http://chofoodhub.blogspot.com/2010/03/plant-row-for-hungry-details-emerge.html

LOVE these photos and this blog! Gets me in the mood to really get my hands dirty.

Which is exactly what I'll be doing tomorrow - our veggie garden needs turning this year, and hopefully I will be getting more seeds in the ground by this weekend...and then I am looking for a good place for a couple of raised beds - strictly for greens and root veggies. Pumpkins/butternut/hubbard squash? I don't know quite where to put them - maybe outside the hen pens...and what grows really well under Black Walnut trees? Not veggies of course, too shady - I am looking for some low shrubs or perennials? Ideas?

Wow...I returned from a nice little vacation in Florida to...snow still on the ground! I know that spring is around the corner, there are little bulb sprouts all over the place, trying to get above the melting slush - at least they will have enough water this spring. I was looking at the forsythia on the way home, hoping for a few fat branches - nothing there yet, but SURELY we are just a mere couple of weeks away!

I can't wait to get into the veggie garden - last year, it didn't get near the attention I should have given it, and this year my garden-loving sister is here working with us, so I KNOW I won't have any excuses. :) The blackberry mother plant is huge, and we planted loads of babies along the picket fence last fall - maybe enough for cobbler this summer? Definitely some heirloom tomatoes (my children still talk about the little sweet yellow ones they ate like candy last summer), basil, green beans, okra, peppers, onions, squash, pumpkins, spring greens - time to get out the seed catalogs. And also - we are replanting a couple of perennial beds near the gazebo - loading them with herbs - I am always needing something in the kitchen.

As soon as the slush is gone and we can get out there, hopefully by early March, I will turn the compost in the soil and lay the pathways...I can't wait!

MORE SNOW - but hoping for an early spring!

More snow! Another foot of snow this weekend - that's more than 3 feet in a month - for Virginia, that is NOT very common....happens maybe once every 10 years or so...and the forcast this weekend? That's right - SNOW.

Good news is, I hear the groundhog may be seeing his shadow tomorrow, and I would welcome an early spring...there will be plenty of moisture for the tulips, crocus and daffodils to pop out big and happy.

This may not yet be the year for blueberry planting - hopefully our new barn/event space will be completed though! Tentative plans are for a 40x60 'barn' at the southern end of the Vineyard - big doors that slide open in good weather, or a cozy place in case of rain...we could hold events year round - up to 150 guests, with a gorgeous view of the vineyard and inn. First phase is just the basics, with bathrooms of course - then later I could even envision a commercial kitchen to make catering down there easier...and, as 'green' as possible of course! Still in the planning phases...but maybe ready for spring weddings in 2011?

In the mean time - so much to do with the gardens this spring! Lavendar varieties, more hydrangeas and peonies...anything with fragrance and flowers we love - the gazebo gardens are getting an overhaul this spring, along with the walkway to the backyard....I will post before and after photos when we get underway the first of March.

Happy New Year!

WOW - the snowfall just before Christmas was truly spectacular...over 24 inches fell in Scottsville, more just west of us. We are expecting a couple of inches tonight, and maybe a few more next week - I would say that the skiing at Wintergreen is probably pretty nice right now! It is a nice drive of about 45 minutes - and we can steer you to a great apres-ski dinner at one of the breweries in Nelson county, or just west of Charlottesville. Have a great day skiing, then return to one of our cozy fireplace rooms to relax.

Of course, spring is really just around the corner - by mid February, we will be seeing crocus in the front lawn - purples and yellows carpeting the grass. So, if skiing isn't your thing, remember that a) we can always make your stay interesting with winery tours or dining and b) you can start spring off early with a visit to the country - early flowering bulbs and trees will definitely chase the winter blues away.

For anyone considering a visit from DC or NOVA - we have taken the train to and from Union Station several times now - nice, easy trip, affordable, and we can arrange for transportation to and from the Charlottesville Amtrak station...especially good for an overnight stay with dinner at the Inn, you can cozy up and not worry about going anywhere...2 days with no city traffic to deal with? Priceless...

AND - don't forget Valentine's Day...if you can't visit us that weekend, give a gift certificate for a warmer weekend getaway - just call, or purchase gift certificates online at www.highmeadows.com

One place I haven't mentioned in a while, but that has seen me often in the last 6 months again: Feast! A local shop, voted one of the Top 20 Cheese Shops by Saveur, you would be hard pressed to find better sandwiches for a picnic, or cheeses and charcuterie for in-room snacks. They sample nearly everything, and my latest favourite treats include chocolate dipped figs, and sea salt caramels. If you would like our Virginia wine and cheese tray added to your room stay, you can know that this is where your goodies will come from!

