Sick out of the Gate...

I really wanted to hit the ground running here at Bevin House.  But the owner was all, "Take some time to settle in and explore the area."  Fine.  Managed to sneak in some projects anyway, and then this week was supposed to be my big 'START.'  Unfortunately, the annoying little tickle I'd been feeling in my throat turned into a full-blown end-of-summer-madness cold.  Luckily the owner had it first, so he wouldn't think I'm faking ;)

Starting to think Dean is a freaking machine, because on his worst day with this cold, he still managed to cut a hole in the wall, install a new door, do a bunch of other projects, and then host a business party with 50+ people.

In other news, Sunday after church I walked 5 miles on the Air Line Trail, which was beautiful.  (This was when I felt only mildly awful...)  Afterward I ate dinner by the lake and had a nice chat with Mom.

When I got home Dean & Jess were hanging out with the neighbors by their bonfire and called me over.  I'm a sucker for bonfires, and it was nice to relax and hang out with everyone (even if I was sucking on cough drops the whole time; is there a limit to how many cough drops you should have in a 24 hr period?  Because I've been popping them like m&m's).

The next day (Monday) was my truly sick I-want-to-die day, but luckily Dean was cool about it and I got some rest.  Later I did muster a little energy for some light cleaning, and Jess pointed out a package (that I didn't even consider might be mine) from my sister!

It was such a great surprise, and the perfect pick-me-up.  A hot bath, medicine, sleep, and the next day I was much better.  Did some more cleaning--1st floor--this house is ginormous!  (Should really contact my old pal Valerie from Abigail Inn and get some tips on taking care of a big house solo).  Did some more research about the house.  (I'm putting together a little pamphlet to go in the rooms).  Went with Dean to 3 different stores getting groceries & supplies, and we had a nice chat about the Grand Opening.  Between that and 3 major holidays coming up, there's a lot to look forward to!

Also had my first customer contact today!  Someone is planning to have a New Year's Eve Birthday Party/Masquerade Ball here!  She and her bff came for a tour and we discussed some options.  I love decorating for parties and events, so I'm really excited :)

I knew Jess was going to have another long day at work, so I started one of the Hello Fresh! meals for us to share.  Dean was out for the night, so we just had a little girl time and watched a movie while she prepped for the next day (her first day with her students).  A hot shower and meds before bed, hoping to kick this stupid cold as soon as I can...

New Beginnings

So I'm reading a book right now called The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck.  And I read a line the other day that really struck me.  The protagonist, a hard-working man who'd had a run of bad luck but was on an incredible upswing, reflected that he was "afraid of his own happiness."  Not until I read those words did I realize that I myself was afraid of my own happiness.  Those of you who know me well know that the past year has had a lot of ups and downs, not the least of which was my trying to figure out what to do next with my life.

A little over a month ago the whole idea of the Bevin House seemed like a faraway dream.  So many things had to fall into place (including Mom being open-minded enough to drive another 8 hrs. in the opposite direction, rather than heading home to FL).  But from the moment I saw the house, met the owners, and started exploring this beautiful state I knew this was where I wanted to be.  Everything has gone smoothly.  So smoothly, in fact, that I've been suspicious of it all.  I've been afraid that this, like many of my other plans over the past year, would not work out.  So I kept quiet about it.  Only my family and a few close friends know that I'm even up here and why.  But today, the cat's out of the bag!  Time to embrace this opportunity, no matter how long it may last, and celebrate and share with the people I know and love, and just trust that maybe this time... things will work out.

I have big plans for the Inn, and for myself while living here (which fall into the basic categories of read, write, and explore).  I'm also excited to meet new people, try new things, and see what new adventures await.  Most of all, I can't wait for visits from family and friends so I can show off this beautiful house and my new favorite state.  Come one, come all! 

Adventure in the "Great Wide Somewhere"

I decided I needed a day of adventuring, so I drove out to Wadsworth Falls.  It was a beautiful day, and perfect for pictures and hiking.  This is only about 24 mins from the Bevin House, btw.

Got a quick peek at Wadsworth Mansion, which unfortunately was closed today.  Not even really sure what there is to see inside, but it's pretty impressive from the road...

