What do I do on a rainy January day when the skies are gray and the Christmas lights have been packed away?
Oh, that’s easy! I think Spring. I think refresh, restore and move around, from room to room and cottage to cottage. Time to fix a pot of coffee, to curl up on the sofa, pull the throw over my feet and pour over a stack of Cottage Style magazines. It’s time to ponder, imagine and plan. Hum, maybe paint some cabinets, new slipcovers, wall décor, lights? And wouldn’t that piece of furniture look better on that side of the room, on that wall, in that Cottage?? Let’s see! I make notes, dog-ear pages and write shopping lists for TJX, Homegoods and Lowe’s. Ideas abound. This is Green Valley fun on a winter’s day. Come see what’s new at the cottages. I’ll bet you’re going to like it!
0 Comments
It's only days now....coming quickly. The removal of one calendar for another. A November day spent scrolling through photo files for the perfect 12 images that would reflect Green Valley's beauty in all seasons...the images....so many...of sunshiny days in the meadow, on the sparkling waters, the blooming of spring, the green of a summer's day, the turning of leaves, the falling of snow. And now as we prepare to hang the new calendar, we at Green Valley will be happy and blessed to welcome in this New Year.
Happy New Year, dear friends of Green Valley. I wonder. Has it really been 20 years? By chance, while dusting my bookshelves, I rediscovered Sophronia Cottage’s first guests’ log book. The book began as a personal journal of my family’s adventures of working, rebuilding, and loving Green Valley.
And then, the idea of a “cottage” was planted, watered, and nourished until it grew and blossomed into Sophronia Cottage at Green Valley Lake. My personal journal then became a guests’ log with the 1st entry being made on July 28, 1995. “Thank you for sharing this beautiful, peaceful place. This was one of the most relaxing weekends we have had and we certainly plan to return. You have done a wonderful job on the cabin and the grounds. The natural beauty remains, with all the comforts of home.” And so...the story began... a poem by Edgar A. Guest “I want to go fishing ! somewhere on a stream I want to give way to the longing to dream. Away from the tumult of motor and mill. I want to be carefree. I want to be still! I’m weary of doing things; weary of words, I want to one with the blossoms and birds. I want to push off from the river-kissed shore Alone with my dreams and my fancies once more. I am wearying of reading the books on my shelf I want to be quiet and think for myself. I’ve a feeling sometimes of huge things crushing me And I want to go somewhere and set my soul free. I want to go fishing! to sit all alone Where only the purest of breezes are blown; To visit in worlds that are different from ours, The world of the insects, the song birds, the flowers; To question the skies and the waters below And be the glad youth that I was long ago.” Another welcoming sign proclaiming the arrival of Spring... Baby Bluebirds at Green Valley. We enjoy tending our bluebird boxes. Doing our best to provide a safe nesting area for the birds and their young. Today we discover 5 eggs in one box and babies in the other...Life is happening at Green Valley.
The day was a drizzly, rainy one.
Not a good day for grounds care. The guests were snuggled into their cottages. All is calm at Green Valley. It’s a good day for G.V.’s guardians to get out and about. Do some shopping, visiting and eating. First stop of the day...Wilson’s Store/Bittersweet Memories for a nice chat with Patty and Bonnie, some candy, cheese and chips. Sweets treats and Sweet ladies make a trip to Wilson’s a happy thing to do. Back into the van, dig through our purchases to find the bag of chocolate covered peanuts and we’re off to Marshall’s to search among all the treasures...hoping to find another Perfect item for the cottages. And, or course we were successful, some new wall art and perfect blue vases....that will look just right atop the old cupboard at Lory Cottage. I’ll leave my pretty things there for now... and later, when the mood hits, I’ll move them to a another Cottage. One of my very favorite childhood past times was “playing house”. It seems I haven’t grown up !!! An entry from our guest books, April 1-3.
"The pictures online don’t give the true appreciation of this beautiful cottage. I was impressed from the moment we drove down the lane to the Lory Cottage. I would recommend this cottage to anyone that is in need of a little time away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. We enjoyed sitting by the lake, walking the trails. We even visited the Wilson’s General Store. This is a must see ! The Store was perfect and took us back to our childhood days. The most memorable part of Green Valley was watching a bald eagle swoop down and grab a fish right out of the lake. What a site to see. We loved it here !!!" Lancaster, Pa. Our valley is waking from a long winter’s nap.
It began as a whisper in the melting snow three weeks ago. Now it’s a Shout in greening grass, budding trees, blooming daffodils, birds’ song, and tiny leaf peeper frogs that serenade us from the water gardens and streams...Spring Has Arrived !! This week has seen the deck furnishings coming out of storage to get a good wash before returning to the cottage decks and porches. The cottage windows are opened to fresh breezes blowing the curtains. Rugs are drying on the railings. Today a treasure was discovered hiding in the flower garden. A nest of bunnies....the mother ran across the yard.....and no further attempt was made by the gardener to clean that bed of flowers. There’s too much life happening there....cleaning winter’s debris away can wait for another day, after the bunnies have hopped away. Spring can’t be held back...the Easter bunnies nested in the garden told us so. |
Archives
January 2024
Categories
All
|