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!

Lovely fall...and gobbling turkeys

well, the cold has been pushed back enough to feel comfortably cool - so far, a terrific fall, since the deep chill only lasted a few days. The leaves are JUST coming into their best color - I expect another 2 weeks (at least) of gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows...our big sugar maple in front has yet to even get going. As I sit and look into the back garden, the pear trees are just dusting with red at the tippy top of the trees...and the tom turkey is putting out a real 'gobble' now! It is so funny - I have never heard one in person - and about 3 days ago, as I was walking outside - it was as if he was talking...so cute, and the feathers are gorgeous - they are a pair of black and white 'Royal Palm' turkeys, and nearly full grown. Much better looking than when they were first given to us! These two (Turk and Caicos) will not be dinner - no worries for them, but I am hoping for some offspring next year that might be.

We have had many guests taking drives on Skyline drive this week - that is our part of the Blue Ridge Parkway - and they all said it was lovely, but the roads that wind through our part of Albemarle county are just as pretty. And the view on Carter mountain - plus the October 'pink lady' apples - shouldn't be missed if you are here!

The work here now revolves around the leaves, of course - cleaning up and tidying the perennial beds, mulching for the winter, and composting the leaves when the last have finally fallen. I look forward to a few late fall bonfires in the evenings, venison stew, and lighting the fireplaces, once the garden has been put to sleep for the winter...it is a peaceful and contemplative time, those few weeks before the holidays begin...oh, and of course pumpkin and squash recipes come out! I had forgotten how much fun it is to cook a big orange pumpkin into mush - and then something really fine like pumpkin cheesecake, or ravioli...the cheesecake I made this week is nothing like a pumpkin pie - just the smooth, rich flavor of the squash, with a bit of maple syrup and gingersnap crust...yum!

Cold already!!

Autumn is starting...

Yesterday was quite a breezy day - lots of early changing leaves, and dogwood nearly finished! It is so pretty to drive and watch the leaves fall; the view at Carter Mountain Orchard today was marvelous! Apples are ready, though my favourite 'Pink Lady' apples won't be in until late October.


I haven't seen the flower beds ever look so lovely this time of year - this is going to be a perfect October. Last season, the leaves were beautiful well into November and it looks like this year we might have much the same. SO much rain this summer (terrible grape season for our vineyard!) has made the trees lush and full - maybe a few hours on Skyline Drive? A tasting at Blenheim - I don't think any vineyard has nicer views...and darn good wine to boot! Gotta love a woman winemaker...

And last - but not least - we finally have our peacocks settled in...a beautiful India Blue named - well, we haven't named him yet. A Blue Pied male called 'Aqua', and a sweet female Cameo named - ok, no name for her yet either. The two turkeys are very happy, and the male is just getting his 'gobble' - I heard it for the first time this morning, and I don't know that I will like it quite so much as the sweet whistle the pair had as young birds. If it is too loud - there will always be next Thanksgiving...