Happy New Year -

A fiery fall sunset, and our beautiful Tom turkey...Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and though the leaves are just about gone (ok, everything is gray EXCEPT the row of Bradford pear trees in the back yard - they match this sunset!) there is still so much to do in the garden...all the perennials get trimmed back, the leaves are piled on the flower beds to keep them semi-warm, and them everything will be mulched for winter. December, January and into February all is quiet - then one day, the front yard will be covered in purple crocus blossoms, and we know it won't be long for the daffodils!



In the mean time, Christmas decorations go up - we are cutting a TALL tree this year for the Breezeway, and putting up a pretty one for the Festival of Lights (great to see in Scottsville - over 30 trees, each decorated so pretty - runs from Dec 12 thru 20) Also, if you are here in early December, the Charlottesville Gingerbread House competition is at the Paramount Theatre this year - you get to see the trains, houses, and get a tour of the renovated theatre also - it is really beautiful. www.theparamount.net Also some very good Christmas shows coming up there in December - let us know if you'd like us to get you tickets and dinner reservations for a holiday show! The Charlottesville City Market becomes the Holiday Market through December every Saturday morning - artisan crafts, food, great stuff for unique gifts.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving - think of us for a winter weekend! High Meadows gift certificates make a great present!

this weekend

So we have had DAYS of rain and windy weather...but the weekend is going to be gorgeous! Saturday and Sunday both - high 60's/low 70's and SUNNY. The trees that are hanging on to their leaves are the beautiful big red oaks, and a few bright yellows up on the mountains. The roadsides are a blanket of color on the ground - I am hoping to get up to Skyline drive this weekend.

Seeing lots of buck deer along the roads, in the fields...of course, it's not unusual to see several females at dusk in the edge of nearly every pasture - this time of year, the single antlered males are what catch the eye - they have a way of running that is just beautiful. Most of the birds are gone or going now - til May - except the cardinals (which are so lovely when it snows!) and big black birds. Definitely feels like fall is wrapping up and winter is on the way!

The vineyard is completley put to sleep for the winter...every row has been cultivated beneath the vines - it looks lovely. Quiet, peaceful, and yet after it sleeps for just a few months - it will be lush and green and (hopefull!) loaded with grapes...it is one of my favourite places to walk, and to just sit and look at the quiet symmetry of it. I am hoping for a new bench this winter to place at the southern end - looking back up the vineyard to the house. There are some beautiful teak root benches up in Madison county...they look like old twisty grapevines actually - I may need to stop there on my way to DC in a few weeks, and pick one out!

I thought that between my mother and I, we had nearly every cookbook known...well, at least every one we could WANT to have...then I came across a book and website that I can't wait to try some recipes from... www.thepioneerwoman.com
It is kind of blunt sometimes, but I think she is so honestly trying to do the best she can with life - it makes me happy. There is a recipe for Tres Leches cake...omg, there is no way it can be healthy - but on the other hand, I do believe that anything made with lots of love and a little bit of decadance can probably help all of us to live longer. Her Blackberry cobbler is clafouti-ish to me, but it looks delightful. And some of the savory recipes made my mouth water just reading them...and then there are her photographs. WOW. Step by step, and artfully beautiful. I wish she were coming to C'ville for a book signing!

perfect weather continues...

What a fall! I am sitting outside, warm sun shining, grass still lush and green - though quickly getting a covering of gorgeous leaves. The air is just cool enough that getting cozy is a pleasant thought! Fireplaces are definitely going to be in use form now on. Bonfire this weekend? If the rain holds off, most definitely.

Also happening this weekend - Cardinal Point Winery Oyster Roast, Saturday and Sunday...nice wine, good food, VERY fun music...how about some Cajun punk on Sunday?? Easy to get to, and you'll pass my favourite antique store on the way.

Virginia Film Festival happens this week - lots of good tickets still available. SO much to do this time of year - and, the breweries are introducing their holiday brews soon, so even non-wine drinkers have some fun ahead.

Farmer's markets are closed for the season now - even our chickens are slowing down a little bit. I guess winter will come sooner or later - we are putting in winter greens, though the last batch was devoured by a hungry groundhog - maybe a new fence to deter him?

The peacocks are so pretty too - no long tail feathers for the winter, but loads of down makes the birds seem twice their normal size! They have been feasting on the bugs that are getting sluggish in the cool air.

I am off to the orchard for a look at the view, and some more of my favourite apples...and cider for guests this weekend. Ciao!