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Of Autumn

9/20/2013

"Autumn brings with it a sense of closing. One must prepare for autumn in many ways including the storage of outdoor furniture, the clearing of the garden beds, and the weatherizing of buildings. But one must also prepare the heart and mind to rest during the long winter months.

Autumn, with its cool breezes and colorful hues, is the perfect time to prepare for long gray winters . Take it all in like a squirrel chucking away nuts. Allow the cares of summer to slip into low gear as you pursue activities that will keep you indoors. Make sure there is a cozy chair in front of the fireplace, a stack of books ready for reading, and a tea set that calls your name on a regular basis.

Sort out your recipes in advance so that autumn will be a glorious time of celebration with family and friends. Prepare jams and shortbread cookies for adult Halloween baskets. Enjoy autumn's cleansing and celebration modes. It truly is a harvest time of blessings." Freda M. Chaney, The Chaney Manor B & B

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SACRED SPACE

8/6/2013

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"Nothing is quite as sacred as the home. Hotels attempt to compete for that "home away from home feel" but they can't quite measure-up to a B & B. When you enter someone's home space, you are met with a sacred sense that the owners share with you during your stay. The flowers at the door are blooming brightly, not from chemicals, but from loving energy and attention. The walking paths may be sod rather than concrete, but they welcome your feet to share in the cool sacred moments of spring and summer. Along the way are nesting birds, chattering squirrels, the occasional doe and fawn, and the brown rabbit racing by. The owners will most likely sing and hum their way through duties as they move around the property. And guests will not be put-off by the pleasant sound of dog paws padding on the floor, or the soft mewing of the stray cats gathering at the barn door for supper. These and so much more are blessings that the B & Bs hold in store for YOU." ~ Freda

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Why a Bed and Breakfast?

6/13/2013

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There is nothing like the personal service you will receive at a bed and breakfast inn! The owners take great pride in opening the doors of their establishments (and oftentimes their homes)! They will make sure that the hospitality is second to none. You can be assured of the comfort , and the quality of freshly prepared meals will bring you back again and again! B & B decorating is usually much warmer than the decor of a motel. You can sink back into a reading chair by a fireplace and read from a stack of well chosen books, walk on the grounds, talk with the owners about local events and history, and so much more. If you've never stayed in a B & B, try one! The price is usually competitive with hotels, and some have package deals too! ~ Freda

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Of Dappled Things

2/11/2013

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If you own a B & B, you know the work that goes into keeping one lovely. But you also know the creativity it takes to establish a theme and carry it through right down to the homemade lavender soap in the antique China dish. It can be overwhelming for some who just want to make money and have little creative know-how to transform an old house into a magical manor of yesteryear. If you are creative, you'll get it done! If you are not, find someone who can help you select a theme and follow it through in all aspects of your B & B business. There are many books about starting a B & B or Inn. Read up, and visit B & Bs and Inns to see firsthand how it is done. Ask a lot of questions about investment, income, tourist locales, tips on cooking and decorating. Most B & B operators enjoy sharing their experiences with guests.

If you can imagine "dappled things" and become "oh so Martha Stewartish" in your own way, then you will be happy operating a B & B...perhaps not wealthy, but happy!

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Cozy

1/6/2013

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How lovely to sit in the Thoreau Room and enjoy the soft white lights of our tree, watch our mascot Rocky snoozing in his new Land's end red winter coat, and smell the cinnamon wafting through the air. Snow coming soon, but we're inside and warm. The manor is cozy--it's heart full of gingerbread and honey tea! ♥

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January 06th, 2013

1/6/2013

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The New Year has started out extremely well for us here at the manor! On day one, the VP of a major publishing company contacted me to request one of my manuscripts for a reading. On day two, there was some fast movement to organize a trip to the UK for follow-up research for this book. On day three, there was a correspondence from a literary fellowship in the UK that will be giving us a complimentary tour of the area in which we are interested, and we will be lodging in the historical manor of the literary person of interest! Day four, we found coverage for the manor house and pets for that time period we will be away! Go on, 2013, make our days!!!

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