We planted a new dogwood tree today on the ‘hedge line’ we’re creating down along the road.

Beers by the fire-pit, and probably the last fire we’ll have until autumn. We have a freeze watch tonight but warmer temperatures from now on.

A night of freezing temperatures, with the next 2 nights promising the same, meant we had to move all the pots of annuals under the back porch and cover the tomatoes, peppers and herbs with burlap. Everything will be put back in its place on Saturday.

While browsing the local thrift store, I spotted these VHS tapes, a rather large collection, and pondered on how many homes in FroRo actually still watch these. I do have a handful myself, but no way of watching them.

Since I only drink from glass or pottery, I had a problem trying to find a replacement tumbler to use on my work commutes after having broken one. I found this beauty on Etsy, handmade by a potter in Elk Creek, VA.

This beautiful bedspread arrived today from my very dear, longtime friend and No. 1 Blog Fan, Myra in Canada. We love it, thank you Myra!

While we continued gardening, Malcolm explored the back garden, thankfully leaving the pond alone, where many bees were on the edges drinking. 

Picking up herbs, tomatoes, peppers and annual plants from a nursery, and enjoying some affection with Lola, one of the resident parrots.

Showing support for Ukraine, while Malcolm explores in the background.

I love the dogwoods, Virginia’s state flower, even though it’s a tree.

As I walked past the hallway this morning, the early sun was shining on my bike, as if beckoning me and saying, “Hey, we need to go out for a ride!” The temperatures are rising so hopefully next week we can go for a spin.

The herbs had to come indoors yesterday with the snow bringing the temperature down, but hope to put them back out tomorrow for a few days before I plant them.

I left work early as I didn’t feel well, and glad I did. Snow is falling and there’s about 2” so far in FroRo. The poor blossoms won’t last this.

I cleared a couple of beds today and in this raised one, I pulled down and dug up ivy, then planted 6 native plants and a couple of stone crops. The front garden is cleared of all dead stalks too, but they’re piled up in a heap, just in case there’s still some insects overwintering in them. A great day’s work!

Back down to Morningside Farm and Nursery for some more plants, and he remembered us from last year and that we came from Front Royal. He said my accent had helped him remember and also that I was so enthusiastic! A compliment, I hope!

This used to be an old travel inn many years ago as you enter Front Royal, and it has been empty for some time, so it’s great to see that renovations have begun on the main house and also the tiny chalets. There’s rumors abound that it may become an Airbnb.

One of my favorite plants, Hellebores. I had them in England and this one is about 3 years old. It’s been blooming for over 2 months.

One of our local residents enjoying a bask on the warm wood outside our kitchen door.

I never tire of this view in the cemetery, like it’s the end of the world. The leaves are starting to unfurl.  And now I’m checking the cemetery by foot, rather than driving, so I can appreciate the views longer.

Pretty grape hyacinths at the base of a tree in the cemetery.

I passed this sign today and was very impressed, but then I spotted the tiny words on the right, but I guess it’s still impressive.

Elliott and I took it in turns with this demo-drill, great tool, and completed the removal of the steps. Then we laid cement down to level the area. This will dry fully overnight. 

Went to get some masking tape from the hardware store and, yay, free popcorn! There’s a few places in FroRo that do this. Love rural life!

Last weekend we got some watercress from the creek at Strasburg. I wanted it to clear the pond water, which it’s done, and it’s growing well. Hopefully, it will grow enough that I can pick it for salads and sandwiches. It’s the small green leaves on the left.

The new steps arrived and now we have to rent a dymo-drill to finish removing the old steps. Then we slide the new ones into place. Hoping it will be that easy…

The front door steps had crumbled over the winter. We have new precast cements steps being delivered, but the old ones need to go, so Elliott valiantly bashed what he could to pieces, but because they were custom, and well built, the job was hard. We need a pneumatic drill to remove them completely. Hopefully at the weekend the new steps will be in place.

I pass this hedge of forsythia on my way home on 66, after Marshall. It’s about 50 or more yards long and I always look out for it every year. I wish I could see it in the mornings when I’m driving closer to it on the other side of that barrier, but it’s too dark. But it looks resplendent when the afternoon sun shines.

Elliott and I discovered this old Ford Ranch Wagon from the late 50’s or 60’s in Front Royal today. I’ve never seen one before and couldn’t find any other images on the internet of this model. I hope it gets restored.

We hung out this evening with the twin ladies who own the bed and breakfast up the road from us, Woodward House on Manor Grade, and this is their 8 year old humongous hound, Lucky, who completely blocked the hallway. 

Free lunch at work today, and a beer thrown in helps the afternoon to pass by faster.