One morning, we stopped at a small sheep farm to have hot tea and homemade scones and whipped cream inside a farm cottage-- seemingly straight from a fairy tale--complete with a red dutch door and a thatched roof entwined with ivy and flowers. I half-way expected birds to be cleaning windows while squirrels stacked wood. It was truly magical.
The farmer took us out to see the sheep and his chickens and ducks. While in the pasture, we witnessed his sheep dog herding them in for the afternoon. I was so taken by the farm and the entire experience, I couldn't get it out of my mind. My friends enjoyed it as well. But I experienced a different level of delight. I felt "at home."
We visited the Blarney Castle on Thanksgiving Day and kissed the stone. We were even able to find a traditional American Thanksgiving meal for dinner. It was a trip I will never forget and think about often. An Irish sheep farmer and his wife left an indelible mark--not only on my vision of farm life, but also on my life. For if I hadn't gone to Ireland I may have never come to Verde.
We are linking with Mary at Little Red House for her "Thankful" Mosaic Monday. Check out all the wonderful mosaics there today.
If you get a chance to vote in the Living Country photo contest, you can click on the photo below to go directly there. We appreciate your support.
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| Country Living Photo Contest-Verde Farm |
Happy Thanksgiving Week,
44 comments:
What a lovely experience to start a new chapter in your life! I just know all your animals are happy you went to Ireland too! :)
What a beautiful inspirational beginning to a lifetime of happy farm living! I think you were blessed by an Irish leprechaun while you were there...Verde farm was truly meant to be. Love your photos and your story. Have a great Thanksgiving Amy (and Richie too)!!!
Your mosaic is very charming, I like the composition.
I really do love your pictures Amy and your story of visiting in Ireland is just amazing. I bet it did stay with you. I am glad you are living your dream. I know that there is just something that calls about being around animals and taking care of them and the peacefulness of this kind of life. I guess it is the the simpleness of it that makes it all so worth it. I think in the hurly-burly of life, the natural rhythm of taking care and being with farm animals speaks to a time of tranquility.
I voted too, how many times a day can I vote and can I keep going back to vote for more than one picture?
Have a wonderful day.
What a wonderful story. Have a Happy Thanksgiving on the farm.
I just read the introduction at the top and I am so glad you are finding all these different ways to sustain your dream of country living. I'm so happy for you. You never know what may happen when you go somewhere new and leave yourself open to new impressions and ideas.
Amy, what an absolutely magical place!...:)JP
It looks a wonderful place-you can`t beat that coming home feeling- having and experiencing that sense of belonging ! nice to realize you then possess it x
Looks like such a wonderful trip. I would love to go someday.
I know what you mean ! The land and farms in England and Scotland are the same and the little villages in Irland , Scotland and England are all pretty much alike beautiful! I love the county side of all places, my mum and dad raised me on a farm very simular to the farms from the UK They were both British. great post and photos. Have a wonderful day !
Ireland has always been on my list of places to go. Farm life offers a peace that you just can't find anywhere else. Alll of life's lessons can be learned on a farm and it's just the best place to raise kids- all kinds- LOL!
Hugs- Tete
Amy, I'm so glad you visited Ireland and came and created Verde Farm with your husband. Ireland is one of the places I hope to visit someday. Your mosaic and photos are just beautiful. And the thatched cottage reminds me of the cottage in Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.
sounds like a really fun trip...great photos...I voted for you
Sounds like an amazing trip-I can't even imagine! Your life on the farm has to be wonderful with all the eyes of those special animals looking at you each day-God Bless!
It must have been an amazing trip, both literally and figuratively! It's kind of interesting how we all come to "be" in our lives. You and your husband have turned Verde Farm into a beautiful and magical place as well.
Chris
PS already voted, good luck! :)
Hi Amy,
Your trip to Ireland which inspired you to farm life reminds me of a quote from the character John O'Hara (Scarlett O'Hara's father) in Gone with the Wind:
"Do you mean to tell me, Katie Scarlett O'Hara, that Tara, that land doesn't mean anything to you? Why, land is the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts. It will come to you, this love of the land."
I have always wanted to visit Ireland. All that amazing green and lush farmland. So happy that you were able to go. Beautiful photos by the way!!!
That really did look like a magical place Amy! Makes me wonder why my ancestors came to the USA but now I know why they ended up in West Virginia! Great pictures!
Hope you have a Wonderful Thanksgiving too!
