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I've always been a perfectionist. When I was younger, this trait was applauded, as my constant striving for the optimal result forced me to exceed expectations in any aspect of my life I could control. But, as time went on, it left me paralyzed. I would stand at the starting line and never let my foot fall on the other side because I couldn’t predict a perfect finish. This pattern went on for years, and slowly my world grew smaller and smaller. It wasn’t until I started designing over 30 years ago that I was forced to confront this fear head-on as I became acquainted with the design process. The design process is not for the faint of heart, and it is most definitely not a comfortable journey to embark on if constant perfection is your goal. It’s a messy process, a winding road that forces you to lean into the discomfort of maneuvering around a bend without knowing what is on the other side. It runs you through the whole gamut of emotions, from excitement to dread, from feeling secure to lost in a matter of moments. When I first began, I spent many days sitting behind my desk with my head in my hands, trying to keep my eyes from watering as I stared, completely overwhelmed, at a blank slate. I would spend hours trying to identify the “perfect” first step that would minimize failure and make the entire process more comfortable. I started project after project this way until I slowly realized that I had been approaching it all wrong. The only way to get comfortable was to make a decision, with no idea if it was the “right” one, and just work from there. It feels akin to what I imagine skydiving feels like — the first idea, the leap into the free fall, and every idea after that a parachute that eventually leads you to a safe landing. Throughout this time, I also discovered a love for antiques. Rather than being drawn towards the refurbished cabinets with a fresh coat of untainted paint and sparkly new hardware, I found myself enthralled by pieces that looked their age — cracked leather couches, scratched tables, and quirky clocks. As time went on, I started to apply this love of imperfections to myself, seeking out my perceived flaws and attempting to admire them in the same way I admired a storied scratch. Throughout my career, I’ve learned a lot. I know how to arrange a living room to feel cozy, the ideal height for a dining room table, and how to pair patterns. I’ve also learned that perfection should never be the end goal because it doesn’t exist in the terms we apply to the idea. The process is perfect because it is a journey, it’s perfect for all the reasons we believe it is not. It’s a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, one that is full of unexpected beauty that allows for much more joy in the end. What is a lesson you’ve learned from an unexpected teacher? I would love to hear about them in the comments. xx Brooke

“Are we there yet?” A question that has been bellowed from the backseat of cars or with dragging feet. I remember presenting my parents with this infamous query on trips both long and short, and later my kids doing the same to me.  It’s a universally human cry, one that showcases our impatience for the journey. I have been posing this question to myself as a year of living in a construction zone at Patina Meadow has come and gone. To be honest, while I can envision the peaceful future we will have at our farm, at the moment it is not as picturesque, especially as the pristine blanket of snow that covered the property last week melts away to reveal reality, one that includes more plywood and mud than I would prefer. I can’t tell you how many times I have dreamed of fast-forwarding a bit to when everything here is completed and my space can once again feel like a quaint haven. But, I’ve noticed that once I allow those thoughts to become the most prevalent in my mind, I get sucked into a spiral of despair that swallows me, and all the things I love about my life, whole. I’ve realized that life lies in the in-between, in the moments between the first inspiration and the finished creation. If I wish to jump to the future, I miss out on the unexpected beauties that lie in between. While living in an active work zone, so many wonderful things have come to fruition in other aspects of my life that I would have rushed by on my way to the finish line if a more naive version of myself was given a remote to fast-forward to the future. There are still days when I wallow, where I look out on buildings that feel will never be done and am flooded with a sense of impatience. But, in those moments I remind myself that all of this is life, no matter how slow or how fast it feels like it is passing by, it still is, and to wish it away is not something to aspire to. We are meant to feel it all, to bask in the glory of all the experiences because they are all life in the making So I still ask the question, “Are we there yet?”, but I make sure I don’t forget to look out the window to admire the view as it swiftly passes by. What is something in life you are trying to get more comfortable with? I would love to have a discussion with you all in the comments. xx Brooke

