by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Feb 19, 2018 | Church, holidays, Miracles, Waiting
There were fewer than twenty of us gathered in the little white church on the hill for the Ash Wednesday service last week. The evening was mild and the service was brief with some music, scripture and words from the pastor, and then the ashes. Lent is my favorite...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Feb 8, 2018 | Appalachian, holidays, Love
Of course, Valentine’s Day is little more than a marketing ploy to get us to buy candy, cards, flowers, and other gifts. But Appalachian Express in Johnson City, TN, has a more creative way to wish your sweetheart a Happy Valentines Day. As a fundraiser for...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Jan 1, 2018 | Appalachian, Family, holidays, Memories
My grandmother used to pay attention to who first stepped over her threshold on the first day of the new year, claiming that person set the household’s luck for the coming year. This is likely based on the Scotts tradition of first-footing. For the best luck,...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 21, 2017 | Appalachian, Family, holidays, Love, Memories
It’s the first day of winter. The darkest day of the year. Which, of course, has me thinking about LIGHT and all it’s sources. Even on dark days, there was lots of light on the family farm come December and not always electric. CANDLE LIGHT – We...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 7, 2017 | Appalachian, Family, Food, holidays, Memories
Once upon a time Christmas was simpler. Preparations didn’t start before Halloween, presents were homemade, food was based on what was in season, and decorations came from nature. Or so I hear. All of that could be me romanticizing a simpler, POORER time in the...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Nov 27, 2017 | Church, Family, Friends, holidays, Love
I know lots of folks who jump on their Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving (or sooner!), but I always wait until December 1. Maybe because it’s my birthday. And even then, I start slow, with a few outside decorations, maybe the nativity. I gradually...
