I am a 60 + 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, Tibby-Tabby and Tut.
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
Through the 1970s & 1980’s, Pat Field was a valued friend. We raised families and lost touch. In one of our last letter exchanges, she complained of migraines. I was not able to make contact again – and wonder if these migraines were something very serious. Please let me know the story. (Amanda I remember you from a trip to Niagara Falls.)
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?
Hi!
My name is Gerri McDonald, I think the Townends were my next door neighbours in the 1960’s. I would love to hear how you all are doing.
Hello- Your blog caught my attention for two reasons. First, you are chronicling the wildlife around your home. Second, the name of your blog! I,too, am about your age and am finding a lot of happiness in paying attention to the wildlife that share their space with us.The name we choice for our property is Beaver Willows… because some of the creatures who live here are beavers, and they love feasting on the willow saplings that grow in the wetland in our front “yard.” I appreciate the photos and posts I’ve read on your site so far. ~Jane
Hi Jane, Thanks for visiting Willow House! Beaver Willows sounds like a wonderful place. We have 20 acres of pasture here, and about 40 acres of forest and enjoy our encounters with wildlife of all types. No beavers, though, sadly.
Good Morning, Sheri-
Your pasture land and acres of forest are a treasure! Our nature habitat is much smaller; but seems large because it neighbors with school property and a city park that are also wetland/forest areas. I hope you are all staying warm. ~Jane
Hello Sheri-
I appreciate your blog and enjoy reading your posts. Your ideas and photographs help me to learn new perspectives and to expand my understanding of the world.
I am happy to nominate you for the Leibster Award. Please feel free to participate and join in the fun. (Although I do understand it if you life just doesn’t allow for it.)
Find out the details by clicking on this link-
http://justanothernatureenthusiast.org/2014/02/05/what-a-lovely-surprise-nomination-for-the-liebster-award/
With kind regards-
Jane
Hi, I just ran across your blog, and enjoyed reading it. I also saw you have a Red-Leaved Rhubarb which I love. Can you share the name and where you bought it? I would love to have some in my garden in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Hello, Susanne, thanks for visiting. The leaves emerge red in the spring and gradually turn green. This ornamental rhubarb is Rheum palmatum ‘Atrosanguineum’. I was able to purchase it at a local nursery here in the Ottawa area, and I would think it would be available at a well-stocked nursery in your area, or might be available by mail order from someplace such as White Flower Farm.. I believe Rheum palmatum var. tanguticum is similar.
Hello! Just found your blog. I also live in eastern Ontario south of Ottawa, and I recently started my own blog. Mine is different content (renovations mostly), but I love gardening, and daylilies especially! I look forward to reading your blog.
Hello Jessica, thanks for dropping by! It’s always nice to hear from a fellow eastern Ontarian. I used to keep up this blog regularly and have a file of over 1300 posts. These days, I’m more sporatic, except for Sunday Snapshots. Hopefully, I’ll have some garden posts soon. Sheri
I received as a gift, picture of young girl blowing a bubble (frame round in wood). I’m wondering where I got purchase another? Saw the picture of old carriage frame the same as mine.
I found the tree !!
Terrific, Monique! I’m glad the tree photograph has made its way into your hands where it will be enjoyed.
Where can I purchase some of your dads photography ?
Super thrilled to have found your site! Looking forward to any new things while I peruse your blog 👍👍