News from the Homestead: Home for the “Hallmark” holiday
Oh, the joy that comes from decorating for the holidays! Complete with tangled and burned-out lights, wilted (artificial) flowers in desperate need of reshaping after eleven months shoved into a box, the endless time needed for unwrapping ornaments so carefully packed away at the end of last season, and the threat of shockingly high energy bills to come in January. But amid those perhaps less desirable joys, come the ones that truly make my holiday spirit come alive. Rediscovering precious, decades-old handmade projects from children and grandchildren, unbroken ornaments marking past-Christmases–each with a treasured memory embedded in its sparkle and shine, and the distinct pleasure that comes from gazing upon the finished work (or as finished as it can be, since there’s no such thing as too much Christmas decorating!)
Thus was my joy as I undertook decorating Wittbrich Acres for our first Christmas at our new homestead. First up was unearthing the boxes of decorations that made the move with us. That was pretty easy since I had wonderful helpers during the move-in who made sure all boxes labeled “Christmas” were centralized and easily accessible (thanks Mom for teaching me how to be so organized!) As I started the task of
unpacking those boxes, I was delighted to find things I hadn’t used in years that now, in this new location, had perfect spots to be displayed anew. Even in their later-life, like us, they have found a new space in which to shine! One of Mike’s first purchases, just after moving in, was a new 9-foot tree, which I swore was going to be too big, and he swore was going to be too small. He was right! As hard as it is to admit that his proportion judgement outclasses mine, it probably IS too small. Regardless, it now is the centerpiece of our living room and stands as the holiday sentinel ready to absorb our 2024 Christmas memories with family, friends, colleagues and all who grace our threshold and holiday hearth.
Outside decorating was a bit trickier and a lot more time consuming than years past. The task presented great opportunities for discovering what to do and what not to do in future years and satisfied my insatiable thirst for learning from our land. I learned that in the country, neighboring houses are too far away to provide any wind block so the hours spent carefully placing delicate lawn ornaments were not my wisest use of time. After investing even more effort in cleaning up my blown over original efforts, I learned that well placed lighting and a few strongly reinforced lawn items could weather the sweeping northwesterly winds that assail 
our lawn. The end result was worth the learning curve as I make the mental note to cross off cute, wire-framed lawn decorations from all future shopping lists.
One of Mike and my favorite holiday traditions is to watch Hallmark and classic holiday movies together. While we rarely take time to sit and watch TV together, Christmas movies represent time to slow things down a little, to suspend disbelief (since the premise of most of those movies is ridiculous!), and just simply enjoy the oft-repeated plots of the holiday selections. This year, with my increased responsibilities at the homestead, I’m finding it harder to carve out time to tune-out to tune-in to the Hallmark Channel. After my traditional work day, then seeing to the endless list of homestead chores, I’m too often more motivated to collapse in my bed than I am to snuggle in for an evening of digital entertainment with my own favorite elf.
One of the things we always note about Hallmark movies is they all seem to have similar themes: creating memories, celebrating hard work, learning something important about others and self, finding joy in simple things, respecting the land and nature, overcoming adversity with persistence and resilience, and connecting to childhood influences that helped shape attitudes and beliefs. Without a doubt, this year I do not need any staged production to replicate those themes–I’m living them every day. Our homestead has become our Hallmark-movie-in real-life. So rather than mourning what might be a temporary reduction in one of our holiday traditions, I’m celebrating the fact that every day I feel like I’m now living a Hallmark movie–even when it’s not Christmastime. And we still manage to carve out time — just not as much — to pour a glass of wine, pop some corn, and snuggle up to vicariously enjoy some other couple’s imaginary great life, fully knowing that we are especially fortunate to experience the real, true-to-life version of our own making at Wittbrich Acres.
Updates from the hens and hives
The chickens are all doing well. I’ve installed heaters in the coop and increased their high-protein treats during the day. I learned they don’t lay as many eggs when there’s far less sunshine. When it’s cold, they drink a lot more water and their egg shells are more delicate, requiring a lighter touch when I gather them. More and more of our girls are allowing me to stroke them in their nesting boxes and I’ve taken the dangerous path of naming several of them. My sister, a homesteader in New Jersey, warned me that once I start assigning names, they transition from livestock to pets and
the inevitable ends are harder to take. That being said, the more I observe their unique personalities and habits, the more I’m compelled to name them something befitting. My two roosters, Norman and Colonel, continue to protect my flock and welcome me to the coop with a special deference (especially when I come with treats in hand).
There’s sad news from the apiary. Of my two honey bee hives, one has not made it. During my inspection last week, and following the particularly harsh cold snap and brutal winds, I discovered my Hive 1 honey-makers did not survive. With less than a 50% chance of successfully overwintering bees, I felt a mix of loss and resignation as I made my sad discovery. The inspection of Hive 2 showed that colony thriving. Pete and Sheila, new friends/neighbors I met at bee-school, have seen their hives already yield to our Wisconsin winter and generously offered to help me with mine. Together we went about the sad task of tending to my lost hive and the more optimistic one of further insulating the remaining hive and ensuring adequate food sources. Pete and Sheila have taken on my hive as a team project and together we’re hoping our January inspection will show the resilience of “our” remaining bees.
For now, the learning continues in ways great and small. The various labors of love continue. And the joy grows every day even as my list of things to do/see-to/fix grows too. My heart remains full of gratitude and my Christmas spirit is fully present. We wish the same for all of you along with a request of the universe to send you all a wonderful, joyful, peaceful, holiday season making beautiful memories of your own.
Stay in touch! I love your notes, suggestions, memories, and ideas! Contact me at tami@toyourwealth.com
