Family Time is the Best Time

Getting them all together in one place at one time is such a blessing. 

This year's weekend Kesterfest  was held at a lovely VRBO vineyard property

 in North Carolina that not only accommodated us with enough spread out sleeping space, but also offered an array of activities for all. 

Like rock wall jumping

 and ziplining into the pond

 and water trampoline flips

 and kayak tug of wars 

and skeet shooting,

and hanging out with the ever changing matchups of best buddies

and a bit of just plain hanging out, funny story telling and lots of laughter. 

Always lots of laughter.

The daughter and daughters-in-laws cooked up some fabulous meals, the nighttime bonfires roared, the secret walled garden was discovered and enjoyed by many,

everyone's kiddos became everyone else's kiddos and Fritz and I loved watching every moment of it.

 Time is the best gift of all. 

More Rule Breaking

The pictures I took of the alligators all along the side of the road were from inside the car. Some even from that car moving. Venturing too close to the species is a good rule that not even I would break.
[Fritz on the other hand...]

Sometimes however, rules are just made to be broken. Like when the grandsons come to the farm for a few days while their parents take a little trip on their own.

They have the free reign to raid the cookie jar at will,

and to sprinkle 'just a little' sugar on their apple pancakes all by themselves.

 Since we must show a little sensibility and give the parents a somewhat better report, there are no rules concerning access to books of all sorts,

and plenty of time outdoors where much waits to be learned.

Like the value of work,

and the value of play,

 and the value of discovery.

Thank goodness, there are no rules on just how much love this Marme and Papa receive in return.

Weekends Were Made For...

Pokeberry and bird feather painting,

 

 

Carrot digging and canning,

 

 

 

brotherly secrets and creature hunting,

 

 

apple picking,

 

 

and pick-up truck riding..

 

 

...which all lead

to the start of a little tree house building,

 

 

with a view.

 

 

I sure do hope you had as good a weekend as I did.

~Joan

sharing with Mosaic Monday



I Still Love this Place

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even more these days.

 

 

 

 



Barnery Turned Winery

Our way of preparing for a monster storm?

Going motorcycle riding with our oldest and his friends while stopping in at a couple of those awesome Virginia Wineries.

Although I have been to the small and quaint Sharp Rock Winery a few times, looking at it from the vantage point of posting Barn Charm photos was a new opportunity.

We also had stopped at

 Early Mountain Vineyards (formerly Sweely Estate Winery)

I am quite happy the old barn was spared demolition when the large stately

hospitality areas were built.

The new owners have made vast improvements since we last visited.

Inside was a fabulous tasting room

and outside plenty of space for relaxing

or if the spirit moves you...and you are as competitive as my Joey

a little game involving trying to catch a ring on the hook on the pole.

 Joey won.

 I lost count on how many tries it took.

(Or how many glasses of wine were consumed waiting for someone to score)

 I do believe a good time was had by all. 

***

Hope all my fellow Mid-Atlantic blogger friends stay safe.

I will be knitting and baking my way through the wind and rain. 

And maybe enjoying a glass of wine or two..

~ Joan