The Southern Exposure ebration Continues

When last we left our intrepid band of six, we were outdoors at Southern Exposure. It was time to step inside the buildings, savor the fall decor and have a distanced dinner!

Before we went to eat, though, Rick and I checked out some of the other buildings. The fountain outside the milking parlor was decked in autumn splendor.

And I noted that inside the Corn Crib, there were some beautiful vignettes. I was taken by how this letter was displayed, framed with a feather. 

And I liked this arrangement too, backlit in the late afternoon light.

 

A workshop was taking place that evening (we were not attending that much to the relief of Rick!) and we peeked into the workshop tent to see the project. Wouldn't it be fun to bring one of those home?

After checking things out we knew it was time to meet up for dinner.

We were going to be dining in the Hog House.

Back in the 1800s, this charming building was home to the farm's hogs.

The walkway includes a bridge over a koi-filled pond and hanging on the fence were still-bright pansies in metal pots.

Inside a faux fire awaited us!

 This was clearly no pig sty anymore! 

If I put a hat on a vase in my house, it would look very wrong. Here it looks so right!

Beautiful arrangements were placed on lovely antique furniture. It seemed as though you could find something seasonal no matter where you looked, whether it was eye-level...

... or looking up!

And if you weren't satisfied with what was inside, looking outside was just as good!

And Chef Elsie's Peruvian chicken (my special request) was delicious. So was the salad with its moon grapes and cheddar, variegated carrots and potatoes. The lemony cake for dessert (and an abundance of wine) didn't hurt either!

We sat as couples at separate tables, well spaced apart. Fans above circulated the air in the large room. 

And there were plenty of smiles.

Especially mine.

It was so good to be with friends, inside, at a lovely place and feeling relatively normal. A place of beauty...

....of nature...

...of spirit.

And one other thing -- Jan, Kate and I all took home a completed autumn lantern, made for us by Micah, who is Southern Exposure's craft guru! It looks beautiful on my table and is just the right size!

So, here's to a paid off mortgage, good friends and being in a favorite spot of beauty.

Now that the house is paid up, I think I'd better do a little tidying!