Hearth and Home – Page 2 – This Old House 2

A Glorious Fall

Oh how I love this season! I don’t really have a favorite season, do you? There is something magical in each, if you ask my two cents worth. This particular fall is one of the most glorious I have witnessed so far. The summer’s long dry spell and the sudden onslaught of heavy rains for days must be the right combination of “stuff” to make the leaves turn magical here in New England. The colors are just extraordinary! How is it looking in your neck of the woods? The Mr. and I took a ride this weekend to one of our favorite spots after picking up sandwiches at a nearby deli… and I snapped some pictures along the way. Just.. So… Gorgeous.

Here on the farm, we’ve been working on some projects.. replacing rotted fencing… it’s been TWELVE YEARS since we renovated and moved into this old farm house and property and the split rail needs replacing. Holy cow, time flies, friends. So far we’ve managed the dog yard, which is a pretty big area. AND, we’ve installed a gate at the driveway entrance because Google maps or whatever alien life designates the streets on those things has decided our driveway is a road to somewhere else. And it is not. And then the drivers get annoyed because they aren’t getting where the map tells them they should be as we wave them down and tell them to SLOW DOWN and please go back to the road because they’re on private property. Which annoys them. Imagine! Hence.. the gate.

We’re also giving the horse barn a big facelift! In our 35-ish years together, M and I have had four farms, built four homes and four barns. When we took on This Old House I thought we would be winding down the livestock part of our farm endeavor, so we built a relatively small barn for the horses. Then came the goats. And the Chickens. And another horse.. or two. With those critters came their small outbuildings. And in winter, when the snow flies and accumulates, let me tell you… … it’s a lot of work shoveling and moving hay and grain and shavings and water to where it needs to go, and this Mother Hen is no spring chicken. *ahem. So.. the new barn is being added on to the old structure and will be much more efficient than the current system we’ve had. All those outbuildings have a new home with another chicken farmer.

In other news, my daughter just got engaged! These two live right next door and we are thrilled for their happiness!

With the evenings longer and more time spent indoors, I’ve been finding some time to read again for pleasure. Gladys Taber is an author of years gone by, and one of my very favorites. I have at least seven of her books pertaining to her beloved Stillmeadow Farm in Southbury, CT and whenever I need a reprieve from the larger world and it’s “heavy”, I pick up a Still meadow book and read, and relax into her world of grace, peace and country sensibility. It’s like watching that old movie, White Christmas with Bing Crosby et al. Her books are no longer in print, but they are still found in old book stores, online and if you’re really lucky, while hunting through someone else’s discarded treasures.

I hope this finds you well and contented, and if you’re so inclined, let me know how things are going with you and yours!

Till soon –

Grab a Cup o’Joe, this is a rambler

So much awful news out there, but as I get older (and older) I’m trying to teach myself the necessary art of looking away. I really need to, because I literally feel every agony others are afflicted with, the unfairness of it all, the evils and utter bullshit of the world if I let myself dwell. And then the anger finds a home and settles. I’m airing it out and letting it go as often as I possibly can nowadays and it feels… freeing. Politics? Fuck’em. I’ll vote, but I’m staying out of the fray because it makes not one fuck of a difference whether I let it stir me up or I focus on more worthy endeavors – things that actually help others and myself. Onward.

The boy child is getting married in five weeks!! We’ve had fun helping the bride plan All The Things, the groom occasionally nods yes or no and made one phone call for party bus service and a trip to the tux rental with his buddies. The men have it so easy in this department, you know. We love our daughter in law to be, they’ve been together 8 or so years and she’s really been a part of our family for quite a while now. Cheers to many happy years!

It’s opening season for Stella by the Sea – the lawn has been mowed several times already, pots filled with geraniums, little garden plot has tomatoes, basil and parsley, bedding washed, pillows sunned/aired out, refridge restocked, floors washed, bathroom cleaned, windows cleaned – kayak back out on the wall – we’re ready! Why.. when we have a big vegetable garden at home, do we plant one at Stella?…. because it just always feels to me like a plot of soil needs a patch of garden, no matter how tiny. If I had an apartment in the city, I’d have plants in the windowsills. But my soul would wither there, I do believe.

Photo courtesy Ben Kuropat and his drone – he takes amazing photos of our cove. Out in the distance are the Thimble Islands – Stella is in the little heart outline.

The geese have been marching their babies up and down the cottage community road as they switch from the marsh to the cove, back and forth.

