the price right for me to profit yet customers to buy? Does this vendor offer wholesale, and will customers find it as beautiful or interesting as I do? Is this item timeless or is it too trendy? Do we already have similar items in the shop? Lots of questions that get answered by sales reports, calculators, measuring tapes, or just a gut feeling. However, often times, these questions are simply answered with prayer as we run back to purchase them, hoping they are still there. That's living on a prayer!

t e a m wo rk mak es t he drea m work It is a truly rewarding experience to have the team together. Not only do we share a vision for the shop, but it is helpful to have others to bounce ideas around and receive respected feedback from one another. For example, here's what it sounds like when we are searching for products. Susie probably said something like, "Hey, look at these round mini boards! What can we do with these?" After pausing, she follows up with, "They could be ornaments." The wheels immediately begin to turn and Amy chimes in with "Or personalized gift tags or mini charcuterie boards." Lauren adds, "A candle holder or coasters." Then, Amy describes how they could be used on a tablescape at each place setting.

A few minutes later, Susie finds the rectangular version of the mini boards. She holds them up in the air together and places the

round one slightly in front of the rectangular board. Then, Amy responds "That is the cutest juxtaposition, Susie." And describes how it looks like layered cutting boards often styled on a kitchen stove backsplash. She follows up with, "That would be so cute on a tiered tray in the kitchen." So, Susie bought as many as we could all carry in our arms. Unless, you have been to the Round Top Antique Show, it can be hard to imagine how many different "shows" are set up. There are so many fields of tents and clusters of buildings spread out for miles from south of Warrenton, to north of Round Top in Texas. In addition, the surrounding small towns will have their own antique shops and pop-ups open. I've even seen garage sales plopped smack in a farmer's pasture. Literally, the thrill is in the hunt.

re l a x + rec harge By midday, we were full of inspiration, but starving. There are quite a few amazing food trucks spread out between the venues. However, we heard good things about The Garden Co. at Round Top, so decided to enjoy lunch on the plant-filled patio. The cafe is located in an old farmhouse surrounded by other small shops. Before long, we were back at it! More goodies to be found including the gorgeous mustard-dipped pottery. The lighting in the building was so beautiful that we had a styling/photography session right there. When we returned for the evening at the Wander Inn, Amie and Jolie Sikes, Junk Gypsies, hosted a get together for guests. There, we met travel bloggers, leather craftsmen, fellow shop owner "Farmhouse Frocks" and other Round Top venue owners. They served us beer, wine and the most amazing charcuterie board with 4" tall chocolate-covered, cream-filled Ding Dongs. Plus, the cutest sugar honey bees and honeycomb over Brie cheese. It was fun connecting with new and old friends, alike, and ending the night around the campfire. The next morning was filled with more shopping, more fun and more Bloody Marys. How else could I get Susie to climb on the back of "Lion King" without getting caught?!

| from: susi e cab le kn i t throw | Bedford Cottage, New Hampshire, USA Formerly known as Kennebunk Weavers, Bedford has been manufacturing decorative throws since 1982. They love what they do, and it shows in the depth and variety of the products they offer. Design, quality, and development have proven to be the cornerstones of their business. Bedford Cottage throws are designed and manufactured in Manchester, New Hampshire. The father and son venture of Edward and Richard Sherman has resulted in beautiful novelty yarns woven into the high quality offerings of the textile line. This is second throw that Susie has designed with Bedford Cottage. The neutral throw gives a contemporary twist to the traditional fisherman cable and the pattern is gracefully proportioned to catch the eye in any room. Knit on American soil, 100% acrylic, machine washable. 50” x 60” Retail $108

a s w e e t l ittl e s l ic e of te xa s

This trip was extra special for me on a personal level because I was able to take my team with me and stay at the Wander Inn! The Wander Inn is a short-term rental property owned by Amie and Jolie Sikes, or as you might know them, the Junk Gypsies.

lounge space with an amazing fireplace, kitchenette, and record player with plenty of vinyls. 'The Crown House' features a breezeway in the center of the house and porches on the front and back. Our team stayed in 'The Country Delight' and 'The Rambler' rooms at 'The Crown House.'

