Tuesday, November 29, 2011

My Double Life

As much as I am the most content when I am at The Farm, I do not neglect the fascination with city life that I enjoy a couple of days a week.
It's amazing to be looking at those peaceful serene mountains at the 'ole homestead and then come back here to the "tower" (as my grandson calls it) and look out across the Washington DC skyline.




From my perch, I can see the iconic monuments to Presidents past, the Capitol, the White House, the Washington Cathedral and the Basilica.
It's one traffic light to downtown to pop into a museum, go to a show or catch a Hockey game.


Plus, the sunsets here aren't so bad either.









Sunday, November 27, 2011

A Trip Through the Barn





So many treasures found in there.










I am quite happy the former owners saved all the original doors and fixtures from the house during their 1970's remodeling.





This is definitely going back up!












Oh, the Plans I have.
Refurbish these gems and get them back in the house
and then...

Fill the barn with lots of sounds and scents

Might need a little Luck.







***
Participating with Barn Hop #38 at Homestead Revival

and



Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankful

...That on this day of turkey cooking and pie making, I had something handy to use to roll out crusts when I realized my rolling pin was back at the condo...

 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Flying South

I just love surprise visitors to the farm. These only stayed a day, but how fun to have them.



As always I hope, plenty of good food and a comfy place to sleep.
Never did get their names..


Sunday, November 20, 2011

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Painted Luray

In small towns all across America, Walmart built it's big box on the outskirts of town and Main Street met it's decline. Preservationists, town planners, Chambers of Commerces and the like have struggled to revitalize their home streets with an array of projects.  Part of Luray's  Beautification endeavor comes in the form of Art. Paintings to be specific. They adorn the empty store front windows, the sides of buildings,




Under the railroad tresses,



The storm drains,




Sides of concrete walls,




and even the bridge supports for the highway bypass.






Some are whimsical, some reflect points of interest in the area. All are so fun to discover on walks about town.
Many were painted by artists, some by High school art classes, others by scout groups and individuals. Total community involvement. I love it.

Citizens and municipal organizations can do their part to beautify the streets and landscape, but it is up to us to promote, support and encourage small business along Main Street. I've been committed to this notion for some time now, but I must say it is so much easier to stay focused living in the country with so many less options glaring at us. Much more to share on the subject down the road, but right now I'm headed to town.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Sheep

They are everywhere in my home.

On the walls


On the table next to where I sit and knit



Emerging on the current WIP sweater



Disguised as a topiary



Everywhere but here that is:



I must do something about that.

***

Linking with Work-in-Progress Wednesdays @ http://www.tamisamis.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Creamy Sausage Soup


My good friend Karen gave me this recipe and said it would be perfect for a hearty meal at The Farm. She was so right!
Below is the recipe as Karen gave it to me, but being the non-measuring, use what I have on hand, dump it in and stir kind of cook that I am, a few modifications ended up in my pot.
I used link sweet Italian sausage cut in bite size pieces, cheddar instead of American cheese, diced the carrots instead of shredding and added a few dashes of cayenne to get a nice amount of heat. I also just dolloped the sour cream into each bowl instead of blending it in the pot, just because I thought it would look pretty.


1 pkg. hot italian sausage (most are a pound)
1/2 lb. ground beef
3/4 c. diced onion
3/4 c. shredded carrots
3/4 c. diced celery
3 c. chicken broth
4 c. diced potatoes
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
8 oz. American cheese, cubed
1 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream (or half and half)
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried
1 tbsp. fresh parsley or 1 tsp. dried
4 tbsp. butter, divided
1/4 c. sour cream

In a 3 quart cast iron pot, brown the ground beef and sausage; drain set aside.  In the same saucepan, saute onion, carrots and celery in 1 tbsp of butter until vegetable are tender, about 10 minutes.  Add broth, potatoes and meat; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Meanwhile in a small skillet, melt remaining butter.  Add flour; cook and stir 3-5 minutes or until bubbly.  Add to soup; bring to a boil.  If soup is not thick enough, make a slurry of cold water and flour; shake well so there are no lumps.  Add to soup and boil gently.  Cook and stir 2 minutes, then remove from heat.  Let cool for 5 minutes.  Add cheese, heavy whipping cream (or half and half), salt, pepper and herbs; stir until cheese melts.  Take sour cream and blend in a bowl so it is not so thick; blend sour cream into soup.

A nice hunk of  BEER BREAD with an assortment of local honey, butter and jams completed the meal.


Thursday, November 10, 2011

AHhhh...

 Quiet


and Beautiful.




Linking with Outdoor Wednesday at


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Meanwhile, Back in the City...


....there's repair work going on in the parking lot of my building complete with a VERY loud jackhammer or five


and the lovely view of the Washington DC skyline is now shrouded with scaffolding for the next 3 weeks.



 The mortar is being ground out of the brick and repointed. The grinders working right out side my window is unnerving at best.

Guess where I'm headed ASAP?




Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Birthday Boys

Danny and Fritz have been celebrating their Birthdays together since they moved into the same neighborhood together at ages 6 and 7. I officially met the two of them one of those birthday weekends when we were all teens. Since then we've spent many a fond weekend celebrating in such wonderful places as Bermuda and the Big Easy. This year, it was a bit more low key as we welcomed Danny and Donna to The Farm for the first time. For much of the weekend we simply sat admiring the scenery, recounting oft told stories that never get old, reminiscing and laughing.

 We must be getting old.

The birthday boys today:


and a little flashback:



Friday, November 4, 2011

Isn't She Lovely?!

 My Kate in the dress I knit for her.


{Allegheny by Thea Coleman of Baby Cocktails }
{Yarn - Shelter in Faded Quilt }

...and she rocks the boot socks pretty well too.



{ Wellington Boot Socks fron Country Weekend Socks }
{Yarn - Three Irish Girls in Father Time}


Sharing with


and








Wednesday, November 2, 2011

First he surveyed the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean from above.



Then he opted for a closer look.






And with that crossed off the bucket list, Fritz has turned his attention to the next item.

Apparently there is a cross country Harley ride in my future...