This year for the first time I have seen what appears to be a juvenile Lion’s mane jellyfish – a bit pale in color but behaving robustly, inspecting the oyster beds in front of Stella. Notice the much smaller variety in the bottom of the picture – there are many in the water this year.

Meanwhile, back on the farm – everything’s blooming! Have you found that all flowering things are extremely lush this year? The lilacs here in New England are absolutely beautiful. The wild violets carpet the forest floor, even the daffodils where planted seem to have multiplied heartily. Our garden up on the hill is planted – the Mr. went overboard with potatoes but.. plenty to give away, right? Every year we discuss shrinking the garden because it’s a lot of work and so much is given away. We shrink it initially – but somehow it balloons back out. This picture was taken last week. Since then, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, oregano have been planted where the ground is bare here and the leaves have unfurled more on the trees.

The goat girls, horses, chickens and dogs are thriving, all give us hours of work but definitely also the pleasures and therapy that only animals can bring to our lives. We nurture them, they nurture our souls.

Kai’s 1 year adoption day anniversary was May 15th – we’ve come a long way in that year. Kai has gotten me out on the trails again, getting great exercise and building a trusting relationship with him. He’s gone from practically feral to a wonderful companion – sleeps between the Mr. and I on the bed even – it’s all good. I find adopting rescues so very rewarding, even when initially very trying.

Then….

Now….

The girl child and her guy are enjoying their home nextdoor and we love having everyone on the outskirts of the farm. Chores are shared, meals are shared, garden produce and eggs distributed. We respect each other’s privacy and have managed not to get on each other’s last nerve, it’s truly a blessing. My son and fiance are just over the hill.

My newest painting on the easel is a simple thing, marbles in a mason jar on a window sill. Still much to get done here, what a lesson in patience this is. I’m learning as I go, and I make plenty of mistakes, but the therapy of art is a beautiful thing and doesn’t cost much at all. I’ve always loved marbles and glass in all it’s forms of art. I have an extensive glass art collection I’ll post one of these days.

Trying to slim down a bit for the gown I will wear to my son’s wedding, I’ve been making some lighter, healthier recipes lately. Here’s one that was a big hit, so delicious… give it a try if you like quiche – farm fresh eggs make it even better.

Onion Mushroom, Squash Gruyere Quiche

Sauté onions in butter till becoming translucent , then throw in mushrooms and yellow squash and sauté till their liquids are in the pan and they’re softened- throw in herbs of your choice- parsley thyme and basil here, salt and pepper, 3 tablespoons white wine- simmer down till liquid is almost gone- Remove from heat. Meanwhile mix together four eggs, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Gruyere, salt and pepper- place onion mushroom yellow squash mixture in either a prepared crust or go crustless, as I did here. Then pour egg/cream,cheese mixture over it- bake at 350° for 35-ish minutes till done. Yum!

Ending this post with a few words of inspiration below – wishing you well, and thank you for stopping by my little corner of the world.

Till soon –

Holidays during Pandemic times

How were your holidays? Scaled down like ours? We managed some smaller gatherings and I’m grateful we’re all still here and relatively healthy. We even did a weekend at The Woodstock Inn, a favorite place for us. Last year’s trip was cancelled because Vermont was basically closed to outsiders, and this year still looked different but was enjoyable, regardless.

Christmas came early while in the Woodstock village, the Mr. obliged my obsession with these boots as we kept passing them in a store window and they whispered to me every time, I’m not even kidding.

The Inn was magical, the depleted staff did a fantastic job with a difficult scenario.

Christmas rolled around and we did what we thought was best – smaller gatherings, and some of them cancelled.

🎄 Mom holding a delicious refreshing Christmas Drink – the Poinsettia – Prosecco, Elderflower liquor and a splash of cranberry juice, with some frozen cranberries thrown in. Mix together according to taste – pretty and yum. I’m not a big drinker but I like a refreshing one now and then and this hits the spot. And kills the germs, right? LOL

We’ve decided to scale back down the restaurant dining since the new Covid surge, but we did get out to our favorite cafe in Stonington, the Dogwatch. Their “power bowl” is my favorite – packed with healthy eating. the Town of Stonington is beautiful any time of year, but especially during the holidays.

The kids and I have done some hiking and that is the single most awesome thing that happened to me this year- upon the adoption of Kai, my spirit dog as my mom calls him, I knew he needed a lot of attention and trust building and hiking was a good way to do it. That also gave me the opportunity to tone up and get in better shape, and my adult kids don’t mind hanging out with mom to do it. I’m not a gym rat, I hate being stationary to exercise. Treadmills, elipticals, blah blah blah. Get me out in the scenery and I can go for miles, and so I do. It’s been a win for all of us during pandemic times and my goal is to continue exploring trails long into the future.

