The season of Thanksgiving is fast approaching and what better way celebrate than to decorate my 18th-century home with corn husks angels made from the corn stalks that are still in my garden. Corn husk dolls were popular in Colonial times. The tradition is rooted in Native American culture and there is a legend behind why these dolls are not given faces. So pull up a chair and let’s have a wonderful visit together as I share my attempt at making these dolls, and tell you how they have inspired me to do better this holiday in being present to those in need, especially for those struggling with loneliness, sickness or grief this season. As always, like, share, subscribe and drop me a note — or a prayer request as I hold each of you in my daily prayers…and always give thanks for you!

Blessings, Donna

Happy Hallowtide!

This year at the farm I am foregoing modern Halloween celebrations for that of a time gone by…All Hallow’s Eve (Oct. 31), in which the faithful prepared for All Saint’s Day by doing a little “souling” — the precursor to trick-or-treating.

I even tried my hand at a medieval soul cake recipe. It was delicious.

Of course, the tradition of an inspirational pumpkin message shining on the farm continues…so come, enjoy me for a new perspective on what this season can be all about.

Welcome to a special edition of Olde Stone Well Farm, one in which I invite you to explore your fears — and finally overcome them so that you can truly live! It has been said we often fear are light more than the darkness, letting doubts and insecurities dim the bright future God has for us.

So come for a little behind the scenes look at typical day at the farm…and stay as we go on a pumpkin prayer walk.

Enjoy your time in the Vermont woods! And do me a favor…let go of all the fears that are holding you back this day and let your God light shine!

Blessings!

A Lonely Cow Gives Me a Fresh New Look at Loneliness

Well, the beautiful colors of fall are taking their time here in Vermont. I noticed a lot of green trees on the mountains the other day. I just hope the colors appear before heavy rains and winds blow the leaves away. It has been a busy October, but the good news is I do hope to have videos coming to you more frequently, as there is just so much I want to share with you!! For now, I invite you pull up a chair and join me as I share with you how my neighbor’s lonely cow tugged at my heart and got me thinking about how we handle our times of loneliness and being alone. I also discovered something interesting about the word “alone” — the old English definition gave me a new perspective that I will turn to whenever I am feeling down and lonely. I hope it helps you, too! So enjoy this packed full episode…featuring cute animals, a walk in crunchy leaves, some frolicking chickens enjoying the pink popping corn from my garden — and so much more! It’s so wonderful to have you here with me!

Into the Haunted Woods I Go — To Find a Story of Hope and Healing!

October is here! The leaves are falling, and the crunching underfoot is one of the most beautiful sounds to hear. October is also a month where tales of things that go bump in the night are told in the dark of night with a candle lit.

I share one such tale right here in the Vermont woods where a tower is said to be haunted. I ventured into the woods to see it, and was a bit spooked. But the tower revealed a much more important — and more hopeful — story. A story of how Vermont first asylum for the insane began an innovative farming model — called Retreat Farm — for its patients back in 1834.

As I explored the trails, I can see how being out in nature healed those battling depression and despair. And with October being Mental Health Awareness month, I thought it was only fitting to talk about the doubts and fears (and depression and despair) we all battle and to remind you once again that you are never alone.

There is always a light shining in the darkness for you. There is always a hand reaching out. There is always a ear eager to listen. There is always God who wraps his arms around us all.

My friends, welcome to this episode of Olde Stone Well Farm. Pull up and chair and let’s visit together. Invite a friend! There’s room for everyone.

Blessings!

Happy Nutting Day!

As the season change, I find myself wondering where is the time going?

The other day, when I was feeling especially melancholy, I decided to take my wooden pail out into the woods for a little nutting. Yes, you read correctly — I celebrated Nutting Day.

And it did wonders for my soul, especially as under the leaves and among the sticks I had many a God moment.

So if you find yourself feeling a bit blue, or overwhelmed, or just needing a break, then I invite you visit with me at my 18th century home and gather some nuts and discover how every season there is something beautiful to discover.