There are two buildings that make up the Wander Inn. Within each, there are 4 separate bedrooms with their own private bath and back porch. In addition, there is a shared

As DIY queens, Amie and Jolie have repurposed many old finds to give them new life. For instance, they created a unique, yarn-wrapped chandelier and glitter

dipped feather lampshade. Plus, they hung a rustic door to create a sliding barn door into the bathroom. Lastly, they topped vintage wooden stools with faux fur for an unexpected element. If you’ve not seen their style, think glitter and lace, shiplap and chandeliers! Amie and Jolie were so sweet to host us at their property, but they also treated us to a meet and greet with other guests. Among the list was none other than Lena Schlabach of "Farmhouse Frocks". God smiled down at me when I was able to sit under the wisdom of the Ohio-based store owner and her protégé, Joe. I left that night feeling revitalized and recharged, more determined than ever to continue developing this brand and make it successful. There’s just something truly magical about sitting under the stars of that big Texas sky. Maybe it was Lena’s words, having my bestie Amy Williams by me, Robert’s sweet texts dinging on my phone… or maybe it was the wine! Either way, I left this fall show feeling really good. If you haven’t yet visited, I strongly encourage you to do so and to stop by the Junk Gypsy store and lay your head at the Wander Inn.

c h e c k o ut th e vi n t ag e s e c t i o n at s h o p f r o ms us i e .c o m t o s e e what g o odi e s w e g o t t hi s t i m e !

The best seat in the house

go t j unk?

To book your stay, visit junkgypsy.com 69

| low coun t ry p i e pl ate | Modern History Clayworks, North Carolina, USA This one-of-a-kind dishware is wheel-thrown in North Carolina by artist, Melissa Reddick using high fire stoneware clay and food safe glazes. Designed to be the perfect choice for a weekday supper (we choose chicken pot pie), and elegant enough to serve with pride on your holiday table. Each finishing detail has been added by hand, right down to the fluted rim and center swirl resulting in a piece that is sure to be treasured for generations to come. This is an exclusive addition to Susie’s Low Country Collection; named after her and her grandmother’s love for Savannah, GA. Create lasting memories with someone special when you bake something sweet and/or savory in this deep dish pie plate. Dishwasher safe. Do not place in microwave. For best results, allow to warm slowly with oven. 9-1/2” Retail $65

AN HO NE ST, O UTDO O R LIFESTYLE

STEPHANIE RACKLEY KNOWS THE VALUE OF COMMITMENT. SHE OWES HER DISCIPLINE, POSTIVITY AND DETERMINATION TO HER YEARS AS A KILGORE COLLEGE RANGERETTE, AND IT SHOWS IN HER BUSINESS, "THE HEALTHY CHEW". A REGISTERED NURSE AND DIETICIAN, SHE POSESSES A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE, HAS COMPLETED HER DIETETIC INTERNSHIP AND UTILIZES HER CREDENTIALS TO CONTRIBUTE TO HER BLOG, "THE HEALTHY CHEW".

helping mama make a nutritious snack

BU I L D I N G HER BRAND Stephanie created The Healthy Chew blog and social media platform in 2015 with the intention of spreading helpful nutrition knowledge and healthy recipes to her followers. She then created a private consulting business, ‘AVO Good Life Nutrition LLC’ for individuals struggling with nutrition and food choices. Stephanie has been interviewed and featured in VoyageDallas as part of their local entrepreneur series, local magazine ‘Lakeside’, and has collaborated with renowned brands like Bertolli®, CVS Health®, Vital Proteins®, and HelloFresh®. Although she loved nutrition consulting oneon-one with the clients that she met and helped, her daughter, Emmie, took priority once she was born. Today, The Healthy Chew has become a more prominent brand that encompasses whole family health, weekly meal ideas, and aims to promote overall life positivity. Since having her first child- Emmie, Stephanie has shifted her focus to raising her family at home. She and her husband, Justin, just welcomed their second child, Ben River, this fall.

Together, the family shares their love for the outdoors while raising Emmie and Ben. They have showcased their honest outdoor lifestyle on YouTube as part of their channel, ‘Lake Life Family’. Furthermore, Stephanie is known for always cooking or baking something from scratch, whether it be wild game meats, homemade desserts, or anything in-between. Recently, she launched her first cookbook titled, ‘Simple, Sweet Things In Life’. This book is curated for anybody who likes desserts, considering it’s filled with over 60 recipes of cookies and other sweet treats. However, what makes this book even more special is the fact that it allows for anybody that has food allergies to still partake in the sweetness. Stephanie is no stranger to food allergies and sensitivities, and during the process of creating the recipes for this book she was pregnant and diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Furthermore, her food sensitivities during this time included gluten, dairy, eggs, and soy.

