Good Cheer Farm

2011-05-31T17:41:00.000-04:00

New Life and Good Things

Over the long winter months, I was recuperating from knee replacement surgery. I thought I was ready for what was to come, but I don't think anything could have prepared me...it hurt, for a long time. I was able to heal at home, my hubby took great care of me and I am feeling better each day. It's kind of like having a baby....no fun while you're going through it, but well worth it in the end!

Speaking of babies...we are expecting our first grandchild in 6 weeks! Our beautiful daughter, Melanie and her hubby Chris, are soon to be parents. We are so excited! They have decided not to find out what they are having...the anticipation is building! Hubs and I have been helping with the nursery. I've made curtains and a few other accesories...I'll be sure to show you when it's done.

Right now we are preparing for the baby shower...just two weeks away! It's been a lot of fun planning and I can't wait! I recently purchased a new camera so I will be back with lots of pictures. Thanks for checking in!

Nan

New Year Wishes

2011-01-02T12:35:00.000-05:00

My wish for you is to have the best year ever....that you are blessed with health, happiness and the desires of your heart. For me, I am choosing to move forward, to make changes in my life and to embrace what comes my way...no matter what. The past two years have been the most difficult of my life. My family and I are looking forward to new life and adventures along the way.
In the coming week, I am having knee replacement surgery, hoping that it is the first step in treating what has become a very difficult issue for me. Prayers are appreciated as I know the road is rough but worth it in the end. My recovery will be at home with my wonderful hubby helping me.
Blogging has been difficult. With some family issues affecting what I feel I can write about, I am going to concentrate on our Good Cheer Farm Facebook page. Please look for us there, and "like" us...I'll do my best to keep it up to date. I will post the livingroom makeover pics there as they are long overdue. I will come back to the blog at some point, but right now I have to set it aside.
Thanks to all for checking in...hope to see you on Facebook and most of all...Happy New Year!

2010-11-28T16:32:00.004-05:00

Almost There

It's been a long time since I last posted and I feel that life is finally returning to normal. I am looking forward to the holidays and family time. It's time for some good old fashioned family fun!

I've been working on the Living Room Transformation and I'm almost done. I have one more light fixture and fabric for curtains arriving this week. I will do a detailed post when it's done but I have a few more pictures to show you. What's really fun about this project is that I have purchased almost everything online! I love how it's coming together. Here are a few pics...

Our favorite corner to sit and watch TV

A closeup of some of my favorite things

A family pic and flowers from the garden

Rug, upholstered bench, coffee table and chairs...all online purchases

I'll be back soon for the big reveal...thanks for stopping by!

2010-10-13T20:02:00.003-04:00

Just One Look!

I've been away a while but I've been working on a project. I have taken all of the color red out of my living room and replaced it with turquoise! I'm still working on it but here's a tease...more to come!

One Year

2010-09-19T10:41:00.000-04:00

The Pantry Project

2010-09-01T21:19:00.011-04:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love dishes. It used to be bowls and serving pieces but then I spotted those small after dinner drink glasses and fell in love. Now I'm finding that I'm drawn to pretty little dessert plates.

To make room for this love of mine, I needed to expand my pantry. We have a wonderful little pantry off the dining room. It has a screen door and a big window. But alas...there was no more room...so we made a guest room closet into a pantry for my dishes...take a look!

This is the mess my very full pantry was in

I'm rather embarrassed

Need I say more?

So I pulled everything out and cleaned the floor

This is what my dining room looked like just from the items on the floor!

We spray painted an inexpensive metal shelf

And I filled a large basket with napkins

and paper plates and other fun goodies too!

I loaded up the shelves...I love white!

There was remnants of old wallpaper on the walls so I painted around it

There isn't much of this old house that's been preserved

I threw a piece of muslin on the baskets to cover the chaos...

And tucked them in

Aren't these lovely?

I love stacks of dishes...that little dish in front is fun and unusual

I love color!

Vintage

And all the dishes lived happily ever after in the pretty pantry...not!

Leftovers...oh my!

So we worked on more shelves

While mean roo stalked me...look very hard...you might have to squint to see him

Cleaned out this yucky old closet

Then we painted...I had some help

These little cupboards fit right in

with lots of room for goodies

Can I possibly fill this up? I don't think that will be a problem

I like shiny things...is that so wrong?

I love the memories that many of these dishes bring

Jar of fun!!

And a place to keep my waffle and panini makers!

