The barn my dad built

There was a time when my number one hobby goal was to own a real wooden barn. Oh, I had lots of cardboard stand-ins...

but my horses deserved so much better! I spent long hours obsessing over the barns in my Breyer manuals...

and nearly died of jealousy when my friend Cindy got the "Western Stable." 

Little did I know, something far better was headed my way! This beautiful three stall barn was one of my father's earliest woodworking projects.

Dad spared no detail. Unlike the Breyer barns of the day, my barn had hinged doors,

rafters,

and shingles.

There were hooks for my bridles,

and at one point, there was a lovely metal weather vane on the roof. Sadly time has taken its toll. My barn is looking a bit worn and a lot dusty these days.

Still, it's a pretty wonderful barn. It may not be the best thing my dad ever made, but it's definitely my favorite!