Button & Ivy on the first day of spring Green Hill Farm March 2018 In honor of this snowy, first day of spring and the lovely landscape it created, I thought I would share a rustic, winter painting I completed earlier this year as well as some photos of Green Hill Farm. “Waiting for Spring,” 8 x […]
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Green Hill Farm Tuesday, March 13th We’ve enjoyed sunny days, blue skies, greening pastures, and daffodils over the last couple of weeks, and then…..it snowed four inches on Monday. But happily, most of it melted the next day. So, once again, we’re on our way to spring. Happy Thursday!
A while ago, Farmguy and I visited Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park located in Guiting Power—Cheltenham, England. The farm was opened in 1971 by Adam’s father, Joe to help protect some of our rare breeds of farm animal. As the home of rare breed conservation, visitors can meet over 50 flocks and herds of farm animals, including Gloucestershire Old Spot […]
Daffodils! Green Hill Farm 2018 I love this time of year as winter starts thinking about transitioning to spring. The days are warming up, the daffodils are coming up, the pastures are greening up…and my mood starts lifting up. I know we’re not completely done with winter, yet. But, I sure am grateful for this wonderfully warm weather. And, […]
Hamish, Rosebud, & Ivy Green Hill Farm January 2018 Have a wonderful weekend!
“Simple Gifts” written by Elder Joseph ‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be, And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight. When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed, To turn, turn will be our delight, Till by turning, turning we come ’round right. Originally, a Shaker hymn, this music was mostly unknown outside Shaker communities until Aaron Copland composed its melody for the score of Martha Graham’s ballet, “Appalachian Spring” which premiered in 1944. Copland was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his achievement; however, when he began his award winning ballet score in 1942, he couldn’t have foreseen that it would become one of the most inspiring and symbolic works of the century.
Hamish in the corral on shearing day. This is Hamish, one of Green Hill Farm’s most entertaining and beloved sheep…just after he’s been sheared: “OMG Farm girl!! WHAT HAPPENED to my ear?!” “No worries, Hamish. It’s still there—just tucked behind your right horn.” 😉 Have a great weekend!
Just thought I would share some photos of our favorite sheep and chicken themed Christmas tree. And, say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who took time to offer kind, comforting, and encouraging words regarding our dear sheep, Violet. It really meant a lot to Farmguy and me. Many, many thanks. XOXO
Farmgirl with Hamish and Rosebud “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” ~Dr. Seuss Most of the windows of our 200-year-old house afford a scenic view of the pastures and our beloved sheep. Often, during the day, I will pause for a moment to look out on our little flock, either grazing or lying serenely in a field. It’s a simple pleasure that creates gratitude and lifts my spirit. Sheep typically flock together, especially since they’re prey animals. So, each time I cast an eye over the pastures, I always count to make sure I see all ten of them: Clover, Hamish, Rosebud, Heather, Button, Fern, Olive, Daisy, Ivy, and Violet. Sadly, from now on, I will only count nine of our wonderful woollies. After a decade of loving care and interaction with these beautiful and amazing creatures, we will have to say goodbye to one of them tomorrow. Violet’s front legs have become arthritic, and late last week, she injured one of them and can no longer bear weight on it. The veterinarian visited and said there was nothing to be done to repair the leg. So, we’ve kept Violet comfortable in the hospital pen, administering pain medication for the last few days until we can both be home to humanely say goodbye and have assistance burying her. We are heartbroken. To many, Violet is just a sheep; however, to us, she’s much more. She’s a […]
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 