COUNTRY HOUSE

One thing I have always loved about Bucks County, is that the county as a whole reminds me so much of the English countryside...especially when your in the Doylestown, New Hope, Buckingham , and the Makefields. There are many old horse and farming estates, and many a converted barn reno. It's also not uncommon to find huge country estate mansions that have been divided up into individual apartments. Just driving around it's fun to see the names of the homes, which most have names. My good friends Doug and Jamie, years ago bought Dueling Willows, a beautiful spigot of land that occupies 10 acres. They are some of my closest friends, and have been there for me in thick and thin. Doug is also the one who I sat for nude when he took up drawing in pastels the male form.  I was heart broken when they announced they'd be moving, due to Doug's job being cut in hours,  and Jamie losing his job altogether. They have since decided it's best to move and downsize. When the house went on the market, it sold in four days after going up....a lady from Texas bought it. I was happy but I can't lie, heartbroken too. I thought we'd have more time. I will miss them greatly and yet just another blow to take. I found this out the same week I got laid off, in addition to one of our friends passing away of Covid. So lately, between them and the Woods, they have been my rock.  So they been inviting me over to enjoy what will be our last days at their lovely pool and enjoy cock-a-tails, and soaking up the sun. I have also been on hand to help them get packed. 

Dueling Willows always reminded me of a quintessential country farm estate. It sits on 10 acres and  had humble beginnings. Started in 1847 as a simple stone house by Amos Subers, and evolving through the years into a proper country estate with history,  and majestic views of the rolling pastures from the main house, stone barn, and pool area.  Doug had done a wonderful custom kitchen crafted  with carefully designed cabinets, marble counter tops, brass fixtures, a Shaw farm sink, and I always loved the hand painted tile back splash, behind the stove, he and Jamie found on a trip to Spain once. I could just live in the kitchen I tell ya. It was always yet another home away from home, and I often had my own room if a drank to much or we were doing back to back pool days like last week. They were kind enough to let me take a few snaps.

The dears often had my cock-a-tail waiting when I arrived. They even had me bring mother once when she was visiting. Might be one time I really saw her plastered.

Just for Bob and Travel Penguin whom I know love kitchens

Doug also has a good eye for arranging such fun bric n brac. I loved this old doctors cabinet they got to hold their toiletries.

They just started packing and their dog Dakota is already exhausted.

The Master Suite

The house has four bedrooms...this was my room over the garage.

And always loved the bath, but alas never had a soak in the tub.

Thank goodness they will only be moving to New Hampshire, so it will be a drivable place to visit. The place as of today....

It seems like lately things are changing quite quickly since last summer... I took the Raven's closing pretty hard. New Hope is definitely not the same without the campy fun of the Raven. I don't know how to feel about things. I don't mind change, but have a hard time when multiple things hit at once. The people I trust the most and in my inner sanctum seem to be getting further away, geographically. It was always refreshing to know they were just a hop and skip for dinner, walks in New Hope, or just hanging out here or at their place.I made many a spectacle at Dueling Willows. I know my gams will miss their lovely pool.  

And they have said in no uncertain terms they will miss seeing my gams.