He is feeling better!

A few casts yet and then a brace. We won't be out of the "woods" possibly for another 8-12 weeks but at this time no surgery looks to be looming! God took care of us again and yes He is still driving this thing, even the manure spreader :)

He has enjoyed cards from Alaska, The Dakotahs, Mancelona, Canada, Maine, Florida, Washington, the locals, family from all over and more!

Thank you for loving on us everyone!

The Matts
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Friday moment, our moment at Maple Valley Farms

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see... inspired by Soule Mama
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I'm not going to lie to you... in where she does a post on "In Memory of the Palace"...

During times like these... I wonder... "Did I really live HERE???"And then I think... Yes and I did and then I have a small inkling to go "back" to our old life...
Of course I know that is not possible... I'm just sayin' "I WANT TO"!
Ok... just relax... in the scope of reality I really don't want it that bad...
We have found so much freedom in the things we have left behind...

But with a broken leg, beds in the living room now like a scene from the original Willy Wonka movie (minus the candy), backed up laundry for 2 weeks due to PTST (post traumatic stress syndrome)

a flat tire on the van...

a long and cold week here with negative temperatures...

I am just remembering where I came from per se'...

Would these events have been easier to deal with these past few weeks? Better yet, would they even of happened???

They might not have happened but many other things could have happened if we stayed too... Many things...

So I am trying to not think of the "what-ifs" either way...

Sometimes we wonder why God doesn't show us the future...

could we really handle it if all we have to gauge it by is our past...?

I don't know about you but I am pretty sure I am happy to leave my past behind me...

But with that being said we must leave the past in the past, even the good parts... I always have the memories!

Those will never be erased although some I wish could be...

but at the end of the day when I put my head on my pillow... The best part of it all is that we are not paying for this palace anymore! So there you have it... a little pitty party? NO way... Just brutal honesty and a good dose of it. I can handle the truth with God's help... Can you?

I truly am thankful for our life now... I am just putting this all into perspective... How 'bout you?

Wood, woOD and WOOD

Warm, cozy and thankful!
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Stay tuned!

Weanlings soon to be available!

January 2011 inside at Maple Valley off-grid Farm

I have been seeing piglets in the house more and more frequently... These children are sneaking them in and out! "Buddy" is slowly on the mend! Thank you for your prayers! A few more hoops so keep praying! The boy wanted to see them first hand as he missed out on their birth!
there has been some mischief going on as well! But who can even stand this adorable sweet pea licking the apple torte spoon!

IN THE BARN: Believe it or not... There is a momma pig with 5 piglets all nestled under this straw nursing away! She did her job well! No farrowing crate needed. This momma was nervous but she was raised free range and knew exactly what should be done! No manly interventions needed... Now, if we could just get 1 picture :)

January 2011 outside at Maple Valley off-grid Farm

Looking south toward the maple Cottage... The Gentle Giant and his team! He turned 40 years old yesterday!
The January snow and sunshine are simply breathtaking... I actually don't mind January winter days... It is November and March that seem on the dreary and dirty side...

God's artwork is what I call icicles...

Der Shoppe Haus in the winter...

look at this chicken roosting on the pony trying to warm up I suppose! Do you blame her? It is 7 degrees!

If its going to be winter I say bring it on! Even an old-fashioned blizzard! We are ready... 2 wood stoves going!

the pines even look chilly don't they?

I hope you are keeping warm as well!

Plowin' snow on our lane with a pair of Belgians (wearing their jingle ...

Per The Great Him's request

"I want scrambled eggs and beets for my breakfast"! - age 3

We always serve the littles what the bigs are eating and they never become picky this way.

American's underestimate the palate of children... Give them what you eat once and see what happens ;)

We double dare ya!
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This eve...

A night of puzzles, board games and what not.

It is CHILLING FREEZING out doors. Chores are finished and we are now inside huddled around the wood stoves.

Chicken noodle soup and apple torte from our cook stove and games... A good ending to a long winter day!

