Wandering Souls

There’s a song by folk singer, Kate Rusby, which talks about the wandering soul being found and how often that soul was never really lost. He or she were always surrounded by friends. He or she were always home. My time of wintering is ending as spring slowly emerges here in still snowy Vermont, and I am discovering that all I was searching for was right before me all the while. Let me explain (and share some wonderful antique finds for my 18th-century homestead!). How has your Lenten journeys been going? What have you discovered?

Baking and Praying With Patrick

It’s St. Patrick’s Day here at Old Stone Well Farm and not only did I discover how easy it is to make homemade Irish soda bread (the real Irish way, without raisins!), I was reminded once again of how Christ is all around us through the kindness of friends like you. So come and join me for a snowy Paddy’s day! P.S. And pull up a chair and hear why Irish bakers would cut a cross on the top of the bread before baking.

The Snow Keeps Falling

Day 2 of snow…and up to three feet. While I do love the white stuff, I have been hankering for blue skies and green grass. And I learned a lesson today: When trying your hand at homesteading, go for what is practical, not what you think looks pastoral. This was my morning. Vermont living at its best.

Sometimes You Have to Make Hope Happen

It’s still snowy here in Vermont and I am getting a case of the winter blahs. I decided if spring won’t come, then I will take matters into my own hands and fill my house with greenery. There’s a poem written in the 17th-century that talks about a specific greenery that would be placed on mantels in the season of Lent. It’s an interesting choice as the green would often be used at funerals.

So come and join me at the farm and hear more about this poem (which you can find here at https://allpoetry.com/Ceremonies-For-Candlemas-Eve.

What do you plan to plant in your spring gardens? What do you adorn your home with in this time of waiting for spring? I would love to hear from you.

Facing Truths

Into the Lenten woods I go. Yes, this season begins with an invitation to enter the wilderness but many times we don’t go on our own or even willingly. It’s even less inviting here in Vermont where winter’s bleakness lingers on creating a feel of isolation. But as I go into the woods I discover there is beauty to be found. Let’s explore together!

Grammys, Revivals and Ashes

The season of Lent begins with ashes — our reminder that one day we will return to the dust we came from. So how is it that we can live out the days we have? Recent events — the disturbing performance at the recent Grammys, the revival down in Kentucky at Asbury Seminary — got me thinking how we tend to applaud the darkness in the world and question the light. So, come join me at the farm, where I fire up the still unfinished bake oven, share a humble Swiss soup that is going to become an Old Stone Well Farm Ash Wednesday tradition, and ponder things in our world that have me scratching my head.

Enjoy Your Sabbath Day

It’s been a wonderfully busy and blessed time here at the farm, and it shows no signs of slowing down. But I intend to slow down and rest a bit today. Well, rest by doing what gives me joy by searching for and capturing wonderful stories to inspire you and make you smile.

So today, as we prepare to head into the season of Lent, Fritz and I will be “off” today scouting future locations here in Vermont to film for you.

We will see you this week with some mountaintop experiences, pretzel making and the story of a pre-Lenten Swiss soup that ushers into a time of humble meals. Till then, have a wonderful Sunday. Do something on this Sabbath day to rest and renew. Do something that gives you joy.

(Now to get Fritz ready for the camera. “Please Mom, no filming me till I do something with my hair!”)