The View From My Loft Window

Under Blue Sky

 Winter can be confining to body and spirit, if permitted.  A daily dose of the view from the loft window refreshes my outlook as it expands the boundaries of my inside world.  Blue sky and distant vistas are like a breath of fresh air, mentally and physically.

Long winter days are what we make of them.  Yesterday, we grabbed a matinée.  One For The Money was a combination of action movie, comedy and chick flick…I think.  We enjoyed it.  Our drive home at dusk increased our deer count by six for the week–perhaps seven if I had gotten a better look at that shadowy shape in the thicket. 

I’m about to go downstairs and bake a rhubarb cobbler.  A new study CD entertains my mind while my hands are busy.  The cobbler will add a taste of spring to Sunday dinner.   When our son arrives, he comes directly to the kitchen asking, “What’s for dinner, Mom?”  I love giving him the menu to see his reaction.

Treasure in Flax

HAND-WOVEN INDIGO BLUE COUNTERPANE

I know little of my great-great-grandmother Rhoda Johnson Coleman.   But one possession that has come down to me provides a tantalizing glimpse  of her.  She wove by hand the antique counterpane coverlet above in Cady, Ohio, in 1837.  That puts the age of the coverlet at one hundred seventy-five years.  Although the edges show wear, the counterpane is in remarkable condition given its history.  It was passed down through four generations before reaching me, two of which were my great-aunt Rhoda and my mother, Frances Rhoda Hilst.  Although I am not a namesake, I receive it proudly.

A weathered note passed down with the counterpane also reveals that Rhoda raised, carded and made into thread the flax with which she wove the piece.  It is a rich, oriental design of exotic birds feeding nests of their young, bordered by rows of pagoda-style buildings.  The deep blue of the indigo dye remains a sharp contrast to the natural flax-colored figures.

Before receiving the coverlet, I did not know the name of my great-great-grandmother on my mother’s side.  It is only because her name remained with her handiwork that I know it now.  Art takes many forms.  In Rhoda’s day, it was utilitarian; and yet it survives today as a tangible tribute to  a life lived.

FIRST SNOW

The first snow of the season is falling on Central Illinois.  The farmstead finally sleeps under a downy comforter, feeding my solitude and causing the winter wheat to rejoice.  The snow sanctions the calender and resets my internal clock. 

VIEW FROM THE LOFT

 Apple trees stand starkly on their white canvas garden, like a vintage black and white photograph.

