A Celebration of Barn Quilts

Back in 2009, I received a phone call from friend Margot McMillen. A few weeks prior, I had published this blog post about our fun day at her diverse farm near Hatton, Missouri - Terra Bella. Included in that post was a photo of Terra Bella’s barn quilt. There was also a barn quilt painting activity going on that day.

Enter – Google Alerts. An author, Suzi Parron, was signed up to receive Google Alerts by email regarding these key words: BARN QUILT. She received the alert and link to my blog post, contacted Margot, and in turn the original bloggie photograph was published in her recently released book Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement. A few years in the making, this book is a feast for the eyes and heart, with gorgeous Barn Quilt photos across our nation as well as the tender stories involved with each barn quilt. I am proud and honored that my photo of Margot’s Barn Quilt was published in this wonderful book. Thank you, Margot and Suzi!!

Back to the Celebration part of this post: This week we were invited to attend an event at Hatton, coinciding with Suzi’s whirlwind book-signing tour across the American Barn Quilt Trail. What a wonderful evening!
And it was so great to finally meet Suzi! She is this bundle-of-energy-type person, with a true zest for life (and Barn Quilts, of course). A high school English teacher by day, and author/photographer by night (and down time from school).

Lovely quilts by a famous Callaway County quilter were on display in Hatton Hall. The pieces were about the size of a postage stamp and the colors were so brilliant.

Margot’s husband Howard Marshall, as well as our Fiddler and other musical friends helped provide the musical entertainment.
 Broadway Brewery chefs (Columbia, MO) were on hand with a delightful meal prepared for all of the attendees. All gourmet dishes were prepared by foraging for and utilizing local/Missouri meats and crops/produce. Several of these luscious items were produced at Terra Bella Farm. Broadway Brewery offered a nice selection of their always delicious (I am told ) beer as well. Mr. W and I must visit Broadway Brewery in person soon. It is the Fiddler’s favorite place to eat currently.
On the Menu: Patchwork Family Farms Pulled Pork, Missouri Rice Pilaf (I had forgotten there is rice grown in MO!), Pickled Lady Apples, Missouri Tomato-Cucumber & Wild Purslane Salad (I just pulled purslane from the garden today – apparently it’s a delicious weed!), Dilled New Potato Salad, Missouri Peach Cobbler (YUM).


Apparently, I’m not a great food blogger. I tend to eat fast. Too fast. Before I can snap a picture of the whole meal. Trust me, it was delish beyond compare.

The tables were beautifully decorated on a quilting theme by Barb (Margot’s friend).
Side note, Barb and Margot introduced me to beekeeping about 10 years ago – this whole beekeeping thing we do now is totally their fault! Back to the table decs and wall décor…

Jenny Bondurant of Auxvasse Creative Arts Program and Bill Hart of the Missouri Barn Alliance and Rural Network told about their respective programs. Suzi Parron ended the evening’s festivities with a slide show presentation and delightful commentary – so much barn quilt eye candy! It left everyone truly excited about Barn Quilts, whether they had a barn or not!
I will also make mention that the evening’s events were a fundraiser for Missouri Barn Alliance and Rural Network and Auxvasse Creative Arts Program.
So, Bloggers, just so you know. Keep blogging and posting your photos. You just never know. One of them (or more) might end up in a book someday. And how cool is that for a little old country blogger like me?
If you’d like to order Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement, check out Amazon or Suzi’s website. I see she has a limited number of signed First Editions on her website. These books would make wonderful gifts for the quilt lovers in your life as well!

P.S. Presently, we are receiving a much-needed rain here at Flat Creek Farm. Praise God! Never lose hope.