RANCH HOURS JULY 4TH 2PM-6PM OPEN TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY!!! RAFFLE IS CLOSED. GOOD LUCK AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT TICKETS!

December 2025 Newsletter

posted on

December 23, 2025

November Reflections & December Adventures: A Ranch Update 🌾
  • 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)! 🥚Well 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". 🐑
  • 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.🛠️
  • 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. 🐖
🥛 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 — no crazy fees.
     

    🎟️ Ranch Raffle Bonanza: Win Big with Us! 🎟️

    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! 🥩

    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...

    🎟️ 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...
  • 🌾 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:
     
    🥚 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

    🌱 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.

🥩 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 2026 newsletter

New Life on the Ranch… and a Big Rebuild Ahead This has gone through a thousand edits because there's just so much we want to say. SPRING/RAIN/MUD...done 🐑 New Life (and Real Talk)We’ve got a brand-new baby lamb, just about a week old, and thriving. First-time mama is doing amazing, and the whole herd seems to be watching over her.Bo (our OG sheep) is still getting ready to lamb, and as of writing this… we just had TEN piglets born 🐖💥 with more on the way from two other mommas. But let's jump into the hard talk part:We lost a large portion of our sheep herd this winter. That hit us all hard, emotionally and financially. The cattle herd is also thin, meaning they aren't up to an acceptable-to-us weight to be sent to freezer camp. We won’t rush it, our cattle are pasture-raised, corn and soy-free, which means they grow slower, but better. The result is cleaner, healthier, better-tasting beef… it just takes time. 👉 No lamb available for the foreseeable future (hopefully next year)👉 Beef herd is thin → limited availability (working hard to solve this)We DO have:🍯 Honey • 🥛 Milk • 🧈 Butter • 🥓 Pork (lots of pork)• 🥚 Eggs • 🥩 Meat sticks & jerky *Working on the chicken  🎟️ RAFFLE: Help Us Rebuild (and WIN Big) This started as a celebration of our nation's 250th birthday and has become a little more urgent for us: 🎟️ $10 tickets🥩 Multiple meat prizes🥇 FREE MEAT FOR A YEAR Every ticket helps us: Restock the freezerPay for processingRebuild herds👉 Buy tickets  🐔 Eggs Are BackChickens are laying strong again → limit increased to 4 dozen/order 👉 Order eggs 📦 Order Online (This Really Helps)Ordering online helps us plan, forecast, and avoid shortages. 👉 Shop here Pro tip: Check your order before delivery/pick up. With the shortages we are having, it could change daily. especially subscription peeps. We will always do our best to match what you want. 🚚 Delivery + 📍 PickupDelivery: $5 fee • NO minimumChicagoland + surrounding areasShipping via Southwest Airlines Pickup Locations: Beecher (Ranch)Evanston (TruFit)Hegewisch (Baltimore Food & Liquors)Wicker Park / Noble Square 👉 Want to host a pickup spot or know someone who might? Reply to this email, we read them all! ⚡ Farmers Market UpdateWe were set for Manteno… but no electrical capacity for our freezer setup.It’s the #1 reason we don’t do more markets—our food has to stay properly stored. We get this is a big ask of markets. Rest assured, if you placed an order to pick up there, we will be setting up delivery to you free of charge. We’ll keep looking for solutions (and yes, we’ll still come visit as customers 😊). 🐝 Bees & What’s ComingWe added 6 bee hives 🐝Honey is in stock now from our friends in Southeastern Tinley Park and honey should be flowing here on the ranch by July! ❤️ Ranch Family Update🎓 Nina graduates U of I May 16 → heading to U of AZ for her Master’s🔧 Gus is back in telecom (health insurance is no joke)🤝 Melissa doing some caregiver work🛠️ Niko becoming a top-notch carpenter🐄 Breck is absolutely crushing it as ranch manager 🤠 Texas EditionTexas crew is growing strong—watch for their separate newsletter. Please add Texasedition@happyliferanch.com to your contacts list so the newsletter doesn't go to spam.👉 Texas Edition ❤️ Final ThoughtWe’re rebuilding—not rushing, not cutting corners. Mission:To raise clean, honest food the right way—caring for the land, respecting our animals, and feeding families we’re proud to serve.If you want to be part of that:👉 Buy a raffle ticket👉 Place an order👉 Share what we’re doingIt truly means everything.— The Happy Life Ranch Family 🐄 🐖 🐑 🐔

Update for 2026

What is Happy Life Ranch? We're a family-owned regenerative ranch in Beecher, Illinois raising truly pasture-raised beef, pork, and chicken. Our animals are raised without antibiotics, hormones, GMOs, corn, or soy and are rotationally grazed on diverse pastures. What do you sell? We offer beef, pork, chicken, farm-fresh eggs, Amish Country dairy products, and bulk beef and pork options including whole, half, and quarter shares.