It was a year ago after our Christmas open house that some of my friends and I were gathered in the shop chatting away. Kelli asked if we could do another Friday evening open house. After me fighting anemia Dave and I thought it best to do one day open houses and not two. Kelli said "Audrey we will all help, we all miss Friday night open houses" We've been doing Friday night open houses for so long that deep inside I missed them too. My cousin Kim told me how important it is to let my body rest when my blood count is low ~ Kelli said as she used to say all the time "don't you worry about a thing." She was coming to clean, ticket and work to get ready. Everyone agreed and the year went on. We decided to have our Friday night open house.
We had so much fun getting ready for the open house. Farmer Dave was getting ready like a well oiled machine...lanterns...lights...straw ready...parking planned....
The farmer and I had so much fun shopping, decorating, cooking ham in the hearth, cleaning and everything else that needed done.
Our Daughter Sarah moved back from Portland, Oregon and she was helping at the counter. We were so excited to have her here and her friend Brian help park cars along with a neighbor boy and Stephanie's husband Brian. My brother came dressed as Jonathan Walker and greeted customers in our Walker Farmhouse.
My friend Jenn made sheep that looked like Colleen. My friend Jeannie made lots of goodies out of wool...oh but her cookies ~ so many of you asked for the Raspberry Bar recipe. Sonya was here running the shop with Jeannie, Jenn and Sarah. Stephanie and Cindy ran the downstairs with Janice and Karen. Lauren from Kindred Palette had her signs here and we introduced Berry Hill Farm. She almost sold out of honey and has repeat customers already.
We had a wonderful crowd, family, friends, my childhood friend Cindy came to support us, new and old customers...some I haven't seen in such a long time.
But...someone was missing...our dear Kelli passed this year...
Kelli was missing.
One of my friends who was here last year called and said "let's dedicate Friday evening to Kelli"
I kept thinking of her while I was getting ready for the event...Kelli would like this...or Kelli would like that...wonder what Kelli would think...Kelli...Kelli...Kelli
Half an hour into our event and into our home comes Jack! Jack is Kelli's husband and he knew Kelli wanted to bring back Friday evening...she was so excited last year when she went home telling Jack how she was going to help get ready, etc. I was so excited to see Jack! Jack is blind but he experienced the evening with the smell of ham in the fireplace...conversations...a few tears shed and a toast celebrating Kelli's life. My friend knew we would love Jack being with us...she surprised us with Jack's presence. Dave and I are forever grateful for her bringing him.
The night before the event I was finished in the shop and said as I walked outside "Kelli, what do you think" I looked up and the sky was the most beautiful I've seen. I felt Kelli, it was a sign from her and God. When I saw the line to get in the next evening I thought Kelli was looking down smiling.
Everything went so smoothly ~ so smoothly ~ Kelli had to be here.
So much can happen in a year ~ Kelli passed ~ her one friend here with her moved far away and another friend that was chatting with us here has been battling breast cancer. ~ love more ~ love more ~
We are grateful for all the hard work everyone puts into our open houses, we are most grateful for the customers that come. Thank you for your messages and well wishes, your pictures (I only took the sky picture on this blog post) and for pictures of your bought items in your homes. We certainly miss Kelli but it was one of the best Christmas events we've had. We are grateful!
My last blood count came back with much better numbers ~ now that the open house is over I am going to do less ~ less cookies ~ less decorating ~ less shopping ~ less
I am going to find more ~ more time for silence in the Advent Season ~ and love more ~ love more ~ because you really don't know what can happen in a year.
Love to you all and grateful for this life I love ~
Audrey Ann & Farmer Dave
