Chris' Thinking Tank

Happy February!

Nothing like having a month when we put our hope in a very large rodent.  (Ground hog)

At least we get to celebrate to be somewhat lovey-dovey with Valentine's Day.

I write this newsletter with a somewhat heavy heart.  This past week a family in our community lost their 17 year old son in a car accident.  I do not know them, but can't stop having a heart of prayer for them.  What a tragic event.

It is comforting to know that our Father is watching over us, but yet we just never know what today may bring.

As you read this email, please let the love of Jesus be your valentine.  Hug everyone.  Tell them how special they are.  Tell them you love them.  Don't let any moments go by without showing the people around you how much they mean to you.  Live and love like there will be no tomorrow.

Happy February!

Chris


What's Coming Up at Birky's Market?

Don't forget Birky Easter Hams.  Our store is loaded with a great selection of hams for your celebration!

Friday, March 26, Birky's will be opening for the season.  Our hours will be Tue-Friday 10-6, and Sat 10-3

Springfest 2010 - Coming April 17, 2010 - Brats for a buck!  Vintage sodas for a buck!  Wow!  This event kicks off our carry-out suppers and Friday/Saturday lunches!

Thursday, April 22, first carry-out supper!

Friday, April 23, first Friday lunch with the Birky's!

Saturday, April 24, first Saturday lunch with the Birky's

Greetings!

A couple weeks ago we experienced a really great taste of Spring.  We had some nice rain showers and then some really warm, sunny days.  It was awesome.  During this timeframe, the frost worked its way out of the ground.  This passage of Spring usually always imparts its wrath on our driveway.  It is truly an amazing testimony of nature.

Greetings!

     I hope this email finds you and your family well.  We have been putting in long hours wrapping up winter projects, getting crops planted, getting the store and cooking events going, etc...  Many times I will get home after the kids have gone to bed.  One of the house projects that I have not changed is our main floor bathroom.  We have one light switch that turns on the lights and the fan.  The fan is loud and is right below Madison and McKenzies' room.  Needless to say, I get to take showers and shave in the dark!  What is funny is I get up before they do and so morning prep is in the dark too.  (I really need to add another switch)  What is sad is that I really can go days without a real good look in the mirror.  Good thing I am around just pigs most days!

Greetings!

In this part of the country, most normal people dive into their yard work in early Spring as soon as good weather is upon us.  Unfortunately, in this case, farmers don't fit into the "normal" category.  Our pursuit of lawn and landscape care usually takes place the week after planting is completed (sometime in late May for most of us).  So, a couple weeks ago, we began this year's pursuit of the perfect lawn.

Greetings!

It is the beautiful month of March!  Spring is coming!  Yippee!  Soon, we'll be firing up the grills!  I certainly hope winter has been somewhat kind to you.

I would like to share a story with you that I experienced last week.

A Blessed Happy New Year to you!

A new year is upon us.  I do lots of reflecting this time of year.  I look ahead and look behind.  As I look back on 2009, I am brought back to reality in my looking at 2010.  December 17 is a date that we will never forget.  We adopted our son, Aiden on that day.

Merry Christmas!

We wrapped up harvest last week.  I am so thankful.  We have been busy catching up with things that didn't get done while we were harvesting.  We still haven't put up our tree yet, but hope to this week.

Greetings,

Happy Thanksgiving from the Birkys!

Now that the holiday season is on us, I want to ask you, "what you are looking at?"  Once you answer that question, next ask "how close to it are you?"  These might seem like crazy questions, but hey, consider who asked them.  But, anyway, one thing that I have found is when I find myself becoming overwhelmed, it is usually because my focus has become too narrow and near-sighted.

Greetings from the Birkys!

I am starting to spend lots of hours in a 6'x6'x5' glass enclosed box (tractor cab) which allows me lots of hours to think.  I have been taught over the years by many circumstances that there is tremendous responsibility and discipline involved in the whole thinking process.  My mind has the ability to completely affect my whole being.  It can affect how I feel, how I act, what I wear, what I eat, what I say, where I go, what I do, etc...

Greetings!

Every April 1st I would get on the phone and call Grandpa Jake and Grandma Emma's house and tell them that their cows were out.  Knowing full well it was an annual prank, they played right along with it and acted all flustered and concerned and just laughed and said 'you had me going', when I yelled 'April fools!'

The season for Birky Family Farms Country Market has officially began, no foolin'!  It seems we are hitting the ground running; cooking there, organizing here, remodeling there, etc.  We are so looking forward to another year of blessing and serving each of you and your families.  There are many new changes at Birky's Market this year and that is no foolin' too.

Greetings!

     I spent an afternoon last week at the Nashville Zoo.  It was around 70 degrees!  It got me so pumped for Spring.  I was ready to come home and do something fun outside.  That didn't happen.  As I watched the snow fly horizontal outside, covering my yard, I started thinking I couldn't wait to have a wiffle ball game!  The wind was definitely blowing in!

Greetings!

     Hold on! 

     While the ground hog saw his shadow, Winter is just about over and Spring is around the corner!  We have definitely had quite a winter and look forward to a great Spring.  We hope that this email finds you and your family doing well.  Things are buzzing right now at Birky's Market as we plan for this upcoming season.  If you haven't visited the web lately, check out our new calendar of events and a few of the new things we have planned for this year.

     It has been very busy since last I journaled.  I had been burning wood pellets in our corn boiler, but finally got my corn moved into the hopper bin.  Now I am burning a 3 part corn to 1 part pellet ratio and really like that combo a lot.  I got the book shelf done for over the desk my grandpa built.  We had kids over again on Thursday night.  One of the them is leaving to serve in the Navy.  We willl misss him.

     I really enjoyed the almost 40 degree weather, but unfortunately it was short lived.  I went