country life

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

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I was not expecting snow so early this year here in Virginia, USA, but we got a few inches. The temperatures have been cold, hitting in the 20s at night and even in the teens once or twice. Last year, we only had a dusting. The old 1910 farmhouse (Black Crow Cottage) is cold in the winter, a given of homes built early. These homes were framed different and without insulation on the walls; by the way, to insulate is not recommended due to the risk of trapping moisture in the horizontal boards and thus causing mold issues. A frame around the walls would have to be built in order to insulate the home, thus leaving space for the air flow. This is something to keep in mind if you ever decide to buy and fix this type of home. You can see pictures of this type of framing in my older posts under the categories of Fixing an old farmhouse or Restoring a farmhouse.

Snow always makes the news around here, even a few inches, and many businesses close operation for the day. People seem to love it when it snows. Moving here from Jersey, it is a contrast. I remember driving to work on a nor’easter on a few occasions, or we would have a delayed opening. Crossing a bridge under heavy snow is an experience, but under heavy fog, it is just out of this world; the feeling is one of flying in the sky inside a car. Not that I recommend this, but when you had to be there, you had to get there. Everything is more relaxed now as far as the job environment goes, for what I can see. Here are a few pictures to welcome the season.

This is why I love crows so much. There are no birds around, the snow is falling heavy wet, and there is Rebel poking the snow and playing, pulling out leaves. I named this crow Rebel because I observed him being a bit different from the siblings when Mama Crow was training them on how to eat. He would be the last one to learn to peck on his own, and Mama Crow would come to the rescue from time to time, I guess when she could not take the yelling for food anymore. Even the siblings, two of them, would feed him at times. When two families of crows would mingle, he would be the one going his own way, minding his own business. One sibling seemed to bully him at times, once he had learned how to peck the ground for food. When I took this picture, he was alone, none of the crows where around. Later on, he flew back to where they usually live, in the woods behind my house.

Virginia’s Equestrian Heritage

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Photo by M.A.D.

I love horses, all my life. Horses are majestic and formidable, a beauty that commands admiration and respect. One thing I regret is not learning how to ride in my younger years. Virginia has a rich equestrian heritage. This is due to the English settlers. Although it is more prevalent in the north of Virginia, our area to the south is also fond of these lovely creatures. Middleburg is called the nation’s horse and hunt capital. Known as a charming town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Warrenton is also known as having a growing equestrian community, and so is Charlottesville and Albermarle County where you can find lovely horse estates. Chincoteague Island in VA is known for its feral ponies, ingrained in its rich culture. Lexington is also known for its equestrian facilities. In our area, Chatham Hall, our town’s girls boarding school has extensive equestrian facilities and program. Girls from around the world attend the boarding school. Chatham is home to the Hargrave Military Academy for boys as well, although it does not offer an equestrian program. On a funny note, the movie Crazy People (1990) was filmed in Chatham Hall. The Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex, which has a capacity for 3,000 people offers many events including rodeos and shows for the horse enthusiast. Although our little town might not be the horse capital it definitely shows its love of horses, and they certainly make their presence known in the parades.

Although I will not be learning how to ride anytime soon, I am more than happy to call this charming town Home Sweet Home and display my love of horses throughout my indoor and outdoor home decor.

Victory, Our Community Celebrates

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This Independence Day celebration will certainly be sweeter for the residents of our little town, Chatham, VA, and also our neighbors throughout Pittsylvania County. Our hearts rejoice as one as we realized that as a community, we have defeated a proposed power plant and data center of enormous proportions. I am sharing this article found on SELC (Southern Environmental Law Center) which highlights our fight and victory as a community, and also their valuable research about the great environmental and health damage that such proposal would have caused, not only to our community but to extended areas, as far as North Carolina. You can find the article here .

As AI continues to grow and develop, the need for data centers will increase, and small rural communities will be targeted. It is up to the residents of these communities to weigh the pros and cons of these proposed projects, and the benefits, if any, and make their voices heard, whether they welcome this industry with open arms or not. It is important for leaders of a community to listen to the residents and place these issues on a balance, for a just and satisfactory resolution.

I hope you enjoy reading the SELC’s article referred above.

Fixing Up an Old Farmhouse Garden

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Following up on the previous blogpost about sprucing up the front entrance. Although there is much more we would like to do with the entrance area as far as adding more color with plantings, it has proven to be a bit challenging due to being a shaded area; however, we have managed to transform it from a messy and unruly, full of weeds area, to a rest area with a little bench, a few plantings and garden decor, as well as solar lights. It has taken some time and effort, but I am loving the result so far. One thing that I needed to add to this area was a sign with the name of our home, Black Crow Cottage. My husband recycled and repainted an old metal sign that I thought had no more life to it, and I was able to use it in a new way. I am so glad he did. It adds charm and sweetness to the entrance.

Black Crow Cottage was named after the many crows that live and nest here. I love them. Photo by M.A.D.

The front area of the property was covered in tall grass and some overgrown bushes intertwined that we had to remove. I was able to plant some free trees from The Arbor Day Foundation and after a few years they have grown well and are beautiful. To get the trees, I sent a small donation, and they sent me 10 dormant trees suitable for my area. Here is their website – Arbor Day Foundation. When I first saw the dormant trees, I did not know what to expect, and I thought these were dead sticks. After reading the instructions, I learned that these sticks were actually dormant trees that would come to life when planted properly. I planted them and watered them for the first two years, and they are lovely now. Of the five planted, I only lost one, the Dogwood tree. I gave five to my sister, which she planted in her previous home. The Crape Myrtle was the first one to bloom and the fastest to grow. The other grew at a slower pace, but steady. This year, the Hawthorn bloomed for the first time, and so did the Redbud tree. The Lilac bush has not bloom yet, but I read that it might take 5-6 years for it to bloom. Here is a picture of these lovely trees.

