Gardening « Life and Real Estate on the Eastern Shore of Virginia

Archive for the ‘Gardening’ Category

DRUM ROLL PLEASE ! CAPE CHARLES FARMER’S MARKET SEASON 4 NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN

Friday, May 24th, 2019

How delightful it was to once again be able to look forward to Tuesday afternoons from 3-6 pm, May to October, as that special time each week to be able slip into the Cape Charles Farmer’s Market and stock up on super-fresh goodies. Rain or shine, hot or cold, our favorite vendors will be there with our old favorites plus new offerings, always something special to try.

On Tuesday, for those looking for veggies, Copper Cricket and Perennial Roots had plenty of just-picked selections on hand. Into our basket went some sweet May peas, peppery white radishes, lovely fresh scallions plus a tray of beautiful brown eggs. Fresher-than-fresh, tender asparagus was on offer from Pickett’s Harbor Farm, definitely couldn’t resist that, so great in an omelette or quiche. Further down the line, the Honey Guy from Eastville was ready for his customers, offering a sweet smile and even sweeter local honey from his busy, buzzy bees.

On the flip side of sweetness was the Horseradish Lady, whose creamed horseradish stood ready to make the ideal spicy cocktail sauce, perfect for the crab cakes and clams being sold at the Edward’s Seafood tent. Further down the line, Kitchen Sync was ready with freshly prepared ready-to-eat-good-food which can also be ordered for pickup at a later date at the Eastville Inn. So into our basket popped some chicken salad – – it was delish on toast for lunch on Wednesday.

Beauty got double billing in flowers with gorgeous offerings from the ever-popular Chatham Flower Farm ( keep an eye on their Facebook page for ticket availability to their amazing “Farm to Table” benefit dinner) as well as a colorful display from the Blooming Farmer. Nothing like a lovely bouquet to cheer up any room in the house ! Snagged a jar of bath salts with dried flowers for a friend, both beautiful and aromatic, a nice little gift. So many interesting items on offer from other local vendors including handmade cutting boards, intricately woven macrame, artful hand towels from She Seeks Wool and much more.

So don’t forget to mark your calendar. When the clock strikes 3pm on Tuesdays, it’s time to grab your basket and head over to the Cape Charles Farmer’s Market located on the grounds of the Museum on Stone Road. What a fantastic opportunity each week from now until October to buy fresh, buy local, buy delicious and nutritious ! LOVE it !

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events in Cape Charles VA, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posted in Crafts, Entertainment, Events In Cape Charles, farming, Gardening, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

BOOK YOUR MEMORABLE CAPE CHARLES, VA VACATION AT “SEA GATE”, ONE OF THE TOWN’S MOST BELOVED HISTORIC HOMES!

Friday, April 19th, 2019

“Sea Gate,” hosted B&B guests for many decades. It is now being offered for the 1st time this year as a Vacation Rental home after being charmingly upgraded and refurbished. Offered at $2,800 per week, this spacious home is ideal for a large family or several families because with 4 bedrooms and a loft it sleeps 14 yet has nooks for finding solitude. Located a block down from Bay Avenue and the Cape Charles beach, guests can enjoy tangy salt breezes while lounging on the home’s beautiful front porch in comfy Adirondack chairs and the porch swing. Enjoy the side patio while having lunch at the picnic table or delight in the back yard, just lounging or playing games. When stepping across the threshold at “Sea Gate,” you will be greeted by both the ambiance of historic Cape Charles and by an architecturally-unique home, beautifully decorated, furnished and equipped as a comfortable modern home. It also offers one of the best locations in Cape Charles for vacationers because they can easily walk to the beach and boardwalk as well as the to the Fun Pier to enjoy the scenery or fish and crab day or night.

Entrance into the home is into a large foyer with a grand piano. Off the foyer to the left is the living room which is well-furnished and includes a sofa that becomes a pull-out bed with a thick new mattress. A living room door opens to a light-filled, glassed-in Florida room, with a spiral staircase leading to one of the second-floor bedrooms. Just off the living room is a powder room and the well-equipped kitchen with a breakfast nook and a desk. Off the foyer to the right is a beautiful dining room with a dining room table which accommodates eight. The dining room opens to another lovely glassed-in porch with tables accommodating six.The large staircase from the first floor leads to the second floor with four bedrooms. Three of these bedrooms have their own full bath with a shower. The fourth bedroom has a half bath and access to a hallway full bath with a bathtub/shower. Although these bedrooms have central air conditioning, they also have window air-conditioners so guests in each bedroom can control the temperature to what they individually prefer. The second floor offers one king bed and three queen beds. All mattresses and bedding are brand new.A little staircase leads up to a very large children’s room on the third floor. We think that when children first see it, they will say “Wow!” because it is fully equipped with many games and game tables. But adults will say “WOW” too because it gives the kids a separate, spacious place to congregate and play . This very large room includes alcoves, a refrigerator, a sofa, beds that will sleep six, and a full bathroom with a shower. Also, dogs will be considered on a case- by- case basis.

