Here, in the middle of the holiday season we fill our time with lists and schedules, anticipating the logistics of family and fretting over the things we know we have forgotten. In the wash of coordinating time and distance we truncate our need to provide for the less fortunate right in front of us. A moment of distraction translates into a diverting glance, and then it is gone, the cranberries and wassail recipe tactically pressing us frantically to the head of the supermarket line.
We struggle with the diminishing sunlight, and the calendar each ticking off another day closer to the last squares of the year. We live among fields put to bed, finalized semesters exams, and the last stitch on a quilt destined to decorate a loved one’s home. The bounty of our work rewards our labors, with the love it conveys. We savor, if just for a moment, the grand, exhausted breath of one more obligation behind us. Just one more breath as we share the goodwill of open hearts and thoughts in beginning another trip around the sun.
First Snowfall on the High Tunnel
The promise at the end of shortening days remind us of blessings that remain unshared – of hearts held back in an expression that can make a difference… For some its the New Year’s resolution that serves as an implicit bond. Whether fixed or faltering, it holds us to what is ahead, and what we leave behind. But regardless of faith, or the lack of it, our hearts remain – prayerfully meditating that truth and love will prevail in the confusion we see in our lives, in the nation and the world.
For all we pray for solace, understanding, restraint, and forgiveness as we live through the mysteries that lay before us.
Love, Bounty, and Gratitude Are the Products of the Season
In our home, in the depths of the season, no gifts and blessings surpass our gratitude. Another bountiful year, with willing hands to harvest the seeds transformed by soil, rain, air, and sun into the preserved fruits of our labor. We have made new friends and realized the strength of the bonds of those formed long ago. We have shared laughter and tears. And, together we bring in a harvest that is the essence of our work; and, too, it is gratitude that is sealed in those mason jars of homemade goodness.
For the third year, we are offering up a wide range of pickles and salsas for holiday gifts baskets, and to accent the holiday table. You can choose from the wide variety of canned goods on the shelves, or take a gift from already designed and decorated bundles to a party hostess, and always know it is of the freshest and highest quality ingredients.
A Small Sampling of Goodies
And Now A Word From Our Sponsor…
Here is a sampling of what we still have available in in the shop:
- Pickled Asparagus
- Pickled Okra
- Pickled Beets
- Pickled Squash
- Pickled Peppers
- Dill Pickles
- Bread and Butter Pickles
- Apple Butter
- Apple Sauce
- Smoke N’ Hot Salsa
- Smoke N’ Mild Salsa
My New Best Friend
Sometimes gratitude just can’t take the place of easy… Although performed with a joyful heart, there was no task, besides mucking stalls, that left me with greater dread. With fits and starts I began the tedious task of peeling, slicing and coring bushels of apples. We dry them, we make apple sauce, and apple butter, but just getting started was the absolute worst.
Then, thanks to the ladies at morning coffee I was told of an invention that made my life a whole lot better. This year, for the first time in my culinary life I used one of the most helpful and ingenious devices made by humans. And, thanks to Amazon Prime, it came to my rescue in just 2 days. I know, I know, I should have forked over the 16.99 sooner, but it was the best purchase of the season! Thanks Dixie, and Bonnie, and Nancy, and Darlene for this life saving device… Transforming the monotony of days to hours, I have finally gotten this part of my life back!
My New Best Friend – An Apple Peeler – Corer- Slicer
My Rural Disneyland
Perhaps it is because I am viewed as a city boy, or that I have no time to pull myself from the garden or kitchen to render aid, but this past week I had the pleasure of sharing fellowship and time to participate in a project that will make a difference for a dear friend in Davenport.
Terry Trusts Marv on the Skid Steer. I’m not sure Duane is so sure…
For me it was as fun as a trip to Disneyland! Working together, slogging through mud on a now rarer warm fall day, I had the grand opportunity to help Marv, and Duane and Terry Bauer in putting up a new barn rafters. I am looking forward to helping finish the job when the sheet metal comes in.
Thanks for the comradery and fellowship!
Events
The store was buoyant with the sounds of laughter and children, and old friends reunited this past month. Joe Kiem’s surprise 80th birthday reception on Saturday brought together crowded house full of many smiling faces sharing remembrances. Joe and Georgia are two of the most gracious people I have known in my life, and sharing their joy was a blessing.
Not much could equal the spirit shared, but Joe and Georgia’s daughter Trish, and husband Mike Thorell topped the festivities by sharing a Sunday dinner at South Maple Street to celebrate the baptism of their twin daughters, Elin and Olivia at the Methodist Church. We were honored to play a small part in their blessed day!
Mike and Trish With Their Arms Full of Babies
