I have had more photobloggerati adventures in the past month than I can keep track of. I was home from my San Francisco date with Relyn, Julie and Diana less than 24 hours when it was time for me to head over to the Barn House for the Summer Flea Market extravaganza. I think my sleep patterns are forever altered to match that of an 18 year old who never gets more than 4 hours of sleep a night and attends parties more regularly than classes or a job.
Aside from the fact i had every car window open to the max, singing at the top of my voice to a blaring rendition of Bob Dylan performing Maggie's Farm it was well worth staying awake another 24 hours to witness and photograph the set-up of the circus tents on Friday evening. This particular tent was dubbed the Taj MaTent. More on that later in the post....
Welcome one and all to a day on the farm.
Here is The Queen of Tarte about to perform the magic i describe in my Somerset Life article; Cinderella on wings....flying hither and thither, grabbing this and wrapping it over that, pushing one thing through the maze of objects until it is suddenly married in perfect union to another...."
See what i mean? Admit it. Now that you have seen this you know you cannot live without one of these for your holiday centerpiece. Honest to god, i swear this is a real fish-head preserved forever using i don't know what kind of chemical process.
That's Natalie and her little girl Hattie who is as cute as a bug.. and she was as dirty as a beetle by the end of the day. See that pretty white dress she is wearing?
All little girls should have this much fun going to work with mommy!
When i saw this full size tractor sitting in front of The Barn House Boys outdoor booth i just stood and gaped a moment. Then I got a grip and realized that this was to be expected. This is what they do here. They one up themselves in style each and every time they have a sale. This is a real live question... who bought that tractor? I know i saw it chugging down the road, lights ablaze while driving home on Padden Parkway later that night.
Meet Joe. There is no one like him in all the world. He rockets around the farm so fast he is usually a blur, just shape and form. This is a rare moment of stillness and it is the only time i have ever captured a clear photograph with him so much on the move every moment of everyday. It was the end of the day of the sale and a well deserved moment of rest.
Here are a few treasures i found and loved.
tennis ball sized opals...
sparkly hearts... XO
blue and blue!
Now i will explain the reason i titled this post The Busy Life of a Photograblogfriend. I can see now that it will never end... the meeting of like minded people with big hearts, fabulous style and endless good humor.
While in San Francisco with my blogirlfriends i reflected on my surprise and delight about everything going so well amongst strangers. And now, after this endless and exhausting weekend of being among more strangers' I finally understand the reasons why thousands of people all over the world give up watching Dance With the Stars and Fox News in order fire up their computers each and every day. We tap, tap tap out the words that fall from our minds and read, ponder and understand what emanates from each others hearts.
The reason is so simple and obvious it's a wonder i don't win a prize for finally naming it out loud. It is friendship. Unadulterated friendship. Considering just my own experience i see that i I have received support beyond measure, laughed without breathing and felt a powerful bond between myself and others. Some i have met and loved, others i may never meet and will love none the less. It shocks me.
Meet Tiffany and Kim. I had never met these two before this weekend at Barn House. I actually thought i might be at my laughed out limit after traveling with Relyn for 12 hours in a small vehicle just the day before. But no. It started all over again. I was all excited and thrilled with their company. They laughed like crazy women at everything. Mostly themselves and their antics. I realize now i am not the only one smitten with my own humor. I began thinking about how much fun it would be to go on photography expeditions with these two. I threw caution to the wind and immediately answered yes when Kim mentioned she would also like to meet up mid distance for a day of taking photos. I said yes and when!
I know now It will never end, this finding of new blogirlfriends i want to know and be with. These are not the only people i met this weekend either. Oh no. There were lots of new faces around the midnight pre-sale campfire and i got to know all the other Barn House family much better.
This is what i saw late in the afternoon as i walked up to the house for dinner. Dexter is a new member of the Barn House menagerie. He weighs in at over 800 pounds, is beefy but gentle as a lamb. He is always looking for friends. The sheep twins don't like him. He doesn't know he's a cow. He actually thinks he is a horse and wants to hang out in a herd. Tiffany had gone off in search of some quiet in order to make a phone call and found herself hanging out next to the fence. Dexter stopped by for a chat.
Notice how she has placed her camera on the ground in order to be able to pay closer attention to Dexter'.
And the bling...who wears this sort of thing while petting a cow? A full on double string of pearls, matching bracelet and diamond rings? It was the sweetest thing in the world to see her befriending that sad little cow. Now am i not right in saying that bloggers are simply the best people to make friends with?
Ok. This is the Taj MaTent. There was to be a contest for best styled camp amongst those who were staying overnight on the farm. Debi won hands down. It was palace of cream white linens with down pillows everywhere. It has a kitchen, lamps and a boudoir at the back for sleeping and changing costumes....
This is a little nest display Cindy made for the greeting cards i created using photographs from her Tarte Barn. See the pretty lavender gown? I sold nearly all of them! I am quite happy to have such good fortune in friendships. It was my new friend leah who pushed and tugged me into doing them in time for the sale. Thanks to you both!
