You're the STAR - Week#4 HOME (December 2025)

May you all have a blessed CHRISTmas!

Thank you again for joining us!

There are many ways to follow me:

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

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Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share from my blog:

A Decade of Blogging - ADVENT

WELCOME to the December 2025 "You're the Star" Blog Hop!

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WELCOME to HOME feature week of the December 2025 "You're the STAR" blog hop!
Meet your HOME week Hosts

 
This week is HOME feature week
Swing by the Home Hosts' Blogs:
Bev from Eclectic Red Barn

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories.  Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month. 
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)

(All features were chosen from the November 2025 "You're the Star" blog hop)

Christmas in my "New" Bedroom by A Debbie-Dabble Christmas

Creating a Charming New Cottage:  The Kitchen by The Apple Street Cottage

Our Best Cranberry Recipes by Scratch Made Food

Chocolate Cherry no-bake Fudgey FANTASTIC by Cindy's On-Line Recipe Box

If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:

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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.

Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!

It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!

(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog.  We might also share your fantastic posts on social media.  Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though}  Thank You & ENJOY! )

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DAY#21 - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar (4th of Advent)

Today is also the Fourth of Advent.  I'd like to reshare a compilation post that I created a few years ago (please click on the title to view the entire post):

The Fourth of Advent Decade Compilation

DAY#21 - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

Welcome to the 2025 Advent Season!!  Advent is the season that celebrates Jesus coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus who came to earth as a sacrifice so that we all might have eternal life.

In the "Strange Stuff" series we learned that our calendar has been distorted and changed (click HERE to read "13 Moonths & The Turtle Shell").  We learned that Jesus was most likely NOT born in December - however, that does not mean we should stop celebrating Jesus.  Yes, I agree that society has added evil to Christmas by focusing on santa, material things and food, but those should NEVER be our focus.  

Jesus is the ONLY reason that I celebrate Christmas.

Every year I feature a different Advent calendar and since this year has been particularly difficult for my family (both my mother-in-law and my father passed away), I felt led by the Holy Spirit to focus on Scripture showing God's help through both the bad and good times. 

There are so many Bible verses (Old & New Testaments), focusing on how our God is ALWAYS there for us during the lows and highs of life.  That's why I'm calling this

"Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar"

Jesus is always our Savior, during the peaks & valleys/highs and lows of life.

 

Today is December 21st and I am opening Box#21

(the box looks like #27 but it is actually 21)

Inside we find:

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A woman gathering fresh pine & cedar cuttings for making wreaths, garlands and table centerpieces

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 "We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.  And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”

2 Corinthians 1:7-11

Other "Peaks & Valleys" posts:

DAY#1 - Psalm 121:1-2

Isaiah 55:11-12 - DAY#2 

DAY#3 - Nehemiah 8:10

Isaiah 61:1-3 - DAY#4

DAY#5 - Job 5:11

Psalm 9:9 - DAY#6

DAY#7 - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Proverbs 29:23 - DAY#8

DAY#9 - 1 Peter 4:11

Isaiah 57:15 - DAY#10

DAY#11 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

1 Corinthians 1:25 - DAY#12

DAY#13 - Proverbs 18:10

Philippians 4:12-13 - DAY#14

DAY#15 - Isaiah 52:7

Hebrews 2:9-10 - DAY#16

DAY#17 - Psalm 91:1-2

Lamentations 3:22-23 - DAY#18

DAY#19 - Psalm 61:1-4

Romans 8:26 - DAY#20

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

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You might be interested in watching this video:

click HERE to view

"Joseph's Faithful Actions"

DECEMBER - 2 Weeks in Blogging History

2 Weeks in Blogging History - DECEMBER

We complete our celebration of the 14th year of "God's Growing Garden" blog with this final post in a series called: 

"2 Weeks in Blogging History."  

Since there are 14 days in in 2 weeks, I featured 14 posts; one from each year of God's Growing Garden's existence.

Today I am featuring previous posts from:

The month of DECEMBER

ENJOY!

click on each title to view the entire post:


Video#5 - NATIVITY BASICS

JOY (Christmas Day) - Great Joy!

