Meanwhile back at the Farm.... #tahillafarm


Taking stock...Tahilla Farm

It has been one year since I went house hunting down a dirt road from the coast of Maine to finding and purchasing Tahilla Farm in New Hampshire and what a year it has been!

I mentioned earlier in the summer that Mr. H was visiting Tahilla Farm for the first time and during his visit frequently mentioned bulldozers. What I have not mentioned since then, is that bulldozers and a whole lot more pulled into Tahilla Farm at the start of August and as of this week, the first week of October, they are done. I couldn't mention it until now because it was too unsettling for this tree hugger to think about...until now.

me and my shadow...Tahilla Farm

Before we started the project, I was told by our 'super forester', Swift Corwin, that I could expect the worst...and then it would get better. Swift likes to tell it like it is and I am glad he did. There were no surprises. I liken my anxiety to the neck pain I have had these past few weeks which has all of a sudden improved..I am thinking there might be a connection between the two.

We cleared parts of Tahilla Farm to bring back the land, to provide new grazing areas for animals and to give Tahilla Farm a new life..one that had been long forgotten.

These past few weeks, reports and photos have been coming in to our home in Vietnam, 
Chateau Mango from all over. Family, workers, friends, visitors, tradesmen, passers by...it has felt like a party...and I was missing it.

Once the trees were cleared, the inevitable happened, the land gave us what New Hampshire is best known for...granite. Rocks, rocks and more rocks in all shapes and size appeared in the most interesting places. They were more like boulders, creating a sea of stone at every turn.



The photos continued to come in and I thought surely...we were done for..our land would forever be a rocky mess. What had we done? My neck pain intensified.

Swift told me not to worry, he had a plan. He is like that...he is a poet, he has a way with words and ideas. Brief and to the point. My confidence in his abilities never wavered. So I sat patiently and waited in Vietnam.. and pestered him for more reports and photographs. I am a master 'pesterer'. He happily complied.




Swift hired one of the best to work alongside him and guess what? 
He was right. It started to work.



My sister is visiting Tahilla Farm this weekend and sent me a few photos this morning. 
My mother's petite dog, Muffin, is the white speck in the field. 
I have to remember to tell my sister about the bears... 
and Muffin about the hawks.


The autumn foilage is starting to show it's colour 
as is the newly formed stone wall that Swift created on one side of the field.



and on the the other side...



and the other.



This week, the seeds were sown in the fields and now we wait.






And there is more...


for amidst the fields..




and trees


brooks..


 and rivers of stone...


a walking trail will take shape. 




Swift has a plan and I know it will be just right!
After all he is a poet...
and he has his ever faithful
canine companion, Grace, by his side
to inspire him.
:)




With thanks to Joe and Gordon for recommending Swift.
It's all coming together. Our village is growing.

The photos above are from all over. A few from Swift, a few from my sister, Kathleen,
and a few from me. With thanks to Swift and Kathleen and everyone else for keeping me posted!

For those of you living in New England...this one is for you. 




Lyrics
When Fall Comes To New England
Words and Music By:
Cheryl Wheeler

When fall comes to New England
The sun slants in so fine
And the air's so clear
You can almost hear the grapes grow on the vine

The nights are sharp with starlight
And the days are cool and clean
And in the blue sky overhead
The northern geese fly south in stead
And leaves are Irish Setter Red
When fall comes to New England

When fall comes to New England
And the wind blows off the sea
Swallows fly in a perfect sky
And the world was meant to be

When the acorns line the walkways
Then winter can't be so far
From yellow leaves a blue jay calls
Grandmothers walk out in their shawl
And chipmunks run the old stone walls
When fall comes to New England

The frost is on the pumpkin
The squash is off the vine
And winter warnings race across the sky
The squirrels are on to something
And they're working overtime
The foxes blink and stare and so do I
'Cause when fall comes to New England
Oh I can't turn away
From fading light on flying wings
And late good-byes a robin sings
And then another thousand things
When fall comes to New England

When fall comes to New England

9/29/90
(P) May 27, 2003
Penrod and Higgins Music/ Amachrist Music
ACF Music group
International Copyright Reserved


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Comments

  1. What stunning photos Jeanne, the colours are gorgeous. Sounds like a plan is coming together, it must be hard watching from a distance though! Very exciting though, it is young to be an incredible home one day :)

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    1. Thank you Simone...watching from a distance is very challenging. Thank god for the blog! xx

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  2. I have put a bid in on a small 8 acre farm, don't know yet if I will get it. .

    Look up the word, pasture. In a real dictionary about 8" thick. Sad to realize my generation is probably the first to grow up without knowing that pastures are SURVIVAL to mankind.

    Love the bulldozer work on your farm. Love it.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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    1. Tara...you always know what to say, right down to recommending 'Plant Dreaming Deep' by May Sarton to me. Thank you! xx

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  3. Beautiful and inspiring...love the stone walls!b

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    1. Thanks you Brenda...there is something about stone, I am sure you will agree! xx

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  4. Wow! It is so gorgeous! I of course love the colors, but also the rocks and trees and dirt and.... It's all beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Mary...we are getting there, where we will end up is another matter all together! xx

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  5. It looks gorgeous!
    I can see you walking along that granite lined trail....Swift has great vision.

