Vol. 1 · No. 2 · Week of May 25, 2026

Welcome to Life at the Barn — a weekly dispatch from behind the scenes of our venue here in West Tennessee. If you have been thinking about hosting your wedding, event, or getaway with us, this is where you get the real version: the projects underway, the property coming into season, the small decisions and the bigger ones. We hope it gives you a feel for who we are and how much we love this place.

We love the history of this area. At yesterday’s wedding it came a flood just 30 minutes prior to music time and everything was set up outside. The ceremony for Mia and Brennan was moved inside while Dana and I started moving chairs back in. Beautiful wedding and it’s always good to have a backup plan when the weather sets in. Later, while drying them off, a gentleman attending asked us if we knew Ralph Hall and I said, “Yes sir, he built this barn 70 years ago, and we named it Saddle Oak Barn at Hall Place.” He remembered when it was a horse barn, dairy barn and used for other things. I really enjoy hearing stories that relate to the community, our property and family. We are too sentimental and we know it. Off topic, but I would like to know how sentiment has changed with generations. 

This Week

We’re going to need a bigger boat

Lots of rain, oh my Lord. I’m not complaining if it sounds like I am. The grass, flowers, and crops really needed a good drink of water. I was able to get those Sunjoy Barberries in the ground by the columns. They will stick you. Apparently deer proof means they have barbs. Maybe that will help keep the groundhogs out of them as well. 

The Property

A new project and my riding partner

We have been thinking about a new spot for pictures and maybe even a location for couples to say their vows and this may work. A little hillside spot that’s fairly shaded and a good opportunity to get some more plants. This is the layout for steps (between the flags) and we would like to build a couple of retaining walls on each side. Leaning towards natural stone walls and slabs for steps. The steps should be 5 ft wide, so there should be room for two.

We have two dachshunds, Ace and Oliver. We’ve had Ace for years and he is a mama’s boy, likes it inside and doesn’t do wet grass. We got Oliver back in March and he is a little wilder. At 5 months old, he still has a lot of puppy in him but he loves outside, water and anything to do with going. He has been riding a lot on the cart and helps when he can.

The Airbnb

I did not in fact get the mirror installed at the airbnb. It’s sitting on the back of the sink. Hopefully I’ll get it early this week and wrap this bathroom up. We are really enjoying the house and are proud of the remodel. I know it’ll get used a lot in the coming months. 

Growing Things

The Wildflower Bed — More Blooms

We have new blooms every day. The rain is so good for everything, so much better than what comes out of a water hose. I do fertilize everything but you can’t water as good as the rain. Dana wants to start harvesting rainwater. I am not opposed to it, I just think we would need a large tank to really make an impact through the summer. I might as well get that on the list.