Life isn’t perfect. It’s not supposed to be. It’s supposed to be REAL: a messy “learning lab” of experiences, mistakes, and practicing our ability to reflect on all of it—hopefully cultivating a positive outlook. An outlook that creates a meaningful, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind life. A life we can share by loving and uplifting others…..and, ultimately, ourselves. So, here’s the thing: […]
I love to travel: experiencing different cultures, learning interesting things, and making new friends. However, after being away for awhile, I begin to look forward to spending time at home again. I long to see our sweet animals, and I miss the routine of Green Hill Farm. Amidst the busyness and stress of our daily lives, the beauty before us is sometimes overlooked. Travel offers a break—it’s fun, it’s stimulating, and it opens our minds to different perspectives. But, perhaps the loveliest thing about it is its ability to re-focus our eyes, so we may once again, see and appreciate the simple things. And, feel a deep gratitude and love for home. Have a wonderful week!
Startled, I sat up in bed. “Scott–did you hear that? I just heard glass breaking,” I whispered. My heart was pounding uncontrollably. Living in a 227-year-old house, I’m well-accustomed to the quirky noises that it makes, but this was different. “You were dreaming. It’s nothing,” he assured me. “I was not dreaming,” I hissed. I heard […]
“Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” ~Pema Chödrön “There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” ~Epictetus “In the process of letting go you will lose many things from […]
Our woollies have been getting a little warm lately, especially since we’ve had a few days around 80 degrees F.–which is fairly hot for late-April. So, after re-scheduling with our shearer twice due to rain, we finally sheared, trimmed hooves, and de-wormed all of our lovely sheep last Tuesday. Now, they’re ready for warmer weather! Clover, Heather, and Ivy […]
“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” ~ Eleanora Duse
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggles, known loss, and found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ~Elisabeth […]
I grew up in an environment of “old stuff”–old houses and barns, antique furniture, and heirloom quilts and china. My grandparents lived next door in the family’s ancestral home, and Grandma Rieley loved antiques. Almost every Saturday morning she was either at an estate sale, yard sale, or antiques store. All of this influenced my appreciation and love of antiques and “old stuff” in general. So, when I ran across this craft idea for making a bird feeder from a vintage teacup and saucer, I loved it! This would be a fun craft activity to do with older children (with adult supervision), a charming homemade gift for Mother’s Day, or even a hostess gift for a bird lover or gardener. It’s fairly straightforward, only requiring a few items. Gather: 1. Teacup and saucer–This can be anything you have on hand, mismatched or otherwise. I found a few individual vintage teacups and saucers at a local antiques store for $10.00 or less. 2. Sandpaper 3. Super adhesive glue–I used E6000. 4. Twine, string, or yarn 5. Birdseed–My birds seem to like a sunflower and safflower seed mix. Directions: 1. Thoroughly wash and dry teacup and saucer. 2. Use sandpaper to scratch teacup and saucer where the two surfaces meet. This helps them to adhere together once glued. 3. Squeeze a small amount of glue onto the surface of the saucer. Next, tip teacup onto its side and place on top of […]
Our neighbors recently started bee-keeping, and today, I noticed a very audible hum in one of our flowering shrubs. When I looked a little closer, there were bees everywhere—a hive full. It was wonderful to see so many honeybees in one place! Hopefully, our orchard and garden will thrive with all of these pollinators flying around the farm. Happy Weekend! […]
With a sweet, earthy flavor, juicy texture, and beautiful ruby-red hue, beets make a salad into something sensational. The key to making them the highlight of a simple yet elegant salad is roasting, making the beets juicy and tender with a concentrated sweetness. Peeling is easier when the beets are still warm. Also, tossing the sliced beets with the dressing […]
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 