november photo shoots at the barn

now booking

family photos at 

defoyd backyard farm

dates

november 10

november 11

november 17

november 25

(click on date to select a time)

alternate dates

if you'd like to schedule a shoot during the week 

(before or after school), 

just message me and we'll find a time!

(great for kiddo only shoots, homeschoolers or work-from-home families)

setting

the barn

hay bales

twinkle lights

swinging on the barn & tire swings

package

$125

15 minute shoots

receive a minimum of 10 digital files

to do with whatever you wish!

ready to book?

choose from the dates listed above. 

click on the date / link to secure your time slot.

if the dates above don't work for you, 

message me and we can work to find an alternative time. 

i'm really looking forward

to pausing time

and capturing the spirit of your family.

here's a peek 

at some recent

shoots here at the farm!

book 

your shoot

in 

n o v e m b e r!

(december dates to be announced soon)

i'm sorry wonder woman

one day last week i drank coffee from this cup,

channeling an inner wonder woman,

while sitting across the table from a dear friend.

fast forward to 2 hours later after i...

dropped off library books,
started dinner,

helped a friend with her plumber,

trash talked with the houston astros fan plumber,

chatted with my neighbor,
fed my dog,
started a load of laundry,
talked to an oily sister on the phone,

parented my tween,

and rushed down to the bus stop
i...

peed my pants...

right down to my socks.

sometimes there just isn't enough time.
or even when there is time,
we can hold it while taking care of so many other things.
right?

but then...
while waiting for the bus,
looking down at my phone,
and doing a little potty dance...
my son's science teacher
(who btw looks just like a disney princess)
drove up from behind and gave a friendly beep beep...

which made me jump up to the high heavens
while the mississippi river began running down my legs...
which then made me laugh hysterically,
turning the mississippi river into niagara falls,
all while telling the disney princess that she would understand one day.

you should also know that this day was particularly windy...
meaning the walk home from the bus was very very chilly.

oh and i'll also tell you that the child
i was walking home from the bus was not my own...
but my neighbor's son.
so yeah...
he is likely thinking
his neighbor and friend's mom,
mrs. defoyd,
pees her pants.

and well,
he would be right.

i'm sorry wonder woman.
i'm sure you never peed your tights while saving the planet.

so this farm girl
will just admit my weakness,
while owning my truth...
sometimes,
just sometimes,
 i wet my plants.

p.s.

if you are local and would like to channel an inner wonder woman,

or admit that you too sometimes wet your pants

join me next monday, 10/29 

for my workshop

"stamped: made for this." 

because yes, yes we were.

you can read more and register here.

ready...

the change of seasons is the current theme
of sideline, bus stop, grocery store,
and morning news chatter.

here in new england,
it quite literally blew
onto the scene this week.

i've slipped into my favorite boots,
bundled up in my gortex puffer jacket,
tucked my hair under a knitted cap,
and wrapped a chunky afghan around my shoulders.

i've climbed into the attic,
unpacked boxes from the basement,
and pushed the heated seat button in my car.

like all seasons,
the weather is the easy conversation to be had.
small talk that is often
accompanied by mild growling, disbelief, surprise and denial.

i often feel,
and think we all know deep down,
that this small talk is often the guise for the emotional shift
 that really defines the change of season.

 i think this is especially true of
autumn...
and maybe that's why it is my favorite.

some years i've found the shift to autumn sad,
longing for the warmth and long days of summer.
some years i've felt robbed,
feeling the bustle of life meant we missed the glory of fall.
some years i've felt overwhelmed,
that all the good is just too good to do...and do well.
some years i've felt anxious,
dreading the cold and darkness of winter.
some years i've felt tired,
from sleepless nights with a new born or third trimester exhaustion.
some years i've felt regretful,
realizing the year is ending and goals were note reached.
sometimes years i've felt lonely,
preparing to miss the ease of gathering in the backyard.
some years i've felt confused,
like didn't we JUST celebrate halloween, thanksgiving and christmas?

but most years,
and especially this year,
i feel ready for the shift to autumn.

ready to let go of some things,
like the leaves that were once green,
that will turn red, orange, brown and then fall.

ready to plant new things,
like the tulips and daffodil bulbs i'll plant this weekend...
but not see bloom until spring.

ready to gather and hustle,
like the very busy little squirrels in my backyard...
making preparations to thrive in winter.

ready to dwell,
like the animals that hibernate...
but remain cozy and close to the ones they love.

ready to celebrate,
like they did in plimoth and nazareth...
with the joy and promise of new life.

ready...
that's what i'll say when we small talk about the weather.
i won't growl or complain, act surprised or confused...
but i will wonder and hope we have a time to
share and contemplate the season's emotional shifts too.

are you ready?

