I am a 60 year old mother of 3 grown daughters, a long-time horsekeeper, a crazy cat lady, a book reader, a student of nature, and a gardener.
We moved to Willow House, about an hour south of Ottawa, Ontario, in November, 2008 and began renewing and expanding the garden in the summer 2009. We share the property with two donkies, Louis and Teddy, and two arabian mares, Diva and Czarina. The house is run for the convenience of the cats, Tonka, Moey, Momcat, Capone, Arthur, Michael and Buddy.
Hello!
We so enjoy your blog — it is so personal and warming — and educational! We just learned about the origins of McIntosh apples — one of our favorite varieties. =) And we were delighted to learn about your horses. Horses are an important part of our lives, as well. That must be Louis in the picture with you! We’ll be adding you to our Awesome Nature Blogs blogroll. Thanks for this great space on the web, and keep up the great posts!
Thank you, K&R, for your kind words. I’ve been enjoying blogging and it is a nice to hear when my entries bring some pleasure to others. I appreciate the positive feedback! Yes, that is Louis, a real charmer. Maybe once the weather warms up, the horses will make it into posts more often.
Hi there,
My Aunt and Uncle (Pat Field and Tony McCadden) used to live here. I think they may have just paid you a visit! I have many a fond memory of visiting them for weekends here when I was younger – it was always picture perfect and so relaxing.
My family watched the house turn from a wee shack into what it is today, the pond develop, the gardens explode into life and the hard work that revolved around the nursery when it was in existence. So glad to see that it’s fallen into another pair of tender hands.
On a more personal note, it was here that Pat & Tony introduced me to my husband for the first time. I shall never forget what a special place it is when I think back to that life-altering day
Tony sent me the link for your blog. I think it’s wonderful!
Amanda
Amanda, Nice to hear from you! I really enjoyed meeting your Aunt and Uncle and learning the history of this place.
I think knowing something about the past of the property helps to appreciate it even more, and I’m glad it was loved. Now I see where McField came from. I missed that connection. Are you out in BC too? If you’re out this way, please feel welcome to drop by.
Hi there, I just wanted to clarify that the elephants name is “Gracie” I’m sure she would respond to any name but that’s what Rob called her. Thanks for posting her and the positive feedback I will let Rob know! Watch for the giraffe that’s coming this fall.
Dave Leonard
Homestead Gallery
Hi Dave. Doh! Don’t know where that little memory blip came from. I corrected the post to Gracie. As soon as you I saw your reminder, I recalled thinking about George Burns when you first told me her name! Thanks for dropping by the blog.
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Great blog!
Thank you Helen, and thanks for visiting Willow House.
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Nice blog! Great photo of the burro’s “dust bath”! Who did the fairy weathervane?
Thanks, JD. Glad you dropped by, appreciate your comment. I don’t know who did the fairy weathervane, but she’s cute, isn’t she? I saw her on a house in the little Quebec town of Knowlton. (Whichever way the wind blows post) Unless you are referring to the weathervane in the Byward Market. I don’t know who made that weathervane either! (Sunday Snapshot: Weathervane post).
Just discovered your wonderful blog. So much to enjoy. I am a writer (mainly nature) and I too am in eastern Ontario. Want to find out more about your garden.
Hi Peri, Thanks for dropping by and leaving a note. Always nice to hear from a fellow Ontarian! I’m looking forward to the next garden season and checking out the seed catalogues in the meantime.
I moved on my husband’s retirement. (Being a writer myself, I doubt I’d ever want to retire!) We designed and had built a simple house, but also started new gardens from scratch in a completely different setting. There were lots of times I doubted we could succeed, but now are happy. We don’t have nearly the range of interesting plants you appear to have, though. Please blog more about what you’ve done with your garden and how you see it.
Hello. I discovered your blog today! I’m reading all the past posts…..
BTW, if Pat and Tony were the previous owners of your home, then I was their Midwife – I delivered their baby in your house in 1987. Small world…..
Hi, I’m interested in finding out more information about your amazing photo of the field of Antennaria neglecta. Would you mind emailing me so we can discuss offline?