I always appreciate your grace-filled, gentle responses to negative comments. Thank you for being a wonderful example of grace.

I don't usually comment on the videos I watch on you tube. I was so impressed with how you handled the bottom comment on the ground hogs that I had to say something. I've been a country girl all my life as well. I agree with everything you said. I don't think people understand how destructive wild animals can be if they haven't lived around them. A raccoon can wipe out a corn patch in one night. They aren't satisfied with eating all the corn on one stalk they have to pull it all down and sample one ear on each stalk. Or worse yet an o'possum or fox getting into your chicken coop. Again they don't kill just one and eat it they kill many and eat only part of each one. We planted 20 pepper plants this year and didn't get a single pepper because something kept eating the tops out of them. When we finally caught the very fat ground hog in the act it had to go. It is always sad for that to have to be done but God gave us dominion over animals for a reason whether it's to use them for food or prevent them from destroying our food. A deer is a beautiful creature but if the population is not managed they overpopulate and get sick. It is possible to both love animals and still do what has to be done. I loved how you stood up for yourself and still remained respectful to her.

Mary, you are filled with God's grace. I love that you don't respond with anger or angst when people question you or are judgmental. Thank you for being such a wonderful example for us. I'm a bit older than you and I still struggle with not being able to hold my tongue or feel resentful when someone says something hurtful to me. Merry Christmas lovely lady!

Great video, Mary. I'm with you about the groundhogs. They have torn up our yard, and eaten lots of my garden plants. My husband "took care" of several of them. They never suffered. And my garden did beautifully this year.

How anyone could think you would mistreat anything is ridiculous! Some people just downright rude! Love everything you do sweet lady! ❤❤

I also appreciate as one person said your grace filled gentle Answers. I really appreciate your answer concerning the groundhogs. Only country people would understand the trouble that they can cause. I'm sure most people would not appreciate having mice or rats in their home and would take care of that. This is the same it is just outside. 😊 Keep making these lovely videos, They truly are some of the best on youtube.

I admire the kind way you respond to some of the detractors! You are a much better person than I am. The person so worried about the groundhog never grew up in the country where they can be quite the nuisance like you explained. Would she share her home with big rats nibbling on her food, chewing up her walls, nesting in her furniture, using her house as their public restroom, and spreading disease? Wishing you and your family as well as your wonderful subscribers a Very Merry Christmas!

Thank you for saying that “man has dominion over the animals” and “we need to use common sense”. We live in the country and there are dangerous and nuisance animals that are rabid and spread diseases and infect people and other animals. We must be safe and sensible.

Mary, you certainly are able to respond with truth and grace to the nay-sayers who comment on your videos. Gratefully, they are in great minority, but you handle them well, without returning offense. Also, I love your channel and the fact that you attract solid sponsors to support you in your work!

Oh Mary I so agree with you about some animals can be so detrimental to our way of life, especially groundhogs and armadillos! Anyone who has watched your channel long enough should know that you of all people would never do anything inhumane to any animal and you said it right, God gave us dominion over the animals and we are allowed to humanely take care of rodents who are ruining our way of feeding our family or our structures. You are so honest and humble and that is what I love about your channel and I do not mind sponsorships either if it is something the content creator really needs or can use because I understand this is a "job" for you and you certainly should be compensated! Merry Christmas Mary and God Bless you and your family.

Mary, full of grace. Thank you for answering comments, even when they are rude. We and our neighbors have a horrible groundhog problem here in northern New Mexico. We finally had some landscaping done this past summer and put down groundhog prevention wire, which is similar to chicken wire. I hope it works!

Mary, I really appreciate your graciousness. You have a very kind heart. With 360,000 plus subscribers, I wouldn’t fret too much about the far and few between unkind comments. I very much enjoy your Q&A’s and would never expect you to share more than you’re comfortable with. I do wonder if you might consider compiling a cookbook of your personal favorite recipes to be available on your Etsy shop, pretty please? Happiest of merry holidays to your family and a very prosperous New Year! 🥳♥️

Great explanation about the animals, Mary! I'm sharing your channel.❤

Congratulations 🎉 to MB!!! Fun vlog as usual 🎄 Chipmunks can ruin a foundation. Imagine how much damage a groundhog or woodchuck is capable of.

