Welcome to Homespun Sweet!

 Hi there and welcome!

Blog Post #1, 4/3/2025

      

    Life's journeys have sure been interesting these past few years.  The roller coaster of life has been ever running, ever changing, and filled with surprises around every turn.     So let's ride that roller coaster with faith, courage, and above all love.  I know you are tired.  I am too, but let's try.  If we fail, we shall try again the next day, the next hour, or the next minute.  It's never too late in the day to start over.  I used to tell that to my children often...  "It's never too late to start your day over again; even right before your head hits the pillow, you can restart and renew.  Don't give up and certainly don't let guilt overtake you."

     I haven't written anything in years, and while I started to write this post, ironically, the internet started to act funny, and I lost a great post.  Which is funny because I was writing about patience.  "Oh my," I'm thinking, another lesson on patience?  Haven't I had enough lately?  I'm guessing no. 😂

So let's try this again...

        I'm Sam, Samantha, Sammy Jo, but perhaps the most fitting name is Sunshine.  I have been given this nickname by many.  I've been told I'm always smiling and always positive.  I like to say I'm just delusionally optimistic.  I cherish this nickname because I'm all about spreading positive vibes. 

    I wish to start writing again because I believe in using the gifts that God has given us.  I wish to inspire, encourage, and comfort others.  I'm going to attempt a weekly blog post so bare with me...

PATIENCE

    Let's talk for a minute about patience. Yes a minute, because that's all the attention span I have lol. I used to say that I have NO patience, and that's pretty true for the most part.  I've learned that one needs to LEARN patience.  Through life experiences, good friends, inspirational reading - stories, and nature.  

STORIES:

    The best story I've read to learn about patience is The Tiger's Eyelash.  This folktale is a great example about how waiting on people to accept the gifts you have to give them is key.  People are not always ready to accept what you have to offer at the same time you are ready to give it.  I've learned that hard lesson of knowing everything is not always about me.  To truly care for someone that right way, one needs to look outside of themselves.  Look inside the other person.  See what THEY are feeling and why they might not be ready to receive all of your eccentricities at once.  Give people time.  Some take longer than others, so comparisons should never be made. A great love can only come from putting that other person first; waiting for them to be ready, and understanding their heart.

    Look up this story, The Tiger's Eyelash.  I hope you find it useful.  I sure did. Stories are gifts with many lessons to be learned. 

GOOD FRIENDS:

    Perhaps the most cherished thing in this world is good friends.  To be with the ones you love and trust, who inspire you to be a better person...  that is of such great importance.  Talking things out with friends and family has been a saving grace for me, especially these past few years. The reason this has taught me patience though, is because I have seen how others listen to me time and time again, and have not wavered in being a guiding light.  I'm dramatic and an overthinker, who wears her heart on her sleeve.  My friends and family have had such patience listening to me bather on and on.  I'm am blessed by them.  I am loved.  They have such great patience.  Thank you friends.  I love you dearly.

LIVE EXPERIENCES:

    Of course I've learned patience through life experiences. Most of us do, but only if we are willing to look deep and use our mistakes and events (good and bad,) to reflect on what makes us who we are.  Use these circumstances all for learning.  Ask yourself, "What have a learned through this?  What is the purpose here?"  You have a choice!  Again, I know you are tired, but you DO HAVE A CHOICE TO LEARN. Wait, take a step back, with patience and reflection.  Just breath, if only for a moment.  That's sometimes all it takes.

NATURE:

     It seems, as the saying goes, good things take time.  Of course good things take time.  I always look to nature for knowing that.  The old trees will whisper that lesson to you.  Listen to them.  Hear their stories.  Think about how they have grown, ring by beautiful ring, and the storms they have weathered.  

    Sweetly,

       Sunshine 🌞

 

P.S.

     I hope you found some joy in this post today.  Stop back soon!  There's so much more to share.  Just getting started.

Farmhouse Decor ~ Blessed to Work At Home

Our life in the country has been a major blessing!  God is good and He reminds us daily to slow down and appreciate all the good things we have.  He also reminds us to learn from the bad times and strive to be more like him daily.

Working at home on the Etsy with my family has been a blessing beyond compare!  It is this time we will never get back and this time we cherish! 

Here in our little farmhouse, we just love rustic banners for fun farmhouse decorations.  Check out our newest styles available on the Etsy now!
Check out our farmhouse décor here: 
 Sam's Sweet Art

Our most popular design Americana Ribbon Flag

GET IT HERE!

