Happy New Year ~

Thought I would share the Christmas letter we sent out this year with you, my blog friends. It's like a quick view of the happenings of 2011 here at the farm. Much transpired though little was blogged about. For various reasons I never sat down long enough to type it out as it unfolded. Hope to do a better job this year of recording what is happening on the farm and in my heart.

Greetings from Heartland Farm,


It's amazing to us that we have been here on our fledgling farm for over 2 years. My how the time has surely flown by. Seems like we started our adventure just a short time ago and yet it also feels like we have been here for quite awhile. Not sure if it is caused by an aging mind creeping up on us or the fact that we have been so very busy.

The past year has brought many changes, challenges, laughter, progress, moans and prayers to our door. The farm is a continuous school for learning, stretching, sore muscles, bending of wills and trusting dependence on the Lord. We have been both BLESSED and tested this past year and are thankful for both gifts. We continue to find and enjoy the peaceful joys of simple farm living around us. Of walking hand in hand with the LORD in the garden of our lives.

Many ask us about the activities of our farm so I thought I would give you an update of some of the happenings. Might want to pour yourself a cup of hot tea or coffee and put your feet up for a spell ~ ~

Our "critter" family has grown a lot with the addition of farm hatched Spring chicks & guineas, a multiplying bunny trio (gotcha covered for Easter), birth of 11 goat kids in 2011, (will be keeping at least a buck out of the latest Fall births), at present the herd numbers 13 - of which 5 are milkers, 25 Freedom Ranger meat birds(they are still hanging around in the freezer ), a few more lively roosters (anybody want one?) Besides the 2010 addition of 2 livestock dogs (Great Pyrenees), Nellie and Belle. Who has done a wonderful job of keeping the nasties away from their assorted barnyard family. We have added 2 new kittens - Silas & Gracie, who have brought much comic relief to our workdays.

Enlarging our garden this year, yielded a bountiful harvest for our fresh eating pleasure along with stocking our Winter pantry. Canning, pickling, dehydrating and freezing the picked, shelled, gleamed and food gifts from neighbors filled our Summer days. We ventured out a little further this year and sowed a larger Fall garden as well. The root crops have turned out really well. Inspiring us to step a little further down the path towards providing our own "home grown" goodness year round.

Inside the home I have been busy this past year learning the art of cheese making. Using the fresh milk from our goats, Lon and I have made a variety of soft cheese like Chevre, feta, mozzarella, besides yummy keifer and buttermilk. Obtaining a cheese press has allowed us to turn out a few wheels of hard Cheddar & Caerphilly too. Cheese making is a school master that keeps me on my toes and stretches my brain cells on a regular basis. Both of which I've been told will keep you young, time will only tell. Returning once again to my love of baking this year. I have been trying many new recipes for freshly baked yeast breads. Truly a treat for the pallet and a wonderful air freshener for our home. The opportunity to share some of our Home Grown goodness at local farmer's markets keeps us perpetually trying to perfect our crafts.

We were disappointed this year not to be able to gather honey from our hives. But with a decrease in blooms and Spring showers, the bees didn't produce enough for both their Winter survival and our eating pleasure. Two new hives will be joining our Apiary in early Spring to increase these busy little bees capabilities. Plans are also in the making to provide them with some additional flowering sources in the new year. So our fingers are crossed in hopes of being able to gather up our first jar of "Heartland Farm" honey in 2012.

We are celebrating our 3rd. Christmas here at Heartland this year. It is going to be a very special one for several reasons. Besides our primary one to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus. We have joy in knowing that Lon will be retiring on Christmas Day this year. What a gift under the tree for us! After 36 years of service in the Fire Dept. he has arrived at that place in time where he can turn in his fire truck for a tractor. He is anticipating all the opportunities this change will offer him. I for one have been giddy for quite awhile knowing I will finally have him home 24/7. We are thankful for all the Lord has provided through his tenure with the Fire Dept, this new opportunity to spend more time together and HIS promised faithfulness to be with us in this new chapter of our lives. To say we are excited is inadequate, the hope and joy we feel is an open door to life experiences we have never known and can't wait to explore.

Wishing you a loving touch from the Lord this Christmas,
The Farmer & the Milkmaid


There lies in front of each of us a new year with blank pages where with to write our life's story. Many make resolutions at this time of year but they are not all that most people hope them to be. I have learned that resolutions never stay long, goals can have a rigid time frame, but living as the days unfold gives one the most blessings. I find that I get more done with a little structure to move me in the right direction and the freedom to change or let go of completely if need be.

Here's to blank pages waiting to be filled,

Deborah