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!

Time Marches On...

Remember that tree I showed you in my last post?  Here it is, again, just four days later:


Wow!  A vivid coral color now, but in just a day or two it will look like a burning bush!

We're another week closer to....WINTER!  Though it is definitely not my favorite season, especially as bitter cold as its been up here the past two winters, I am really trying to focus on the positives....

I'll let ya'll know when I get there!






In the meantime,  this weekend we took a few more autumn photos worth sharing.  I hope you enjoy them....

A few weeks ago, Don built this natural bridge over the small creek that ambles through our property.

Now we have better access for hiking, hunting and tapping the numerous maples on that side.

Thanks, Dear!

We "winterized" the garden this weekend.

Apparently, the twelve baby strawberry plants I purchased from that little roadside nursery back in June, REALLY like our rich soil!







They exploded with new life, to the point that we had to separate and thin the rows today before covering the bed with straw.

                                                                                                                 The chickens are adjusting to their new coop and area.  Many of them are molting at the moment, though, so egg production is low.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

            Sassy Anna is adjusting to her new home, and seems to quite enjoy our daily sojourn.                                                                                                        

I had the inclination to bake this weekend, so I asked my dearly beloved for his request.....

Spiced apple cake it is!  I wish you could've smelled it baking - Mmmmmm!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Served with a cup o' Java - the extra special stuff I keep stashed away for when we're having company.                                                                                                                                                                     I believe he was in heaven, and that always warms my heart!

We like to add a bit of our dark maple syrup to our coffee.  It's delicious that way.

Hope you had a great weekend, and enjoy the rest of autumn wherever you live!

A New Resident...

I always know that our most colorful season is nearing its end when this tree, along with a few others in the sugarbush, turn a brilliant shade of orange.  It's breath-taking!

Looks like we'll be there in just a few days [SIGH]....






Last weekend, the girls and I drove down to Pennsylvania to visit family and friends.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, er, our little homestead...



The guys were hard at work....eating pizza - just kidding!  They completed a few projects...

The back.

The front!

And, since our silly hens can't seem to lay their eggs in the chicken coop instead of in the hayloft or wheelbarrow, or other random locations in the backyard...















...the guys fenced in a lovely little chicken yard attached to the coop for the time being.  We'll let them range the property, again, once they develop the habit of laying in their nest boxes.

Don and Will also hauled some firewood out of the woods, splitting and organizing it for winter, as well as organizing some more of our supplies for next maple season.  

Sassy Anna

                                                              When the girls and I arrived home Sunday afternoon, we brought along a new resident...a pasture-mate for Lexie!  Her name is Sassy Anna.                                                                                                                                               You see, back in the spring, Don and Grace decided that they really weren't interested in trail riding anymore... which meant that L. J., our trail horse, was out of a job.

Knowing it would not be good for him to waste away in the pasture, we opted to sell him.  After several months, we found the perfect new owner for him.  Yay!

                                                          However, that left Lexie.  One lone horse in our pasture.                               Now, Lexie, being a Westbrook through and through, is quite sociable.  She needs lots of interaction.  But, allowing Rosie to move into the barn was NOT an option!

Lexie became quite depressed living all by herself, and that just would not do.  I adore her too much.  After all, she's been part of our family for over ten years!




Recalling that one of my neighbors in PA had inquired about a "retirement home" for one of their former harness-racers (presently a broodmare), I decided to give them a call.  Sure enough, Sassy Anna was still there. "I'd love to take her!" I gushed.  "She'll be good therapy for me AND Lexie!"
So, we would be her retirement home.

"I must be crazy!"  I thought as I drove north on route 10, hauling a horse home....for a horse. I really don't need any more "therapy"....of this kind, at least! That's why I have not one, but THREE goofy, obnoxious dogs!

They couldn't even tell me her exact age - only that she's between 18 and 21.  She's quite out of shape right now, but we're hoping to get her back in harness for some relaxing drives around the nearby state forest.

Whether she lives two more years or ten, we will do our best to give Sassy Anna what she needs to thrive - even if the only thing I ever get to do with her is groom her and feed her apples and carrots every afternoon!







So that's what's goin' on at Westbrook Farm.  
We'll be at the Homer Farmers' Market one last time this season - Saturday, October 24th.  Feel free to drop by for some delicious maple syrup or maple lollipops.  
And, follow me here to find out about our upcoming holiday specials!                                      

To Market, To Market...

Well, it is just about mid-October. And, a gorgeous time of year, indeed!


But, that means, roughly, FOUR more months until next maple season!

Between some inclement weather and a knee injury that Don sustained at work about ten days ago, our project completion has been a bit delayed.





However, we did put up some shelves, and we moved much of our maple supplies into the new sugar shack, recently.

What else are we doing?  Why, going to market!  Yes, we've been selling syrup and lollipops at the Homer Farmers' Market in Downtown Homer, New York, (about 7 miles from the farm) these last two weekends, as you may have noticed in our Facebook posts.

We've been talking about doing this since May...... In hind sight, we really should've just joined this organization for the entire season which runs Saturdays and Wednesday evenings from mid-May through October.  I guess we just weren't ready to make the commitment before now... 

You will find us there most Saturdays next season, though! 

While last Saturday was cloudy, drizzly and quite chilly, this Saturday was crisp but sunny - a perfect autumn day!


These two photos were taken as vendors were setting up.  Since the season is winding down, there have been fewer vendors and fewer patrons in attendance, but its been nice getting to know some of the regulars.








Last weekend, Rosie helped me.  This weekend, it was me and Grace.  I'm thinking, however, between the five of us, no one will need to give up every single Saturday next season, and we may even have time to do some Wednesday evenings, too!

At any rate, I'm quite sure we'll be able to sell quite a bit of maple products, while also getting to know our community better - who can beat that!

I don't think Grace really wanted her picture taken at nine in the morning....it was still pretty chilly out as we were setting up!













I decided to play "photographer-extraordinaire" between chatting with potential customers and neighboring vendors.  Here are a few of the beautiful visions surrounding us at market:

Normally, there is a honey producer, a specialty soaps and lotions artisan, a grass-fed meats producer, and a wood crafter, in addition to the fresh produce stands and bakery.  This market has grown consistently over the past few years, so I am excited to see what other local, small agri-businesses and artisans will be represented here next year.


Watch for more news about the market in Spring 2016!





In the meantime, we have just a few lollipops left,  which I plan to give to some special little folks in my family, whom I get to see next weekend....(let's pray I don't forget to pack them!)...

Yes, we'll be in PA for a very brief visit, so let me know if you need some syrup down there - I'll bring it along, Pennsylvanian Friends!