Sunday, December 29, 2013

Only in Bucks County: The Best House in Buckingham


I have friends who live in a beautiful 18th century stone farmhouse in Holicong, a small pocket of Buckingham Township here in Bucks County. With rolling country roads, the scent of sun-warmed grass and fresh air, and the scenery of well-kept horse farms, open land, cornfields, and periwinkle blue skies at sunset, I enjoy the 15 minute ride to their house as much as I enjoy being a guest there! Dennis and Armando have a place that is full of beauty, love, and warmth; and they go out of their way to make their guests feel welcome in their enchanting home.

The word that I would choose to describe their home is handsome. It's simply a good-looking house! Large and impressive with pointed stonework on the outside; exposed beams, deep window sills, oak floors and antique fireplaces on the inside. I wander around inside, exploring... and I walk around the grounds and feel as though I'm in an earlier, simpler time.


                            The road to Holicong


                                                                Holicong Road

Walking the grounds
 
Formal garden
 
                                                        Annual Christmas photo

                                                      King of coops
 
 
 
Autumn approches
 
 
                                              Side view
 
 
 Random width oak floors
 
                                                                                              Super wide sills
 

 I know a secret: In front of their house stands the largest tree in all of Bucks County!
(Armando tells me it used to be the second-largest tree, but the first one fell over in a storm)

iPhone photo that better shows the enormity of said tree ;)
 
                        
                                                       Armando's Cocina al aire libre

 Chardonnay among Cornfields
 

                                                                             Family
 
Shadows cast by the warm glow of the fireplace
 
A wonderful meal on the terrace
 


 
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth,
 for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire;
  It is the time for home.”
Edith Sitwell
(September 7, 1887-December 9, 1964)
 
 
And of course.... there's always Ethel.
 
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