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December 2025 Newsletter

posted on

December 23, 2025

November Reflections & December Adventures: A Ranch Update đŸŒŸ
  • Thanksgiving Wrap-Up: Thanksgiving was a serene affair here at the ranch. With two of our kids home, we feasted on a delicious dinner, followed by laughter-filled card games and a scary movie to round out the evening. It's challenging running the ranch AND having our oldest son and his family away in Texas but we get there when we can. We hope your holiday was just as peaceful and joyful! 🩃
  • Turkey Triumphs: Our 2025 turkeys were sold out! Our smoked turkeys received rave reviews from our customers. I don't think we will be offering the smoking next year because its an almost all-night affair for Rancher Gus but y'all know he's not great at saying no either.
    We're now accepting deposits for 2026, so act fast! Go straight to the website and search 2026 THANKSGIVING TURKEY or just click this link here to get yours on the list https://happyliferanch.com/store/thanksgiving-turkey
  • Gus & Melissa's Getaway: Right after Thanksgiving, Gus and Melissa enjoyed some downtime with family-we-chose in Missouri. We dodged the blizzard back home but did have a rainy and chilly weekend just the same.
  • Breck's Brilliance: While Gus and Melissa were away, Breck expertly managed the ranch. Photos of our star team member are on the way. 🌟 She really is a most amazing addition to Happy Life Ranch and we could not be more pleased to have found her. There hasn't been a single thing we've thrown at her yet that she can't handle. We will be getting photos of her up on the website soon. 
  • December Deluge: December roared in like a lion, bringing promises of a wet winter. Let's hope temperatures stay cozy! 🧣 Anything above zero will be just fine, thank you! 
  • Freezer Fiasco: A glitch with our freezer trailer gave us a scare, but it's back in action now. We thank our lucky stars for our trusty stationary freezer container. We did have to unload the entire freezer trailer that sits in the barn but hey, now we can clean it out and add some more lighting! Did we mention the lights inside went out about 2 weeks ago? Of course as soon as the fix-it crew showed up the freezer panicked and started working again. We'll take it as a win.  
  • Chicken Coop Chronicles: This month, the front yard chickens will move to their new winter quarters behind the barn. The youngest birds currently reside there and they seem very happy with their digs. We have added lots more roosting bars for the new occupants and all should go well. All of the birds that live in the big, front coop will move to the back one and make some new friends. Hopefully this will cut down on them being in the driveway and pooping on the porches as well. The future of the big chicken house remains a mystery, but plans are in motion! Maybe a tear down? Maybe a horse stable? Spring will tell.
  • NEW Rewards Program!!! We very much appreciate everyone who supports our small, family ranch and we are always looking for ways to give back and show the love right back to you, other than the cleanest, healthiest meats and dairy anyway. We have created a Reward Program where starting December 1st, every online order of $100 or more earns a $5 credit towards the next purchase. So for every $100 you spend, we'll give you a $5 BONUS! Spend $100 or more, get 5 bucks! Spend $200 or more, get 10 bucks!!! and so on. The credits never expire and will automatically be applied to your next order. 
  • Egg-citing News (or Lack Thereof)! đŸ„šWell folks, it seems our hens have decided to take a well-deserved winter vacation, and who can blame them? Just like us, they know the importance of a little R&R. So, we’re officially sold out of eggs until spring—consider it their egg-straordinary sabbatical!. Fear not, loyal subscribers! We might occasionally find a few dozen here and there, so keep those eggs on your subscriptions, and we'll do our best to make your breakfasts egg-cellent. For those without a subscription, we appreciate your understanding and patience—our feathered friends will be back to work as soon as they return from their seasonal siesta. Remember, all of nature needs its work period and rest period, and we’re all about honoring that natural rhythm. 🐔 Thank you for your egg-ceptional understanding and support!

