Saying Goodbye to Summer

Yesterday was the final event of the summer! We started the summer season with a shrimp boil in the Party Barn on Memorial Day weekend.  We ended it with another shrimp/crab boil yesterday.

Now granted...this sounds like an event that should have taken place earlier, such as closer to Labor Day.  But upon checking everyone's calendars, there were no open dates until the last weekend of October to do this.

And granted....a shrimp/crab boil would be perfect for a nice warm fall day that has been full of sunshine and soft warm breezes.  That didn't happen either.  The forecast proved true---downpours of rain, gusty winds, no sunshine.  Imperfect weather is the more appropriate description.

But little things like a calendar date, wicked winds, and rainfall will not deter the master shrimp boiler from setting up the pot and cooking the delectable pieces of fish, potatoes, onions, and mini-cobs of corn.

Of course this was what the Party Barn was made for, right?  Tables and chairs set up for sitting and enjoying the feast.  A serving table covered with butcher paper where the contents of the pot can be spread.  Another table for the birthday cake and apple crisp.  Still another spot (the old workbench) for spinach dip, veggie tray, fruit bowl, and cheese and crackers. A cooler full of beverages.  AND...the wood stove full of burning wood to keep the building nice and cozy.

There was also plenty of room for the kids to play in the bounce house.

After feasting was done, the card table was set up and at least three games of Shang'hai Rummy were played.  Kids had gone home, some of the parents with them, and adult beverages were making an appearance!

When the party broke up, Chris discovered that the three goats were standing on the wrong side of the fence!  The wind had blown one of the pins out of the gate, causing it to blow open and for them to escape.  They were ready to return to the barn, though, so herding them back into their pens was not difficult.

Two things about last night ---

One - I love family gatherings.  I like being together, having fun, and making memories.

Two - I love that the Party Barn is becoming a staple in our lives.  Not only ours (as in Gary's and mine), but in our family's too.  It is centrally located so it is easy for everyone to travel here.  It is spacious enough for most of our gatherings.  It works best in the warmer months, but when the weather is cooler, there is always the wood stove to help keep us warm.  The Party Barn can be as fancy or as casual as we want it to be.  There is a refrigerator, tables, chairs, and a tub full of plates, cups, napkins, flatwear, tablecloths---everything we might need to put a party together.

Today we are letting the outdoor furniture dry out, then tomorrow probably everything will begin moving from the front porch, the deck, and the gazebo back into the Party Barn for winter storage.  

I'm a little sad, but the new spring and summer season will be here before we know it and there will be more parties in the Party Barn!  Bring on Spring and Summer 2020!  We will be ready!