From there I drove another hour West to Lovers Leap State Park.  I'd hoped to take my Mom while she was here, but we just ran out of time.  

I ended up staying for a couple hours, taking a hike up one side to an awesome lookout, and then a hike up the other side, past the Indian Spring House to another lookout.

I was feeling pretty good, so I decided to keep going for a longer trip up to Kent Falls (another 35 mins north).  It was a beautiful drive, and I passed through some charming little towns.  This is New Milford, which is very Stars Hollow.

                                      

Unfortunately, by the time I got up to Kent Falls my phone was dead (I'd forgotten my charging cord at the Inn).  I thought it'd be worth it to still get out and look around, even if I couldn't take any pics, but then I discovered you have to pay to enter (not much, but I had no money).  So I haphazardly made my way back toward East Hampton with only a map to guide me.  (Which should be all you need, logically speaking, but it's been a long time...)

Made it home, had a quick dinner, finished painting my room and hung my art. Ta-daaaaa!

Nesting...

The past few days have flown by.  Mornings started with feeding Parsnip and watering the plants, and then I set to work.  Thursday it was cleaning the room my mom stayed in and painting my new room.  Got quite a bit done, and it's really looking good now.  Had dinner with Jess & Dean, then Jess and I talked for a couple hours before bed.  I'm so glad to have bonded with her so quickly, and it's nice to feel like I already have a friend up here.

Friday I cleaned my old room and started unpacking and setting up my new room.  It's definitely starting to feel more like my own space now.  Spent some time researching the Bevin family, especially Alice Conklin Bevin, the artist whose work graces the 3rd floor bathroom.  Turns out she was a pretty big deal.  She studied at Hartford Art School, then in New York, Provincetown, and Boston.  She lived in Paris for fifteen years, but returned to CT at the outbreak of WWII.  She traveled widely, painting subjects of all types from the Arctic to the Sahara.  Here are a few of my favorites so far...

Doesn't the last one look like Chummy from "Call the Midwife?" Anyway, I'm planning to go to the Historical Society at some point and get more articles and info about Alice and the Bevin House.  It's like a treasure hunt!

So little time...

Woke up with a "to do" list a mile long, and a keen awareness there was no way we'd get it all done.  We settled for a shorter list and got busy.  I finished the bedding on a room on the third floor and started vacuuming the stairs.  Then I packed away all of my personal things in the room I'm staying in and cleaned it, so that Dean could show it at their event tonight (a local business owners networking event).  Then I helped mom gather and pack the rest of her stuff and cleaned her room as well.

We went to the store so mom could get some flowers (she had one more project she wanted to do before leaving).  I cleaned out the car and finished packing her things while she worked on her final arrangements, and soon she was hugging Dean & Jess goodbye and we were off to the airport.  I can't believe how quickly the week went by, and I think it says a lot about our relationship that we spent so much time together and still got along so well.  I'm really going to miss having her here with me, but I'm so glad she came.  I'm already starting to plan things for us to do on her next visit :)

Driving through Hartford was quite the experience.  People are crazy.  At one point we were about to move forward into an intersection after our light had turned green and some $%#*%# (ahem...) person... ran their light and cut in front of us so close that I had to slam on the brakes and he grazed the front of my car!  There is now a silver streak along the front bumper.  Could've been so much worse and I'm so grateful it wasn't.

Anyway, we made it to the airport, said a quick goodbye, and I decided to take a more scenic (and safer) route back to Hartford to explore Elizabeth Park.  Thought of mom the whole time because she would love the variety of plants and flowers and just be in awe of everything.

Also got a quick pic of the Capitol Building, which is gorgeous!

Picked up a few things from Walmart, talked to my sisters back in Florida, and got home just in time to help clean up.  There are a ton of yummy leftovers, so that's exciting.  Had another good talk with Dean & Jess as we cleaned up, then headed up to bed.

I'm really glad I have a few more days to settle in and just enjoy being here.  If all goes well I'll get a little more familiar with the area (I still haven't gotten my bearings), finish painting my room, and be moved into it by the weekend!  I start next week, and then maybe all of this will start to feel real...

