A little mid-morning reflection from the farm

This morning, I found myself sitting on the porch with a hot cup of coffee in my Big John’s Farm mug, taking a few minutes to slow down and reflect.

When I got home this morning, I headed straight to the garden to see what treasures were waiting to be picked. Gardening always has a way of reminding you that every season is different. Some years are overflowing, and others teach you patience.

Our garden is doing okay this year. The squirrels have definitely claimed more than their fair share of our corn, but our cucumbers are growing beautifully. We even have a few watermelons coming along!

I’ve been able to pick a few peppers, harvested some zucchini today, and picked our very first squash of the season. And if you look at the photo, you probably noticed our bees hard at work pollinating the corn this morning. There’s something so peaceful about watching them do exactly what they were created to do.

This gardening season has looked a little different for us.

Truthfully, 2026 has been a year filled with both loss and new beginnings. While we’ve walked through some difficult days, we’ve also stepped into exciting new opportunities.

This month marked the opening of the Big John’s Farm Stand in Whitesburg. What started as a small roadside stand has already grown more than I ever imagined, and that’s all because of each of you who have stopped by, shared our posts, and supported our little dream. We are incredibly grateful.

This year has also brought some personal changes for me.

Many people don’t know that I’ve reenrolled to earn my master’s degree in teaching. Between school, launching the farm stand, caring for our farm, being a wife and mom, helping with Vacation Bible School at church, and simply keeping up with everyday life, it has definitely been a busy season.

But if I’m being honest, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything.

Some days are exhausting. Some days don’t go according to plan. The weeds grow faster than the vegetables, the squirrels steal the corn, and the to-do list somehow gets longer instead of shorter. Yet through it all, I continue to see God’s blessings in the little things—a fresh-picked squash, the sound of bees in the garden, a customer stopping by the farm stand, or a quiet cup of coffee before the day begins.

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Thank you for following along on this journey with our family. Whether you’ve visited the farm stand, bought a loaf of bread, shared a kind word, or simply read our updates, you’re a part of the Big John’s Farm story.

Now, I guess I’d better finish this cup of coffee and get motivated. There’s bread waiting to be baked, laundry that isn’t going to wash itself, homework calling my name, and I’m sure a few more surprises waiting around the farm. That’s just life around here—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Until next time,

Roxie

Big John’s Farm