Blogs
Dog Shows!
Submitted by Lori on Mon, 2013-06-10 15:26
This weekend was the Asheville Kennel club show at the Agricultural center in Fletcher. We have never been to a dog show before( I may have been to Westminster but was too young to remember anything)but dear friends of ours for many years who live in Charlotte were entering their magnificent Great Dane, Henry. They stayed with us (in the Magnolia room) as Henry requires so much space ,so Peter and I, wishing to spend as much time as we could with them, went to the show! Well it was MUCH more fun than I would have thought!
Lighting the night garden...
Submitted by Lori on Tue, 2013-06-04 06:57
I have finally finished the lighting that began 10 years ago! There is nothing more romantic than a well lit night time garden. The mystery of the garden is enhanced by the shadows and fragrances of the evening, the stillness, the cool of the dark... the sparkle of the waterfalls enhanced by light.... and finally a completely navigable walk over the stone bridge up the stone stair to the bench by the pond. It seems a small thing, well placed low key lighting but it is quite an artistic endeavor!
Almost summer!
Submitted by Lori on Wed, 2013-05-29 08:12
Another holiday weekend has been and gone, this one without much ado! The weather was extremely beautiful, no one could complain about that, However we are so glad to NOT be up north... It seems the weather there this weekend was a high of 40, and overcast/rainy. One of our friends from the Vineyard sent us a picture of a line through the Reliable Markets parking lot in Oak Bluffs, complete with a parking attendant for all the people trying to enjoy the tradition of the back door Donuts we began all those years ago.
Memorial Day weekend
Submitted by Lori on Fri, 2013-05-24 10:09
The weather is going to be spectacular this weekend! It is clear and fresh and really cool, not the usual hot and sticky Memorial days of my memory...Several come to mind, among them a stay at a fabulous house party at an estate in Palm Beach that encompassed from the Ocean to the intercoastal. We barbecued(actually the houseman did)and swam darting between the beach and the pool, one of my friends had to encourage me past the seaweed that came in with a very strong tide" Lori, Darling some people even eat this"...
Another birthday...
Submitted by Lori on Wed, 2013-05-15 14:32
well that time of year came and went, you know, the one that's about as much fun as a visit to the dentist... another birthday. This year really bothered me, unlike all the others that came before, I remember when the drinking age was 18 and we couldn't wait to be 18, then 21, a real adult(not really)and I still do not understand why I never got the pony I asked for...no matter that I live in the city, surely there is enough room in the yard for a small horse?
Rain , Rain, go away...
Submitted by Lori on Sun, 2013-05-05 15:01
The walkway is done! It looks so good I can't stand it! This inspired me to rethink so many details at the inn, that it has snowballed! Firstly, the Hosta disasta...actually a wonderful side effect was moving hundreds(this number grows with each telling of this story)of Hostas from the sidewalk. As I mentioned they were untidy little soldiers marching unevenly up the rigid walk to the door. We ,of course could not remove them, we had to re-use them so I spent 4 days re-planting them in a (if I say so myself) very pleasing curving bed around the perimeter of the property.
Rain Forest sounds....
Submitted by Lori on Sun, 2013-04-28 14:00
They were calling for almost 6 days of rain this week... I almost was paralyzed by the propect but they have altered the report so it is supposed to be mostly sunny for days! Which is a very good thing as we are in the process of laying the stone for the walkway , Matthew only has to make the cuts and adjustments now which he will start tomorrow(especially as it is too wet to mow)and voila, a new and beautiful walkway without the corraling hostas. This makes the garden in the front so much more open to strolling,to amazing effect!
Spring and new stuff!!!!
Submitted by Lori on Wed, 2013-04-17 07:10
Spring is in full bloom complete with all the lovely petals and pollen that accompany the beauty! The double ornamental cherry by the drive is in full flower and miraculously so is the forsythia! Simply lovely! We are waiting for the permit for the walk way in the front, I hope it goes well, I am very excited about the improvement so we can walk on it! Last Halloween we didn't even let the kids use it as it was so uneven. And finally, I have the kitchen that matches the house!
Happy Holidays!!!!
Submitted by Lori on Fri, 2012-12-21 09:55
Woke up this Am to a howling wind and temps in the 20's...just in time for Santa to sleigh in the family!I always do too much, this morning it's 2 kinds of soup, Butternut bisque and potato leek and 4 types of holiday cookies to greet the girls when they arrive!
Change is inevitable....
Submitted by Lori on Mon, 2012-10-08 09:41
So, out with another assistant, and of course right in the peak of the season. It seems that people underestimate the importance of being a good employee and often put their desires first!I could not meet her financial needs so am left in the busiest time of the year, even though I am clear about what we can offer.I guess it is just as well, it was an experiment having 2 assistants and I found it was as dificult as having more than one housekeeper! If there is any question about accountability it never gets resolved...