After living my whole life in California, I imagined that winter would be my least favorite season in our new home, a series of months that I need to grin and bear it through to get to the warmth on the other side. However, I haven’t found that to be the case. In a surprising turn of events, I’ve come to enjoy winter, and this week was a testiment as to why. On Monday, we got our first snow of the year. Inch after inch, it fell on the land. With construction materials obscured and crews safely in their homes, it felt like a blank canvas that we could paint with our dreams of a more peaceful future. Serving her role as our best design partner, Mother Nature embellished the land, dusting the rooftops and carpeting the floor with a reminder of her whimsy. Steve and I spent our days enjoying the restful reprieve and caring for our animals, who we found were much more prepared for this winter weather than we gave them credit for. While our goats and sheep stayed tucked in the barn... ...our donkeys, cows, dogs, and even the pigs, braved the elements, exploring their winter wonderland with their built-in fur coats. Meanwhile, in the forest, the leaves on trees that drifted to the forest floor months ago are now replaced by a dusting of snowflakes. Beneath the branches, the snowfall covers the floor, serving as a living tapestry for all those who pass through. It silences the noise and allows the songs and pecks of the birds to be amplified. For a moment, I forget about the cold and immerse myself in the natural world and its wonders. This week reminded me that winter is a time to embrace the sweetness of rest. We often move through this season not paying attention to the way that nature takes heed of this lesson. But, on snowy days, where there is nothing we can do to fight against the falling flakes that will soon bring the world to a momentary halt, we can lean in. I am grateful to have had this time to slow down and participate in the restful nature of this season. I hope that you and your family were able to as well. Sending warm wishes your way. xx Brooke

It’s a new year, which has come to mean many things, but the thing that stands out the most to me is setting New Year's resolutions. I stepped away from New Year's resolutions a long time ago. While I think they can be helpful to get a grasp on the steering wheel if you’ve veered off course, to me, that was not the result. On January 1st, I would make a promise to myself to be “better”, to work “harder”, and to become the person I was “meant to be” on this year’s journey around the sun. I would then spend the next 11 months and 30 days with their loftiness hanging over my head as I impatiently attempted to change my very character. Rather than serving as motivation, I found the idea of carving goals into stone on the first day of the year quite overwhelming. Each resolution served as a reminder that I could always be doing more, that I could always be more. With each passing year, the goals would stack up.  I would complete some, weaving more helpful habits into my tapestry of life, but others would sit, and still do sit, gathering dust on the shelf in my mind.  Rather than focusing on the small ways I improved myself over a year, I would pontificate on how I could have done more. When I got older I began to distance myself from the holiday of New Year's, ditching the cultural phenomenon of a new year for a personal celebration of a new day with each rising sun. This abandoning of yearly resolutions made room for the creation of attainable daily goals, and chances for me to make more of everyday moments rather than a hasty demand to make more of myself. Instead of seeing myself as a problematic appliance that needed a thorough inspection and system update every 365 days, I started seeing myself as an ever-evolving human being who didn’t always need to be more than she was. While I still make time to think about long-term goals,  it is no longer an act of self-mutilation, but rather an act of self-appreciation, an exciting chance to dream. There are still moments where I find my mind mulling over the ways I haven’t done enough during a year. Still, rather than focusing on my perceived shortcomings, I turn my attention to the abundance of beauty and opportunity that lies in every moment, not just midnight on January 1st. I hope this post inspired you to give yourself some grace, to take a step back to see how far you've come and not how far you feel you still have left to go. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I look forward to connecting more with you all this year. xx Brooke

I am excited to announce that our shop, Patina Home & Garden, will have a booth at the incredible Antique and Garden Show of Nashville from January 12-14, 2024! Our booth will feature a selection of our European antiques, one-of-a-kind Giannetti plaster pieces, and some of our favorite home and garden accessories, like our Cecile Preziosa ceramics & Patina X Linnea candles. Steve and I will also be signing books! This also feels like a great time to tell you about our Patina Home & Garden designer discount program! If you are a fellow designer and present us a copy of your resale license, we will give you 10% off all of our antique furniture pieces. This program is always available to you in our shop and online store, and it will also be active at the show! While this is our first time creating a booth as Tennessee residents, Steve and I have a bit of history with this exposition. 7 years ago, Steve and I visited Nashville for the first time and attended the Antique and Garden Show. We walked around for hours, marveling at the wide selection of some of the most unique antiques we had ever seen and the stunning garden designs. The only thing that topped the charming displays was the welcoming & gracious Nashville design community. Some of my favorite vignettes from our first year attending the show. The following year, in 2017, Steve and I were honored to be invited to give a presentation on Patina Farm, our home at the time in Ojai, CA. Again, we were in awe of the selection and the people. The same year, we also decided to have a booth of our own! We were still living in California at the time, so Steve sketched a booth and we shipped all of our pieces to Nashville to put it all together. It was so lovely to be surrounded by like-minded designers who love the storied beauty of antiques as much as we did. We’ve attended almost every year since, finding many exquisite pieces for ourselves and our clients, including our front desk at the shop, and the stunning French display case behind it! Now that we are settled in our new shop in Leiper’s Fork, we are excited to return to the show floor, this time as a part of the Nashville design community we have come to adore. I hope you’ll visit our Patina Home & Garden booth and say hi! xx Brooke

