Christmas Update- Ramblings from the Farm

Keeping busy was not a problem this year. I think we tried to cram as much as possible into the pre Christmas season. I have a theory. It may seem far fetched to some but to my brain it makes sense. How about if we have Halloween in September, Thanksgiving in October and Christmas in December? We would have time to enjoy each holiday as it deserves. Two months to get ready for and enjoy Christmas just seems like a good idea. We get the lights and trees up in preparation for a very important holiday and only get to enjoy them for such a short time. Who do I call to try this out? How many of you are with me on this? Maybe I wouldn't be run down and get a cold so easily. I would have time to relax, drive around looking at lights, enjoying everyones talent and expression of Christmas. Now doesn't that make perfect sense?
I had planned on making about 25 baskets and taking to New Hampshire for Sue to sell in her store. Ted and I worked quickly putting only about 12 together. In each basket we had 2 bars of goat milk soap, 1 bottle of goat milk, shea butter and honey lotion, 1 container of homemade bath salts, 1 nail brush and a wooden soap dish. We had Oatmeal Milk and Honey, Almond, Honeysuckle and Lavender scents.

We even made homemade bows for each basket.

We got to Smoke Signals Pipe and Tobacco Shop in Dover, New Hampshire with all the baskets intact. We were greeted by Linc. He is Heather's pug. Link was all decked out for the holiday. He and his buddy Casey were the customer service greeters, just like at Wall-Mart.

We got home and had a tasty breakfast from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. Our first attempt with beignets and it was a success.

Christmas Eve came cold and overcast. We have a nice blanket of snow. We missed the snow that hit the mid east last week. Nothing, not even a flake. I enjoyed reading about the snow and everyone's reaction to it. Our sheep have their trails that they follow through the snow. The cold doesn't even faze them. They're Icelandic Sheep after all.

The guineas love to visit high places. Two of these dim birds spent Christmas Eve night roosting on top of the barn.

Strange birds. Can you just imagine the wind chill up there? The wind whips down the hill.

Emma was kind enough to bring us an ornament from the big tree out front. She was also kind enough to unwrap Susan's present and run around the house with it in her mouth. Bad dog. (not really).

Christmas Eve was a time for family and friends. I don't care how cold it is outside. When family arrives everything gets warm and fuzzy. Alex is a great cook and while we were out finishing up a few last minute shopping things, she was home working on this spread. Thank you Alex, it was wonderful.

Friends arrived, Kevin and Cheata from across the street.

Nikia their daughter joined in with the fun.

Teddy is home from Thomas College,and Tiffany came up from New Jersey with Jasmine and Kalel a cousin. They are cut ups and make the fun begin.

After some truck trouble Sue arrived from New Hampshire ready to enjoy the holiday. She always brings one of her most valuable assets. Her smile.

Combined with good friends, family and food the night was a hit.

While we were inside cooking Christmas dinner everyone was outside enjoying snowmobile rides. Jasmine and Ted started out the fun. Jasmine is a speed demon. All she says is "faster, faster".

And the rides keep going.

Nikia and Cheata got snow shoes for Christmas and tried out their skill.

Cheata is working on her skill.

One of our Christmas traditions is putting together a gingerbread house. All in all it turned out colorful and very sugar loaded. Those snow men cookies and Christmas trees are already gone. No one knows where the went to. I think they were taken during the night.

The holiday was wonderful. Family was the best part. We miss having the rest of the kids there.

Hopefully one day we will be able to get everyone there at the same time. What we do know is that we are blessed. Blessed beyond belief. It's not the gifts that make this time so special. It's the love that is felt and shared. Reading your blogs has been such a treat. I enjoy the time I spend with each of you. We visit each other, meet families, learn of trials and tribulations, send wishes and prayers that problems will be righted. In a way we are all part of a family. The family of mankind.
We are very excited about our upcoming trip to Dixon, IL next Saturday to visit Red Brick Road Farm. We are picking up Echo the ram, Emily and Ciera two bred ewes. I have to add this disclaimer: As Weather Permits. We will be blogging the trip as it happens. That could be a good thing, we will just have to see. We are so excited. I think I already said that. Anyhow, it will be interesting and fun and we LOVE a road trip. Much Love and Prayers from Mainely Ewes Farm.

Kelly