Only in Bucks County: Flags and Flowers

I've always loved the Fourth of July.
Not necessarily attending the fireworks or the parades, but more the anticipation of the parades and fireworks. Dreaming up desserts to be made with fresh blueberries and sliced strawberries and whipped cream, being outside in the sun-warmed grass and clover, and the thought of America pulling together for the day. 

Independence Day is also a favorite time of year visually.

July sunsets are spectacular, and gardens are in full bloom. Fruit bushes are bursting with blueberries and black raspberries, and I absolutely love the color combination of red, white and blue. 

I've always been thrilled by the sight of a flag, even just a tiny paper flag on a wooden stick topping a vanilla cupcake, or a miniature one being carried by a child in a parade.



I love the white stars against a backdrop of navy blue. 

I love seeing the red and white stripes of the flag waving behind rows of powder blue hydrangeas.

I love seeing flags lined along a white picket fence, contrasting with green grass and orange tiger lilies. 

It is exciting to spot a huge American flag hung across the front of a barn, but also exciting to see a flag hanging above the the doorway of a pastel painted home.

It is such a grand icon. 

Patriotic, yes; but there is something about a red, white and blue flag placed in a bed of roses or planted amidst a raspberry bush, that to me, is also the embodiment of summer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                       New Hope, PA

 

                                   

                          Newtown, PA

 

 

 

 

                                              

 

                                                                                   

 

Yardley, PA

 

 

                         

 

 

 

 

                                                                    

Newtown, PA

 

"And she's getting threadbare and she's wearing thin

But she's in good shape for the shape she's in

Cause she's been through the fire before

And I believe she can take a whole lot more

So we raise her up every morning, we take her down every night
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought, I do like to brag
'Cause I'm mighty proud of the Ragged Old Flag."

 

~Johnny Cash, Ragged Old Flag 

 

 

 

July 4, 2014

 

 

 

Only in Bucks County: Patterson Farm

   

There is a 230 acre farm here in Yardley that for lack of better words, is semi-abandoned. It is said that it boasts some of the best soil conditions not just in Bucks County, but in all of Pennsylvania. Currently, 180 acres are being used for farming. Otherwise, the barns and buildings have been sitting neglected since 2006! The combination of it being somewhat utilized, but in other respects abandoned, makes for a mysterious backdrop for a photo shoot. For me, there is something about an uninhabited building, especially these beautiful barns and farmhouses, that stirs my imagination and intrigues.

Each time I visit Patterson Farm I am drawn to its history and feel a connection to the people who lived there in an earlier time.

These are some shots I've taken at Patterson Farm over the past few months:

 

 

Satterthwaite Barn.

 

                           

                             

 

 

The original 2 Bedrooms of Satterthwaite House date back to at least 1759.

 

 

 

I'm not one to share my view often when it comes to politics or issues that are highly debatable, but I have chosen a stance on this one, and believe me, there was a lot of research and reading to do.

To me, it is a not only a shame, but also an embarrasment to the township that these well-built and very necessary barns and structures are being left to decay!

 

 

 

It's history and it's magical.

It's magical history.

SAVE PATTERSON FARM!

 

 

 

 

"The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on."

~Thomas Jefferson

Only in Bucks County: Bucks County's Most Challenging 5K

Hey Piggies!

Who runs almost two miles, eats an ENTIRE QUART of ice cream, then takes off to run another 1.6 miles? These folks did!
Last July, I was invited to photograph a unique event called "Jog n' Hog" at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, Bucks County. The participants jogged about two miles, stopped to hog on a ridiculous amount of ice cream, then jogged two miles back.
Since it was in National Ice Cream Day, and since Shady Brook Farm has it's own on-site Creamery, a quart of Uncle Dave's Homemade Ice Cream was chosen for the runners to 'pig out' on! 

 

Uncle Dave's Vanilla Beanie was the chosen flavor because of its smoothness and creaminess.

Race entrants were welcome to bring their own toppings! 

 

                                                                       Before the Hog.

 

 

               Preparing to hog!

 

The Official Pace Pig will once again run the course this year at Shady Brook Farm. 

Will your token say "I Beat The Pig", or "The Pig Beat Me"?

 With almost two miles more to run, it looks as though they can't believe they ate the whole thing.

 

 

 

WHOLE HOG OR HALF HOG... that is the question! 

The bravest runners registered in the “Whole Hogger Division,” and consumed an entire quart of ice cream at the race’s halfway point. Those who were less confident in their ability to "pig out" mid-run signed up to be "Half Hoggers," and had to wolf down only a pint of ice cream.

 

                                               First woman to cross the finish line! 

 

                                                          Her award. I'm jealous!

 

And so, the Third Annual Jog n' Hog race at Shady Brook Farm featuring

 Uncle Dave's Homemade Ice Cream is set for July 20, 2014!

 

You KNOW you want to try this!!

Click here to register!

 

 

 

          J.P. Allen of Wired 96.5, with a little brain freeze.

A double scoop of Uncle Dave's Billionaire's Chocolate.

Hey, what can I say... I'm in training!