The "Workbench" wall...

...of the barn. Yes, this is post number 3 in our "barn makeover" for Tiff and Shane's wedding. Jus' sharing with you what we started with and where we ended up. Tiff wanted something different - something casual, kind of "earthy", somewhat fallish - yet no orange pumpkins or mums. Well, here a few more pics of what those requests translated into.

As you can see - this wall had to be tweaked quite a bit. From the very beginning - we thought that this workbench would be perfect for the buffet line. But that shelf above - well, it was gonna be jus' for pretties. So here we go...

...some birds, some wire cloches, some green gourds...

...some white pumpkins, grapes and hedgeapples...

...lanterns, a wall of Christmas lights, yards and yards of burlap...

...old windows, lanterns, and big paper flowers...

...it was a pretty big focal point when it was said and done...

...it jus' glistened as the day turned into night...

I loved the way it turned out - it was different...

...but oh so pretty.

Happy Friday!

Cathy

In the back corner...

...of the barn, we had to do a lil' more "camouflaging". See that big speaker on the wall in the corner - well, we had to hide it and the electrical box. This is where we all decided would be a good place for the cake - so the transformation begins...

Once again - trusty plant bed canvas and burlap saves the day. We also added that second mantle (read last post) and some wood boxes for arrangements. On one of their shopping runs - Aunt Sandy spotted this neat lil' bird cage hanging lamp for 10 dollars. It was perfect for this space hanging in front of some kind of wooden grate - courtesy of one of her dad's remodels.

See it way back there in the corner...

A few flowers and twigs after I antiqued the boxes. Some candles and a yummy cake and well -

...there you have another corner of the barn.

Have a happy day! More pics later!

Cathy

A peek at the wedding...

...jus' one corner of it anyway. I was going to show you a lil' slide show of it all but I thought it might be better to walk you through a few things - just to show you where it came from. And what some clever cover ups can do.

First let me say - that it (the wedding) turned out wonderful - it was a gorgeous day - a stunning bride - happy families - what more could you ask for?

Secondly - these families were amazing. So incredibly willing to help - so giving and gracious - this "job" didn't even seem like work to me - it was so enjoyable. I feel really blessed to have been a part of it.

Now - remember I told you this reception was in a "barn" - well, that is if you can call it that. The floors are heated, there is a sound system, strobe lights, a bathroom - well, needless to say - it is a very nice "barn/shop". But no matter how many amenities it has - it still is not that "pretty" and it isn't suppose to be. It is to work out of - normally full of tractors and boats and tools. Farm equipment galore was inside. Now after the family moved what they could - you are still left with lots of lil' things that jus' won't go away. For example...

This corner - we have an industrial size fan, portable heaters, a treadmill, a welder, craftsman tool boxes and well, the list goes on and on. What do I do with all this? Well, thankfully, the bride's dad is a great builder (lucky me) and her uncle Scott is an awesome helper. So in a jiffy...

...a wall was constructed to "hide" all that stuff...

...then we covered it with burlap - bought on a roll at our local feed supply store. We just won't talk about how many staples we used on this job - shhhhh. The groom's family home jus' across the road had two beautiful unused mantles upstairs jus' waiting to be put to good use.

...then we draped some plant bed canvas - backed with some lights, hung a yard sale mirror I found, and decorated the mantle with things that were all green and white and some grapes to bring out the color of the girls dresses which were a rich blue.

Then, the bride and groom's table along with the bridal party tables were set in front of the wall. I thought it made the perfect backdrop and hey, no one knew of what was behind there. You don't go and tell anybody - o.k.

In the light of the wedding day...

The mantel was filled with jars of white beans and split peas, money plant and curly willow. Also along the top were faux white pumpkins, real green and white gourds, grapes, honeysuckle, candles and birds.

We (as in grandmothers, aunts, momma and bride) made big paper flowers for the corners - in a parchment color which was a great accent to the burlap.

When the wedding party arrived that evening - Tiff - the beautiful bride, placed her gorgeous all green bouquet in a vase on the table.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the first corner of the barn. More to come a lil' later!

Have a happy week everybody! Now, I have got to get to decorating my shop for Christmas! Our annual Christmas in the Country - is just about three weeks away! I'll keep ya posted!

Cathy

Split Peas and White Beans...

...No - not to eat - but to decorate with. See I can't show you much of a picture - 'cause I'm working on a wedding (in a barn) for this upcoming weekend and everything is still a work in progress. But my mom and I had this idea to use "beans" to fill some jars - and since the colors are all "earthy" and whites - well split peas and white northern beans just seemed like the perfect mix.

Bags and Bags and Bags of Beans...

...all layered up...

...some just in mason jars with sweet lil' "baby boo" pumpkins...