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"

  • Pasture Pals: Goats, sheep, rams, donkeys, and Gilbert the cow are snug together in the East pasture. They have plenty of room to roam and also plenty of room to bed down inside a cozy house full of straw to lounge in and hay to eat. Who knows, we may even get some spring lambs out of this "reunion". đŸ‘
  • Barn Makeover: The man cave (upstairs in the barn) is coming along. We have almost all we need to put the flooring in up there and now we're just rethinking where the stairs might go. We are hoping to be able to make the downstairs/entrance to the barn even more inviting and hopefully easier to navigate for our customers. Parking is also on our minds, we are thinking through better signage pulling in and navigating the back area. Stay tuned and thank you all who come here for your patience. Necessity if the mother of invention, they say.đŸ› ïž
  • Piggy Paradise: Pigs enjoy indoor-outdoor access, complete with cozy straw beds. Cold doesn't faze them, so watch for their snowy strolls! Everyone has indoor and outdoor access so they can still make their own choices. Inside will be cozy with deep straw but don't be surprised if you see some of them burrowing in the snow or straw outside. 🐖
đŸ„› Seasonal Milk Flavors
  • White Chocolate Mint Milk: This is seasonal and MAY run through January. We'll keep you posted. For the best chances of getting your hands on some use this link https://happyliferanch.com/store/dairy/white-chocolate-mint or add it to your subscription. 
  • Eggnog: It’s baaack! 🎉We still have eggnog!!! Even if you think you don't usually like eggnog, we encourage you to give this a try. If you're here at the ranch, ask for a sample tasting! You can order here https://happyliferanch.com/store/dairy/eggnog    or add it to your subscription so we make sure to have enough, 

    📩 Nationwide Shipping is HERE!
  • Yes, we did it — and it’s awesome.

    We’ve partnered with Southwest Airlines Cargo to ship to most major U.S. cities. Here’s how it works:

  • Enter your ZIP code at checkout.
  • We’ll show nearby airport pickup options. Within 200 miles of your zip code.
  • Your order ships frozen to that airport’s cargo building with refrigeration.
  • You pick it up. Easy!
  • 💾 Only $5 shipping â€” no crazy fees.
     

    đŸŽŸïž Ranch Raffle Bonanza: Win Big with Us! đŸŽŸïž

    Step right up and grab your chance to win in the ultimate ranch raffle! We're rolling out a smorgasbord of meaty prizes that will make your taste buds dance with delight. Imagine winning our medium meat box for a whole year—that's right, an entire 12 months of mouthwatering, ranch-raised goodness delivered straight to your doorstep! Or, win a year's worth of our small meat box! Next prize is for TWO winners - a small meat box for 6 months, and finally SIX winners will get a one time small meat box. If you're lucky enough to score one of these prizes, you'll enjoy a curated selection of our finest cuts that'll have you dreaming of dinner every night. But you can't win if you don't play! Hit us up in person for a physical ticket or you can buy tickets online here https://happyliferanch.com/store/events TEXAS HAS TICKETS TOO!!!

    Buying a raffle ticket not only gives you a shot at these incredible prizes but also supports our ranch and our mission to bring you the best in local, sustainable meats. We strive every season to make life better for the animals, better for the soil and better for your family. So why wait? Get your tickets now and let the excitement begin! Who knows, you might just be our next big winner. Good luck to all, and may the odds be ever in your flavor! đŸ„©

    CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS!!!!

    If you're a fan of what we do and want to share the wealth of health with friends and family this festive season, we've got some fantastic ideas for you! Spread the joy by sharing your referral code (find it under your account settings) with everyone you know. In fact go ahead and share it on your social media! You get a credit, they get a credit, everyone gets a credit!!! ok, ok, I got off topic...Christmas...

    đŸŽŸïž Buy Them Raffle Tickets: Some people love to give and get lottery tickets so why not give the gift of anticipation and excitement by purchasing raffle tickets for your loved ones. Who wouldn't want the chance to win free meat for a year? It's a gift that keeps on giving!
    Here's that link again  https://happyliferanch.com/store/events

  • 🎁 Happy Life Ranch Gift Card: For a gift that's guaranteed to please, choose a Happy Life Ranch gift card! It's the perfect way to introduce your family and friends to the delights of our ranch-raised offerings. Whether they pick our succulent steaks or delicious sausages, they'll be thanking you with every bite.
  • These gifts are not just thoughtful but also support our mission of providing high-quality, sustainable meats. Share the love and make this holiday season truly special!
    Here's the link to the gift card options and don't forget we ship so out of state family can enjoy as well... https://happyliferanch.com/store/gift-cards

    And now lets mosey on South where it is MUCH warmer and sunnier...
  • đŸŒŸ Texas Edition

    December has rolled in with all its cozy charm, and the ranch is buzzing with the good kind of busy under these big Texas skies:
     
    đŸ„š The Ladies Are Laying Again!
    Our hens must’ve gotten the memo that holiday baking season is in full swing, because they’ve stepped up their game. Egg baskets are filling faster, yolks are rich and golden, and the girls are clucking around like they’re proud of themselves—which, honestly, they should be.
     
