The Parlor
Pot-luck dinners are hosted each Saturday, with Uncle Terry and Aunt Ruth as the host and hostess. Everyone is welcome, and visitors have come from as far as Washington State. (Coffee is also served most Saturdays at 6:00 a.m.)
The Parlor was mentioned in the December/January 1999 issue of Farm & Ranch magazine, when Wendy Price (daughter-in-law to Uncle Terry and Aunt Ruth) kept a diary of life on their farm.
The following excerpts from family e-mail conversations will help you understand more about the Parlor. Tammy Zeigler
Most people called it the "Barn", but it sounds funny to tell someone you're going to your Uncle's Barn for Saturday dinner. Uncle Terry', after some pondering, came up with the name . . .:
"I thought, for some time now, it DOES need a name and from what I have heard, the PARLOR room in MY Aunt's & Uncle's homes was a relaxing place to socialize, a room that they courted in, a room that they pushed back the furniture and danced on Saturday night, just a pleasant place to be. And since we DID have a milking parlor here and since on our farm records this is known as the Parlor Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . I wondered if an appropriate name would be . . . . . . . . . . . . . (surprise) THE PARLOR!!!! What do you think?" ~February 12, 1999
~ January 11, 2000 from an e-mail from Karen (Uncle Terry's daughter) explaining Bluegrass at the Parlor::
Now, about Bluegrass at the Parlor . . .when you used to come for visits did you ever go to the barn where the cows were milked? The cows are long gone and the barn has been turned into a big place to gather with family and friends and is now known as "The Parlor". It is here that we continue with the tradition of Saturday dinners just as Grandma used to have at her house. It also gives us a place to have special events when we get an itch'n to have one--which is quite often. Besides dinner every Saturday there is also volleyball almost every Saturday night (unless it's too cold, then they sit around the fireplace and talk), a Holloween Party the end of October, Church Hayrides in November, and on Christmas Eve we all still get together as we did when Grandma was here. We've also had a "Show and Share" night (we can make a party out of anything!) where everyone brought in a few of the many homemade gifts they have made or received (that was fun! We had a big room full of crafts). There's been birthday parties, baby showers, wedding showers, etc. . . . and Bluegrass Music nights. A few people bring in their guitars, fiddles, banjo, etc. . . everyone's invited, we eat (we always eat!) and TA DAAA you have Bluegrass at the Parlor!
I think The Parlor represents a different meaning to "family". It's sort of a "Parlor Family" when you're there. I remember our dear Grandma having so many people fill her little house every Saturday to eat lunch and she never cared how many extra would show up. She would say there is always room for one more. I believe even as young as we grandchildren were, this atmosphere must have made an impression on us. I remember at one time a few of the girls went to visit the nursing home . . . In conversation with one little old lady, it must have been brought up about our Saturday dinners. Next thing you know Grandma has a little old lady she never met sitting at her table one Saturday for lunch. I remember the lady had a wonderful time. . . I feel this example Grandma set is carried on today at The Parlor.
In the Bible it tells us to "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Certainly many strangers have been entertained at the Parlor and those strangers have turned into some very good friends. We have sort of a "Parlor Family" now. A place where family and friends feel that they are welcome to bring other friends over and enjoy and feel a part of the big family atmosphere that we all love. I feel this big family of ours has been blessed with a closeness that not many families have and through the Parlor we are able to share that blessing with others.
Family Poetry
Pictures from The Parlor
Large Family Christmas
