There is no easy way to lose something you love, especially when that "something" is a beloved pet who has stolen your heart.

Since this year began, Bright Star Farm has lost three important members of our animal family. Back in January, we said goodbye to sweet Twink, one our our miniature horses and first additions to the farm way back when we began. She was 27 years old and lived a long, happy life here at the farm with her "husband" Kiwi and all of their kids, who have become irreplaceable parts of our grand farm family.

Last month, we said goodbye to Lorenzo the llama, who had a full personality and lent plenty of humor to everyone who stopped by.

And last night, we said goodbye to Spice, our sweet (but stubborn) pygmy goat who's been part of our family just as long as Twink. In fact, we made a trip to New Jersey over ten years ago to pick the two of them up and bring them to the hot, sunny South together. 

While there's no easy way to lose a pet, the best thing anyone can hope for is a peaceful death. And despite a few prior weeks of sickness for Twink, that's exactly what they all had -- a seamless ease into the great sleep, where their bodies can rest while their spirits find home in wide open fields of sweet grass and warm sun. 

We'll miss you, Twink, and we're thankful for your careful mothering and presence over the years. And we'll miss you, Lorenzo and Spice, and we're thankful for your large personalities and loving spirits always.

The end of an old year (and beginning of a new one) can be sort of melancholy, if you think about it the wrong way. You’re leaving behind a whole year, a fun, celebratory season, and getting back into the daily grind. But it’s also like entering a new domain — it’s the time of year when everyone decides what they’d like to change and how they’d like to live differently, and it’s refreshing.

For Bright Star Farm, a new year means new creative endeavors we haven’t ventured into yet. In 2014, we’re hoping to expand by leaps and bounds, within our own community and beyond. We’re hoping to become a haven for people who are worn down and weary from life’s demands. We’d love to offer a place of escape on cold, rainy days and warm summer evenings. We really just want to be the place you never want to leave.

One of our goals for the new year is to branch out into retail. We’re looking into creating and selling some unique, handmade products to sell online and in the quaint country shop we’d eventually love to open. We’re undergoing some renovations at the moment, but we’re also looking forward to the growth we’ll experience as a local resource within the next year.

Jessica Shively is also now offering horseback riding lessons here at the farm. If you’re looking into taking lessons, please feel free to contact us. More information will be available soon.

Even though it’s winter and the cold-weather shivers have set in for a while, our greenhouse is up and running. As warmer weather approaches, we’ll have potted plants, hanging baskets, and herbs available for sale.

Everyone at Bright Star Farm is looking forward to what the new year will bring. But we also want to know what you’re looking forward to. Do you have any creative ideas or requests for Bright Star Farm? Let us know — we’d love to hear from you!