The Magic Trick

One thing a lot of people don't realize about Innkeeping is that there's much more going on behind the scenes than what a guest sees.  For example, a couple of days ago I had my very first solo guest check-in here at Bevin House.  Now I've checked in many many guests over the years, but since I took a year off from Innkeeping after graduating college last summer, it had been awhile.  Then yesterday Dean and I made Eggs Benedict.  Now, I learned how to make this dish at Westcott House (the B&B I worked at in St. Augustine, FL).  But that was about six years ago and I haven't made it much since.  What I'm getting at is that I was nervous.  

Silly, perhaps, but I was.  I put on some tunes and baked cookies and like everything I am ever nervous about, it ended up being great and totally no big deal.  The guests were super friendly and they loved the house, and Dean and I cooked the best Eggs Benedict EVER.  So, yeah... things are pretty good here at Bevin House.  That's the magic trick of this business though, you can play music and bake cookies and be friendly and charming even if you feel nervous and awkward, and the trick is to create the illusion that when guests come here you are already family and they are already home

Now, I've only lived in Connecticut for 17 days, and I technically haven't been working at Bevin House for even a week.  But as I wake in my room, as I walk around the house, as I sit in the hammock and talk to my sister or cook or clean or explore... I feel home.  I didn't think it would happen so quickly, but it has.  And even though I miss my family and friends, more than ever I'm excited for them to come see this new home of mine and feel a part of it.

Every morning I feed Parsnip (the goat), water the plants, and these plants especially, which make me think of my Mom every time I walk in or out of the house (we did them together--one of our projects when she was helping me get settled).

After my morning chores I set out adventuring!  Yesterday it was Sleeping Giant State Park.

Even though the trail was gradual, it rose steadily and because I've been sick, my endurance is for crap, so it took forever to get to the top.  But the view was worth it...

From there I got dinner and drove through New Haven, which has some really incredible architecture.  And then I continued on to Lighthouse Point Park.  The weather was cool and breezy--scarf weather :)  And the sun was setting and it was all pretty perfect.  There's also an old carousel in the building by the water, but there was a private event going on, so I couldn't get too close a look.  Next time...

By the time I got home, I was exhausted!  A hot shower and an early bedtime.  

Then this morning Dean & Jess were packing up for their weekend at Block Island.  I cooked breakfast for Nancy & Bud--so sweet :)  Caramel french toast, mmmmmm.....  They were off to tour Gilette Castle and take a boat tour of Lake Pocotopaug.  I feel so blessed to be in such a beautiful place, with so much to see and do.  Tomorrow it's the Haddam Neck Fair... excited :)