Sweet love to ya!
xoxoxo,
Samantha

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes from Samantha's Sweets

Thanksgiving is right around the corner!  Here is some inspiration for your Thanksgiving dessert table...
See some recipes below!

Apple Canoes

Just use pie crust and apple pie filling.

Cut into rectangles, fill, and pinch corners together.

Glaze with egg white wash(egg white with a little water mixed)

Bake it!

Oat Cakes ~ Nova Scotia Cookies

Recipe below...

Thanksgiving decorated cookies!

Pumpkin, acorn, and leaf cookies, 

add an adorable touch for a fall event.

You can use Wilton Candy Melts as icing, and a regular cinnamon sugar glaze on a sugar cookie. 

Delicious!

Fall time cupcake flavors...

These cupcake flavors are a nice variety for any fall event!

*Pumpkin with spiced butter cream

*Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting

*Butter Pecan with spiced butter cream

*Caramel Crumb Apple Pie Cupcakes

*Sweet Vanilla with apple butter filling

~Use your favorite box mixes such as Duncan Hines White, Pillsbury Pumpkin, and Red Velvet.  Top with homemade icing and filling for a delicious treat! 

I'm ready to share some recipes with you!

Best Butter Cream Frosting:

*icing recipe from Samantha's Sweets

1 1/2 sticks softened salted butter

1/4 cup pure vegetable shortening

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

4 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk(more for thinner consistency)

Whip butter and shortening until light and fluffy with mixer.  Mix in vanilla. Add 1 cup sugar, 1/2 tablespoon milk, mixing and alternating until all 4 cups and 2 tbsp. are added.  Add more milk for thinner consistency, and less milk for thicker.  Be sure and whip it good!  ;)  

For different variations simply add stuff!

*cinnamon and nutmeg

*other flavorings like lemon or orange

*maple syrup

ETC.  

~Have fun!  Add a little at a time until desired flavor!

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Oat Cakes ~ Nova Scotia Cookies
   ingredients...
*3 cups rolled oats
*3 cups flour
*1 3/4 cup sugar
*1 cup shortening
*2 sticks margarine
*1 tsp. baking soda
*1 tsp. salt
*3/4 cup cold water

Mix well, drop by rounded spoonful on greased cookie sheet, bake 350 degrees, about 10 minutes until golden brown edges(see photo above.)
May be molded or rolled and cut if adding a little extra flour. :)

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Pie Crust for Apple Canoes

Here's a good one...

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

2/3 cup butter shortening

1/2 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients,

cut in shortening,

add milk.

Form into ball and chill for a while.

Flour, roll it, fill it, and bake it!

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Feel free to email me questions!

    Look in my Etsy some for AWESOME gifts as Christmas is COMING!!! Sam's Sweet Art

Xoxoxo,

Samantha

Farmhouse Decor

American Flag Ribbon Banner

Rustic Americana Home Décor

from Samantha Eyth Designs

If you haven't stopped by the Etsy in a while, take a look at the adorable homespun items I have for your rustic home...
Etsy <----

farmhouse style...
*gingham banners
*Americana décor
*painted clothespins
*rag tie garland

American Flag Ribbon Banner

Farmer's Market Tags

Pink Gingham Banner

pink yellow gingham denim lace vintage floral

Vintage Look Rag Tie Banner

Red Gingham Banner

Rustic Denim Rag Tie

pink and blue gingham

Country Lemonade Rag Tie Garland

Perfect for a lemonade stand!

Vintage Look Red Rag Tie

 

painted clothespins

blue gingham rag tie garland

Buffalo Plaid ~ Lumberjack Home Décor

is always available!

lumberjack triangle banners

Please visit my shop soon and don't hesitate to ask about custom orders!  Sam's Sweet Art

Sweetly,

Samantha

Winter in the Mountains

 Winter in the Mountains...
    ~a beautiful look at winter in the forest.  

~A look at winter a few years back.  It's hard to appreciate the snow, the RAIN, and the damage it causes.  However, there is a purpose for every season.  Cherish moments, appreciate troubles and seasons, and look for the good in every day, in every person.

 Take time to enjoy a winter hike through the snow.  There is so much beauty to be found within our local forests.  Find a trail; find an adventure!

Ice Skating on a Frozen Pond

This is one of my favorite trails and here is one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost...

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By Robert fROST 

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

~Even though spring is right around the corner, we still have a few snows coming our way.  Enjoy each day of every season.  Appreciate the variety and diversity of our world.  God is the ultimate artist.  Take time to appreciate His work.  

Sweetly,

S.E.