GREEN ACRES

Some time last year, I tried my damnest to get Daddy Warbucks to buy a house here in Bucks County, since he used show up all the time, and he loves his time here in New Hope. But between his dismay of US politics with 45, and all politicians in general, and the pandemic, it didn't happen. He has already stated he wont move back to the US, after selling his properties. But I love and adore Bucks, which is located immediately northeast of downtown Philly. It is also one of the original counties created by colonial proprietor William Penn in 1680, named after the county, Buckinghamshire, where he lived in England. Our county is renowned for it's natural, countryside scenery, colonial history, and it's local produce, and arts colonies. And much of central and upper Bucks is land persevered, meaning no more housing developments and unused strip malls. And much re-purposing. It very unusual to see any chain of any kind , especially in Central Bucks over and into NJ near Lambertville. One most drive to Warrington or Montgomery Co, for those things. But I was driving to the ASPCA today and saw my house for Warbucks sold! God damn him! A steal too at only $2.3 mill! Which trust me, is a steal in this area. The home sits on a little over 11 acres,. When I moved here, it was still a working farm, with milking cows, and chickens. The first owners re-purposed the whole barn and it was spectacular. I told Warbucks...you snooze you lose. I could have stayed in it,  keeping it up, while you all visited, till he would come to visit. But I guess he's happy in my little pied de terre, on his arrivals. I love the warmth and exquisite hallmarks that make this home so cool and and evoke a sense of rustic and provincial style. These picture are from the realtor that listed it, after the owners had already moved.

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.

MORE FROM THE FAIR HAMLET

I know next to nothing about my forebears. Only, I’m told, they were some combination of English, Welsh and maybe Scot.  Given that, and assuming there really is something called genetic memory, perhaps that’s why I’ve always felt so completely at home in Bucks County. Stoic field stone houses, the narrow country roads, vintage antique cars, and irresistible little hamlets in this eastern part of Pennsylvania look as if they had been plucked straight from a Merchant Ivory production. From my first time here and then moving here,  years ago,  I loved it. Instantly. Was absolutely smitten and remain so. There’s much to love.  Bucks is a hotbed of history. A Revolutionary War devotee will most definitely find fulfillment here. While there is a wealth of charming B&Bs in Bucks County my comfort station last weekend of choice was the luxurious Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm.

Located in Buckingham, a scenic six miles from New Hope and Lambertville, Barley Sheaf was once the home of playwright George Kaufman and the weekend retreat for the literary likes of Lillian Hellman, John Steinbeck and Moss Hart. Harpo Marx, a regular there, added comic relief. And right around the corner, and down a couple roads was the home of Oscar Hammerstein. Originally the property was part of a land grant made to William Penn in 1681 by the Crown of England. A good friend of mine had her engagement party in the form of a high tea here last weekend, so I decided to get a room and stay , even though I only live 9 miles away. Since I was the only queen and male to attend the party, I decided to make a night of it and stay over night in style. And hard to believe it is almost spring....snow , and heavy squalls at times, covered things. Weird weather, it would go from over cast and snowing to sunny the next and by Sunday the snow was but gone!!!

The graceful manor house dates to 1740, but the amenities are pure 21^st century. What began as a sturdy farmhouse has morphed into a beautifully furnished inn with plush suites featuring lavish drapery, sybaritic baths, private balconies, irresistible sitting rooms, impressive antiques and enough featherbeds and down comforters to keep me and all the houseboys warm.

There was also the various farm animals like goats and miniature horses to visit with in the barn.

Eventually I did leave a bit Saturday to potter about favorite Bucks County spots. New Hope and Lambertville, with all their shops, galleries and restaurants are only a few minutes drive away. Lahaska, is a mere mile from the inn. The wee town is a collection of buildings, old and new, housing about 65 specialty shops and restaurants. My favorite pastime, however, is getting lost in the countryside. If you have ever been here, you'll know it's  a grand web of narrow roads that run from town to town, past stately homes, through covered bridges, and along well-kept farmland furnished with bank barns.

It all looks old and reliable, tidy and organized. I feel reassured that history is taken seriously here and preserved, which is nice. I also ran by  Fonthill , in nearby Doylestown.

If for no other reason, you should travel to Bucks County to visit Fonthill, a concrete castle,  part gothic, part medieval, part Byzantine in style, Fonthill was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer, a man of eclectic tastes and eccentricities. He is reputed to be one of the first to build with reinforced concrete and it could be said he might have gone a bit too far when constructing his home. Walls, pillars, ceilings, windowframes, even some furniture in this unique house are made of concrete. Apparently he feared fire. The house is a showcase of Mercer’s many interests. A main one being the ceramic tiles he designed and manufactured at his own tile works, The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works where Mercer’s tiles are still manufactured sits also on the vast land. My rooms bath even had some tile on the vanity and in the vanity intself.

It was a lovely weekend and only one bump in the night. I have no idea though if I was visited by a ghost in the night or it was just a dream though.