We visited my parents in Missouri over Thanksgiving break.
Part of our visit included delivering a new brush hog my dad had purchased for his farm from an implement dealership here in Arkansas. In return, my husband took the old brush hog home to get it running again. Getting that thing loaded was a sight to behold. Our oldest son was eager for my dad to receive his new “toy” and show him all the bells and whistles he and my husband had discovered on it.
We enjoyed time with family playing cards, games and eating – lots of eating. During our visit we had a few of outings. The first, was to a dinner/movie theater to see “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.” This was a special treat for all of us. It’s rare we get to see such a cute movie all together. None of us had ever been to a movie theater where a full menu is served – it was a fun experience. Of course, my sister and I died laughing when my youngest son ordered biscuits and gravy during the movie.
We all gave the production a thumbs up.
We enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner at Rockbridge Trout Farm. The kids enjoyed the hatchery area and feeding some big fat trout. We were able to take advantage of the good weather and get some rare family photographs. Several fishermen and women were taking advantage of the great weather as well. It is a lovely place.
Our final outing was to a local Christmas tree farm.
My sister and I have fond memories of going out to a tree farm in the fall to tag the annual family Christmas tree. We’d go back in December and they’d cut it down for us to take it home. That farm no longer exists. My sister continues the tradition of having a real Christmas tree in her home for the holidays. We walked around the small farm and inspected every prospect, but we couldn’t help her select one. They found one at another farm the day we left, and her house is as festive as always.
Now we are back home in Arkansas and settled into a routine for just a few weeks until school is out again for the Christmas break.
Our home is decorated with boughs of holly from one end to the other to celebrate this joyous season. The elf on the shelf has arrived to keep tabs on who’s being naughty and nice in our household. We are getting ready to turn our new bull out in the pasture with our mama cows. He’s here just in time to celebrate Christmas on the farm. Of all the things on the kids’ wish lists,
I think they’d most like a white Christmas with lots and lots of snow to play in. Give me hot cocoa and a crackling fire and I’d love a white Christmas too. As long as we are with our family, I know it will be a Merry Christmas. Hope yours is blessed too neighbor.
Jody Harris is a freelance communications specialist, gardener, ranch wife and mother of four. She and her family raise Angus beef cattle and other critters on their northwest Arkansas ranch. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Jody, go to ozarksfn.com and click on ‘Contact Us.’