Yesterday’s hike at Hammonasset State Park on Long Island Sound, Madison, CT

Wishing us all good health and much joy in the years ahead.

Christmas in the Living Room, Thanksgiving everywhere else

My usual tradition is to bring Christmas in the house the day after Thanksgiving – I mean I am chomping at the bit once the Turkey Day company has taken the tupperware home filled with Tday leftovers. The stuff stays up until just before the New Year, and it always feels a little like it was too short a Christmas season, with all the work that goes into setting it up, but for some reason I always want a clean slate come Jan. 1.

This year…. welp. I casually mentioned I felt like putting up the tree this weekend even though I knew that’s just ludicrous and really pushing the decorating envelope. BUT.. the kids said.. All our neighbors have their tree up and lights outside up already! (they live just over the hill from us) What? What. Really?…. Well.. then….

You know, I think we all feel like we need a little extra cheer this year… it’s been far too long, the pandemic misery, the political misery… I believe we’ve all had just about enough – and the spirit of Christmas is just the ticket to drag us up out of the trenches a bit. Heck I’ve already watched two Hallmark movies – They billed them as new, but they are the same story recycled over and over. The poor (single) girl who comes to be the nanny or whatever and eventually she and the Prince of the Kingdom marry… or the woman who comes home for Christmas to help the parents or her favorite Aunt with something, a dying business, the selling of the family home… enter the old flame. Still… something about those Hallmark movies, an uncomplicated sugary christmas drenched storyline that always has a happy ending, complete with fake snow on many locations… well it’s sure enough uplifting.

Our tree though. Sometimes we do a real tree, (we’re actually growing christmas trees up on the hill) sometimes a fake tree – (I don’t want to deal with keeping the dogs away from drinking the tree water… plus all those dead needles, too much fire worry) The fake tree down in the basement has seen better days. Not all of the lights light up and it’s a heavy son of a B*tch. Since it’s always yours truly dragging that thing out of the basement lest I want to wait till Santa’s a$$ is already stuck in the chimney, I have to do it myself. That tree needed a replacement.

I went out yesterday – thinking it’s before Thanksgiving, surely I can find a decent fake tree somewhere. Nope. What was available is mostly sold out and what was supposed to be available is stuck on a container somewhere, apparently. Walmart had a few cheap versions left and so I grabbed one – I don’t love it, but this will have to do for this year. I put a smaller charlie brown tree next to it to help it limp along – and at the risk of totally offending you because I am usually one of those who says – Oh COME ON, it’s not even THANKSGIVING YET, LET THE THANKS and TURKEY HAVE IT’S DAY- here you go.

This year I did things a little differently – the theme for my trees is usually – everything I have all at once all up on the tree. I decided to do more of a nature themed tree but since the tree is so clearly fake? It doesn’t look so nature-like. The small tree next to it has the ornaments I cherish most, the ones my children made when they were little. And my collection of OLD ornaments found at flea markets and antique shops around New England are in a big bowl on the ottoman. The rest of the house is still all about Fall and the Thanksgiving feast until the 26th.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods – If you care to share your traditions, I’d love to hear about them –

Till soon –

FALLing

Man, it’s beautiful out there! New England in her Sunday best – Even in the rain – we’re getting some of that big weather much of the country is getting apparently. I’ve been walking a lot with my favorite hiking/walking buddy – he’s been so good for this weary soul.

My son and fiance had their engagement photo session here on the farm recently – here are just a few of my favorites…

Their wedding will take place next June along the CT River in an old factory with gorgeous windows and wood floors, an old fashioned train will bring guests to the venue – stay tuned!

The Mr. and I took a quick ( like eight hours start to finish) trip to Vermont last weekend and I got my apple and cider fix –

Some art projects I’ve been working on… beaded horse shoes (old mule shoes found here on the property… and a new painting on the easel. The shoe I “sold” for a donation to a farm animal rescue here in CT called Shut the Door Farm – and the painting might just serve the same purpose once it’s done. I love making things, but when they actually serve a worthy cause, it’s that much more rewarding.

With this season comes a desire to dig out more recipes, comfort foods, holiday fare, and I love every minute of it except for the cleanup. Every rose has it’s thorns 🙂 And speaking of roses….

Check out this recipe – made it for company yesterday and it was AWESOME! and fun to make – not complicated, I promise!