“AS I EMBARKED ON CREATING A DESSERT COOKBOOK, I FOUND A NEW CHALLENGE OF CREATING DELICIOUS SWEET TREATS WITH FOOD TRIGGERS IN MIND. HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS ELIMINATION DIET AND PULL COMMON ALLERGENS OUT OF MY DAILY DIET, I WAS CONTINUALLY REMINDED OF HOW MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM FOOD ALLERGIES ON A DAILY BASIS. SO, NOT ONLY DID I WANT TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL STORY WITH OUR BELOVED FAMILY DESSERT RECIPES, BUT I WANTED TO CREATE A COOKBOOK THAT ANYBODY COULD PICK UP AND ENJOY." “Regardless of your food allergies, regardless of your family’s necessary modifications, regardless of your current health situation, there is something for everybody in this cookbook. I’ve made sure to include options that are free from gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, peanuts and soy. Other recipes that contain no added sugar. Even a few are low-glycemic recipes. For me, having these options readily available was especially important because I understand how frustrating it can be to have limited food options. I understand the need for creating such a book, and I wanted to be the one who shares it with you.”

| s im pl e, s w e e t th ing s in lif e c ookb ook | Stephanie Rackley, Texas, USA Stephanie Rackley, RDN, LD cares deeply about the food choices and ingredients that she uses when cooking and baking for her growing family. Although a firm believer in serving up nutrient-rich meals, she knows there’s nothing quite like a simple, sweet dessert to finish the day on a humble note. From freshly baked cookies to homemade cinnamon rolls, these dessert recipes come straight from the heart and soul of her quaint Texas kitchen, where she uses farm-fresh eggs and ingredients from her garden. Retail $36

the

m i l l er proj ect

Two tired bathrooms get a dramatic, highcontrast update in black, white and brass, drawing inspiration from Paris, French Film Noir and Star Wars. Fort Worth, t x .

hat do you do when everyone in the household wants something different?

This is a design challenge that I'm frequently presented with. It's my job to find a common theme between two (or more!) stories, and I enjoy the process of creative problem-solving, particularly when my design client has such excellent taste. The Millers are a fun family that hired me to fuse their unique personalities into their home, while keeping the overall aesthetic sophisticated and consistent. This home is an ongoing remodel in Fort Worth, TX, and is happening in stages. Fro m the start, we established that the mood of the house would be modern yet French-inspired. The upstairs bathrooms are the first to cross the finish line. I'm so proud of the way we were able to deliver two stunning spaces, tailor-made to my client's wants and needs.

or bathroom number one, my client had a vision

the linear herringbone backsplash and modern lines

for a black and white bathroom channeling

of the vanity.

Parisian vibes. We accomplished this by introducing

a monochromatic palette and focusing on quality

The rest of this home is scheduled to be completed

of materials and textures. The cur ving lines of the

early next year. We are excited to continue to bring

rounded globe sconces, arching lavatory faucet with

our client’s vision to life with our favorite crew at

cross handles and cut glass mirror are balanced against

JMG Construction.

d r a m at i c l i g h t i n g the rounded, white globes of these french bistro style sconces add high drama and geometry against the black herringbone tile backsplash that we carried up the wall

l e bai n We misxed brass and black fixtures against white subway tile to create dimension and definition in the shower

High contrast

t wo s pa c e s , o n e c o m m o n t h e m e

We used marble penny round tiles on the floor with a black border. You can see this theme repeated in the shower with white subway tile broken up with black pencil tile. Gold hardware in the shower and vanity are matched with brass sconces and cabinet pulls. The black chevron tile behind the mirror adds interest to the otherwise painted walls in Sherwin Williams, Peppercorn.

brass details & french curves

the miller project

master bath

mood:

French Film Noir 83

w e lc o m e to t h e d a r k s i d e

a play on luxury & youthfulness

Bathroom number two is for the family 's son, a Star Wars fan. Light saber-esque sconces frame the rectang ular mirror and modern towel racks, while hooks add to the contemporary take on this George Lucas inspired room. My favorite find is the sink faucet with knobs that mimic joy sticks! Nine inch black hexagon tiles on the floor transition to smaller hexagon tiles in the shower and both are offset with a khaki colored, linen-look wall tile. Lastly, doorless entry into the shower and a black toilet complete this

light saber edison torches

modern space.

the miller project

guest bath

mood:

Star Wars

paint + finishes SW High Reflection White Vanity: SW Peppercorn Black Herringbone Mosaic Tile Black + White Penny Tile Brass Knobs F|S Plant Mister Walnut Vinyl Plank Flooring F|S Spa Towel

materials guide

miller | materials board

o t ss ce fullmacy favs! all

In tro d u c i n g. . .