A little over two and a half years ago, I entered a pottery studio for the first time. Pottery was always something I was enthralled by. It’s a dance between the artist and the clay, a natural medium that insists on taking the lead. After many years of watching others create, I decided that it was time for me to try and learn. During my first class, I sat timidly behind the wheel and watched with amazement as the instructor created a beautiful vase from a ball of mud. After she finished, she said the words I had been both dreading and yearning for, “OK, your turn!” Ever since then, I have been creating pieces of my own. For a while, I would sit behind the wheel and throw pots, but I noticed that thanks to my less-than-perfect back, I was leaving my calming time of creative expression achy rather than renewed. That’s when I started making pinch pots and bringing Patina Ceramics to life. Sitting behind my desk, I’d roll porcelain into a ball and begin pinching. Over and over, round and round, I lightly pressed the clay between my fingertips, lost in the act, bringing forth the delicate forms that before had only lived in my imagination. I would glaze the pieces with a celadon glaze and place them on my shelves, but it felt like something was missing. It was also around this time that I started doodling. What began as a way to quiet my fear brain during plane rides (which I loathe), turned into one of my favorite past times. Inspired by the refuge I found on our farm, I began drawing whimsical depictions of the flora and fauna around me in my sketchbook. And then one day, I decided to combine my two artistic expressions into one, and it felt like I had finally brought a part of my soul to light. I am so excited to be able to share some of these pieces with all of you. I hope that they bring you joy. If there is something that you have been wanting to try, but feel like perhaps you are too old, or don’t have it in you, consider this a sign to give it a go. You never know what you could create, or what parts of you it could bring to light. xx Brooke

Since moving to Tennessee, my love for holiday decor has grown. In California, the warm weather and beach breeze didn’t lend itself to the most festive feelings for me. But here, I find myself inspired to adorn my home and our store when December rolls around. We had our annual Holiday Party at Patina Home & Garden this past weekend, and while the halls of the main space of our store were decked with our selection of Christmas decor for sale, our Farm Shop felt like it needed some holiday cheer. While some opt for bright red bows and sparkly garland, I find myself drawn to a more natural palette and odes to the seasonal beauty of nature that is unfolding around us. While the leaves have fallen off the deciduous trees in the forest, the evergreen species remain, standing as green beacons in a sea of grey. This year, I chose to bring this verdancy indoors and feature rosemary shrubs and evergreen wreaths. The rosemary topiaries engage not only the eyes but also the nose, filling the air with the sweet herbal aroma. The wreath I placed on the shelves behind our counter pulled the space together by adding another level of foliage. Nature’s influence on my decor doesn’t stop at the tree line. Inspired by the forest floor, I sprawled pine cones out along the table and placed some in pots to add some textural interest. I also positioned some purple ornamental cabbage on the countertop. I love how the vibrant cool hue pops against the greenery around them. For height and a sweet scent, I placed blooming paperwhite bulbs around the arrangement. Since these winter flowering beauties usually only bloom once, I add another succession of them about a week later, extending the period of their decorative allure in the space. By focusing on natural seasonal decor, I find myself grounded in this season's restful essence, allowing my space to serve as a respite during this time of year. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about how I choose to decorate for the holiday season. I would love to hear how you choose to decorate for this magical time of year. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season! xx Brooke

