The Last Annual Barn Party!

When we bought Cowfeathers 11 years ago, I had so many plans for the place! They all piled up in my brain to be sifted out and tackled in turn. The barn is so beautiful, and has the stamp of hundreds of years of use in every beam...the barn will be 2 centuries old this decade. More about that later. But, when I walked around the top of the barn, with its worn, heavy floors and soaring height, I saw it as the ideal place for a Barn Dance. And 9 years ago, for Huz' 40th Birthday, the first Barn Party commenced. Because it was also a big birthday, and a huge novelty, we had family from all over, friends from all over, all the neighbors, tons of food and the best darn band I ever was lucky enough to book! We all loved the party, if not the temperature- it was COLD. And it became an annual event, albeit a month earlier in the calendar.
 This year, I believe was the last Annual Barn Party.
A pictorial of  this year's event, once again graced with fabulous weather, in this beautiful, old barn.

 Pete Shew and the Back Porch Swing Band have set aside a Saturday evening in the fall each year for the past 9. They come in one or two at a time, until we have a wonderful crew of musicians, singing, calling squares and boy, I love that fiddle!

This little guy figured out an "allemande left with a grand chain" smart as a whip!

 We had some ADORABLE kids here this year! They helped sing, play maracas, and were fast learners in the square dancing challenge.

Tucker has been to all 9 barn parties. He was a youngster at the first, and an elder statesman at the last. 

 The first year of the Barn Party, I rented a porta-potty. Really not my thing. It was expensive, and icky. So, the next year, before September rolled around, I built an outhouse for the barn. Charming, well appointed, full of light from the window, people didn't mind using this outhouse. It had a Dorothy moment a few years back when it got picked up by the wind and deposited in the cornfield. Luckily, we have friends. And a fine group showed up to roll it back into place. The window didn't even break! But, alas, the door was never the same again.

 Dad encouraging this cutie to shake those maracas!

 Unlike some years, when gale force winds had us all inside the barn, this year was warm, with a light breeze. Perfect for listening to a band play old standards and eat a plate of pot luck. Julia (black dog) didn't exactly beg...she just put herself very, very close.

I am terrible about hostessing as well as snapping photos. Fortunately for me, one of my pals picked up my camera and shot some pictures, allowing me to forever have this image of myself doing "The Blurry Robot."

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 And this, better one of Huz and his "country gal".

 This year was a great year for kids who wanted to dance. And, to me, this is a big part of why I love this party. Kids and their parents dancing together, seeing Mom and Dad having fun, being foolish. And in the square, everyone is an equal partner, or corner...

 Speaking of corners, this was the boyz corner. Ironically, opposite the girlz, who were sitting together outside. It was like 7th grade all over again!

 This is my boss, Dr. John, "goin' roun' the outside" with a capable little dance partner.

 The big kids gettin' fancy! Eldest was my only child who could be at the Barn Party this year. Both Middlest and Youngest had band obligations. This is a central reason why this party will be the last. It has been years since my children could all be here, and while they are elsewhere, I am missing out on cheering them on in their pursuits. But, at least Eldest made it! She brought a friend, Nick, and I think they danced every square.

 For many dances, Julia wanted to participate. But by now, all these folks are expert at dancing around dogs and children!

 And boy, do I love that fiddle! This night of the year is the best night to do the barn chores. As I feed and water all the critters below, the band playing above seems like magic!

Eventually, Julia found her safe spot, where she could observe everyone but didn't get stepped on.

Leaving the Barn Party behind makes room for something else? We shall see. And, perhaps I will revive some sort of barn centered celebration for the bicentennial of the Cowfeathers Barn!













twice!

My Eating Disorder? VAD.

I have an eating disorder. I don't' know if it has a name. So, lets name it. Hmmm. It's kinda like morning sickness all the time, but not as nauseous. I start stressing every morning about what I am going to scrape together for dinner, because nothing sounds good, appetizing. But, once I have food in front of me, I've no problem putting it away! Sometimes I go to the market and wander around, hoping for inspiration, or browse the magazine rack "PAULA DEEN'S DELICOUS EATING!" ,"Food Connoisseur", "Gluten-Free Baking" and see gooey treats or blackened kale with truffle oil, and blah. I wander the produce section saying to myself "So, what can I do with carrots? " or, "Avocados look ripe... what would I do with an avocados?" And, sometimes divine fortune smiles upon me and I think of something! Red peppers will speak to me "Roast me, and toss me with olive oil and feta cheese...then gobs of fresh basil and broil me on some bread.." and I will do so, and my husband will think I'm brilliant and normal.
Instead, many nights I think about what to serve all day, and still, still, when Huz gets home I got nuthin'. NOT A PLAN. Some nights I go for a cover, and put rice on the stove. It's a base. If I come up with zip, zero, a can a black beans on the rice and a tub of sour cream keep the family from mutiny. Of course, I am leaving out a few things in pursuit of a name for my dyscrasia. Namely, that both Huz and Youngest are formidable in the kitchen. They are aces at putting dinner on the table. Without them, the past 5 Thanksgiving dinners would have consisted of a plate of mashed potatoes and a side of cornflakes. But, aside from their possible role as enablers, I don't think they are germane to the question at hand. A term for my inability to find a desirable foodstuff.
So. I have VAD: Vapid Appetance Disorder
There ya go.


I know my changes in diet have indubitably helped my health. VAD may be a side effect?
(For those of you fortunate enough to have not attempted to cook for me, go to a restaurant or give me a "Hey, ya want some?" treat, I am, well, difficult. To make a long list short, I usually call my diet a "gluten-free, vegetarian, whole food diet"...with a few food allergies to things that are ridiculous. Who is allergic to cucumbers???? OH, and for those of you unfortunate to try and go anywhere or do anything with me prior to my dietary changes? I am truly, deeply, forever sorry. And if you are still my friend you forever have my respect. I owe you one. Or more. Depending. HOW did Huz put up with me all those years?)
If VAD is what I have to deal with it is vastly better than what I lived with before.
As for today's menu suffering? It was one of those "Go to the market and wander about" days. I eventually decided on stuffing some Delicata squash. And then I saw some ciabatta that looked like my family would approve. This fleshed out to be a dinner of Mahi-Mahi with roasted red peppers on ciabatta and roasted Delicata squash stuffed with fresh spinach pesto and walnuts. My portion will forgo the ciabatta. I do eat fish ( I don't muddy with waters with being a "pescatarian") .  Lest you think I have VAD due to some puerile notion that in order for food to be delicious I must eat like a hipster or Latte-Leftie...today for lunch I was perfectly satisfied with left over butternut squash soup (thank you, Huz) and some red grapes. Hmhn. That sounded pretty latte-like. For breakfast I had a plain scrambled egg? True, I did not have a side of shot-it-myself-venison sausage, but that is because, well, I'd be ill. So, as for a reason for the VAD? Open to suggestions!
Life is learning.

Theirs. Mine had no bun. But delish! And, I highly recommend the soft, sweet Delicata squash with the rich walnut, spinach pesto. It still didn't sound good, but it sure did taste fine.