WINTER 2012

 Winter arrived late to the January party.  Now that it is here, I can hibernate.

~~~

Welcoming the Expected and Unexpected New Year

Welcome New Year

 It’s interesting to read forecasts for the new year.  I’m predicting it will be what I make of it and how I discern it.  More sensational predictions than usual surround the winter solstice, December 21, 2012.  I’m screening all information through the truth template of the Bible.    No second guessing necessary.

 

I’m grateful for principle guidelines.  So many have none.  I’ll be occupying the same space and fulfilling the same destiny I was called to before the year began.   In spite of expectations others may impose upon me, I’m setting out to accomplish much and grow even more in 2012.  That’s the direction I’m heading, unless God has a meaningful detour planned.  All is up to Him.  I’m grateful it’s not up to me. 

 

How is your 2012 optimism?  My front door is open to wherever He leads.  Now, that’s exciting!

 

 

 

 

PROJECTS FOR 2012

 

Two manuscripts currently clog my WORD file.  I need to divest myself of one or both in year 2012 but am torn as to which project to undertake first.  Whichever I tackle, it promises to consume me.    

INVISIBLE  is the fourth book in the Door County fiction series.  This  manuscript has been tweaked past the point of re-write and needs to either get into print or languish indefinitely, banished to the hard drive.  The second, WHEN THE LAMB STANDS,  is a labor-intensive Biblical commentary that needs extensive revisions and will take at least another year before I even consider publishing it.  2012 seems to have defined itself as the year of the book.  Which one?  Both?  How much time am I willing to invest? 

My dilemma isn’t an unhappy one–I’m proud two books exist to await my attention.  The past year would seem unfruitful and the new year, bleak, otherwise.   But once I am committed, the publishing process will occupy all my time and oxygen to the near exclusion of ALL ELSE!  Life must go on.  Other responsibilities require consistent attention. 

Like a member of The Polar Bear Club, I’m hesitant to dip my toe into icy water.  Yet once the plunge is taken, the experience is exhilerating.  Hello new year.

Things To Know Before The New Year Begins

Celebrate!

  In the next few days, pundits will line up to make their annual predictions about the next twelve months.  Some forecasts are ominous; but in spite of expert opinions, the new year will be what we make of it.  Faith and character often find their most expressive canvas in challenging circumstances. 

To prepare for whatever 2012 may bring, I look back rather than forward.  I’m reminded that the most profound life lessons are those learned in testing.  If this is a testing year, I will celebrate the opportunity, knowing that faith also carries great and perfect promises of blessing, even deliverance.  

The greatest gift I could give to those unsure of the future is to urge them to receive the Savior of the Bible.  The one thing to know is not a what–it is a Who.  Know Christ.  When Christ Jesus is your sure foundation, no future is uncertain.  Happy New Year! 

 

Christmas Eve Goosebumps and The Best Christmas Present Ever!

I’m looking forward to the Christmas Eve service at our church, Harvest Bible Chapel, Peoria.  Singing the praises of the King who came in human flesh as a humble child at Bethlehem never ceases to move me.  But I’m especially excited that He is coming again–this time to reign as King on the throne of His ancestor, David of Israel.  King David is Christ’s human ancestor, but His Father is God Almighty.   Christ is the God/Man.  What a gift to mankind that God would come in human flesh, not only to present  Himself to us in a form we can relate to, but to be our substitute for human sin.  Only a man who is also God could pay the price because the Father’s price for sin was a sinless substitute!

Only the redeemed who receive the precious gift of Christ’s atonement truly know what Christmas is all about.  But even more, we know the greatest Christmas is yet to come when He returns.  If you are looking for the ultimate gift this Christmas and do not yet know Christ as Lord and Savior, receive Him now.  This could be your best Christmas yet.

Even so, Come Lord Jesus!!!

Joy to the world, the Lord has come...and He is coming again! That would give anyone goosebumps!

The Nativity

Cardboard Three-Dimensional Nativity, Circa 1950

Vintage Christmas cards from the 1920′s and 30′s echo the nostalgic feel of the simple dime store nativity.  All are from my grandmother, a one-room school teacher in the early 19oo’s who kept these treasures for future generations.

The Christmas Tree

The Toys Come Out To Play At Christmas

 

Our ten-foot frasier fir fills a considerable space in the great room, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.  Vintage toys from childhood gather around the tree.  The stuffed animals tend to be mischievous, when we are not looking.  Teddy tires of riding his wooden rocking horse and hitches a ride on Tanner, the Christmas deer.  Tanner doesn’t seem to mind.  He is the more mature of the two.  

