Thursday, December 30, 2021

2021- Visions of valued visitors and ventures.



 When we were hunting for our next home, we hoped for a place where we could welcome family and friends with a place to stay. 

Foxcroft offered several guest rooms. 

We wanted our home to be easy to "pop in", not a detour. 

Foxcroft is a mile from the interstate. 

I wanted to be able to invite my horse friends to bring their equine partners. 

Foxcroft has 12 stalls and 6 pastures. 

That is to say, it delivered. And we have been fortunate to have family and friends return the favor in visits. 

January 2021:

Eldest was here and performed a feat in chocolate and bourbon to ring in the new year!

Lou came to enjoy the mud while her people were in sunny Florida.

February 2021:

A.S. travelled down from Ohio to wow us with another spectacular cake, and the delight of her company. 


She and Middlest arrived for birthday celebrations! 


Youngest turned 20 in the company of my parents.

And Eldest celebrated her 26th!


March 2021:

Kick off March with a sunny afternoon at Castle Hill. 

Family visits!

Visiting family, and resident family spend an afternoon at Castle Hill Cidery.
(You may notice a pattern developing involving Castle Hill. We go sometimes.)



April 2021:

Pearl finds bliss with all humans, and visitors add extra euphoria.
Thanks, Yummie and Poppie for making April!


May 2021:

College bestie, Rama, and her family came to town for UVA graduation. 


And, Cousin Jane arrived from Colorado to visit me and my sister.
(Yes-we may have gone to Castle Hill, but we also went to Albemarle Ciderworks.)


Jane brought beautiful Jake along for the ride!


We ended May in St. Micheals at Wing-n-Wing for Poppie's 80th birthday celebration!



June 2021:


Wonderful friends from my childhood moved to town,
giving us a chance to renew and invigorate our friendship!


I took a trip to Ohio to be with Middlest on her birthday- #23!





Being in Ohio gave me a chance to join in on a little Pony Club Camp
with some of my core people. Miss these friends every day. 


From Ohio right back to the Eastern Shore for the family fun week of "Camp Yummie!"

The family turned out for this action packed week, but we were missing all the "littles"- the youngest grandkids all had job demands! 

July 2021:
July started with a BANG! with a visit from KVW and CQ filled with hikes, chilly mountain swims and lots of horses. 




Throughout the year, I enjoyed visits from my high school friend, Allison Bloom- we laughed a lot, ate a lot and also, took trips to Castle Hill. Moving to Virginia gave us this opportunity to reconnect, as she was fighting cancer with help from the team at UVA. Allison passed away yesterday. I am sad. And so very thankful I got to know her again as an adult; smart, capable, glamorous and tough as nails. We celebrated our 53rd birthdays together at The Local with some chocolate lava cakes. Rest in Peace, friend. You were loved, and you are missed. 


Middlest popped down for a visit.
We did a little wedding shopping and she pitched in on the current construction project. 


We drove back up to Ohio for a weekend and got to see some of the folks we miss so much! 

July ended with a visit from our Ohio "family" the Zs! 


August 2021:


Blessed with a visit from MDDDO, I have missed her so! It had been way too long since we were together and she made it happen! 


Then more treasured College friends made a visit! What luck! Thank you Reen and Sheebs!

Eldest came back for some family time and Winery Wednesday. 

We are the best stop off the highway for a cold drink, a potty and some hugs!
Foxcroft Farm rest area was blessed with a stop in from the Zs! 

September 2021:
Labor Day weekend, the kids all showed up for chow on the grill and ....
a few days hard labor! 





Youngest came back from his summer toils, to the great happiness of the neighborhood. 

Bandit stayed for a few weeks, while his people moved to Canada. 

Okay, they didn't quite make it to Foxcroft, but so close! Eldest Sister and Scooter stopped for the night at Middle Sister's. 


With great good fortune, one of my besties brought her Huz for a visit. 30+ years of finding trouble! 



October 2021:

Eldest arrived for some autumn fun!

MG got out of Canada to get me back in the hunt field.

Horseback selfies. 




An evening of UVA vs UNC field hockey with an oldest and dearest friend and his family, including rockstar momma- 90 years and one cool lady. 

November 2021:


November began with a weekend full of learning, food and female friendships at the Transformational Mind and Soul Adventure hosted at Foxcroft and taught by my sister. 






We closed out November with a family Thanksgiving, things are never dull with my family.


Also, we believe in pie. 

December 2021:






Groot- equine visitor- came to stay for December. 

Youngest and his friend, C2, got us in the Christmas spirit with lots of baking! 



Eldest brought her friend, IS, to Foxcroft- and we promptly brought him to Castle Hill. 

Also to the Winter Wander at Boar's Head. 



Middlest and her betrothed, Yummie and Poppie came in time to join in Christmas Eve fondue!

Lots of dogs!

Our biggest Family Christmas Dinner to date! 





What a year!
 Thank you all for making 2021 so special!