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!