Friday morning, we had the joy of hosting a brunch for ladies in our neighborhood. It was a special blessing to fellowship with our neighbors. It seems in the culture we live in now, interactions with neighbors are just an occasional wave or a “hi” here or there. So, it was wonderful to be able to spend time with the ladies.
We had quite a spread of food, and the girls and Mom planned a wonderful menu including meat & cheese empanadas, ham/cheese casserole, fruit, veggies with dip, pumpkin scones (thanks, Anna Marie!), pie crust with cinnamon/sugar, pumpkin pound cake (thanks, Mrs. C.), and delightful hot drinks.
Instead of just breaking up into individual conversations, Mom asked if each lady could share how they came to the neighborhood. It was very interesting to hear the background behind the families being here, and we really enjoyed hearing their stories.
It was a special time with our neighbors. Maybe it’s something you might enjoy doing this holiday season in your home.
Love,
Sarah
“… for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off” (Proverbs 27:10).
The chocolate chip muffins look delicious! You look very nice in purple and brown, Sarah.
I’m interested in the comment below Bethany’s picture. Isn’t she the little sister or are you trying to tell us something? It’s amazing how much Abigail and Bethany are looking alike these days: adorable blessings! Also, I love that they were invited to the brunch.
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Tammy, you’re the first to “get” it. There will be another post coming.
Steve
Is Bethany a BIG sister? I’m wondering if this might be a hidden announcement!
Thanks for posting this…what a great, non-threatening way to get to know neighbors!
That last picture is a hint???? The caption??? Cute big sister???
Praying it’s true and for Anna Marie’s pregnancy also!
Wait! Bethany is a big sister? Is there double baby news in the Maxwell clan?
Did I miss something? That last picture of Bethany is adorable but it says “What a cute big sister”. Is Melanie expecting another blessing from God?
I just noticed the caption under Bethany’s picture. Are Nathan and Melanie expecting again?
Looks like you had a wonderful time! But is that a typo, or is Bethany to be a big sister??
God bless,
Mary
Isn’t that Bethany in the bottom picture? The caption says BIG sister. Is that an announcement of a blessing to come?
How sweet!! That sounds like fun! The ladies must have enjoyed it!
You have your sink in the island? That’s neat!
Bethany’s outfit is cute! She’s the big sister?
Beautiful picture of you and Anna, Sarah!
God bless! Rebecca K.
Now is that last caption a mistake or an announcement??!!
What a great idea!
“What a cute big sister”. Is that a typo or an announcement? If it’s an announcement – CONGRATULATIONS!!!!:-)
Whoa! Have i got it wrong? But is that last photo one of Bethany? Whats all this “Big sister” business?
All that amazing food!! It is an Inspiring idea that is for sure!
Looks like everyone had a great time and it was a wonderful idea! I might have to copy it. =)
You said Bethany was a cute big sister…am I correct in thinking that Nathan and Melanie are expecting again?!
May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.
Loved the pictures and that is a wonderful idea! I had to of course comment on the last picture – Did that say big sister and that is the little one right? Both the girls are adorable. Just curious 🙂 We all so enjoy your blog. It brings a lot of encouragement to myself and others.
What a great idea! Looks like you had a wonderful time. I totally agree with your comment about how neighbors don’t get together like they used to. It seems our culture is so absorbed in these “virtual friendships” like Facebook, etc. Our family has chosen not to participate. No one is committing to friendships and bearing one another’s burdens. Doorbells aren’t ringing, only cell phones. These are different times.
Where did you get a table so long? We are needing to get a longer table. Also, did I read that right that Bethany is a big sister?
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Jamesport MO at an Amish furniture store. Yes to the big sister.
Steve
What a great idea! And the food look scrumptious!! (Wait…is that Bethany that you are calling a “big sister”??!! Isn’t she the “baby”…um…should we be getting excited here?)
Bethany? Big sister? Did I miss a post? 🙂
We’ve been praying about inviting our neighbors over, but we’ve put it off for so long–mainly because our neighbors just don’t seem interested in communicating with us (or other neighbors) at all. It’s as if everyone lives in his own bubble around here. I guess we’ll just invite everyone over, prepare, and then wait and see how it goes! Thanks for the inspiration, Maxwell ladies!
What a neat idea! Is this the first you’ve done something like this with the neighborhood ladies? Did you send out invitations? We’ve only lived in this neighborhood for 2 years and I think this would be a fun way to get to know more people. Thanks for the idea:)
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This was the first time our ladies hosted it. There were two ladies who hosted one previously. Our ladies wanted to this time. They sent out invitations.