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Waiting for the kids and snow to arrive…

Pastel Christmas

Every girl needs a little sugar plum in her life, even when she lives in a restored dairy barn.  It satisfies my romantic side.  My sitting room is my pastel Christmas outlet. 

White Mantel Dressed in Holiday Glitz

 

Pink and rose tones dominate the pallette in the sitting room.  Vintage balls & baubles work well as time mellows reds to frosted cherry.  I frosted several of the balls in the garland and wreath with cut glass glitter snow, adding another dimension of seasonal sparkle.

 

As I look at this picture, my collection crowds the space.  Rather than remove what is there year-round, I add treasures that only come out to play once a year.  Christmas clutter can be forgiven.   

 

Tiny Tree Displaying Vintage Treasures

The small tree is loaded with some of my most precious Christmas treasures. 

• A set of glass balls, circa 1950, with raised scenes & sayings:  Merry Christmas, Silent Night, scene of Santa and sleigh
• Two vintage white stags
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, circa 1940′s
• Antique tinsel stars
• Santa ornaments in cotton batting robes
• Vintage cardboard Putz houses from Germany
• Tiny Christmas angels from Germany
• glass bead garland and ball ornaments, pre-WWII
• Christmas cards, 1920-30

Small favorite toys and vintage department store holiday boxes sit under the tree, playing the part of presents waiting for Christmas morning.  The Shirley Temple doll in the background is an authorized reproduction.  She wears her classic red and white polka dot dress, looking appropriately festive for Christmas.

Many of the ornaments have been passed down from our families, which makes this tree a memorable part of the season.  The sitting room is like a trip back in time to my Grandparent’s home where the few fragile glass balls on their small tree  were carefully saved year-to-year.  Those ornaments and the cardboard nativity scene that had pride-of-place on grandfather’s T.V. are nostalgic memories.  I relive them every time I see the glass balls sparkling on my little tree and set up the nativity on my own buffet. 

The traditions we practice today become the memories of yesterday for our children. 

CHRISTMAS AT THE BARN – 2011

Our four-level barn home is never so warm and welcoming than during the Christmas season.   Decorating a 1900′s dairy barn is a process that takes about a week; Seasons of Farm Grove is just the place to document this festive labor of love. 

MAJOR PALETTE:

The barn’s interior is dominated by salvaged weathered barn board, aged to a drift wood kind of silvery brown color, tinged with occasional streaks of red.  Many Illinois barns were originally red before the weather aged them to silver, and our interior paneling reflects this.  In order to find enough wood to complete the four-level conversion, we salvaged wood from three vintage barns to use in our prairie dairy barn.   To make our Christmas elements pop, I chose traditional red in a variety of tones from cranberry to cherry to dark burgundy.  Anything traditional “plays” with the reds, including white snowy accents and silver and gold for light and sparkle.  

Cherry Garland from Door County, Wisconsin, Decorates the Evergreen-Decked Staircase

OUTSIDE:

The ten-foot Frasier fir Christmas tree is sitting in a bucket of water in the cool garage waiting to come in when all other decorating is done.  First to take its place on the front porch for Christmas is a vintage red and green sled that belonged to my husband, replacing the white ice cream chair by the door.  I have already had several comments about my high school ice skates hung over the green porch swing.  A simple stuffing of evergreen and ties of red-striped cotton ribbon is all the dressing they need.  Both of these fragments of childhood memory tell a story while being decorative.  They remind us of favorite winter activities every time we enter the front door.

When will the pond freeze over?

My husband draped  the garland around the porch and along the front picket fence, weaving in LED small white lights.  I fashioned about thirty large red velvet bows to accent the garland.  Buying bolts of discounted outdoor ribbon at the end of last season allows me to be lavish with the bows. 

Traditional green garlands and red velvet bows complement our white barn home, and the look nostalgically reminds me of  The Pine Tree Inn in the classic movie “White Christmas.”  When dusk falls, the garlands and wreaths sparkle with soft white lights!

BACK INSIDE:

We concentrate seasonal decorations in the 1,800 square foot great room, an open floor plan of living room, dining room, and kitchen.  A small sitting room  is located in one partitioned corner of the living room and has its own unique cottage style and sugar plum color scheme for Christmas, which is the subject of another blog.  To accommodate the number of decorations for inside and out, my husband created two walk-in closets on the second floor built under the barn eves.    Accomplishing this level of decorating would be a daunting task if I didn’t have the space to hang and store all the separate pieces.