***

if you are local
and want to spend some time reflecting and celebrating
this season you are in,
while preparing your hearts for the one to come...
you're invited to join me on
october 29 here in my barn.

i'll be leading a
workshop for women called
"stamped: made for this."
you can read more and register here,
or reach out with any questions.

i would love to spend this evening with you to...
reflect & renew,
connect & create,
dream & dance,
love & laugh!
because dear sisters...
we were made for this!

extraordinary in the ordinary

yesterday was one of those days.

i knew going into it that it would be fulllllllllll,

but then on saturday night we got 

some additional 'non-calendar' surprises

(like an early morning rescheduled photo shoot, 

and a sunday night football outing to gillette for wes).

so at the crack of dawn,

(after a very late night back in my
home town the night before)

i suited up, oiled up, caffeinated up and prayed up...

ready to take on the day.

the typical tight timing, lots of driving, 

over-commiting and happy hustling

is what i expected...

but it was the in between, lowercase letter, 

unexpected moments that made it extraordinary.

here's a peek....

early morning,

rescheduled photo shoot

with an adorable two year old 

who looooooved twinkled lights.

a tired morning catch-up 

while wiping of ella's mascara sleepy eyes,

 and hearing about all the fun she had at her 

friend's bat mitzvah.

jane's cheer coach

offered to drive her to competition,

but we forgot to pack some critical pieces.

i popped these in our mail box

to pick-up on the way...

while thinking...

wait...

my 5 year old is off to a cheer competition...

how can that be?

it sure made for a happy mailbox though!

picked my boy up from a sleepover, but arrived a little late for church.

seats were at a premium, so he and and i had a special 1:1 time 

of listening to the sermon from the lobby. 

a sermon series kick-off

on "the gospel in street clothes"

on a day when outfit and uniform changes were the theme,

for everyone but me in my mama bear street clothes.

stopped by the dahlia farm

for their big pre-frost sale.

my tires got stuck in the muddy field,

and after a solid push the farmer loaded 

me up with a few extra bunches. 

dreamy...

while walking up to campus for the cheer competition,

i caught a whiff of something burning.

it was enough to make me turn around and investigate,

and yup, smoke and fire coming from one of the houses.

i dialed 911 and continued on to the cheer competition 

feeling like a fireman superhero.

realization that i was not a fireman superhero,

but a mom of a 5 year old cheerleader set in pretty quick,

when i got to campus and was surrounded by a sea of big sparkly bows.

meanwhile back in medway,

my #87 colt was getting ready 

to take the field against norton.

i happened to be sitting in the packed stands 

next to a cheer dad from norton,

who was also there for his 5 year old cheerleader 

and feeling like he was in some kind of 

cheer competition twilight zone.

well...guess what?

this cheer dad's son was playing against my boy back in medway!

(i didn't take the cheer dad's picture...though i kinda wish i had....awkward?!)

jane's team placed 3rd,

with big congratulations going to all the 

medway cheer teams who took 

home trophies in every age bracket.

big win

for our medway colts

football team too!

a quick parking lot 

uniform change for jane...

followed by a desperate search for a bathroom,

that resulted in pulling over to pop a squat behind a tree. 

she then joined her blue sapphire team

for game #2 of medway's annual 

pumpkin fair soccer jamboree.

remember ella?

yes, yes,

here she is,

with her adoptive family. 

she volunteered at the pumpkin fare

and palled around with her friends for the day.

i captured this glimpse from the sidelines of jane's game, 

 gave her a hug, money and an "i love you"

before she headed out again. 

