Our Restful Surroundings

I'm so sorry this post is late! We had relatives from both sides of our families stopping in to see the place. It was a nice reminder to take a day off and enjoy the people we have around us. Both of us have not been taking care of ourselves as much as we should. I keep thinking that one of these days we will have the opportunity to rest:)

When we were getting the property ready for company, Matt and I took an impromptu nature walk in our little section of the forest. It was the most amazing time the two of us have had since we have been at Woodford Rest. We both started babling about improvements we wanted to make and private reading areas that could be used by guests. Matt even discovered a few new plants that neither of us had seen before. It was nice to be in an area that wasn't constantly looking like a construction zone.

Forest area at the back of the property.

Even though our home was not what we had expected, the 3 acres nestled in the Green Mountain National Forest vastly exceeded our expectations. Our home is located right next to VT-Route 9 which is a main thoroughfare. If you venture toward the back of our property, you will be greeted by large unkept forest and a peacefulness that only nature can bring. Tall pine trees, chokecherry trees, and wild apple trees line the border along our grassy areas. The ground is covered with moss, clover, and all manner of foresty bits. It really is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Nothing compares to the rich, earthy forest smell that comes to greet you at the back of our property.

Green space at the back of the property.

I am by no means considered to be an outdoorsy woman, but I have always loved the forest even in small doses. The Columbia River Gorge was a special place to my family growing up. We often would go on long drives through the Gorge and spend hours parked under the moss covered trees. One of my favorite memories are of my parents in the Gorge. They instilled in me a reverence for nature that has stayed with me throughout my life. Matt shares this feeling and we have tried to incorporate the forest wherever we live. Now we get to make it a part of our business!

Elizabeth's Mom, Kathy, at the beautiful viewpoint, Crown Point, in the Columbia River Gorge

Next week, I will start to share some of the renovations we have done to our house. The buildings are in the process of being painted externally so I'm hoping to have some progress photos of that as well.

While Matt and I are still learning, we have the wonderful communities in Vermont to remind us to rest. Almost every person I come in contact with here has welcomed us like no other. As we get used to this new pace of life, we have to remind ourselves and each other, don't forget to rest:)

The larger cottage nestled next to the forest.

The smaller cottage on the left and the back view of our house with the two mother-in-law suites on the right.