The water garden at Giverny and Château Carbonnieux October 2017 The Waterlilies Musée de l’Orangerie Paris, France “Here and there upon the surface, with a strawberry blush, lie the scarlet heart and white edges of a water lily. Further on, many more flowers, but paler, rougher, with a coarser grain, wrinkled and haphazardly scattered in such a […]
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!
When I first saw the recipe for this colorful winter salad in the cookbook, Southern My Way–Simple Recipes, Fresh Flavors by Gena Knox, I knew I had to make it. Mainly, because it looked so healthy, but also, because it contained many of my favorite foods and spices—avocados, citrus fruit, basil, and ginger. Plus, it’s nice to enjoy food fare that’s […]
Farmguy spontaneously took this photograph a few winters ago during a polar vortex. We were headed out the door to feed our sheep and chickens, and he was amused by my “winter outfit.” During this time of year, Green Hill Farm is our version of a tundra—we’re in a valley of sorts, surrounded by mountains…and the wind blows with a vengeance. So, with temperatures dipping into the teens and single digits over night, I’m back to this lovely look, again. Ughh! But, wintertime isn’t all bad. Even though it’s cold and not fun to go outside, I thought I would embrace the beauty of the season by sharing some of my favorite photographs from past winters on Green Hill Farm. Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!
Green Hill Farm “Happiness is the new rich. Inner Peace is the new success. Health is the new wealth. Kindness is the new cool.” ~Deepak Chopra Wishing everyone a New Year filled with good things!
I absolutely love fizzy and sparkling wines! And, since New Year’s Eve celebrations are fast approaching, I thought it may be fun and helpful to share some information about Champagne and sparkling wines. I’ve also included a few of my favorites. Champagne: First, all that sparkles isn’t Champagne. Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it’s from the Champagne region in France and made in the traditional method (méthode champenoise). The traditional method is a labor intensive, multi-step process (two fermentations) that contributes to the expense. Champagne can be made from three grapes: chardonnay and red-skinned pinot noir and pinot meunier. Sometimes the label will use the terms “blanc de blancs” meaning the wine was made from white grapes, or “blanc de noirs” indicating that the Champagne is a white wine made from the dark pinot noir and pinot meunier varieties. There are also different levels of dryness/sweetness in Champagne: Brut Nature/Brut Zero: Bone dry. No residual sugar. Extra Brut: very dry Brut: very dry to dry Extra-Sec or Extra Dry: off-dry to medium dry Sec: medium dry Demi-Sec: sweet Doux: super sweet *Special note: More Champagne houses from France are opening vineyards in California: Roederer Estate (by Champagne Louis Roederer), Domaine Chandon (by Moët & Chandon), Mumm Napa (by G.H. Mumm), and Domaine Carneros (by Taittinger) are a few of the French producers in California. Sparkling Wines: Crémant: French sparkling wine that is made outside of the Champagne […]
Good friend and animal advocate extraordinaire, Ralph Sites posing with dear, little Bizou on the day of his adoption. December 2016 This photo represents more than just a man and a dog at Christmastime. It represents the true meaning of kindness, goodness, service—and, most importantly…PURPOSE. Our friend, Ralph has a family, a job, and a life of responsibilities like many […]
Basilica di San Lorenzo Chapel of the Princes Florence, Italy “You can turn this world around And bring back all of those happy days Put your troubles down It’s time to celebrate Let love shine And we will find A way to come together And make things better.” ~Madonna *A very special thank you to our good […]
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 