O Tannenbaum

So this morning as I was doing chores, a van pulled into the driveway with some sort of landscaping decal on the side. The dogs went beserk and of course I was running late like usual. Figuring they were lost, I walked over and asked if I could help them. They said they were "here to decorate the tree," meaning our big beautiful pine tree in the middle of the driveway. I've been talking about wanting to put lights on it for Christmas probably since before we moved in, but it's huge and we have 937655 other things on our list of stuff to do. Maybe next year, I've been telling myself.

ANYWAY.

Guys: We're here to decorate the tree.

Me: Uhh... you know the house has been sold, right? They don't live here anymore.

Guys: [look at each other and smile] No, actually, we were sent here by Jill Baker. We've got a wreath and garland too.

Me: !!! 

Christian: Are you crying right now?

My mother!  What a sneak!  I had no idea, not even a whisper of a clue.  It didn't even occur to me that they might be at our house for OUR tree.  I just assumed they were showing up like they did every year.  But we all know what happens when you assume...

It felt like today would never end.  I buried myself in work and tried not to stare at the clock.  I'm not one to wish my life away, but WHY COULDN'T THE DAY JUST BE OVER ALREADY SO IT CAN GET DARK AND I CAN GO HOME?!

Finally, it did.  The drive home was punctuated by a stunning hot pink and orange sunset, held up by wintry tree bones.  Surely this is what it feels like before the lighting of the Rockefeller Center tree.

I arrived to the house just as the sun was starting to slump below the horizon.  And oh, the lights...

There they were.  Our tree!  Our tree.  Wow.

Tyrone [our sheep] seemed transfixed by the lights.  

That, or, he was staring at me waiting to be fed.  

Sometimes it's hard to tell.  

Baaaaa humbug!

BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER!!!!!!! There is nothing better than basking in the glow of lights this time of year. On any given day I can't wait to get home to the little piece of paradise that is Ham Sweet Farm, but tonight is particularly special. 

Apparently the company sent a scout earlier in the week and said the tree was so big, this was probably the only year they'd be able to put lights on it. In a good growing year they can grow 3 feet, and this was the absolutely limit that their ladders and crazy-long cherry-picker poles could reach.  Meant to be?  I think so!

The pictures just don't even do justice. It's truly magnificent. I had to make three trips out to the mailbox before I actually remembered to, ya know, grab the mail out of the box.  And I can actually hear cars slowing down as they drive by...

Make Love And Lard

Well, we did it.

Raised a pig.

Finished a pig.

Butchered a pig.

Have pork for sale.

The results were better than we had even dared hope.  Our lovely, apple- and black walnut-finished pigs lived a good life and they live on in our hearts and bodies.  This is why we do what we do.  And that marbling!  My goodness.

And in case you're interested in buying any, the first results are starting to come in...  There's nothing that feels so good as hearing that you raised and produced a happy animal and a tasty product.

If you want to try some for yourself, email me at kate@hamsweetfarm.com for available cuts and prices.

Thanks, piggies.  We love you.