Apple Rose Pastry

And here’s another fantastic easy fall recipe…

Creamy Roasted garlic Butternut Squash Pasta

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods – wishing you all good things in this season of thanks giving. ❤

Hello again, dear friend

It’s a miserable raw damp day to be doing anything outside here in New England, which is exactly what I was thinking when I saw my favorite harbinger of better days ahead and the warmth of the coming season….. Elizabeth Hird’s crocus.

She scattered them in the lawn by our garage many moons ago. I should introduce her – She was an educator, Traveler, an Artist, a great philanthropist and a Gardener. The tall stand of pines on one side of our (her) house and the cedar grove on the other were all planted by the Hird/Rausches with the help of the neighbor boy some 50 years ago. He was paid a nickel a tree and delighted in the work. Those stands of trees are like sentinels to this farm, I mourn the loss of any that come down in heavy storms. Alas there have been a few.

The ancient lilacs in my kitchen garden, the old pear tree that still bears tons of fruit each spring even though it is completely hollow through its trunk… they are all reminders of Ms. Hird and her husband Basil Rausch.

She never knew me but I remember her. I was a teenager who visited my aunts farm up the road each summer here on Roast Meat Hill. I would see her occasionally around town wearing her signature wide brim hat, or gardening by the roadside as we plodded by on horseback to visit friends down the way.

Every year when I see those crocus I say – Hello Elizabeth … It’s so good to see you again

My Valentine to You

Have I told you lately how much I appreciate your dropping by now and then? I have come to know some wonderful salt of the earth people (my favorite kind) on this blog forum and that is a Valentine all on it’s own.

Lots to catch up on… How about that non-impeachment joke of an event? Without going into a diatribe about how thoroughly disgusted I continue to be, this sums it up pretty well…

Anyway.. Onward.

We’ve had snow and the typical cold raw grey New England winter days… and my back and neck remind me I’ve been doing barn chores in this weather for oooh… about 40 years now, give or take a few….

Above is Leah, our showgirl-come- home, and she loves being a home horse with less responsibility 🙂

Below is our old boy, Max… glaucoma clouds one eye. He and I match with about the same amount of greys and no fondness for makeup- thankfully I don’t have his chin hairs.

The EggPlant during a recent snowfall…. I have 8 new chicks of colorful varieties coming soon!….

Our daughter’s house in the field nextdoor….

My son and his fiance have a new baby… their first… and he’s of the canine variety – Meet Leo, a 4 month old rottie – I get to babysit a few times a week when the boy is at work.

When your mom becomes a grand and suddenly has that McDonalds money you were always asking for….

Some Valentine Wisdom……

And finally — whoever Emma Knight is… she is definitely of my people❤

Till soon, Friends…

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas….

…. and for most of us that’s exactly what it will be, a “little” Christmas compared to what we’re used to. Strange times indeed. This past month I have taken a step back from newsfeeds and my appalled reactions to so much of it. I am grateful for this family’s health including our mothers and for the promise of better days ahead. I hope you are weathering the multitude of storms and are feeling some optimism for the future.

I put Christmas up here in this house before Thanksgiving was done – we needed the cheer so I pulled out all the stops – even the SnowVillage that’s been in big bins in the basement for years came back out. It’s true we won’t have the bigger family gathering we usually do, but that’s OK – it helps to know we are placing some insurance on having everyone round the table again next year by being cautious this year. This will be the first Christmas without Dad. (Fuck Covid) Last year he brought with him a mini drone that he loved – we pushed it around between us and had a good laugh…. I can tell you for certain it will not matter, whatever the issues in a push and tug relationship, once they’re gone, you’ll be reminded of the good, the bad, and you’ll miss them. Also, no matter what you thought you were doing right while they were around, you’ll find regrets.

From the looks of these gingerbread men you’d think we’d been drinkin –

Sally’s favorite seat in the mancave…

We’ve had some beautiful snow, although it makes barn chores a little more difficult. My goatgirls Bella and Star are not impressed with the white stuff, but have adjusted .. eventually.

SO much joy I get from these two… they talk to us all the time, huddle around our legs, I’m grateful I can hear some of their little goat girl mumbles… mehhh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.

More snow pics here on the farm….

