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Well Sugar Pies, it’s hard to believe that it’s time to say “farewell to fall”! Here in the Ozarks the color was so vibrant, so gorgeous! This is the view from my backyard. This heaven-sent, love-drenched, beautiful landscape is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness. I’ve taken some time to reflect on those words “faithfulness” and “goodness”. I personally know so many people that are going through tough times, myself included. Whether it’s financial, a health issue, a relationship problem, a loss of a loved one, a bruised and broken heart…if there is one thing I know to be true, God is faithful and good! His mercies are new every morning!

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is His faithfulness;

His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23

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“I would have lost heart had I not believed

that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

No matter what you may be going through, please know that we have the truth and the  hope that God loves us and will carry us through the hardest of times. He hears our prayers and is working “behind the scenes” to work out all things for our good.  I remember when my hubby and I ran a live music theater here in Branson, Missouri, I had the opportunity to stay back-stage during one performance. What an eye opener! While the stage itself was empty, waiting for the next act, the performers back-stage were in a flurry, changing costumes, moving props, humming a tune to find the right key, rehearsing a line, fixing a broken shoe lace, getting in position to enter the stage to go on with the show. Little did the audience know all of the commotion that was being orchestrated behind the curtain. The same is true with us, the Word of God tells us that prayer changes things, (The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16) So when we pray, change begins to happen. God is orchestrating things “behind the scenes”. In His time, His plan is revealed. In the meantime we must wait with faith and a grateful heart.  We need to remind ourselves that this is just a season…because of Jesus’ love for us everything is gonna be alright…the best is yet to come.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future’.” Jeremiah 29:11

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Even in the midst of difficult times it’s so important to stay positive, to look around and see the goodness of the Lord! Let’s not miss every day miracles! Let’s be thankful and say so! Thankfulness is the key to keeping our joy. Do we ever feel good when we are complaining? No way Ho-zay! Doing so steals our joy and the joy of those around us! That’s why the Lord tells us to guard our heart!  So, do things that hug your heart! Do things that hug other peoples hearts!

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I had a birthday in October and my sister-in-law Linda hugged my heart by taking me out on a junkin’ adventure! We decided to head to a darling antique shop that we’d been to a couple years ago, Pappy’s Antiques & Cakery. It was still as cute as ever! We enjoyed the farm scenes along the way as well as the junk!

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We passed by this very old and chippy house and thought it was a hoot that some mama name her kid Fred-Tom! Linda and I were bantering back and forth about all the things his mama would have said to him in her southern drawl…”Fred-Tom, it’s time to come in and wash up fer supper!” …”Fred-Tom did you git yer chores done?” Lol! Then we drove a little closer and saw that the “&” had faded between “Fred” and “Tom”. Fiddles, I liked it better when we thought it was just one name! Even so, our ribs were tickled as we imagined the ordinary adventures of Fred-Tom!

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We drove into the quaint little town square of Bolivar, Missouri.

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We needed cake! Hooray! We got to The Country Hearth Tea-room just ten minutes before they closed for the day!

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We found a few more antique shops on the way home. This is a typical scene…a pair of good ol’ boys waitin’ for their wives!

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On another day, my daughter Summer and I headed to the Ozark Fall Craft fair. It was a cool crisp day and a lot of fun! She was a trooper helping me carry a few treasures home!
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The leaves swirled through the air every time the wind swept through the trees. They fell and rested in a clutter of golden color.
img_9184What is fall without football games?  Here’s my darlin’ Summer cheering for the Branson Pirates! I love seeing her confidence! When I was in Jr. High and High school I was too shy and a bit of a wallflower to try out for something like that!
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My son J.J. came in from California for the weekend so we headed to Kansas City for the Charger/Chiefs game. Good times! Especially since the Chargers won!
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My three older kids are married and have, from time to time, lived in other states (J.J. is living with his wife Tiffany in California),  so it’s not often when we all can get together at once, but when it happens it’s so precious to this Mama’s heart!
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I am so thankful for my family! My kids and hubby are my dreams come true! Another dream come true is that my daughter Ashley and Dusty’s wife Kimmy are both expecting again! That will make 4 grand-babies for me!
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Here is a peek at my itty-bitty booth at Spring Creek Tea-room in Ozark, Missouri, all dressed up for fall…farmy style!
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I found this darling little wood stove at a flea market. I tucked a string of red flickering lights inside to make it look like it had a cozy hot fire burning. On top I placed my 1803 candles with the perfect fragrance titled “Wood Stove Pie”. It also was a sweet spot to place my vintage silverware magnets.
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I forgot to take photos of my booth at The Feathered Nest. If you are ever in Ozark, Missouri please stop by, the shop is a wonderland of beautiful things to cozy up your home!
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I want to thank all of you who purchased my fall e-book Pumpkin Pickin’ & Hayrides! I’m so excited to be able to share part of the proceeds with Samaritan’s Purse (they offer relief to disaster victims all over the world and currently on the East Coast helping those affected by  Hurricane Sandy) and Feed The Children!! If you didn’t get your copy yet you still have a little time left. November 30th is the last day to purchase it.  You can click the button on the banner at the top if you want one!
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Well, fall flew by like a whirlwind and now can you believe Christmas is just around the corner? My amazingly talented friend Heather Bullard (who has one of the cutest chicken coops in the world)  just came out with her gorgeous and inspirational e-magazine featuring fresh and sparkling ideas for Christmas!  Click HERE if you’d like to check it out!
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I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving y’all!
It truly blesses my heart to hear from you!
Please leave a comment and say hello!
I pray for each of you by name as I read them!
God bless your darlin’ heart!
Sugar Pie hugs!
Aunt Ruthie

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