An Autumn Weekend at Pantry Hill
Friends, I am honored to share with you the words of our talented photographer, Candice Hackett as she reflects on friendship, beauty, and motherhood. Take a peek into her golden-hued weekend at Pantry Hill (@pantry.hill) with her dear friend Darien. -Blair
An Autumn Weekend at Pantry Hill
by Candice Hackett
I’ve had the joy of spanning the seasons as a guest at Pantry Hill since its very beginnings. For the past seven years, I’ve traveled cross country to meet each new baby boy as he has been welcomed into the family. I’ve stood in the front yard and looked upon a blank canvas that would one day be a garden. I’ve sat with Darien at the little bistro table in the garden’s first season, as she shared her five year dream of what that space would become. And I’ve celebrated that dream coming to life as a cornerstone to the making of their family legacy.
What I’ve seen over these many years and changing seasons, has been a dream that has always been rooted in deep values and family history. Darien’s vision was never merely an aesthetic one, though she has an unparalleled talent for creating beauty in every aspect of her life. The real magic, however, is in her deep appreciation for the women who came before her, working with their hands and hearts to create lasting values and meaningful memories. Darien carries on this legacy with grace, passion, and elegance. Every bit of what she does is a heartfelt ode to those who have imparted their skills, knowledge, and loving guidance.
Though I’ve come to enjoy the wonders of each season at Pantry Hill, October is my favorite month to visit. I love the chill in the air that changes the leaves from green to red, orange and yellow. I love the warmth of a morning coffee in hand on the front porch swing while the wind whistles a tune and the oaks and maples perform their autumn dance. I love the golden glimmer of the gardens end which holds endless treasures upon each finished stem. I love the savory scent of soup simmering in the kitchen with roots and herbs from the kitchen garden. I love the comfort of the fire flickering with hues that mirror the fall foliage, and the sweetness of a late night cup of tea while two old friends reminisce and dream into the wee hours of a new morning.
My friendship with Darien began as young kindred hearts with a creative compatibility that has kept us coming back together for more than a decade. As far back as I can remember, there has always been food, flora, and a camera wherever we are together. And so the tradition continued with my most recent visit, and to add to the creative camaraderie I brought along the autumn collection of scarves from The Village Green to photograph in the dreamscape of Pantry Hill. The soft neutral tones of the lambswool scarves, coupled with the beautiful bold prints of the handkerchief scarves, was a perfect match to the overall aesthetic of Pantry Hill and its stylist.
As Darien and I danced between work and motherhood I began to reflect that one thing I value most in working alongside creative mothers is the ability to recognize and celebrate that our role as mother is actually not a hindrance to our ability to create beauty, rather it is the catalyst that steers us to our own unique visions and outcomes. I often get a good laugh when I imagine the birdseye view of what my work days must look like, perhaps you can picture anywhere from 4-12 little ones swarming the scene on any given photoshoot. The beauty is, our children often shape our why and determine our time, and when we honor them in our work, as I’ve so enjoyed watching Darien do throughout the years, we create more than just a pretty setting and beautiful images, we establish a heritage and home; which transcends far beyond the physical items, and takes shape from within the heart. At the end of my work days, when I reflect back on the images that are made, I hold such a deep gratitude for the women I’ve worked with, the stories we’ve told, and ultimately the way they’ve helped shape my own story.
(Darien is wearing the lambswool scarves
in stewart tartan, coffee check, and cream houndstooth)