Holidays

What kind of Valentine’s Dazzler Are You?

The signal is clear: Christmas decorations are down. Valentine’s Day decorations are up. Even the most relationship-challenged among us know it is time to start preparing for the most romantic day of…


A Celebration of Love

“And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 The Christmas tree is down, and the boxes of ornaments are finally in storage after sitting…


Try, Try Again: Remembering Daddy’s Patience and Lessons of Love

The Carter Girls: Grace, Sue, Kathy, me, and Phyllis Anne with their father, Clarence, and mother, Gladys, about 1957. The memories of my father, Clarence Carter, remain as clear as though they were…


A World War II Romance and a True Story of Love Everlasting

An old love story. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” - Colossians 3:14 World War II was coming to an end. The handsome soldier was home for a…


Santa's Got Nothing on Me! Confessions of a Chronic List Maker

“Making a list and checking it twice.”  Santa Claus has nothing on me, the chronic lister.  Picture Santa, a twinkle in his eye, red pencil in hand, checking his infamous list and smiling as he…


Chicken and Dumplings

Any Southern cook worth her salt has a treasured cove of favorite Christmas recipes that cannot be found in a conventional cookbook.  Those favorite family recipes spring to life when biting into one…


This Valentine’s Day, Remember Your First True Love

Time has a way of diminishing some things, but memories of your first love lie just beneath the surface of your heart, waiting for the cue to take center stage, once again. First love has the power…


Thanksgiving Blessings of Times Past Remain to This Day

The bang of the door, the scent of home, and the love and laughter that comes from being surrounded by our kinfolk never grows old Thanksgiving dinners were always held at our house on Georgia…


Watch Out for Those Yucky Pumpkins! A Cautionary Tale

Before making your pie, make sure you know your yucky pumpkins.    Three years ago, my youngest grandson, Logan received a diagnosis of ASD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder.  While the finding does not…


Twinkle and Shine! Join Us at the 2nd Annual Newell Lodge “A Country Christmas” Celebration and Festival of Lights, Saturday, Dec. 22

Are you ready to get your “Twinkle” on? This week, the Newell Lodge elves are busy hanging thousands of twinkling lights throughout the beautiful, ancient live oak grove at the heart of this special…