Horses in Winter

When folks come for our dog sled tours, they have to drive right by our 3 horses.

Sometimes they will ask what the horses do all winter.

Well...it depends.

They eat...

And play...

And enjoy their snowy world.

But I'm sure, like us, their thoughts turns to spring.

Especially on warm winter days.

It's coming...soon.

And we've got a heck of a summer planned.

Stay tuned. 

Always, God willing.



Simple Pleasures ~ On our 40 Acres

We don't look too far beyond our cabin door for our entertainment.

It's all right here.

We haven't been to a movie theatre in nearly a decade.

No TV to distract us.

Why?
 When we have this outside our door...

Listen to their sounds.

Chick-a-dee...dee...dee...

I love to stand perfectly still,

close my eyes...

and feel the flutter of their wings by my face,

as they land on my hand (or head) to get their treat.

I love sharing their meal time.

No $13 movie ticket can give me this much excitement.

Or warm the soul.

God's creature, the Chickadee, is welcome here ~ anytime.

I only wish it were year 'round.

I'm hoping you will find these simple pleasures today...and every day.

God willing.

The Good Shepherd

So comforting to know...

“What do you think?

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away,

will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?

And if he finds it, truly I tell you,

he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.

In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.".

Matthew 18:12-14

I am so happy to know the Good Shepherd.

Do you? 
You can...and you'll never be alone or lost again.

John 3:16

Two Years Ago...Dreams Do Come True

"It is not on any map. True places never are."

Herman Melville ~ Mody Dick







Imagine...



If you could wake up tomorrow and not have to answer to anyone.



Except Mother Nature.







Enjoy a pot of coffee over an open fire.







Raise your own beef.







Enjoy fresh milk each day from your favorite milk goat.







Slow cook that tender roast ~ enough for company too.







An alarm clock, not that you would need one...and an egg a day.







Life simply. Outhouse simply.







Build your own furniture, from your own trees.







You can.



I can.



Start with a teeny tiny idea.



Write it down.



Make it yours.







Focus on that plan.



Make it your plan.



Your desire.



Your dream.



Follow that dream.



And remember, "less is more".







"The longings of your heart are not incidental, they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored, they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate."

Max Lucado ~ Just like Jesus

Until tomorrow ~ one day closer to my plan ~ God willing (and smiling),

Woodswoman

SIDEBAR:  This Blog was originally published on 3/24/09...almost two years ago...

and now I am "livin' the dream" with 1/3 Living.  Start now folks ~ make your plan. 

It WILL come true! 

It's a Wrap! Two-Day CCW Training is a Success!

Our first training at Russ-Stick Acres,
in conjunction with Mike Slomkowski of 1st Defense, LLC.,
is completed.

CCW and Basic Pistol Training

Instruction was held at Cedar Bend Farm in Mancelona, MI,

just a stone's throw from us at Russ-Stick Acres. 

In the cozy Heart's Rest Cottage.

Several participants even spent the night at the cottage.

Two days of intense training, with a variety of like-minded folks.

Led by Mike Slomkowski, NRA training counselor. 

Hours in the frigid elements, at the range at Russ-Stick Acres.

Testing and honing skills.

It paid off, as this class tested extremely well at the end of the two days.

Congratulations!

We can't wait to do it again in June!  Join us!



Our Daily Bread - 1/3 Living

Now that we are settling down into the rhythm of true living,

changes are beginning to occur.

Good changes. 

One...I'm making all our bread now. 

It seems like a simple thing, but to me, it's huge. 

It's just one more step back.

Us, doing for ourselves.

 Homemade bread with less money spent.

Plus, when I knead the dough, over and over, I am reminded...

of John 6:35

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

 

Our Dogs Our Life

Every sled dog kennel is different.

But, ironically, the dogs usually match the personality of the owner.

And pick up on the pace of the place.

We've worked real hard over the years to have a quiet, easy going kennel.

One where quiet and consideration of others is key.

Because, after all, they aren't the only rodeo in town. 

We have other farm animals who need their peace and quiet too.

But once in a while, we get one that breaks the mold.

And is so happy to be here, they can't keep their feet on the ground.

The others watch, as if seeing a shadow of their former image.

Of days gone by.

Until tomorrow, always God willing...

Saturday Morning

Musher friend coming today...

Even the oldsters get excited.

Or not.

We hope your Saturday is swell...

Again, God willing.



Hunkerin' Down

Every winter, it takes a while to feel the ebb and flow.

And get in a rhythm.

A dance.

And once you do, life becomes...well, life.

You know that when you visit the outhouse an hour later, your tracks are blown in.

Everything seems larger than life. 

And slower paced, due to the cold.

Sure, there are struggles.

But you trudge on.

And may even take a rest now and then to keep up your strength.

And dream of Spring.

Until then, we will continue to enjoy the winter beauty.

Always, God willing.