Happy vintage aprons...I love the poodles

The view from outside this hidden treasure!

I didn't really know where my love of dishes came from until we cleaned out my Mothers home this past year. I found so many plates, bowls and glasses that were special to her and then I didn't wonder any longer.

And for that, I am thankful

See you soon!

2010-06-26T10:25:00.008-04:00

Happy Birthday!

To our firstborn

Party

and stay young forever!

Happy Birthday Shane!

Smile!

2010-06-12T08:43:00.001-04:00

I'm working on a farmhouse project today, so I'll post a few pics to make you smile!

Purple Chicken at Powers Farm Market

Dirty Pig at Good Cheer Farm

Guess who?

I'll be back to show you my project when it's complete.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Moving On

2010-06-05T14:02:00.008-04:00

Around this time last year, my mother was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. There was no cure and she decided against any treatment. In July, she came to our home for a night and never left until her death in September. Nothing prepares you for such a journey, but God gives you the strength, mercy and grace to get through it one day at a time.

Around the 1st of August, I heard a funny sound outside our kitchen door. I looked out and didn't see anything. A short while later, I heard it again. This time I stepped on to the porch and saw a wee kitten run into the garden and hide. She wouldn't come close but stayed around among the flowers by the kitchen door.

She even posed for a few pictures.

Within 24 hours, we were feeding her and trying to gain her trust. Everyone who came to our house started to look for her when they arrived. She would hang around the garden and porch and welcome all guests. At that time, nurses and aides were coming almost daily and Wee Kitten stole everyone's heart.

Pretty soon, our wee one had a name...Cindy Lou Who. She was on the porch when I arrived home from work and always made me smile when I saw her waiting. She gave us hope where there seemed to be none. She gave us something to look forward to as the sun set each evening because we were never sure what morning would bring. If she wasn't there, visitors would ask "Where's Cindy?" And I would assure them she would be along soon as she must be out playing in the field or exploring the world around her.

Summer turned to fall and my Mother's health continued to fail. On September 19th, my Mother's journey ended on earth and continued in Heaven. God was so gracious to her and to those around her. As sad as it was, there was such peace....and God promised that joy comes in the morning.

As we said our goodbyes and celebrated her life, the days became shorter and we started to settle into the cool autumn days. Getting back to normal wasn't easy as there is no normal as it once was.

We took a beautiful boat ride on the Erie Canal. We went back to work and started to move on.

On Halloween, we went to our daughter and son-in-laws house to see the Trick or Treaters and came home quite late. Cindy was waiting at the side porch. I let her in for a visit, just a visit...you see....we didn't want a cat, especially not an indoor cat. At 11:30 pm, I put her back outside and said "see you in the morning"...only in the morning, she was gone.

Gone

All of a sudden, the house was truly empty...and sadness settled in. But I wasn't grieving Cindy as much as I was grieving my Mother. I believe that God sent Cindy to try to fill the hole that would be in my heart and now I had to deal with that hole. But it never goes away...it just changes.

The following Saturday, My Guy went searching door to door looking for Cindy Lou. I had no hope he would find her. After all, a week had gone by. As I was sitting at the computer, I heard him come in the back door. I said "No Cindy, huh?" and he proceeded to put her down in front of me!

Turns out that when I put her outside on Halloween, she ran across the road as the neighbors came home. They said "Oh look! A black cat, at midnight, on Halloween...it must be a sign" and they took her in. My Guy brought her home and she has never been out since. She terrorizes us, as she still thinks she is a cat in the wild. But she makes us laugh, she brings us joy and she continues to be a sign of hope. She reminds us of a time when life was sad and God brought us through one more time. We can't change the past...we must move on.

In Memory

Jeanne Smith

August 4, 1927 - September 19, 2009

In Between

2010-05-28T19:11:00.005-04:00

Sometime in between Mother's Day

and Father's Day

I was thinking about what never really was

and never would be

After much needed rest

and an adjustment

or two

a decision was made...

I'm trading my sorrow

I'm trading my shame

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness

I'm trading my pain

I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord

Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen

I'm pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned

Struck down but not destroyed

I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure

And his joy's gonna be my strength

Though the sorrow may last for the night

His joy comes with the morning

Trading My Sorrows
Lyrics by
Darrell Evans

2009-08-26T16:32:00.009-04:00

White Wednesday

We're joining Faded Charm today for White Wednesday...take a look!

Ooops...how'd that get in there?

