On Sunday, our church had their annual church picnic.  We hold our picnic at different locations throughout the years, but this year one of our church families offered their farm as the picnic location. 

It was a beautiful place to gather for a summer get together.

This farm has been in their family had been in the owner's family for many years.  It is a working Christmas tree farm.

So much history is contained in their old farm house.  The orginal part was built in the 1700s and the new part added in the 1800s.  Warm, down home hospitality was evident from the time we arrived until we left.

Lots of fresh flowers from the gardens, were placed in old canning jars and decorated the many tables in the tent, and on the grounds.

The owner's wife and gracious hostess holds one of the blueberry pies that she made, from the blueberries in her garden.

I wanted to share a picture of the sunroom that the owner built, because I wanted you to see the hardwood floors that he just installed.  The wood floors are from the home's attic.  He removed the floors from the attic and placed them in the sunroom.  The darker floors were from the orginal house and the lighter floors were from the 1800s house addition.  What ingenuity!  Instead of paying for new wooden flooring, he removes it from the attic to the sunroom.

I wish you could see the view from the windows of this room.  Miles of lush green farmland.

She grows lots of mint tea in her garden.

Which means she had gallons of iced cold mint tea for our hot, sunny afternoon.  It tasted so good!

A father and son team provided the ingredients and the man power to make homemade ice cream.  The old fashion way, of course.  It sure takes lots of time and muscles to turn so much ice cream.
They made vanilla, strawberry, and coffee(my favorite) ice cream.

Old and young alike, were happy to eat this rare treat.

My nephew's son thought that he struck the jackpot, being able to sit on the grass, with his own bowl of soft ice cream.  Oh, the fun of picnics!

After our Pastor's time of sharing, and the singing together of many meaningful songs, we were in for an added treat.

This couple's daughter planned a surprise vowel renewal service, for her parents, a dear couple from our church.

They have been married many years, and she planned this special service just for them, wedding tee shirts, flowers, and some unexpected guests included.  It added a memorable touch to our outdoor picnic.

We wish them both, many more years together!

It was a Summer 2012 picnic that we won't soon forget.