Hands down, the thing I love most about blogging are the instant connections you make with other creative and amazing women! A few weeks ago, I began tweeting with Darlene from Fieldstone Hill and saw in her twitter profile that she lived in PA. We emailed back and forth and discovered that we live less than 30 minutes apart. (Cue “It’s a Small World After All,” On second thought…don’t. That song has an evil way of embedding itself into your brain and haunting you with images of creepy, over-smiling children. Shudder!) Although Darlene and IÂ didn’t know each other and hadn’t really read each others’ blogs, we made plans to get our families together for dinner. Home bloggers are just plain cool like that!
Darlene invited us out to her gorgeous homestead and my boys were in seventh heaven! My little “city mice” were thrilled to play in the creek with her country mice :). I left my camera at home because I didn’t want to appear all weird and bloggery on our first meeting, but who in the world am I kidding? Fortunately, Darlene had us covered with her Canon.
Asher caught a tadpole and baby crawfish and could not have been more proud of himself.
Ew. But the boys were enthralled with their specimens and these little guys kept our little guys entertained while we chatted.
Here’s a pic of our men, beers in hand, walking back to the house to grill our meat. The perfect “summer men” pic.
And here are our eldest boys, bucket with critters in hand walking back to the house to admire their catch. The perfect “summer boys” pic!
And here I am supervising at the top of a swing set while Darlene takes my photo. The perfect “summer mom” pic?
Actually, Darlene and I had a great time sitting in this loveliness and getting to know each other. What better “summer girls” setting could you ask for?
For those of you unfamiliar with Fieldstone Hill, it is the name Darlene has given to their 180 year old farmhouse that is to. die. for. Seriously. I died. Not sure I can even finish this post because of my deadness. She is living my dream, you all! You have to click here to see more of her lovely home, but be forewarned that you might just die from all the charm and character.
In addition to living in a lovely homestead, Darlene is also a fantastic designer. Here is the design board she created for her boys’ bedroom.
And below is the during process of bringing her design plan to life. This is actually an older picture from her blog. I was able to see the almost after version of this room and I can guarantee you that when she posts about it this baby will be ALL over Pinterest. It is amazing!
Darlene is currently working with Edie from Life {in} Grace and helping her design her new lake home. Gorgeous!
Darlene’s que is filling up fast, but if you’d like a design consultation from her be sure to check out the details on her services here.
Thank you Darlene for being so gracious as to invite a stranger and her family over to your home to break bread. We had a fantastic time and hope to do it again soon! And to any other fellow bloggers who would like to feed my family and have me nose around your home, please feel free to invite me :). LOL!
OH my goodness! I love Darlene – she helped me make my decision to switch curriculums this fall for homeschooling and I LOVE the pictures of you both together!!! Two amazing women! Great post and so glad you got to meet each other – looks like a great time!
Courtney
I thought I was too old to “die for”, but the fineness and simplicity ARE to die for! I died. Boys in the creeks should have brought M’s mind back to the farm and “boys in the creek” many years ago. ~wendy So fun and fine!! 🙂
Yes you are right on about Darlene’s home!So envious 🙂 I’m new to blogging and she was kind enough to become my “first follower” and give me some “new blogger” tips! Love your blog , came across it on tipjunkie last week!
Beth I found you at Darlene’s and what a treat!! I could immediately see the connection. Your families had so much fun together, I Love Blog Land!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Looks like a great place for little boys to play!
What a lovely place, and so happy you found each other.
Oh! What a surprise when I opened your post & saw you sitting with Darlene! I’ve been following the both of you for a while now & discovered her through reading Edie’s blog. You half-jokingly say “to any other bloggers who would like to feed my family & have me nose around your home, please feel free to invite me……”. Well I have to admit that I’m not an active blogger but am officially inviting you over to feed the family & have you nose around my house if you happen to find yourself in Connecticut! And that goes for Darlene as well! I’d LOVE it! I’m about to start working with Darlene on a Living Room make-over & am kinda giddy at the thought of it. I listed the blog-site I started last year & then became frozen with fear somehow…perfectionism, worry, doubt that no one would care. I have SO much to say. I just have to force myself to hit “Post” again. I have drafts of all kinds of things started. ANYWAYYY…lucky you & lucky Darlene – that you got to spend that time together. And I mean it about a standing invitation if you’re ever my way.
What a great, heart warming story! And, it all looked like a perfect fit, from the husbands drinking beer and grilling, to the boys looking for critters. And the house? I’m still trying to catch my breath! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story Beth. It’s funny, you follow someone’s blog and it is almost like you know them. After all, you are invited into their homes, albeit through pictures, see the crafts & projects they are working on and sharing etc.
I feel like I have so many new “friends.” (and I don’t blog yet, I’m too busy reading other’s!) I’ve just re-started using Twitter and through that, F/B & Pinterest I am so happy that I have met so many people that hold my same interests!
Blessings,
Carm
Carmen0777 / mskyles11@mchsi.com
F/B email is carmen0777@yahoo.com but I do not use that email, only if someone wants to “find” me on there. The mchsi email is for Twitter and Pinterest or if anyone would like to follow me – or get a hold of me. 🙂 Thanks!
Isn’t she wonderful?! And THAT HOME! Oh my, I seriously sin when I look at it…dreamy.
I am so glad you guys got to meet and hang out. The boys look like they loved it.
Gotta get you down to my neck of the woods someday! 🙂
xoxo
I have followed Darlene’s blog for a while now and just love her and her blog! How much fun to meet in person.
Wow what a beautiful home, it looks like you all had a wonderful time. Off to check out her blog now. Thanks for sharing x
I love the design plan for the master. Delicious colors!
I love she is using a designer to help her with her own home. I need that perspective sometimes too.
The design plan for the master bedroom is actually for a fellow blogger and friend who lost her home in a house fire last year. Darlene is an amazing designer!
How fun! She is a style maker in her own right. Thanks for sharing, Beth. 🙂
I admire houses like Darlene’s every single time I travel through PA. What fun for your family to get to visit and for you to meet a fellow blogger IRL.
Very cool and looks like y’all had a lot of fun! Her home is gorgeous!! – Happy Monday!
How cool is that! ( :
How fun is that!? Looks like you guys had a blast. 🙂 What a beautiful home, I have to go check out her blog. Thanks for sharing! xo
My heart was so happy the other day when I saw that y’all got together!! I adore both of you. Seriously! 😀
Aw, thanks Myra! Knowing that we had so many awesome friends like you in common helped Darlene & I know that we’d like each other :).
Yep. I died. Gorgeous home for sure!
What a cool thing, it certainly is a small world!
xo