This guy wandered right over our deck and into the yard last year.....he was huge!  Wonder where he was headed!

We had the barns painted last year (in progress, above).  Maybe no one else can notice but it looks so fabulous with this fresh coat of white - we think she looks pretty good!  It's always been white, the traditional color for dairy barns (after, below).  

VENTURE CREW 4027 DOES THE COOLEST STUFF!
​I was lucky enough last year to meet Michael Stockelman and learn about Venture Crew.  I appreciate the time the adults put in to help make some amazing experiences happen for this group of young people, who work hard to earn the opportunities to travel and learn about the great outdoors.  

Venture Crew provided food for all of us at the 2014 Barn Lot Antique Sale, and they are planning to return again this year - yay!  

I asked them what trip they're planning.  A camping weekend to go trail riding on horseback is in the works, and they say most of them have never been on a horse before. A weekend canoe trip and camping on a sandbar on the river, (which river is still in discussion).  And there's plans to go to Smokey Mountain National Park, camping and also providing 'Trail Magic' on the Appalachian Trail.

That all sounds pretty fun.  Kinda makes me want to set up a tent!

Terry has been collecting tools for decades he says, and it's time to clean his barn out a bit.  So he's bringing a trailer full of great farm tools.  If you like tools, you won't want to miss this on May 30th at the Barn Lot Antique Sale.  These are the real deal.  I especially love this great train luggage cart.  This is a hot item.  I recently saw one of these on Pinterest loaded down with flowers.  Beautiful!  And that's just the beginning! 

Mike and I went for a hike in Charlestown State Park over the holiday weekend.  Here we are - he's always walking faster!

I learned a little about Venture Crew 4027 when I invited them to attend the Barn Lot Antique Sale.  I'd hoped to find a local youth group that was in need of a fund raising opportunity and bingo!  These young people are involved in some amazing programs that will no doubt leave a life long impression on them and help shape their character. 

They've taken 100-mile canoe trips in the North and 60+-mile backpacking treks out West.  This year they're raising funds for a trip to Florida for a High Adventure Sea Base (FSB).  While there, they will live on board a sailboat for a week and learn about navigation, fishing, sailing and snorkeling.  Talk about 60 Minutes of Play!!!  

Even if you're not in the market for antiques, come out and support this group and have lunch with us!  They're also selling wooden roses to raise funds for the trip and they'll be available for sale as well.  I've not seen them but I bet they're pretty and it sounds like great low maintenance gardening!

I have always enjoyed doing crafts and I LOVE lotions and perfumes and everything feminine.  My husband and I were on a little getaway weekend last fall and decided to go antiquing. One of the shops had goat milk lotion.  I used a little and ended up buying some.  It was made by someone in Tennessee and I thought, I can do this!  I came home and searched on the internet, found a recipe, went to Whole Foods Market, bought a quart of goat's milk and proceeded to make a batch of goat milk lotion.  I started making soap a short while later after learning that a friend started making it and how much she enjoyed it.  She was kind enough to send me a few bars....and the rest is history!  

Paula

Hi Everybody!  If you're like me, it's been a long winter and I'm having antique withdrawal!  One of the first area shows of the season is coming up April 5-6 in Bardstown, KY.  It's the 47th Annual Historic Bardstown Antique Show & Sale, held at the Nelson County High School.  This is a great show.  Plan to attend!  For more information go to www.parrettlich.com.  I'll see you there!