Welcome to Vicki’s of 2 Bags Full 2015 Grow Your Blog Party. Please accept my apology for being late to the party; I have no excuse, only the reason of poor memory and, as Lemony Snicket said, “A series of unfortunate events” including working on a mini-laptop that keeps crashing. grrrrrr! Another tidbit…it does absolutely no good to keep a calendar if I forget to check it…sigh. I humbly apologize.
~ my front porch ~
I am Sandra, Countrywoman at Thistle Cove Farm in the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia where the tag line is Where It’s Beautiful One Day and Perfect the Next…true too. I write about life, faith, family, farming, photography, animal rescue and since 11/11 about widow hood. Blog posts include tips on making your home more energy efficient, tips on taking care of your vehicle, financial tips, recipes, travel, projects such as quilting, knitting, felting, weaving, animal husbandry. My animals are also my family so there are lots of photos of furry family members.
~ Levi Lilly ~
In November 2011, Dave, my husband passed away and I’ve spent a lot of time putting together information that’s helpful for others…couples, singles, married, widowed, divorced. A Fair Arrangement: Keeping More of What’s Yours is geared to helping you, legally, keep more of your assets. Click here to see a lot of useful information; if you have questions, send me an e-mail.
~ my hay field ~
Yes, there is a giveaway on this blog…two…one for USA residents and one for everyone else. As stated earlier, my little mini-lap is having “issues” (as folks say these days, in my day it was called problems -lol-) so more photos will be added tomorrow. God willing and the creek don’t rise. Stay tuned and don’t forget to leave an e-mail so if you win, I can contact you.
~ Thistle Cove Farm ~ Where it’s Beautiful One Day and Perfect the Next ~
Thanks for visiting Thistle Cove Farm, I look forward to returning the kindness.
Update…my giveaway goes until Valentine’s Day, 2/14 at 5:00 p.m. If you leave a comment and a way to contact you, you’ll be in the running for winning either one of two books by Alexandra Stoddard (USA residents) or a book mark from Dublin’s Trinity College Book of Kells (non USA residents). The Stoddard book is either Creating a Beautiful Home OR Living Beautifully Together.
Blessings ~ Vicki at 2 Bags Full ~ 3rd Annual Grow Your Blog Party ~ visitors ~ gifts ~ my farm ~
What a beautiful place you live in!
So sorry to read about the loss of your husband.
Thank you for visiting my blog.
And Best Wishes…
Thank you so much for your lovely blog and giveaway prizes! God bless.
ILuvTheEucharist @ aol.com
Thanks so much for your sweet comments you left on my blog!!! I love my tractor seat chairs, yes, that was plural!!! I actually have one in red, my favorite and the pink one that can be raised to a drafting table height. I am still making my way around all the lovely blogs from Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party and am so happy to have you for a new friend. I would have been a farmer if life had not thrown several monkey wrenches my way… oh well, at least I live on an old farm even if it is no longer active! I am one of your newest followers and look forward to many future visits.
Hugs for now,
Beth P
The Whimsical Dowager
Hello, Your view from the front porch is lovely. The books you could read sitting there. Sorry about the loss of your husband. I lost my mum and kitty last year and it was/is quite the adjustment. I am glad to have seen your blog through Vicki's party.
I enjoyed learning about you and what you do. Its a pleasure meeting you and learning about your passions. I've became a new follower. Thanks for giving us a chance to win something. My email is per7867@yahoo.com.
Hi Sandra! I love that you are a child of God. Me too! We would love to have our own little farm some day soon. Levi Lilly is adorable, surely she is a sweetie.
Blessings from Jessica
I enjoyed my visit and hope you get those computer troubles taken care of soon. It is always good to catch up with you.
So good of you to share helpful t hings on widowhood. It is something that you can't get "figured out" unless you have been through it. beautiful part of the country that you live in, and hope your computer starts co operating more. I am just helpless when that happens to me
Hi Sandra! I'm participating from a distance this year b/c I too forgot clean about it! Ah well. Loved your photo of the mustard seed, btw. Good reminder of how small, but essential, faith is. Keep blogging, friend!
I'm in the Shenandoah Valley, too, but not as south as you. I love the name of your farm and enjoyed my visit here.
Sorry for the loss of your husband. I can relate as my husband died in July 2014. I am overwhelmed with what grief can do to you.
Grrrr to computers! I have a love/hate relationship with mine.
diane @ thoughts and shots
Little Levi isn't so little anymore. What a sweet face!
What a beautiful view from your front porch. I think I'd want to eat all my meals there when the weather was nice!
It really does indeed look beautiful and perfect! 🙂
xx
Wow.. your pictures!! You are SO BLESSED!!!! <3 – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Hello Dear, Hope all is well sounds like next time in town you need to splurge and get yourself an iPad or a laptop! I love your photos and blog! I already follow and I think your blog is great! Hop and see me to if the computer will let you!
