"the worst winter ever"?

Yep...that's what the old-timers are saying...the worst winter ever is coming.
Last winter, we saw the temperature plummet to -29. 

MINUS. Twenty. Nine.

Could it really get worse?

This is the Mid-west...it should be cold in winter. When the snow falls, I conjure up old-fashioned visions of sleigh rides, frosty snowmen with carrot noses, days off from school spent enjoying movie marathons, buttery popcorn, and mugs of chocolaty cocoa by a crackling fire. Ahhh...

However, the signs are there...

Azreal, our cat, is putting on a heavy coat...and a few extra pounds.
The bees have sealed the hives so tightly, it's been hard to open them to look inside.
Twice this month we've found the temperature to be 36 degrees as we stepped outside.  Brrr.

And so, keeping in mind that the old-timers really do know best, weekends have found The
Big Guy and Little Man insulating the chicken coop to be sure the girls will be cozy. Next on our to-do list we'll be adding to the barn to keep the goats even warmer...today I ordered more hay. Over the weekend I took off the last of the honey from our hives, and soon we'll be tucking them in for a long winter's nap.

However, with all that said, let's enjoy the season we are in! It's officially Fall..my favorite time of year, and so, join us as we take a walk around the farm.

 

 

Wherever you are, happy Fall friends!

losing a friend...

When we arrived at our first home, as young twenty-somethings, we found our church's Boy Scout Troop ready to help us unload the moving truck. They were a welcome sight indeed! We were now in a new town, and as time passed, we found ourselves becoming familiar with our way around, and slowly beginning to make new friends.

Soon, the parents of two of those helpful Scouts become good friends. We found we had much in common, laughed at the same things, and attended the same church. Their friendship was dear...a hand-stitched quilt was made for the arrival of our Sweet Girl, and then later, a beautiful hand-sewn baptism dress, complete with ruffles and lace, was made for baptism day. When our Little Man came along, they gave him his first pair of jeans...just what every little farm-boy needs!

As time passed, we watched their children grow to become wonderful examples of righteous young men and women, who serve with all their hearts. It's been heart-warming to see them grow, marry, and begin families of their own.

When a change of jobs meant a move for our good friends, our hearts were heavy...to know that distance makes keeping close difficult. But we did keep in touch...we traveled to weddings, and they returned for baptisms and visits to catch up.

It was with great sadness when Margaret shared with us she was diagnosed with cancer. And while enduring the side-effects that came with treatments, she was remarkably consistent in the cycles that led her through the months and seasons. Pictures showed her celebrating the births of grandchildren, holidays spent with loved ones, and vacations to visit family far away. Her love for those dear to her and making every moment count never waned.

The sad news come in an email from her husband...there is an emptiness.

Margaret was the chorister in our church, and before they moved, she led the congregation in singing God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again as the closing hymn...

click here for a beautiful rendition by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Until we meet again...