Tags: Cape Charles vacation rental homes, Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia
Posted in At the Beach, Fishing, Gardening, Golf, Historic Homes, Our Little Towns, Vacation rental homes | No Comments »

OUR BEAUTIFUL HARBINGERS OF SPRING ON THE EASTERN SHORE….. THE SPECTACULAR BLOSSOMS!

Friday, April 12th, 2019

April brings a whole Universe of Pink to Virginia’s Eastern Shore. And when we say Pink we mean the whole Pink color spectrum- – from fuchsia, magenta, rouge and softest rose to barely blushing apple blossom. (Need we say more, it’s truly Pink ! ) And we love it, because of course, Pink is the universal color of love. So, blossoms blazing everywhere…. in yards, along roads, by offices and in woodlands, a special Valentine in April straight from Mother Nature.

And of course, there are other showy Spring colors, the sunny yellows and oranges of the daffodils and jonquils, the Bradford pear trees with myriad white blossoms covering the entire tree with a snow- like blanket. Or the tiny dogwoods with delicate yellow centered blooms, variegated white and red camellias, lavender azaleas, lilac- colored laurels, all contributing to the joyful celebration of Spring. So ….Keep Calm, Spring has Sprung ! To borrow a phrase – Live in the Sunshine, Swim the Sea, Drink the Wild air ! Because it’s Spring !

Tags: Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore Virginia, Virginia Eastern Shore
Posted in Climate and Weather, Gardening, Just Having Fun, Nature, Our Little Towns | No Comments »

JUST ONE MORE CHANCE THIS YEAR !

Tuesday, November 27th, 2018

It was a beautiful Fall day last Saturday, blue skies, wispy white clouds, golden sunshine, perfect for the next-to-last Cape Charles Farmer’s Market session of the year. Attendees enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the grounds in the near 60 degree weather, stocking up for the weeks ahead. For the many aficionados of the Farmer’s Market, it’s a fact, sad but true, that there is only one more chance this year to meander through the Market, picking up special goodies as you go ! So mark it on your calendar, Saturday December 15th from 1-4 pm, the very last market of the year, after that it’s farewell till May to all your favorite vendors.

Posted in Events In Cape Charles, farming, Gardening, Our Little Towns, Uncategorized | No Comments »

SMALL COUNTY- BIG FAIR ! 3rd Annual Northampton County Agricultural Fair

Tuesday, November 13th, 2018

There was something for almost everyone to love at the 3rd Annual Northampton County Fair in Machipongo last weekend. Although no deep fried Oreo cookies or pork chops on a stick appeared on any menu, the Cape Charles Lion’s Club booth, Gordos Taco Truck, Country Kitchen, etc. offered plenty of other goodies to keep help the munchies at bay while browsing the various exhibits and activities. Plus the luscious pies, pecan, apple, sweet potato, entries in the ever-popular Baking Contest were for sale after the judging by the slice or even the whole pie, super yum ! ( I’ll never tell who took home half a sweet potato pie topped with pecan cinnamon streusel ! )

ANEC, one of the Fair’s main sponsors, offered some impressive pole climbing presentations by Tyson Arnold and George Floyd, both 2 years into their 4 year lineman apprenticeships. Interestingly, apparently it isn’t until the 10 year mark that most linemen have had extensive enough experience to be able to handle just about any situation. (Guessing employee retention is pretty important to A & N. ) The audience gained a new appreciation for A&N linemen who have to struggle up a pole in every sort of condition, wearing heavy cleats and a 45 pound tool belt. Sort of like the post office – – neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor heavy wind shall keep these critical linemen from shinnying up 40 ft poles to keep lights on for the customers. And thank heavens for that !

