The weather's been nice enough to spend some time outside fixing up my curb appeal. I've begun my daily walks once again... and The Other Garden is no longer a secret! Michael finally showed me where it was!!
I have to admit, if I had looked for a million years, I never would have found it. The wall surrounding it was high, and the only way to get to it was to climb a series of jutting stones acting as stairs. Once on top of the wall, however, there was a lovely old garden planted at the center and not visible from the ground except as brambles and vines.
For now, I will post only a picture of the wall. The garden itself is such a mess that I'd hate to show it off in any way. Descriptions only until I can get the place cleaned up and picture ready, I'm afraid.
July 9th
Guest books are ready and I've cleaned and set up all the rooms with fresh linens and Victorian decorations. While I was busy exploring with Michael and his cousins, I had contractors working to install plumbing in the rooms and create small bathrooms. While they were there, I had them give the radiator lines a once-over to be sure they'd work once the winter came.
When not neck-deep in reading first editions and journals, I'm researching menus of other bed and breakfasts online to see what I should make. This first week I'll have quiche served with fresh local produce, coffee, hash browns, and a yogurt parfait with granola and fruit. It's quick, it's easy, and it can serve a lot of people at once.
Now to wait for the first booking...
July 11th
All rooms have been booked for this weekend!!
Granted, the majority of the eight bedrooms I've made available so far have been booked by the relatives of the former owners. Word spreads fast, I guess. Michael and his cousins and their families will be staying with me this weekend, this time officially as patrons. Michael's hinted that he may book a room every weekend if I'll let him, but his cousins have been hinting at the same thing.
I've gotten the tower room cleaned up and the toys and books moved to Rose's bedroom. I'm thinking the tower will make a beautiful honeymoon suite in summer, but we'll have to figure out how to put in a bathroom and fire exits. I've got a meeting with the head contractor tomorrow to go over my plan and see if it can even be done. If not, I've already got plans to turn it into an office space for myself. It'll be nice to have someplace to go when I need privacy.
And now.... I wait for the weekend. Since there's nothing else left to do in preparation, I get to read some more of the journals. An absolutely fascinating read!
July 13th
Last minute touches before the guests arrive, and I'm soooo nervous!!
The chairs and tables are set and ready to go in the dining room for breakfast this weekend. I've got art from local artists on consignment decorating the walls in the sitting room, so if any of my guests would like to buy a painting or photograph they like, they can!
My decision to go local with everything that I could has been a good one. There are many organic farms up here, and more than a few incredible artists. I'm considering even having some local musicians hold little concerts on the lawn in the evenings for anyone who would like to attend. It can be like Woodstock, but without the mess.
I'm sitting on the porch, enjoying what may be my last solitary morning coffee until the fall. The peace and quiet is lovely, but it will also be wonderful to meet new people and hear stories of how they came to be at my new neck of the woods. I wonder if any of them will fall in love with this area the way I did and decide to stay?
