The Places You'll Go, The People You'll Meet

What a lovely December day!  Reminded me of the mild December we experienced the year we moved to Central New York. (Quite different from the last two years!)

In the words of 19th century author, Amelia Barr, "The great difference between voyages rests not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them."  And, indeed, this maple syrup voyage has brought many interesting people into our lives!

Simply put,   "It's not about the destination or the journey; it's about the people you meet along the way."


Folks have asked us, "How do you do at the craft fairs and farmers' markets?"  Most of the time, what they mean is, "How much money did you make?" and "How much syrup did you sell?"







Yes, we do need to recoup our expenses and we always HOPE to make a decent profit, but I try to keep in mind that people are infinitely more important than money.

Each individual with whom we interact is made by God, in His image, therefore he or she is "somethin' special"!

A smile, a wave, a conversation - I believe it all matters.

So, yes, we made some money this weekend, but I hope we also blessed the folks who stopped by our table at the Tully Craft Fair, because I sure felt blessed to meet them!

We enjoyed the sights and sounds - the creativity of the crafters and artists, the Christmas music of the little high school band, the wonderful aroma of the homemade soups served by the boy scouts (I had butternut-curry soup, mostly because the scout serving me told me that his mom made it with the squash and onions he had grown in his own garden!), and more...

Speaking of the importance of people....follow me here...  

                     Our hens.....still.....are not laying!  The molting period should be over, and yet, we are still only getting one to three eggs each day.  Might be time for a new flock....




I was feeling quite frustrated until I noticed an "eggs for sale" sign four houses down and across the road from us...offering an excellent price!  It gave us the perfect opportunity to get to know these sweet neighbors, a retired couple who thought it would be fun to have some animals around, but didn't want the - ehem - challenges - of a dog.  I am enjoying my weekly visits with them, as well as the fresh home-raised eggs we prepare for breakfast and use in our baking.






During my walk through the woods today, I noticed some branches and tree limbs have fallen on our maple lines these past couple of weeks, so we'll be taking care of those tomorrow.



We still have 12 quarts and 4 pints of delicious 2015 maple syrup in inventory, as well as one of those maple breakfast baskets I posted on Facebook last week, so contact us if you're interested.





And, finally...

We realized that Sassy Anna was getting a bit bored and needs "a job". However, we do not, yet, have a cart for her to drive.  The girls have been playing games with her, in-hand, and "long-lining" her in the harness we have, but, Rosie was looking for a new challenge, so... she decided to start her under saddle...

Yay!  Go, Sassy!  This did not happen in one session.  Rosie and Grace have been working up to this over the past few weeks, weather-permitting.

Who says you can't teach an old dog (or horse) new tricks?

There's definitely more training ahead for Sassy, but I'm so proud of the three of them!  Maybe one day next summer, I'll take Sassy for a trail ride. I haven't been in the saddle for two years!

Our "Moving" Anniversary....

Three years ago, today, we pulled our convoy of pick-up trucks and a suburban into the driveway of our recently-purchased home in New York...to stay....I remember it like it was yesterday - Don and our boys hauling the contents of our old home, me hauling all of our critters (my first time ever hauling a horse trailer of that size containing two horses, two ponies and a crate full of hens!), and my husband's two best buds, Jeff L. and Jeff S., carrying our daughters, their best friends who joined us for the ride, and any "spillover" that wouldn't fit in the moving trailer.



What an emotional day that was!

Awaiting our arrival with fresh strength and energy (and FOOD!), were two sweet families who we will always refer to as our "moving angels" and friends - folks we had never met in person before, but with whom we shared a common bond through our faith in Jesus Christ and our choice to homeschool our children.

So much has happened since that bittersweet day....it would make most people's heads spin, but, as I mentioned in my last post, Don promised me our life together would NEVER be boring!

Over the past few days, I've been reading through this blog from the very first post - some made me laugh, some made me cry... and, I can honestly say, I'm glad I didn't know exactly what would come next!

A year after our move, Don parted ways with the employer who moved us up here in the first place.

My "knee-jerk" reaction was to say, "Let's just pack it up and move home!"

My daughters and I were still having a very difficult time calling this place "home".  

Although he wouldn't admit it at the time, Don has since confessed that the thought of heading back to familiar surroundings crossed his mind, too.





However, we prayed, we examined the situation from many angles, and ultimately we determined together, that this is where we were supposed to be for awhile.

We knew we had unfinished business...more lessons God wanted to teach us...more people we were supposed to meet, influence, encourage, learn from...individuals with whom we needed to share friendship and hospitality and the love of Jesus Christ...even our knowledge and life experience....

In one of my old posts, I talk about seasons and their implication in both agriculture and our lives. (Profound.  I really liked that one!)

This particular adventure on which we've embarked is just one of the seasons in our lives.  This concept is especially difficult to get my teenagers to wrap their brains around...sometimes, even I am too short-sighted to see it, and become discontent and blue for a time, though I have no right to be.  As God's precious children, our family has everything we need, and then some!

