Saratoga Co barns

  

Today for Barn Charm, a couple different barns I snapped while going through southwest Saratoga Co, New York.

As you can see it was a beautiful day for a drive.  This was about dinner time, when the sun was just starting to come down, but before it was dusk.  The first one was relatively new and still all pretty.  The second one is more commercial/working and well maintained, but not quite so shiny.  Both were clearly a part of their working farm.

M.E.

She was there too

Last week, after 98 years with us, my Grandmother was called home to be with Grandpa and Aunt Jane.  We all headed to upstate New York to celebrate one of the best Ladies I will even know.  She was a small woman with a strong force built from love and family.  We spent the week doing a lot of the sames things I had grown up doing, but now with another generation of children added.

We got together at my uncle's house (my cousins live next door), set out a lot of food, sat around the table and on the porch and watched the kids run around the yard.  Seriously, that's what we always did at Grandma's house.  Here is my youngest niece playing soccer with cousin Mark - note the dress did not seem to hinder her skills at all!

 

Here are the three youngest cousins chasing the remote control car around the yard.  It was a hoot to watch.  I'm sure Grandma was laughing.  For the record, the car ran out of steam long before the kids that day.

And since we have part of the barn in the picture anyway, here are a few more shots of my uncle's barn, which is beautiful inside (with electricity and continuous water) and the horses really like it too.

Linking with :  Soli Deo Gloria and Barn Charm.

M.E.

Barn Charm Tuesday

 While out and about a couple weeks ago, I came across these barns along the road.  I love the color of the blue one.  I wanted to take that home with me, but I thought the owners and my neighbors might mind.  The other one is quite large and about 5 different colors in person.  I think it's been kept up just to keep it useful, not to be pleasing to the eye.  I didn't have time to check out what it was used for, but I'm guessing grain storage. 

More barns with Tricia and Barn Charm.

These are SOOC shots from my phone.  Not bad for an itty bitty device!

M.E.

Barn Spotting

I had to travel out of town last week for work, so I took my camera along for the ride.  I was out in the land of corn and soy beans.  Quite honestly, with the amount of rain we had late into the spring, I wasn't sure how the farms would look.  They were beautiful and green!  Kind of strange to see that much green this late in July.  It was also a little foggy most of the morning.  The new header photo was taken last week as well.

These are two similar photos of the same barn with some color play by me.  The first one has the PW sunshine action applied and the seond one has a photoshop vintage action applied.  I like both for different reasons.  The color one shows neat contrast of the peeling barn with the new tractors.  The vintage one kind of smooths it all out to one "days gone by"feeling.

More great barns with Bluff Area Daily Barn Charm.

Red Barn in the Burbs

This barn and it's cute little side buildings, is one of a handful left on this street.  It is located a couple miles from the sister's house and over the last 20 years, the suburbs have sprouted up all around it. 

All of the buildings and the wonderful yard around them are extremely well cared for, almost as if they know the importance of showing a little history to the newer neighbors.

(Kim's new Mayzee texture used in these photos.)

More beautiful barns at Barn Charm.

More wonderful textures at Texture Tuesday.

M.E.

Vintage Barn Charm

Today I tried to help one of my not-so-spectacular barn photos with Kim Klassen's yesteryear texture.  I also added a little canvas texture, to try and bring out the feel of the barn.

I think it worked!

I like how they started with one main barn, then added to the left, and then added to the right.  Sounds a little like the hokey pokey...sorry, wandered for a second there!   Seems that after all the additions, they didn't quite make it back to reinforcing the main barn again.  Hopefully it's on the to-do list!

 M.E.

Re-purposed Barn

This was one the barns I came across a few weeks ago on my drive home through the country.  I love how it's been reborn into a Indian and Antique shop.  I didn't stop to go in, but I imagine there is a plethora of assorted items in there just waiting to find a new home!

Also, I like how there is a little barn added on the back too.

More great barns at Bluff Area Daily's Barn Charm.

M.E.

Barn Charm

I headed north to visit friends and family for Easter on Sunday.  And, like all holiday drives home, I hit a wall of traffic about 7pm.  You see, there is a highway running through the middle of the state that is 3 lanes wide in each direction - except for the small section they haven't finished.  It's only 2 lanes each direction for that stretch.  So, you see where I'm going with this I'm sure.  If you try to fit 3 solid lanes of traffic into 2 itty bitty lanes, you get back up of brake lights for miles.  A parking lot.

So I decided if I was going to be burning that $4 a gallon gas anyway, I should take the scenic route home.  It was a good distance longer, but still a better option, even in the rain. The up side to this unplanned road trip?  Extra barns to photograph...well, when I had a place to pull over and before I lost all the light.

I did add a little texture on this, to mask the rainy day look.  You'll note that is a little bit of theme right now.  I happen to live along that storm front line that seems to keep coming across the US over the last few weeks.  Having read several other blogs today, I know I'm in good company!

I like that you can still see the name and year in the roof shingles - although it has certainly faded over time.  I've actually driven by this place several times before, but somehow missed getting a shot.  I'm happy I had a minute to catch it this time.

M.E.

 More Barn fun:

Dairy Barn-Barn Charm

A barn sets smack in the middle of the farm.

It is a really good size and as you can tell by the sliding doors, they can get equipment in and out easily.  It has always been closed when I drive by, I'll have to pay more close attention as it warms up and see if they ever have the doors open.

More wonderful barns:

M.E.

Rough season for the Red Barn

I pass this barn everyday.  It is quite an attractive little building in person and quite well maintained.  

You can see, however, that one of the storms a couple months back yanked off a portion of the roof.  

The owners - who are a little of a mystery, because there is no house nearby, just fields and a road - tried to put in a temporary patch/fix.  But, that too was crumbled by the high winds and rain of the last 2 weeks.  

I hope in a few weeks, the owners will have a chance to really get in there and hammer on a new roof.  

I'm pretty fond of this little barn.

For more fun barns:

M.E.

Barn Charm

Winter has made a reappearance in my neck of the woods.  We're hoping it's not a significant or long stay, but considering it is February, not really surprising either.  Here is a barn set back from the road a bit.  I realized after I was home and uploaded the photos that my focus was only on one section of the barn.  I'll have to catch that next time!  I think the setting sun colors and snow on the ground save the photo anyway.

More Tuesday fun:

Tuesday Barn Charm

A couple really big barns on a working farm.  I'm about 1/4 mile from these buildings and they still look huge.
I love how these prompts from other blogs and photographers have gotten me out and about and seeing things I may have otherwise just passed by.  What a neat gift it has been for me.

For more lovely barns:

M.E.

Barn Charm

A deep red barn in contrast to the pastel sunset.

For more lovely Barn Charm

M.E.

Peaceful moment

I've been wanting to join in with Barn Charm, so I kept looking for a good barn.

When I was out in a rural area one morning, I came upon this barn, 

holding on for dear life.  I feel like the tree next to it is protecting it and keeping it company.

Can't we all use a friend like that some days?

It was a beautiful serene morning that made me want to stay out in the country a little longer.

Here's hoping for some peaceful moments in your week.

M.E.