All of my favorites, direct to you

We give you access to the s am e toth e-tra de pieces th a t Su s i e s ou rc es for h er clients a nd d e s i g n proj ec ts !

rugs lighting table lamps accent chairs sofas + sectionals coffee tables side tables cabinets + bookcases desks + consoles

Shop now! Only on shopfro ms u s i e. co m 88

c u rated by Su si e

c l ea r lea d ti m es !

shop furniture on shopfromsusie.com

s h i p p i n g i n c l u d ed ! dining room

living room

the

crouch proj ect A master ensuite and family kitchen receive a dramatic facelift for form and function, while keeping budget front of mind. McKinney,

t x.

e are still remodeling an inord inate number of kitchen and bathrooms in

homes these days. That’s actually perfectly alright. Kitchens and bathrooms give you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to resale, and those are the two areas of your home you probably spend the most time in. So, it makes sense that people are remod eling those areas regardless if they are selling or s taying. I had the pleasure of remodeling a kitchen and bathroom in McKinney, Texas this year for a newly single mom of three. She was looking for a fresh start and needed these rooms to bring her peace during an otherwise chaotic time.

the suite life We used "Granite Peak" on the cabinetry which tied in nicely with the marble tiles and gray veining in our countertop. Black mirrors kept things modern and grounded the otherwise feminine elements. All in all, this project was one of my faves. You can find more details and sources at susierobb. com/blog.

Balance and beauty

e m braci ng t h e el e m ents

The primary bathroom of this home was very small, so when the homeowner wanted to maximize the shower space and still have a tub, I opted for a zero transition line into the shower and nixed the door. This means there is no step into the shower. The floor simply continues on one plane into the shower and when done correctly, is graded to drain perfectly. JMG Remodeling, once again, delivered on my vision for this bathroom, and I couldn’t be happier. A rainfall shower head and multiple spray jets made for a luxurious experience while the chandelier over the free standing tub only added to the elegance.

an emphasis on the natural

the crouch project

ensuite

mood:

Air & Sea 93

F loating on air

lighting + fixture details

all lit up

the crouch project

ensuite

mood:

Air & Sea

I 96

n the kitchen, we painted her cabinets white, installed

new

lighting,

gorgeous

like capri pants; it’s an abrupt stop to the eye!

quartz

countertops and new backsplash. We also carried

Therefore, carrying the same floors throughout your

her hardwoods into the room, something people

space brings cohesion, symmetry and beauty. My

either love or hate. Hardwood floors and water don’t

personal opinion is to do it! If you’re still against

mix so I understand the trepidation when installing

it, consider a luxury vinyl plank which will give you

hardwoods in the kitchen. However, with today ’s open

the same look, but in a much more water-friendly

concept floor plans, breaking up your flooring is a lot

material.

paint + finishes Island: SW Dovetail Cabinets: SW Snowbound Backsplash: White Trellis Tile Venato Gold Quartz Counters Brushed Nickel Knobs Walnut Hardwoods

materials guide

crouch | materials board

the r t e

a t ree trimming

tr ad i ti o n at gra ndma's

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y grandmother has been decorating what she calls “over-

her home. It takes about three weeks to decorate and 96 boxes

the-top” Christmas for twenty years now. What began as

are stored in the attic when it’s all over. Her sister Joyce and

a Christmas party in Midland, TX is now a family tradition that

brother Jerry travel from Memphis, sister Annette comes from

is well known in the paper, on Instagram and now on YouTube!

Missouri and Aunt Booty drives up from Austin.

Each tree is themed and has meaning and significance for Norma. It’s a family tradition that every time they’re together, they make

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Norma Robb Thomason is the second of seven children, 3 boys

6 pounds of fudge with their secret family recipe. The night their

and 4 girls. Each fall, her surviving siblings come to help deck the

daddy died, Grandma asked her siblings, “what are we gonna do

halls, including decorating NINE Christmas trees throughout

now?” Her brother Larry answered, “we’re gonna make fudge.”