I can't believe that the year is almost over. As I age, I find that the years seem shorter. Moments that used to feel like they lasted a lifetime, start to feel fleeting. That’s part of the reason that I enjoy the holiday of Thanksgiving so much. Not only is it a chance to gather with those who are closest to me, but it also gives me time to slow down and reflect on what I am grateful for. In those moments of gratitude, I find quiet peace. A second where I am not focused on what I need to get done, but a time where I can turn my attention to what is already right in front of me. So today, with the stress of the end of the year buzzing in my head, I wanted to take a moment to turn inwards and give thanks for a few things that have made this year so sweet. FAMILY & COMMUNITY This last year has been whirlwind. From moving across the country to starting a new store to establishing our new farm, Patina Meadow, I could not have gotten through the sometimes chaotic moments without my family and community. Spending time with Steve and our children, Charlie, Nick, and Leila, reminds me of what is truly important in this life and allows the stress of distractions to melt away. They are my guiding lights and their support is a pillar that holds me up. One of the highlights of this year was getting to create new community in our new hometown of Leiper’s Fork. I have met so many incredible people who I am blessed to now call friends who have helped me acclimate to this new home of ours. During this time, I have also been able to strengthen my bond with all of you through this blog and my social media. I thoroughly enjoy reading and responding to your comments and am honored that you have chosen to embark on this journey with me. As new connections formed over dinner & coffee and online through comments & posts, I was reminded of the warmth and joy that relationships bring into the fabric of our lives. NATURE There have been many overwhelming moments this year, as I am sure there have been for you as well. During these times, when anxious thoughts flood my brain, I look out my back windows and glance at the grazing animals. I’ll step outside and take a walk through the woods and marvel at the mushrooms and wildflowers popping up all around. I revel in the sounds of the birds chirping and the leaves swaying in the wind. In the midst of a chaotic world, there exists a sanctuary in nature- a peaceful place to go and rest that is always there for us. THE LITTLE THINGS While grand events add excitement to life, it is often moments that are taken for granted as mundane that enrich my life with joy. Whether it be my morning routine with the animals, or freshly cut flowers from the garden, or conversing with a kind stranger at the farmers market. Life is an amalgamation of these small moments enhanced by the once-in-a-lifetime ones, and I am grateful to be able to experience them all. I hope this inspired you to take a step back and take some time to think about the things that you love about your life. I would love to hear a few of them in the comments below. I am grateful to be on this journey with you. xx Brooke

It is almost time for Thanksgiving, and while my favorite part of this holiday is gathering together with my loved ones and sharing our gratitude (and pumpkin pie of course!), I also enjoy designing the table that serves as a backdrop to the memories that will be created. I know it can be bit overwhelming to do, so, today, I wanted to share some of my tips for curating a beautiful holiday table-scape that elevates the joy that the presence of our loved ones brings. START WITH A BLANK CANVAS The foundation of your Thanksgiving table design begins with the table itself. Clear everything off of your table and see what you’re working with! You can either keep it bare, or dress it with a tablecloth or runner. I decided to adorn my tabletop with an antique tapestry fragment. The muted autumnal tones and nature-inspired scene serve as wonderful inspiration for the rest of my choices. PICK YOUR PLATES & LAYER WITH LINEN Drawing off the colors in the tapestry, I decided to use my Cecile Preziosa plates in Meadow, which if you have following my blog for any length of time, is probably not surprising to you! I love using linen as the main material on my table. It adds a rustic touch and is easily washable, which is perfect for this sometimes messy holiday! To add dimension to my setting, I am layering two of my favorite linen napkins and securing them together with brass napkin rings. I love how the shiny brass juxtaposes the roughness of the napkins. NATURE-INSPIRED CENTERPIECES As always, I am looking to nature is one of my biggest inspirations. This year, I’ve chosen dried marigolds from the Bloomerie (which are available in our shop if you live nearby!) and foraged acorns to add autumnal color and interest to the center of the table. I arranged the long flowers in groups of three bud vases between seats as to not obscure conversation flowing across the table. I love how they add dimension without feeling too imposing. You could achieve a similar goal with short branches with fall foliage, or tall grasses. I’ve also added some lower tea light candles to add a subtle and cozy illumination to the table. I placed them in shiny votive glasses to add a magical shimmer as well! To me, designing is all about creating spaces, or in this case a table, that will compliment the experiences that will happens in and around them. Don't feel the need to go overboard to create a grand statement if you don't want to. Keeping it simple with my favorite napkins & placemats, florals & foliage, and candles, allows me more time to enjoy what really matters on this holiday: my family and friends. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them in the comments. If you would like to add any of my favorite items to your holiday table, you can shop most of them here at Patina Home & Garden! And, for a limited time, get 10% off placemats & napkins, candles, and napkin rings with the code "GIVETHANKS"! xx Brooke

