Faith Family Friends

Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

HOME



Welcome to my HOME friends~
Heart O MEnvironment

"There is no place like HOME for the holidays..."



Well, here we are in the merry month of December and we're all busy baking, decorating, buying presents, going to bake sales, and concerts, etc...It's a very Merry but busy time of year!

Here on the east coast, the days are getting colder and those of us who are fortunate to have a fireplace or wood stove are relishing the warmth of hearth and home...

"Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" ~ Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne 1945

I like to snuggle in close to the fire and sip tea and hot chocolate these frosty days. How about you?




I'm sorry I am not doing any features today as I sort of ran out of time.

Cooler weather calls for cooking heartier meals and the stove is turning out wonderful aromas in our kitchens. Yesterday I made my fruit cake and the scent wafted its way throughout the house. So lovely!

One of my favourite meals this time of year is Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding. This is a traditional English dish which I learned to make when I was just a young bride.


Yorkshire pudding is a tasty savory pudding served with gravy. I have served it here with slices of roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, string beans, and home made mustard pickles for dinner.  You can find my recipe below.



Yorkshire Pudding

2 TBSP melted butter/margarine
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs

Beat eggs, add flour and salt, butter and milk. Batter is much like pancake batter. Put 1 tsp of butter in each cup of a muffin tin and pour batter into cups half full.
Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy served with gravy.

Yesterday was my little granddaughter's second birthday and she's getting a head start in the kitchen! Look at what her mommy and daddy gifted her with for her birthday. Is this not every little girl's dream? Her very own life-sized kitchen! If you look closely, she has her very own fridge, stove, dishwasher, and microwave, as well as a sink; what fun!


My son has already spent time drinking 'tea' with her in there. The teacups and tumblers you see there on the counter is her gift from her grandparents.

I have added something new, or rather a new someone, to my Christmas mantel this year and I thought you might like to see it.


This jolly old gent; Father Christmas, is dressed in a beautiful coat trimmed with fur and holding a jingle ball which has JOY carved into it. His robe is so pretty with shades of pinky-peach and gold in it. He's perfect for my colour scheme this season! Isn't he cute!

Would you like to share something HOME related today? If you do, please refer to the list below and link up. I would love to come and pay you a visit. 

PRAYER REQUEST~ Before I bring this week's HOME to an end, I would like to ask you to pray for my son Jeff who is having ear surgery tomorrow, Thursday. He is the nature lover in our family and is in Wildlife Conservation Technology. He is also very musical.




He has been having ear problems for about fifteen years ever since he had a very bad ear infection. He is now almost completely deaf in his ear. We are praying this surgery will repair the damage as well as remove a growth in there. 
It is a risky operation and may or may not work. Also, there is the risk of paralysis to his face and his taste buds being affected. So, it is a rather serious operation.
Please pray all will go well for him and that God will use the surgeon's hands to bring healing to his ear without further damage. Thank you so much for your love and prayers. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all of you who are already praying or have prayed for my boy! God bless you!


I am joining the following parties as well~

Pretty Prim Link Up~ http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/
Home and Garden Thursday ~ http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Share Your Cup Thursday~ http://jannolson.blogspot.com/
Cottage Style Linky Party~ http://lavendergardencottage.blogspot.com/
Tutorials Tips and Tidbits ~ http://www.stonegableblog.com/
Home Sweet Home~ http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
Open House~ http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.com/



Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

30 comments :

  1. Sandi,
    Saying prayers for your son's surgery....
    Love that kitchen playset! I want one!
    LOL! And adore your mantle with Father Christmas!!
    Have a great week, my friend!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  2. Ah!! Yorkshire Pudding!! My grandma from Ontario makes that and I LOVE it :) Thanks for the party - I couldn't decide what I wanted to link up so I linked up two things...hope that is okay :) And again, I am praying for your son!

    Hugs to you,
    Stephanie

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  3. I have never made Yorkshire Pudding - sounds marvelous - will definitely pray for your son -
    Hugs
    Kathy

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  4. Sandi..It looks delicious.. That is one thing I have not tried yet..-I will have your son in my prayers..

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  5. Hello Sandi
    Like you, I learned to make a good roast beef dinner with yorkshire as a young bride. I have to admit, I've cheated the last couple of times as we can buy President's Choice frozen ones that only need heating.
    The first thing I noticed was how neat and tidy your mashed potatoes are, mine are piled on the plate. :-)
    I hope Jeff's surgery is successful, prayers from Ontario for him!
    Judith

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  6. Hi Sandi!

    Did you know that the writers of 'Let it Snow' are Jewish? I always find that delightfully ironic. But they are right though - no matter your religious affiliation, EVERYONE wants to snuggle up this time of year!

    Oh, I gotta say... I love your wrapped Christmas presents. They look great!

    Am linking up with you :) Would you like to participate in my Wednesday link up today?

