Happy February, my friends! I was so happy to turn the calendar page to a new month because January was just too long and challenging for me and many close to me.

And with a new month, comes new commitments, new hope and a promise to myself to greet each day with smile — no matter what. I’ve been busy here at the farm, celebrating Candlemas on Feb. 2 by making a new batch of candles.

I also celebrated St. Brigid’s Day, Feb. 1 by hanging scarves and ribbons in the trees so that the saint can walk by them at night and bless them with her healing touch. I never hung the scarves before, but this is the year I think we are all searching and seeking more healing — and goodness in the world. I also have a special story of three candles to share with you…it is at the 12:46 mark in the video. It’s a story that touched my heart and one that I hope blesses your day.

So come! Let us gather around the farm table in my old kitchen and let us begin our journey from winter to spring, as Feb. 2 was also the halfway mark to a new season!

Let me know how you are spending this February days! And have you seen any snowdrops yet? Like, share, comment!

Blessings to you all!

Winter has a tight grip on me…not just the falling snow and temperatures, but the realization that the season known as the “winter of life” is approaching — so much so, that I had to recently rethink a project I have been dreaming about for a while and adapt it to meet my needs in years to come.

So as I embrace these winter days by making a hearty and comforting Swiss venison stew, work on some 18th-century mitts to keep my arms warm and spend restful days with old friends that sit on my bookshelf, I invite you to come and keep me company.

It is always nice to have your listening ear to share my thoughts with and to hear what you think.

So welcome to Old Stone Well Farm!!! I pray you are doing well and that you are filling up your joy jars!

As always, like, share and, most of all, comment! Y

our words of wisdom, insights and your sharing of your stories always brighten my day!

Blessings to you!

A few weeks ago, our days were filled with excitement and joy, but January brings us the challenge of holding on to good cheer — especially when decorations are taken down and the bleak midwinter days are upon us.

As I finish up the last of my goose, which was delicious, and have exchanged the last gifts on Jan. 6, Epiphany, I now set to work packing away Christmas.

This year, though, I am not going to pack away joy. Rather, I have come to realize that January is our time to embrace the gift of the Christ light we have been given…and if we are to embrace that gift, then shouldn’t our January days be filled with light and love and fresh new eyes of seeing all of God’s beauty in the world?

And so, I invite you join me as I set out to have a different January, one that is just as festive and hopeful as December.

How do you keep holiday cheer going strong in January? I would love to hear from you!

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 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

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!

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

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

My dear friends, an extra treat this week…another video.

Why?

Well, because I woke up with the thought on my heart that someone out there might be feeling alone this Thanksgiving. And so, I wanted to share the message that you are not and that everything is going to be okay.

So, pull up a chair and join me for a little Thanksgiving preparing here at Old Stone Well Farm where I share with you my latest historical clothing adventure, pumpkin pies done the pilgrim way, and a story on how I spent one Thanksgiving alone. What l learned from that is that sometimes it’s okay to feel out of sorts…and that there is always something we can find to be grateful for.

Let me take this time to wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving!

Donna