Fleeting Fall Days

In between snow flurries and early morning frosts, these golden afternoons hold their currency in gold.  Washed in soft, glowing sunlight it feels cruel to be anywhere but beside  the Methow River enjoying the fleeting days of fall.

 

Jim & Andy

I should have known that these two butterflies circling each other, and the grounds all weekend were a harbinger of great things to come.  Because great things kept coming all weekend: weather, music, friends and drink abounded as friends and family gathered to celebrate a relationship that is already 27 years strong.

Jim and Andy’s marriage ceremony began with their daughter, Jessie and local Olympian (and community heroine) Laura McCabe serenading the guests in a flute, violin duet.  Tears poured freely as the conservatory trained flutist and violinist played on the front porch of the Ranch House.  The officiants exposed on meeting the two gentlemen during a bike trip in Finland decades ago and had many personal anecdotes, poems, and advice to share.

A sun drenched evening full of great food, tasty beverages, happy socializing and lots and lots of dancing ensued.  If you’ve ever wondered what a dance party full of ultra-marathoners, extreme skiers and bikers looks like I can happily report that the joy and energy was unparalleled and long lasting- just like the feted couple!

Photography:  Friends / Venue: Spring Creek Ranch / Flowers: Heather MacArthur / Catering:  Sunflower Catering / Rentals:  All Season’s Events / Drinks:  Laurel Canaan /

Kayla & Jesse

What happens when a girl who owns beautiful horses falls in love with a boy who owns his own horse-drawn wagon?  They get married of course!

When Kayla contacted me last year about holding her wedding at Spring Creek Ranch I was simply thrilled.  I had often admired her beautiful, oil paintings and developed a great respect for her hardworking parents who farm our 20 acres of alfalfa hay each year.  Kayla’s family farms bucolic hay fields all over the Methow Valley and the realization that she wanted to marry Jesse at a place that she and her family worked felt… significant.

Now that their amazing day filled with horses and a carriage, pigs and salmon, schoolgirl friends and Marine Comrades is over and our alfalfa awaits the first cut of the year, I am ever so grateful that another local family was able to celebrate together in a place they call home.

Working the land and taking vows, together at Spring Creek Ranch.

Venue:  Spring Creek Ranch, Winthrop, WA :: All Photos: Joel Ang Photography– used with the generous permission of the photographer :: Floral Design:  Fawn Meadow Design :: Catering: Joel Travelstead :: Cakes: Rocking Horse Bakery :: Tents, tables and chairs: Ok’s Cascade

 

Celestial Cinema 2013!

Dates chosen (check), screen and sound reserved (yup), movies picked (you betcha), poster designed (you rock, Sarah!), non-profit organizations onboard and excited to share in the magic of…

YES!  We’re moving full steam ahead with a great line up of films: Disney/Pixar’s animated film, “Up” and Warner Brothers/Amblin Entertainment’s epic tale, “The Goonies”.  Spring Creek Ranch is proud to support two great non-profit organizations this year: The Confluence Gallery and Little Star Montessori School.  Can’t wait to see you all there!

Posted by Spring Creek Ranch at 9:46 pm

With a Magnifier and Matzoh

It always amazes me how fast Spring can come on.  

Two days ago I gave a tour around Spring Creek Ranch to a lovely couple from Seattle considering the ranch for their nuptials and I found myself having to promise that the ranch would indeed green up.  I promised over and over that the tight buds would stretch open, thirsty for the warm sun and spring rains.

And in no less than twenty four hours (after they left- no less) we got a little bit of precipitation and warm sun and BOOM- it is almost as if I can watch the Cottonwood buds unfolding.  It is a spectacular site and smell. Oh, the Cottonwood stands all over the ranch smell like glowing honey.  Or at least what I imagine honey would smell like if it could glow.

So as the local temps soared through the 70 degree marker today I found our family in a brand new rhythm.  No longer does ever voyage outside take 10 minutes to dress each member in the appropriate boots, gloves, hat and snow suit- no!  Now crocs are the default footwear and the day became a flow between baseball, tennis(for the first time!), climbing rocks, then trees, flying a kite, chasing chickens and my favorite- the pre-dinner walk to the river.

Walking along the river before dinner, with a magnifying glass and leftover Matzoh.  Does a Spring day get better than this?