    🏠 Coop Cozy Mode: Activated
    We’ve wrapped the coop like the world’s fluffiest Christmas present. The birds are snug, warm, and living their best winter lives. If only chickens appreciated home improvement projects
 but that’s okay, we know you do!
     
    🐖 Piglets Are Weaned & Wild
    The little bacon seeds have graduated! They’re officially weaned and living it up—exploring, snorting, rooting, and testing the boundaries like tiny four-legged toddlers with attitude. Wild in the fun way
 not the “call for backup” way.
     
    🐮 Special Guests in the Pasture
    We’ve had some horses visiting the ranch, adding a little extra magic to the place. Something about seeing those beautiful heads peek over the fence just makes everything feel right. They’ve brought a fun, fresh energy to our pastures—and we’re all for it.
     
    🎁 Wrapping Up the Year With Gratitude
    As we head toward Christmas and the new year, we’re feeling deeply thankful— for this land, for the animals, for the work we get to do, and most of all, for YOU. Your support keeps this small family ranch growing strong here in Texas.
     
     And the raffles going on

    đŸŒ± Our Promise

    Real food.
    ❌ No pesticides
    ❌ No toxins
    ❌ No antibiotics
    ❌ No GMOs
    ❌ No corn or soy

    Just the way God intended. 💚

    🛒 Visit the Website

    Check out all the goodies we have in-store for you!

💌 Share the Love. Get the Bonus.

Referrals literally pay off!
✅ Your friend gets $10 off
✅ You get $10 credit
Everyone wins (especially your freezer).

Just log into your Happy Life Ranch and click Referral in the top right. Don't have an account? Go create one and get an instant $10 credit use anytime, no expiration. Thanks for helping more families discover clean, local, ranch-raised food! PLEASE NOTE: This Also applies to Happy Life Ranch Texas Edition!

🎁 Bundle Boxes = Best Gift Ever

Our Rancher’s Choice Bundle Boxes make the perfect gift. Who doesn’t love giving (and getting) the gift of health? We list what’s inside on the site, and if something’s out of stock, we’ll sub it with something just as good.

Honestly, these should be as normal as giving a spa day.

đŸ„© Catering? Yep, We Do That.

Proteins and sides for your next shindig. Give us a call.

🕒 Hours of Operation

Pickups, visits & high-fives:
Tues & Thurs | 10 AM – 6 PM
Saturdays | 10 AM – 5 PM
Need another time? Call or text — we’ll make it work.

🙏 Thank You!

Thanks for letting us into your inbox — and for trusting us with your family’s food. That’s a big deal to us.

Got feedback? Shoot us a note at info@happyliferanch.com
Love what we do? Share us with a friend: Happy Life Ranch Website