Vignette’s are arranged around the room so that everywhere the eye wanders, Christmas is there.  This setting is on the library table next to the tree.  A lush arrangement of berries, frosted greens and lush red roses is touched with tinsel sparkle and prisms.  Clustered around the base are small vintage toys, antique holiday post cards, a box of Santa Snow and a soft doll waiting for Christmas morning.

Next time, more vintage decorations come down from the Christmas closet.  Christmas comes but once a year!

Grandma’s Pecan Pie

Let The Feasting Begin!

 Entering my grandmother’s kitchen was a sensory delight on Thanksgiving.  My nose drew me to the rows of freshly-baked pies cooling on the ledge above the heavy porcelain double sink.   The fragrance of fruit, nuts and spices wrapped in flaky pastry was unforgettable.  The nutty aroma of toasted pie crust I especially remember. 

With a great sense of accomplishment, my own pies are now cooling on the kitchen counter–two golden pecan pies glistening in their glaze of dark corn syrup custard.  Like grandmother, I use the tried and true recipe for traditional pecan pie found on the Karo Dark Corn Syrup bottle.  Although there is some debate about whether or not to use all dark syrup or to divide the recipe between dark and light, I’m a firm believer in using only dark Karo.  

All that’s needed to consume these decadent desserts on Thanksgiving day is a generous dollop of whipped cream.  No, not the frozen whipped topping.  When I spend quality time baking from scratch–including the pie crusts–my pies deserve real whipped cream.  It takes only a few minutes to whip heavy cream with an electric hand mixer and add sugar and vanilla to taste.  Oh, the difference it makes!  I think the convenience of packaged products like frozen pie shells and artificial whipped topping–even frozen prepared pies–has caused us to forget what scratch baking actually tastes like. 

Once a year at least, scratch is the only way to go.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Quantum Leap Turkey

My social networking has taken a turn for the turkey.  I chat about stuffing, debate roasting modes by cell phone, share recipes by e-mail, and text about sides.  The natural progression is to blog about all of the above.  I’m not alone.  Turkey chatter is building to viral as the day approaches. 

New Age types believe that combined conscienceness when concentrated on the same subject matter can result in an evolutionary quantum leap.  Subconsciously, millions of minds are fixated on turkey day across the North American continent.  Could it be the innocent occupation of looking forward to a day of family feasting could inadvertently create a shift in the space/time continuum?  

Personally, I do not believe in cosmic conscienceness or evolution.  But discussing Thanksgiving dinner with my social network instead of politics, global economics, and terrorism is a nice change.  It’s something to be thankful for, even if mankind doesn’t evolve in the process.    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Talk'n Bout The Bird

Thanksgiving Displays

Company coming?  Welcome them with warming displays to celebrate the season.

THANKSGIVING BUFFET DISPLAY:  Decorate the buffet as if it were the fireplace mantle, the center of hearth and home.  Twinkle lights, threaded among an autumn leaf garland, add warmth like a wood fire.  The garland also hides cording and creates a base and unifying element.  Use different heights.  The autumn pedestal arrangement is the focal point, but it is balanced by candle sticks at different heights.  One candle is elevated on a depression glass cake stand.  The look is finished with a lavish rust & gold wired ribbon bow.

Thanksgiving Buffet Arrangement

 

 

Buffet Display in Lamp Light

 

 TABLE TOP HEDGEROW:   The appropriate place to perch a colorful ceramic turkey is nestled in a vine hedgerow.  Natural botanicals promote the idea of a tuft of meadow where a turkey might hide.  Our bird is sitting in a small grapevine wreath.  Another small wreath anchors the ripe yellow pears perched on top of another depression glass cake stand.  Roaming vines thread themselves in and among the elements, punctuated by more pears and silk leaves & berries.  Fresh red rose hips are the crowning touch, contrasting well with the yellow pears and “growing” out of the vines surrounding the turkey.  This arrangement is also low enough that conversation is not inhibited at the dinner table.  Add tea lights at the corners of the display and light during dinner.  The fresh pears, vines and rose hips were harvested from our own country garden.

 

Turkey In the Table Hedgerow

Hot Spiced Cider–Autumn In A Cup

BAY LAUREL TREE

 I recently made a kettle of hot spiced cider for my Bible study group.  One of the girls said, “It’s like autumn in a cup!”  Too true.

