Happy (almost Christmas) Friday!

Art by Lore Pemberton

Greetings from the farm in this final week before Christmas.
How’s everyone holding up?

Here at the farm, we’re pressing on into the home stretch—despite a bit of a lingering stomach ailment that’s slowed me down more than I’d like to admit. The tree is trimmed, gifts are wrapped, but the cookies still need baked, the candy still needs made, and we’re very much in the thick of eggnog and gelato production in the creamery.

And isn’t that just how it goes?

It always feels like we’ve prepared for this week. We’ve planned, we’ve listed, we’ve checked things off one by one… and then—boom—it arrives out of the blue, somehow catching us by surprise all the same.

Early this morning, before the day stirred to life, I listened to an Advent devotion that stopped me in my tracks. The reminder was simple but timely: as much as it seems like the perfect Christmas can be bought or made by our own hands, that’s never really been the point.

It made me think of the Grinch—how he took all the food, the gifts, even the trees… and still, Christmas came. Because Christmas is a feeling. A season rich with meaning and hope that can’t be wrapped up or checked off a list.

So maybe we don’t need to hustle quite so hard these last few days. Maybe we don’t need to stretch ourselves so thin.

The littlest moments—the simplest ones—are what our children will remember. The hope of Christmas is shown not through perfection, but through our delight. Through the way we show up, the way we smile, the way we stay present.

Let’s not model panic or the weight of commercialism, but instead the quiet joy of the season’s true meaning.

I know—easier said than done. But if things aren’t perfect… if the right cookies didn’t get baked… if the table looks a little less than magazine-worthy—it’s okay. Truly.

Our kids won’t remember the perfect table setting. They’ll remember us.

And before we sign off, we wanted to share a little something sweet.

We’re adding extra hours at the Scoop Shoppe this week to give you a chance to pause and celebrate a small moment of sweetness with us. Whether it’s a quick scoop between errands or a quiet stop to soak in the season, we’d love to see you.

We’re fully stocked with eggnog, farm-made gelato, and fresh milk for Christmas Eve—because you do know the big guy prefers real, farm-fresh milk… right? 😉

And one last little note: if you purchased a cookie bundle for Christmas Eve, it will be ready for pickup at the Scoop Shoppe on Saturday, 12/20, and anytime thereafter. We’ll have them waiting for you, all wrapped up and ready to be part of your holiday table.

This week's links + finds:

• If you haven't seen this sweet video of a little boy's excitement for a Nativity Play, it will make you smile so big.
• Did you see, we made buttermilk! It's delicious and perfect for all your Christmas baked goods!
• One of my favorite Christmas traditions started this year: Santa mugs! My coffee, the kids cocoa, warm cider- you name it, all taste better in a Santa mug!
• It feels like this makes a perfect holiday meal.
• Our glass, giftable eggnog quarts are back and ready to pair with your favorite espresso or bottle of spirits for the foodie in your life!

From our farm to your family, thank you for letting us be a small part of your Christmas traditions.

Merry Christmas, friends. 🎄✨

Jesse + Lisa