"Cots" AND "wolds" in Thomasville?

"At times it seemed unfair that I should be paid for my work; for driving out in the early morning with the fields glittering under the first pale sunshine and the wisps of mist still hanging on the high tops.”
― James Herriot, All Creatures Great and Small

The other day in the shop, a sweet customer popped in just before closing time. She was real quick, because she knew we would have just the thing for her local friend's housewarming gift... for the friend's new holiday home in the (wait for it)... Cotswolds.

Now, obviously, this was a repeat customer who knew us well. She'd previously purchased items by Cotswold Spa Bathing Company from us and was thinking of one of those. But she was understandably sidetracked by the gorgeously-scented soy candles by Norfolk Natural Living, which are also from England.

I'm thinking she will likely be back for one for herself, judging by her effusive comments!

But I digress. The point is that this client knows our shop so well that she knew she'd find just the perfect gift for a Cotswold home.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that I have been in love with that region in southwest England since Chris' and my first visit there in 2016.

So much so that I have already booked our next trip in May of 2027. Chris and I are looking forward to introducing Hannah (our niece who works with us) to the towns and countryside of the Cotswolds, as well as to the cities of Oxford and London.

It will be Hannah's first trip to England. (And possibly someone else's too, but that person doesn't know it yet!)

Hannah is looking forward to it. I know because I recently overheard her telling a visitor about the origin of the word "Cotswolds": two Old English words: "cot", meaning sheep enclosure; and "wold", meaning rolling hills, high ground, or open forest. How I love etymology! (It seems Hannah does too.)

Lately, I've been contemplating the concept that two things can be true at once.

While I do call the Cotswolds my "happy place", it's a long way away, and I can only visit it so often.

You've likely heard me say that if I can't live in the Cotswolds, I CAN choose to live in the Red Hills region. Ergo, I am blessed to say that this too is my happy place!

We too have small towns (Thomasville being the best one, of course!) and a lifestyle influenced by the properties surrounding us. After all, our area is the bobwhite quail hunting capital of the world ~ a pastime adapted from the fancy, estate-style hunting originating in England.

Of course, as the region's name implies, we are surrounded by hills, which are themselves abundant with woodlands (full of longleaf pines, live oaks, etc.).

But not only that... we have sheep too!

My friend Marcy, among many callings, owns a sheep farm with her husband in nearby Grady County. It is called Loblolly Lamb Farm after the type of pine trees that are prevalent here.

I've been dying to get out to Marcy's farm, and just the other day I got the opportunity to. She’d purchased some sheep "yard art" from me and invited me out to install it. What fun!

(An aside: I confess I text Marcy when we design new sheep art or get new sheep decor in the shop... and she would confess that she succumbs to their charms!)

First, I got to see her sweet little Airbnb, named Katahdin Cottage after the breed of sheep they raise. As you can guess, Marcy has adorned it with a subtle sheep theme, much of the decor from our shop!

It was the first cool, autumnal morning. So crisp that after installing the corrogated metal sheep sculptures, Marcy lent me a jacket before riding on her utility vehicle to see her flock.

Deep down the farm track, I could feel my nervous system calming. Then, as we turned a curve, the sheep came into view, surrounded by tall timbers. Their heads came up and turned in unison to watch us approach.

We stopped for a while. As the sheep watched us watching them, Marcy told me about the history of the farm, the herd, and the rhythm of caring for them throughout the farming year.

Because I devour British TV programs like Clarkson's Farm and This Farming Life (and have voraciously read and reread all of James Herriot's books), I fancy myself an armchair expert on sheep farming and husbandry. (lol.)

But there is nothing like seeing it in action or being near the sheep in their field, dappled with morning sun. By the time we were ready to go back to the cottage, the sheep had returned to their tranquil grazing and barely lifted their heads as we drove away.

As Marcy and I said our goodbyes, I invited myself back for lambing season. I will happily put on my wellies to witness (and help if needed) the miracle of new life early next year. I'll look forward to sharing it with you!

In the meantime, we do have some lovely sheep-themed and woollen items that are my favorites this week.

Enjoy perusing them here!

xo,