Above: Grandma's sisters from left to right, Annette, Joyce and Booty Right: Our yearly visit from Santa (Pastors Jeff and Judy Fairchild)!

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gingerbread a tree f u l l of s w eet t reat s Norma has 5 children, 9 grandkids and 10 great grandkids. This tree is styled for the grandchildren and great grandchildren. It’s full of sweets, popcorn, rocking chairs and gingerbread ornaments. A sign that tops the tree reads, “Who needs Santa? I’ve got Grandma!” This tree contains 269 ornaments that Grandma has hand made, including burlap bows sewn with jingle bells. She also tied checkered red bows on miniature wreaths, as well as hand made cinnamon stick ornaments. It’s loaded to the max as no other ornaments can fit, so 17 elves sit atop the built-in shelves behind the tree. The traditional colors of red and green are accented with the browns of the burlap and gingerbread men. It sits in the family room next to Grandma’s red upholstered sofa, plenty of chairs and piles of throw blankets. This is the room you’ll find the men watching the football game and the children playing with toys on the floor.

There are signs of Santa everywhere! Gingerbread houses and garlands deck the halls and mantels.

Sammy's handmade garland is the perfect accent to this sugary scene! 104

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tr ad i ti o na l th e la r gest t ree The largest of all the trees is located in the formal living room. 727 ornaments adorn the branches of this extraordinary tree. Spinning ballerinas represent her granddaughters who danced ballet. There are ceramic dolls, hats and mirrors from a trip to Bath, England with Norma’s sister Joyce. Special ornaments like a street car in San Francisco represent her brother Sammy who lived out there. A miniature luggage rack ornament remind her of a cruise she took with her entire family on in 2004. Susie’s little sister had an ornament made with their grandfather’s handwriting. “All my love, Horace” was taken from a love letter he wrote Norma and is forever encapsuled in this glass ornament. Turquoise and silver peacocks embellish the mantle and coffee table to put the finishing touches on this elegant wonderland.

This piece-de-resistance is an homage to Norma's family as well as her travels, two things she holds dear to her heart. Can you spot the tiny, twirling dancers?

I'm on the lookout for a tiny bellhop to go with this darling luggage cart! 107

l owc o u n try a southern t ree The Low Country Tree is a collection of all things loved in the southern part of the United States, 420 lovely ornaments to be exact. This tree is primarily adorned with greens, whites, and touches of pink. A special ornament hangs with a picture of all 4 of Norma’s granddaughters. Real Spanish Moss from Jekyll Island was brought back home to decorate the tree. Norma was told it might be full of bugs and to microwave it for safe keeping. Later, Susie picked up oyster shell ornaments from Savannah, GA, one of Grandma’s favorite cities to visit! On a birthday trip with her three daughters, Norma visited 'Lady and Son’s,' Paula Deen’s restaurant. As a special treat, they came out of the kitchen to sing Grandma "Happy Birthday." Then they visited 'Bubba’s' (Paula Deen’s brother’s restaurant) on the river. The Low Country Collection is Susie’s line of exclusive ceramics at shopfromsusie.com. She named it after her grandmother’s love for Savannah.

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Miss Cayce's is a local favorite here in Texas. If you've never been, check out our video on youtube. There's so much to see, and their supplies are endless!

s a fa r i a p art y t ree All 97 of the ornaments on this safari themed tree were purchased from Miss Cayce’s in Midland, TX. Norma bought two more of everything on this tree so two of her daughters could have their own tree just like it! Fur garlands, feathers, zebra striped and leopard print ornaments pop against the green branches. Norma lived in Midland for 55 years. If you ask the girls at Miss Cayce’s, they still remember Norma’s trees and her extraordinary parties. Last year, Susie took her grandma back to Miss Cayce’s to tour their magnificent warehouse.

Full of sparkle, a guilded butterfly alights on these bedecked branches...

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c ow b oy a cattle ranch er ' s t ree Grandma married Windell Thomason after she lost her first husband Horace to heart disease. Windell was a rancher and oilman from west Texas. He was the kindest, most loving man any one of us ever met. He would always tell Grandma how beautiful she was, and she would say “let me clean your glasses, better yet, let me leave them dirty.” The Cowboy Tree is for Windell. It features 7 horseshoes from Windell’s ranch and one from the Kentucky Derby! It has one mule shoe hidden in the branches. 100 and 150-year-old barbed wire wrap around the top. The cotton was hand picked by Norma on Windell’s ranch. She pulled the prettiest cotton which reminds her of picking cotton as a young girl. Over 162 ornaments decorate this sentimental tree including 6 Cowboy Santa dolls.