Thank you for your kind, informative responses to some interesting comments and questions. I grew up in rural California years ago. Gophers caused much damage and had to be taken care of to prevent crop damage and more. Your explanation was excellent. I, too, love and protect animals. Your couch cover is resourceful and looks charming in your home. I hope others will be able to learn that there are many different ways of creating our own cozy home, appropriate for our family's style. I never miss a video of yours. Your lifestyle and projects are so fun and relaxing to watch. Merry Christmas!💞🙏🎄

I'm glad I sat down and watched the whole video. I'm real sorry you have to put up with comments like the one regarding the ground hog. I am 100% in agreement with the way you think about animals. I love them too, like you, but you're right! They are rodents!! We have them around here, too, and they can be a nuisance, as well as destructive. I would like to ask, how long have you been doing these videos? I have watched you, faithfully for many years and will keep watching till you retire. ❤ I do remember years ago, you gave a short, sweet testimony concerning your faith in Christ. I hope one day again, soon, you can share your faith again. (When the Lord nudges you ). Our world really needs an encouraging message. The Lord bless you and your family and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

The ' peach method' works wonderful on tomatoes. It saves so much time! Love your videos Mary. God bless your family & Merry Christmas ❤

Sponsored videos never bother me. This is your job and yes you do it because you like it but you also have to make a living. I trust that any product you choose to highlight you also endorse. You do what is right for you. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Mary Christmas to you Mary and your family. Love everything to put on KZfaq. Have a blessed New Year!

I love doing my dishes by hand. I have a dishwasher but don’t use it everyday. Oh the groundhogs! They leave their marks on our property. You’re a sweet person Mary and I like what you said at the end of your video. Thanks for posting and Merry Christmas 🎄

Good explanation Mary about the animals. I could never be a hunter, but I l totally understand the need to hunt and how the meat helps families (my Dad hunted). I understand the need to protect your homestead and see nothing wrong with protecting your work. We have an electric fence around our raised gardens to keep critters out (and it works - OUCH).

You handled the bottom comment about the groundhogs with such gentleness and respect. Thank you for that. I have a question, and I don't know if it's for you or the boys. I guess for whoever wants to respond. I'm so curious, how did the cats get their names? What made you choose those names for them? I would never dream of skipping your Q & As. I think their the best. :-)

You are amazing,don’t let the negativity of closed minded people ruin your happiness….you family is pretty awesome as well. Thank you for all the wonderful inspirational ideas! Merry Christmas!

You are so respectfully polite in response to negative questions and very open about the fact that you get them. Grace personified!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ CONGRATULATIONS TO MB !!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ can’t wait to maybe have a little peek photo of your beautiful niece on her special day !

I like the sponsorships! When others are endorsing or purchasing the product themselves, and they like it,it’s very helpful when you’re in the market for the product yourself!

I just love how you handle some of those nasty comments! Honest and also heartwarming..I hope they learn something from you 😜

The peach trick for getting the skins off before preserving works for tomatoes too. Here in FL we “put up” tomatoes every summer. This was the way my grandmother did it back in the day.

Mary please don't ever listen to hateful comments, you have thousands and thousands of us who have no problem with you actually making money from your hard work, i for one love to support you by buying your beautiful candles and other items from your etsy shop!! 💯💯💯 People who make negative comments on videos, esp vicious ones, are not happy with themselves and need more God in their lives!. Love you AND your channel!!❤❤❤

I NEVER get tired of watching. Thank YOU for your time with us. You inspire a lot of us.

Mary, this last comment about animals...You habdled it very well. A soft answer is always best. Sometimes folks forget that in different areas of the country, there are different challenges. ie. urban areas that have rats I am sure folks have less problem eliminating them. Where I live each fall as soon as the weather turns cold mice try to move in to the house. I have not found an effective method way beyond kill traps.

I always enjoy your videos & you handle everything with grace. God bless & Merry Christmas!

The peaches method works perfectly! Just the same idea as peeling tomatoes.

Mary you are just the best in handling controversy. I admire that in you .

I have several quilts and my go to for my recliner has one on it at all times. There is just something so cozy about an old quilt that’s stood the test of time.

I do almost the same thing with the peaches except I also make an 'X' through the skin on the bottom before putting it in the warm water. It gives a little bit of peel that's easy to grab and start peeling. Makes it so easy. With that being said, love your channel!

Well…..my husband * took care * of many groundhogs years ago and we always gave them to a lady who cooked them and ate them! Some of these bottom comments crack me up! Merry Christmas to you and your family Mary. 🎄

You were (as always) so gracious with the negative comments. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

I love the way you answer awkward questions with such grace. Groundhogs can destroy a concrete floor. They tunnel underneath and then the floor collapses. Nothing wrong with what you did. I'm sorry you were "scolded" and "unsubscribed". Some people are unreasonable. Stay the way you are. Your Christlike spirit shines through. Wishing you and your family a very Blessed Christmas.

Love your videos,Mary! Thanks for all you share. Merry Christmas 🎄.

