barn stomping through the weekend

Man, there are just some of those magical moments in life where you feel like this is what it's all about!  

My brother lives and farms with his friend in central Illinois.  Being a musician, he thought the old barn on his friend's property would be the perfect setting for a concert.  With a lot of hard work, John and Dylan turned the upstairs hayloft into the most amazing venue.  

{me, my brother and sister}

Over 50 people were there including a crew that came down to film the event.  

The lights were strung perfectly and hay was used for benches.  

Old spools that the guys got from a company down the street were hoisted up through the barn window and used as tables for guests.

The chickens {and rooster!} ran wild as the guests all arrived.  And the sky was clear blue.

The back of the stage was framed with reclaimed wood. 

And the show begins!  John talked between songs.  There was laughter and there was emotion.  At one point he shared a story about driving through the country with Dylan watching some barns being torn down and how sad that made them both.  "Dylan's dream was to bring life back into this old barn" and bring life they did!  

  

It isn't easy being a farmer.  Dylan's farm is an organic farm.  He sells his produce at the farmers market as well as to restaurants.  They know the struggle they're up against with major corporations like Monsanto trying to regulate the way people farm.  But they keep at it with the pure intention to put good food out there.

A little of the stomping!

The weekend was finished up here on Father's Day.  This is my parents' garden.  It's a very large garden and one that we are very grateful for.  I planted the pumpkin patch for fall and weeded for my Pop.

And then it was back home to this guy

to celebrate what an awesome dad he is!

 and to the garden to check blooms

{coreopsis-Mercury Rising, Dwarf Catmint, and Spiderwort}

 Pinks are blooming

Campanula

  Alliums  "Graceful"

Being in my late 30's I get it more.  You are in charge of creating the life that you want.  With there being no guarantees,  you can bet I'm going out stomping!  

Wishing you all the best this week!