New Hampshire – Page 20 – New England's Narrow Road

The Tomatoes Are Planted

little tomato plants — Ready to plant tomatoes

I stopped at Tenney Farm the other day and picked up some tomato plants. I knew that planting time would be upon me soon and I didn’t want to be without anything to add to the garden.
I bought Early Girl, Big Boy and Cherry, Grape and some sort of Roma.
The trouble I am having this year is that everything has to be done at once. Digging the gardens is the most time consuming thing and I had to have loam / garden dirt delivered to add to the vegetable garden area. I’ve also been watching the sun to see where I get it the longest so the tomatoes could be planted there.
Last year I spent most of the end of summer removing the blackberry bushes that had taken over the back right where I wanted to plant my garden. That was a nasty job but at least that part was done. This spring I’ve spent digging, buying soil amendments and lugging dirt. I still don’t know if the dirt will be good enough to give me some tomatoes, but I am hoping.
It might be too early, but the weather for the week will be warm so I planted the tomatoes last Saturday and then finished up yesterday with basil and marigolds. I also built some mounds for my zucchini, summer squash and cukes. The peas were planted a while ago but haven’t grown much yet. I am out of room, but I might get to add some beans if I can find space – maybe along the side of the deck.
I’ve noticed that I have one big sunny spot out front. I might have to turn that area into my garden spot.

Another Wonderful Weekend in New Hampshire

pile of loam with wheelbarrow and shovel — Ready to Work

We have lucked out with the weekend weather lately. Sunny, warm and beautiful days have actually fallen on Saturday and / or Sunday for the past few months which gives us plenty of opportunities to beautify our yards.
Since I work from home, I can get yard work done any time during the week, but that means working extra on the weekends and if I have plans that take me away from home, then my work will suffer.
So I love the warm weekend days too.
I bought some new hydrangea plants for the yard and have been slowly getting them into the ground. They need the right locations according to their favorite growing conditions so I’ve been watching the sun to choose spots for them.

Also, all the so called “gardens” in this yard have been terribly neglected and need loam and compost and digging. That is the thing that slows me down. This old body will only do so much and then I need to stop if I have any hopes of moving the next day. So I’m moving my loam pile a little at a time and enriching my back yard areas for planting veggies and that time is coming soon. The growing season is so short that I always feel the pressure to get things in the ground ASAP. My little tomato and cucumber plants are waiting to be planted.

So have a great weekend!

Trying to ID Some Things In My New Yard (newenglandsnarrowroad.wordpress.com)
The Garden Journal (smallspacebigharvest.com)

Pictures of the Manor at Squam Lake, NH

During my one night stay at the Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness, New Hampshire, I took a few photos of the place. My daughter is planning to have her small wedding here.

I was so impressed with my room. The view (if you haven’t read my other page, see it here) was really nice and the weather cooperated with bright sunshine. I could see the mountains way off in the distance and watch boats skim by on our little section of Squam Lake.

Room with fireplace — The Windsor Room has a fireplace.

Some of the rooms have wood-burning fireplaces and mine did. I did not start a fire- that does not appeal to me after running my wood stove all winter! But my daughter and her sweetie had one in their room and said it was great.

I certainly did enjoy my big queen size bed which was the most comfortable bed I think I’ve ever slept in. And I loved that gorgeous view of the New Hampshire countryside. I could have stayed for a lot longer if time and money had allowed.

Tea and sandwiches — Tea is served at 4:00 each day.

Each afternoon tea and crumpets are served. Not really, but tea and little sandwiches are! I don’t know what a crumpet is so maybe it was also included.

The wait staff personnel are from England and their soothing accents make the place feel more authentic, like we had traveled overseas and not just an hour north of home.

The food we had for dinner was absolutely wonderful. I was dealing with a squeamish stomach for some reason that weekend, but I was determined to eat! And I did. I had salmon and it was the best I’ve ever eaten anywhere. My daughter and her fiance enjoyed their meals as well.
The following morning we ate a delicious breakfast that was included with our stay.

The little pub was deserted so we sat at the copper bar and had a drink while we waited for dinner service to begin.
It was a wonderful and peaceful stay at a lovely English Manor. None of us wanted to leave.

My Trip to Holderness and The Manor on Golden Pond

Holderness is a small town in the northern part of the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The Lakes Region is such a beautiful area, I always love driving through and this past April was the first time I’ve had the chance to stay there.

In fact it’s the first time I’ve been away at all in many years. I went to stay for one night, at the Manor on Golden Pond, with my daughter and her fiance. This is where she is planning to hold her wedding next year and we wanted to check it out.

The Manor is located very near Squam Lake which is where the movie “On Golden Pond” with Henry and Jane Fonda and Kathryn Hepburn was filmed. They have a poster (like the one below) on the wall.

This Manor was built by an Englishman who came to the region and loved it so much that the bought the land and proceeded to build his estate there. Over the years the place was sold and fixed up and converted to an upscale Inn with quaint rooms and delicious food. You can read all about the history – and see photos – in the album that is in the little “library” room where afternoon tea is served.

Entering the lobby — Lobby and fireplace area.

We were welcomed by Kathryn who had an English accent, as most of the staff do. They are recruited from England to come work at the Manor.

The lobby was quiet and deserted for most of our stay and it has a big fireplace with a salt and pepper chess set in front of it. My daughter and I worked on a puzzle at one point – for a few minutes – and there were other little games scattered around. We went for our visit the end of April which is still the off-season for area establishments. In fact besides us, there were only two other couples staying at the Manor.

View of Squam Lake from my room — View from the “Windsor” room

We happened to visit on the most beautiful weekend! It was sunny and the views were lovely, although the wind was whipping and it was not warm. This is the view from the room I stayed in. I got a surprise upgrade to the “Windsor” which is located on the second floor in the corner that faces the lake.
I loved it! I could even enjoy the view from my bathroom… (see below).