Fall Foliage: Western Massachusetts

There is nothing quite like seeing summer change into fall. Fall is my favorite season. The smells. The leaves changing. Apple picking. Pumpkins. Indian corn. Sunflowers. Crisp mornings and evenings. And this week I had the opportunity to travel to the Pioneer Valley with my dear friend Rikki. It was a rather quick visit, but we got to visit Hallmark and made what has become an annual trip to our friend Kristin's farm.

We enjoyed a lovely visit with our incredibly talented artist-friend. Kristin chatted with us as she prepared homemade chicken soup. Then we walked outside and the dogs herded the sheep around the property. Kristin's house backs up to a mountain, and the view was simply incredible. We ended our visit with Kristin preparing a beautiful bouquet with some of the last flowers of the season.

Enjoy some pictures of our day.

Leyden Glen Farm:: Leyden, MA

I've mentioned before a farm that I found out about while I was at photography school. While talking with a B&B owner, I learned of Leyden Glen Farms, specifically Kristin Nicholas. A few friends and I went to the farm while we were still at school; we were able to take some of our portfolio images on the gorgeous land that farm owners Kristin and Mark have. I blogged about them before - mostly showcasing their sheep.

Back in August, my friend Rikki and I took a trip back to the farm. We visited with Kristin, while Rikki did an interior shoot for a site she writes for. She did an incredible job of showcasing the amazing artist Kristin is. Kristin painted all of the rooms in her house. She has this ability to make the quaint spaces contain pops of color. The home-grown flowers are in gorgeous vases throughout the home. The kittens pulled on frayed blankets of the rocking chairs. Kristin's daughter, Julia, was abuzz with trying to find people to man a float for a local parade. We had a wonderful time catching up and hearing about the upcoming things Kristin has on her plate.

While Rikki's pictures are so much better than mine, I couldn't help but snap a few shots of Kristin's lovely home....and of course of the cute animals that are as much a part of the farm as Kristin and her family.

Just the other day, I read on Kristin's blog that Archie (one of the Great Pyrenees below) died. Kristin, I hope these pictures are great memories of your lovable dogs, esp. the one where they're nose to nose.