From our barn to your table,
The Happy Life Ranch Crew

More from the blog

May 2025 Newsletter

MAY DAYS! TEXAS! RANCH HAPPENINGS! May has arrived, bringing cloudy skies to Illinois—but Texas is soaking up the sunshine, and so are we in this month's newsletter! IMPORTANT NEWS!Let's just get to the good stuff right off the bat. Introducing HAPPY LIFE RANCH TEXAS EDITION!!Until now, our ethically raised products have only been available to our loyal supporters in Illinois and Northwest Indiana. With shipping costs keeping us grounded, we’ve long searched for a way to expand without compromising our values. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our family in Texas—who have built a ranch designed for livestock to live happy, healthy lives—we’re finally ready to take the leap.Below, you'll find a glimpse into their inspiring journey and what this next exciting chapter means for all of us.Our BeginningIn 2021, Michelle, Anthony, and Alex sold their home and spent a summer living and working at Happy Life Ranch in Beecher, Illinois. That time reignited their passion for ranching and deepened their connection to country living. After relocating to Texas for work, they eventually settled in Kerens. With the help of Gus, Melissa, and close friends, they began building a 20-acre homestead—planting the roots for what has now grown into Happier Life Ranch.Growing Our DreamOur journey toward ranch life took root in 2023 when we expanded to 20 acres in Kerens, Texas. We never imagined that a few guinea fowl—brought in to help with pests—would be the start of something bigger. Before long, we added chickens, goats, and a growing variety of livestock, each deepening our love for ranching and our commitment to raising animals with care and purpose.Lessons from the LandThe lessons we've learned over the years, from building coops out of scrap materials to understanding the nuances of regenerative ranching, have been invaluable. We've been blessed to connect with multi-generational farmers who generously shared their wisdom, teaching us the importance of rotational grazing, humane animal care, and the significance of knowing where our food comes from.Our CommitmentAt Happier Life Ranch, we prioritize holistic practices. Our animals roam freely on clean pastures, nourished with organic, non-GMO feed. We abstain from using artificial fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, or hormones, ensuring that the food we provide is as natural and wholesome as possible.Join the FamilyAs we establish our presence in Kerens, TX, our mission remains steadfast: to offer ethically raised, high-quality products while fostering a community that values transparency, sustainability, and genuine connections. We invite you to join us on this journey—visit the ranch, share in our story, and become part of the Happier Life family. We here in Illinois couldn’t be more excited to take this leap and see where this new venture leads us all. Everything Texas-related will continue to run through our existing Happy Life Ranch website, and as I write this, we’re actively working out the logistics—for both product orders and transporting more of our established livestock down south to get growing.Orders for delivery in Texas begin June 7th, and just like in Illinois, we’ll bring them right to your front door.You can follow the journey and stay up to date by finding Happy Life Ranch Texas Edition on Instagram and Facebook. Please give them a like, a follow, and help spread the word to anyone you know in or around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Let’s grow this community together—ethically, sustainably, and happily.FATHER'S DAY: Father’s Day is Coming—Let’s Fire Up the Grill!Sorry moms—we don’t do flowers, but we do deliver unforgettable meats. We’ve created two limited-edition Father’s Day boxes packed with premium cuts—because what dad doesn’t love grilling up a feast for his family? Not sure what to get the dad in your life? Check out the boxes now at www.happyliferanch.com an... make this Father’s Day one to savor. These specialty boxes are only available for a limited time, so don’t wait!RANCH HAPPENINGS: I think we are done for having babies for a little while. Some of our sows need checking but it doesn't appear we should expect any new births, whooo-we had a few there in the earlier days of spring.The latest lamb born (while we were away) was scooped up by Windmill Acres for care and keeping and now it appears she has been named Winnie and has found her forever home. She is bringing much joy to their kids and customers alike and we are so happy to see her thriving.All of our energy has been concentrated on building the Texas plan so not much else happening her other than watching everything grow and thrive.We are still looking for a ranch hand, if anyone is interested or knows someone, please have them give Gus a call 630-877-7718. We are looking for someone who has a valid drivers license and can potentially be available 7 days a week. A handful of interviews have been completed and some are very promising. Never hurts to keep it out there. THE FREEZER CONTAINER, We have made changes to the back of the yard so to speak to make way for the new freezer container that will come when it comes. We wont even speculate anymore as to a date but it's ALMOST ready to be delivered wea are told.  NEW CHICKEN HOUSE Here's another project that has been put on hold due to weather issues, and Niko working a full time job so not having time to finish it. There is a huge but cozy room for the new girls and they are adjusting beautifully. They are laying the little bitty eggs we have advertised on social media for a discounted price and they should be big enough to go outside very soon..Customize Your Box, Your WayWe’re excited to make your Happy Life Ranch experience even more personal—you can now subscribe to individual items! Choose the quantities and cuts that fit your family’s needs, and set the delivery frequency that works best for your schedule; weekly/every 2 weeks/monthly (depending on your delivery zone. Want to make sure your box always includes your favorites—or skips something you’re not loving? Subscribing to exactly what you want is the best way to do that. You’re in full control: it’s super easy to make changes to your cart anytime, as often as you like, right up to 3 days before your pickup or delivery. Flexibility, simplicity, and no surprises—just the products you love, delivered how and when you want them.REFERRAL BONUS: in your account  settings, top right corner, you will find a REFERRAL button. You can send this to friends and family and when they order, you get a $25 BONUS credit in your account and they get $10.HOURS OF OPERATION: This is new for us, a schedule!! We are now open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10am-6pm for pick ups, visits, new customers, etc. Sundays will be by appointment. And we just picked up a new SIGN to hang out front with these hours listed! We will put it up after the 24th. TRAVEL: As mentioned above, we will be traveling to Texas for Easter and some much needed respite and family time.Thank you all for giving us some of your time and trusting us with your family's health. If you have any suggestions on ways we can improve please email us at info@happyliferanch.com. If you love what we're doing, please tell your friends and family and send them to our website at www.happyliferanch.com valign="top">You can't expect to feel like a million bucks if you keep eating from the dollar menu. Eat Clean