Finally it is time it is time to close up shop and rest and recuperate until the next sale. We ate amazing food, laughed at each other's silly jokes and helped one another put the place back in order.
If you can make it from New York, Texas, France or Portland try to come next weekend for Queen of Tarte monthly sale!!! If you come we can be amazed together at our good fortune with finding great art and friendship in abundance!
Love, robin
Robin, thank you so much for sharing this, it is so true that the blogging community is about friendship. Beautiful, beautiful post. I hope someday i'll make it to the Barn House. Maybe I'll convince some blog friends to do a road trip!
xoxo
Posted by: Suvarna | July 20, 2009 at 07:10 PM
what lovely photos and I am so glad that you have found your niche in blogging and photography....it really is a great way to make new friends and spread your wings. You are soaring with the eagles now dear.
Posted by: Peggy | July 20, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Absolutely FANTASTIC! I am so thrilled that you got to spend some moments with Relyn...she's pretty awesome and I have yet to meet her in person.
Your photos are amazing...my favs: the circus tent and the chat with Dexter, the cow. Brought me peace and a smile to my face.
Thanks Robin.
Posted by: Se'Lah | July 20, 2009 at 03:29 PM
It makes me so happy to see you running hither and thither, camera in hand .... I detect such a zest for life all of a sudden.
xo
Posted by: Kath | July 20, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Robin...you are one of the rarest of treasures that we found at the flea. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent and time with us and capturing those very special moments in our lives. love you....xoxoxoxo Cindy
Posted by: queenoftarte | July 20, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Robin, thank you ever so much for the gift of your time, your creative eye, and your new-found friendship this weekend at BarnHouse. I was in absolute awe watching you work non-stop for two days, taking photos with the utmost in concentration and focus (pun intended!) with that endless energy you possess. You inspire us all with your ability to capture a moment in an image, and to express our collective thoughts in your eloquent words. I am honored to have been the recipient of your generous praise.... thank you, sweet girl. You have made my YEAR!
Oh, and that photo at the top.... WOW!
Posted by: Deb Kennedy | July 20, 2009 at 09:36 AM
I will comment more later (is that even close to good English?) but right now I am sitting in our business, where the air conditioner is broken AGAIN, and my office is like an oven, and I can't find Lily the cat who is hiding somewhere from the a/c repairman, but I am worried because I have both doors open & perhaps she has run away, and I have to say that Debi's boudoir is looking damn wonderful right now & it even has my name. Plus I needed the laugh I laughed when I saw the cow & the cellphone, or is he a bull? Never mind. These are all fabulous. Bless you!!
Posted by: debi | July 20, 2009 at 09:23 AM
i do so enjoy your blog and photos are so much a front and center part to each post...friendship is truly felt here~blessings elk
Posted by: elk | July 20, 2009 at 09:20 AM
You are so right about finding kindred hearts in blog land. Your pictures are amazing. You capture such great moments.
Posted by: Fay Lynn | July 20, 2009 at 08:52 AM
Thanks for the photos I could almost feel like I was there, as I did not get to go due to a prior commitment.
Posted by: Florence Muma | July 20, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I always love your visits to the barn house! And you are right about blogging, I could not have said it as well. xoxo
Posted by: Annie | July 20, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Thank you for some wonderful time at the BH.
Love you pictures, as always :o)
The last one, w/the mannequin peeking through the old window frame is priceless;- "Her Humble Highness" still keeps her crown & pride, while her surroundings is starting to look quite tattered!
Hugs,
Sylvi
Posted by: Little Cottage | July 20, 2009 at 07:25 AM
I have seen many blogs with The Barn house Show photos
but I must say yours really tell the story the best!!! You have a wonderful eye for detail and I love your tale of friendship and treasures!!!
Posted by: sharron | July 20, 2009 at 07:25 AM
Love your photos and your writing! Fabulous!
Posted by: ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie | July 20, 2009 at 07:03 AM
What a great post! It's amazing the wonderful people we meet in blogland and then become friends with! I love, love, love the pictures of Tiffany and the cow...
You are amazing...Laurie
Posted by: Laurie | July 20, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Oh Robin, what a tribute to the wonderful friendships that are born of blogging. I have experienced the same with all of the blogger friends I met. Pure friendship, devoyed of pretentiousness. The photos tell it all. Your skill with the camera captures it well. I can't wait to read you again on Somerset Life, my dear.
Maybe one day I find my way over there and we can go for a photobloggerati adventure :)
The little girl's photo of a well lived day is priceless!!!
xox
Isabel
Posted by: Isabel | July 20, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Such fun! I really want to go to one of their barn sales someday. Although no doubt I'd find too much irresistable treasure and be unable to get it home. :) Lovely photos - in the last one, the mannequin looks almost real. So glad you've had a wonderful trip and are having beaucoup fun with your camera! xo
Posted by: Paris Parfait | July 20, 2009 at 03:41 AM