20 years and still learning to grow strong...

November 30, 2011 Grand Rapids, Michigan

in 1988 God had a plan to introduce to young people to each other... He knew the plan all along... He knew they could get through this hard, crazy and at times impossible life together with Him. He knew who would know me through my ups and downs, good and bad and some times crazy ideas with Him. He knew we would have ups and downs, good and bad and what seemed like some crazy ideas to most with Him... God's plan had 9 children waiting for us after walking down the aisle... He knew this couple could take this huge leap of faith and move to this run down farm and create a life together for a family and turn more towards Him. It has not been all roses. But if you are married for any length of time, you too can only understand to what I am referring too...

You do not fail the race even if you end of slowing down, going on bumpy curves or cruising in the fast lane... You lose the race if you quit. We have always chosen (love is truly a decision sometimes) to continue on in the race, to get back on our horses if you will, to reinvent ourselves from God's hands to bend for one another. As hard as that can be sometimes... You win the race if you finish...

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:14 KJV

Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us"...

Here is to many more years to reach the finish line, to press on toward the mark and to run with patience! In God we truly trust...

ps. and who would have thought that the Gentle Giant would have married this city slicker girl that can castrate and butcher hogs like nobodies business? BONUS!

November 30, 1991 Grandville, Michigan

May 1989

Happy Thanksgiving

It's that kinda day...

And our creativity takes wings again but with a different twist. More time for inside artwork, singing with the auto harp and long reading nights...

What creative things so you cherish in your neck of the woods during winter?

Do tell us...

Ps.  I lied...  We did not stack that wood today...

Thank you!

Thank you Luke Gryzbowski for uploading the Anderson Cooper show were our farm, Maple Valley off-grid Farm was featured.

If you are interested in watching the show, please email us for the Google drop box information:  Angela@maplevalleyfarms.net It is free if we invite you.

Just think...

Of all the $ you could save on your gym membership if you lived here :)

Stacking wood is on this weeks agenda at the farm between school, hunting and oh yes "Thankfully Giving" the Gentle Giant's word...

In where she hunts for real... Not just for a photo op...

As what Sarah might do...

And, I am learning from the best!

Maple Valley off-grid Farm at...

8th St. Downtown Holland, Michigan...

One of our favourite spots!

Where is a favourite spot of yours to do a day trip with the Fam?  Do tell...

Country Mice go to the city again!

Guess where?

Family hunting highlights from the Leelanau northwoods!

I am thankful for the relationship between father and son...

No deer this trip but no loss...

Many memories made!

What do you see here?

Besides some ramshackle buildings we love...?  :)

One more I forgot to mention...

A visit with a dear friend... A kindred spirit...

Although I did not get a photo with my dear friend Cary from Serenity Farms, I did get some photos of the goodies she brought us...

But first I must say how thankful I am for the many friends I have met through Local Harvest since we have moved to our farm.  There are so many other like minded farm wives "out there" and Cary is one of them.  Check out her blog at:  http://www.serenity-farms.blogspot.com/ but first check out her awesome lamb wraps grown at her farm, gingerbread apple cake and what she knit from her wool!  

Xo
I am coming your way next Cary to your wee house!

Our cottage guests are pleased!

They traveled to hunt and this morning they scored a 7 pt. Buck from our farm!  

Congrats to the V family!

Xo
Maple Valley off-grid Farm

No faux foo-foo farm here...

I love the romanticism of farming....  The barn, the carriage and the brown eyed milking cow...  However, this is a real farm...  

We casterated 5 pigglets here today...

Now that's real farming...  Not just all "pretty and perfect" pictures doctored up...

:)

Just sayin'

Time to get the woolens out...

Temps are dropping.  It is hinting of snow...  Wool and I, well all of us and wool are good friends here at Maple Valley off-grid Farm.

How bout you?  Do you have some favorite winter attire?  Oh yes, and my shearling sheep slippers too...

We are still harvesting from the garden!

SLwiss Chard, mixed with our own chicken foot stock, our venison, garden herbs and homemade bread with our honey EQUALS farm fresh goodness at its finest!  

A wonder Sunday dinner...

Our blog header photo...

This photo of the mama pig and pigglets plus our son was taken by Emily Zoladz, a photographer deom the Grand Rapids Press.

Thank you Emily!

He is popping up everywhere...

Did you know there is a hamburger named after him...

"The Buddy Burger" - served at O'Tooles on Grand Rapids West side

Angela Kuncaitis

Thank you Emily Zoladz from the Grand Rapids Press-photographer

A young man's grocery list for deer camp

I found this in his math work.  Corn dogs?  Cute!  This is all things not eaten here, cute :)

Surprise! We still live in a free country...

And thankfully our family serves a mighty God that has our backs.  

We are still enjoying our off-grid life as always and will continue to do so freely.

Thanking God tonight for our liberties and freedoms here at Maple Valley off-grid Farm!

When you serve Him you are protected. To God be the glory alone!

Love, The Matts

More photos from the Grand Rapids Press if you are interested...

It was a privilege to greet Tom Rademacher and Emily Zoladz at the farm for their recent article in the Grand Rapids Press about our farm... I love these candid photos taken of our real life by Emily Zoladz...
You can see more of her photos while at our farm here...

And Mr. Rademacher...

Why were you so intently interested in looking in my kitchen cupboards? (smile)... Ha!

Seriously, thank you so much for coming out to Maple Valley off-grid Farm! You both are always welcome here...

In the spirit of farming, family and faith,

The Matts.

30+ years ago...

My Momma would like you to think she isn't part of my love of farming...

Well lookey here!

I beg to differ Momma!

You got me started by taking me summer after to summer to Aunt Nancy's farm and let me adopt one of her horses... And you would ride them!

So there you have it...

I love you for this Momma... Just one of the many reasons...

When special people visit Maple Valley off-grid Farm

What we consider "normal" around here probably isn't normal to mostt.  Like, say a baby pig in the house.  

Today we were blessed by visitors, "Aunt and Uncle"...  It's fun to talk about hubby's Lithuanian heritage and hear some of the stories of days gone by.  They brought a special gift today, an Amish farm set with animals and the people!  How cool is that!!

These family visitor's were not "put off" by our ways.  She told the stories of balancing on barn beams and trips to the outhouse.  It didn't seem awkward for them to be introduced to one of our 15 pigglets wrapped in a shabby chic pillow case! She still cooks farm style like no ones business.  Lithuanian style of course.

A great time was had by all.  They are a blessing to have in our lives...  Thank you for visiting today...