ringing in the new...

It's New Year's Eve, and here we are paused at that brief time between the old year and the new one. If you're like us, we're pondering, even fleetingly, the changes we might make in ourselves. And while 2009 has perhaps not been a banner year, it certainly has had moments filled with...


sweet smiles...

  mischevious grins...

and absolute...

So with renewed enthusiasm, we anticipate 2010...the beginning of a fresh, new year filled with possibilities! From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

snowy days...

Last night's snowfall found us waking up to a morning

of quiet beauty.

And with its blustery wind and icy temperatures, even the kids came back inside after a brief snowball toss. But that's okay...snowy days give us the freedom to daydream and to reflect. Should I put out more bird seed? Does the fire need another log? Shall I make vegetable soup or chicken & noodles? These are the biggest decisions we care to make on this snowy day.

what's truly important...

Swirling snowflakes and secret surprises, sweet homecomings and family traditions…this is a magical time when all hearts turn to thoughts of home and those we love. It’s been said we’re never too old or too young to store up memories, so make this Christmas one to remember...bake cookies, make snow angels, laugh, take pictures, share what we have with a glad heart. This year especially, we're reminded of what’s truly important in life…family & friends. With that in mind, we plan to make this holiday season one of the happiest by spending time with those we love. And to our dear friends across the miles...we wish you a very Merry Christmas.

first snowfall

December's first snowfall! Just a couple of inches, but the sparkly snowflakes make it a great day to find a Christmas tree. After walking the snow-covered hills in search of the "perfect" tree, our favorite place to visit always has a crackling fire in the fireplace and mugs of chocolatey cocoa to warm us up...can't wait!

a new adventure...

and so it begins...our family blog!

For our friends & family:
we hope you'll enjoy visiting from time-to-time as we share a bit about what we love and who we are, the adventures we're having, and the everyday happenings on our small farm in the Midwest.