Ringing in the New Year

Blessings to you all as we quickly enter into a new year! I am just returning from a few days of Christmas rest — and testing my new ice skates!! (it has been years since I skated, more on that in our time together!) — and I look forward to catching up with you all and replying to all your beautiful messages you left me.

I still can’t believe 2024 is ending! Where did the time go? But as time seems to move by quicker these days, I am making a resolution to live more in the moment in the new year.

As for resolutions, well, I am not really a big fan of them and so this year I have decided to make a list of my offerings to God — listing the things that I want to give to God each and every day of 2025.

I invite you to make such a list as well, along with a list of all the things you want to NOT carry into the new year with you. You can toss that list into the fire here at Old Stone Well Farm, as I embrace a Swiss tradition of having a bonfire on New Year’s Eve. It wasn’t exactly a big fire, but I managed to get a flame going.
I can’t wait to say good-bye to the old year and usher in the new year with you all! What are some customs, traditions or favorite things you like to do to celebrate the new year? I would love to hear!

Christmas at the Farm

My friends, as I was putting the finishing touches on this episode of Old Stone Well Farm, I found myself getting emotional, thinking of all the talks we had together this past year.

I cannot thank you enough for the gift of your presence that you have blessed this channel with! I am still in awe and wonder what God has planned for Old Stone Well Farm!

But for now, I put aside the wondering and simply enjoy spending this holy night with you. It is an honor and a joy to be together.

The holiday is a quiet one for me. I have a very small family who do not live close by. And so, the Christmas goose (when it finally defrosts!) will be a feast for my husband and I all throughout the 12 days of Christmas. Yes, we will have a lot of leftovers.

But I have come to realize that one of the greatest Christmas promises from God is that no matter what Christmas brings each year, God’s steadfast love is shining upon us, embracing us with the whisper that we are not alone nor are we forgotten. We are always loved. God is with us.

And so, thank you for spending part of your Christmas with me. I look at this episode as my greeting card to you. One in which I hope you enjoy and treasure. It is a time where I invite you to come along as I make the final preparations for Christmas here around the farm, and where I share with you a special antique that my parents gave me — which reminded me of a touching Christmas story about bells.

So settle in and enjoy!!! Remember to watch till the end as it is a tradition here at Old Stone Well Farm to light the candles and embrace the holiness of a silent night on top of Sofie’s Hill. And now, I wish you all a very blessed and merry Christmas!!! As always, like and comment, as I do enjoy hearing from you. Share with others as well. Because, as I have said all year, there is room at the old farm table for ALL!

Peace and blessings — and may you hear the angels sing this holy night and always!

Donna

Longing for Christmases Past; Finding Joy Amid the Memories

Christmas is coming…and as the song goes, “the goose is getting fat!” Yes, I did get a Christmas goose to cook this year, but more on that in an upcoming video.

For now, it is so good to be back with all of you after I had a whirlwind trip to New Jersey to visit family. It was there that I found myself thinking about Christmases past, and wondering where the years are going.

As I wondered, a cardinal flew near me, bringing joy to my heart as they are said to be loved ones who come down from heaven to visit us. There really are so many God moments right in front of us that can wipe away our tears. I cannot wait to share the sights and sounds of my trip…and share a very special place from my childhood (the Wick Farm in Morristown, NJ). You will also get to meet my dad!! 🙂

And so, here we go making our way to the celebration of the Christ child!

Pull up a chair, settle in, get a cozy cup of warm tea or coco. I look forward to our time together! Like and comment, as I love chatting with you! And in the season of giving, share Old Stone Well with family and friends!

Oh, and this year’s Christmas Eve at the Farm should be airing the evening of Dec. 22!

Till then, many, many blessings!

Donna

Preparing Our Hearts — And Hearths — for Christmas!

The days to Christmas are approaching quickly, and I finally found time to deck the halls here at Old Stone Well Farm with greens and strings of cranberries.

My cat and dog had to be part of the action, but something amazing happened during all the festivities. They began getting along! It’s been two years of them avoiding one another, but I have now seen a Christmas miracle. 🙂

So perfect for this the second week of Advent, where we light the peace candle. I’ve been thinking about peace a lot lately — is it possible?

More importantly, what can I do to live peacefully? I have some thoughts to share! So pull up a chair and join me! I would love to hear your thoughts on living peacefully…as well as what your Christmas decorating traditions are!

Blessings!

Lessons on How to Live From the Real St. Nick

We’re celebrating St. Nicholas Day here at the farm…and Fritz wants to sample the Swiss Grittibanz (Swiss Bread Men!), which is a St. Nick Day tradition! But festivities aside, this is a day to remember the lessons in selfless giving displayed by the real St. Nick, the 4th-century bishop who shared his love — and wealth — with all!

So sit back and enjoy your time here at the farm celebrating with Fritz and me!

Blessings, Donna

Holding Onto Christmas Hope (And Enjoying the First Snow of the Season!)

It’s the first week of Advent here at Old Stone Well Farm and what a gift I received as we finally got our first snowfall in Vermont. Of course, I went into the woods to enjoy the holy — and healing — hush that the first snow brings into our lives.

I believe we all need “first snows” in our lives as it reconnects us to the glory of God and His promises that there is always hope in our lives.

So come and join me as we journey to Christmas together, enjoying the holy hush of the snow and remembering the hope God gives us that all will be well!

And since we are in a season of giving, let me say that it is a blessing to give a little bit of myself to you through Old Stone Well Farm! You are such gifts to me. I love hearing from you, praying with you and sharing the good news with your family and friends.

Give the gift of Old Stone Well Farm to someone who is on your heart today!

Blessings! Donna