Friday's Fence - Open Space

We've had a very busy week, which has put me miserably behind in my social networking. Just signed a lease for 

an art gallery and retail shop in downtown Estes Park.

Let the games begin!

This fence borders the open space outside of Lyons, Colorado. I believe it's a Boulder County park now.

"Don't ever take a fence down 

until you know why it was put up."

~ Robert Frost

Blessings,

Nancy

For more great fence images hop on over to 

Rural Thursday - Rustic Charm

It's been a very busy day at the homestead, 

but things have finally slowed down 
and the cabin is quiet now. 

The dinner dishes are done, Dennis is off to a meeting 

and I'm catching up on my blogging.  

Remember the red barn outside of Lyons, Colorado
that I showed you on Tuesday? 

Well, I thought it would be fun to zoom out 

and let you see more of this charming ranch. There's a newer home that you can't see (it's to the left in this photo), but I couldn't get a clear shot from the road and, honestly, you're not missing much. The old buildings are more interesting.

Here's a close up of the old house. I couldn't tell if this beauty is occupied now, or not. It sort of looks deserted.

I'm not sure, but I think the old red sandstone structure on the right is a root cellar. On the other hand, it could be the original house on the homestead. I'm so curious to know the history of this place.

This is the south side of the house (on the right if you're looking at the front of the house). Notice there are two chimneys in the photo, which means there are at least three chimneys total on the house (remember, there were two in the previous photo). Maybe multiple fireplaces or potbellied stoves heat the house?

Here's another shot of the barn and the tool shed next to it. I love, love, love that fence. 
(Did I mention I love the fence?)

And a closer look of the barn and shed, where you catch a glimpse of the funky barbed wire fence.

On another note, Paula is the winner of our artwork giveaway at A Joyful Cottage. Congratulations Paula!

So that's the news from our homestead. 
What's going on in your rural world?

Nancy

Rural Thursday links up some of the best rural and simple living blogs on the net. Check it out.

And check out Friday's Fences, too!

Barn Charm #75 - Red, Right and Blue

Sunday after church has become my unofficial time to scout for barns. This one is outside of Lyons, Colorado.

This shot shows the cloudless, brilliant blue Colorado sky. One of the reasons I love living here.

Hope you're having a sunny day where you are.

Today is the last day to enter our artwork giveaway at A Joyful Cottage. Click on the cottage to get there.

Blessings,

Nancy

Sashay on over to Barn Charm for lots of great barn photos.

In An Old Barn

Barn outside Lyons, CO

In an Old Barn

Tons upon tons the brown-green fragrant hay 

O'erbrims the mows beyond the time-warped eaves, 

Up to the rafters where the spider weaves,  

Though few flies wander his secluded way.  

Through a high chink one lonely golden ray,  

Wherein the dust is dancing, slants unstirred.  

In the dry hush some rustlings light are heard,  

Of winter-hidden mice at furtive play.  

Far down, the cattle in their shadowed stalls,  

Nose-deep in clover fodder's meadowy scent,  

Forget the snows that whelm their pasture streams,  

The frost that bites the world beyond their walls.  

Warm housed, they dream of summer, well content  

In day-long contemplation of their dreams.

-- Charles G. D. Roberts

Happy Tuesday!

Nancy

Today I'm joining all the wonderful bloggers @ 
Barn Charm. 

Sashay on over there and catch the barn fever.

and Our World TuesdayGet an Eyeful of Great Photos from Around the World

Barely There Barn

I'm joining Barn Charm today.

Dennis and I love barns. The older, the better. This may not be everyone's idea of a barn worth photographing, but we flipped out when we saw it outside of Lyons, Colorado. I'm sure at some point it will wind up in a Dennis Reinke painting. 

Thanks to Tricia @ Bluff Area Daily for hosting Barn Charm. If you like barns, then hop on over to her site and check out the blogs linked there. Wonderful photographs of barns await you.

"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"

Luke 12:24

Nancy

Autumn Days in RMNP and The Farmette

There's a subtle change in the air and in the landscape. The days are shorter and mornings are cooler. Bull elk are beginning to bugle in preparation for rutting. From our apartment I hear their strange sounds in the distance. This morning in RMNP I photographed a bull on a mountainside.  The third one I've caught on camera in the past week. They're such magnificent animals. I may start a whole page just devoted to the elk. (The bush in the foreground of the photo is full of fall color.)

Our backyard has changed from green, pink and purple -- to tan, brown and gold. 

Yesterday Dennis participated in the Lyons Farmette Plein Air.  A benefit for the Boulder County Arts Alliance. The farmette is a delightful place and I enjoyed capturing the event with my camera. The artists' work hung on trees and fences.

Dennis enjoyed painting the irrigation canal. 

Betsy, the farmette owner and host (along with her husband Mike) dubbed the painting Redneck Riviera, which is what they call the canal.

It's always a pleasure to meet the other artists. Seeing them paint with chickens scratching around them brought a smile to my face.

The gardens of the farmette are beautiful. So many lovely flowers to paint.

 

After Dennis finished painting, we took advantage of the delicious catered food and the fantastic music.

I love the quaintness of the farmette.

The farmette animals seem to love it, too.

Even on the farmette, autumn has arrived.

Tomorrow we head off on a road trip to the Western slope. More joy!