Visiting the Crazy Eight Barn

 

 A friend and I went "Daytripping" a few weeks ago.

It was a beautiful bright sunny day.

 

 

The company was just as lovely.

 

 

This shop has two painted barn quilts, that are part of the Barn Quilt Trail.

This quilt is called the "Dakota Star" in honour of the original owners moving

to the Dakotas where they saw octagon barns,

 and moving back to Southern Ontario,

decided to build one.

 

 

This quilt is called the "Evening Star"

 

 

Lots of country feel before you even get inside.

 

 

Love the old washtub used as a planter.

And a sweet welcome sign painted on a hinged door.

 

 

The first floor of the shop.

 

 

Aren't these lacy lamp shades so pretty?!

It gives me an idea that I want to try.

If it works, I'll share it.

 

 

They sell Miss Mustard Seed paint and offer classes as well.

 

 

And Fusion paint.

I haven't used this yet.

It's on my "to do" list.

 

 

The progression of the round barn.

 

 

The story and pictures was played on a small TV for those interested in the details.

 

 

I found it very interesting and such a cool idea for a shop.

 

 

The second floor has a small café,

as well as more shopping.

 

 

These are the stairs that take you to the café.

A beautiful winding staircase.

The only thing is, you couldn't bring a buggy or wheelchair up.

 

 

More goodies upstairs.

I like the sign, "Life is good at the Farm".

 

 

Some of the items in this shop are made by local artisans.

 

 

You can see the café in the foreground.

We had the bean soup.

SO GOOD!

It was sweet and sour pork 'n bean soup.

I didn't even think to take a picture.

I started eating and didn't stop until the last drop.

We shared a piece of rhubarb pie with ice cream too.

It's a good thing I don't live nearby.

 

 

How much more country can you get than this?

 

 

This is the view looking up from our table.

 

 

Going down the stairs.

It was hard to keep my toes out of the picture.

 

 

There are beautiful shrubs and flowers all around the property.

We had a great day.

We stopped at some antique shops along the way.

We stopped at one of the many roadside markets along the way for some fruit.

 

 

I had to post one more summer piece.

I hope you enjoyed the shop as much as we did.

 

I'm not a huge Fall decorator.

I like to spend all my decorating energies on Christmas.

Hopefully I can get to a bit of Fall decorating soon.

So stay tuned!

 

Have a blessed day!

 

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"Your Love is Like a Waterfall"

I'm starting with this video of Chris Tomlin so that you can listen to it

while you look through the pictures.

Since they're about waterfalls.

(Smile)

 

Last weekend, DH and I celebrated our 21st anniversary by doing some Daytripping Adventures.

These pictures are from our second day

Have you ever grew up or lived somewhere for a long time

and completely missed some of the most beautiful scenery that was so nearby?

 Well I did.

I'll show you on a map.

1. Is where I live now. Windsor, Ontario

(don't know why it's not on there, it's bigger than the towns they have there)

2. Is where I was born and grew up and lived until I moved to Windsor

(Guelph is so central to a lot of beautiful little places)

3. Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster are on the Niagara Escarpment so there are many waterfalls.

How I missed this I'll never know.

 Now this waterfall is not one of them.

It is part of the mill which is where I thought the start of the trail was.

I was wrong, but I took pictures and we enjoyed the area.

This is a popular place for weddings. 

They have banquet rooms here and a dining room. 

There was a wedding the day we were strolling the area. 

Trying to find a trail.

So beautiful. 

 We managed to find the trail.

Had to get back in the car though.

Good thing my DH can figure out a map better than I can.

This wasn't a long walk to get to.

There's something that happens to my soul 

as I approach a waterfall.

I love the sight and sound and smell of the whole experience.

It doesn't compare to Niagara Falls,

but they are beautiful none the less.

 Now that I know Chris Tomlin's song, it comes to my mind and I sing it in my head.

(I'm kind that way)

 The words that Chris Tomlin used to write the song was from Psalm 42.

There is the DH.

The Mrs. 

It was like being in another world.

The trees overhead and all around.

Everything else seemed so far away. 

It was nice to read up on the history of the Mills around the area.

Most of them are not being used for their original purpose anymore.

There was a bikini girl having her pictures taken at the base of the falls.

So glad for the crop feature.

We've been married for 21 years.

It's been a journey.

A journey well worth the twists and turns and having to turn around to go in another direction.

To get to the place of pure enjoyment and a sense of awe at the goodness of God.

I hope you enjoyed this little trip.

I have more to show later.

 

Blessings to you!

 

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Daytripping in Sparta

One of my favourite things to do is "daytripping".

There are always little places tucked away within a reasonable driving distance that we can plan a day trip around. And there is surely always a Tea Room around to rev up our engines to keep shopping!

 I had a day like that a few days ago.

 I had a day off work on Wednesday and I asked my sister if she would like to meet up in a small town called Sparta near London Ontario.

 I have been there before and love the peaceful tranquility of the whole area.

We met up at a place called  Winter Wheat.

The Store

One of the props inside the store.

My sister Renita

Renita and Tammy in front of a small cabin. Would love one of these in my back yard!

Renita and I

The song, "The Wind Beneath My Wings", was playing.

Love this for a front porch!

There were lots of beautiful gardens,

with beautiful flowers...

some quirky

and fun-loving characters

old wood doors,

and the keeper of the gardens!

There were old windows for sale in this cute sunroom.

A man can't have too many tools!

After our stop here, we drove up the road into the town of Sparta, and did some more shopping.

After all that shopping we were well ready for lunch

at the Green Frog Tearoom. These pictures were taken two years ago when my husband and I were here. I took pictures when I was just here but my batteries must have died.

The food was good now and two years ago. This is my wonderful husband Doug who is always willing to go with me on some of my day trips as long as he gets a good meal out of the deal!
There are tables outside and an area where you can go for a walk. So peaceful and tranquil here as well.

If you live near the area or will be visiting, this is a beautiful place to visit. You won't be sorry!
Thanks for sharing my daytrip.
Blessings, Diane