Blessings!

Building a Life that Stands the Test of Time

Happy September!

I can’t believe the official end to summer has come, but I am excited that fall is right around the corner. I am already enjoying pumpkin spice everything!

So, I just returned from a week-long 18th-century timber framing class and, as always, there were so many God moments! Not only did I learn how to use a chisel and a mallet (which I sort of failed at…you’ll find out what happened when you watch this episode!), I learned the value of community and how important it is to work together.

But as I was working with others in constructing a timber frame the old-fashioned way, I got to thinking about the building that matters the most to God. No, not a church building….but us.

Mother Teresa once said that we were the dwelling place of the living God. We are the homes, the houses, the sanctuaries in which God dwells in. And as such, well, I guess I am wondering how strong of a foundation is this home, and how am I building a life that will stand the test of time and point to the love of God in the world?

Yes, a lot of questions on my heart.

But for now, I can’t wait to catch up with you and share all the sights and insights from my recent adventure!

So pull up a chair, make yourself comfy, pour a cup of tea or coffee or a cool glass of lemonade (it’s still quite warm here in Vermont!), and let’s enjoy a wonderful visit together!

Blessings!

(Click on picture below to start your visit!)

Finding the Blessings Beyond Our Comfort Zones

I went back to school this summer — 18th-century singing school, that is! And it was amazing. Now, I can’t sing nor can I read notes.

So to say I was out of my comfort zone is an understatement. But I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to spend a weekend at East Field Village, a campus of authentic 18th-century buildings where, with no electric or running water, people are invited each summer to a Colonial College — learning skills from a time gone by.

This course was about shape note singing which was popular in New England during the 1700s and early 1800s. What I learned, though, was more about how important it is to welcome others and no matter how different we all are, when we join our hearts and voices together, we can make amazing music. I learned some other valuable lessons as well — like how important it is to try something that we feel totally unskilled at. 🙂

So come! Step back in time with me. I can’t wait to share what has been on my heart. After our time together, drop me a note. I would love to hear your thoughts — and I would love to hear your stories on how you once challenged yourself to learn something new.

Blessings!

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

August 1 is a big day here at Old Stone Well Farm. It is the celebration of Swiss National Day, the Swiss equivalent to our Fourth of July.

But this year I discovered that August 1 is also Lammas Day, which means Loaf Mass Day. It was a time to celebrate the beginning of the harvest by making a loaf of bread from the grain and have it blessed at a local church.

Since I tried my hand at growing wheat at the farm for the first time, I decided to embrace Lammas Day, and Lammastide (which is an entire season of harvesting).

I harvested some of my wheat and, I look forward to making bread out it!

As I was gathering the wheat, though, I was thinking a lot about how beautifully God provides for us. We pray for God to give us our daily bread, and He does.

But this summer, though, I have found myself forgetting about God’s promise. I have been worrying about my tomorrows. I have been questioning, “Will my family have enough?” I am sure I am not the only one who worries about this.

And so, if you find yourself worrying…or just need to take a break from your reality right now…pull up a chair and come to my 18th-century rural home in Vermont for some conversation and friendship. It is great to have you join me especially for Swiss National Day! Blessings!

Sidelined for the Summer

I did not expect to find myself sidelined from all the summer plans that I had made. But here I am, dealing with…are you ready for this…Lyme disease.

Yep. After years and years of frolicking in the woods with no problem, the dreaded red rash appeared the other day, shining light on the reason why I have been feeling out of sorts for a few weeks now.

So here I am, trying to heal my body, and my spirit. This time has been such a reminder for me that in my weakness, God is strong and God’s grace can get us through it all. But I am tired of resting and miss being with you.

So come join me as I share with you not just my Lyme diagnosis, but some thoughts on dealing with rejection as well…and how I recently experienced the sting of rejection firsthand. What a summer it has been! I pray you are all well!

And I promise to catch up on all your messages this week. 🙂

I love hearing from you all. Blessings!