Fall in the Barn and Other Things

 We had a wonderful Fall in the barn. The weather was warm, so we spent more time than usual out there. I hosted an outdoor bonfire for the women from our church and we served about a hundred of us in the barn. I also had a family birthday party and Thanksgiving Dinner in the barn. These pictures are the aftermath of all of those events. 

This picture shows one of the two new matching side chairs donated by a moving neighbor. I love my barn furnishings, a hodge podge from here and there.

The other end of the barn has this warm cozy spot, more cast offs from a previous home. The furniture has lost its orginal luster, so it's noo longer suitable for a living room--but it's perfect in the barn. We use lots of throws and blankets in the barn because there is no heat source but the wood stove.

 This table was set with desserts for the bonfire, and the party and for Thanksgiving dinner. It's shows the evidence of having been a busy serving table.

This gives the long view of the barn, with our game table to the right and the eating table and serving counter to the left. It's such a great versatile space. This picture also gives a shot of my mix and match chairs. 

Here we are looking the other way. 

 The trunk end table is very old, found at an antique store. It has wheels which makes it easy to move around as needed. 

I love the bunting hanging over the doorways. It makes everything look like a party. My husband's baby, the motorcycle, is reflected in the mirror. He never leaves baby outside. 

Another view of the serving table with a collection of leaves, gourds, pumpkins and lanterns.

 I love those mini pumpkins, but adore the showy gray-green french pumpkin with all its bumps and curves. 

It's all cleaned up now, ready for games on Christmas day, and then it will be decorated once again in the Spring with pastels and bunnies and flowers. 

It's nice having a barn to decorate. 

One that is not full of farm animals or equipment. 

One exclusively for people (and their pets).

Welcome to our Barn.

It's Fall, Y'all!

This counter tends to looks its best when it's laden with food.

This is the view of the great outdoors. The lush green grass of summer is fading to a warm gold. 

I love the way the farm is encircled by perimeter trees. No leaves to rake, but lots of view year round.

A few of my favorites on Thanksgiving Day. 

Later in the kitchen, a cookie stand-off. I give the dog credit for only staring. He is obviously intent on tele-porting that cooking into his own mouth. 

The rays of light are so beautiful. Captured in the morning when the sun is just emerging and shining through the trees while also striking the fog from the pond. A nice harmonic convergence.
Fall is beautiful. 

Barn Thanksgiving in Three Acts

Act 1: Sweet Rachel baking sweet snickerdoodles in our cozy country kitchen. The turkey is already roasting in the oven. 

Sticky food fingers mean no wiping disorderly bangs out of eyes.

What's she looking at?

 I
I see. The handmade Thanksgiving sign.

 Rachel's friend,  Jon, a professional artist, kindly put it together for us.

Act 2: Move to the barn kitchen; Jon is preparing some delicious concoction out of apple brandy.

The dessert table is set with all of Rachel's goodies before all the pies arrive.  

The stage is set for relaxing;  outdoor furniture makes for cozy seating in the barn. The fall quilt is a gift from a friend.
This picture also provides a great view of the plywood and board wall that we installed to make the barn clean and warm. It is insulated underneath. 

The serving counter is waiting for its bounty of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, etc, etc, etc. We had three kinds--oven-roasted stuffed turkey, grilled injected turkey, and deep fried turkey. Yum.

There is a wreath over the serving counter, and beyond that a peek into the kitchen. We used portable work benches with wooden counters in our barn kitchen--and in between them a sink and stove. Lots of storage, very durable, easy to keep clean, no hiding places for critters.

Big long tables set for 18 of our dear family and friends.

Close-up on the table with decor from nature's bounty and little hay bales from Michael's.

Act 3: A group of very thankful people, my beautiful and beloved.


Thanksgiving is the purest holiday of them all.
Just gratitude, love, and good food. 

Early Morning Walk

Early yesterday morning, as I lay in my cozy bed sleeping, my husband texted me. He said, "Come join me out by the lake. Dress warm."
I could think of a hundred reasons for not doing this. But the adventure beckoned me. So I dressed warmly, grabbed my camera, and walked out the door to this sight. 

Good morning, Mother Nature. This is our lovely forest. For a sense of scale, see the bench in the bottom left corner of the picture. 

Golden leaves everywhere. 

I walked across the golden grass back to the forest. 

On my right, the pond mirrored the trees.  

This is my husband's newest project. A boardwalk through the marsh to our lake.  

At the end of the boardwalk?  A man and his dog.


He said, "You have GOT to see this."

This is what I saw at 6 a.m. above my dog's ears. 

Sunrise on the lake. A sea of tranquility. We sat there for an hour in the cold, breathing all of it in. 

Then the day called, and we walked back through the forest to the house.
What a powerful way to start my day.
Thanks, husband of mine.