a shenandoah story

In the brief moments spent indoors during the last month, we’ve arranged a few pieces of new furniture. My favorite of these is our new dining room table. It is handcrafted from wood salvaged from a 1901 orchard barn in the Virginia countryside. It has three long planks running its length, with a breadboard extension for seating eight. The carpenter made it according to the size I specified and sent photos to make sure the finish was dark enough. I enjoyed working directly with him, and he enjoyed telling the old wood’s story—and making it come alive for another generation.

With the table as its centerpiece and a view of the garden, I think the dining room is my favorite room in the house. I feel fortunate to work from home, and even more fortunate when there is company around the table!

season of salads

The harvest has begun. The arugula came up first and fastest, so I've been blending it with lettuces from the farmer's market. There isn't much else that is ready (unless you count mint, of course), but I've made more than a few salads with simple vinaigrette. Today marked the first garden give-away, as I pressed a friend to take away some of the arugula.

potting party

Living in northern Virginia, I've discovered the season of spring anew. The seasons (usually) shift gradually here, and I relish the chance to watch flowers bloom and fade in succession as the weather warms. Now some of those flowers are in my own backyard; though the tulips are long gone and the azaleas have withered, the irises and spiderwort are gracing the green with spots of purple. The pond foliage has filled in dramatically (see below).

Last weekend my sister and brother-in-law visited -- our first overnight guests! We sat on the patio, dropped by the farmers market, and planted half a dozen containers with plants I found at Merrifield Garden Center. My brother-in-law snapped a few photos:

Both the watering can and the pink & orange begonia were housewarming gifts from friends nearby. Now I think of them, and my sister, whenever we sit outside.

spring sprouts

Last weekend we built cedar raised beds and filled them with fresh soil. On Easter Sunday, I planted my seeds: peas & beans, basil, dill, cilantro, chives, and lettuces. This spot gets a lot of sun, and it's great to finally plant more than a few pots on the balcony.

This week, bush beans and lettuce offered almost-instant gratification, sprouting in a mere four days. They were a warm welcome as we officially moved to the house!

Also loving life: the pink azalea on the side of the house (with lily of the valley) and the stonecrop sedum near the pond. When the boxes are unpacked and the furniture is in place, I promise I'll post more than just pictures of plants!