10 years ago, my family and I created our first vegetable garden in the front yard of our home in the Santa Monica suburbs. What started as an attempt to connect more deeply with nature evolved into a different passion. After we harvested our first veggies and used them for our dinner, we fell in love with the idea of becoming more self-sufficient. We loved that we knew exactly how our produce was grown, and that I didn’t have to depend upon a grocery store a car ride away to supply my family with nutritious food. A journey that began with a delicious salad has led us to our 100-acre homestead, Patina Meadow, where we are continuing our pursuit by increasing our garden production area, growing our flock of chickens, and more. But, like the beginning of this story shows you, you don’t need a large farm to begin your journey to independence. As we head into winter, it is the perfect time to start planning for next year, so you’re ready to hit the ground running if you would like. So, today I wanted to share some steps you can take to be more self-reliant! START WITH A SMALL GARDEN I always recommend people start this journey in the same way we did, with a garden. I’ve covered creating a larger garden in previous posts, but what if you’re short on space or time? No problem. Container gardening is a versatile solution that allows you to cultivate plants in pots, hanging baskets, and even recycled containers. You can grow everything from tomatoes and potatoes to aromatic herbs. Container gardening brings the green into small spaces, making your surroundings more beautiful and functional. Certain perennial plants like dwarf varieties of fruit trees, blueberries, and herbs like rosemary & thyme can be planted in pots too! If you want to delve deeper into gardening, I recommend checking out The New Organic Gardener by Eliot Coleman. It is a wonderful resource for all things gardening! RAISE BACKYARD CHICKENS If local regulations permit, consider keeping a few backyard chickens. They provide a steady supply of fresh eggs and even help with pest control in your garden. Chickens are relatively low-maintenance and can be accommodated in small spaces. If you want to learn more, check out the book, The Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens: How to Raise a Happy Backyard Flock by Anne Kou. We also share some of our tips and tricks in our book, Patina Living. LEARN ESSENTIAL SKILLS Self-sufficiency often requires acquiring new skills. You may have heard the saying, “A jack of all trades is a master of none,” but that isn’t the full saying! The complete verbiage is “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but better than a master of one.” Leila and our good friend Kerri have been learning more about herbalism. Here's Leila harvesting Tulsi for a tea! Image by Kate Dearman If you can learn how to sew, mend, forage, cook from scratch, and perform basic home repairs on your home, you can not only be more self-reliant, your confidence will grow in the process. CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY But with that being said, you don’t need to do everything alone, and in fact, I wouldn't recommend it! Join a local gardening club, or a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, or head over to your local farmers market! Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for sustainable living. You can exchange knowledge, seeds, and even surplus produce for eggs if you would rather not raise chickens or visa versa! If you take one thing from this post, it should be that it doesn’t need to be all or nothing. 10 years into this quest, we aren’t fully self-sufficient, and truthfully, unless we absolutely need to be, we don’t want to be. We enjoy certain luxuries that come with this modern life and don’t feel the need to completely isolate ourselves from them. But, I will say that taking small steps towards independence has made us more confident in our abilities and healthier both physically and mentally. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them below! Happy growing :) Xx Brooke

