~1983~
My dad's company went on strike that year. During his time off he and my grandpa built us a picnic shelter out by the garden. My grandparents had one at their house. I can still remember all the wonderful picnics they had in it. Soda on ice in the big orange pail. Shuffle board on the drive-way. Grandma's ginger cream cookies.
26 years later...
..that little shelter house is still one of my favorite places to go. We spend time out there all year round. It's the heart of the garden.
Jars of light.
The trees have grown since then. So have the memories. Neighborhood corn roasts, pumpkin parties, apple butter marathon, birthdays, holidays, good days, bad days... ordinary days. No one wants to be the last to go in.
Nothing helps sort plans, revive memories, soothe a bad day, ignite dreams, warm your heart on a cold one - better than a campfire. Had one this afternoon for a bit, just because....
29 comments:
The shelter house is just delightful! We love campfires here too and will often do damper over it just for the fun:)
Let me just say that I love, love, love that shelter house! Oh my word. What a fabulous place for so many things. It's beautiful. Hmmm...wonder if that would meet covenant requirements for our neighborhood. I want one.
Oh, wow. love it too. love the privacy around it as well. love the memories around it even more.
I'll be right over...just give me a few hours.
Just the name "shelter house" evokes good thoughts. Reading in a rainstorm. Moonlight & candlelight dinners. Sitting and watching the quietness of snow falling. Oh, I could go on and on.
The shelter house is a lovely legacy for you and your family to share. Looks like a magical place!
P.S. Ginger cream cookies? Oh my ... is there a recipe we could borrow from you? I'm intrigued by the combination of ginger/cream.
So pretty. I love it. And how nice to have it built by family members for other family to enjoy over time.
And I'm loving the striped knee hi socks in the first picture. Classic. :)
What a beautiful place! I'd never want to go in either... I think when Chris and I are finally blessed with some acreage I'm going to request a shelter house, too!
Very nice shelter :-) Very cosy. I love it!
Beautiful! Warm! Rustic and yet elegant! What a gift he gave you all! Like the other readers, I want one, too! I've always dreamed of my oldest daughter getting married out back in something like that. (She's untraditional enough to go for it!) Wouldn't it be wonderful for so many things!
Mmmm ... a shelter house - I've never heard of that name and yet it's perfect. It makes me think of the film, Young Victoria - when it's raining, she and Albert run to a "shelter house" in the garden - but yours is nicer :-) I love the candles in the glasses - very pretty - and what a perfect place for an open fire. Happy days!
What a glorious place your shelter house is!!! No wonder it's your favorite place to gather. I love it!
I love the shelter house. It looks like a perfect place to spend autumn days.
What a great spot! I hope my new structure will be something to talk about for many years to come! I love the appeal and invite of it all!
It's quite lovely for sure. I love love love campfires, I'm very happy that it's that season once again!
Wow, that's so wonderful. What a beautiful little place to spend time in.
its absolutly beautiful!
Oh my gosh Leigh! This shelter house is beautiful! I love it.....and now I want to build a shelter house of my own! Thanks for sharing!!!
Sara
How wonderful! And the memories... what a legacy he built. -Jackie
Such a treasure! And I can't think of anyone who could appreciate it more than you!
It's beautiful, it looks like it is right off the pages of a magazine! How lucky to have this peaceful spot! And campfires during the day are my favorite!! : )
Shelter indeed! How lovely. I cannot imagine a more relaxing place. Sometimes it's not the place but the memories that matter, but my goodness this has both.
I love, love, love all the lights!
Your little peice of earth seems so perfect...I am sure it isn't (what is??), but that shelter house is so romantic, and beautifully built! I love the framing and the chandelier.
Oh, what a wonderful place! I love the image of the candles flickering from on high and the campfire crackling below and everybody laughing. These are the tangible things that bind families together because they create the opportunity for so many intangibly beautiful moments.
I love peeking into the life of your amazing family.
Oh, how special is your shelter house. I have just found your blog, and plan to look through past posts when I get an extra minute. I'm already going crazy cause you have chickens and bees. I plan to start a hive for the first time soon, and would love to have chicks, but I live in surburbia!
Looking forward to following along on your adventures...
Susie
Oh so nice! There is nothing like a good outdoor fire! Even though we are in the city, we have a firepit in our yard. We use it all summer and fall. It's so relaxing!
Cool!
I love this. Absolutely. Love. It.
I love this spot, I love the closeness and stories of your family. Thanks for sharing!
My grandparents had one that my grandfather built. I loved it. It was in Pennsylvania.
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