Farmguy and I were in England a couple of weeks ago on vacation. We stayed in the Cotswolds area not too far from a town called Broadway. Broadway is a charming place with a number of fantastic art galleries that we always enjoy visiting. A friend recommended that we stop by John Noott Galleries as they have a variety of […]
I’ve known my friend, Rhonda for 30 years now. We met in the spring of 1986 when we were both trying out for our high school’s drill/dance team. I was 14 and she was 13. Rhonda was friendly, bubbly, and easy-going, and we just seemed to click. We were great friends throughout high school as well as college roommates. Rhonda […]
Home Sweet Home I enjoy traveling as well as experiencing and learning new things; however, after being on vacation the last couple of weeks, it’s really nice to be home again. I always miss Green Hill Farm and all of our sweet animals when Farmguy and I are away. Coming home to this special place fills my heart with […]
Photographs taken from Broadway Tower Worcestershire, England “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~Viktor E. Frankl
Gloucestershire, England or the Cotswolds is such an enchanting place. We love its history, stunning gardens, art galleries, natural beauty, and farmland. My favorite thing is waking up to the sound of lambs baahing, roosters crowing, and wood pigeons cooing. Every morning and evening, Farmguy and I walk around the little village where our cottage is located. Yesterday, we happened upon a friendly and curious herd of cows. They had the sweetest faces and the most entertaining mannerisms. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! Have a wonderful weekend!
England doesn’t have a national anthem; however, unofficially the beautiful “Jerusalem” hymn is seen as such by many English people. “Jerusalem” was originally written as a poem by William Blake in 1804. The lyrics, written by Hubert Parry, were added to music in 1916 during the gloom of WWI when an uplifting new English hymn was well received and needed. “Bring me my bow of burning gold! Bring me my arrows of desire! Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire! I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England’s green and pleasant land.” “Sea Dreams” 8.5 x 11.5″ acrylic on canvas. by Tonya Rieley Hengerer After visiting a number of wonderful art galleries in the Cotswolds as well as spending the last week in England’s “green and pleasant land,” I was inspired by this country’s many breathtaking landscapes to pass a delightful afternoon painting. This worked out well as Farmguy was watching the Euro Cup. 🙂
“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.” ~May Sarton Photographs taken by Tonya R. Hengerer at Hidcote Manor Gardens and Kiftsgate Court Gardens in Gloucestershire, England–the Cotswolds
Most days I feel grateful to live on Green Hill Farm, surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains and pastures as well as my farm animals and pets. It’s not always easy, but I do feel enriched by the work that I do here and the special interactions I have with my animals. **In memory of Clover, Hamish, and Ivy…my beloved sheep who passed away this year.
Our friends, Al and Cindy have a beautiful farm nearby. They have chickens, goats, cats, and dogs–plus, they sometimes pet sit for others (see Rosebud, the pot belly pig). Here are a few charming photos of their cute critters that Cindy graciously shared with us. I hope you enjoy! Have a wonderful weekend!
My name is Tonya, and I grew up on a 300-acre farm in rural Virginia that has been in my family for over 100 years. After graduating from college, receiving my master’s degree in speech and language pathology, and living and working in a small city for six years, I decided to return to the place of my childhood. Here, in this rural area, on this patch of green, where for four generations my family has farmed, gardened, and lived, I, too wanted to be a part of this continuity. As a fourth generation farmgirl, I have many interests that not only include, but also go beyond the basics of farming, gardening, sheep and chicken-keeping. It is all of this and more that I plan on sharing in this blog.
fourth generation farmgirl 