In just three short years, we've experienced a couple of employment changes for Don, I've temporarily held two part-time jobs in two vastly different fields, we've visited numerous churches (still haven't settled into one, yet, but the little church we've attended the past two Sundays may be "the one"), sold three of our horses and adopted one, adopted a new kitten and a new puppy...

...We've explored much of our area, we've started a maple syrup business on our property, built gardens and a pond, endured health issues that ultimately resulted in surgery, experienced the devastation of a fire, built a horse barn, a sugar shack and a pole barn, graduated two of our children from high school, found an incredible tutor to help me in homeschooling my daughters, and made a few close friends, along with many new acquaintances. (There's SO much more, but that would make for an excessively long blog post!)


Sure, we still miss our friends and family back in PA, but by the grace of God and the hospitality and love of those folks, we get to visit quite regularly. And, it's always so refreshing!  When we lived in Lancaster County, PA, we were very comfortable, and we took our comfy lives for granted - not anymore! Each visit is treasured! 




I try not to take for granted the things that have become familiar to me up here - our daily walks in the woods, visits to gorgeous state parks and lakes within minutes of our home, kayaking, maple season, the friends with whom we've connected, the crazy weather...

While this is just a season in our lives, and eventually, we'll move on...either back to south-eastern Pennsylvania or somewhere else in this great country that God leads us (SOUTH, preferably!), my goal is to stay present... in the here and now, so I don't miss any of the lessons - or blessings - God has for me.  The year 2016 holds many, I'm sure!







Keep following us through the 2016 maple season and more....

And, I promise you.....it will never be boring!!

And, So It Begins...

Three days before Thanksgiving, and today, we are seeing our first snow of the season....well, there was a tiny squall in mid-October, but that didn't really count.  Most of our autumn was wonderfully mild and more sunny than cloudy.






In another 4 or 5 weeks, my garden boxes will likely disappear under a fluffy, white blanket that will cover our serene NY valley for a couple of months...or more.

Unless we're experiencing torrential rains or a driving snowstorm, the dogs get at least one, usually two, energy-burning walks a day, so we can all maintain our sanity.  Today, I took my camera along.

About a week ago, the kids and Don built the shed around our maple tanks, siding it with wood we milled ourselves.

They completed fencing of our second paddock for the horses, giving them an extra nearly two acres to stretch their legs and munch grass.


This also includes the area where I coach and my girls ride and train the horses.

Our mares are getting to try out their new blankets today!  Apparently, though, it's going to warm up to the low 40's the rest of the week, so they'll be coming off tomorrow.









Another pre-winter accomplishment - the electric is run to the barns!

We're not totally finished with that, yet, but at least we have lights for our fearless "critter sitter", Lori, to use when we head to Pennsylvania for a few days this week to share Thanksgiving with our family.

We do have a couple of upcoming craft fairs, at which we'll be selling our delicious syrup, but feel free to order on-line or call us - maple syrup and lollipops make great gifts for the holiday season!  I'll even put together a nice breakfast gift basket if you're interested.


On a more personal note:  On Wednesday of this week, Don and I celebrate 20 years of marriage!
Pretty awesome!  In some respects, it seems like we began our journey together just a week ago...in others it seems we've been together 40 years!

On our wedding day, Don promised me our life together would never be boring...and, it never has!



Many Blessings to all of you this Thanksgiving!

Is This Really November?

My last post was more deep, and of a serious, thought-provoking nature, so this one is on the light side, and quite visually-pleasing as you scroll along...

Nearly every day, my family and I spend time in the woods, enjoying nature...wilderness...peace and tranquility (at least, when the dogs are behaving!).

Besides each other and occasionally, one of the neighbors, we rarely see another human being when we're out there.









Now, we do go hiking, frequently, at the state and county parks in Central New York, seeing more human beings and other canines, but still, we're in the wilderness, more or less.

So, about three times per month Grace, Rosie and I pack up the dogs, their leashes and several poop baggies (because my dogs, inevitably, "go" where they should not!), jump into our Ford Escape, and head to town for what I call an "urban hike"....

Yes, I know the little towns around us aren't truly urban, per se,  but...well, urban hike sounds more intriguing and significant than walk.




Most often, we just traverse the 7.5 miles to Homer.  However, once in a while, we venture up to Skaneateles (pronounced "Skinny-atlas"), at the top of the lake (about 15 miles).

If you've only ever explored Genesee Street in Skaneateles, as gorgeous and nostalgic as it is, but never wandered up and down the many side streets, well then, you are missing out...



...on such beauty and charm in the architecture of the centuries-old churches and homes, the gorgeous landscaping, and quaint touches, like refurbished wrought-iron fences and antiques decorating porches.













Early this week, with a golden sun in a cloudless sky, feeling almost summery.... yet, autumn magnificence still all around the Fingerlakes, we headed to the lovely little town of Skaneateles, camera in tow.

I know this has nothing to do with the farm or maple syrup,  but to have weather this warm and sunny for three days in a row....in November....in Central New York....is nothing short of a miracle!  It is a delightful gift from God to all of us summer babies and beach bums; to those of us who are "solar-powered" but find ourselves living entirely too far from the equatorial belt.




