While out on a search-and-uncover adventure around Deep Creek, MD last weekend ... we were meandering the rural routes when we followed a little sign down a country road. It led us to this amazing little place called Schoolhouse Earth. It was the Llamas that first caught my eye. Apparently, I caught their eyes too--distracting them from a green-grass-lunch when I snapped my camera shutter. A man who was accompanying his wife on her shopping adventure came and stood next to me (with his camera) as I was shooting pics. Smiling, he struck up a conversation with me. "When we were here last year, we had our little Dachshund
with us. All of the Llamas took one look at him and surrounded the baby Llama, protecting her." Repeat visitors from last year? I knew this place was special.Here, visitors enter into an adorable garden courtyard with patio seating, umbrellas, benches and a beautiful naturalized pond--complete with fat, happy giant goldfish. Unique garden statuary and angels surround the porch and pond. Charming displays abound ... inside and outside. Enchanting vintage-inspired finds and seasonal decor are mixed-and-matched with everything from candles to jewelry, ornaments, gourmet foods and home furnishings.
I was greeted by one of the owners (I think) who asked if we'd visited before. He then pointed out the
treasures in each themed room and building. We wandered from the Children's area to the Inspiration room to the Christmas room and into a garden room slowly, soaking up the delicious scents and visual magic. I wanted to camp out at the place for a while--then go shop some more! Apparently I wasn't alone--a group of ladies (all wearing purple hoodies and carrying large shopping bags) were having their picture taken together in front. Girls getaway haven.
I was greeted by one of the owners (I think) who asked if we'd visited before. He then pointed out the
treasures in each themed room and building. We wandered from the Children's area to the Inspiration room to the Christmas room and into a garden room slowly, soaking up the delicious scents and visual magic. I wanted to camp out at the place for a while--then go shop some more! Apparently I wasn't alone--a group of ladies (all wearing purple hoodies and carrying large shopping bags) were having their picture taken together in front. Girls getaway haven. In back of the store was a "farmyard" with tiny goats, chickens, kittens, more Llamas and a few donkeys. You could buy small cups of feed for a quarter from a gumball-like machine, above which hung a sign noting that all of the animals were rescued. Seems they'd been abandoned or abused, or both ... the donkeys had seen the worst of it. As I studied one of the donkeys, h
e wandered up to me. I rubbed his neck, stroked his ears and talked to him as he leaned in--eyes closed in contentment. (What kind of sicko abuses an animal ... especially one so gentle?)
e wandered up to me. I rubbed his neck, stroked his ears and talked to him as he leaned in--eyes closed in contentment. (What kind of sicko abuses an animal ... especially one so gentle?) The best thing that we found at Schoolhouse Earth was our farm dream (again). It reminded T and I so very much of the place we'd once envisioned. He talked for an hour after we left, painting a verbal picture of what our place would look like ... what I could do (create/sew/craft/sell/market/bake) and what he would do (tend the garden/animals/give tractor rides to kids/build fountains/grow pumpkins /make Santas again) ... on any given day.
I'm trying to pinpoint what makes Schoolhouse Earth so special. I think the owners ha
ve captured what people are craving today ... warm hospitality, a comfortable place that feels like your grandparents' home, the delicious smells of freshly roasted coffee and cinnamon, the glittering beauty of Christmas, hope, faith, inspiration, the patience of a garden, the nostalgia of a farm, cool toys (the non-electronic kind) and a place for lost souls (both animal and human). So very Past Perfect.
ve captured what people are craving today ... warm hospitality, a comfortable place that feels like your grandparents' home, the delicious smells of freshly roasted coffee and cinnamon, the glittering beauty of Christmas, hope, faith, inspiration, the patience of a garden, the nostalgia of a farm, cool toys (the non-electronic kind) and a place for lost souls (both animal and human). So very Past Perfect. 
