About Ivy's Wind River - Charles Mcdonald

When I took off to show Real Estate this is the view of Garth Road just after I leave my home.

Pay close attention to the "traffic" !!!

Now I spent the day with clients showing several homes. I will not bother you with those photos

but what I did want you to see is this (below)... The photo I took with my blackberry of the sunset:

Yes I pulled over to take this photo, it was stunning!

Come visit and tour our area anytime!

About The Author

Charles McDonald, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Assured Properties and dedicated Buyers Agent is the author of this blog, and several other sites on the Internet. Charles and his group of experts in the Charlottesville area are always available to help you with your Real Estate needs. Call our group anytime at 434-981-1585 or to search for homes visit: Charlottesville Real Estate

Copyright © 2009 Charles McDonald, All Rights Reserved.

Mule or Gator, this is the question and I know many of you are wondering what in the world is Charles talking about now?

When I moved to Virginia (going on 8 years now) I went from .25 acres to now 14 acres of land. Well there is a lot to do on a piece of land, cut trees that have fallen, clear brush, create gardens, make trails, fish, hike and explore.

After a short time I realized with all this fun and work, I needed the right tools and one of them is a utility vehicle. So I started to look at options.

There are a lot of people who are "John Deere" die-hards and I am now on my 2^nd John Deere riding mower. The first one was a little small and I beat the heck out of it!!!

John Deere makes a "Gator" and there are several versions of the Gator. Plus it is (as the song goes) "John Deere Green".

Well I looked at the Gator and talked to a lot of people and it is a fine utility vehicle.

Kawasaki makes a "Mule" and the rear bed tilts and it has a roll cage.

There is also a bench seat and a little higher ground clearance.

so MULE vs GATOR?

My property is rather hilly. In fact I would call it steep! So I looked at all the options and talked to a lot of people and I bought a "Mule".

I am so pleased with it's performance on the hills it is hard to explain. It will try to climb a tree if you let it. We have a grand time with the Mule and even use it to pull sleds in the Winter.

The main thing when looking at a Mule or a Gator is to consider your property. How steep of hills do you have? Are you going to be in river beds, etc…

I think if my land were flatter, I would have gone with a Gator. But I can tell you, after flipping over in a Mule and being able to walk away from it (that is another story). I am sold on the Mule!

Today my family and I took a little hike and during the hike decided it was time to do a little gardening.

So when we got back home we got right to work. Well it was not long before I heard a SCREAM!!!

SNAKE!!!

I came running with a shovel (to cut his head off) thinking it was a copperhead. I was pleased to see it was a nice little 3 foot Black Snake,

Excuse the photos as I took them with my blackberry and not my camera...

Well my wife actually scared him and he laid there very still...

His is so cute I think he is smiling at the camera!

I let this little guy go and he is evidently living in my barn.

Note: a black snake can bite but he is good to have around to take care of mice and copperheads...

Back to gardening!

When it comes to decorating outside for Christmas, my wife and I have come to the conclusion that "Simple is Best".

We used to decorate way over the top but now we do simple displays such as the 2 deer on the side of our driveway:

A simple Red Ribbon on each deer and that is all! Of course the one grazing is animated...

We also have a few strategically placed wreaths on the outside of our home with spotlights to accent them at night!

The one pictures here is about 3 feet in diameter.

Oh and for another idea we put a smaller wreath on the mailbox.

Next is the front door. We have 2 topiaries wit lights and of course another wreath on the front door with a red ribbon....

This is very welcoming for visitors!

Here is a shot of the front of our home all lite up for Christmas:

Notice the CHRISTMAS TREE in the Window on the Right.

Not way over the top, we think that "Simple is Best!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the McDONALD's!!!

(we would love to see photos of your decorations!)

WOW, what a party!

One of our best ones, we had wonderful guests, great food (thanks Betty) good music and fantastic weather (75 degrees)! What more could we ask?

Thank you to my family, friends and clients who attended, it is your support that makes working with Charlottesville Real Estate a true joy for me. If you not able to attend, we missed your smiling faces and look forward to seeing you next year!

The photo below of the pumpkins was emailed to me from one of our dear friends and clients who live in Glenmore.

They were so kind to take it as I forgot to get any photos of the party...

As darkness came, we lit the pumpkins! (even though it was Nov 1st)

The kitty design, in the rear, was my daughters creation!