Butternut Farm

 

5

123

Maureen H.

Exeter, NH

2/10/2008 2 photos

There are still stars in my eyes from this place.

The only unfortunate thing was leaving.  Don is so gentle, peaceful, smart, refined, elegant, down-to-earth, direct, sassy and just wonderful.  In his musuem home that dates from 1720, he has collected pieces of our American history since '59, mostly colonial with a great assortment of stuffed birds, goat knick knacks, pewter, red harpsichord, oh, just everything, and animal pelts for good measure.  So much dark wood, stories and intrigue.   Classical music marking the passage of time all the while.  Just right.

Though we arrived almost 3 hours later than I'd said we would, he poured us a great big glass of wine and we headed to the barn for a tour.   Antonio was tending the prize-winning pigeons (they were a soft beige with turquoise necks), goats, pheasants, ducks and chickens in the barn where we had a 20 minute conversation that still has me feeling good.  I love that kind of connection.

We stayed in the Barn apartment.  It has a kitchenette and bathroom, too, so we could have hunkered down and probably should have for several days.  Maybe next time.  Except the rooms upstairs are incredible, too.  I could easily spend my days there and never leave the property.  Lemon verbena soaps with the Butternut Farm goat logo are a great memento.

Breakfast was an herb (there's a gorgeous herb garden right outside the kitchen) and cheese omelet, yogurt, an exquisite sourdough corn bread that Don baked and peach preserves.  Coffee with a touch of almond flavor.  We encouraged one of his Abyssinian  cats to leap on my husband's shoulder where he rubbed aginst his head for about 15 minutes suffering my photo shooting.

Love, love, love Butternut Farm.  Truly enchanting to wake up to the distant sound of goats, ducks and rooster.  There's a little private area with metal chairs and table outside the sliding doors of the barn apt.  by the pine trees that would be wonderful in better weather.  A little pond with fish.  Sigh.

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