2009-07-22T14:54:00.011-04:00

Morning Mist

The morning after a heavy rain

still and quiet

blossoms with dew drops

refresh

renew

Gods mercy is new every morning.

Great is His faithfulness.

The Rocker

2009-07-12T15:43:00.006-04:00

When my son celebrated his first birthday 34 years ago, My Honey gave me a gift. He presented me with a beautiful Bentwood rocking chair. For many years, two apartments and two houses, the rocker had a place in our home. While it doesn't look it, it's a comfortable chair and was always fun to rock in. When we had to downsize 14 years ago, the rocker went into storage. When we moved to the farm, the rocker never really fit anywhere so it was stored in the barn. I hadn't even thought about it...until today.

I asked My Honey to bring it in when he got a chance and it wasn't long before it was in the kitchen. Covered in black dust and even some bird droppings, it was quite sad looking. I spent some time cleaning it up and it is in remarkable shape. While it has a few bumps and scrapes, it has come back to it's shiny black finish. I was also reminded that it was made in Poland all of those years ago, I'm sure by a fine person who cared about good craftsmanship.

When thinking about the years the chair was in our home, I thought about our children's laughter and tears, happy family moments and sad ones. The loss of parents and friends and the growing up of children. We often don't think about the things around us but when life gets hard and the going gets tough, it's the comfort of home, family and faith that brings us through.

I'm not sure where the rocker will go in this old farmhouse. I'm still thinking about it. Maybe upstairs where it would have a grand spot or in a guest room so that others can enjoy it. I know for sure that wherever it sits, there will be more children's laughter and tears, happy moments and sad moments and even loss. But most of all, there will be a family that loves, that celebrates life and creates more memories in a place called home.

Dots!

2009-04-20T19:51:00.006-04:00

I have discovered that I am crazy about polka dots! I'm trying not to over do it because at some point I will probably change my mind. A few weeks ago, we had company for dinner. I found a wonderful fabric to use as a tablecloth. Once I got the fabric home, I realized I have a pair of flannel pj's that match perfectly! Now that is funny! My Honey and I are sleeping on red polka dot sheets and closing our red polka dot curtains at night. I found a great new shower curtain for the down stairs bathroom....olive green with brown polka dots. Now we have to redecorate the bathroom! I promise this is it with the dots, although if I could find one more red dotted accessory for the bedroom..........

Spring Has Sprung!

2009-04-11T10:20:00.004-04:00

It has been a long winter and life has been slow on the farm. We've had a few projects to keep us busy, such as cleaning closets and drawers and I even neatened the pantry, which is really a dish pantry. We painted the bedroom a beautiful robin's egg blue and I made some fun red polka dot curtains. It's fresh and springy...is that a word? God has been very good to us and we are anticipating a wonderful spring and summer!

I'm going to figure out how to post more pictures and hopefully share what we've been doing. I promise I will write more and share all that is happening on the farm....Yea! Spring has sprung and Jesus is risen!

