8 Comments

1. 

   Jackie McNutt on November 4, 2013 at 7:44 am

   Laura, What a special way to share Christmas with your readers. I am really looking forward To all of the postings In The Mountain Hearth Celebration.
   Right now one verse I am depending on is Isaiah 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
   This comforts me in my grief from my husbands passing and know I can have joy in life and the Christmas celebration.
   I plan on baking your sugar cookies. Never too many of those for grand children’s visits!
   I love Gooseberry books. Also I enjoyed your sharing about joy. Thank You and have a Blessed Thanksgiving And Christmas. I believe I already receive your blog.
   mcnuttj(at)rocketmail(dot)com

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     laurafrantz on November 4, 2013 at 7:58 am

     Jackie, So good to see you here and share the joy of the season ahead of time :). Love, love, love your thoughts. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your heart for the Lord really shines through and gives testimony to your beautiful verse in Isaiah. I just know this will be an encouragement to others.

     One of the things that means the most in Isaiah 51:11 is the HOPE the promise brings – we shall sing and be joyful forever! Love the emphasis on JOY.

     So glad you like the recipe and want to share with those grands :). My granny made SO many of them that she kept some of them in the freezer to have with tea or coffee on wintry days. Just remembering that brings me joy!

     Thanks so much for your gracious presence here as we step into the holiday season together. And thanks for being in the Gooseberry drawing, too. I’ll be praying for you and others here this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bless you so much!

2. 

   Wilani Wahl on November 4, 2013 at 8:44 am

   My favorite verse is Psalm 18:30 As For God His way is perfect”

   One of my favorite cookie recipes is Holly Cookies. They were always a hit with my students when I was teaching in a Christian School and would bring them in for them to eat after their lunch. On a whim I entered them in a special contest in the county fair and won.

   Christmas is my favorite time of the year.

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     laurafrantz on November 4, 2013 at 10:14 am

     Wilani, So good to see you again :). Your Holly Cookies sound wonderful – a winner all the way around! I imagine they’re as fun to make as eat. Sharing them and making memories that way is so reflective of the heart of Christmas and giving. You have a generous heart!

     I so agree about Christmas – there’s nothing quite like it. And I love your verse. It is poetic and succinct and says so much. I think I’ll try to memorize it. That way it stays hidden in my heart.

     Bless you for being here and taking part in the joy of Christmas and giveaway! Happy baking to you as the season starts :).

3. 

   Danie Walther on November 4, 2013 at 9:53 am

   Hey Laura,
   This looks like a fun gveaway. Love to bake during the Christmas and thanksgiving Holidays

   Would love too win one of your books

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     laurafrantz on November 4, 2013 at 10:09 am

     Danie, Welcome here! It’s been so fun getting to know you on Pinterest – the land of endless inspiration, for sure! I think one of the best things about the holidays is baking and cooking. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as it leads into Christmas and there’s so much fun to be had in the kitchen.

     Thanks for your time here and your comments and being in the giveaway. Have a great day!

4. 

   Teresa Mathews on November 4, 2013 at 9:57 am

   Laura what a wonderful way to start my morning. It’s exciting and a little scary too to know that Christmas will be here before we know it!

   Thanks for posting this cookie recipe it sounds scrumptious. I know it means a lot to you if it was your Grandmothers. I am the baker in my family so when Thanksgiving and Christmas time rolls ’round you will find me baking all sorts of goodies, from pecan pies to cheesecakes to 26 layer Chocolate Cakes!!

   Being a Christian since the age of five I have lots of favorite scriptures but this one from Zephaniah is one of my top ten because I’ve been a singer since a small girl and I am married to a Worship Leader. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, HE WILL JOY OVER THEE WITH SINGING.” Zephaniah 3:17 I think this is the coolest thing to think about, our Heavenly Father sings over us! It reminds me of being a little girl and sitting in Daddy’s lap and him singing “You are my sunshine” in his off-key voice but to me it was the sweetest voice I had ever heard. 🙂

   Thanks again for this beautiful blog hop to get my Christmas Season started.

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     laurafrantz on November 4, 2013 at 10:06 am

     Teresa, Good morning :)! So, so love your verse and sharing your precious memory of your earthly father singing over you like your heavenly Father! I can just picture it in my mind’s eye. A wonderful tribute to your Dad from his beloved daughter!

     I find your musical background fascinating and how it has shaped your music ministry today. I’m afraid I don’t have a musical bone in my body but do love to sing and am so thankful my son, Paul, plays the violin/fiddle. How I would love to join in a worship service at your church!

     Your 26 chocolate cake is right down my baking alley. LOVE anything chocolate. But pecan pies are right up there, too, being a southern girl myself. I’d love to send you this Gooseberry Patch cookbook as it has a great section on desserts – many of which I’ve never heard of or tried but would like to.

     Thanks so much for sharing here in the midst of your busy day. I feel so blessed by your verse and comments! Sing on :)!