I really thought with a later-than-usual Easter this year that I would have a celebration filled with beautiful flowers and green leaves on the trees.

The cold weather, though, has made the daffodils slow to bloom, and the tree buds are only now shaking off their winter slumber and beginning to awaken.

At first I was disappointed by spring’s tardiness, but then today I realized what a beautiful sermon the yet-to-bloom daffodils were preaching to me.

For this is Holy Saturday, a day where we are called to ponder Christ’s death, sit with the grief, let tears of loss — no matter how fresh or stale those tears are — flow freely. We are being asked not to run so quickly to better, happier times, as our society tends to do.

There is much growth to experience in the mourning. There is something powerful in being able to patiently wait for rebirth, resurrection and renewal.

The daffodils have yet to bloom. And that’s okay. For they are whispering to me to have patience and are inviting me to simply sit with God and let God’s grace wipe away whatever tears I still need to shed.

For God hasn’t forgotten us in our times of loss, defeat or just sheer exhaustion. God is working on our new days — our Easter mornings, where the light of daybreak reveals the amazing truth we need to hold on to now and always: All is not lost. Death, destruction and doom do not win. God’s word of love for all will be the final word.

Sunday is coming…

I really thought with a later-than-usual Easter this year that I would have a celebration filled with beautiful flowers and green leaves on the trees.

The cold weather, though, has made the daffodils slow to bloom, and the tree buds are only now shaking off their winter slumber and beginning to awaken.

At first I was disappointed by spring’s tardiness, but then today I realized what a beautiful sermon the yet-to-bloom daffodils were preaching to me.

For this is Holy Saturday, a day where we are called to ponder Christ’s death, sit with the grief, let tears of loss — no matter how fresh or stale those tears are — flow freely. We are being asked not to run so quickly to better, happier times, as our society tends to do.

There is much growth to experience in the mourning. There is something powerful in being able to patiently wait for rebirth, resurrection and renewal.

The daffodils have yet to bloom. And that’s okay. For they are whispering to me to have patience and are inviting me to simply sit with God and let God’s grace wipe away whatever tears I still need to shed.

For God hasn’t forgotten us in our times of loss, defeat or just sheer exhaustion. God is working on our new days — our Easter mornings, where the light of daybreak reveals the amazing truth we need to hold on to now and always: All is not lost. Death, destruction and doom do not win. God’s word of love for all will be the final word.

Sunday is coming…

The journey to Easter’s new beginnings isn’t an easy one. It asks us to be with Jesus in his final day — to break the bread together, to go to the cross with him, to trust in the darkest of times. And on this Maundy Thursday, here at the farm we take part in an ancient ritual that isn’t very popular these days — foot washing.

For I have discovered, Easter’s new beginnings start with the basin and the towel. It is the ability to not only show love, but to receive love — no matter how hurt or rejected we feel sometimes in life — that helps our anger wash away to acceptance and for acceptance to ripple into widening circles of grace.

I pray you take time in your preparations for Easter to spend some quiet time with me here at Old Stone Well Farm. Let me know what you think…and how open are you to being vulnerable to others? Like, comment and share with others, as there’s always room here at the farm table.

Blessings!

It’s Holy Week here at Old Stone Well Farm and I wish I could share with you fields of daffodils and tulips, but we have been having some fickle weather. Warm temps make the peepers sing loudly one day and then the next an ice storm captures the limbs of my hydrangea. Just when I thought we would get a taste of spring, the snow comes.

The weather, though, reminded me of just how much I need our Savior who died for us. You see, we are just as fickle as the weather, struggling to remain steadfast in our faith that God is indeed working a miracle in our lives. So this week, which is the holiest of weeks for Christians, I am cutting the pussy willows to wave a branches on Palm Sunday, and then I am going to be walk slowly, listen carefully and still my racing mind so that I can be attentive to all the God is saying to me — and to you.

Come and join me as I prepare for Easter…there are some surprises amid the rain, ice and snow as miracles of life surprised me on my walk. How are you holding on to faith these days? How many times have you whispered to God, “Hosanna!” which means “save us”? But more importantly, do you believe that showers in life are blessings and that God is still at work on your miracle? Let me know how you are preparing for Easter’s new life?

Like, comment and share…and remember to watch till the end as Fritz would love to see you! Blessings!

What a whirlwind these last few weeks have been as the universe decided to drop in my lap a bunch of exciting and scary possibilities that in all honesty I am not ready for.

A dream home came on the market and tempted me. A few dream jobs also came a courting. But unlike in the past, this time around these possibilities left me feeling confused and unsettled. It got to the point where I woke up and realized I was lost — I couldn’t find the person I once was…the one who dared to dream, take a chance, trust God, embrace change. And the more I felt lost, the more I withdrew from the things that gave me joy.

So here I am. Walking a still uncertain path, but vowing to keep showing up each day and trusting God! Because no matter how lost we might feel, God knows the plans He has for us. We are still being led onward. And sometimes, just sometimes, it’s okay to say “no” to those so-called dream homes and jobs. That’s a lesson I have finally learned!

So, I’m back! And can’t wait to share with you some of my insights…and the miracle of how the snowdrops have returned to Old Stone Well Farm!

As always, like, comment and share with friends — because there is always room for all here at the farm, a special place where I always say I am growing a crop of love, hope and community!

Blessings!

Friends, I am so happy I was able to get this video to you this week. I am editing between storms and meetings…but it is a message I have been wanting to share with you for a while.

In January, I found a lump on my rib and of course I spent weeks worrying and crying until finally getting the courage to go to the doctor. All is well, but this scare shook me up and made me realize I have been talking way too long about changing the way I live. It is time now to start living.

What life does God want for me? I am still now 100% sure, but I know I need to embrace this day and not worry about tomorrow or yearn for yesterday.

Now is the moment we have…and in time, God reveals God’s plans. And so, join me on this start to the Lenten season with the palm branches burnt for our ashes and to remember, from dust we come and to dust we shall return.

Till then, God is inviting us to live. How will you spend this Lenten season? What is God asking of you in terms of trusting Him more? What needs to change in your life? I know, I know. A lot of questions. But I am eager to hear your answers. Like, comment and share! Blessings to you!!

February is a month of love, and for our visit together today I forego the saint of hearts and roses — St. Valentine — for the true saint of love (watch to discover who I am talking about!).

I also share with you the wisdom of another saint that I have been spending my snowy days reading and reflecting on.

Before you settle in for your visit with me here in Vermont, though, I must warn you that there are few chaotic moments and we had to move our time inside a warm house to outside to the top of a very cold and deep with snow Sofie’s Hill.

But it will be worth the visit as I have a special love note for you at the very end of this video!

If you are in a cold climate, I hope you are staying warm. And if you are in a warmer climate, then enjoy the sun and warm days for me!!

Let me know where you are writing from, and share your thoughts on today’s visit to the farm with us all. What inspired you? Made you smile? Shed a tear?

One of the most amazing things about this beloved community is are how you all truly care for one another and respond with words of love and hope.

And so, thank you! And remember to like, share and comment!

Blessings!

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!