Have a beautiful, blessed & very Merry Christmas Mary. ❤😊❤🌲🎄🌲🎄🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Congratulations MB. She’s a beautiful young woman. You are always so gracious Mary. Glad you spoke up for your privacy and your beliefs. Merry Christmas 😘

Mary, I love to listen to the wisdom that comes forth instead of anger when you are thrown under the bus from ignorance. Your Christianity shines through because you truly Love the Lord. That's why you are so blessed❤

Its so sad that some people assume things or make negative comments not knowing the situation at hand. Mary i feel your blessed that a person like that has moved on. Its just a matter of time until they get negative with someone else. Hope your family has a very Merry Christmas

Hi Mary, love that we get to watch twice a week while you are catching up on the q&a's😊 We all know that sponsorship is part of your 'job' please dont fret about that. Also can i maybe suggest you add 'buy us a coffee'? Shipping from America can somwtimes be so expensive, and that could be a small way we could help support your channel?

You answered the negative comments with such wonderful grace. Well done. Love your videos

Merry Christmas Mary & family!❤️🥰🙏 Love all your videos! Many blessings 🙏🙏🎉

Thanks for 2023 ! Merry Christmas 💕

I understand in rural farm areas people tend to handle things differently regarding animals which are considered destructive pests and I don't stand in judgement of that. Here in suburbia we handled the problem a bit differently. We were worried about destruction of our shed foundation when had a healthy mother groundhog and her baby living underneath it in 2021. Babies can stay with mom from as little as 3 mos. or up to 1 year when mom has her next litter. female babies especially often stay to 1 yr. The shed is next to my sizeable garden where they ate down a lot of my food. It took us two entire weeks to trap them inside Have A Heart traps and then we drove them about 10 miles away to the edge of an unpopulated wooded area far from the road & then let them go. They have to be taken far away or they will return. We were happy to see them go 😂 and also happy they still could live, a win-win.

Mary, you answered some pretty tough questions with real dignity. I suppose that you have to expect that kind of thing when you’re sharing your story and thoughts. I don’t know if I could do it. We tend to remember the criticism and forget how much joy we create. You have been such a pleasure and inspiration to me and others so please don’t let it get under your skin. Thank You so much for sharing your story with us. Keep it up!!

Mary you answered those questions with patience and grace. Not sure how easy or not it was but definitely a good example for other youtubers addressing questions and comments, good job!

Merry Christmas to you and your family🎉 Thankyou for all of your great videos🎄🎇. 🦘🦘🦘

All I can say is you did an excellent job in answering ALL questions!!! If I haven't wished you and your family....have a Very Merry Christmas !!! ❤😊

Mary, we love watching your videos and especially appreciate how you always take the high road when responding to bottom comments. Thank you for providing us with a glimpse into your life. We look forward to each of your videos!

Love your explanations in a no-bias way. There is always! common since to real reasons. You are a gentle loving person. Praise God for Mary’s channel. Would love to live near you, so I could be around such knowledge a talented personalities that is John included.

Regarding barn quilts…check out Sonnet’s Garden Blooms. She is on KZfaq out of Wisconsin and she does some truly amazing barn quilts.👍

My mother used to preserve whole crab apples. I wish I had her recipe to share for the lady that asked about them. They were so yummy.

Merry Christmas Yoder family, God bless you abundantly in the New Year!!!

You answered that well about pests around the homestead. I grew up on a farm too and can relate. Also know how you feel about not wanting to talk too much about leaving the Amish and why. Same!!

Mary, I thank you. I sometimes don’t always demonstrate as much grace as you do when responding to negativity and your sharing is so helpful. We all have our own personalities and ways of doing things, but the gentle nudge is so appreciated and welcomed. Because after all we get back what we put out sometimes right. So thank you and I hope to run into you some day at one of the thrift or grocery stores in Holmes. ❤

❤❤❤ Merry Christmas to you and yours Mary!! And a grand n glorious Brand New Year! 🎉

I've seen male birds pecking at car mirrors, windows, or once a wild turkey pecked at a shiny hubcap all day long. ("What is that strange ticking sound??") They just need driven away or the shiny thing needs removed/covered until they forget about it. They think their own reflection is another bird competing for their territory! Then, (this may not apply to this discussion), but I've seen many cardinals with very overgrown beaks, and they can't pick up food well. I could assume they're diseased, or more likely they've hit a window and, like a smashed fingernail, it grows deformed forever after. Or head damage. So sad. People have said to me, "oh, they flew away, they're fine". Love your channel. PS We lost a shed's concrete slab foundation to a groundhog tunnel.

Merry Christmas and thanx for spending time with us during 2023❤❤❤

I enjoyed your Q A and the kind and thoughtful way you answered the questions even the ones that were unkind. Love watching you channel. Celanie

Merry Christmas Mary. God Bless your family. Happy New YEAR!!!!

