2018 best nine (kind of)

i'm loving all the "best 9" insta snaps

being shared across my news feed,

today on this last day of 2018.

for the last few years 

one of my favorite end of year activities

has been to create

a "flip-a-gram"

musical montage

of our year.

well apparently flip-a-gram

is no longer a thing...

and the "best 9" algorithm

just doesn't seem to capture all...

the adventures,

the firsts,

the lasts,

the growth...

the hustle,

the teamwork,

the joy,

the milestones...

the wins,

the losses,

the spirit,

the love...

the vacations,

the rest,

the traditions,

the celebrations...

the time at home,

away,

down the street,

and in our backyard...

the anticipation,

the decisions,

the departures,

the endings...

the beginnings,

the new,

the dreams,

the hopes...

the first days,

the new season,

the stepping up,

the back at it,

the making it happen...

the homework,

the costumes,

the uniforms,

the laughter...

the day to day,

the team,

the resources,

the sweat...

the love,

the gratitude,

the memories,

and the moments.

and while these tiles

tell just part of the story...

as they don't show any glimpse of the 

countless memories and shared moments 

with the friends and family,

teammates and neighbors,

brothers and sisters,

community and strangers

who are so often beside us...

it sure does make me incredibly grateful

for the year that it was,

and the one that is to come.

happy new year 

dear ones!

santa, bottomless cups of cocoa & bunnies

the christmas season 

is underway in our hearts, schedules and

here at the farm!

we had a magical morning 

with santa claus this past saturday.

in fact,

he called this morning to say he so loved

visiting with the children,

feeding the chickens,

smiling for photos under the twinkle lights,

sipping bottomless cups of hot cocoa,

crunching candy canes,

snuggling the bunnies,

roasting marshmallows for s'mores,

and watching all the children laugh & play

like good little boys & girls!

he also confirmed that the 

toy building and electronic wiring

in the north pole toy factory

is right on schedule.

this means he does have time in his very busy schedule

to come back to the farm

for another visit.

hooray!

please join us this

saturday

december 8th

10:00am -12:00pm

$20 per family

@

defoyd backyard farm

7 ohlson circle

medway

we would love to celebrate

the joy & wonder of this season with you

while sipping cocoa and visiting with mr. claus!

and if we don't see you,

happy christmas

from the farm & the 

 bits & bobs blogger!

3 months & 3 day holiday bundle

 3 months  ago today,

the lord's big ol' tug on my heart

pulled me away from a 15+ year in corporate,

and two hand pushed me towards living out my passions and 

pursuing some entrepreneurial dreams.

since that day,

i've been praying and reflecting, 

and stumbling and adjusting,

 and hustling and working 

to figure out 

my new normal...

my new every day...

my new how...

my new when...

my new if...

my new do...

really, my new everything.

working for myself has been a BIG change 

from working for a BIG organization.

my day to day has gone...

from conference calls to coffee chats

from powerpoint to photography,

from complicated campaigns to creating and connecting,

from programs in big venues to programs in my barn,

from budgets with lots of zeros to budgets that are zero,

from delivering on timelines, to determining timelines,

from meetings around conference tables, to meetings in my friend's treehouse,

from ornery colleagues to oily sisters,

from mistakes that really don't matter, to mistakes that do,

from high heels to hunter boots,

from loving my firm, to loving my farm,

from navigating a career, to navigating a calling.

while there have most certainly been some hard days,

most days are filled to the brim with encouragement and assurance

that this is where i'm meant to be.

and so...

as an entrepreneur during the holiday season

i thought i'd celebrate this 3 months milestone

with my very own

erin's bits & bobs holiday bundle!

a bundle that packages

up two of my new ventures into one... 

the gift of essential oils,

alongside the gift of family memories.

anyone who orders their 

essential oil premium starter kit ($160) from me over the next 3 days,

will get a family photo shoot ($125) here at the barn for free!

the photo shoot can take place this month or anytime in 2019.

cheers to you dear readers,

thank you so much for following along and being 

a big part of making my dreams come true!

*****

if you'd like to take advantage of the 

erin's bits & bobs holiday bundle
you can email me anytime here,
or sign-up as a member here under my sponsor id.

select the "premium starter kit with desert mist diffuser",

which comes with 11 amazing oils, a beautiful diffusor and some other samples.
it also gets you access to oily education, resources and tools for 
 getting the most out of your oils and all the member benefits too!

and then let's book your family photo shoot...

this coming month, or in the year to come!

i sure would love to help you shop small,

and celebrate this season with you!

thankFULL bits

our hearts and bellies

are filled to the brim 

from a weekend of 

gathering,

giving thanks

trimming,

gaming,

sipping,

oiling,

shopping,

loving

&

memory making!

and a final

smooch from wes' leftover meatball slider...

can you almost hear it saying,

"pucker up, butter cup."

happy thanksgiving

& merry christmas

dear ones!

christmas at the farm

 it warms my heart

to share a look at some upcoming 

holiday happenings 

at defoyd backyard farm!

i sure do hope we get to

make memories and 

share some of the

joy of this season 

together!

******

photos with mr. claus

december 1st & december 8th

8:30 - 11:00 a.m.

santa gave me a jingle jingle to say he plans to visit the 

farm on the mornings of december 1st & december 8th!

pop by for a cup of cocoa by the bonfire and 

a family / kid photo with santa under the twinkle lights.

$20 per family

(cash or check on the day)

******

paint your own 

ceramic christmas trees

december 6th

2:30-4:30

& 

6:30-8:30

growing up we had one of those decorative trees,

with the little brightly colored bulbs.

the tree has become a

christmas heirloom!

while mom hasn't passed it on to me just yet,

we did glaze our own last year,

that we cherish!

send the kids,

or paint one with the kids

while we sip cocoa and make some memories!

$50

(send me a private message to 

reserve your tree & pick your time slot)

note: december 6th is an elementary school 1/2 day in medway!

******

family photo shoots

at the barn

december 2nd

&

december 9th

it's not too late

to get a family photo for 

christmas cards or gifts!

photos will be edited and delivered within the week.

$125

(click on dates above to book your time slot)

******

ugly sweaters & essential oils

december 10

7:00 p.m.

cozy up in your ugliest holiday sweater

and join me by the fire for an oily holiday cocktail

and essential oils conversation.

i'll be sharing all my essentials

for the season

to keep us merry & above the wellness line!

invites & details on facebook

p.s.  young living has some amazing 

black friday / cyber monday deals i'll be sharing too!

and...

if any of you are hinting to your parents, hubbies & kids,

that you would like oils under the tree just send them my way! 

******

and that's
a holiday wrap!
oh what fun 

we will have during the 

most merriest time of the year!