New lights have been added
Chairs and tables are being delivered
Outdoor vignettes are popping up
Benches repaired
And bridal colors begin to show
Transformative Qualities
And so it begins
A miniscule sphere harboring new life
Emerging as a creature from a nightmare
Growing into a character in a children’s dream
Ever so slowly shedding greens and yellows encasing its soft body in an armor of crusty brown
To one day emerge into a creature which we embrace as a symbol of what we can attain
It does not happen in a blink of an eye, it does not happen over night
Days, weeks months in a life that exists for but a short period of time
Once its insatiable appetite for parsley, dill or carrot greens has been quelled it will travel long distances to find a place to rest as it transforms into a creature no longer shackled to the earth
We too have the capacity to transform but only after many years of feeding our own voracious appetite for that which we are drawn to
Look to the sky to see them glide on an invisible current and know we too can unshackle ourselves from that which keeps us from soaring ever higher
Repurposing the German Bank Barn
Yesterday Michaele asked about the history of the barn. When we moved into our home in 2004 I did research at out local county seat to find out the story of the property. What I learned was the barn’s construction began in the year of 1895 by the Snyder family. The family home was built shortly thereafter. The Bugnito family bought the property in 1920 for $2150.00. The family continued to lived on the property until the early 1970’s. In 1974 it was bought by a young couple. They and their daughter lived here until 1996. They utilized the barn and property. Goats and chickens roamed the property and their horse, Partly Cloudy lived in the lower stall of the barn.
Once they moved on the barn was never again utilized as anything more than a work or gathering space. That brings us to today. My husband and I are the fifth owners of the barn and home. Occasionally we’ve held parties in the main hall of the barn. Other areas were filled with wood and home to a small colony of Brown bats The lower rooms are our work space. So when Katie and Noelle approached us in the spring to ask about using the barn for their wedding, we felt it was an opportunity to refresh the spirit of the barn. After a weekend of rewiring and cleaning a new energy is emerging.
Please continue to stop by and “like” so I know you’ve been here! Ask questions, share your thoughts…
Something New (Something Borrowed Something Blue) or Transforming a Pennsylvania German Bank barn into a rustic wedding venue
Last spring our daughter’s friends came to our home and asked my husband and I if we would consider allowing them to host their wedding at Valley View. After careful consideration we all agreed it would be a lovely partnership. We talked about numbers and locations on the property where the various pieces of the wedding would occur.
It was decided that the exchanging of vows would be in the lower gardens by the labyrinth and the reception would center around the barn.
The ladies went off to plan their wedding and Daniel and I were left with the task of readying the barn and gardens for the celebration.
I had visions of flower gardens overflowing with annuals in colors of pink and orange. But alas, that was not to be. A hot dry summer took its toll on the gardens and all I could do was groom and remove dead growth.
A harsh summer thunderstorm took a major branch from the black walnut behind the labyrinth and placed it squarely in the middle of labyrinth. A bench was broken and needed to be repaired and tree limbs needed to be removed from the lower gardens.
So that brings us to today, four weeks before the October 1st wedding. I thought it would be fun to share the transformation of the gardens and the Pennsylvania German Bank barn into a magical space for two very beautiful people.
I hope you stop back frequently to see the progress. Outdoor vignettes will be added and in the final days decorations and tents will be going up! Let me know your thoughts and if there is anything else you’d like to see! Bonnie Michelle
An Amusing Sighting – Northern Green Frog
Walking through a garden, a wooded area or a park offers those who seek out vignettes of the natural world numerous opportunities. An opportunity arose just behind my home by a downspout water garden. The Green frog who has made this water garden home took a the opportunity to bask in the sun in a most unusual way. Enjoy!
Artistry in Nature – Spicebush Caterpillar
It has been over eleven years since we became the caretakers of this sliver of paradise. Piece by piece we have exposed the bones of the landscape and nurtured the earth to help her grow into her current state of equilibrium.
Most days something unique crosses my path. More recently a camera accompanies me and I am honored to capture the unique, the beautiful, and sometimes the frightening. But one creature has alluded me these many years. I’ve seen the fruition of transformation but I’ve never encountered this creature in its larval stage until now.
And I must thank my Maddie for this chance encounter. She ventured into the woods with me but was reluctant to return.
I had to go in to retrieve her and there by her side was a Spicebush seedling with the elusive creature clinging to one of its leaves.
I hope you find this creature as amazing as I do. I feel it could have stepped out of the App Pokemon Go!
Bits and Pieces Green fly on a Sunflower
A multitude of colors
Beauty or revulsion
Inconsistencies in preconceived messages
