Nov 22
Christmas on the Farm, 2011
Summer is over, Fall is gone, and Christmas is upon us. We have spent November getting the farm ready, and now we are looking forward to greeting many old friends and making new ones. Here are the details of what we have to offer.
We have a large selection of hand-sheared White Pines this year, some up to 10’ tall, and Norway Spruces up to 7’, to choose from.
We will be open from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. from Tuesdays to Sundays; we are closed Mondays. We open the day after Thanksgiving and close on Christmas Eve. (Directions to the farm are given below)
Our greenhouse will be warm, and full of gift items made by us and our neighbors. Feel free to bring young and old for a family outing. Remember to wear sturdy shoes or boots, and warm clothing. Cider and cookies will be served, and we will have bunnies to hold and chickens to visit. And you are invited to walk our signed forest paths.
Here is the list of the items we will have for sale:
White Pine and Norway Spruce Christmas Trees
Christmas Wreaths
White Pine Roping and red-berry Holly bouquets
Our own Jams, Honey and Beeswax Candles
One of a kind Hooked Rugs and Handwoven Items
Soaps, Pottery, Gift Baskets and other hand-crafted items
Our White Pines are priced at $37.00 for any tree, and the Norway Spruces are $42.00. We provide free netting and tying-on for easy transport home.
We realize that Christmas is a busy time, but we hope that you will come to relax and enjoy the out-of-doors, the beautiful blue mountain views, and some respite from the hustle and bustle of the season. We look forward to seeing you.
What you will find here
First you will find us, Jim and Sally Mello, owners of Oak Shade Farm. We have 23 acres, 9 of which are in Christmas trees and vegetable garden. We use organic methods in growing our vegetables, and in growing our Christmas trees as well. No insecticides or artificial fertilizers. You might think that this would set the table for destructive insects, but we have a marvelous army of hungry predators to keep them under control. On a dewy morning you can see thousands of spider webs glistening in the trees; there are paper wasps in abundance in the summer, looking for a meal; birds of many kinds are always looking for bugs; and the praying mantises are busy all summer. Look for their egg cases, about the size and shape of a walnut, on the trees. If you find one you can take it home and tie it to a shrub in your yard. The young will hatch in the Spring. We try to work with nature and use our energy and the land to grow good things and nourish our spirits. We hope you will find some of that nourishment for yourself when you visit.
Here is where the things we have for sale in our greenhouse come from:
Sally and daughter Jeanne Day make the hooked rugs
Jim harvests the honey, makes the candles and roping, and does the weaving.
Sally makes homemade cookies and catnip bags
Sally, granddaughters Laura and Caroline, and sister Judy make the jams
Diana Wright makes the soap and Joan Beard creates the bead jewelry
Directions
From Warrenton…Take Route 211 west for about 8 miles to the intersection with Route 229. Turn left on 229 and travel about 6 miles to Route 611, Waterford Road. Go right on 611 for 1 mile to Waterford Run Lane on the right and come up the drive.
From Culpeper…Take Route 229 north through Rixeyville and across the Hazel River. Take a left on Route 611, Waterford Road, and proceed 1 mile to Waterford Run Lane, and come up the drive.
Jim and Sally Mello
14455 Waterford Run Lane, Rixeyville, Va. 22737
Phone: 540 937-5062; Email: Oakshadefarm@gmail.com