My daughter’s home next door can be seen in the photo below…

My son’s home is deep in the mist of the picture below. Happy News to share with you on that front in the next post…

Some laughs to share with you next…. and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, a joyful, peaceful holiday season in whatever the ways you celebrate, and good health and much happiness in the New Year – XO

Sharing this beautiful song , one of my all time favorites… click on the link and click skip the ads… enjoy ❤

https://youtu.be/ChcR2gKt5WM

Till soon, friends…

As I set the table on Thanksgiving morning the stark reality of what this particular day’s table looks like settled into my gut. Not only was that table far less crowded due to pandemic precautions, ( our mothers and any extended family stayed home) … but the man who sat at the far end head of the table is no longer with us because of the same virus that keeps us apart. Dad wasn’t a church goer- but he took pride in saying grace before the big meal, and so it was his job each Thanksgiving. That moment was the hard one, and became a moment of silence instead.

Sending love from our house to all of yours, a hug to those who observed the empty seat, and for those who couldn’t join with their families in the usual traditions. May Grace and gratitude find us all in the days to come, there is truly so much to be thankful for

This and that and out and about

Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any more bizarre……

I need to make this clear before I go any further… I don’t wish harm or illness on anyone, ever. That being said… it’s no surprise that the POTUS contracted Covid, is it? As well as almost half his staff and a family member or two. Not to mention the myriads we don’t know about who attended his maskless rallies in recent months and the myriads of dead (over 200,000 now and counting) because he chose to treat the whole thing as a “Democratic Hoax” in the initial, crucial first months. He has no one to blame but his own arrogance, ignorance, greed. It’s mind boggling. A day ago I thought to myself….. perhaps… this experience will humble him some and he will come out of it with more empathy and smarts for the rest of us moving forward. No… yesterday’s photo-op in a sealed car where he is again putting his secret servicemen at risk proved otherwise. When he was initially diagnosed he also attended an event knowing he tested positive.. without notifying anyone until he was back at the WH. He is so unfit for the position he holds.. on so many levels. There are no excuses worthy of keeping him there. I implore anyone reading this.. PLEASE.. vote him out in November. Please.

The debate? What a sh*t show. What a shame. And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

My son’s house just over the hill is almost complete – move-in day is just two weeks away and I am so excited for them. As with my daughter’s home next door, the upstairs will remain unfinished for now, an effort to keep the mortgage down, expenses manageable. When either start a family of their own, the second floors will be finished. When we bought This Old House and renovated her beginning in 2009, this was exactly what we had envisioned for the property – Being in the home building business, my husband has a good eye for property potential and I have been in love with this old house (“Saving Grace ” or Gracie as I call her) since my teen years. We are so very lucky to have been able to acquire her and bring her back to life, and turn this farm into a family compound. That both of my children are as enthusiastic about this farm as we are is more than just icing on the cake.

M & M… at the granite/marble warehouse picking out counter granite…

Installed last week, and it is beautiful… She is also an “M”… when she saw the kitchen almost finished she said… I am not worthy of this kitchen!… but she absolutely is, in spades. Not only has she worked hard to pursue a career in the optics field, she is already a good cook as well. I couldn’t be happier for my son, who has chosen a great partner to share life with. More announcements on that front in the near future.

Meanwhile… I continue to find respite on this farm, my Saving Grace. The GoatGirlz, Star and Bella are thriving here. We are all enamored with these two silly girls and their calls to us whenever they spot us nearby.

Leah has become very comfortable with being a “home” horse instead of a show horse… and we’re thinking we aren’t going to return to the show world in the near future. The Sh*t Show is still out there.

On the health front, I have lost a solid 10 pounds in the last month, the next ten will be harder. My relationship with food is complicated. I love it, I love to make it for myself and especially for others, it is my anxiety and boredom reliever and has been for my entire life. Bad habits are hard to break! But.. with less sugar and carbs in my diet, I am feeling better overall – the fibromyalgia pain is less. Onward…

We have not gotten as much use out of our little seaside cottage this year, too much going on around the farm and work, and of course not having the bigger gatherings there due to Covid concerns. Stella continues to be a refuge regardless and next year we’ll spend more time there for sure.

I’ve been trying to instill this next thought in my husband’s mind for 32 years now. All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy. It actually makes him a very grumpy, overworked overtired boy. Last weekend I did manage to get him to take a day trip to one of his favorite destinations, Vermont… and he actually smiled for a while and took a few deep breaths. We came home with apples, cider and a pie from the Scotts Farms Orchard in Dummerston and cheese from the Grafton Cheese Factory – it was a very good day. The colors are not quite peak here in New England, and after the recent tropical storm, here near the shoreline there are a lot of BROWN trees from the sea salt-stained winds.

Wishing you all good health and the happiness to be found in the places we call home, the family we love and the time we make for ourselves – it’s so important.

Till soon –