RM…we have been to two barn venue weddings in the past two years. Both were beautiful! One decorated a little more rustic than the other so one was charming and the other elegant. Lots of fun! Check with your florist to see if you can add hanging baskets, potted plants, etc to the outside if there are no gardens. There are tons of barn wedding ideas on Pinterest. We added colorful paper lanterns as aisle decorations for D1. We also used flowers from the Farmer’s Market in coordination with the florist at D2’s wedding. The florist did all indoor decorations and bouquets and then I had a Farmer’s Market stall owner put together vases of flowers (I provided vases) for tables outside on the patio used for Cocktail Hour. I didn’t want expensive centerpieces in an area that people would only be gathered in for such a short time. Both venues were magical at night with lots of twinkling lights. Congrats on finding a fun new venue!
Can I join in on the wedding plans? D and BF became engaged last night!
We are thrilled. She has a two weeks in Sept. and two weeks in March free this year so
it will be one of those months. They both have liked weddings where the ceremony is done before-as in weeks or months-- the reception. So my guess (actually my suggestion) is that they have immediate family for vows on the East coast and the reception here. I am such a “let’s get these plans going” person and it seems FSIL is marching much slower. So I will patiently wait and just read my Emily Post Wedding Etiquette book.
Caught H reading it last night.
The barn reception sounds lovely! We are invited to one this July with square dancing.
I am wondering what men wear given the square dancing–a suit seems odd.
I am in love with San Diego. I had visited family many times decades ago and never had fun.
They lived in an area that I did not like and it was always too hot.
This past November and last week was so much fun and the weather was perfect.
(of course there also was no extended family to deal with
:)) ).
How exciting, Oregon!
Exciting times Oregon. Hope yours are not as exciting as mine have been. Florist is good with new venue. On to the limo…
Ours will be what I will call casual elegance. Which does fit D’s dress. 
Guys will be in tuxes. Already ordered. Wedding and reception will be held there so need to figure things out…
Congrats @oregon101 !
So happy you found another venue so soon, RM.
Congratulations oregon!!! Very exciting news! WIshing you smooth and fun-filled planning! Happy times!
So glad you found another venue so quickly, @RochesterMom. That must be a huge relief.
And congratulations to you (& your D), @oregon101.
THE SUN IS OUT! Yes, this is big news in my neck of the woods. It’s windy, but still quite a bit warmer. It’s supposed to hit 75 on Tuesday!! Woot, woot!! My golf club (near our beach house) opened last Saturday – meanwhile, we were dealing with snow up here. Crazy stuff.
I’m off this afternoon for a Women’s Weekend run by H’s alma mater. (He’s a Trustee.) Most of the women attending are alums of this STEM school, but I figure they all need to be balanced with a good dose of liberal arts. The weekend is all about creating support for women in STEM, and women in general. Part of the “fun” on the schedule is a behind-the-scenes tour of Fenway Park. (Go Red Sox!)
Highly stressful times in my neck of the woods. My company announced that it is selling a very substantial portion of its assets to a competitor. Some employees will be asked to work for the competitor, some will be given retention bonuses if they stay in their jobs to close the deal, and others will be let go. Super tense situation and folks are becoming testy. The department I support is at the center of the transaction. I will be insanely busy though 4th quarter, then what I enjoy doing will be mostly gone. I’ve been told that my job is safe, but I figure I’m going to have to retool.
I haven’t started stress-eating to a great degree, but the temptation is certainly there.
Hugs, mp. You certainly have been run ragged by your company.
How long until you are certain about your situation?
Hugs, mp. That sounds like an awful situation, but am glad at least your job is safe. Still the upheaval takes a toll.
It was actually good that the announcement was on a Thursday. Thursday to be in shock, Friday for folks to be ticked and tense, Saturday to process. Yesterday I was at work for 13+ hours and went through a full range of emotions.
Good morning. Hugs missy…long days amidst change take their toll so be kind to yourself…
Congrats on the nuptial news, Oregon, and kudos on new venue, RM.
Despite a busy week with long hours, my “free” weekend turned into ninja aerial ballet as the weather was just toooo good not to repaint mch’s “astro crib” platform and the “barn” pool house.
This is the second time in 5 years painting it as the sun hammers it and the board & batten is getting old. This time I figured out that I needed scaffolding and that I also needed a tool to hold an actual paintbrush, not roller, on an extension pole. The happy result of experience is that this time I nailed te peak so it doesn’t look lie drunken midgets painted it 
My knee has not done this kind of land and weight-bearing nonsense since the injury so that was a bit challenging. There were a few times I’d had to call mch to help me “get down.” I have a feeling there will wont be too many more face paints of the ole barn before I’m forced to outsource that one
Then again, there’ve been reports of my 75-year-old mother with her broken wrist painting her foyer, so perhaps I’m genetically destined to age with a paintbrush in hand
The DIYer in me makes me not the most gracious client at times (just went through this re overruns on a simple-to-me floor job in my rec room) so its often less stressful to me to just do smaller jobs myself.
But I’m thinking the next paint job the exterior gets might just have to be that expensive, 25 year epoxy job I entertained when we bought the place Like a new knee, I just have to be patient and time it right
Fun Women’s Weekend – until yesterday morning when I got a text from my father. My B who recently had surgery for bladder cancer, was taken to the ER in my hometown – bad infection, which caused his blood sugar to be way, way out of whack. As H (whose father was a life-long diabetic) said, the high blood sugar was the easy part to fix. By the time H and I got to my hometown, B was being loaded onto a helicopter for the 45 minute flight back to the hospital where he had the surgery. The rest of us followed in cars. He’s in ICU, where they got him stabilized. Now, of course, they have to find the cause of the infection – likely around his neo bladder. My 89 year old father is obviously a wreck, but trying not to show it. Please send the healing light!
CBB - Thinking of you. Hope things are looking better soon! Good thoughts for your B.
Good to hear from you kmc. As an aging DIYer myself ,I am also not a gracious client at times. If I have to pay someone I expect them to stick to their estimate of time and money and also do the job at least as well as what H or I would do. We need to replace steps down to the lake at our lake home. Had the local “step guru” over for a look this weekend. He eyeballed the site and gave us a verbal quote. This small town expert does not do written quotes. He has a great reputation so I suppose we will go ahead with him but it definitely makes me nervous!
Sorry to hear about your brother, CBBBlinker. Hope his condition improves soon.
CBBlinker, best wishes to your brother.
Sending prayers for your brother, CBB.
CBB…must have crossposted this morning and I missed your news re brother. So sorry to hear about his infection. Sending good thoughts and prayers.
CBB, hoping your B is doing well.
Hugs to your father too.
I have a list of carpenters, contractors, landscapers to call to address long put off things.
I really hate the dance but not none can be done by us. H would just let all of it go until a crises
happened but I am not built that way. Also, I see a wedding sometime this year as good motivation
to spruce up the place.