Without further ado, enjoy....     

                                                                                                                                                                                     

Keep scrolling - there are several more!                                

I thought it was pretty cool that you can see the reflection of the moon in this photo - see it on the right?

        

Of course, we always take some time to relax beside the lake and breath deeply the crisp breeze....

Hopefully, you enjoyed this little fall feast for the eyes!  It is, indeed, November, and Thanksgiving is on its way.  

I am thankful to live in such a beautiful country.  

I am thankful for the ability to hike and enjoy both the wild beauty and the cultivated beauty.  

I am thankful for my family and friends who enjoy it with me and I am thankful to be daughter of the God who created it all!

Have a lovely weekend, and remember us for all of your maple needs!

Pondering on Parenting

age 6

My youngest offspring, the lovely Rosemary, will be 14 yrs. old in just a week...This means I'll have four adult children in only about 5 more years - Whoa.

age 13

On the one hand, these years have really flown by.  It seems like yesterday I was invariably changing diapers, and frequently had a baby in my arms, or a toddler climbing into my lap.....

On the other hand, those days seem long ago...so far behind me... and I am a seasoned veteran of motherhood...could write a book on the subject...quite a memoir!

(Will and Nate, 21 months, visiting Tobi Hill Farm - where Don learned the art of  butchering and discovered his love of agriculture!)

December 2008

Don and I have had lots of jobs in our adult lives, but we agree:  Raising children is both the toughest....and most rewarding job we've ever had.  It requires commitment, fortitude, perseverance, endurance...sacrifice - it is not for the faint of heart!

Summer 2007

I want to shout out a big "Thank You!" and "God Bless" to my own parents and my in-laws....NOW, we can finally understand, appreciate, and even empathize with you, albeit many years later!

Longwood Gardens 2008

I could spout off parenting advice, warnings, do's and don'ts (like many-a-blog and book) - but in the end, YOU are the one who has to make the decision on how YOU will raise your children...how you will engage them, interact with them, teach them.

After all, you were selected, by God, as the steward of His unique creations.







My only unsolicited advice is BE INTENTIONAL.  Think about your values, your goals, what you want them to know, understand and appreciate five years from now....ten...twenty years from now!

If you don't take the initiative, this world will have its way with them, and you may not appreciate the results.

Horse show in summer 2009

I am gloriously blessed to have four terrific teenagers.  I say that not because of what they do....but because of who they are....

Genuine, caring, thoughtful, diligent, strong, intelligent, witty and creative individuals who love God and family.

Christmas 2014, with my parents

Oh sure, they do foolish things, make unwise decisions sometimes, but this is not the time for "I told you so" and other such condemnation...nor is it the time to "turn a blind eye".

This is the time for open, frank discussion and teaching.  In our house, this, generally, is the time to seek truth through the Bible and prayer. We've had quite a few teachable moments with them the closer they come to adulthood. We don't always get it right, but that's what heavenly grace is for!

July 2015

Four babies in just five years....without Jesus, this gig would have been REALLY rough...possibly disastrous! Thankfully, we also had supportive family and close friends along the way.

By His grace,  I can look back over the past 18 years with joy and fondness.

While we don't always get it right, we do often PRAY for and about our children, individually and collectively...

We have always looked for those teachable moments that present themselves in the midst of disaster and heartache, as well as success and good times.







For better or worse, it's pretty safe to say that we (Don and I) were the most influential adults in our children's lives!

Hence their love and appreciation of people, animals, nature, art, and most importantly, God...

Hence their adventurous, entrepreneurial spirits, their love of learning....and, let's not forget their ability to laugh - often and boisterously - and, make others laugh, too!

Summer, 2015

I can't wait to hear the stories they will tell and re-tell to their children, nieces, and nephews about Don and me, and their growing-up years.

I can already picture us sitting around our big country kitchen table after a holiday feast, telling the stories of our hours in a horse barn and in saddles together, hunting and skeet-shooting, riding along with Don when he was trucking, moving to New York, our many..ehem..."too exciting" trips back to PA for visits, trekking through four feet of snow to tap maple trees, and many more.... over coffee and a delicious dessert, of course! Can you picture me grinning at this moment, just imagining it?

Our current "adventure"?

Don has done a ton of research and decided that we will build our own reverse osmosis machine for the upcoming maple season...for a fraction of the cost of buying one from the "big name" maple equipment dealers.

This is a machine that concentrates the sugars in the sap by separating the water molecules from the sugar molecules via high pressure.  One of these machines can reduce boiling time by nearly three-quarters!

Summer 2015

Rosemary definitely wants in on that project! Talk about hands-on science!  Homeschooling at its finest, right?



As this new project progresses, I'll be sure to take photos and share.



Oh, and check out our "About" page on our website later this month- the new family photo, taken this September, will be featured there very soon!




Thanks, friends, for humoring me today, as I ponder.  And, happy birthday (a few days early) to my "baby", Rosemary!