Autumn Harvest

If you could harvest "sweet" - this is what it would look like.

Shadow & Whisper in the hayloft.

And Pumpkin too!

If you had to describe Autumn in three words
 -- what would they be?



Two Weeks! Barn Sale 2010

"They will love it, they will love it not. 
They will love it, they will love it not. 
They will love it."

I awoke this morning to NO RAIN!

First thought:  "two weeks from today - the Barn Sale!

Second thought:  "Yea!"

Click on "Barn Sales" under Chapters to the right for the details.

Will you be there?

Tick Tock

Tick Tock

17 days left for readying!

17 days left to scurry & hurry & make it all pretty!

17 days left...

Tick Tock

Barn Sale 2010

Click on tab to the right under "Chapters" for all the details.



Chippewa, like the river...

This morning we awoke to this magnificent sunrise -- pink over the barn. 
It was glorious.

This morning we awoke to one less kitty waiting at the barn door. 
It was heartbreaking.

Chippewa - like the river.

Independent. 

Coming home.

Always running home.

Your barn waits - home.

This morning under pink...it was you.

Chippewa - like the river.

I make no apologies for falling madly, deeply,
head over heals in love with my animals. 

When no one else cares, they do.

When no one else will listen, they will.

As we buried our little Chippewa this morning,
Ralphie watched from his goat bridge.

He will miss him too.

Chippewa - like the river...

Just a peak - Barn Sale 2010

Just a peak....just a peak....

Still getting ready for the Barn Sale.

Just a peak at one little area of one BIG hay loft.

Just a peak.

Glad the lights were low....just a peak.

Just a peak...new kitty babies - a gift last weekend.

Marmalade, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Tinsel, Clover?

Still deciding upon names.

Barn Sale --- October 9 & 10  (9-5)

For more Barn Sale information -- click on the tab to the right under "Chapters..."

Getting "Pumpkined Up"!

Finally -- I am getting that autumn feeling...

beginning to pumpkin things up around here!

Then there is that little pumpkin patch behind the barn!

And, of course, there is a little Pumpkin in the barn!

Have you put out any autumn decorations yet?

Where are you?

Quiet.  Empty. 

Where are you?

The past few weeks have felt very solitary. 

Dave reminds me that it is back to school, end of summer -- but it feels very quiet, too quiet.

Where are you?

Wisdom begins with wonder.

My friend, Jani, reminded me of these words from Socrates: 

"Wisdom begins with wonder". 

Here is what I have learned along my journey at Meadowview Farm: 

• Sparrows like blue bird houses too. 
• Milk paint was made to last.
• Goats are like dogs - only with smaller droppings.
• Woodchucks & Pocket Gophers are the bane of all existence.
• Cottonwood trees get a bum rap.
• "Catch & Release" just doesn't work for Japanese Beetles or Crickets.
• Storms do announce themselves.
• Farmers are indeed the hardest working people & the best neighbors.
• It is good to know someone with a bobcat or a tractor.
• Country music has a heart.
• Humility is a good character trait....as is personal responsibility & kindness.  They make my top 10 list.
• You can herd cats.

What have you learned along your journey?? 
Do share....

Blue Birds

Blue Bird Dishes

Sweet little specials I tuck throughout my home.

They make me smile....

Oops...had to add this picture. 

I am adding daily to the barn for the sale,

and found these from a recent buying trip. 

Have never seen Blue Bird tins -- these are officially "adopted" by me!

What is your favorite collectible of the moment?

Meadow View

Our farm is located in the township of Otter Creek.

We had thought we would name it Otter Creek Farm.

But, it had a name.

When first built in 1857, it was said that from every window you could view a meadow...

thus, Meadowview Farm.

This farm had been in the same family for well over 150 years -- we did not assume that the name was something we could just take.  So, when Lois Hall, the last owner, stopped by with a picture of the farm, she also gifted us with the name.

Meadowview Farm. 

Do you have a name for your home? 

Apple Time

  

Apple time is here again.

Each night I pick a wheelbarrow full of tree fall and set it at the end of the driveway.

Neighbors stop and take them -- for their chickens, for the deer, maybe even for applesauce.

All the weekend apples are donated to the Elk Ranch at the edge of Osseo.

Each morning I cut up apples to feed the goats.

And, Dave's apple pies -- delicious!

It is apple time again!  Autumn is arriving!

P.S. I am having difficulty deciding on an autumn template for my blog....

today it is the quilt - tomorrow, who knows?

Do share your favorite thing to do with apples.

Boys & Girl

Three little boys sharing one little bowl of milk.

(Shadow---Pumpkin---Chippewa)

One little girl - bowl to herself.

(Whisper)

As it should be...

Can you feel it?

We sat on the top steps of the barn stairs tonight...

watched a flock of several hundred birds swirl

and land at the top of the cottonwood tree -- they're getting ready.

Can you feel it?

Walked behind the barn to the pumpkin patch --

blossoms galore turning into round bumps.

Soon they will ripen to orange....maybe even a white one or two.

Can you feel it?

The dark begins by 8:00 -- farm security light on earlier. 

The goats & kittens play with haste, catching every ray of day.

Can you feel it?

Change....it is in the air.

Multiples

Lately I have been drawn to "multiples"-- many of a like item.  

Here are two finds from just this morning while out antiquing on a day off!

         

    Print stamp words 

 

Monograms

What have you found out antiquing this month?

Barn Sale Readiness Underway!

Yes, as described on this dial....the summer has been indeed "warm    hot    very hot"....

but perseverance always wins!

With sweat in our eyes, we hauled out over TEN 33-gallon bags of dirt from the haymow.  Now we are tweaking the space, still struck by the jaw-dropping beauty of this 100 year old beamed loft!

Arriving this morning was this beauty of a Monarch stove...will be "done up" in autumn majesty for the sale!

And here is a teaser from my Saturday buying trip of the smalls coming into the house for prep...

hmmm, what ever could be in those bags? 

All medium to large items go directly to the barn --

where two OVER-FLOWING barn stalls can't take in another item. 

Suddenly I can picture the hayloft awaiting the arrival of shoppers --

"Heartland Style" is the theme!!!

Words borrowed from the September, 2008 Country Home magazine:  "Fields and pastures of green and gold, weathered red barns, tilled brown soil, and clear blue skies make their way inside...It's all so accessible, yet here is artistry inherent in the everyday.  Just as regeneration comes each year to fields outside, materials in a heartland home find rebirth, living many lives and proudly wearing their patina of age."

I

Join us on Saturday & Sunday, October 9 & 10 from 9:00-5:00.

Click on the "Barn Sale" tab on the right for all the details.