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. 

Thrift Shop Treasure

I was sailing through the aisles of the local Salvation Army Thrift shop, searching for an ugly Christmas sweater for a party, when what to my wondering eyes should appear???.....

...an old Flexible Flyer sled!

Isn't it beautiful? I oiled the wood to make it shine. They are still made today in Maine, but the sleds were first designed and built by a farm equipment manufacturer, Samuel Leeds Allen,  in 1898.


This is one of the original ads for the sled.
Sales didn't take off till they began being sold in department stores in 1915, when 120,000 of them were sold.


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The one pictured above is from 1936 and on display in the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.  

I cannot tell from my research how old mine is--it is in such good condition, it is probably not too old. A brand new one can be purchased from Walmart for $85, though it doesn't have this lettering nor the same markings. This one was $30 at the Salvation Army, and is quite usable. 

In my brief research, there seems to be an active collector's group with lots of details about how to date them. It is quite detailed, and I have neither the time or patience to search it out now. This arrow is painted on the middle oak rail and also seems to be one way of dating it.

The new ones look like this:


("So mine is obviously older", she said to herself triumphantly.)

The runners are made of strong steel, and are still sturdy despite the encroaching rust.

Regardless of its age or pedigree, I think it looks quite handsome and festive on my porch. We are now ready if the midwest blizzard reaches this far across the country. 

The view from the steps.

The cardinal in the wreath seems quite taken by it.