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

Having a Merry Christmas and a Happy Retirement ~

First I want to say how blessed we are to be celebrating this Christmas with family here at the farm. I truly hope you have taken time to reflect on why we should be celebrating this special time of year. The depth of the reason I fear is often overlooked by the multitude. Sadly even at times by those who have a grace given reason to be celebrating in the first place. Our celebration this year has included both an old and newly implemented tradition. Many years ago when our boys were small we would gather round an advent wreath of simple design. Lighting candles each Sunday and reading our devotional passages. As they grew up and left home, I retired the old wreath and instead a create a new one to take it's place. I wanted a constant daily reminder before us of the one we were celebrating. It was fun looking for ornaments and floral pieces to represent the different names and characteristics of Jesus ~ Morning Star, Rose of Sharon, The Vine, Shepherd, Savior, etc.

Being inspired by some of my recent readings and wishing to capture the simplicity of what it really means to be excited about today. I pulled out the old metal advent candle stand and added the appropriate candles to the heart of the wreath. For the past 5 weeks Lon and I have been lighting a candle and reading the daily devotional passages together from a free Advent book made available by A Holy Experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Ann's book ~"1,000 Gifts" since the middle of Summer when I picked it up at the suggestion of a friend (thanks Jo.) I still haven't finished it as I am trying to savor each page and let the words dwell deeply in my soul as I meditate of the treasure of God's words and ways. See this past post for my reflection on it.

In conjunction with the advent wreath I gathered the craft supplies to make the ornaments for the Jesse Tree featured on Ann's website as well. This activity has given Lon and I a special time for devotions together each day as we have read scripture, the daily devotional passages, had prayer together and placed that's day ornament on our Jesse Tree. Since beginning this activity at the start of Advent I have seen many surprised faces when either of us mention it to friends and family, who have never heard of a Jesse tree. The premise of which is to follow the lineage of Christ through Scripture from the Beginning to His stabled birth. Showing how all of scripture and prophecy foretold of His coming in such humble means. A wonderful way to keep the real focus of this Holy-day before you all month long. I highly recommend it for those wishing to turn their hearts and minds away from the glitter and glitz of commerical-ized Christmas.

So as to look long and deep into the best gift you could receive each year. . . more awareness of Jesus' loving gift of HIS presence. I know some would say why didn't you tell us about this sooner so we could do the same. Well, I really don't have any excuse at all, other than I have been away from my writing for sometime. But now you have been told of this creative option to your Christmas traditions and have a WHOLE year to get ready for next Christmas. You can follow the directions here to get started.

The other special gift we enjoyed this year was my husband's retirement of 36 years in the fire department. He entered into the department the September before we married the following April. It is the only life we have known our whole entire marriage. When one serves in this capacity, the whole family serves along side. Many a holiday, birthday or special occasions had to be set aside due to daddy being at work. Anything that could go wrong, often did while he was on duty. Forget having a regular work week with the weekends free. Shift work required that he be gone for 24* every third day, all 52 weeks of the year. His official retirement date is today, my what a gift! We have been anticipating this change in our lives since moving to the farm 2 1/2 yrs ago. I've been steadily counting down the days on a marker board for a January retirement, but found out the beginning of the month that his date could be moved up. It was so exciting to have come down in the count to single digit shifts left to work but nothing could top erasing the last of them down to a single one all in one swipe.

Enjoying the gifts of Christmas and
Wishing you a Merry Christmas from me to you,

Deborah

More Fall Changes ~

Fall changes are in full swing right now. As there are a few more trees gracing our yard with their vibrant colors. Most of the Poplar's leaves fell back in September, due to the Summer drought. I've added 3 more pots of bright mums to the yard, 2 in pots on the porch, with 2 more to be planted after I use them for other things first.

The last 2 nights have brought a hard freeze to our garden and a cold breath to our days. We've had our first fire for the season and had to turn on the heat a little. The chilly morning temps makes choring something I put off to later in the mornings now. I know the cold will only get more settled in around us and we will have to face it regardless of what time of day it is.

Milking will be a sure thing this winter as both Anna & Sugar will be giving us plenty come December. What! you didn't know Sugar had birthed? Opps! Guess I failed to post the good news awhile back(say about October.) Shame on me ! Well let me introduce you to the newest additions to Heartland Farm.

Newborn faces are always sweet to behold~

Sugar's baby girl ~ looks a lot like one of our other mothers.

Guess she is carrying her daddy's genes.

Sugar's baby boy ~ loving the spots!

This is the first time we've had Fall babies. Though it shouldn't be any different than the ones born in January, February and March of this year. We weathered cold then and I am sure given the latest blast of cold we will have to use the same precautions with these babies as well. Guess it is time to crochet some more sweaters for the "kids." Despite the fact they are saying we will be having a milder Winter than usual.

Our preparations for is is under way but I fear not soon enough as our list is lengthy. My time is already stretched and with teaching the Bible Study come Monday. My weeks will be fuller real soon. I'm finding that I already can't get around to everything that needs my attention. Leaving no time for those activities I desire to do, that help to keep me sane in the midst of all the work. I purchased 2 new books this month that are waiting for some focused time. In addition to pulling out a 4yr old quilt in progress and an activity basket. Has left me with the desire to get lost in them. The cold sunny days speak of a slower pace, of a rest from the labors of Summer. Of taking the time to visit, enjoy and make use of the rockers waiting on the front porch. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the weather, the colors, the foods, the activities, the fires, the crafts but not so much the shorter days.

Guess it is a good trade off anyway,

Deborah

Recognizing my 1,000 Gifts ~

Over the past couple of days I have been reminded of what is truly important. It all started with a new library book about using herbs towards a healthy lifestyle of eating and illness prevention. I check out books to preview them for a possible future purchases for our resource library. Over the past 3 years I've been sifting through the multitudes available at the local library. No surprise that I have found quite a few I would like to own. Already having a full bookcase doesn't stop the enticement for one more. My love for books started at an early age and hasn't stopped, much to my husbands disbelief that there is another one I don't already have. But not all books carry the same weight in our lives and it's not about the size of them either.

Today I was brought back once again to the premise of 1,000 Gifts, by the author Ann on her blog site ~ "A Holy Experience." Reading a few of her entries sparked a renewed awareness of all things Holy. Finding these writings was a great treat. One that I readily bookmarked for I know I will be visiting it frequently. Her words are touching, the photography ~ beautiful, her commitment to blogging her journey ~ inspirational and her dedication to seeking out the Lord's presence ~ humbling. I felt once again the tug on my spirit just like the day I read the first few pages of the book.

Tears joined in with the holy moment of realizing, there is no greater pursuit on earth than that of finding, seeing, touching our Creator. Of being a pleasing instrument in his hand. The joy of not only fellowship with, but a deep residing relationship of a life lived out as planned by a loving Father's hand. Knowing such has created in me a renewed thirst for all things pure, simple and nourishing. For those things alone ~ can be deeply satisfying. Of not wanting to waste any more time on earthly things void of eternal value. It is in these moments of spiritual awakening to the blessings of the Father that I truly "live" life, in abundance and grace. Time is precious, our calling highly valued by the unseen. I pray my focus stays as such that I wouldn't ever stray off the path or loose sight of the true beauty of a life in service for my Lord.

1,000 gifts ~ #23 a reminder that pursing the Lord is the only thing that gives deep satisfaction

Oh, how true,

Deborah