my sweaty, filthy, hungry 

& smiley boy

ready for some food & fun at the pumpkin fair.

kicked off the cleats for some 

bouncy house,

face painting,

sand art

& 

good ol' pumpkin fair fun

with our amazing community.

then it was time for community, fellowship & serving

at kic with our amazing church family.

the cowboy fan landed a last minute 

invite to the patriots game,

where he took in the game from one of the suites

and enjoyed good food, drink,

friends and a high scoring game!

all while the real patriots fan in the family

was home practicing fractions and having breakfast for dinner.

sunday night flash card making & studying

for her sleepy hollow quiz.  

and a little family read aloud

sleepy hollow too!

asleep before page 5...

tuckered out angel baby,

who was beyond amazing throughout the day.

(p.s. pray for her parents & teachers this week...

i fear it getting mad ugly as the week goes on).

our barking (BARKING) defoyd backyard farm watch dog,

protects us from all kinds of wild life...

coyotes, deer, fox...and these two nuts!

their kinda creepy "hi bennett"

from the dark street resulted in the very best late night, 

flashlight, fluorescent wearing visit.

and that was a wrap!

it was a day that overflowed with 

so much that was 

extraordinary in the midst of ordinary.

and while i can't say today looked the same...

no smoking houses and 911 calls,

no teams to cheer on or bouncy houses to stand in line for...

and the grocery store was definitely not as fun 

as the dahlia farm, pumpkin fair or cheer competition...

still i am grateful...

that these are my days,

that this is my season,

and

that these are my people.

in this space

sometimes this space is

loud....

with music blasting or 

people dancing.

sometimes this space is

messy...

with goldfish on the floor or 

muck tracked in from the chicken coop.

sometimes this space is

twinkly...

with a christmas tree in the corner

or china set-out for a dinner party.

sometimes this space is

oily...

with sisters talking all things

hormones and emotions,
or germs, focus and wellness. 

sometimes this space is

crafty...

with girl scouts making or

diy chippy paint sanding.

sometimes this space is

cozy...

with bookclub or bible study

hosting.

sometimes this space is 

competitive...

with poker night

or charades playing.

sometimes this place is 

sippy...

with coffee in the morning or 

cocktails in the evening.

and sometimes this place is
quiet...
with writing and reading
or drafting and editing.

i'm grateful for this space.

for the memories

made and 

the ones to come. 

but mostly

i'm grateful for the community

and the connecting.

in my new chapter

i get to spend a lot more time in this space,

in community and connecting.

and while much of what is happening,

happened here before,

it sure does feel different and new and downright dream come true.

october programs

anne of green gables said

"i am so glad i live in a world

where there are octobers."

i have always loved this quote.
i sing it out each year
as we flip the calendar from september.
and let me tell you,

this year i'm feeling this
childhood hero at

a sisterhood soul level.

i'll also tell you that i'm feeling my
adult hero,

joanna gaines,
at a sisterhood soul level too.

her words in the fall 

issue of magnolia brought on all the feels.

"whatever season you're in, whatever life may throw at you, whether it feels like success or like failure, expected or unexpected, you are made ready. made ready to learn, to celebrate, to endure. to handle all of the things that get thrown your way in every season and to know yourself and take stock of your resources - of all the beautiful things you're already made of...
and whatever tomorrow may hold,
here's what i believe to be true: i am made ready."

thanks for this jo.
and as always, thank you anne.
your inspiration and encouragement are
exactly what i'm feeling as i
venture down a path i hope i was made for,
beginning here in an october i am so glad for.

with that,
i'm excited to share with you the details
and registration links for my october programs.
i sure do look forward to
sharing these with you.
and...
if you feel so inclined,
feel free to pass on any of these to your friends.
the programs are open to all.

october 9th
fall fun on the farm
for kids
(click here)

october
photo shoots at the barn 
(click here)

october 29th
stamped: made for this
for sisters
(click here)

and finally,
in the spirit of heroes and halloween
i'll also be channeling my inner mary poppins
for some 1:1 coffee chats and 101 classes
on essential oils.
read more here.
look for events on facebook.
or reach out and i'll "fly" right over.

