Meeting The Nester at the Barn

Warning: Long post ahead with tons of pictures, so grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a while!

Do you ever have this far off dream that you replay in your head all the time? I did...and guess what? It actually came true a few weeks ago!

 Let me start off by saying that I have major anxiety issues, am kind of a home body, AND have never traveled very far by MYSELF before! But when the Nester (Myquillyn Smith) had the
 Cozy Minimalist Course and asked if we wanted a chance to hang out at her Barn?!? You kind of have to forget the fact that the plane might crash, you might get lost, and your family might need you....and you book that flight, stay in a hotel with a woman you just met, and hope that you don't make a complete fool out of yourself in front of 20 strangers!

I was lucky enough to have contact with another fellow traveler, Kirsten of Sweet Tea and Saving Grace. She picked me up at the airport and off to IKEA we went to shop and get to know each other!

Thanks Kirsten, for not being a 60-year old male pedophile named Hank who drives a white van! 

I did not take my big fancy camera on this trip (what was I thinking??). So all of my photos were taken with my trusty little iphone, I apologize!

Saturday morning came and we were up bright eyed and bushy tailed, and were greeted by a beautiful sunny sky....Prayers answered!

I took a video of us actually pulling into Myquillyn's property, but I might sound a little giddy and teenager-ish , so that video will stay private! Ha!

The first glimpse of her home, power-lines (which she hates, but you really don't even see until you take a picture and notice them for the first time) and all. I really love the tin roof and wrap-around porch! The Smiths bought this "fixer-upper" 12 acres a year and half ago, and are slowly Nester-izing it.

The gathering was in her Barn that she recently made over from an old green machine shed to this:

The Nester's motto is It Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful. She lives by those standards and it is so inspiring! There is a porch to the left of her barn, and it is exactly the look and feel that I someday want to achieve on our back deck/porch. 

Inside the barn, the decor was understated elegance. There were these vignettes that were inspired by her signature look and perfect for a group of women who are learning how to make our homes cozy and minimalistic.

The barn has an attached office with a little bathroom. Super adorable, and convenient! It also has the world's most cutest little kitchen inside....

From MJ

 Myquillyn took this picture of Kirsten and I, with a real camera!

We toured the 12 acre property which used to be a Saw Mill. The structures are time-worn and picturesque. I see so much potential in this acreage, and somehow it looks beautiful untouched and left alone.

The day was full of laughs, conversations, tasty food, inspiration, a fun swap-meet....

A field trip on perspective....

This tree is across from a busy intersection and a Wal-Mart. You practically don't even see it, but when you look at it from a different angle on the other side of the road, all you see is this majestic tree and the beautiful art of God! 

We also had the chance to help an organization called Sole Hope. I am going to post about that life-saving group and the family that started it on another post....

I could have, and probably SHOULD have taken more pictures to remember this day. But when you are in the moment and having a ball, you tend to forget to take pictures...or maybe you just want to actually enjoy the moments and breathe them in.

If any of you who went to the Barn that day are reading this....I just want to say that I will never forget being in your presence. Being with like-minded women was thrilling, and I wish we could have made a whole week out of it...6 hours was not nearly long enough! 

And Myquillyn, meeting you was like meeting up with an old friend....you made me feel so comfortable, and at ease....I feel blessed to now call you my friend! Thanks for the extra push to follow my dream!

p.s. we did spend some time inside The Nester's home, I will be back soon to share some photos of that and why her home inspires mine so much! 

p.s.s. Make sure you sign up for Myquillyn's Cozy Minimalist Course. You will NOT regret it!!