|

Apron Strings & Blessings Weekly Newsletter Vol. 23

Thanks for joining me for this week’s, “Apron Strings & Blessings.” Let’s take a look at all things faith, family, and home!

A banner featuring "Apron Strings & Blessings - Tying Faith, Family, and Home Together One Blessing at a Time" with a circular "Home with Grace and Joy" logo. Celebrate the strength of apron strings at www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.

Happy New Year!

2026 is going to be a wonderful year! Besides Jay stepping in dog poop in his bare feet, 30 minutes into the new year, everything has been great! LOL!!! I think that was just getting it out of the way.

It doesn’t sound like it, but potty training is going really well!

This week has been a restful time, and now I am ready to go. I have been planning and setting goals, and I have my homemade planner as well as a cute one for my purse ready.

Do you have certain goals or aspirations for the year? I would love to hear.

The one thing I am excited about is working on the Bible projects together with some of you. Please read the “Events” section at the bottom and let me know if you are interested. I think it will be fun to share and learn from each other.

If you are wondering how Ally and Gizmo are getting along, here ya go!

Two dogs are lying together on a gray cushion inside an open wooden crate. Like a pair of apron strings, they’re inseparable—one is brown and white with wiry fur, the other has a short coat with a black patch over one eye. Both gaze at the camera.
Two dogs lounge on a brown couch by a window, their playful bond as close as apron strings. One sits upright, gently placing its paw on the other's face while the second lies on its back, both relaxed and happy indoors.
Two dogs play tug-of-war with a red and white toy, tangled like apron strings, while lying on a carpet in front of a brick fireplace. One dog is tan and white; the other is brown and black.


Gizmo has made Ally so happy and brought new life to her!

Faith

A Song You Have to Hear

Have you heard MercyMe’s song, “Make it Well?” If not, it is a must. I keep repeating it over and over. The link below has the lyrics. Please take the time to listen.

Listen to the song

A Message from Church

Aren’t these cute? A lady at church handed these out to us in Sunday School this week.

A small, clear plastic bag with a green zipper contains a red-and-white peppermint candy and a printed note with a poem about gratitude and love—reminding us, even when tied to apron strings of daily busyness, there's always time for a thoughtful "mint.

This is a new way to look at mints.

Saturday Morning Devotional

Saturday’s Post – A Lesson from Jeremiah

An open Bible with handwritten notes sits on a wooden table, surrounded by greenery and a candle. Text reads, “A Lesson from Jeremiah: Embracing the Lord’s Work. www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.”.
Click here to read the post

January’s Scripture

I thought this was a great success scripture to start out the new year. May this be the year that we are where the Lord wants us with Him by our side – True Success!

A quote reads, "'In everything he did, he had great success, because the Lord was with him.' I Samuel 18:14" on a background of a cloudy sky with a white bird illustration. Embrace this scripture for success in the new year. The website "Homewithgraceandjoy.com" is at the bottom.

YouTube Scriptures

I have started to post video clips on YouTube. You can follow me here. For now, all of the clips (8-10 seconds) are of nature or animals (which are nature) 🙂 based with a scripture to go along with it.

Here is the latest video.

Home & Family

Amazon Return Tips

I have found a few ways of keeping up with the QR codes when I am making Amazon returns.

Cardboard box with Amazon Prime tape promoting "video streaming movies and TV shows" and "free listening millions of songs," featuring Prime logos, a large Amazon smile logo in the background, and an “Apron Strings” sticker for added flair.
  • The obvious – Pull up your Amazon account at the return center.
    • I have done this a few times, but I feel like I have to search more than I want to with a line behind me.
  • Now it gives you the option to save the QR codes to your Apple Wallet.
    • This is a great option, because it keeps all of the codes together so they are easy to access. My only problem with this one is that I don’t use my Apple Wallet on a regular basis, so I have to search for it on my phone.
  • I usually take a screenshot of the QR codes so I have them in my photos. This works well unless I have several things to return and the pictures are scattered throughout my photo library.
  • The latest thing I tried (which seems to be working well – even with Christmas returns) was to create a folder in my photos on my phone entitled, “Amazon.” Now when I take the screenshots, I immediately add the pictures to the folder. When I go to the return center, I only have to open the photo folder.

Do you have other tips to make the returns run more efficiently? I am open to more ideas.

I am waiting for the day Amazon follows Walmart+ and does returns from home!!! 🙂

Christmas Tree Storage Hack

We always store our Christmas tree in several of these large storage bags made for artificial Christmas trees. Since the bags tend to be heavy with the tree parts in them, we leave the storage bags in the attic and take each section of tree down individually.

Last year we tried putting each section in a very large trash bag before carting it up the steps and then putting it in the storage bags. This helped in many ways:

  • The tree parts were more compact going up the attic steps, so it was easier to manage.
  • They fit into the storage bags a little nicer.
  • Bringing the pieces of the tree down this year was much easier! I didn’t have to worry about the branches flopping around while we were going up and down steps.
  • We found that when we put the tree together in its stand, it was so much easier. We didn’t have to contend with branches all in our faces.
A person lies on the carpet assembling an artificial Christmas tree beside large black garbage bags in a sunlit living room, apron strings trailing as family photos and plants add warmth to the background.
A person, with Apron Strings trailing, covers an artificial Christmas tree with a large black plastic bag in a sunlit living room, near a window with a garden view and a framed photo on an easel beside them.
A man in a cap and shorts stands indoors, assembling an artificial Christmas tree near a large window, the tree’s midsection cinched with black plastic—apron strings of holiday preparation.
A man wearing a cap and glasses decorates a Christmas tree with string lights and apron strings. He holds a large black plastic bag over the top of the tree near a sunlit window.
A man in a cap decorates a Christmas tree with white lights in a living room, the top covered by a large black plastic bag. Family photos, apron strings hanging nearby, and a front door can be seen in the background.
A bare Christmas tree with white string lights stands indoors near a window and a framed photograph, sunlight filtering through the glass like apron strings tying the cozy scene together.


This doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but it helped us out tremendously! It was a lot easier than normal.

On a different note – If you are tired of storing a large tree and are looking for something lighter and easier, you might like what my parents have.

Several years ago, they got a Pop-Up Christmas tree, and they love it. It is very compact, and you just pull the center piece to have it pop up into a Christmas tree.

A decorated Christmas tree with a red ribbon topper stands in front of a door, surrounded by numerous wrapped presents in festive red and white paper. Light streams in from a tall window on the left, while apron strings add a charming touch to the holiday scene.

These little trees come in several varieties of decor, so you don’t have to decorate them at all if you don’t want to. My mom adds a few personalized ornaments to theirs though.

They even have the storage containers to store them in. they slide right under the bed.

Featured Recipe Posts

The Easiest Artisan Bread (3 Ingredients)

A round loaf of artisan bread with a crisp, golden crust sits on a wooden cutting board next to a beige cloth. Text reads “Easy Bread Recipe & Delicious Artisan Bread” and "www.homewithgraceandjoy.com".
get the recipe here

Creamy Chicken & Dumplings

A red bowl filled with creamy potato soup is placed on a colorful floral-patterned cloth. The soup has chunks of potatoes and appears thick and hearty, perfect to enjoy alongside one of your 9 different recipes with baked chicken. The bowl and cloth are set on a dark brown table surface.
get the recipe here

January’s Monthly Menu

Quick and Easy Meal Ideas for January

Let’s start the year off by having our meals planned. Things tend to run much smoother that way.

A warmly lit restaurant table set with wine glasses and plates. Text reads: "HOME WITH GRACE AND JOY. Enjoy January's Monthly Menu. www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.
click here to see the menu

This Week’s Menu – Easy Week!

Wal-mart+

If you tested out a Walmart+ account, during the Christmas season, now is the time to evaluate if you want to keep it.

The first time we tried it, we joined in November and cancelled it in January. It was great for Christmas planning and shopping. Now we love it so much that we keep it year round.

Christmas Tree Storage Ideas and Links

A square image with text disclosing affiliate links—clicking may earn a small commission at no extra charge. Only favorite new finds for busy seasons of life or personally used products are ever recommended.

These were mentioned above, but here is a better idea of what they look like.

A large red storage bag with green handles, reminiscent of festive apron strings, holds a partially packed artificial Christmas tree, with green branches sticking out of the top. A white label on the bag reads "Tree.
A decorated Christmas tree with red bows, gold and red ornaments, gold snowflakes, and white lights, topped with a large red ribbon bow reminiscent of festive apron strings.
A red zippered storage bag, partially open, revealing Christmas decorations inside—gold ribbons, red ornaments, and green foliage. Apron strings peek out alongside the festive decor. The bag features sturdy black handles for easy carrying.

The Top Links People Ask For

I feel like I share these links all of the time. However, when people have asked me for them, I have had a hard time finding them in a post or newsletter.

I am going to keep these links on every post for the convenience of it. I may change them out on occasion, but at least we will all know where to look to find them.

A collage features a floral Eiffel Tower mug on a warmer, a woman in an olive green loungewear set holding coffee, and a beige devotional book with a rose gold notebook on the table. Text: "Most Asked for Links." Cozy moments tied together like apron strings.

Upcoming Posts and Events

Posts

  • Legacy Tours
  • Chocolate Icing!
  • A New Bible Reading Plan for 2026
  • How to Pick a Bible for your Bible Study or for an Eternal Gift like the ones below.

Events

So many people ask me about the Bibles I am making for my grandchildren for their graduation, so I thought I would pull together a little webinar to show how to do them. This would be a free online event, either by Zoom or social media.

An open Bible with handwritten notes on life applications in the margins sits on a wooden table, decorated with greenery, gold candlesticks, and a pink ornament labeled “Joy.”.

Be looking for more information to come.

I would love to see how many people are interested in joining me for this. If you would be interested, please let me know either by commenting below or emailing me at susan@homewithgraceandjoy.com.

I hope you will grab a Bible and join me.

Let’s Connect

I would love to stay connected. Subscribe below to receive posts and updates sent directly to your inbox.

We can also connect on social media. Click the icons below to connect with me. You will find pictures and ideas along with scriptures on these platforms each day.

I am planning to start a video Bible Study series that will be on these social media channels. I would love it if you would follow along. Just click on the icon for the social media platform you like best and follow.

Related Posts

Apron Strings & Blessing – Vol. 24
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 22
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 21

I have enjoyed sharing this week!

A delicate circular floral wreath encircles the message "have a grace & joy-filled day—controlling the tongue!" with the name "susan" below, all depicted in soft brown and green
disclosure

disclosure: Amazon affiliate advertising program and other affiliate links may be used on this page. Thank you for supporting Home with Grace and Joy. When you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure and privacy policy on the website. 

“How sweet Your Word is to my taste – sweeter than honey in my mouth.”
Psalm 119:103

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. Love all these tips, Susan. I never thought about breaking up the Christmas tree that way. Ours is all in the same bag too and it’s so heavy we can’t even get it in the attic so it takes up valuable real estate in the garage. Thank you for the Amazon return tips too. I can’t wait to pass them along to my Mom as well!

    Hugs, CoCo

    Reply

    1. We have ours in 3 or 4 bags because of the weight, and it does take up a lot of attic space. I am always wishing I could have the tree on rollers, get a huge bag to fit over it, and have enough space to just roll it into another room until the next year.:)

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.