Grandma's second husband, Windell, to whom she dedicates this tree

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Cotton picked by Grandma from Windell's ranch

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new orleans a ca ju n t ree New Orleans has a special place in Norma’s heart. She's visited seven times, including a trip with Susie after her high school graduation. The city, the trolleys, the plantations, the cemeteries, breakfast at Brennan’s, Café du Monde, Pat O’Briens and Emril Lagasse’s are among her most loved places to visit. All decorations on this tree were purchased on a trip she took with her daughter two weeks before Hurricane Katrina hit.

Peacocks, trollies, masks and voodoo dolls adorn a feathery menagerie of purple and green

One year, Norma hosted “A Cajun Christmas.” All the women and girls wore boas and masks while the little boys threw candy during a makeshift parade around the living room. “When the Saints Go Marching In” blared through the record player in the front room. Cajun turkey and chicory coffee were on the menu. If you don’t know, chicory coffee is served “black as the devil, strong as death, sweet as love, and hot as hell!”

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for mama a tree f or m o t h er Mama’s Tree is the newest addition to the forest of Christmas trees at Norma’s house. It’s displayed in the kitchen and is full of vintage and new finds and 105 black, white and red ornaments. Norma’s mother’s silverware is wrapped in checkered napkins with little red bows and Grandmother Robb’s (Norma’s motherin-law) cookie cutters are hung on the branches. This year, Susie added one of Norma’s hand-sewn aprons as a tree skirt. The serving spoon and fork are tied with a black and white checkered bow and act as the tree topper.

A tribute to both her mother and mother-inlaw, displaying vintage cookie cutters + her mama's silverware

We detailed more about Norma's mother and her hard work, lovingly raising a large family in the Spring edition of HomeMade Magazine

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childhood a 19 4 0's t ree This tree represents Christmas in the 1940’s. Grandma and her brothers and sisters can’t remember what was on the top of the tree but she uses a paper hat to remind her of her daddy. Roy Jackson worked at the newspaper underneath the printing press. The ink dripped on their heads so the pressmen would make hats from the newspapers to catch it. Nowadays, our newspapers aren’t wide enough to make a pressman’s hat. Norma’s little brother Sammy made the paper hat for this tree. Sammy passed away this February. From their memory, their childhood tree had multicolored lights, red balls, hand-strung popcorn, paper chains, and tinsel.

Rememberances of Norma's father and his days working as a pressman

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h e n ry vi i i a min i tree On a trip to England with her sister, Norma bought these ornaments at Henry VIII’s castle. Stuffed dolls represent the king and his six wives! Grandma and her sister Joyce met two dear men on their tour of England. The girls struck up a quick friendship when they began to poke fun at the sisters for saying “Mama this” and “Mama that”. The men would say “Are y’all gonna tell mama?” after every conversation. Norma found a painting inside the gift shop of an ugly, old lady and told the boys, “There’s Mama!”.

This small, flocked tree beautifully offsets the gold accents and vibrant tudor colors

To this day, they laugh about it and hope those men are doing well. They owned an antique store in San Francisco and she always meant to send them a Christmas card.

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christmas light scavenger hun t hop in th e c ar toget her + fi nd some chr i st mas cheer , rig h t in y our own neighb or hood. check off t he i t ems as you g o + s e e who can sp ot t hem all fi r st !

decorative wreath heavenly angels holiday star wrapped christmas gifts Santa's sleigh inflatable snowman a snow globe reindeer candy canes icicle lights decorated lamp post nativity scene twinkling lights 127

