Happy New Year!

I’ve been very lazy this week, haven’t I?  The week between Christmas and New Years should be laid back and relaxed, shouldn’t it?  I have sewed lots and read another good book – almost finished.

I have some pictures of Chicklet but they are not very good. She is very quick and doesn’t want to pose for a nice picture.  I am quite sure  I can safely say Chicklet is a “she” by now – there has been no goofy crowing and that’s the first sign.  She is turning into a beautiful chicken – her mohawk has tamed down and her speckled feathers are lovely.  I will keep trying to snap a deserving photo of my pretty little Chicklet.



Chicklet still sleeps right beside Mama or under her wing if she can manage it.  


And guess who this is – its stray barn kitty!


Claire spent a couple days with Grandma Connie.  Isn’t this a nice picture of them?


And Hope looks comfy in the other bed.  


We’ve had a sad day.  Our church family lost a member last night- Margaret ‘s (the organist I play with) son, Mark Jass age 51 died suddenly from a heart attack at his home.  The shock for the family and all of us as friends and neighbors is great, the news is still quite unbelievable.  Margaret and I have played together for many funerals but this will be one I’ll have to do by myself – for Margaret.  The funeral is not until Wednesday, complicated by the holiday, so it gives me more time to prepare.  What a sad start to 2017.

26 thoughts on “Happy New Year!

  1. Angie Rowland

    Prayers for Margaret and her family. No Mother is supposed to bury their children. It just ins’t right.

    As for the barn kitty. He/she looks warm and that is so important. Regarding chicklet she doesn’t look like Mamma and I have forgot what the rooster of your place looks like but I am sure there has to be a resemblence. So Happy New year and may 2017 be so much better than 2016.

  2. Peggy

    Happy New Year to you & yours, Mary!! You certainly deserve to take some time off & be lazy!! Chicklet is starting to look like a very pretty little gal!! Good to see barn cat has moved right in. . . He/she must know where it’s welcome & will have a good home, with lots of friends!

  3. Marilyn

    Sorry to hear. Really glad you have had a great week. I wanted to send a picture of my table topper just don’t know how to do it. Happy new year

  4. Paula Nordt

    We just lost our Bible study leader’s husband to kidney and liver failure, so our year ended on a sad note. Hopefully, 2017 will be a year of recovery and blessings for all. The stray barn cat looks right at home and very pretty! As far as Chicklet, some chickens are just mama’s babies!😉 Happy New Year to you and yours.

  5. Cheryl K.

    Happy New Year. I love reading your posts. It is just like a letter from home!
    I am a church musician, also, and I pray that your music brings much comfort to all who hear.

  6. Sara Reynolds

    Happy New Year to you, Mary. I love the picture of Chicklet with her mom. I look forward to reading your blog and always enjoy it.

  7. Cathy

    Happy New Year, Mary. I was wondering if Chicklet will turn more like Mama as she grows or if she will stay darker? Our latest barn cat is now a house cat! My husband just rolls his eyes. A good friend of mine lost her husband just before Christmas. He had a massive stroke and died the day after their wedding anniversary. Such a shock & tragedy like your friend Margaret’s son.

  8. Susan Sundermeyer

    Mary, I’m very sorry for the loss of your friend’s son. She and her family will be in my prayers tonight.

    On a side note, as I scroll through your beautiful pictures, the story “Charlotte’s Web” comes to mind!

  9. Delores

    Sorry to hear the sad news of Mark. Caring thoughts go out to you, Margaret and family.

    Mary, you are a friend to many and we all look forward to your messages. You have allowed us to be a part of your family. Thank you! May you and your family have a healthy and joyful New Year!!!!!

  10. Jane Wolfe

    Happy New Year to you & your family. I love reading all the interesting happenings at your farm as some of them are quite similar to the happenings on our farm. I am however quite sadden to hear about Mark Jass. We know him through the Simmental cattle their family raises as that’s the same kind of cattle we raise. Please give Alan & Steve & their families our prayers. They would know us as Bill & Jane Wolfe/Wolfe Simmentals. Wow…what a shock to start 2017 off. May the rest of 2017 be peaceful to all.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Jane – thanks for your sympathies for the Jass Family. I will pass your message on to them. Had no idea a blog reader would know the family I mentioned! Such a sad day at church today thinking about how happy we all were just last Sunday, Christmas morning. Feels like life turned upside down for our church family and the Jass family.

  11. Carolyn

    I am so thankful you are part of my life. As an animal lover it’s good to know you are a loving caretaker of God’s creatures.

  12. Tanya

    Love and hugs to you, Margaret, and your church family. Please be sure to update us on your good book…it’s been awhile since I have read anything good! Try The Woman in Cabin 10 for another thriller though, but don’t read it on a cruise! Wish I were going with Connie on her upcoming cruise…beautiful Claire and Connie!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Tanya – the Woman in Cabin 10 is the good book that I’m reading!

  13. Martha Engstler

    I wish for you and your family (2 and 4 legged) a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. Thank you for including all of us that watch for your blogs in your family. I look forward to following your days with the great down to earth blogs and a little sight into the Iowa I love that you share. Love the picture of Chicklet. We pray for our country and that 2017 will be a much better year.

  14. Bonnie

    Such a tragedy, to have to bury your child. I cannot imagine the heartache. Mark is the age of one of my boys. How does one cope with losing a child? Thank God for a church family, faith and friends. My heart goes out to Margaret and her family at this sad time. I will keep them in my prayers.

  15. Diane

    That is sad news about Margaret’s son, Mark. It is so hard. I just knew barn cat would be a tuxedo. They are tough little kitties!! He looks gorgeous. Good luck with Chicklet; she does seem to be a mommy’s girl:) That picture of Connie and Claire is wonderful. Happy 2017; I am hoping it will be a better year:)

  16. Felicia Hamlin

    How sad for Margaret and her family and friends, is always hard to lose somebody but especially a child and this time. Nice to know the kitty is still around. Happy New Year Mary!

  17. bernadette

    The barn kitty looks,to be female. Is Colton neutered? I hope she didn’t get into a scuffle with him and cause his abcess. Chicklet is getting big. Sorry to hear about the church member’s son.

  18. Ann Barlament

    Happy New year….

    I have opened my book and the pages are blank. My book is called Opportunity and it’s first chapter starts on New Year’s day.

    Day 1 is about change and self-awareness. Yes indeed, change will be coming.
    —-
    Prayers for Margaret and her family!

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Ann – thank you from Margaret – just was at her house – everybody is so sad

  19. Rhonda

    Hey Mary – Happy New Year! We love your blog – Phil and I want to know if you’ve named or touched the stray barn cat yet? May have missed the note about her/him.

    Do you still have a rooster? We are still working on our chicken coop but never planned on a rooster either.

    1. CountryThreads Post author

      Rhonda – no, I have not touched the stray cat. If I tame him, you know I’ll bring him to the house and Rick will not be happy. Yes, my rooster is Big Daddio – a bad hair day rooster so that’s where Chicklet got her little Mohawk. I hope you get chickens – you’ll love them!

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