Storming the Castle

Up early to cook my first breakfast for the new owners.  Took a little time to find certain things, and I made up a new dish--"Strawberries & Cream French Toast," "Bacon-Veggie-3 Cheese Quiche," sausage links, and a fruit cup.  I was pretty pleased with how it turned out, and they seemed to like it, so I was happy.  

Now that I'm back at a B&B, I'm so excited to experiment with some really cool breakfast ideas.  I have an idea for a raspberry mint french toast, and another for blueberry lemon crumble french toast.  I want to find a bunch of new garnish ideas too...

It's always fun spending the morning with mom.  She's an early riser, and by the time I'm up she's super chipper and excited to tell me things.  Lately it's been plant/flower or home related.  Or Parsnip, the Bevin House pet goat, which she is quite obsessed with.

After breakfast and a good talk with Dean & Jess, we headed out to Dean's place on the river, so that mom could finally go kayaking.  (She was aching to on our last trip and didn't get a chance).  The family renting it out was super sweet, and we had several warnings about "THE STAIRS"....

It's quite a descent, and I wish we'd counted the steps, but all I can say is there are a lot of them.  However, there are little spots along the way to rest, and the view is so beautiful it's well worth the effort.  There's only 1 kayak right now, so I insisted mom take it and I sat with my feet in the water and my nose in a book (which is pretty much my favorite place to be anyway).  She made it all the way down to the castle and back just in time, so I was really proud of her.

On the way you pass through a quaint little village called Middle Haddam, which is where Jess grew up.  We passed this beautiful church, and I mentioned it to Jess, she said it's where her mom used to play the organ, which is kinda cool.

When we got back to the inn Mom took a much needed nap and I got busy cleaning the 3rd floor.  I haven't done much of the housekeeping side of innkeeping, but it's actually pretty fun.  I made a little checklist on my phone and played music while I worked, and before I knew it almost 3 hrs had gone by.  When mom got up she and I worked on our planter project.  They turned out beautiful and they look so nice up against the house.  

We ended the day by going again to the Air Line Trail in search of the "cool bridge."  We found the viaduct, which does have a beautiful view, but no luck finding the bridge.  Dean's going to think we're hopeless because he's explained to us how to get to it like 3 times and we still haven't found it.  But I will not give up!

When we got home (which is lovely to say), I made us dinner (Hello Fresh!): parmesan-crusted tilapia and herb-roasted veggies.  It was super delicious, and incidentally the first solid meal we've had on our trip.  We've pretty much been living off of yogurt, granola bars, cup o'soup, and sandwiches, so this meal really hit the spot.  After dinner I started painting, but it was 9pm by this time, and I was so tired I was about to drop, so I only painted a section.  Mom and I spent some time together as she packed and I worked on my computer a bit, and went to bed by midnight.  What a day!

Navigating Challenges...

Alright, so we had issues with our phones today and had to explore old school, without gps (gasp!).  We headed down toward Essex, not really sure what we'd do when we got there (but that's part of the fun, isn't it?).  Made a few wrong turns, but corrected quickly and made it in pretty good time.

It was a pretty hot day, so we didn't explore as much as we would have liked, but we'll definitely be coming back when we have more time and money...  We did take time to do the little ferry ride across to Essex Island, which is basically a huge marina.  There's also a resort-type facility with a pool and a restaurant that looked pretty cool.

Drove a little further to Old Saybrook to get lunch and headed back to the Bevin House.  Had a good talk with Dean (the owner) and a little mini-intro into how he does reservations and where certain things are in the house.  Later mom and I went on a fieldtrip to Home Depot.  We got the paint for my new room ("Sea Glass"), and planters and flowers for a project at the Inn.  

Dean told us about some live music down by the river at Goodspeed Opera House, so we decided to go check it out.  Again, the weather was beautiful, the music was good, and the people were happy. 

Looking around you just can't help but feel like these New Englander's know how to have a better time than the rest of us.  Mom and I had a lovely picnic dinner, got groceries on the way home, and prepped for breakfast tomorrow.  It's going to be a busy day--making my first breakfast for the owners, the porch planter project, hopefully kayaking, and maybe even painting my room!