European Christmas Music - GERMANY

Advent - JOY, JOYFUL, JOYOUS, REJOICE

German Village Advent Calendar - GLOCKE (Bell)

Cherished Christmas Ornaments Through the Decades - 1970s NATIVITY BELL

Baker's Dozen #13 - HORS D'OEUVRES

Marzipan Surprise Sweet Potato Muffins

Christmas At The Manor House

Cranberry Walnut Smoothie

Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornaments - My Memory Portal

Swirled Mocha Almond Biscotti

MEMORIES From My Family Christmas Tree Ornaments

Holiday Punch From Scratch

Other "2 Weeks in Blogging History" posts:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Copyright, Permissions& Disclaimer

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You might be interested in viewing this video:

click HERE to view

"Deformed Garden Produce Hall of Fame"

20th of DECEMBER - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

20th of DECEMBER - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

Welcome to the 2025 Advent Season!!  Advent is the season that celebrates Jesus coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus who came to earth as a sacrifice so that we all might have eternal life.

In the "Strange Stuff" series we learned that our calendar has been distorted and changed (click HERE to read "13 Moonths & The Turtle Shell").  We learned that Jesus was most likely NOT born in December - however, that does not mean we should stop celebrating Jesus.  Yes, I agree that society has added evil to Christmas by focusing on santa, material things and food, but those should NEVER be our focus.  

Jesus is the ONLY reason that I celebrate Christmas.

Every year I feature a different Advent calendar and since this year has been particularly difficult for my family (both my mother-in-law and my father passed away), I felt led by the Holy Spirit to focus on Scripture showing God's help through both the bad and good times. 

There are so many Bible verses (Old & New Testaments), focusing on how our God is ALWAYS there for us during the lows and highs of life.  That's why I'm calling this the

"Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar"

Jesus is always our Savior, during the peaks & valleys/highs and lows of life.

 

Today is December 20th and I am opening Box#20

Inside we find:

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I'm not sure - at first I thought it was a little chapel with someone kneeling and praying but there is not cross on the steeple.  Then I thought it might be a sauna and that person is stoking the fire.  I'm going to go with my first thought and it is someone praying to our Heavenly Father thanking Him for sending His only begotten Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

Romans 8:26

 

Other "Peaks & Valleys" posts:

DAY#1 - Psalm 121:1-2

Isaiah 55:11-12 - DAY#2 

DAY#3 - Nehemiah 8:10

Isaiah 61:1-3 - DAY#4

DAY#5 - Job 5:11

Psalm 9:9 - DAY#6

DAY#7 - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Proverbs 29:23 - DAY#8

DAY#9 - 1 Peter 4:11

Isaiah 57:15 - DAY#10

DAY#11 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

1 Corinthians 1:25 - DAY#12

DAY#13 - Proverbs 18:10

Philippians 4:12-13 - DAY#14

DAY#15 - Isaiah 52:7

Hebrews 2:9-10 - DAY#16

DAY#17 - Psalm 91:1-2

Lamentations 3:22-23 - DAY#18

DAY#19 - Psalm 61:1-4

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

Shared with:

_____________________________________________________________________

You might be interested in viewing this video:

click HERE to view

"Homemade Chai Tea"

DAY#19 - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

DAY#19 - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

Welcome to the 2025 Advent Season!!  Advent is the season that celebrates Jesus coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus who came to earth as a sacrifice so that we all might have eternal life.

In the "Strange Stuff" series we learned that our calendar has been distorted and changed (click HERE to read "13 Moonths & The Turtle Shell").  We learned that Jesus was most likely NOT born in December - however, that does not mean we should stop celebrating Jesus.  Yes, I agree that society has added evil to Christmas by focusing on santa, material things and food, but those should NEVER be our focus.  

Jesus is the ONLY reason that I celebrate Christmas.

Every year I feature a different Advent calendar and since this year has been particularly difficult for my family (both my mother-in-law and my father passed away), I felt led by the Holy Spirit to focus on Scripture showing God's help through both the bad and good times. 

There are so many Bible verses (Old & New Testaments), focusing on how our God is ALWAYS there for us during the lows and highs of life.  That's why I'm calling this the

"Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar"

Jesus is always our Savior, during the peaks & valleys/highs and lows of life.

 

Today is December 19th and I am opening Box#19

Inside we find:

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An instrumental choir

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 "Hear my cry, O God;

Attend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth I will cry to You,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a shelter for me,

A strong tower from the enemy.

I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;

I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.”

