A Boston Adventure & a few Little Things

Ok guys, there are a lot of pics in this post because too many beautiful things are happening.  First of all, fall is popping up more and more and I couldn't be more excited.  Also, check out this cool old camera bag Dean got me at the Epoch Arts tag sale :)

At the guests' recommendation, I decided to check out Hurd State Park.  It's pretty close by and crazy beautiful.

Had a couple more good nights by the fire with our neighbors, Patti & Victor.  Lucked out and we've already had 2 "family dinners" this week.  Also found out that Patti has kayaks at her place on Lake Pocotopaug and she's offered to let me use them, hooray!  I know my mom will be psyched about that.

Monday Jenn and I went to Boston.  The city is big and busy and a little overwhelming, but so exhilarating.  It was really cool to see these historic buildings and pretty little parks hidden among these gigantic skyscrapers.

The best part was that I got to spend the whole day with Jenn.  It was so nice getting to know her a little more and it's pretty crazy how well we get along.  I already feel like I've known her for ages, and I'm so glad I've met her at this point in her life, when she's about to head off on some amazing adventures.

After a long walk around the city, I dropped Jenn off at her Air BNB, which was adorable, and we took a little walk down to the water.

I've been watching this amazing series on Netflix called "The Kindness Diaries," about a man who travels around the world on a motorbike, with no money.  He completely relies on the kindness of strangers, and has so many incredible experiences.  Along the way when he meets an especially generous person with a very specific need, he'll surprise them by donating something big to their life.  The lessons he learns along his journey are profound, and it has me thinking more and more about the kindness I've received over the years and especially since moving here to Connecticut.  

Today was busy--a top to bottom cleaning of Bevin House, some emails & phone calls, a tour of the Inn for an upcoming event, and making limoncello cupcakes :) Then tonight after another lovely dinner at the neighbors I had a nice long talk with Jess.  She asked how I'm feeling about the whole experience and if I'm still enjoying it.  Just the fact that she'd take the time to ask meant so much to me.  And as she thanked me for some of the little things I've done the past few weeks, all I could think about was how nice it is to be around people who notice and appreciate all of those little things.  

And in the spirit of noticing the little things, I'll leave you with this picture I took of a fuzzy little bee.  They love our Allium Medusa...

Beautiful Places & Smiling Faces

Last week absolutely flew by!  Now that our guests have departed I have some time to share some adventures from the past few days.  Jenn had to run an errand, and I tagged along for the ride.  She showed me some quaint little towns and countryside.  Here's a spot literally called "Open Space."

Back to Bevin House for some yard work... Have I mentioned lately how gorgeous this house is?

Did some networking Friday and met some really nice locals.  Made a jaunt over to the Historical Society, but it was closed :(  Cool building though, and a nice little park to take my nephew to if he ever comes to visit!

Had some stormy weather here and there, which made me think of the folks back home.  I actually like crazy weather (in moderation), so I'm a little bummed to miss out on everything, but not about missing out on the prep, clean-up, power-outages, etc.  Just hoping everyone will stay safe...

The next day after breakfast Jenn and I went for a walk around the neighborhood.  Walking is nice, because you always notice things you would've missed otherwise.  There are so many cool old houses and barns here, I love it!  We did a small piece of the Air Line Trail and found a cool adult playground.  (It's really an open-air gym, but I like "adult playground" :)

After some cleaning and prep for the next day, I went exploring a bit.  Had a few mishaps, (got a ticket--who knew you aren't allowed to hold your phone in your hands while driving here? not me...)  But made it out to Silver Sands State Park, which was gorgeous!  At low tide you can walk along the rock wall to the island in the distance there.

Our guests for this weekend were so friendly, and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  Paul & Susan were visiting from Maine, and Mike & Julie actually live right around the corner!  We chatted for a couple hours this morning, and I'm hoping to keep in touch with all of them.  Paul & Susan even invited me to come stay at their home in Booth Bay!  Not every morning as an Innkeeper is awesome, but this one was pretty good.

Labor Day Weekend

After my morning chores on Saturday, a nice couple came over for a tour of Bevin House.  They'll be staying with us for almost a week while their house just down the street is getting worked on.  I'm excited because the husband's grandfather used to be the caretaker here.  He seems to have a lot of great stories and they actually own one of Alice Bevin's paintings (which I'm eager to see).

Later I headed over to the Haddam Neck Fair, which was celebrating it's 106th year.  Wasn't really sure what to expect, but when I saw they needed an entire field for parking, I realized it's a pretty big deal here.  I spent a few hours walking around, saw a pig race, had a delicious piece of homemade apple pie while listening to a great band--Belle of the Fall, saw a tractor pull and the Lumberjack Show.  I'm a little bummed that I missed the Beard Contest, but all in all, a pretty nice afternoon.

Sunday it was drizzly and overcast all day.  I spent most of the day cleaning, organizing, and listening to music.  Got this awesome shot of a beautiful autumn leaf stuck to a window on the 3rd floor...

The next day the sun was back out, and as I was sweeping and tidying up the porch I realized that you can hear the church bells from Bevin House, which is quite charming.

Later I went for another walk on the Air Line Trail.  I did a different section this time, starting at Bull Hill and heading east.  The weather was perfect and I met some friendly people along the way.

Made it to this cool old stone bridge... 

Came home to find Jess & Dean had returned from their weekend at Block Island, and they'd made a delicious dinner for a bunch of friends.  I tried oysters for the first time (guess it's an acquired taste...)  Talked to some of the folks back home while swinging in my new favorite spot--the hammock.  Later I talked to one of their friends in more detail-- a lovely lady by the name of Jenn, and found a kindred spirit.  Hooray!

In other news, my cold returned with vengeance today and I was sneezing and snotting my brains out.  Hopefully I can get better in time for this weekend, it's going to be a busy one...

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 :)