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Apron Strings & Blessings Weekly Newsletter Vol. 26

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

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.

Are you in an area that got a lot of snow and ice? Ours is mostly ice, but I have to say, “I love being snowed in!”

Something about being snowed in makes me want to cook and bake. We had tortellini soup a couple of nights, sausage balls made with Red Lobster biscuit mix, Jay made cheese enchiladas one night, and as I type this, he is making homemade chili!

A bowl of creamy vegetable soup topped with shredded cheese evokes the comfort of Apron Strings, served in a maroon bowl on an orange quilted cloth napkin, placed on a brown tabletop.
A person prepares enchiladas, placing yellow cheese sticks on tortillas. Apron strings dangle as they work beside a bowl of red sauce and a glass dish filled with rolled tortillas and meat. The person wears a black sweatshirt.
A close-up of golden-brown sausage balls on parchment paper, with a hand—perhaps from Apron Strings—brushing on melted butter or glaze. In the background, a stack of cups and a decorative sign add charm to the scene.


I tried out a recipe that I found on Pinterest. Against my better judgement, I put the large amount of salt it called for (Chocolate Dessert) – It is too salty!

A round chocolate cake in a blue glass baking dish sits on a white and blue striped cloth, evoking memories of apron strings and home baking, placed on a brown countertop.

I think I have been watching too many people on social media making breakfast on their antique stoves! I was so in the mood for homemade breakfast, so Sunday we had sausage, homemade biscuits, and gravy!

Six sausage patties are frying in a black cast iron skillet on a stovetop, while Apron Strings evoke a cozy kitchen feel. A white and blue teapot and other kitchen items are visible in the background.
Four golden-brown biscuits are arranged in a cast iron skillet, sitting on a table with a pink cloth underneath—just the kind of comfort found at Apron Strings.
A red whisk stirs creamy white gravy in a black cast iron skillet on a stovetop, with a white kettle and an "Apron Strings" decorative sign partially visible in the background.


What in the world is going on with me??? We normally don’t even eat breakfast!

Anyone for snow ice cream? I tried a new recipe, which tasted great, except instead of snow, we had more ice. My snow ice cream was more like an old fashioned snow cone. 🍧

A hand holds a floral-patterned plate with a scoop of white, grainy mixture above a metal mixing bowl containing more of the same mixture, an image that evokes memories tied to apron strings and home-cooked traditions.

What about you? What do you like to do when you are snowed in?

Faith

Saturday Morning Devotional

Saturday’s Post – Ezekiel 7:26 and the Privilege of Hearing God’s Voice

Open Bible, beige sweater, and a branch with white flowers surround a green banner reading "Ezekiel 7:26 and Hearing God's Voice," highlighted with floral accents and the website homewithgraceandjoy.com at the bottom.
read it here

You might also like – How to Recognize the Shepherd’s Voice

A shepherd stands with a stick, his presence and the Shepherd's voice guiding a large flock of sheep grazing under trees in a field. The sepia tone of the image gives it a classic, vintage feel.
See it here

I wanted to share one more. It is an old one but a good one that Jay wrote. If you ever find yourself in a rut, this may help you.

Deep tire ruts in a grassy field curve near a white truck under a blue sky, symbolizing blessings beyond the rut. Overlaid text reads: "Blessings Beyond the Rut by Jay Sikes." Website: homewithgraceandjoy.com.
read it here

January’s Scripture

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.

See the latest video here.

Home & Family

All Quick & Easy Meals

A collage displays seven different homemade meals on plates and bowls, arranged around the text: “7 Easy 30 Minute Meals for Busy Weeknights.” Like Songs of Thanksgiving, these comforting dishes bring joy to your table. Website: www.homewithgraceandjoy.com.
see the ideas 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

  • Monday – Baked Salmon
  • Tuesday – Creamy Tortellini Soup (I am adding a little cream cheese at my sister’s recommendation.)
  • Wednesday – Salmon Street Tacos
  • Thursday – 15 Minute Meal
  • Friday – Frito Chili Pie

Links and Finds

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.

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.

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
  • When the missionaries came for dinner (the funny story, & the recipe)
  • Gizmo’s Story
  • A New Bible Reading Plan for 2026

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.”.

I am still working on the upcoming webinar to share what I have learned about taking notes in Bibles and making them personalized for my grandchildren. It really is a fun project. I hope you will join me this February. The date and time will be announced soon. Please let me know if you are interested.

Someone sent me a question asking exactly what a webinar was, so I thought other people may have the same question. If you let me know that you are interested, I will send a link by email for you to join me for an online meeting. I will go through what I do and give ideas. Afterward, I will open it up for questions and other ideas that you may have.

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 & Blessings – Vol. 27
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 25
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 24
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol 23

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

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One Comment

  1. Your snowed-in cooking spree sounds like pure winter bliss—tortellini soup and homemade chili are now on my must-try lis

    Reply

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