Home with Mama Sue

Only 3 more days, y’all! I can’t believe it. We had our candlelight service at church yesterday, and afterwards I came home and I’ve been good for nothing ever since. I turned on my trees, cozied up in my chair with a blanket, and rested.

I looked around at my decorations and found myself feeling a little sad. I don’t want to take it all down. I think that’s why January is typically a sad month for me. I am coming down from all things Christmas. Do you find that you feel the same?

You know that I love my nativities. I bought this one from a precious, dear lady a few years ago. Mama Jo crochets beautifully and she made this. I love it. It’s simple and so pretty and just perfect.

I hope you enjoy the beauty and simplicity of the holiday this week. Rest when you can. Think on the greatest gift we have ever received - Jesus.

1 day ago | [YT] | 53

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Home with Mama Sue

We took our usual Sunday picture yesterday, but I also snapped one at church with my best friend, Jane. We’ve been best friends since 1981, when her husband was hired to coach alongside Harold. Our friendship holds so many special memories, and I even share a story about Jane in my new hardback book, now available for preorder. I truly believe you’ll enjoy the stories just as much as the recipes. And just a reminder—your credit card won’t be charged until the book ships. The link to order is below

Pre-Order my new book!: www.mamasuessouthernkitchen.com/cookbook

1 day ago | [YT] | 72

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Home with Mama Sue

Hey friends! Saturday night, Amy and her Mahjong friends had their Christmas party and gift swap. One of my dear friends, Holly, hosted them at her beautiful home. Holly is one of those people that can do anything. She and her husband, Bobby, are both super creative and talented. She and I worked together for years, we are dear friends, and we have even been on a few cruises together with our spouses, Jane and Kenny, and our friends Phillip and Heather.

The girls were playing and Holly and I got the chance to sit and catch up. It was wonderful! At the end of the night Amy’s best friend, Brigitte broke out her tripod to take some group pics. Amy asked Holly and I to get in a picture. We hesitated, but Brigitte said something that I thought was so profound. She said, “When my Daddy died, I was looking for pictures and found that there are just a few pictures of the 2 of us together. I realized how important pictures are, and now I will take them every chance I get.” That hit me like a ton of bricks. She is so right! We all need to live life that way. Always take the pictures.

Before we left, Amy told Holly and I to let her take our picture. At first we protested and said no. The girls convinced us and this first picture is what she got. We were so tickled that it took us a few minutes to get it together for the second one. Y’all, Amy posted both of these on her Facebook last night. I thought she was crazy, but I read her caption. She said, “I am going to frame this one. I love them.” It made me think of what Brigitte said. Make the memories and take the pictures! I stole them from Amy’s Facebook to share with you all. Not because it’s a beautiful staged photograph, but because it’s a beautiful memory that I want to have forever.

Always the the pictures.

1 day ago | [YT] | 48

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Home with Mama Sue

Most of you know that Harold, Amy, Chris, and I are all retired educators. I taught at our sweet little local elementary school for 20 years, then I was the assistant principal for 5. Christmas time in a school is magic. It’s super busy and hectic, but it’s magic.

People have no idea what the school staff does to go above and beyond every single day. This week I saw a prime example of this. Before our local elementary school got out for Christmas break, the kids were greeted one morning with this. Santa, his elf, an elf on the shelf, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch. How precious is this?

That Santa holds a special place in my heart. If you look closely enough under his beard you may see some dimples that you recognize. It’s Shawn! He is the maintenance man at the school. The rest of this jolly crew consists of a lunchroom lady, a custodian, the assistant principal, and the PTO president. Try and tell me that this school doesn’t love their students! I saw dozens and dozens of Facebook posts where parents shared photos and videos of these greeters and the students’ precious reactions. Each one made me smile. Even our famous weather man, James Spann, shared it.

If you know someone that works at a school, thank them. Pray for them! Their jobs are not easy. People love to bash educators and say all that they are doing wrong. The overwhelming majority of them are special people who have hard jobs, but see it as their mission field. Let them know that the are seen and appreciated.

Finally, be good today. You never know if Santa, some elves, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch are watching.

1 day ago | [YT] | 34

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Home with Mama Sue

Good morning, friends!

Do you like to decorate areas of your home with trays? I do. I find that a tray is an easy way to create a little vignette, and to contain it. Things just look prettier in a tray. Please look at these first 3 pictures. These are mirrored trays that Amy found AT THE DOLLAR TREE. They are only $5! She said that she couldn’t believe it. I added a few pictures that I found on Pinterest of ways that you can decorate with a tray, but really the possibilities are endless.

I wanted to share these with you because besides being a great addition to your home, these would make wonderful gifts. I am in no way associated with Dollar Tree; I just like a good deal and sharing how you can upscale inexpensive items. What do you think about this? Do you decorate with trays? Leave us a comment and tell us how. Better yet, share a picture if you can.