Anyone can quickly put this comforting mug of deliciousness together, quickly and from scratch–no store-bought packaged mix necessary.  Your own “from scratch” recipe will also be the most EXCELLENT hot cider you have ever tasted.  Trust me.  Twenty-six years of serving this at our Farm Grove Christmas Open House to hundreds of people confirm it.  What’s the difference?  A “secret” ingredient that is available in any spice display of your super market.  I won’t leave you in suspense.  Yes, it is bay leaf, or bay laurel.  The touch of bay enhances all the other ingredients, deepening flavors.  My very own bay laurel tree, now wintering in the basement,  is pictured above and happy to be in the spotlight.  “Smile for the camera!”

FARM GROVE HOT SPICED CIDER

This recipe can be made in a kettle on the stove top, but it is easy and convenient to do it in a 30-cup percolator.

Pour 1 gallon apple cider into percolator.  In coffee basket, place 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 6 whole cloves, 2-3  whole cinnamon sticks, and 1 bay leaf.  Plug in and perk.  Remove basket and discard bay leaf and spices.  SERVE HOT.

If made on the stove top, just bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, covered.  Skim out bay leaf and spices before serving. 

Fresh bay is even better in this recipe than the dried bay leaves from the super market.  So if you happen to have a bay tree in your basement, definitely pluck a leaf.  The subtle flavor will be even sweeter.

Ginger Cookies

SPICES–Senses awake to cinnamon, cloves, ginger & nutmeg in the cool autumn season.  To satisfy my own sensibilities,  I spent a relaxing Thursday afternoon filling the air with the fragrance of  baking spicy GINGER COOKIES. 

With the holiday season upon us, it is wise to bake in double batches.  Having a treasure trove on hand both in cookie jar and freezer comes in handy.  Treats for small group?  No problem.  Spontaneous entertaining?  Break out the cookies & coffee.  Too much fun and no frazzle.

Another relaxing tip for baking day is to put on favorite music or study tapes to fill in the gaps between timer DINGS.  The CD set-of-the-day was one borrowed from a friend–Chip Ingram on Romans 12.  Not only was I stocking my freezer, my spiritual mind enjoyed a re-fill.

With the last cookies cooling on the kitchen counter,  the lovely fall weather lured me outside.  What began as a walk in our garden with a cup of coffee [and cookie] ended with pulling Fox Grape vines out of a hedge row.  I couldn’t resist creating a few gnarly grapevine wreaths from the fresh vines.  Grapevine is meaningful for me as I have done several Bible studies on John 15–the vine and the branches-while demonstrating how to wind these homey country wreaths by hand.  Tuck in a few botanical elements like rosemary, sage, pine and rose hips, and it becomes a fragrant gift for friends–even more meaningful since it is all from my own garden.  On a whim, I decided to fill a small basket with the bounty of the afternoon.  It’s all about cottage lifestyle, and living natural in every season.

AUTUMN OPULENCE--Cookie Basket with Grapevine Wreath, Sage & Rose Hips

 Sharon’s  famous soft Ginger Cookie recipe follows.  I can call it “Sharon’s famous” because I truly searched for over thirty years for certain outstanding traditional recipes.  Several have already been shared in Seasons of Farm Grove–more to come.

I doubled this recipe for you; reduce it by half if you desire a more moderate family sized batch. 

Sharon’s tips for perfect cookies:  Butter and eggs at room temperature.  Measure flour accurately by filling cup and leveling with knife.  If baking in a very warm kitchen, place dough in refrigerator between batches.

 Happy autumn baking.  Eat one or two  warm ones for me.

GINGER COOKIES–On The Soft Side

[Makes About 6 Dozen]

3 cups butter, softened

4 cups sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup dark molasses 

8 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

2 teaspoons salt

4 teaspoons baking soda

4 teaspoons ground ginger

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 teaspoons ground cloves

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Sugar

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  In large bowl with mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs, vanilla and molasses until blended.  Beat in two cups of the combined flour, salt, baking soda, and spices until well mixed, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula.

2.  With spoon or mixer, slowly stir in remaining flour to make a stiff dough.  Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls or use cookie scoop; place 3 inches apart on parchment-lined or lightly greased cookie sheets.  [I use French Silpat mats on air-bake cookie sheets for perfect cookies.]  I bake these 8 cookies to a sheet in 4 rows of 2 cookies each row.

3.  Sprinkle cookie balls with sugar.  Lightly grease the bottom of a flat-bottomed 3-inch glass; dip into a small bowl of additional sugar.  Use glass to flatten cookie balls to 3-inch diameter, dipping each time in sugar.  BAKE COOKIES ABOUT 11 MINUTES OR UNTIL SET BUT SOFT.  Allow to cool for about 5 minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to a rack to finish cooling.  Cookies should be slightly chewy when cooled.  Store in airtight containers; freeze half of the batch.  Cookies freeze beautifully.

