Welcome to our 1864 farmhouse…life is good!


Monday, January 9

new year, new goals...

Slipping into winter for our part of the Midwest has been gradual, except for the few days before Christmas when the "bomb cyclone" caused temperatures to suddenly drop and bring a wind was breathtakingly cold. Now, winter seems hardly noticeable with temperatures during the day in the 30's. And yet, stepping outside I'm greeted by the wisp of a chilly wind, and it reminds me yes, it's January, and snow and ice storms are most likely in the future.




This week my son went back to college...and believe me, while he was here we stuffed as much into every minute as possible - cooking favorite meals, baking non-stop, watching movies, and staying up way too late. It was good that he spent time catching up with high school friends for lunch or a movie, but for me, the best part was hearing the laughter between him and his sister...I'm always so grateful the kids are close. My daughter will be back at the ballet company next week, so her days will be long, and she's taking her last college classes, oh my time flies. So grateful she's here...we enjoy and laugh at so many of the same things!

If you remember the Grinch cookie cutters that were the pickle ornament gift, here's a look at some of their creations, and yes, they've named it a Blinch - a blue Grinch! 


                


Now it's time for me to get moving on a new year...working on my to-do list and ready to jump in. For me, this is the time of year for "Spring" cleaning...if I don't do it now, it'll never get done in Spring...that's the time for picking up fallen limbs from winter storms, giving the coop a deep clean, moving spent hay to the garden, and other odds & ends that come along with warmer weather and sunshine.

I love the sweet twinkle of tiny lights in winter...and I've asked the question before:

Does anyone truly enjoy taking down the Christmas tree?



Something that's so fun to put up, can be a bit melancholy to take down. Ours is always up through January, but this year, the tree is unusually dry and dropping needles, so I'll be un-decorating it (slowly) this week.

And whether the ornaments are very old,




or very new,

handmade, 

or hot & spicy
(my son and I LOVE peppers!),




of furry friends, 


baby feet,


or future plans,
(I'll share photos soon of the milk house
spruce-up for my cottage foods baking business)



This is always one of my very favorites...
(somewhat hard to read, but it says: Bless This Farm)



Now it's time to put my feet up and have another hot cocoa...even though it's a new year with new hopes & dreams, it's still important to enjoy the simple things: the quiet, the twinkle lights, the warmth, and the hush that is winter.








8 comments:

  1. Sweet ornaments. I always loved having my daughter home from college at Christmas. But those days are long gone.
    Happy new year
    Cathy

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  2. What good memories you are sending your son back to school with.
    Wishing you well on your spring cleaning. It does a body good to get things organized.

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  3. I keep my living room tree up til the end of January and just take the ornament =s off I love just the white lights on at night. Love the Blinch cookies! How fun. So glad you were able to spend time with your son and daughter. Janice

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  4. I completely agree about taking down the tree. I think taking it down slowly is a good idea! That really is nice that your kids are so close. My husband and his sister still are very close to this day, even though we live a state apart. I don't have any siblings so I'm very happy for them both.

    The ornaments are beautiful, and I agree with Daisy - you are creating such wonderful memories for your kids! We have almost the exact same weather as you have/had and I've been doing some spring cleaning too! I hate to miss the opportunity with weather being so mild. Grateful for the sunshine and daytime temps and also grateful we've finally been receiving below freezing temps at night so that the early mud season we were experiencing is no longer.

    I'm excited for you and your new business venture - I wish you an abundance of success! Happy New Year!

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  5. Oh my Dear New Blogging Friend, you brought tears to my eyes, with your comment on my last post. I am so happy to have helped you, with that time of passage. And so very happy to have known you, even for a short time.

    And I would love to be your 85 year old Nana.

    Lots and lots of gentle hugs,
    "Nana" Mari-Nanci

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  6. Cathy - Acorn Hollow, I know the time goes too, too quickly. I love that we can enjoy it now, when she graduates from college who knows where the dream will take her. Sometimes, it's just so overwhelming...

    Daisy - ah yes, Spring cleaning...must forge ahead. I'm dragging my feet a bit! And thanks, I try to make good memories...we all have our ups & downs, but I really do try. Oh to turn back time!!

    Janice - one tree came down today...I just put up some candles with a real-looking "flickering flame" so it makes me feel better (and safe!) I tucked them into old Mason jars, keeps the twinkle going a little bit...I do love tree lights though. So glad you're enjoying yours...they do lift spirits!

    Staci - Another similarity, I'm an only too! Yes, I hope they can keep that closeness, it's good to hear your husband and SIL are still close, that makes me happy. Goodness knows as we get older, fussing can be one of those things that breaks down the relationship.

    Thanks for the good wishes...I don't expect to make oodles (ha, if any!) of money, but I feel I want to try doing something. Of course there's plenty to do here, just like on your homestead, but something creative is what I want. And to be honest, something to fill the days once the kids are done with college...who knows where dreams will lead them.

    Nana Mari-Nanci - You helped more than you know! I'm glad you popped in to read comments. And you know what, your advice will be for more than just kids leaving home...there are so, so many changes where your words will ring true. Thanks again, so happy to have found your blog just when I needed that comfort. Take care, I will be thinking of you, and will most assuredly always remember your words!! Hugs, Mary

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  7. I love the variety of Christmas ornaments you have. I hope your farm will be blessed this year, just as the bauble says :) xx

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Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!

 
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