Ice and Snow

Yesterday Andy and Chris Blue, Ben Murphy, and I had a small skating party on the Bentley Farm's frozen pond. We played a intense round of hockey in which Chris and Ben beat Andy and me 15-8. After ice skating we went for a winter exploration trip on the trails of Bentley. Overall we had a great time of fun, fellowship and laughter.

Isaac and Allie Tie the Knot

Isaac Merril Angell and Alexandra Zinoni Blue were united in marriage on Monday at a beautiful church. The wedding was very lovely and the reception that followed was wonderful.

A Visit to Nate's City

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Highlights -

Attending Christmas Around the World at Times Square Church

Touring the Lego store and FAO Schwarz

Posing on the Trump Tower's 6th floor garden patio (and with Elmo!)

Drinking Starbucks coffee on 5th Avenue

Finding just the right fellow to take our picture in front of the Rockefeller Tree

Stopping at every other street vendor to try on a variety of hats and scarves

Visiting Nate's apartment on the Upper West Side

Worshiping at Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Having seven NYFD firefighters coming to Nate's tiny apartment (bringing the total up to 16 people!) to check the carbon monoxide sensor. Thankfully, all was fine.

Enjoying being together with family and our new friend, Anna!

Preparing the Calves' Home for the Winter

With the return of the college brothers, the house been abuzz with many different activities of which today's project consisted of making a winter dwelling for the calves on Bentley Farm.

Tis' the Season to Write a Christmas Letter

Maryella joyfully volunteered to help fold the many letters!

Amelia's 9th Birthday!

Tonight we celebrated the ninth birthday of Amelia, my first cousin, amid many presents, relatives, and birthday cake!

The popular choice for a birthday, angel food cake!

A bag of presents!
Her first piggy bank!
A poster of two of Amelia's favorite animals.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Newest Arrivals at Bentley Farm

Our calf population on Bentley Farm reached four today as two of our cows had heifers. The cute days-old calves are very full of the thrill of young life!

Got Milk?
Prancing around the barnyard!
Investigating! Looking for milk from Jacob!

Maryella's 93rd!

Maryella turned 93 years old today and had a blessed day! She continues to be a source of joy and she cracks many new jokes everyday. All of us here at Bentley Farm wish Maryella many more years of life and love.

"Angell" food cake and vanilla cup cakes!

A new pair of brown mammoth crocs to keep her feet warm.

O Christmas Tree!

Today being the first Sunday of Advent a group of us (Hagers, Farmers, Angells) went to pick out three farm-grown Christmas trees off the back lot for our collective living rooms. Then we trimmed and decorated our tree with many lights and ornaments to a point of beauty. This annual event is always special and memorable to us here at Bentley. This year was no different!

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Telephone Charades and Caroling!

Waterfall Friday!

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Our annual tradition of hiking the Kaaterskill Falls on the day after Thanksgiving was continued today with our friends, Mike, Ted and Larry. Kaaterskill Falls is a two-tiered cascading waterfall actually taller than Niagara Falls. In true adventurous spirit, we all forded the stream even though more than a couple of us got wet feet. It's hard to beat--breathing in the crisp, cool mountain air while hearing the crescendo of gushing water and taking in the resplendent beauty of the falls.

Thanksgiving at Bentley

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We Give You Thanks

Praise be to you, LORD,

the God of our father Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power

and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,

for everything in heaven and earth is yours.

Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;

you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you;

you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power

to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks,

and praise your glorious name.

- King David, 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

'Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving

And all through the house, every creature was stirring, except for the grouse...

Happy 21st Birthday! To Luke!

Grandma threw a fantastic and delicious birthday party for Luke topped off with a double-chocolate four layer birthday cake. Luke's joy and love of life inspires and blesses all of us who know him! We also had the pleasure of his two friends from Cornell-- Ted (Nevada) and Larry (Tennessee)--joining us for the festivities.

2010 Winter Lego Competition--Danbury, CT Edition

Caleb's new and improved Olympic style ski jump took first place at the Festival of Trees, Lego Arts Competition in Danbury, CT. Caleb's creativity and "non-kit" originality inspired many youngsters and adults alike. He enjoyed sharing his traveling exhibit and meeting new friends!

