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. 

Farm Weddings

Last year at this time, we hosted an outdoor wedding. It was all black and white and green, and looked beautiful against the post-winter landscape. Hard to believe the bride was sleeveless then, when there is a blizzard today slightly north of us, and the forecast for tonight is snow.  

My talented friend Crystal (who is NOT the pastor in the picture) set up the charming vintage altar and designed the vintage reception.

The reception was in the barn and this was the clever "cupcake" cake, which another friend made. 

The gift and card table. So creative.

 Crystal's creative signpost helped to direct traffic. It was a lovely wedding. Happy First Anniversary to Michael and Leslie!

*******

Two weeks ago we hosted another wedding for a very dear young couple. The groom works at our farm and helps to create and maintain our environment. This wedding happened in the midst of a snowstorm. Crystal put her magic wand to work again, creating a Winter Wonderland inside the warmth of our barn. (scroll to the last picture in this post if you are dying to see who this talented lady is! )

Our little wedding chapel.

The hot and cold beverage table. 

Cute labels.

The gift and card table with white lights sparkling underneath.

Winter Wonderland table decor.

Epsom salts make very nice non-melting snow. 

The talented cake maker and her masterpiece in the barn kitchen. 

Our beautiful bride, Katie, upstairs putting on the finishing touches with Grandma's help. That glorious crown of red hair is all natural. 

Grandma, Sister, Bride, and Mother of the Bride. All sparkling beauties!

Ready for her big entrance!

 Down the aisle with daddy.

Her handsome groom waiting for her at the other end.

Serious vows to love, honor and cherish till parted by death. 

A sparkly snowy soft backdrop for our sweet couple.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. 

We even managed to fit in a little dance floor.

They escaped in the "bad boy", decorated just for the occasion with snowflakes falling all around them. 

Off to the honeymoon and a new life together. May God bless them with a rich and loving and enduring marriage.

Wedding over. Guests on their way home. This is Crystal--the Event Maker, cleaning up all her hard work. 

She is the queen of magical, beautiful, charming homemade events. She makes everything she touches look good, and she does it with joy.  Thanks, Crystal. You've done it again!

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.