...just makes for a simple, pretty and unique accent.

I'll be a busy girl the next few days getting everything ready to go. And I'll be sure and show you pictures - promise. I've just gotta wait till it's over - ya know, so it can be a surprise!

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Cathy

Simply.....

....a SPLENDID day! Do you want to know why? Well, there are many reasons - it was beautiful out, I felt great, I got quite a bit done - BUT.... there is still another reason. I had "blog stalkers" come to visit today - well, that is what they called themselves! But they had real names - Sandy and Angie - and they came to Kentucky all the way from Alabama to visit - yep, you guessed it - ME and Cobblestone Farms. Now, isn't that the sweetest thing! Did I know they were coming - nope. Did I have them anything nice to eat for lunch - no way. Did I put on my best gardening attire - nada! Oh I wish I had known they were coming so I could have really "treated" them - with all kinds of goodies. But they were jus' as happy as could be just being here. But....

...what they don't know is - "You made my day. You all were so kind, so full of life - so excited - so happy - that I have no doubt - I will never forget either one of you. See in the short time you were here - it was like talking to two people I had always known! Thank you for taking time out of your lives to drive - like forever - to come to my LITTLE BITTY place. You made such an incredible first impression on me! Thank you both for sharing your laughter with me - it was a delightful visit."

See they, "blog stalkers", have been friends for about 20 years, raised their families close together, go to church together, both of them are cancer survivors - well, they are close to say the least. But what a blessing to have such a friendship! And in saying all of this - one thing that stood out to me in the conversation was when I asked them how they became friends? Sandy said, "When I got back into church..." and then Angie interrupts - hehe...."I just went up to her in church and said "Hi - I'm Angie" and then Sandy says - they've been friends ever since.

And so the reason I share this lil' tidbit with you all... is - do we ever think about how a simple "hello" or "how are you today" just might change someones life? No, we usually don't give something so simple such great value - however, that could be all it takes to make a difference in the life of another. I believe that is what happened in the case of these two beautiful ladies. And today - their simple "hello" made a joyful difference in my life.

"Thank you - Sandy and Angie!"

If one life shines, the life next to it will catch the light. - Anonymous

It was only a glad "good morning"

As she passed along the way,

But it spread the morning's glory

Over the livelong day.

-Anonymous

Have a beautiful Friday,

Cathy

Change...

...sometimes the timing is unexpected - but often change is desired, sometimes it can be very bittersweet - yet, peaceful at the same time. That is how I would describe the changes that are happening at Cobblestone. Now, don't let this post disappoint you - because it is not a "sad" post. Many of my wonderful customers and friends have known this lil' tidbit of information for a month or so now. I'm just now making time to tell you - my extended "blogging" family - so sorry I'm a lil' tardy - ya know - I'm always a busy, busy girl.

But simply - sometimes to achieve one dream you have to close the door on another. My husband and I have been praying about this decision for about a year now and it is with a peaceful heart that we have made the decision to close Cobblestone Farms after Christmas. "Why?" you ask. Well - for something exciting - building a house! See Cobblestone is just steps away from where we live now - so it is virtually impossible to separate the two. And since we will be selling our home now - it kind of all has to go together. Are we selling our farm? - no - we couldn't do that. Just a piece of land - that's all.

Our new home will be "across the road, over the hill, and down in the valley" - (and to grandmothers house we go) - hehe. We are building on the "other" Murray farm by the cabin - in a very quite, peaceful place - I'll show you pics soon. So many factors went into this decision - nothing was decided without a tremendous amount of thought, prayer and yes, some tears. See - I simply love what I do - that has never changed in the twelve years I've been open. But I also love my family soooooo much and we all desire a lil' more time for each other. So a lil' "down time" is around the corner - but don't count me out - I'm not selling "Cobblestone Farms" - ya never know where I might end up. Maybe on-line, maybe down the road - my mind is already thinking up new ideas. What I will miss most - my incredible customers - no, not customers - my friends - my extended family. Since I sent out my newsletters with "the news" - the calls, the letters, the cards, the "stop-bys" the e-mails - well, I simply can not put into words what they have meant to me. I have been so touched.

And just like I have loved Cobblestone - I have loved our lil' place too. Lots and lots of great memories here. Happy memories.

Welcome...

...our home...

...a stones throw to the shop and greenhouse...

...one of our barns in the background...

...Casen's play area...

...the greenhouse with pasture in the background...

...I know it will make someone else a great home just like it has been for us.

So... stay with me as things unfold. We are going strong through Christmas. Hopefully the house will be started by then and I hope you will follow us through the building of our "new" farmhouse. It's scary AND super exciting!

And as Henry Ward Beecher once said...

"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."

We choose faith!

Blessings to all my Cobblestone family,

Cathy