Sunflower surprise

stillwater grey

I'm happy to be painting sample colors on the cat tunnel roof to see which one looks best with the house. I painted oyster grey first and stillwater grey today, and already I think stillwater grey is going to be the one. I have riverstone to try next.

Stillwater grey makes me think of Tasha Tudor. Now that I think about it, maybe that's why I was thinking of her when I first started painting a couple of days ago. If we choose that color it will make me think of Tasha's Stillwater state of mind every time I look at it!

I wrote a blog post years back about Stillwater and Tasha Tudor and I'm copying it below:

Just for fun, my family invented a religion like the Shakers we called Stillwater. I'm eldress, and we have a big celebration on Midsummer's Eve. It's really a state of mind. Stillwater connotes something very peaceful, you see, life without stress. Nowadays, people are so jeezled up. If they took some chamomile tea and spent more time rocking on the porch in the evening listening to the song of the hermit thrush, they might enjoy life more.

Stillwater believers are very hedonistic. Life is to be enjoyed, not saddled with. Do you know that lovely quotation from Fra Giovanni? He was an old monk from away back who wrote to his patron, 'The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy.' That's the first commandment of the Stillwater religion. Joy is there for the taking."

-Tasha Tudor, from The Private World of Tasha Tudor


*** I discovered Tasha Tudor when we got the corgyn - she has written and illustrated several children's books featuring the corgi. As I looked for more of her wonderful books, I came across her cookbook, which I love, and the above book, which is a favorite, full of her ramblings and the most marvelous photos of Tasha in the Vermont cottage built by her son.

The Porches Writing Retreat - Delightful in May!

I had a wonderful second visit to Porches last weekend and in addition to the writing I got done I greatly enjoyed seeing this lovely space in a whole new season. This was my room this trip:

It's known as the Jade room because of this (which certainly made it perfect for ME!):

This is the view out one of the bedroom windows:

And the view from my desk:

And a late afternoon view from my reading chair:

The den remains a favorite spot to read and write:

The sky was inviting every single day:

And the grounds as wonderful in spring as they were in winter:

Everything was lush and starting to bloom:

And of course the porch itself was perfection:

Leaving was sad but I know I'll be back to see this lovely space in the fall.

Highly recommended for writing and fine artists to work in beauty, solitude, and an environment that stimulates the creative process. 

November Hill farm journal, 8

There's nothing like being on the farm after days away. I took peppermints out with me and anyone who was maybe annoyed that I'd been gone made amends pretty fast with peppermints as apologies.

We had a lot of rain while I was gone and as usual, June = Jungle on November Hill. The vegetable garden is about 40% bigger than when I left, the just-weed-eaten fence lines will soon need it again, and the grass seems to grow while I'm standing there watching it.

Horses are appreciating the shady barn with fans during the days. It was nice being in there with them, puttering around doing chores while they munched and relaxed and drank from fresh buckets.

While I was gone dear husband was able to get a large round of our old favorite local orchard grass hay and this spring's cutting looks good. I love this hay when all the many factors that go into baling good hay cooperate. It's easy to balance in terms of minerals, it's low s/s, and the horses love it.

The oak tree that sits at H in the arena looked "wilty" today and I stood for a few minutes and fretted over it. To lose either of the big oaks at H and F would be terrible. I don't see anything wrong with the trunk or bark but it just seemed slightly off. I hope it's okay. 

I researched paints for the porch screens and cat tunnel before going away and my samples were here when I got home. I spent a little time today painting a section of cat tunnel roof to see how the color looks. I have three to try for the tunnel and three whites to try for the screens.

The company I found is https://www.realmilkpaint.com/paint/ and so far I am very pleased with how the milk paint is working. Raw wood works really well with it and I'll apply a coating of tung oil over it once I get the color right to seal and waterproof. I'm eager to try it in other areas of the farm. It's easy on people, animals, and the earth, and I love the matte texture.

I felt like Tasha Tudor today on the ladder for some reason, with husband mowing/dragging the front field and Keil Bay sneaking down the grass paddock to see what I was up to. Bear was on the porch keeping me company as I painted and somehow the milk paint set me thinking of Tasha Tudor and her Corgi Cottage.

Right now the sun has set and I'm sweating and probably need to close the front door but the frogs are out there singing and the night sounds are so pleasant to hear.

I'm happy to be home again. Jiggety Jig.

The view from the Jade room (Porches Writing Retreat, Norwood, Virginia)

This is the view I've had this visit to Porches and it's been a wonderful way to feel the sense of farm and home without having the daily chores and distractions of November Hill.

I've gotten so much done writing-wise, and feel the blessing of time and space dedicated to the creative process. This is my second visit here and I am already looking forward to the next one. 

Highly recommend for writers and artists. You can find the website online if you need a retreat!