~~~

Autumn Decorating As Art

HOLIDAY DECORATING IS AN ART FORM.  October is my excuse to begin, but I’m not into the grave yards, comic inflatables or giant spiders, even when Martha  declares them chic.  Decorating according to Sharon is a representation of all the tangible things that made the holiday of our childhood memorable in the first place.  If done tastefully, autumn decorating can warm up your harvest home from October through Thanksgiving–or until the tree goes up.

Outdoor Entrance Display

 

 

Incorporating seasonal elements into existing perennial borders is an effective way to take advantage of landscaping already in place.  The addition of pumpkins, corn stalks and a potted mum or two puts a smile on the face of customers entering this Door County shop and restaurant called Coopers’ Corner. 

 

Table-top Display

A small table becomes a focal point in our great room when real grapevines are laced with fall leaves and twinkle lights.   Why wait for the Christmas season to break out the tiny lights.  Twinkle lights are as warm as firelight when the temperatures cool.   In autumn, I bring out favorite framed art work to serve as a seasonal background.  The village snow scene will live on this small table throughout the winter season; only the decorations around it will change.  I will add red berries and greens to the vines for Christmas and icicles for January.   The creamy-glazed art pottery vase adapts to all seasons,  adding a rich accent and matching white candles. 

 

Crockery or wooden bowls or baskets piled high with seasonal produce like red apples and golden pears are pretty enough for a centerpiece when sprigs of rose hips, fresh bay leaves or rosemary branches are tucked in as well.  Try a botanical platter display instead of the traditional vase arrangement.  Place a bundle of fresh lavender, rosemary, holly, everygreen, bay leaf branches, eucalyptus, unshelled walnuts, pine cones, and whole spices on a heavy stoneware turkey platter.  Top with bright berries such as crab apple or rose hips, pepper berries or beauty berry.  If these are not available, buy a bag of cranberries and string them on heavy thread.  Intertwine the cranberry strand among the fresh botanicals, allowing it to tumble over the edge.  The trick is to artfully display all botanicals so that they are not piled, but placed.  A tuft of real moss from the garden peeking out from underneath is charming.  Tie a generous bundle of cinnamon sticks together with natural twine or raffia and snuggle in among all the goodies.   This centerpiece is a definite conversation piece. 

 

The botanicals will all dry in place with varying results.  All will dry, but colors will soften and leaves will become more brittle with time.  If composed fresh for a special event, it should last with good color for at least a week or two.  Definitely hang the cranberry strand from a rack to finish drying after your centerpiece is replaced.  The berries will turn dark burgundy and dry firm.  If stored in a dry place, it can last for many holidays to come.

 

 

AWESOME APPLE CAKE

AUTUMN & APPLES–MADE FOR EACH OTHER

I crave anything apple in falling-leaf season.  Must be the autumn air.  Try this fantastic apple cake.  Warning:  it is rich and dense and completely addictive.  The glaze is a vanilla caramel sauce that soaks into the warm cake, making it even more decadent.  But after all, fall must be memorable.

 

CAKE:

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

3 cups all-purpose unbleached flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups finely-copped tart apples [use food processor]

1 cup lightly toasted walnuts

2 tsp. vanilla

 

GLAZE:

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk OR condensed/evaporated milk

1 stick [1/2 cup] butter

 

CAKE:  Mix oil, sugar and eggs in mixer.  Add dry ingredients and beat well.  The batter will be stiff.  Add chopped apples, nuts and vanilla; mix well.  Pour into greased 9 x 13-inch cake pan.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.  The cake will appear to be slightly underdone in the middle.  Remove from oven when a toothpick inserted in the center just comes out clean.

 

GLAZE:  Mix all glaze ingredients in a saucepan and boil for three minutes over MEDIUM heat, stirring constantly.  With toothpick or skewer, poke holes in top of cake while cake is still warm.  Pour boiling glaze over top of warm cake.  Serve with REAL whipped cream–it deserves it.

 

Try baking this cake in a bundt pan.  Do not remove from pan until cake has been glazed.  Let set for 15 minutes, then remove from pan. 

 

ENJOY, APPLE/AUTUMN LOVERS!   

 

Cruising Columbus Day

A Monday Federal Holiday is a good excuse for a day trip, even though we are retired.  We traditionally take a leaf-peepers drive along the east side of the Illinois River, then over the river bridge at Lacon and through the country to Tanners Orchard.  The popular autumn destination was especially busy this Columbus Day.  But they handled the crowds well.  We enjoyed our cider donuts, bought fudge and caramel corn, and scratched the heads of a few cheeky goats.   Our second stop was another orchard shop near Hanna City called Christ Orchard.  The Christ family farm is a smaller operation but no less charming and also quite busy.  Moms and kids pulled wagons filled with hand-picked pumpkins–and young siblings.  Loaded carts of autumn produce were ushered up to the checkout counter.  We added Red Delicious apples, cider and a watermelon to the goodies accumulating in our trunk. 

The weather was so beautiful in Central Illinois on Monday, we were not quite ready to go home.  Passing through our own village and out the other end, we remained on Springfield Road south.  Why not see the harvested fields and golden vines from the porches of Mackinaw Valley Vineyard?  Getting there is half the fun.  Route 9 through the Mackinaw River valley is always beautiful this time of year.  The vineyard was open but quiet when we arrived, but we were more than welcome to stroll the grounds and take in the views.

GOLDEN AVENUES OF GRAPEVINE

 The Hahn family vineyards have become a popular wedding location, and they have added even more facilities for large celebrations on the property. 

A REAR VIEW OF THE MAIN BUILDING

 Butch and I strolled down the avenues of turning vines.  At the suggestion of one of the owners, we sampled random grapes that managed to avoid the harvest.  I’m always intrigued by natural avenues.  They beg to be walked.  Enjoying the sun and toasted breezes smelling of corn harvest capped off the day perfectly , we thought.  It was time to turn home to our own very personal destination.