Wednesday, February 6, 2013

When What Do My Wondering Eyes Did Appear....

Instead of driving to the Arboretum which is my usual mode of operandi I decided to drive down around the dog park and check out the red barn on Greene Rd.  The barn is pre-civil war era and with years of non-use it became quite an eyesore with thoughts of tearing it down.  But back in 2010, being in huge disrepair with an estimated million plus to repair, a group decided to ban together and bring this old barn back to life.  Driving by there today, the barn has been re-painted, cleaned up, repaired and ready for business. Plans are that it is to be used for Park District activities for both winter and summer.

I took this picture a couple of winters ago and you can see the peeling paint, shriveled vines and disrepair...(actually it had great character)


This is the picture I took today....



See what a few million dollars can do for an old civil war era barn.  No wonder there are so many farms in dis-repair around this area if it takes that much money to renovate them.  It is probably much cheaper to just put up a metal barn and let the wood barn eventually become one with nature.

The parking lot next to the barn was closed for the winter so I had to park my car by the dog park and walk which was only about a block.  When I returned when what did my wondering eyes should appear, but eight one tiny reindeer (and it wasn't really a reindeer, they are not this cute) right before my eyes.  I was so startled I almost scared her away, but instead she just looked at me, paused, bent down to grab a mouthful of grass where the snow had been brushed away, then turned and darted back into the woods.  I know some see this sight each and every day, but usually when I spot a deer, by the time I grab my camera they have high-tailed it back to safety.  She must have known I was no threat.




After this stop I drove around at more snowy spots capturing beauty....even the dried queen anne's lace and the shriveled red berries have the look of magic in the winter.



And finally a stop at the golf course...so pristine, no golfers today.


Last one....with an added texture.


And yes, it did snow again...can't say that it started at exactly 2:30, but it was in the afternoon.

Linking to Madge's new weekly meme Rurality


In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. ~William Blake

Until next time.....


30 comments:

  1. Beautiful shots! That sure does sound like a lot of money to repair that barn...makes you wonder if each nail cost fifty dollars. :)

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  2. Such an outing - I wish we had red barns - but perhaps it is because of the cost of keeping them in repair/function - wow! Great shots of the deer. We have a herd and while I have turned the corner of the house to come face to face - never with a camera in hand. Great shots - or perhaps I should say, pictures.

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  3. That deer in the snow is a beautiful capture! Personally, I kinda like the bard PRE re-model. Much more character.

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  4. These are gorgeous shots and the barn looks amazing ( although it looked great with the peeling paint also), but what a great addition to park activities, and I love old barns. So glad that you are getting your snow... it does look lovely, and what a treat to see the deer! Looks as if you are in your snowy element

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  5. I am having a hard time this morning, this is the third time in trying to leave a comment. First time on my phone and then on my computer but they don't seem to want to stick.

    Third time is the charm I hope. Landscapes are lovely, beutiful in the your beloved snow. The barn, thank goodness for people who care but I think someone got rich off the repairs.
    The little deer is awesome, lucky you.

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  6. LOVE that barn! well, at least the money went for a sweet renovation this time. (yikes!)

    love the deer, too. so dainty.

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  7. Wow, that's a lot of money to restore that old barn, but I'm happy they did! Great shots of the deer. They are so pretty.
    My favorite shots for the day though are the first and last ones.

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  8. Deanna - these are incredible photos! that one of the deer just blew me away!

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  9. All the photos are Quintessential Deanna but the deer! Oh, magnificent, truly magnificent.

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  10. The contrast of the white snow and red barn are perfect. Really pops! And the little deer is so cute to see in the snow. All beautiful shots!

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  11. I love all the photos you have captured today! And it is so very cool that the barn is up and running again :)

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  12. Only you dear girl are lucky enough for the deer to pop out to for you LOL! The Coopala in the first image so darling.

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  13. Holy Guacamole!! what beautiful shots!! did you use a zoom for that deer shot?...so beautiful!!
    I live in the woods... and have yet to "catch" a deer or moose... although there are tons of tracks!!

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  14. Wonderful winter shots! That barn is beautiful and it is great that they were able to rescue it. I like the rustic look of old barns though...probably better than new and improved. But it is a noble thing to save an old barn. Great deer pics!!

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  15. I love the bright red against the snow it looks so pretty... I didn't realise how much money is needed to restore an old barn it's wonderful in these trying times to see restoration still taking place. What a pretty shot of the deer it looks like something out of a fairy tale...

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  16. Great shots.
    Glad they renovated that barn, instead of tearing it down. Funny...it's more expensive to renovate those old buildings, than to just tear them down and start over. Never figured that one out.

    We have SO many deer around here. But, no snow to set them against. Lovely...

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  17. Oh my gosh everything here is so beautiful. I loved them all and that sweet little doe is just stunning.

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  18. I admire those of you whose passion for photography manages to embrace the chills of winter like you do. I LOVE seeing photos like these; each is fabulous Deanna

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  19. Such wonderful images today, Deanna... love last year's Queen Anne's Lace... the red berries, the restore barn (yeow, that was expensive!) and your little doe, sweet! You brought a smile to my face...

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  20. Gosh, the difference in that barn is incredible. Sad that it takes millions of dollars to renovate, tho. My my! The deer shots are excellent. I would have been thrilled to pieces if I'd seen that as well. You did great with such a short window of time.

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  21. Oh deer!! Oh Deanna, how exciting to get this in the snow. Just so beautiful. And I agree with Kathy, I really like the first before the renovations.

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  22. Such a wonderful picture day! I think that a Does eyes are so lovely. They all seem to have long pretty eyelashes. What a treat! I must agree that I think that the old barn had more character. I'm sure that there's a good reason to save and protect this landmark, but it's hard to beat an old red barn.

    Have a lovely rest of your week.

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  23. They surely did build gigantic barns during the pre-civil war era!!! That looks like a factory!!! I would never, ever have guess that was a barn, even with the red paint. It does look better, but you were right...it had character the way it was.

    That deer looks like she wants to talk to you. I think she was thinking about asking you over for breakfast!

    Great pictures, as always...thanks for sharing a piece of your morning with us....and I can't believe there were NO golfers...I thought they were out, no matter what the weather was like!!

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  24. Again, I love these pretty images, each one speaks to my heart... Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #1' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #2...

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  25. That is an amazing transformation for that old barn. I'm really glad it was saved. Beautiful photos of the deer, he must have known you to be a kind soul.

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  27. Love that big red barn and the beautiful, unafraid deer.

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  28. So many fabulous photos here. I would be so excited if I saw a deer. We don't see many of them here in Vegas. :)

    Hugs~

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