Saturday, July 21, 2012

mid summer thoughts.

Such a pretty table for this rehearsal dinner...I am a really big fan of dining outdoors, and have had the pleasure of several really spectacular farm-to-table experiences with Hill & Holler.  Next up is 'A Taste of Nelson', on August 18th.  Hoping to go, and wouldn't it be nice to enjoy dinner with some guests?  I am hoping that a few of those lucky folks staying with us, will also find this too tasty to resist -

In the mean time, here at High Meadows in late summer and fall, we are lucky to be enjoying al fresco breakfast on the patio...so pretty under green leaf canopy now, and soon a bright orange and red roof!  I can't believe I said 'soon', but it will be here before we know it!

On the vineyard front, the grapes are absolutely GORGEOUS.  Too many deer, and too many birds - might be time to put up that fence this winter.  Hoping for a nice harvest - the clusters are huge, and for Pinot Noir in Virginia, that's quite an accomplishment.  Yay to Gabriele and his team!  Will keep you posted...come see us  - less than a month til harvest I would think.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Lavendar everywhere!

 

SERIOUSLY...have you ever seen a more beautiful place? Just about 40 minutes south of us, and still in full swing for a few more weekends - Inglewood Lavendar Farm.  I have never been to Provence, but as most readers know from many literary descriptions, during the lavendar season, the air all around you is perfumed with the calming scent of lavendar.  It's like this here now - at this magical farm.  Their farm store is a delight - there is nothing to compare to the scent of essential lavendar oil...and nothing is spared here - the products are fantastic!  

Lately, I have been harvesting our own lavendar for Lemon-Lavendar Crepes, with Caromont goat cheese...so yummy.  It's simple to infuse pretty much any syrup with the delicate flavor of summer - just let a small sprig steep in the hot syrup for a while - the longer you leave it and the bigger the sprig, obviously the stronger the taste!  Lemon is a natural paring, but my favorite local jam maker did a delicious strawberry-lavendar jam this spring, which has inspired me to try Peach Lavendar...off again this weekend to Carter Mountain to pick peaches, then home to cook and can.  Guests this winter can look forward to the tastes of summer, even in front of a warm fire! 

Friday, June 22, 2012

Perfect Summer start!

The fabulous view at Bel Air - site of the Sunday night Hill & Holler Farm dinner!  Can't wait - the food at these events has been spectacular, topped perhaps only by the delightful people I have met.  One person, Daniel, is an inspiration for my canning this week...beach plum, fig and rosemary sauce.  His jams, http://accordingtodaniel.com/jam/ are legendary in Charlottesville, and available at the Farmer's Market or our favourite shop Feast! (I think the exclamation point is actually part of their logo...and if you shop there, you will understand why.)  I will be attempting a peach & lavendar preserve this week, and who knows what else?  Such fun! 

The wedding last weekend of Amy & Adam also was an inspiration - Amy spent hours making all sorts of delicious jams, conserves and jellies for her wedding guests, pickles of all sorts graced their reception buffet - all made by her.  What a treat for her guests, and I was so grateful for the gift she left for me - a beautiful selection of her sparkling cookery. 

So - pickles this weekend, jam this week, and maybe continuing through the summer...come see what we serve up for breakfast!  And if you are lucky enough to be around for a Hill & Holler dinner event (check out their website for upcoming dates) let us know and we will get you tickets.

what a happy start to summer!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

photos of Spring! Wisteria/Peacock/budbreak

I will let the photos speak for themselves today...














Budbreak this week...I don't think the temps last night did any damage - the vines look greatall trimmed up and ready to grow! There must be 300 new vines planted and wrapped...can't wait to see them spring upwards. We have had a couple of dismal years of harvest...I am thinking positive this year. I'd love to see a few bottles of Pinot Noir, not just the Vin Gris, though I drank a bit of that last night and it was very nice. Got to love what Gabriele Rausse can do! Link

Debating about the deer situation: I am seeing more and more new vineyards starting out with fabulous - and very very tall - deer fencing. And some existing vineyards adding them! Out here, I am not sure what to do...we have a herd of 10 deer currently, roaming an area of about 20 acres...that is quite a population, and they wreak havoc on a a vineyard. What to do: a discrete bow hunter? guard dog? or fencing?

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

whew!

We certainly dodged winter this year! Our daffodils are up, Valentine's Weekend saw some delightful new faces here at High Meadows...what a fun weekend.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Hard to believe, but we will soon have been here at High Meadows for 5 years! Still lots to do, but it's nice to sometimes be able to sit back and enjoy the beauty of the inn and vineyard.

Amazing also this 'winter' weather! Sorry for the skiers who are losing valuable time - and this can't be good for the ski resort industry...but from a purely selfish standpoint - it has been lovely to be able to be out in the garden, and by the pond tidying the trails and trimming back the spent flowerbeds...often, we are so busy and so cold - work that should be done in the fall gets put off to the spring - not this year! Even with a cooloff this weekend - it will be nice weather for walking.

This week - Charlottesville Restaurant week! http://cvilleyum.com/ If you are coming to see us - don't miss these great deals.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

The 'quest for quiet' has always been here...

Just saw a blurb on the 'Today" show regarding travel trends...the newest 'in' thing is being unplugged! Really??!! Yes, really - it seems people are finally realizing they need what we are offering: an opportunity to unplug yourself. The show highlighted amazing resorts that offered the visitors the option of no tv's, no cell phone service, no wi-fi, and most dramatically - no electricity. I like all of those things - and have enjoyed time myself at places such as these - and have found a nice happy, medium for our guests. Nearly everyone lauds our 'no tv' policy, and loves rediscovering puzzles, books, and games; I am not so sure everyone would or could leave their cell phones behind: we have a few square miles of 'dead zone' here in Central Virginia, and you'd think people were in the middle of the dessert with no food or water, judging by some folks' reactions to not having cell service! And then there is electricity: I admit I am not willing to forgo that here - this is also our home, as well as an inn.

I do think that we might be a good start for someone who craves some quiet, but can't quite be completely disconnected (I'd be uncomfortable with that myself - I have children I worry about). Come see how nice it can be to fall asleep reading instead of to the hum of a tv. Or how relaxing it is to take a walk in the woods, not watch daytime television. Or just to sit and really talk - in person - instead of facebook posts or tweeting!

I was raised in Florida. There is nothing I like more than a long walk on the beach, listening to the waves...now, here in Virginia, it's almost as satisfying to sit in the woods and listen to the quiet of the leaves falling, or the birds - even in winter - fluttering in the underbrush, near the small pond.

High Meadows is so close to DC and Richmond...if you are on a 'quest for quiet' look for us to help you find it in 2012.