Embracing a Quiet, Simple Christmas

Advent is over and we are now in the season of Christmas, those 12 days to unpack the gift that is the best one ever — Christ. Here at Old Stone Well Farm, I embrace a quiet Christmas — just my husband and myself. Some might see that as lonely or sad, but it really isn’t. I have learned to let go of expectations of what my life should be and am learning to live in the moment and just let Christmas happen. Yes, the Grinch was right when he said it doesn’t come with ribbons or bows. Christmas is so much more. So join me for a quiet Christmas…and watch till the end for the lighting of the candles and singing “Silent Night.” I have this beautiful rendition of the classic carol called, “Night of Silence/Silent Night.” I hope you enjoy it! But before that, I want to thank all of you for being part of Old Stone Well Farm! You have blessed me so much! Our time together here is my gift to you! Blessings!!

Finding Tidings of Comfort — and Joy

The joy candle that we light around the wreath on the third Sunday of Advent has always perplexed me, especially when there have been Christmases where I have felt anything but joyful.

This is one of those Christmases. But as I persist in lighting the candle — I don’t want to give into the darkness of despair — I remember one of my favorite holiday songs as a child, which is kind of somber — “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (which dates back to the 1500s, some say even earlier!) — and I find “tidings of comfort and joy” in its message that we have hope, we have a gift God gave to us for times just like this.

So my friends, if you are feeling joyful or perhaps not so much, I invite you to my 18th century home, sit by the fireplace and have a cup of tea, and discover with me the joy that mingles among the tears (and see my latest find at an antique store…a quilted petticoat!!)

And if you are standing in the need of prayer this season, I would be honored to hold in you in my prayers. It’s a gift I can give you. Email me at oldstonewellmedia@gmail.com.

Share with others. Like. Comment, and if you haven’t already, subscribe “Old Stone Well Farm” on YouTube. I am just seven subscribers away from hitting another YouTube milestone. Blessings!!

How To Make the Season of Peace a Reality

On this second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptizer comes to us with his cry, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” I wonder, though, how are we really preparing? I don’t think John meant prepare by stringing Christmas lights or baking gingerbread men. What if preparing the way meant paving the path for peace in the world?

Here at Old Stone Well Farm, as I deck my old house with dried orange ornaments and a pineapple centerpiece, I wonder what more can I do to “live peace”? Perhaps being hospitable to strangers is a start.

Did you know the pineapple became the symbol of hospitality in the 1700s — a way to say “welcome” to friend and strangers alike.

On this second Sunday of Advent, when we light the candle of peace, I realize being welcoming can lead to peace. If we stop fearing or being suspicious of those we don’t know, like or understand, what would we learn from them and what rich friendships could emerge?

What else does it take to live peacefully with others? Well, it takes more than a pineapple! Welcome to Old Stone Well Farm. Pull up a chair. Let me know how you find ways to live peacefully and how you share this peace with others.

And if you haven’t subscribed on YouTube, consider pressing that “subscribe” button at the end of the video. Old Stone Well Farm is just 7 subscribers away from hitting 400…that is a milestone for the channel!!

Blessings!

(click video below to start watching)

Happy St. Nick Day!

December 6 is the celebration of the real Santa Claus — a saint who showed us how to truly love and care for one another. And so I invite you to see how we celebrated last year at Old Stone Well Farm — and get to see just how little Fritz was!!

Hope Often Comes in Unexpected Ways

It’s the first Sunday of Advent — a time when we light the candle around the wreath which represents hope. But what really is hope? Better yet, how can we see true hope, as that hope often comes in unexpected ways. I think to see this hope, what I call “holy hope,” we need Advent eyes — eyes that can see God working in the mysterious ways all around us.

So, as I attempt making homemade mincemeat (yes, I am using my colonial stone bake oven!), I invite you to pull up a seat here at Old Stone Well Farm and join me…well, not at the table, but rather another part of my 1700’s home, where I reveal a quirky detail!

Blessings, Donna

It’s Time for Stir Up Sunday — And Remembering What Is Really Important This Season

Today at Old Stone Well Farm I share a few post-Thanksgiving traditions with you as I collect evergreen to decorate my 18th-century home here in Vermont and fire up the almost-complete stone bake oven (it just needs a slate roof!).

This is a time to prepare for the holidays…and I don’t find meaning in the malls and shopping. Rather, I find meaning in the simple things — and, of course, in whipping up my Christmas puddings and fruitcake, because today is the day to do so.

The Sunday before Advent is not only Christ the King Sunday, but Stir Up Sunday, when all the Christmas puddings and fruitcakes should be made, giving the brandy and rum a full five weeks to soak in!

I’m curious. Do you like fruitcake? Let me know. And share a favorite family recipe if you have one. I love collecting family favorites.

Thanks for coming to the farm. Please take a moment to hop over to YouTube and like and comment on Old Stone Well Farm’s channel there — and tell a friend or two to stop by. Blessings!

(Click below to start playing the video)

And Still, I Am Thankful

This is a little bit of a different Thanksgiving video. No cooking this year. I had wanted to use the outdoor bake oven for my pies, but it has been snowing and raining here in Vermont. Sigh. Perhaps I will fire up the oven for Stir Up Sunday — the Sunday before the start of Advent in which it’s a tradition to make your Christmas fruitcakes.

But for now I share with you a very raw and honest video which began when I got reacquainted with the song, “Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go…” Something about this 1844 poem, later set to music, which was originally written for Thanksgiving, not Christmas, tugged at my heart.

I began wondering, what if grandmother’s house is no longer? What if “home” has changed for you, or is changing? I am going through a trying time, but no matter what, on this day, I can say, “and still, I am thankful.”

Where do you see blessings among trials? And I need to know, which Thanksgiving pie do you prefer: pumpkin or apple?

It’s a blessing having you part of the Old Stone Well Farm family! Click on the video below, pass it along to friends, like and share on YouTube.