Fran is a legend in our neck of the woods. She has a few very successful country cookbooks with another on the way...AND puts on a couple of shows a year out our way that shouldn't be missed. The next one is the same day as our Season Finale and we will definitely have directions from Barn House so you can pay her a visit. Oh, and it takes an army of people to ring her up once she is done shopping at BH...so you might want to change lines if you are ever behind her!! ;o)
We had great news to announce to everyone who came...a very special new member to The Barn House Family!!! She is gorgeous...she is lovely...she is our new BFF...her name is "Miss Honey-Money"...and she is our Credit Card Machine!!! She also has been sitting in the closet for several months because I couldn't pull my head out of my *%$ to get her set-up. My excuse?? Well, I always have saved this special task until the week before the shows when we are so overwhelmed with preparations and are on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The final straw?? A customer at the August show asked about using a credit card and I made the mistake of telling her that it was sitting in the closet because I hadn't figured out how to use it. Needless to say, she gave me a look like I was a total IDIOT! I did deserve that look, I really did.
BUT, do you know the troubles we've seen getting ready for our events??? It is enough to make a grown man cry. Joey is running around frantically pulling stuff out of the basement and hauling it to The Barn. Then he is running around frantically pulling out "the rejects" and hauling them BACK to the basement. THEN he's got to figure out what "The Magic" is going to be...what is going to amaze and inspire...what is going to make the event special, unique and different from any of our previous events. Sometimes this comes easily and sometimes it doesn't...
Sometimes he is done early and sometimes he is on the phone crying to Cindy (Queen of Tarte). This conversation goes something like this, "Oh Queen, woe is me...poor me...what am I gonna do...the chickens are laying eggs in the store...I haven't finished pricing...Jermonne is not helping me (aka Jermonne is at his other gig)...etc." Cindy being the sweet and understanding friend that she is, listens and then lovingly states, "Go tell it to The Mountain -- JUST GET IT DONE!" I love that Cindy!! 
During this time of crisis, I am dealing with my own madness at The Torture Chamber. It never fails. If we have an event coming up, the sky is falling at my job! I think this is a conspiracy and last week had to be the worst. This results in TWO crazy people trying to get ready for a show. The most commonly used statement by both crazy people is "I have to do EVERYthing!" Can both crazy people really be truthful stating this with as much passion and conviction as we do? Probably not, but it sure is funny to us after the dust settles. 
Well, once Joe is done "doing everything" and/or I am done "doing everything," somehow-someway, a few things fall through the cracks. Getting Miss Honey-Money set up, getting a few items priced, eating, sleeping...just some minor things like that. This week, it was setting aside some windows that Carrie (one of the very talented girls from Adorn) had scouted out in our basement from a previous visit. Yep, she had told us she wanted them and, YEP, we said we would have them ready. YIKES!!! In the early morning frenzy, we realized the windows were still in the basement and Carrie was already a little late for one of her kids soccer game. THEN, she was behind Mama Fran in line (oh goodness gracious!!)...boy, did I get a look (much deserved I will admit--well, really Joe should have got that look)!!!! Sorry Sweetie-Pie-Suga-Melon!!! The Boys of Barn House will make it up to you. :o)
One thing is certain, I seem to be the Barn House Representative present if something has "slipped through the cracks." One time I got cursed out at the counter because "apparently" someone had called for directions (the week leading up the event) and "apparently" the message wasn't relayed to Captain Correspondence. Boy did I get it!!! Poor little ol' me was ravaged and shredded to pieces and I still have the scars to prove it. If you look close, you can still see the tracks of my tears. Joe is planning to slip a little Shug Avery pee in her lemonade if she is mean to me again! 
This is the lovely Sylvi and Debbie...two very special members of The Barn House Family. Debbie (right) caught me a little off guard the weekend before the event. (SKIP this section if you are skittish or easily offended) Joe had left to go visit Cindy last weekend for some inspiration and I was sitting on the porch relaxing with our cat and a couple of chickens (some of you may know that I am an aspiring Hillbilly). It started getting soooo hot that I decided since I live in the country that it would be appropriate to strip down to my britches and open up a can of my favorite tasty beverage...yes, on the porch - Barn House Style. Next thing I know the porch door swung open and there was Debbie and her husband!!!! We all were like deer caught in headlights. As you can imagine, the moment was a bit awkward to say the least. She saw a little more of me than she probably would have liked...and still can't look me in the eye. If it was any hotter that day, it could have been waaaay worse! This was NOT the first time I have been caught in my drawers on porch. Sylvi (also pictured above) has also had this unfortunate experience. But Sylvi ain't shy...she rolled right on in, gave me a big ol' hug and kept steppin' like she had walked in on hundreds of half-naked men sitting on the porch. She's a true country gal, ya know! HEE HAW!!!
Even with a few glitches and a porch humiliation, everything came together beautifully! As usual, The Family pulled together and had an amazing day. There was even time to pull a fast one over on Natalie's husband Lyn...we sent him to Burgerville to order things with funny names that don't exist, like the "Clubalicous" sandwich with "Sweetalicious" fries. Poor Lyn!!
Only one more event...The Barn House Season Finale!!! The Queen is Coming!!! Queen of Tarte and Barn House will be collaborating for a very special event -- Gothic Harvest. More to come...J & J