    As for your son Jeff... I can only imagine how scary this is... especially since he is such a lover of music. As we say in Hebrew, 'refua sheleima' - may he have a complete and speedy healing. I will keep him in my prayers.

    Be well!

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  7. Sandi, My prayers are with your son. I love the photo of your beautifully wrapped packages by the fire. You are a very good photographer! Your dinner looks great, Sandi. I'm sure it was enjoyed by all.

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  8. Sandi, My prayers are with your son. I love the photo of your beautifully wrapped packages by the fire. You are a very good photographer! Your dinner looks great, Sandi. I'm sure it was enjoyed by all.

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  9. Love your fireside scene! I have linked a tea giveaway, it was supposed to be in my Tuesday Cuppa Tea, but it didn't come! Thanks for hosting!
    Ruth

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  10. Praying for your son,Sandi.
    Your pudding is making me hungry!
    Everything is so festive.

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  11. Sending many positive thoughts for Jeff today, hoping everything turns out well. Your granddaughter will love her kitchen ... just perfect for having many cups of tea. I love yorkshire pudding, but must say I've never really mastered it.

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  12. Sandi,
    Thanks for sharing so much loveliness in your beautiful home.
    The meal you prepared looks so yummy! YOur little granddaughter is precious and I love her kitchen.

    I also pray that your son makes a speedy recovery and might I say how handsome is he.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  13. YOUR YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS TURNED OUT WELL...NOT ALWAYS EASY...I'VE SERVED UP A FEW THAT RESEMBLED HOCKEY PUCKS! I THINK I HAVE THE HANG OF IT NOW...

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  14. What a lovely home you have, dear Sandi! It always looks so warm and inviting. Happy Birthday to your darling and what a cute kitchen. Prayers for your son will be sent that all goes well. xo

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  15. Hi Sandi. Thanks for hosting and your meal looks so wonderful and your house looks warm and ready to go for Christmas. Good thoughts and prayers for your son, what a handsome young man. Sure things will go as planned..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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  16. Sandi, be sure your son Jeff is in my prayers, and I hope to hear good news about his surgery!
    He's suffered with it for a long time by the sounds of it :-(
    Your cute little grand-daughter is going to have a ton of fun in that awesome kitchen, lol!
    I'd love to be sipping hot chocolate by your lovely cosy fireside.
    We Aussies rarely get that privilege at Christmastime, but it evokes a "proper" Christmas to us too!
    Have a lovely week my friend. Prayers and blessings to you and yours..Trish xx

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  17. Dear Sandi,

    Sure enjoying your Home linky parties - always neat to learn about you and your family/home better!

    My daughter's mother and father in law are from the Yorkshire area so my daughter's favorite ever is Yorkshire Pudding and MIL always makes it for their Christmas.

    I also want you to know that your son is in my heartfelt thoughts and prayers today as he undergoes surgery. He is in the Hands of the Lord, and all will be as it will be.

    Try not to worry, and stay strong and ever Faithful. I pray for the surgeon's talents and knowledge to make all the difference to your handsome son.

    Hugs,

    Michele

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  18. Thinking of you and your son's surgery and hoping it will be successful for him.

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  19. Hi Sandi,
    I will pray for your son, too. I hope everything was o.k. with his surgery. The shared meal looks so delicius. And your decorations are wonderful as always.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  20. Hi Sandi....want you to know I'm praying for Jeff and if two or more agree...it's done!!! Believing that the surgery will restore his hear and no complications whatsoever.....I love the picture of him holding that bird....he looks like such a gentle guy....like his mom..

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  21. Hi Sandi,
    Praying that the surgery will fix your son's ear problems. xxx
    Love your grand daughter's kitchen..she's a lucky little girl.
    Your new Father Christmas is beautiful.
    Have a good day
    Barb from Australia

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  22. Hi Sandi,
    It has been a busy few days here so I am late hearing about your son and I pray all goes well with the surgery.
    Thank you for note as well and it would be lovely to get together some time when the rush is over.

    Take care,
    Carolyn

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  23. Hi Sandi: Praying for your Son. Let us know how he is doing. Love your decorations. Blessings, Martha

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  24. Hi dear Sandi, I am late reading this week but do know that I will be holding your son up in prayer. I will be praying for his recovery. My thoughts are with you and yours.
    Love,
    Linda

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  25. Dear Sandi,
    thank you for this wonderful post with the homely fire place, the delicious meal and recipe and your Granddaughter. She looks sooo cute in her new kitchen!
    I hope Jeff's surgery went well and I pray for him and his health!
    Have a nice second advent!
    With the best wishes, Siret

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  26. Prayers for your son are on the way! I wish you well and to him, a very speedy recovery!!

    Your blog is lovely! I enjoyed seeing some new ideas and being introduced to some other very nice blogs. How do I follow your blog

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  27. Dearest Sandi ...My prayers and best wishes are with you and your son..Wishing hime healing prayers and safe recovery...Hugs

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  28. Yum that looks good! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home and have a Merry Christmas!
    Sherry

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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