A huge favorite again was the Antique Tractor Show & Parade, this year featuring a few young drivers who I assume will be the future farmers of Northampton. Ancient but shiny and well cared for tractors of numerous makes and models paraded around what used to be the huge athletic field of the old Middle School, to much audience interest and appreciation. Antique machinery demonstrations of corn shelling and grinding showed just how it was done back in the “good old days”. And for kids, so much to see and do, including face painting, hay rides, pumpkin painting, a colorful bouncy house, balloon animal creations, duck calling contests, etc. Any County Fair worth its salt includes farm animals, in this case a little petting zoo with super cute sheep and a friendly brown goat. Plus a sweet and very patient cow, totally engrossed in munching her hay.

Once again a big turnout for the annual Skillet Throw, my favorite. Those cast iron skillets are heavier than they look and many a hefty heave only sailed the skillet a short distance from the starting line. The winners of the Ladies Throw were: 1st Place Helene Doughty, 2nd Debbie Mears and 3rd Emily Norwall. Men’s Throw winners: 1st Place Sands Gayle, a 2nd place tie between Brandon Parks and Will Russell and 3rd Carl Willke. Congrats to all, lots of fun for audience and participants alike !

A big thanks owed to the Side Porch Pickers and Thelma Peterson. It was a pleasure to listen to them, their bluegrass and county music added to much to the entire event. Wouldn’t have been the same without it ! And to the many, many volunteers who staffed the booths, the Kid’s Corner, ran the contests, brought their tractors, supervised hayrides, cooked the food, answered questions, etc., etc., bravo, you really pulled off a wonderful event, already looking forward to the 2019 Northampton County Agricultural Fair !

Tags: Blue Heron Realty Co Machipongo Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Events on the Eastern Shore, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Northampton Co. Virginia County Fair
Posted in Crafts, farming, Gardening, Just Having Fun, Our Little Towns, The Arts | No Comments »

THE CREPE MYRTLES OF CAPE CHARLES

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018

A thousand sprays of blossoming color, fluttering in the wind. That’s the essence of the amazing crape myrtle tree, Eastern Shore Virginia’s gorgeous summer jewel, blooming brightly along highways, down country lanes, in yards large and small, lining driveways, gracing avenues, the focal point in many a landscaping plan. But I think nowhere on the Shore does it make its presence felt more beautifully than in the historic town of Cape Charles, where street signs proclaim the names of famous men and herald summer fruits and the soft sand beach beckons. But from July through September, for those heeding the call of their inner arborist, the crape myrtle becomes a center of attention. Their lacy blossoms dance enthusiastically in the breeze, flaunting deep magenta, brilliant shades of lilac and crimson, counterpoint to lively Natchez whites, together a symphony of spectacular color radiating out from Bay Avenue to Fig Street, from King’s Creek to Plantation Creek, literally along all points of the compass. Once again, in Summer 2018, the crepe myrtle reigned supreme

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Virginia Eastern Shore
Posted in Gardening, Historic Homes, Just Having Fun, Odds and Ends, Our Little Towns, Real Estate | No Comments »

DISCOVER THIS HISTORIC EASTERN SHORE VIRGINIA HOME ON 36 ACRES +/- WITH HORSE BARN & FENCED PASTURE.

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

Located in a peaceful, natural setting near Cape Charles, VA, and surrounded by 36 acres +/- of open areas and woodlands, this 4 bedroom, 2 bath Victorian style home circa 1935 is beautifully landscaped with mature hardwoods, large boxwoods and a small formal garden. Priced at $489,900 and offering total 1st floor living, the interior architectural detail work is quite intricate, rooms are large with high ceilings. Beautifully preserved hardwood floors. This home has been lovingly cared for and maintained. Includes detached garage, a 3 stall barn and 5 acres of fenced pastureland. Great place to embrace your Inner Equestrian and live life in the Shore’s relaxed, coastal ambiance. Only a short drive to beaches, marinas, boat ramps and Palmer & Nicklaus Signature golf. Call for your appointment to see this wonderful property.

Posted in farming, Gardening, Historic Homes, Horse Properties, Horses, Real Estate | No Comments »

A Premier Waterfront Property With Two Homes!

