Stan and I have been married almost six years now, and I don't think we have ever sent a "Christmas letter," mostly because we have no children to show how they've grown nor an uber interesting lifestyle to chronicle. But we finally got a little computer savvy and decided to use this blog to update our friends on some of the (yawn) exciting things that have kept us busy this year.
First of all, the Barn. The ole 1830's barn was in pretty sad shape.
Last winter we cleared away the dregs of the carriage house, which housed chickens when Stan was a boy.
Then in the spring Stan interviewed about 400 barn restoration contractors. They all agreed that the huge hand-hewn white oak beams were still sound and worth saving. He selected a company out of upstate New York.
We spent the summer at the farm, as the workers numbered all the beams and carefully dismantled the barn.
Going....
going.....
gone!
Some of the handmade pegs and hand hewn beams
This fall Stan split his time between the city and the country as the barn was being rebuilt. First the stone foundation was rebuilt, then the refurbished timbers were placed.
The bank barn will be restored to its former state: stalls below, garage and workshop on the main level, and hayloft above. By January, the barn will have a new slate roof.
While we were at the farm, we also worked on restoring some of the garden beds. By far the most prolific plant is my nemesis-- poison ivy. I escaped with only two cases requiring massive doses of steroids. Here is a lush crop:
Stan also increased the size of his toys with the purchase of a Kubota tractor.
What boy doesn't dream of his own backhoe and front-end loader??
While Stan was enjoying acting like Oliver on Green Acres (actually, the name of the Woodcock farm is Old Acres), I had fun playing florist for two family weddings.
Carol Woodcock married Joe Roman in June
Heidi Woodcock married Steve Mavrakes in September
Maid of Honor bouquet
I also enjoyed a wonderful week (thanks to the generosity of sister Fran) at Bald Head Island, NC with my three sisters, my namesake niece, and her three children. We had a delightful week watching the children experience the beach, the surf, and the sea turtles.
Catherine with Sarah (8 months), Jack (2) and Hannah (3 1/2)
Hannah dancing on the beach in the batiste dress I made for Catherine over 20 years ago
At a turtle nest excavation, a turtle was found mid-hatch
Mind your step!
Hannah gets up close and personal
The last of the summer's nests is washed away
Stan was able to do his "real" job while we were at the farm -- all he needs is the internet and he can work anywhere. But in the fall it was back to work for me as I returned to Ambleside School for the fifth year.
Ambleside School's Shakespeare Festival
The Kindergarten class performs Sonnet 143
One child in my class last year became very special to me as I got to know his family. They began to attend Truro, and this summer, his mom asked if Stan and I would consider being Keaton's godparents. We are very honored and awed to be spiritual guides of a boy who has such a great heart for God. He was baptized December 6, and we became proud godparents.
Now we are digging out of 23 inches of snow
and enjoying celebrating our Savior's birth!
May you have a most joyful Christmas celebration!