A New Year....A New Beginning

2009-01-03T09:07:00.021-05:00

On New Years eve morning, we awakened to a little snow event. It was very cold and windy and it had snowed at least 8 inches although it seemed like more. We didn't have plans to go anywhere so we hunkered down to enjoy it.
My Honey set out for the barn to take care of our furry and feathered friends and I started to do a few things around the house when the doorbell rang. Standing at the door was My Honey with his gloved hands opened wide holding a small female cardinal, to which he said "I don't think she can fly. I found her walking around in the snow." I picked her up and set her in a little box. She was very quiet and just seemed to enjoy being warm and able to rest. I normally wouldn't know what to feed a bird but because of our experience with chickens, I knew grapes or berries would suffice. I broke apart a few red grapes and added a few fresh cranberries and let her rest. There was a little snow in the box from picking her up and that quickly melted and provided little puddles for her to drink from. I placed the box on the kitchen table, pulled up a chair and watched. She started to take deep breaths with her tiny eyes closed. She would shake to puff out her feathers once in a while and after she seemed to catch her breath and warm up she turned her head and nuzzled it right beneath her wing. I left the table to do a few things and when I came back she was awake and pecking at a grape. She drank some water and hopped around a bit. After a few minutes, to my surprise, she flew out of the box towards our window and landed on the blind. I scooped her up and yelled to My Honey outside to please get a bigger box with screening on top because she can fly. He nicely obliged and fixed up a nice box with shavings, mulch and a little hay. She also had a nice little rock to perch on.
I settled her in to her new home and went about a few things. When I checked on her, she was flying about in the box and seemed to desperately want out. My Honey was still outside shoveling and I let him know if was time to let our guest fly free. I handed him the screen covered box and he trudged through the snow to the towering pine tree in back and took off the screen. She flew up to the screen, landed, paused and then flew away with great speed into the snowy sky. That was it...she was gone.
At some point during My Honey's coming and going, he exclaimed that she just needed a second chance. When he handed her to me I thought that I really didn't want the heartache of trying to help a hurt little bird and then lose her. I even thought, for just a moment, that we should just leave her out in the cold and let "nature" take care of her. But that wasn't God's plan. God cares about the little birds and he cares about us...you and me. And he tells us not to worry. His word clearly states in Matthew 6:25-26 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" God cares about the little birds and he cares for us much more. Our little feathered friend needed a place to rest and gain strength. But she needed a little help along the way. And God used us to help. She got a second chance!
There are so many messages in this little life moment. How many times do we stop whatever we are doing and offer help to those who just need someone to care? Perhaps stop and really listen to what the people around us are saying. Are they worried about the future? What tomorrow will bring? Do they need an encouraging word or just our time? Are we willing to share the hope of Jesus Christ and that God is full of second chances? In our busy lives are we taking the time to rest and gain new strength?
God cares about you and me. He has plans for us. His word in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
The beginning of a new year is always a time to reflect on the year behind but most importantly, the year to come. We can make changes where we need to, rebuild relationships and start new ones and vow to spend more time with our family and with God. If we mess up, God still loves us. It's never too late for a new beginning. Happy New Year!

Just Have Fun!

2008-12-07T12:03:00.012-05:00

It used to be that I cared so much about what people thought of me, that I wasn't really being me. I didn't want to stand out and be different, draw unnecessary attention to myself, etc. I think that when you reach a certain age though, like over half a century, it's more important to smile, laugh and just have fun! I never wanted my picture taken because I was too fat, I didn't like how I looked, excuses, excuses, etc, etc and I missed out. There aren't a lot of pictures with me in them and that's kind of sad.
So now I am working on changing that. Today is a very cold day in upstate New York. The wind chill has to be in the single digits and it is bitter cold. The leaves that were never raked before the first snowfall are swirling around, the wind is howling and it's very desolate. I decided to go down to the barn with My Honey and visit everyone. I bundled up and grabbed the camera because I wanted to get some shots of our barnyard family. I had to grab some eyeglasses because I wouldn't be able to take a picture without them. I have some fun glasses I wear at home and no one outside of the family has really seen me in them....although part of the new me did allow last weekends dinner guests to partake of the silliness. So My Honey took some pictures of me and my chicken and goat friends. My barnyard chic will not be on 2009's fashion runways...sorry to disappoint you.
The one thing I have learned is to stop being so hard on myself. When you know that God loves you no matter what, that you live your life according to God's word with Jesus in your heart, then failures and goof ups are ok....it's just important to keep moving forward. Today I'm doing just that.

Burned Buns

2008-12-06T10:55:00.011-05:00

Ok-I have to admit that I wasn't going to mention this on the 1st day of my blog but I'm going to fess up. I even told My Honey that my lips were sealed when he suggested that I post it. But here goes....I burned the cinnamon buns this morning. I wasn't even going to make them but it is soooo cold out and I knew they would taste soo good. However, as efficient as I am (I did adjust the temperature in the toaster oven) I neglected to adjust it from toast to bake. So let's just say they were a little black on top. I don't like anything charcoal tasting but there were 2 that were lighter than the rest...yum. My Honey seems to enjoy blackened food so there was no problem there. For those who are impressed that I was making cinnamon buns...I rarely give out my secrets....but let's just say a doughboy was involved! Happy Day!

Good Cheer Farm

2008-12-06T06:19:00.008-05:00

Welcome to Good Cheer Farm! I hope to share life on our little farm, a life that is more for fun than work, although there is always much work to do! We are located about 20 miles east of Rochester New York. Not too far from Lake Ontario but far enough so that winters are bad but not soooo bad, where the smell of apples permeates the fall air and life is just a little slower than the city we grew up in. My husband and I are city dwellers transplanted to the country when our children had grown. We have a few farm animals, a small garden (by country standards), chickens, a little land and the love of God in our hearts. While life hasn't always been a smooth ride, we know it's the journey that makes us who we are and what God has purposed us to be.