Monday, August 20th, 2018

Custom designed contemporary style 3 bedroom, 2 bath waterfront home by architect David A. Gardner offers relaxed Eastern Shore of Virginia coastal living. Enjoy open floor plan that makes entertaining a breeze from every room. Living room offers built in bookshelves and cabinets with gas fireplace. Bright and spacious kitchen and dining area offers plenty of room for guest. Exceptional window package throughout the house takes full advantage of the dramatic broad water views of the colorful wide inlet from the Chesapeake Bay. Large screened porch off the living room overlooking the water, perfect for outside entertaining. Additional 1100 sq.ft.waterfront guest/rental cottage offers appliances, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, large living room with fireplace and screened porch overlooking the water with dock and boat house. 6.3 acres with high elevation and good boating water on Nassawadox Creek. Generator and a new drainfield installed. (Photos are of home furnished some rooms are currently unfurnished.) beach, golf, restaurants and shopping just 15 minutes away.

Posted in Boating, Fishing, Gardening | No Comments »

4th Home From The Beach! Time to Discover Your Inner Mermaid !!

Friday, June 1st, 2018

Calling all beachcombers!! This ca. 1912, 4 bedroom, 4 bath ( plus 3rd floor apartment) Royal Queen Anne is Cape Charles’s longest continuously operated B&B. Built for enjoyment, pure relaxation & entertaining at its best! Elegant 10′ ceilings, large sunny parlor, formal dining room. Total of 3 enclosed & screened sun-porches provide year-round warm morning sun! The 2 western sun-porches provide all day relaxation and beautiful sunset colors. Cape Charles, Virginia is where Historic & The Salt-Life merge, as this home is the 4th off the beach! Its Crown Jewel is the huge wrap-around front porch, perfect to enjoy those Bay breezes right from your rocking chair. Having a premier location on a corner lot in the Historic District simply makes this a fantastic home! Not to mention the gorgeous landscaping! Offered at $539,000, don’t wait, call a Blue Heron Agent today and come see it for yourself!

Tags: Cape Charles Virginia, Cape Charles Virginia historic home for sale, Chesapeake Bay real estate, Eastern Shore of Virginia, Eastern Shore Virginia real estate, life on Virginia's Eastern Shore, Virginia historic home for sale
Posted in At the Beach, Gardening, Golf, Historic Homes, Just Having Fun, Nature, Our Little Towns, Real Estate | No Comments »

THE ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE BARRIER ISLAND CENTER – – AN ANNUAL EASTERN SHORE MEMORIAL DAY TRADITION

Tuesday, May 29th, 2018

The 2018 “Art and Music on the Farm” celebration in Machipongo at the distinctive Barrier Island Center was splendid, as always. Held Saturdays on Memorial Day weekends, this is one of the Virginia Eastern Shore’s most anticipated art events each year and not to be missed if you are looking for a unique gift, large or small, for others …. or, dare I say it, for oneself ! Or if you are a lover of traditional country and folk music, this year’s concerts on the Center’s West lawn were made better by the addition of a large tent to enable listeners to sit and relax in the shade as well as at the numerous umbrella- shaded tables provided. Featuring different music groups each year, interpretations of traditional Appalachian and folk music by the five bands this year were huge hits Saturday.

One of the most exciting aspects of this annual event is the sheer number and diversity of talented Shore artists and artisans it brings together in one spot. Sculpture, oil and watercolor painting, jewelry, decoy carving, ceramics, custom stuffed animals, woodworking, floral, pottery of all sorts, papier-mache’ figures, metal work, bronze casting, photography and more, something big or small, for everyone to love. I found an amazing gift for my husband for Father’s Day ( which I shan’t enumerate as he often reads these posts ), a Bethany Simpson painted magnet for my niece, a too-too cute blue and purple stuffed octopus from The Sheep Lady for my little great-grandson as well as some Mama Girl sand dollars for my daughter’s upcoming birthday. ( Thought about a Hogg Island fig tree from Island View Farms but decided to wait until Fall and look for one at the Cape Charles Farmer’s Market so as not have to water it through the summer.)

And what’s a celebration without food ? Nada ! So for all those who got the munchies, plenty of choices on offer. Kitchen Sync was there with lots of goodies including an aromatic jambalaya and luscious fresh strawberries in chantilly cream, the Cape Charles Lion’s Club offered sandwiches and crispy, salty fries, spicy gorditas could be found at the Taco Truck and folks lined up xx sausage tent. Beer, wine and iced coffee/tea/fresh lemonade purveyors offered their sublime chilled liquids of the day. A perfect day and a wonderful time, the weather was lovely, temperate and breezy, blue skies, puffy white clouds, golden sunshine. What more could one ask – – beautiful art, toe-tapping music, good food, cold drink, a stunning venue and a beautiful day, Art on the Farm, 2018 !