What are you up to tonight? Come out, come out where ever you are! Even if for the first time... Do tell us!
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Things are ever getting back to

The "new" normal. We have reinvented ourselves once again... Life is full of changes is it not? The real challenge is if we can be ever versatile...
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The cards are rollin' in

"Buddy" has received cards from some new Facebook friends and some blogger friends today! He says thank you! You know who you are! ;)

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Slowly mending...

After 7 days in bed he was casted at the hospital yesterday. He is now recovering and back at his studies and recovering in the sunny front room of the farmhouse.

Your prayers are still appreciated. We have anywhere from 5-12 weeks per the Dr.'s for recovery. He is hoping for 3 weeks ;). A determined young man for sure!
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A moment...

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Our oldest son was in a serious farm accident last evening. He is ok but he has a broken tibia. He is home now.

We covet your prayers during this healing time. He sees a surgeon in the next few days and we are believing for no surgery and only a cast for 6 weeks. He is in quite a bit of pain.

He was so happy this morning that his first sow he raised from birth delivered 5 piglets. He is frustrated he cannot get outside to see the action. We brought a fresh one in to greet him this am.

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motor buggy ad 1800's

I like the line on the bottom of the page best... If they only knew gas prices of 2011
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In der shppe haus

Its also a day to shoe the Belgians
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What are you up to today?

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Slow, snuggly mornings...

What are you up to today? Grab a good book and read aloud to your children today... Time flies... Much to fast for my liking...
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can you even stand it???

All dressed up for church! His favorite place to go... Precious if I do say so myself!

off grid HOT water!

What's for dinner?

Fixing farm equipment

Haying with horses and head lamps

Backing up a trailer with horses

A wood chopin' day

Teaching children...

A REAL log splitter

A boy and his horse

Another short video of what a boy and his horse can do!

a brief barn tour and short film of milking Summer 2010

Sylvie our nanny goat cleaning her newborn goat Spring 2010

configure a team of 4 belgians

another short clip of configuring our team of 4 Belgians Summer 2010

getting water for the first time at the Maple Cottage 2

Goat birth assisted for 2nd kid Spring 2010

Grain Sorting our 2010 Spelt Harvest

Our off-grid toaster

Summer Sunday afternoons at Maple Valley Farm

Our Sylvie Goat giving birth to her 1st kid Spring 2010

Haying with our ground driven horse drawn New Holland 66 Baler circa 1954?

Behind the Maple Cottage the private trail to the Pond

Maple Valley Farm Pond with canoe Summer 2010

One of our off-grid FREEZER/REFRIGERATOR part 1

Our off-grid refrigerator PART 2

Short clip of our Pioneer Princess wood cook stove

We are off-grid but still learning about technology. Let's make sure it ...

The value of safe and sound horses

Our off-grid ice house January 2010

The true meaning of the phrase When the &^ hits the FAN

Summer 2010 our 40 acre country side at Maple Valley Farm with our herd ...

I thought I would be cool and let wet clothes dry outside in January of ...

HomemakerAng's Take on the off-grid move October 2008 the day it happened!

Pulling a calf that was having trouble birthing March 2010

Our ice saw cutting the ice 2010

buggyride

Sewing on an off grid sewing machine, a treadle

Mom is not a fan of pigs February 2010

Our wood fired morning coffee

Our off-grid iron

Our 3 types of off-grid lighting

Our Belgians moving a small bob sled of ice 2010

Our off-grid batteries

More about our pressure lamp

Training a pony to drive a cutter

Another pony drivin' a cutter FaSt!

"A Party at our Farm Today" Maple Valley Farms "Miley Ray Cyrus spoof"

Sewing with a battery while living off-grid

some family heirlooms...

I love these guys!I have accumulated these adorable handmade santa/snowmen that I leave out all winter... This cute one below is my Mama's but all of these here are handmade by my dear Aunt Toni Lee. The rest are mine :) Each year I cherish them more and more!

They are so cute that I leave them out until March, just before spring time!

I hope to pass these down to my daughters some day too.... Do you have any family heirloom collections? Do tell!