One year ago, we opened Patina Home & Garden in Leiper’s Fork, TN, and what a wonderful year it has been! We first visited this magical town 7 years ago. As we drove down to the quaint main street surrounded by rolling hills & flowing creeks, we immediately knew it was something special. The only thing that topped the beautiful surroundings were the people. Every shop we entered, we were greeted with a smile and a welcoming warmth that made us feel at home. Year after year, we continued to visit, spending the days stopping in the shops or sitting by Leiper’s Creek, and listening to live music and chatting with locals at Fox and Locke. After each exploration, we felt a stronger and stronger pull to move our lives here Finally, in 2021, we decided to take the leap of faith to purchase what is now Patina Meadow, a 100 acre piece of land located 10 minutes from the town we had grown to love so much. As we were deep into planning our move, we received a call from Aubrey & Michelle Preston, the owners of a very special building in the center of town. The previous tenant was going to close her shop, and they were wondering if we would like to open one up in its place. Steve and I looked at each other with both excitement and trepidation. We were in the midst of making the biggest move of our life, could we really add this to our plate? And then we thought of the community that made us fall in love with Leiper’s Fork in the first place. We knew we wanted to be a part of it in some way, and what better way than opening a shop on the main street. And so, perhaps naively, we said yes, and added the transformation of the space into Patina Home and Garden to our to-do list. The building itself is from the 1800s, serving first as the general store, then a post office, and more recently, two beloved antique stores. No matter the items it housed, it was always a gathering space for our new home town. We knew we wanted to maintain its history, but we also wanted to build upon it. We let our love of community, nature, and history guide our dreams, and in October of last year, we opened our doors for the first time. This last year in our shop has exceeded our wildest dreams. Like I stated before, the main motivation for this shop was community, and I can say for certain that this has been my favorite part of this last year. So many incredible people, from near and far, have entered our shop through our creaky door. Some to grab home goods, provisions, or skincare for themselves and their family... others to take a slow moment to sit on the leather sofas in our Picker’s Corner to strum a tune or take a moment to flip through one of our many books. We’ve also hosted classes, book signings, and other events that have allowed us to share our love of design, nature, and community with all of you. Whether you have visited us one, or a dozen times, thank you so much. This last year would not have been possible without you. And we know that this is just the beginning! Recently, Hanks Coffee Station opened up the Pit Stop at Patina, an adorable coffee cart in our courtyard, adding another space where we can all gather together, this time with delicious coffee and pastries. We look forward to hosting more classes and events at our shop, and starting next spring, at our farm, in the Shed at Patina Meadow. Our curriculum will range from pottery to foraging, all with the intent of bringing all of us closer to nature and the abundance it provides. Speaking of nature and its abundance next year, our Patina Farm Shop will be filled with fresh organically grown produce & flowers from Patina Meadow, grown by our daughter, Leila. Even if you haven’t had a chance to visit our shop yet, thank you for supporting us here and on social media. Steve, Leila, and I feel so lucky to have such a supportive community both in person and online. As a celebration of one year of Patina Home and Garden, we will be adding a free Patina Home and Garden Tote to all online orders of $100 or more, so head over to our shop and pick out some items to help you design a life you love. Thank you again for all of your support. We are so grateful to be on this journey with you! Xx Brooke

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisper, Patina Meadow comes alive with the vibrant colors of fall. While I decorate our porch with pumpkins and begin donning cozy sweaters, the animals of Patina Meadow have their own unique ways of preparing for the autumn season. Join me as I take a closer look at the diverse and charming residents of our homestead and how they embrace my favorite season. OUR GOATS Our four playful goats, Sammy, Ida, Dot, and Thelma, are always up for a new adventure. In preparation for the cooler weather, they spend their days munching on the last bits of fresh green grass and exploring the meadow. Their growing coats keep them toasty warm during the chillier nights, and their curious nature ensures they'll find every last leaf to nibble on. OUR DONKEYS Huckleberry, Blossom, and Daisy, our three delightful donkeys, are the heart and soul of Patina Meadow. They enjoy the respite from flies that this season bring, as they graze contentedly, knowing that winter hay is on the horizon. OUR HIGHLAND COWS Our four majestic Highland cows, Beatrice, Clementine, Adelaide, and Annabel, with their shaggy coats and serene demeanor, are well-suited to the fall weather. They graze leisurely, and their thick fur keeps them cozy through the chillier nights. We recently let them into a fresh pasture, and they are happier than ever munching on the untouched grasses & flowers. OUR POTBELLY PIGGIES Hank, Alice, and Prudence, our three lovable potbelly pigs, are not only great companions but also diligent foragers. As the pastures begin to fill with fallen acorns, mushrooms, and walnuts, they root through the soil in search of tasty morsels, while taking plenty of time to rest. OUR LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS Our vigilant Anatolian Shepherds, Blue, Nyla, Samson, and Jade take their role as protectors seriously, and as fall arrives, their watchful eyes become even more focused. They are the guardians of Patina Meadow, ensuring the safety of all the animals that call this place home. OUR SHEEP The five sheep at Patina Meadow, Cash, Linen, Paisley, Flannel, and Mo, have already begun their annual woolly transformation. Their thick fuzzy fleece will keep them warm (and extra cute) in the quickly approaching winter months. They spend their days grazing peacefully, content in the knowledge that they are well-prepared for the upcoming season. OUR FLOCK Let's not forget our feathered friends! The guinea fowl and chickens continue to delight us with their bustling activities. They scratch through fallen leaves, looking for tasty insects and grubs, while the guinea fowl add their unique calls to the symphony of autumn. As autumn settles in at Patina Meadow, it's clear that every creature, great and small, plays a vital role in maintaining the beauty and balance of our beloved homestead. Each animal's unique preparations for the fall season contribute to the tapestry of life here, creating a harmonious and enchanting atmosphere. We look forward to sharing the warmth and charm of this season with all who visit Patina Meadow. How are you embracing this magical time of year? Be sure to let me know in the comments! xx Brooke