A Sad Day at the Farm

Friends, it was a sad day here at Old Stone Well Farm as I lost two of my chickens to a fox. I’ve had chickens before and I don’t remember feeling this sad, but this time around it really hit me. That’s when I realized how important it is for us to care for ourselves when our heart aches. It doesn’t matter if it is a chicken or not, grief is grief and you need to honor your feelings. So I share with you a few ways I coped and the lessons Omelet and Priscilla taught me. I also discovered an 18th-century cookie recipe called “funeral cookies” or “death cookies” that were served with hot spiced wine at funerals, especially among the early Dutch settlers of colonial New York. So come, join me here at Old Stone Well Farm. I wish I could share the cookies with you (they are quite good!), but I am more than happy to share the recipe if interested. How do you cope when your heart is heavy? Share your thoughts…and even your special recipes for comfort food. Thank you for coming to Old Stone Well Farm. Share with others! Blessings!

Finding Peace Amid Winter Storms

We’ve had a series of wicked storms in one week here at Old Stone Well Farm, and I have to admit, they rattled me! The winds blew over trees, caused damage to the 18th century house and made me realize that sometimes my faith isn’t all that strong.

So when an old tree toppled over, I had to ask myself, how strong are my faith roots? Can I trust God’s goodness when the storms of life hit? So join me in this episode of Old Stone Well Farm where I get real and share the good, the bad and the ugly! I also share how I found peace in the storm using an ancient prayer technique.

What about you? How do you nurture your faith when times are tough? Where do you find peace? I would love to know. Comment, like, share!

Blessings! Donna

Led By the Light — An Epiphany Story of Love Lost and Life Found

January 6 is the start of Epiphany where we remember how the Magi visited Jesus bearing gifts rich with symbolism. But it is a season where I am reminded how to always seek God’s light and to never be afraid of venturing onto a new path. I will share with you a bit of my story on how a loss of a loved one set my life in a different direction…and explain how I got to be an “accidental country pastor.” I also share with you some Epiphany traditions, like my Swiss Three Kings Cake! I’ve included a link to the recipe. I hope you make it…let me know if you do, and how it turned out! Blessings!

Dreikönigskuchen (Swiss Three Kings Cake)

Stepping Into the New Year With Hope

Happy New Year to you!!! I look forward to beginning 2024 with you by sharing my surprise snow that I found, a Swiss New Year’s tradition, how early Americans rang in the new year on March 25 … and so much more…like how I embrace the tradition of a candlelit breakfast and step into a new year letting God’s word shine light on my path. Drop me note, too. I would love to hear how you are stepping into the new year! Blessings!

Keeping the Light Shining!

The world around me is packing up Christmas and turning off all the festive lights — even though we are still in the season of Christmas. It’s the 12 Days of Christmas here at Old Stone Well Farm and as we head into a New Year, I find myself coping with those post-holiday blues by creating my own light to brighten my 18th-century home. Yes, I tried hand-dipping candles. It was fun — and prayerful, as I remembered the reason for the season, that is, how God sent his son into the world…Jesus, who is the light of the world. So, if holidays have gotten you down or you are already feeling the emptiness of lights no longer twinkling, then join me and have your light of faith, hope, love rekindled. And a note to say THANK YOU to all who have joined Old Stone Well Farm either here or on YouTube! The outpouring of support this past week has been such a blessing!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Share Old Stone Well Farm with your friends, and let me know how you battle those post-holiday blues. I would love to hear!

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!!