Monthly Archives: April 2024

Olde Stone Well Farm

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The Healing Beauty in the Songs of the Birds

Life has been CRAZY here at Olde Stone Well Farm. Work deadlines, roofing problems and delays and a chicken with a lame foot…I don’t even want to ask, “What else can go wrong?”

But in the midst of the chaos — and unrelenting stress — I discovered the healing that is found when we quiet our racing minds and listen to the songs of the birds. I’ve always enjoyed their chirping, but I never realized till now how the feathered choir can soothe frazzled nerves.

So join me here at the farm! I know you have waited for your next visit and I thank you for your patience. I look forward to updating you with all that has been going on—as well as sharing with you my 18th-century bird whistles! (Fritz is not a fan of these once-popular toys!)

I also invite you to come and forage for ramps (wild leeks) with me. They are abundant in the woods and they are so delicious when added to soup or even scrambled eggs.

Like, comment, subscribe and share with friends as there is always room around the old farm table.

And let me know…have you ever tried ramps, and when was the last time you really paid attention to the beautiful song of the birds?

Blessings!

And Yet Another Delay

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Don’t let the peaceful chirping of birds on an early Vermont morning fool you. It has been nothing but chaos here at Olde Stone Well Farm. Filming for its next episode is delayed a bit more. I won’t go into details, but there have been major glitches and delays with the old roof. And to top it off, one of my chickens got hit by a car Saturday night. She is alive, but something happened to one of her feet and it is tucked in underneath her and she is hopping around. She is eating and drinking, though, and seems perky and alert. Lord, in your mercy. Once filming resumes of Olde Stone Well Farm, there will be plenty to share with you!!!

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Dreams Come True!

Okay, I’m being a bit dramatic here. But after waiting 14 years, the cheap metal roof that was on my 18th-century home is FINALLY going away.

Ever since I purchased “the oldest house in Rupert,” as the locals have always called it, I have wanted to replace the roof. It just wasn’t in keeping with the house’s pre-Revolutionary War history. Ideally, I wanted cedar shakes, but that was costly — and wasn’t very practical with our Vermont winters. I didn’t even dare to entertain a thatched roof. (Only joking!)

Sigh.

I looked into fake cedar shakes, but I wasn’t quite sure how they would hold up. I finally decided on a composite slate in a gray color. Fingers crossed that it will look as good as I am envisioning it to look. I did have to make one compromise. My husband who is a fan of standing seam metal roofs (I am trying hard to refrain how I feel about them…let’s just say, I am an 18th century purist, metal roofs did not exist then!), insisted that metal would be better suited for the low pitch of the porch roof. I have seen other homes in the area where slate and metal coexist nicely. And so, I gave in to the idea of metal on the porch roof. Admittedly, it does make sense as the snow can slide off nicely in the winter.

A drawing of the slate roof with standing seam metal on the porch. I am not thrilled, but I think my husband is right to worry about the weight of the snow on the porch roof.

As the workers began their work I was in shock to see that beneath the ugly cheap metal roof (can you tell that I really HATE that roof), are brown asphalt shingles that look like wooden shakes. I am drooling. Already, the house looks 100% better. Now I am rethinking my decision to go with a gray slate…perhaps I should have just gone with a brown shingle. Oh the decisions!

Whatever the outcome, I am just filled with joy that finally that ugly metal roof will be history, and my little home will once again exude with Colonial charm, not only on the inside, but now on the outside.

And this note is to alway say, the roof work has delayed a new episode of Olde Stone Well Farm. I am just too excited to focus on filming…and anyway, you wouldn’t be able to hear a word I say with all the banging going on — and barking. Fritz is not handling the ruckus very well.

Blessings!

The house is already looking more like it is from the 1700s! I’ve always disliked that metal roof!

Olde Stone Well Farm

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Well, Not a Total Eclipse, But Still Awesome

Well, we didn’t have a total eclipse of the sun here at Olde Stone Well Farm, but at least the sun was out! It’s been a week of rain, sleet and heavy snow…so much so, that I found myself not wanting to do anything. I had no energy and was also feeling a tad bit overwhelmed as life just threw so much my way. In this season of Easter, I found myself like the disciples right after the resurrection, huddling in an upper room in fear and despair. The good news is that I also remembered no matter how hard we try, nothing can keep Jesus from reaching us and urging us on to new life. With some much needed sunshine, I began to find joy again and felt the little seed of hope starting to take root. I also got to work at starting my garden by planting seeds indoors for now. The ground is still too cold to work! Where are you finding signs of joy, new life, hope in your life? And remember, if you just happen to be struggling with finding joy, like I was, reach out and let me know. It is always good to remember that we are not alone and prayers are always there to be lifted up! Blessings to you all! One of the greatest joys is having you all join me at my 18th century home. Like, share, comment!