a let t er to my sons Dear Boy s , I k no w I d o n’t t a l k a b o u t my d a d ve ry mu ch, bu t there’s not mu ch to tell. He wa s not a g ood pe rso n, bu t I h ave b e e n a ble t o u s e those ex p eriences with him to ra ise you into the you ng men that you are to d ay. W h a t I l a cke d gr o w i n g u p wa s, in tu rn, u sed as fu el to m a ke su re I ra ised you boy s to h ave anyt h i n g a nd e ve r y t h i n g yo u need to feel loved and to su cceed in life. My g rand a d w a s my o n ly r ole mo d e l . I still , to this day, strive to be like him . He wou ld have loved w atc hing yo u gu y s gr o w u p . He t a u g ht me how to pray, a nd like anyone else who hea rs you guy s pray, he wo u l d h ave b e e n s o t o u che d at the way you talk to God . Grayso n, I ho p e yo u kno w ho w mu ch God delig hts to hear you r voice. You have su ch an honesty when yo u pr ay. I ’ ve he a rd yo u t e l l G od a t times that you don’t know what to say, bu t that openness is a sig n of yo u r clo s e ne s s t o Hi m! I adm ire that abou t you . Grayson, I don’t know what I ever di d t o g e t such a go o d ki d . Yo u a lw ay s d o the rig ht thing even if it’s not p op u la r. You ’ ve overc ome a lot of dif f ic u lt i e s , s o I a l s o t h i n k yo u ’r e one of the strong est kids I know. Anything you set your mi nd t o w il l b e a cco mpl i s he d . I kno w t h i s becau se I’ ve seen you do it on you r skateboard . I love you. C am pb e l l , yo u a r e b ol d t o pr a i s e G o d for you r blessing s a nd ask Him for more! You pray the loudest ( and the lo n ge s t ) no ma t t e r who i s l i stening a nd there’s no telling how m a ny seeds you have planted in the he a r t s of t ho s e who he a r yo u . Ca m p bell , my little g olden boy, you are tou g h on the outsi de b ut yo u a r e s o ki nd . I lo ve t he w ay you stick u p for others and have no fear to sp eak the truth! I love yo u. L uke, I ’m s o pr o u d of yo u for t he w ay you have step p ed u p as a lea der. You lead the tea m in pray er b e fore eve r y s o cce r ga me a nd I kno w you r tea m m ates look u p to you a nd resp ect you . Lu ke, you m ake me l a u gh , b u t I ho p e yo u kno w that I see you a nd I will a lways be there for you . Nothi ng you c an do or s ay w o u l d ma ke me s t o p lov ing you . I’m so prou d of the p erson you are a nd I pray that Go d g ive s yo u t he d e s i r e s of yo u r heart. I love you . Eac h of yo u h a s yo u r o w n gi f t s a nd it’s am azing to watch you u se them . I know God ha s wonderful t h ing s in s t or e for yo u ! S o ci e t y i s cha ng ing and school looks so mu ch different tha n it did when I w as g rowi n g u p . I ’m s u r e yo u ’ ve he ard it before, bu t you g u ys are g rowing u p in a crazy world . You b o ys am az e me , i n t h a t yo u d o n’t w aiver in you r conv ictions, or try to follow the crowd . Don’t ever lose th at. Fol lo w yo u r o w n p a t h a nd try to learn how to m ake a liv ing doing wha t it is you love. S t ay true t o wh a t I ’ ve t a u ght yo u a nd stay close to God . Yo u e ac h br i n g me s o mu ch jo y. Re member to not take one sing le day for g ra nted and to g i ve G od t h ank s for a l l t h i n gs . I ’m he r e for you anytime you need me, a nd even when you g et old enough that you of te n d o n’t .

love, Dad

P.S . To Ad a m, my b o nu s b o y. Yo u h ave a dad tha t loves you very mu ch, bu t now you have another m an in you r l i fe yo u ca n t u r n t o . Yo u are destined for g reatness, Ada m ( you a re alrea dy muc h sm art e r th a n a l l of u s . ) I ho p e I a m teaching you wha t it looks like to be a g odly m a n a nd that you c an see ho w mu ch I lo ve yo u r mo m. I tru ly enj oy the bond we have with each other, a nd I’m very

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pro ud of yo u . I lo ve yo u .

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Three years ago, I bought a shop. Since then, not only has my little shop grown, but so have I. From a single mom of two kids, to a wife to Robert and bonus mom to his 3 boys. We have so much to be grateful for, and plenty to savor- but three years ago, I never could have imagined the happiness and fulfillment that was just ahead of us. As you prepare for this blessed season of Advent, wherever you may find yourself- in a season of abundance or perhaps lying in wait- know that the great architect of hope and redemption has prepared a way forward for you. I pray that you would experience the great joy of anticipation, in waiting, in preparation and in receiving. Thank you for walking alongside me on this journey. May you be inspired and encouraged to savor every moment.

xo, Susie

spring

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