From left to right: Hawthorn, Lilac, and Crape Myrtle. The tiny tree closest to the red-light post is a small Christmas tree that I planted last Christmas. (Photo by M.A.D.)
This lovely Redbud surprised me this year by blooming allover before putting out its leaves. Photo by M.A.D.

For those new to this website, here is a picture of the front entrance area when we first bought the place.

This was the front entrance before, when we first saw the place. The driveway was completely covered. It was a real mess that required vision, and the grass was very tall, up to my hips. (Photo by M.A.D.)

I wish to be able to see these trees when they become majestic and full grown. It will take years, but I am willing to wait. I hope you enjoyed this update.

Fixing Up an Old Farmhouse – The Front Entrance Area

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There are a few farmhouse projects that have been on hold, but we managed to complete one, sprucing up and beautifying a bit the front entrance to the property. This area used to be overgrown grass and weeds. Although we want to continue improving it by adding a few more plants, we will have to select plantings that do well in the shade. So far, the ones we selected have been thriving. It is a challenge to add color to this area because most flowering plants like the sun.

My husband built a simple bench with recycled wood, and we added a few plants around it that will continue to grow. A few recycled tiles were placed in front of it. We added mulch and a few solar lights, stones, and garden decor. We also added a solar light post. (Photo by M.A.D.)
The view from the opposite side. We used logs from the fallen pine trees to delineate the area and keep the leaves from blowing all over the place.

I am very happy with how the garden has been growing and developing over the past few years. It keeps growing stronger and seems to be established. Here is a picture of a lovely floral arrangement I made from its offerings. Eventually, I would like to develop a small rose garden.

Roses from the garden (photo by M.A.D.)

Nature heals the soul. Even the simple things in nature bring joy and peace in our hearts.

Photo by M.A.D.

Hope you enjoyed reading about this latest project.

Love and Light

Welcoming the Season

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There is a crisp in the air, the birds are leaving, squirrels are starting to look busier, and leaves are changing. All of this speaks, Welcome Autumn! Inspired by all of this, I decided to welcome the season in a simple way.

A favorite cup of coffee (photo by M.A.D.)
Hydrangeas from the garden (photo by M.A.D.)
A tradition (photo by M.A.D.)
Indulging scents (photo by M.A.D.)
The porch (photo by M.A.D.)
Oranges, reds, and yellows (photo by M.A.D.)
The warmth of Home Sweet Home (photo by M.A.D.)

The pine trees are starting to give their presents, and I collected a wheelbarrow of these. I decided to spread the pinecones all over the front garden. Another bunch fell after that, possibly one or two more wheelbarrows full. We will put them to good use. Unfortunately, this year deer ate many plants, but I love to see them around, especially, the baby deer jumping and chasing crows. The crows are not afraid, they seem to play as well. A lovely sight.

A wheelbarrow full of presents (photo by M.A.D.)
Pinecones made a lovely mulch (photo by M.A.D.)

Hope you enjoyed the photos, and that it inspired you to welcome the season as well.

“Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.” Deuteronomy 11:14

Love and Light

A Magical Morning

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Morning Glory (photo by M.A.D.)

I like to walk very early in the morning. The temperature is cool and there is certainly a calmness around. I do my walking in town. The country road I live in might not be the ideal place to take a walk that early. Cars fly by and on many occasions my hair has been blown back by the wind left by a fast-passing car, too close for comfort. Main Street is quiet early in the morning. Businesses are still closed, and people are just about ready to start the day. I encounter a few runners or people walking their dogs. There are few cars heading to the daily destination. I mostly hear birds singing and the noise of a few other summer critters. By the time I am done with my exercise, something magical happens, as if taken from a final scene of “The Langoliers (Stephen King).” The town starts waking up. Soon there are more cars on the road, and the noise level starts rising slowly. Businesses start opening their doors, and employees arrive. People chat briefly on the street. Slowly, the town awakens to another day. As if by magic, the town is alive. There is something sweet and beautiful about that moment, the blessing of another day.

Veggie Garden Bliss

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Finally! We have been postponing working on the grape vine project or planting due to some rain. Last weekend we were able to tackle all this. We bought the necessary materials and plants, and now, everything is in place. Last year, deer ate all the grapes because the vine was intertwined on the veggie garden fence and easy to access. We cut and cleaned it up during the winter to see if we could do something that would make the vine a bit less accessible inside the veggie garden. However, the vine started to grow fast again, shooting new growth everywhere, before we could start training it, and the weather did not help. My husband came up with the idea of getting three metal stakes and wire and placing these on the ground inside the veggie garden and making four rows of wire so the vine could grow. It was a quick project and under $50. I don’t know if the deer would be able to reach it or jump the fence; I hope not. This is what it looks like.

Photo by M.A.D.

This year we are planting tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, onion, strawberries, and I still have to get a raspberry bush. The blueberries are already on their delicious way. Lettuce has already grown from seeds that fell on the ground last year. I already collected some.

Photo by M.A.D.

Overall, the garden is looking good this year, thanks to the rain we have been getting. Every year, it looks better as plants mature. We trimmed some bushes, moved some plants around, and repotted other. We added some fresh mulch, cleaned up the sitting areas, and replaced some chairs. Aside for cleaning and repainting the grill (we had to wait for the birds to leave the nest inside), we are ready to welcome Summer. We have a few projects planned already; I will share some here.

Garden Friends

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It is always lovely to spot a few friends in the garden.

I have not seen these birds before, but they are adorable. The tail’s color is my favorite shade of blue.

The deer are always visiting.

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11 NIV