Hello Sandra. Waving to you from snowy cold eastern Canada where we have a foot of snow coming tomorrow… Looks like you live in a beautiful spot. Hope you are enjoying the GYB hop, and hope you'll pop by to visit me.
Hi Sandra, glad you made it! I'll be looking around a bit.
My computer is having issues too and now there's a brand new one sitting on the floor beside me waiting for a visit to a friend to get loaded up with information. I'm definitely NOT computer literate so I need all the help I can get! Thank you for inviting us over for a visit. Enjoy the tour.
Your farm looks lovely. Thanks for the great info on your W to W page. Have fun at the party!
Good morning from Southern California! I did visit your blog yesterday during the party and luckily signed up for emails so as to happily receive your post today. I would be pleased to be entered in your contest. The best way to contact me is via email at celebration_kids@yahoo.com. God bless you!
Loooove your Blog & all you share about Thistle Cove Farm!! Would love to visit!
Vicki, condolences on the loss of your husband. I used to live in VA so seeing your pictures makes me a bit homesick.
g'morning.. 🙂
always a joy visiting you here in your little online cottage.
I had such fun at Vickie's blog hop last year. Good to see you still blogging. I hope you are healthy, happy, and warm. I will try to get a letter(email) off to you soon. I have to wait in line for the computer. This will change soon. I found one to buy, but hubby says the new Windows will mean that the one I found is obsolete sooner. I don't need a computer that is obsolete. It's bad enough when I am!!!
wow, what a lovely vista you have! we have snow and below zero wind-chill winds once again. I have a snow header too, but not nearly as charming as yours. I hope your compute cooperates. I still am having trouble accepting that the first month of 2015 is nearly gone.
Good morning Sandra, we love you-hugs hope your little computer cooperates today-hugs
Oh my what a lovely blog. A real treat to read. xxx
Prayers for you this morning my friend!
I actually started following you last year in the grow your blog event and I have loved reading your posts . Looking forward to reading many more .
My sweet friend– thank you for being a part of this special party. I'm so sorry you had such a bad day when trying to do your post…
Ohhhh the photo of your farmhouse is just incredible. I'd love love love to see your farm before it is sold. You are so amazing- such a tower of faith– a giver of love and support to so many– an incredible testament to perseverence.
Love you–
Vicki
Hi Sandra! Thank you for the visit to my blog. What a beautiful home you have… good luck with your blogging adventure! Hugs, Asia
Hi Sandra… Thank you for coming over to my blog for a visit. Your home is fabulous! My hubbys parents live in a home fairly similar and I always think about the stories of old that go along with it when I am over there.
Take care and God bless.
http://www.stitchandquilt.com
Good morning Sandra ~ I'm glad to see your post also. I worry about you especially during winter.
I've been inspired many times by my visits to your blog and look forward to visiting here with you this year, 2015.
Love, hugs and prayers ~ FlowerLady
Popping over form the GYB party, lovely to meet you and see your lovely part of the world. I'm in the south of France where it's pretty perfect too!
Glad to see your post, Sandra! I was a little worried when I didn't see your GYBP post yesterday. Glad it's "only" a computer problem, however frustrating, and not illness or injury!
I'm struggling a bit with the most recent snowfall-over-ice, and just learned we're expecting two days of snow. Got a big morning ahead, trying to get ahead of things, to the extent that is possible.
And the painter who has already put me off TWICE was rescheduled to come do the porch Tuesday AM…I'd better not get my hopes up. Oh well. Not illness or injury…just Winter! 😉
Hi sandra I am so glad you are here and we can follow you. What a beautiful setting..I am sure you feel blessed every day. Out in the northwest we are having the mildest snowless winter ever trees are starting to bud!!! EEk hope you come by and visit
Hello dear Sandra
I'm sorry you are having computer issues – don't worry about being late – you are here and that's what counts.
Thanks for coming to see me – you know how much I love to read your beautiful blog and read what is in your beautiful heart!
xSuzy
Hello Sandra, I've popped by from the GYB event, but actually I've been popping by here and there for a couple of years now. It's lovely to reconnect. I'm off now to figure out how to best to follow you. 😀 veroth@shaw.ca
Hello Sandra
Your lifestyle sounds idyllic to me!
What a gorgeous house and I imagine your views are beautiful too!
Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog.
I'm following you now as we have much in common apart from the farming!
I have a strong faith, my family are everything and I'm a keen photographer!
Shane
I'm visiting from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada and I'm participating in the Grow Your Blog too. So far, we are having a mild winter. Yesterday, it poured rain.
Hoping your winter is mild, love our header photo, but don't think I would not want to deal with snow.