You’re a special lady. God gives you grace to answer the haters. Living in the country has the animals that have to be put down. God bless you❤️❤️❤️ Merry Christmas ❤️❤️😇

Hahaha! Thanks for answering my question about the guys washing dishes! Merry Christmas.

Mary, I love the way you always respond to negative and uneducated comments. Your responses are always full of grace and education. Keep up the work work.

Wszystkiego najlepszego zdrowych ,wesołych świąt Bożego Narodzenia❤

What a special treat to have a new video To watch tonight! Merry Christmas!!🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄👆

Mary. I think you’ve always done your very best, and I have to agree. I do love the lighter wood very much and your cottages are absolutely beautiful love and prayers and Jehovah.

I always parboil and cold water dip my peaches before processing. It works great!

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you and your family

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs‬ ‭15:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ I appreciate your patience and grace. I, too, am a farmers' daughter and now live on a farm. Even if you fence your garden plot, there is no guarantee that destructive critters won't find their way in!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 😊

Mary and MJ wishing you all the best for the New Year! Thank you for the videos you put out and your hard work. I just love watching you. 🤗

You are so kind in answering some people that are so rude, If I had a problem with what you do in a video I would stop watching instead of complaining . You are amazing!!

Thanks for answering my question! I have heard other makers recommend oracle vinyl so I’m glad to know you like it too!

Hello Mary. I absolutely LOVE your channel. I am not too far away in Lorain County. Thank you for allowing us privy to your goings ons. I look forward to what you have to share on Wednesdays. I dont always watch the Q &A videos, but I appreciate your honest, non judgemental, diplomacy.

Merry Christmas!! God Bless!!❤❤

Merry Christmas Mary and family🌲

Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing your gifts.

Merry Christmas Mary. May you and your family have a beautiful holiday.❤

About putting peaches in warm then cold water, YES, my mom did that all the time, it works great! And was just about the time I would sneak in the kitchen to grab some, as soon as mom had them peeled. And about the flip flop comment, I'm always surprised how strongly people criticize with what is really just their opinion. I'm a flip flop girl myself - as soon there is a hint of warm weather, socks are off and you won't get in me any other shoes till it's cold again. You handle comments like those with such grace - I'm not sure I could. You are a great role model for me.

Mary, you are such a sweet person and your explanations of getting rid of the critters that were causing harm, was just as it should be. You, living in your beautiful part of the US, know all things that need to be made sure will not harm pets, property, and food stuffs growing, so maybe folk who criticise should delve into what harm these critters can cause. Would they ask you outright and criticises to your face? I think not. Carry on just being you!

You are an extraordinary person and I can really appreciate you even though we have many differences. Thank you Mary! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and your whole family! Xo

I have always blanched peaches just like tomatoes to peel, so simple...you will love the process Mary!! Love your channel and look forward to your videos. Blessings to you and yours.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MARY AND FAMILY !

Thank you, Mary! Merry Christmas.

Thank you, Mary, for your gentle answers even when people are critical, impatient, or unkind. I know negativity is to be expected because that's how people are, but I'm sure it still can hurt at times. I appreciate and pray for you as you reflect the Lord to others.

I just need to tell you for the skirts you've made oh my I think that is such a gift to be able to do it without a pattern. I don't have that gift lol but that's how I'd do it. Your so gifted with everything you do and I love your taste of furniture and the white everything. It's absolutely beautiful it makes everything look so clean.

Merry Christmas to you and family. Happy birthday, Jesus. Mary, I love you, but also jealous of your energy and creativity.

I loved that you explained your view on disposing of animals that are a danger to us and our lifestyle. I love animals but there are times ... I really enjoy your channel!

I agree with your response regarding the groundhogs. I had a skunk under my deck this summer, even though there is lattice around it, it dug underneath the lattice. It was a lot of work getting it out and keeping it out, so I could enjoy the outdoors. Also I had to put my beloved 14 1/2 yr. old dog Riley down a few months ago,she had suffered so much for a couple of weeks from pancreatitis, treatment wasn’t working. It was the humane thing to do, even though it broke my heart.❤️

I'm like you I usually prefer light colored wood, I love the way the chair turned out

You handled that bottom comment so perfectly. Some people have no common sense. We love you and will always watch your videos.

Very nice Q & A. Always enjoy these. Merry Christmas to you and your Family 🎄

Don’t like wood chucks either! They have dug holes all over my property under all my buildings! They destroy everything!

You can rid your property of ground hogs by putting down Hubba Bubba gum by their holes. We found out this from a friend. Thank you Mary for your videos. You are so sweet.

Merry Christmas to you and your family blessings.