here we go october,
let's do this!

october photo shoots at the barn

now booking

family photos at 

defoyd backyard farm

dates

october 13

october 21

october 27

october 28

(click on date to select a time)

setting

the barn

hay bales

twinkle lights

swinging on the barn & tire swings

package

$125

30 minute shoots

receive a minimum of 10 digital files

to do with whatever you wish!

ready to book?

choose from the dates listed above. 

click on the date / link to secure your time slot.

if the dates above don't work for you, 

message me and we can work to find an alternative time. 

i'm really looking forward

to pausing time

and capturing the spirit of your family.

here's a peek 

at some past photo

shoots here at the barn!

fall fun on the farm

this farm girl

and forever camp counselor

is excited to promote

my first 

kids' programs here 

at defoyd backyard farm!

tuesday, october 9th

is a professional development 

day here in medway,

and a great day to get the kids

outside for some fall fun.

i'm offering 2 separate sessions.

morning (8:30-11:30) for kids age 5-8

& 

afternoon (1:30-4:30) for kids age 9-12.

the programs will be

filled to the brim 

with adventure, games, team work & friendship

varied by age group.

cost is $65.00

and includes program registration, 

supplies and a healthy snack.

space is limited.

to register visit the event links above.

looking forward 

to fall fun on the farm

with some awesome kids!

stamped: made for this

after years of 

attending and producing women's programs

at the corporate level all over the world,

i'm thrilled to be producing my

very own women's programs

here in my own backyard.

later this month

i'll be facilitating

a workshop called

"stamped: made for this"

this workshop is designed for women,

no matter what season you are in.

together we'll reflect on where we are and who we are.

we'll embrace where we are and who we are.

we'll celebrate where we are and who we are.

because dear sisters...we were made for this.

who wants to join me?

monday, October 29th

7:30 - 10:00 p.m.

$75.00

in the barn 

(that will be set for a queen)

click here to register!

the program will include facilitated conversation, reflection, 

creativity and maybe even a little dancing.

you'll walk away energized and connected

while styling in your very own custom jewelry stamped by YOU!

i can't wait to

connect, collaborate and create

with you dear sisters!

click the link above to register.

mary poppins & oiling

there is lots & lots of halloween talk

happening in our house these days.

costume dreaming & scheming brings me 

back to my most favorite halloween costume ever.

that time i was mary poppins

& wes was sweet bert.

on rainy days like these,

i get to channel my inner mary 

when i carry my costume umbrella 

out and about 

mary momming around town.

but let me tell you...

my oils often bring out an inner mary too.

i swear that woman had oils in her bag.

i mean...

spoonful of sugar.

cherry cordial.

ruuuuuuum punch.

tea parties on the ceiling.

"every task you undertake,

becomes a piece of cake."

and a beauty of a bottomless satchel. 

her bag had a little something for everything.

and that's how i feel about my oils.

a dose of this.

a diffusor mix for that.

a roller for this.

a blend for that.

so, with my trusty mary umbrella in reach,

and a quiet hum of "a spoonful of sugar"

here's a little peek at some of my most favorite

mama mary poppins' oily mixes.

if any of you want to add some goodies to your

mary satchel let me know.

i'll fly right over!

germs, germs, go away!
immunity boost.

zzzzzzzzz!
mommy brain be gone.

homework hustle!
ella's most favorite diffusor mix.

achy head, achy muscles!
soothing without ibuprofen.

pimple poooof!
a dollop on plumpy pimples.

wrinkle rest!
my most favorite facial serum.

fall fabulous!
favorite seasonal blend for our noses and our brains.

laundry love!
kickin' smells and smelling sweet.

too much tequila & tacos!
tummy & head relief after a fun night.

happy mama!
my most favorite mama up mood lifting mix.

happy kiddo!
a little bit of sunshine when the crabbies take over.

breath again!
for when junk settles in the pipes.

dreaming darlings!
for when "but mom, i'm not tired."

athlete ewwwww!
for bennett's smelly gear & freaky foot funk.

crank & check!
tackling to-do lists with a boost.

perfectly peaceful!
diffusing now while we play
a board game and root for the red sox.