I have been waiting a whole year to publish these photos from last November's picture-perfect Thanksgiving Day with friends in the country, west of Petaluma, tucked away from the bustle of town, a ways off spectacular, rustic and relatively remote Chileno Valley Road.
Our collaborative, communal Thanksgiving in the Barn took a fair bit of strageic planning ahead of time for our hosts, as far as sorting out sufficient lighting and heat for an earthy, semi-outdoor festive gathering and successfully hot dinner!
Several families pitched in to put together a traditional menu that extended to mulled wine and toffee apples upon arrival, heated over a camping stove, gluten-free dessert options later on and a safely contained camp fire for after-dark drinks and story telling.
Woollen sweaters, hats, mittens and boots were the order of the day, though it didn't rain and thankfully, wasn't a bit muddy underfoot. A long afternoon walk down a country lane, sketching in the artists barn studio, china and crystal ware on the barn table.
We all cherish the memory of that particular Thanksgiving for its spontaneity, simplicity and spirit of community amongst friends and neighbors sharing a common bond of being far away from extended family.
gosh a little different to my only thanksgiving experience at petaluma. it was so warm we were all having a meal in the sun
Posted by: frances mum | Wednesday, November 16, 2025 at 11:42 AM