--Field Reporter: Nate and Photo Editor: Hannah

Happy Birthday, Pal!

Luke is an inspiration to all! He is always quick to laugh, he has perseverance like no other, he is a fun one to take classes with, he is a proud owner of a John Deere B, he is a big fan of country music, he is a huge help to me and his brothers, he is confused as my twin on a daily basis, and he is always thankful to God for every breath that is given him! And today, he is now officially an adult!

Pre-Thanksgiving Baking

In preparation for the Cornell Navigators' Thanksgiving meal, a few friends and I got together to make some pies!

We, Nav girls, sure do have fun!

Splitting Wood!

As winter and the cold approaches us we have started to steadily burn our supply of split firewood. In preparation for next year Nathaniel and I are working hard on making another colossal pile of firewood for the chilly seasons of next year.

Beating Yale!

We traveled to New Haven today to cheer on our cousin Benjamin and the Princeton Tigers as they took on the Yale Bulldogs. The soccer match was hard fought and Benjamin played a pivotal role in scoring the first goal on a header. The final score: 2-1 with Princeton awarded the Ivy League Title for the first time since 2001. They were undefeated in the Ivy League this season, an historic feat. And we also caught the tail end of the Princeton-Yale football game before the soccer game started. Unfortunately no tail gating, but plenty of tail wagging (see photos)!

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Farming Friends!

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The Unity of the Trinity

Thou who art Three in unity,
True God from all eternity,
The sun is fading from our sight,
Shine Thou on us with heavenly light.

We praise Thee with the dawning day,
To Thee at even also pray;
With our poor song we worship Thee
Now, ever, and eternally.

Let God the Father be adored,
And God the Son, the only Lord,
And God the Holy Spirit be
Adored throughout eternity!

-Martin Luther

Farmer Wedding!

A contingent of Angells had the distinct honor and pleasure of attending our cousin Anthony Farmer and his fiancee Jen's wedding in Washington DC on Sunday. Mom, myself, Jacob, Rebecca and Caleb along with Grandma Farmer all had a blast at the wedding on P Street, several blocks from the White House and within a stone's toss of Dupont Circle where Anthony and Jen met. Anthony and Jen are a truly wonderful match and shared their love and joy in many beautiful ways throughout the day. Caleb hit the dance floor with gusto and the rest of us did our best to follow suit. This wedding will be treasured in our memories and we wish Anthony and Jen the very best as they begin their life together. -Nate

Greg, Our Friend

Greg, our family friend, came for a sleepover this past weekend. Dad and he spent many hours working on weekend chores together. They also dug up a row of potatoes, which Greg greatly enjoyed. When Greg comes to visit he brings with him a lots of joy and laughter. During the busy weekend, he found time to play checkers with Maryella.

Varsity Soccer

Rebecca plays for the Upton Lake Eagles varsity soccer team and she thoroughly enjoys playing defense for them. We always enjoy watching Rebecca play from the sidelines. Go Eagles!

Antique Sale at Middle Vale Farm

This weekend I worked as a cashier at our long time neighbor and friend Clarence's barn sale. It was a great experience and the sale was very successful.

Farm grown pumpkins for sale.

Clarence, farmer and businessman!

Home Again

Nathaniel came home yesterday for a couple days and all of us enjoyed spending a gorgeous fall day with him.

Humility

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less - C.S. Lewis

The man, full of himself, can never proclaim the Christ that emptied himself - Jacquelyn K. Heasley

Why I Love Coming Home

Showers of Blessings!

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Early Fall Colors at Bentley

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Poughkeepsie Plaza 17th Annual Brick Art Competition

My little brother, Caleb, entered a Lego competition and built three scenes. Horatius at the Bridge, Olympic Ski Jump, and a Day at the Beach.

Only 2 hours to build!
Horatius at the Bridge
The Olympic Ski Jump
Being judged!

The whole set up!
Review by the spectators.
Checking out the competition!
Show and Tell! Winner of the 2010 11-15 Age Group!
Proud Mama!