Psalm 61:1-4

 

Other "Peaks & Valleys" posts:

DAY#1 - Psalm 121:1-2

Isaiah 55:11-12 - DAY#2 

DAY#3 - Nehemiah 8:10

Isaiah 61:1-3 - DAY#4

DAY#5 - Job 5:11

Psalm 9:9 - DAY#6

DAY#7 - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Proverbs 29:23 - DAY#8

DAY#9 - 1 Peter 4:11

Isaiah 57:15 - DAY#10

DAY#11 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

1 Corinthians 1:25 - DAY#12

DAY#13 - Proverbs 18:10

Philippians 4:12-13 - DAY#14

DAY#15 - Isaiah 52:7

Hebrews 2:9-10 - DAY#16

DAY#17 - Psalm 91:1-2

Lamentations 3:22-23 - DAY#18

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

Shared with:

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You might be interested in watching this video:

click HERE to view

"Pepparkakor - Swedish Spice Cookie"

18th of DECEMBER - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

18th of DECEMBER - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

Welcome to the 2025 Advent Season!!  Advent is the season that celebrates Jesus coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus who came to earth as a sacrifice so that we all might have eternal life.

In the "Strange Stuff" series we learned that our calendar has been distorted and changed (click HERE to read "13 Moonths & The Turtle Shell").  We learned that Jesus was most likely NOT born in December - however, that does not mean we should stop celebrating Jesus.  Yes, I agree that society has added evil to Christmas by focusing on santa, material things and food, but those should NEVER be our focus.  

Jesus is the ONLY reason that I celebrate Christmas.

Every year I feature a different Advent calendar and since this year has been particularly difficult for my family (both my mother-in-law and my father passed away), I felt led by the Holy Spirit to focus on Scripture showing God's help through both the bad and good times. 

There are so many Bible verses (Old & New Testaments), focusing on how our God is ALWAYS there for us during the lows and highs of life.  That's why I'm calling this the

"Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar"

Jesus is always our Savior, during the peaks & valleys/highs and lows of life.

 

Today is December 18th and I am opening Box#18

Inside we find:

_______________________________________________

A girl going outside to play

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 "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

    great is Your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

 

Other "Peaks & Valleys" posts:

DAY#1 - Psalm 121:1-2

Isaiah 55:11-12 - DAY#2 

DAY#3 - Nehemiah 8:10

Isaiah 61:1-3 - DAY#4

DAY#5 - Job 5:11

Psalm 9:9 - DAY#6

DAY#7 - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Proverbs 29:23 - DAY#8

DAY#9 - 1 Peter 4:11

Isaiah 57:15 - DAY#10

DAY#11 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

1 Corinthians 1:25 - DAY#12

DAY#13 - Proverbs 18:10

Philippians 4:12-13 - DAY#14

DAY#15 - Isaiah 52:7

Hebrews 2:9-10 - DAY#16

DAY#17 - Psalm 91:1-2

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

Shared with:

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You might be interested in watching this video:

click HERE to view

"Ice Storm Splendor In The Garden"

DAY#17 - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

DAY#17 - Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar

Welcome to the 2025 Advent Season!!  Advent is the season that celebrates Jesus coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus who came to earth as a sacrifice so that we all might have eternal life.

In the "Strange Stuff" series we learned that our calendar has been distorted and changed (click HERE to read "13 Moonths & The Turtle Shell").  We learned that Jesus was most likely NOT born in December - however, that does not mean we should stop celebrating Jesus.  Yes, I agree that society has added evil to Christmas by focusing on santa, material things and food, but those should NEVER be our focus.  

Jesus is the ONLY reason that I celebrate Christmas.

Every year I feature a different Advent calendar and since this year has been particularly difficult for my family (both my mother-in-law and my father passed away), I felt led by the Holy Spirit to focus on Scripture showing God's help through both the bad and good times. 

There are so many Bible verses (Old & New Testaments), focusing on how our God is ALWAYS there for us during the lows and highs of life.  That's why I'm calling this the

"Peaks & Valleys Advent Calendar"

Jesus is always our Savior, during the peaks & valleys/highs and lows of life.

 

Today is December 13th and I am opening Box#13

Inside we find:

_______________________________________________

A child inside the igloo or snow fort that he & his friend just built

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 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Psalm 91:1-2

 

Other "Peaks & Valleys" posts:

DAY#1 - Psalm 121:1-2

Isaiah 55:11-12 - DAY#2 

DAY#3 - Nehemiah 8:10

Isaiah 61:1-3 - DAY#4

DAY#5 - Job 5:11

Psalm 9:9 - DAY#6

DAY#7 - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Proverbs 29:23 - DAY#8

DAY#9 - 1 Peter 4:11

Isaiah 57:15 - DAY#10

DAY#11 - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

1 Corinthians 1:25 - DAY#12

DAY#13 - Proverbs 18:10

Philippians 4:12-13 - DAY#14

DAY#15 - Isaiah 52:7

Hebrews 2:9-10 - DAY#16

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

Shared with:

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You might be interested in viewing this video:

click HERE to view

"Homemade Chai Tea"