Angela
Good Morning ~ what a wonderful beautiful post. My daughter and her husband just returned from a two and 1/2 week trip through the Ireland Countryside ~ their honeymoon. They have not stopped talking about it and insist that we must go. They tell us that we are doing here on the farm ~ what they fell in love with over there. Your photos are breathtaking. They too have some glorious photos. Amazing! Oh, but I was shocked with the roads ~ they had photos of passing cars with cliffs on both sides and no room to spare!!! Have a Joyous Thanksgiving~
I just voted. Love the photographs!!
I would love to visit Ireland someday.
Happy Thanksgiving!
O my goodness,HOW I WOULD LOVE TO GO!..IRELAND is on my list,..beautful photo's,.. blessed you are.
-Jo
-LazyonLoblolly
Beautiful Pictures...
I've been to Ireland once, with my 2 brothers and my sister-in-law, it was beautiful. What I especially loved was the way the grass rolled down to the sea! I'd like to go back again, this time with my hubby! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Beautiful photos Amy! Funny what speaks to us ...
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Teri♥♥♥
Your pictures of Ireland are stunning. I can understand why you were motivated to get your farm.
Now you have a place that is equally beautiful.
Hi Amy,
Oh my...I would have been in 7th heaven had I been there with you! Ireland is one place I'd love to see ...been to Scotland but one day when I visit my Sister maybe we'll head over to the Emerald Isle. I have always wanted to see the inside of one of those thatched roofed cottages...I've seen lots of them but only from the outside. One day. Beautiful mosaic...I need to get back over to Mary's for Mosaic Monday as I really enjoy that. I hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday ....Maura :)
i just LOVE it here..and i am smiling..."birds washing windows and squirrels stacking wood"...you sound alot like me, my friend...
i would LOVE to visit Ireland too....
I am so Happy we found each other...and right at Thanksgivingtime....
looking forward to spending the Holidays with you...you are a treasure.
sending love and blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving...
Kary and Teddy
What an awesome trip to have taken. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh, how lucky you were. My ancestors are Scotch-Irish and I've often dreamed of going to Ireland. It is such a beautiful place!
Oh Amy what a magical trip, and to know this experience was the inspiration for the ever enchanting Verde Farm. I do hope Porter and Miss Pansy settle into wedded bliss. Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Dog Trot Farm.
I have always wanted to visit Ireland, and it sounds as lovely as I've imagined. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
It looks so beautiful. It's so fun to hear what makes people turn to farm life. I never, ever dreamed I'd be living in the country, and now I wouldn't change it for anything.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Teresa
Happy Thanksgiving Amy and Richie! I love your photos of Ireland and that it inspired you to live a farm life. We visited Ireland in summer 2009 and it is magical. I loved it!
xo,
annie
Your pictures and memories of Ireland are just beautiful. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Will give you a vote on the photo and hope you win!
I do hope you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!
♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Lori Lynn ♥
What a wonderful trip to inspire your life!
Ya'll have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving full of friends, laughter and pie baby...lot's of pie!!! :o)
What a beautiful blog. I just found you and so happy I did. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Beautiful photos and I'm sure you have some beautiful memories. I am thankful you found my blog and I, in return, found yours. You are so sweet and kind.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Staci
ireland is very much like wales, but the cottages are prettier!
lovely experience!!!
What a wonderful way to fall in love with farm life!I hope to go to Ireland some day,my g-g-grand father was from there. Happy Thanksgiving!
My trip to Ireland, home of kith and kin, was too short so I must return. I'm told both Ireland and Scotland look like the Cove, where we live; can't wait to find out. Your photos are breathtakingly beautiful!
Ah that explains quite a bit ~ The Irish always make for the best storytellers ;)
Your photos should be in a travel brochure somewhere - they are exquisite!
Amy, what a wonderful trip and such lovely photos. I never tire of seeing pictures of the Irish countryside. I think I would feel the same as you did, in fact, I may have just stayed put there!
Have you ever watched the BBC series Ballykissangel? It takes place in a small Irish town and is full of gorgeous scenery and a wonderful cast of characters. If you haven't you should check it out, I think you'd like it.
~Andrea~
What a lovely farm and blog! I found you by chance at Moon Over Martinborough's piggie post and knew I would have to visit you too! I love your Ireland story. My mom and I were there in '87 and while on a drive in the lonely land in mid-island. We came across two small donkeys and, of course since we were in Ireland, we had to stop and say hello. I opened the car door to get a better picture, the smaller of the two climbed in, right across my lap. We had a hell of a time getting her out! Seeing this post reminded me of that day. I look forward to reading more about your life on the farm. Thank you for sharing your stories!
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