Afternoon Outing

Such a beautiful weekend! There was no way we could stay inside reading the Sunday paper, nodding off to sleep, and not getting outside in the fresh air and enjoying the day. Tom, Hannah, and I decided to head to Raphine, halfway between Staunton and Lexington, and tour Buffalo Springs Herb Farm. Tom and I had been there once before years ago, but this was Hannah's first trip to the gardens.

We first strolled through the big red barn shop. I love gardening shops, and there were so many neat things to "browse but not buy!" As you can see, they had decorative outdoor stars everywhere, and may I add I thought they were very expensive! Depending on size, they ranged in price from $48 to $68 to $88! I think a red one would look terrific on the side of our shed, and if they would have come down in price, say 20 bucks each, I would have purchased one. Does anyone have a star? Are they all in that price range? Does anyone know what the story is behind them? I'd enjoy hearing what you know about them.

Then we toured the various themed gardens. Of course, we were a little early for all the blooming summer flowers, but the garden landscaping and the spring plantings were lovely. Hannah enjoyed perusing the enclosed heirloom vegetable garden and seeing their raised beds and the flowers surrounding the garden fence. The rhubarb plant was absolutely huge! And the Egyption onions were unusual and very thick! I would love to go back to visit later and see them in bloom. The round purple plants to the right are allium. I think these might be a good bulb for my garden next year--very striking.

It was quite a breezy afternoon, and the garden chimes were very melodious under the arbor. It was so relaxing to stroll through this area. Tom and Hannah posed near the Medieval Garden, and you can see another set of chimes behind them in this picture.

Afterwards, we toured Wade's Mill, a working flour mill built in 1750 and powered by a 21-foot water wheel. I think Hannah wanted to bring home all the grain in this huge bin, but the owner told us they only sold the flour, because it was hard to purchase enough grain locally to mill for their own use.

I think a trip to Buffalo Springs Herb Farm would make a great day trip when guests come to visit. A picnic area is located across the road from the Barn Shop, in addition to a 2-mile round-trip trail and a waterfall at the 1-mile mark. Sounds like a for-sure place to take my sister this summer!

~Deb

Comments

[Mrs Blythe]

What a lovely tour of the themed gardens, I wish I could see more! It looks so pretty around Wade's Mill, so green, just like England. Thank you for sharing your day!

[Bet]

Great pictures, Deb. Thanks for the tour, and yes, I'd love to go when I come for a visit later this summer. Maybe the summer flowers will give you something new to look at then too. :)

[Sarah]

Did you know that Wade's Mill buys some of our wheat every year? So you might have seen some if it there....(: Sounds like you had a fun time. We've been toured the mill but I haven't ever been to the herb gardens. By the way, Hannah did you try any bread yet from fresh milled flour? How did it turn out? (:

[Lisa]

Deb,
That sounds like a really nice outing. That isn't too far for me. I used to have a friend in Charlottesville. I have been known to jump in the car and drive up there to help her clean her apartment because she was pulling her hair out. lol I was definitely younger. :) I'll have to keep that place in mind for a little day trip.

They have those stars at a couple of shops in the mall and also at a new vintage shop that's opened. I will try to get the low-down on the price per size. I'm fairly certain that the ones at Two P's in a Pod were nowhere near the prices you listed.

[Tammy]

Pretty pictures!!looks very peaceful for a nice Sunday trip.

I did read that Blue Stars could be for Moms who have children who are in a war zone whether it is Army ,Navy,Marines ,or Coast Guard.Gold Stars are those moms who lost their children at war.

Other then that I didn't find anything about red stars.The stars that you were looking at were proably just for decoration.Hope this helps a little!!

[Deb]

Mrs. Blythe, you're welcome. I've really enjoyed your England pictures you've recently posted, too.

Sarah, no, I didn't know your family furnished Wade's Mill with grain. Maybe we could buy 50# from y'all sometime. And the taste of the bread from y'all's grain we used was really GOOD! We just need to experiment with the bread machine a little more. Hannah's going to try some by hand instead of machine to see how that does. Thanks!

Lisa, it would be great if you were able to check. I've never been to the shop you mentioned, but I like the name! :)

Tammy, thanks for the input. The reason I asked the question is because we did notice some new-agey things they had in their shop for sale and didn't know if this could be the same type thing or not.

Bet, Mountain Musing's Bed and Breakfast is open anytime this summer...after June 4th.

[Cindi]

Deb, when I was in PA last fall they have lots of those stars. They are not that expensive. They usually sell them plain, as in iron and you can paint them. My sister has a huge one on the side of her house she bought in PA and it was around $60.

[Deb]

Cindi, thanks for the info. I'll continue asking and checking around. I don't really get up to PA at all, so I'll have to check around here. But it's good to know you can get bigger ones cheaper than almost $100!

[Dorothy]

Deb, I'm heading to PA this weekend. Would you like me to look for one for you? I could give it to you when we meet for lunch next month. My friend I'm visiting has one on her house, and it looks so nice. Let me know before I leave Thursday.

[Deb]

Dorothy, I'll email ya!

[Courtney]

We got some pics over the e-mail a day or 2 ago of my new little cousin. They had some other shots mixed in with them and one pic showed a patriotic star on their front porch. I'm guessing its like the ones you saw the other day. It was cute, but I don't know where the idea came from.

[Sherrin]

Thanks for sharing your trip! It looks like a wonderful, relaxing place to visit. It is a pity it would cost me about $2000 to drop over and see you!