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  6. Wow, what progress! Swift is a poet with the land as well as words as clearly seen here. Love the photos, especially the one of you and your shadow. Always love Cheryl Wheeler. Hope your neck is better now! We are in the full glorious days of fall now which always reminds me of how fortunate we are. So glad you have a piece of it to call home too!

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    1. Me too Maude! I am glad you are there to take me with you, I read vicariously. xx

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  7. These photos are truly amazing Jeanne. Such gorgeous Fall beauty and then to remember it is your home I'm looking at....well all I can say is how happy I am for you. I envision such wonderful family times there and that's the most important element of any home. Looks like you're in great hands with your Swift (and Grace)

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    1. Thank you Leslie, I look forward to the day when our entire family can be under Tahilla's roof, if only for a few days. xx

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  8. OH MY GOSH!It is B E A U T I F U L!!!!!!SWIFT,seems to know and I adore how he placed the boulders!!!What did you plant?Meadow,grass or wildflowers?That will come in another post no doubt!I can barely wait to see the finished VISTA!Compliments to MISTER H for having the vision........I like that guy!I loved the color he picked for CHATEAU MANGO!!!Seems you got yourself a JEWEL!

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    1. Contessa...I always love your exuberance! Mr. H does too! For now, we have a conservation mix going in and that is about as much as I know. I have lots to learn! xx

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  9. I am so happy for you Jeanne. It is beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Loree..it has been a labour of love, for lots of people. xx

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  10. It's like a futuristic step into the past. Can't wait to see it in April.

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  11. Jeanne..... who could say no to Swift when he's got a plan! The rock walls and the autumn leaves are stunning in their contrast. Have a fabulous week!

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    1. You too Carole and thank you, I am sure Swift is loving the feedback. :) xx

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  12. .. it spells "magic" ... how very exciting to create beauty .... it will be exciting to watch the evolution ..

    Karen in CT ... now VA

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    1. Agree Karen..and I am glad you are along to watch it grow with us..in CT or VA. Thx for your comments on IG...lovely xx

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  13. Replies
    1. Lisa, it is a conservation mix of grasses, an annual. We still have a ways to go on the fields, trees to plant, paths to mow, benches to set. My Pinterest file is massive. :) xx

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  14. Jeanne this is just beautiful - he is a gem and needs to be bottled! Glorious photos of your glorious place. Thank you for sharing. F xx

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    1. Thank you Francesca...I appreciate your comment..truly! xx

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  15. I don't know how you can contain your excitement Jeanne... all the way away in Vietnam... the progress is fantastic and the land is looking wonderful... those dry stone walls... are magnificent...
    Lovely seeing your farm take shape... xv

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    1. Thx Vicki...excitement is difficult to contain, tomorrow I am starting yoga, otherwise I think I would burst! xx

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  16. Dear Jeanne, thank you for sharing the progress of your beautiful home and land - it truely is a little piece of paradise! I look forward to seeing what you have done to the interiors!

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    1. Thank you Gillie...the interior is going to be fun with another person to introduce, our architect..but more on that later. :) xx

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  17. I have nothing more to add that hasn't already been said. Just that I am so thrilled for you!!

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    1. Thank you Heather...I am coming over, I have a great new album for you, be right there. xx

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  18. How lucky you are....
    When we started to scoop earth on our plot we hit upon rocks and rocks and more rocks. Though we had to abandon our scheme and start with a new plan which still take us time. But we should have expect it, this island is well know for their rocks and some of them are hidden and so huge that you can't move it.

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    1. I know the feeling Rena..and it doesn't come cheap! xx

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  19. Fall is gorgeous in Tahilla farm. Everything's going to be alright.

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  20. There is nothing prettier than fall in New England Jeanne! I can imagine your worries from afar. It sounds like you put together the right team to make it all fall into place. It is beyond beautiful!!

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  21. It looks fantastic. You really did find a lovely home. I think it is going to be a bit of heaven on earth. Wishing you and your family many years of happiness there!

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  22. I can feel the excitement all the way from vietnam + what a blessing for everyone + the photos are beautiful. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  23. Thank you Peggy...I am lucky to have people 'on the scene' and grateful for to them for sending photos along. xx

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  24. Jeanne how wonderful to see your beautiful place going back to what is should be! You are blessed to have family and friends near that can help you with photos and opinions to help you to be a part of it all.

    I am sure that you are so excited! As you should be.

    I along with so many are looking forward to more news from your fabulous farm.

    Take care, xo Elizabeth

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  25. The clearing and the promise of fulfillment.
    I will wait to see the new farm,from barren soil to country green and seasons.

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  26. Jeanne, I am just blown away at the incredible vista you and your team have created. And those stone walls and boulders of granite--well they make my heart sing. Such natural beauty for a most beautiful woman, inside and out. I am so happy that progress is occurring and I know you look forward to more. A yoga class sounds just about the right thing to keep you from tightening up! Sending healing energy for your neck. Hang in there!

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  27. What a beautiful looking spot. New England is so gorgeous. I love the stone walls.

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Can I just say....that I so enjoy what YOU have to say. If you would like to write to me directly, I would love to hear from you... jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

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