Fall is a wonderful time of the year. Leaves turn vibrant colors and harvests are gathered. I’m grateful for the spectacular weather we have been blessed with this fall.

 

Last week, I made my first visit to a sale that’s held every year north of Becker in the Autumn Ridge development. The sale is held at the home of husband and wife Pat (nickname “Harv”) and Todd Brown and was the 10th annual Harvest Brown Vintage Sale. I heard about the sale from my co-worker, Zac Kolles, who helped create Harvest Brown’s  original name and logo for Pat's first annual sale.

 

I purchased two lovely handmade signs bearing Bible verses made by a local artisan who lives near Snake River Church and works with Pat for her annual sale. Beautiful hand made wool mittens in a variety of colors were for sale by a Becker teacher.

 

There was wonderful refurbished dressers, end tables, and so much more for sale.

 

I greatly enjoyed my visit with Pat and her family and friends. Their enthusiasm and zest for life was contagious. I asked about how the Harvest Brown annual sale came to pass. Pat shared: "In the summer of 2009, my husband Todd was unexpectedly laid off from his job. The following summer, I helped my sister update her family's kitchen by painting cabinets and improving the space with thrifted finds. I was surprised after arriving home five days later to discover a hand-written note in my bag from her husband thanking me for my work and a monetary gift of $600. I looked at the gift in my hand, pondered ways to perhaps make it become more. The following day I bought an old door and six  weeks later I welcomed people to shop at our home (October, 2010).”

 

Since that time, Pat’s hobby/business has grown in many ways. Early on, Pat’s daughter Molly said “Harvest Brown is so much more than just a sale!” By that, Molly meant to say that the sale was much more than inviting people into the Brown's home each year for the annual sale. The sale allowed the Brown family to serve their customers in a unique way. The Browns care about people - and it shows.

 

As I shopped around, I realized I was among friends. People were visiting with one another and asking about each other’s lives. Pat explained that at her sale over the years, it's not uncommon to hear people talking about a piece of furniture like a buffet and the conversation eventually leads to the topic of a family member's cancer or other life challenge they are facing. Pat said: “Harvest Brown provides an opportunity to encourage people to "take a breath” and enjoy the turning of another season and simply create a sense of "home" where you are. The highlight for me is inspiring people through an artistic style I have come to hone over time.” 

 

Pat was very pleased with a new addition to her sale this year. She featured 'Wood for Good’ Workshop as a guest business at this year’s sale. Brooke and Cameron Peterson designed an upstairs wall featuring shiplap and reclaimed wood was a great addition to the sale. The couple also shared their expertise and tips with people attending the sale.

 

Pat wanted to make it clear that although the Harvest Brown Sale was her brainchild, it would never have been  possible without the support of her family. Pat specifically referred to her husband, Todd. “I want to thank my husband, Todd, who will reconfigure his schedule to drive, haul, load and move things from hither to yon (and occasionally, back again). Todd also oversees many details so I am free to be the artsy-creative type I long to be."

 

Pat said her entire family is very supportive and she receives help from many friends during the sale weekend. "I could not do this without their time and talents. It takes many months to find and prepare pieces of furniture as well as accessory pieces for the sale. I have been fond of old things large and small for as long as I can remember.”

 

 It was obvious the goal of the Harvest Brown sale is to bring people together and to bless others.

 

Pat and Todd Brown and their family have been Becker residents since 1994. The Browns are an ambitious, accomplished and civic-minded family. Pat and Todd have raised four children: Denver, Molly, Gavin and Dawson. 

 

Denver is a physicians’ assistant and lives with his wife and two daughters in Winona, MN.

 

Molly is a nurse and her husband Charlie (who is in seminary) live in Ocean City, NJ and have a little boy named Rowan. (My son, Alex, was in the same BHS class as Pat and Todd’s daughter, Molly.) 

 

Gavin and his wife Ana, live near Minneapolis. Gavin works in the business industry and Ana is in P.A. school. 

 

Dawson is a sophomore at Bethel University. Pat told me she and Todd have enjoyed raising their family in the Becker community. Pat has been a school social worker since 1988 in the Becker School District. The couple’s faith plays an important role in their lives and their family is very involved at Becker Evangelical Free Church.

 

Mark your calendar for next year’s Harvest Brown Sale in October. You can find Harvest Brown on Facebook. You’ll enjoy a wonderful sale and be among friends!