4 days ago | [YT] | 24

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Home with Mama Sue

I wanted to share some behind the scenes shots from my new book. Remember the beautiful old house I told you about us eating at on Monday night? We shot the cover on the front porch. Leah and Ryan graciously offered their beautiful farmhouse for our cover, and it turned out perfectly. Wouldn’t you know that the day that we shot was the hottest day of the year? I felt so sorry for the photographers and stylists. I can guarantee you one thing - I have a new appreciation for those professions. I had no clue how much went into the photos that I see in books. I was so impressed. Back to the heat…y’all it was HOT. I would stay inside of Leah’s air-conditioned house until the last possible minute, so I wasn’t near as uncomfortable as everyone else. See my beautiful strawberry cake on the cover? The food prep team had 3 of them made, because of the conditions. If one started melting (and it did), they would grab another from the fridge.

The next week the whole crew came to my home to shoot several shots of me cooking in my kitchen. I made cornbread, fried okra, fried chicken, and cooked my meatloaf balls. I was so nervous! The photographer, Jim, was so patient and nice. He would say, “Ok Mama Sue. Crack the egg, and do it slooooowly.” So funny! Did you know that when you see a photo in a book, that it’s not something that was just snapped and done? Y’all. They adjusted every single detail and angle over and over until everything was perfect. These people are the best of the best, and I am honored that they are doing my book.

Preorders are only open for a few more weeks. Your card won’t be charged until the books ship on March. I am so proud of this, I hope you will get your orders in so you can see what I am talking about.

Pre- Order here: hoffmanmediastore.com/product/mama-sues-kitchen-sw…

5 days ago | [YT] | 44

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Home with Mama Sue

Good morning!

Monday night, we had the very best time! I hate that I don’t have any more pictures to share. I got these 2 from Amy. Harold, Amy, Shawn, and I had supper at the home of our precious friends, Leah and Ryan, and her parents, Pam and Jerry. Everything was delicious and Leah’s home is just beautiful. I so wish I would have taken more pictures to share.

Leah and Ryan’s home is over 200 years old! It has been in her family since it was built. It’s the home that her Grandfather Mr. Earl was born in. Mr. Earl lived to be 100 years old! I’ve known Pam and Jerry (Leah’s parents) for my entire life. They are precious, dear friends. We are basically related. Jerry had a health scare this fall, and I am so glad to say that he is on the mend. We had the very best time reminiscing and enjoying one another’s company.

If you have ever been to the Old Baker Farm, this is their farm! Pam and Jerry ran the farm for years, and Leah and Ryan recently took the reins. It is in the best hands, and I can’t wait to see what all God does through them. They have big plans and I just know that God is going to use it all for his Kingdom and His glory.

Do you have friends that are family? If so, be thankful. Don’t wait for a special occasion. Every day that we are alive IS a special occasion. It was just yesterday and Pam, Jerry, Harold, and I were young and in school. Now look at us! I am glad to say that we are already planning our next get together. Life is better with friends, so be thankful for the ones you have and love them all that you can. I know that I am thankful for each and every one of YOU.

6 days ago | [YT] | 65

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Home with Mama Sue

Happy Monday!

We are getting closer and closer to Christmas. I cannot believe it! Has this year not just flown by? For the next week or so, I am going to be posting some fun Christmas questions for you. I love doing this type of thing and reading everyone’s answers. I also like when you all interact with one another in the comments. It’s like having a bunch of friends over to talk.

So without further ado - here’s your first question. What’s your FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG? If you have more than one favorite, list them all. I think I can narrow my favorites down to these:

* Oh Holy Night
* Silent Night
* Christmas in Dixie
* I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Let’s hear it - what are your FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS?

1 week ago | [YT] | 19

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Home with Mama Sue

Y’all! Today was our Sunday School Christmas party, and I will be sharing more about it later, but first you have to look at this! One of our precious friends (and the mother of Mason’s best friend and girlfriend) came in with a gift for us. I love it so much! Danielle, this means the world to us!

1 week ago | [YT] | 129

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Home with Mama Sue

Harold and I were en route to Harpersville, headed home. Tomorrow is Sunday and we will be at church and our Sunday School Christmas party. I always look forward to this day; we love our class so much. We all bring finger foods and we have quite a spread. I was talking to Amy last night and we were planning what we are bringing. She thinks she is doing a Captain Rodney’s cheese dip and/or a crockpot of meatballs. I am still undecided.

Here’s where I need your help. Since Harold and I are on the road for 4 hours, I have the time to sit and read comments. What is your fave holiday appetizer? What’s your go-to for Christmas parties? Please leave me a comment and share. Bonus points if you can share the recipe, too. We learn best from each other, so I always enjoy reading your comments.

I didn’t have any pictures of appetizers (because the party isn’t until tomorrow), so I am including a picture of one of my nativities. I love cardinals, so Amy gave me this one a few years back. Isn’t it so cute?

1 week ago | [YT] | 29

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