Steve
We are planning on having our neighbors over for the first time sometime during the Christmas season. However, our living space is just a fraction of the size of yours, and it makes doing that type of thing more of a logistical challenge. Do you have any encouragement or suggestions for those of us with postage stamp size spaces, but who still want to open up their homes to others? There must be a way for it to be done!
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Just do what you can do. Smaller can be better over bigger some times.
Steve
LOL! Leave it to a bunch of women to not miss the caption about Bethany being a big sister! Oh, how we all love babies! Let me be the first to say “Congratulations!” to Nathan and Melanie and your entire family on the upcoming addition to the family! 🙂 Oh, and I love the photos of the Ladies’ Brunch — what a great idea and good way to fellowship with your neighbors!
Wonderful idea. Ummmm… did I mis-interrupt that about Bethany or is there wonderful news again in the family????? Praying the latter!!!!
I thought I missed a post too when I read the last caption! Can’t wait till you get the post up 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
(A smile from each of us!)
What a wonderful idea to have a ladies brunch. 😀
Congrats to Nathan and Melanie!! 😀 Wonderful news and I pray the Lord keeps His hand over Melanie and the baby. Look forward to the post with more details. 😀
I’ve been reading here often, but commenting has been far and few between…
We just had our 7th blessing born a couple of weeks ago. 😀 Another son to raise for the Lord!
Blessing Maxwell family!!
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Congrats on your new little one!!!
Steve
Yay!!!!
Please tell Melanie and Anna Marie we are praying for them and their blessings.
Can I please be your neighbor:-) So happy for Nathan and Melanie! We just welcomed our fourth grandson, Aaron. They are such bundles of joy! Looking forward to your post.
Definitely an inspiration! I had two neighbors over to learn how to bake bread and they had so much to say to one another! We will now be praying for the tandem Maxwell pregnancies. It delights my soul to share your joy.
Blessings,
Kim C
I am so excited that Bethany (and Abby too) are going to be big sisters!! So happy for Nathan and Melanie 🙂 Two new Maxwell babies. Praying for everyone.
I love your neighborhood ladies lunch. Such a wonderful idea and I am sure your neighbors enjoyed every moment of it. Great friends to visit with, and perhaps even meet for the first time, and great food to share. You know I enjoy table fellowship.
Mary, I love your apron!
Blessings, Mrs. Mari
Boy, I must be slow! I didn’t catch the comment about Bethany being a cute big sister until I read a few comments on the post! Well, congratulations to you all since there will be two new babies in the family…a double blessing! Also, I love the idea of the neighborhood get together. Now that my family lives in a much larger community and we don’t have community potlucks, I think that is something I will have to try. We have already decided to make cookie plates with Christmas cards for our neighbors this year. Our kids were very excited to do this since we read about it in “Winter with the Moodys”.
What a great idea! I was recently challenged by a lady in our church leading a woman’s Bible study. She said words that really hit home. She said the reason we don’t know our neighbors anymore is we don’t want to. So true because we will find time for what we want to do. What a dying art getting to know neighbors. Your table was just beautiful!
Wow! I just now figured out, from reading the comments, what Bethany/big sister meant… congratulations!!
Wow, Congratulations Maxwell family. I am so happy for all of you!
And great idea for the neighborhood brunch. I may have to follow in your footsteps in our “still new to us” neighborhood.
Great post and pictures! Congratulations on the “baby news”—AND what a cute way to “announce” the news with Bethany—she is so precious! 🙂
Hugs from Georgia, Patti M. 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I have had ladies in at Christmas a couple of times, but the last few years I went door to door with bread instead. I found it was getting difficult to “steer” the conversation to keep it positive. I really appreciate your idea to involve everyone in one large conversation – that is wise.
Thanks to your whole family for you example.
Pie crust with butter, cinnamon and sugar. Is that granulated or powdered? Did you put all of the toppings on before you baked? What was the temp and baking time please? I intend to try soon.
Thank you for your time.
Johnna
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Preheat oven to 350. Roll the pie dough to a little less than 1/4″ thick. Lather softened butter on dough with fingers or brush. Cover generously/completely with granulated sugar. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cut with a pizza cutter or cookie cutters and place on pan. Place in oven and rotate pan every 10 minutes. Not sure how long it takes to cook, but cook until they turn a golden brown and are a little crispy. They also crisp up as they cool down. Some of us like the dough rolled very thin, others like it thicker.
Warning!! They are unhealthy, fattening and great!
Thanks for sharing. I promise not to over indulge. Great for holidays though.