Christmastime on the Farm
What a sweet season this Christmastime was! Now, this is real life, not a Hallmark Movie, so don’t get me wrong - there were the usual challenges of juggling work tasks, unexpected changes in plans, and a huge bout of sickness that lasted for weeks after Thanksgiving leading into early December. But thankfully, we were all feeling well again by Christmas. There were so many wonderful moments, and I believe staying grateful is what helps us through the harder times.
Here are a few highlights of the Christmas season in our little world….
We had our Holiday Market Day at The Kindred Farm Store. Every time, it never gets old meeting so many new neighbors and friends and seeing our beloved regulars. So many people went home with jams + granola + cinnamon rolls + salves + kimchi + books + bookmarks + ornaments + garlands + mug rugs! Our girls worked for days making handmade things to sell. So proud of those little entrepreneurs!
We went to see Nashville’s Nutcracker. This is something I’ve been wanting to do with both of my girls for years. I took my oldest daughter to see The Nutcracker in downtown Nashville when she was 6 but was waiting for the perfect age to take both of them. This was such a special night! We grabbed Greek food for dinner at Assembly Food Hall and then had ice cream at Hattie Jane’s Creamery, swung into Tecovas to look at cowgirl boots, stopped into Elixr Coffee for a creamy decaf latte, listened to live music, lost two earrings that were eventually recovered, and finally, took a frigid walk to Tennessee Performing Arts Center for the show. There were a whole lot of 😙 photos in between…clearly! This stage of parenting is so fun ~ I truly ADORE hanging out with these girls. We were so tired we barely made it the hour drive back to the farm!
We ran Christmasy errands together in our small town. Is it even Christmastime without a stop into our beloved local Duck River Books in downtown Columbia, TN to see the book tree? We also stopped by The Factory at Columbia for lunch at B’s Salty & Sweet and tea at Nashville Tea Company.
We got a new couch. Finally, after 18 years, we finally have a new couch in our living room, and I’m in love with it - it’s basically a giant pile of pillows! It’s olive green velvet, and it’s so dreamy - perfectly cozy and just begging for gatherings and naps. It’s a great mix of cushy with support, and for the first time ever, our whole family can fit on the couch together to watch a movie. It was so fun to have this arrive before Christmas to drastically increase the festive feel in the living room…
SNOW! A few days before Christmas, crisp arctic weather blew in along with a dusting of snow, making things feel even more festive! I can’t help it - I LURRRRVE COLD. Blame it all on my roots - maybe this Jersey girl just can’t shake the giddiness that comes with snow on the ground or even just that peppermint-y chill in the air as you’re finishing up your last Christmas shopping errands and wrapping gifts.
We’ve had plenty of Christmases when it was hot and didn’t feel festive (looking at you, Dallas, Texas)…so that’s why I treasure it even more when it does.
We had special time with friends. One of our favorite Christmas traditions is the Christmas Adam (Christmas Eve Eve) slumber party with our dear friends who live 7 minutes away. There’s just nothing like having that much time together when it doesn’t feel like the party is over in a few hours - we have all night, plus the next morning together too! Our kids look forward to it alllll year.
A new tradition we started last Christmas is tea on Christmas week with our neighbors, Jessica and Ms. Sandy! Last year, we hosted, and this year, we went to their charming and cozy log home for a delightful tea time with Ms. Sandy’s nutcracker collection. They also gave the girls window markers and let them draw Christmas scenes on their windows!
Once again, we practiced the Slow and Sacred Christmas Day we’ve come to love. Christmas morning was a bright, chilly morning with a dusting of snow still sprinkled among the grass. As we were sitting around the tree, I looked around at the gifts we had given and received and saw the fruit that comes from intentional relationship. All the hours and days and moments we’ve committed to truly getting to know each other and not just to be living in the same house together but operating as a team that looks out for each other - is something I hope my girls treasure as they continue to grow.
Here are a few photos from Christmas Eve before I went to bed, and a few from Christmas morning.
