I am late blogging this month. I wanted to share the lovely Mulch at Bedford Landings in the front yard and I wanted to say what a great summer it has been with our kids and especially wonderful grand children visiting!

 

I wanted to say that our guests this season had been particularly interesting and delightful.

I had wanted to share that in 2016, the lake will have been at full pond for 50 years and that there are many events being planned and that the Chamber of Commerce along with some wonderful lake volunteers are taking the lead to plan cool events including a Fly-in at the SML Airport featuring antique cars, antique planes, and a 60’s sock hop May 13-14, 2016.

And I wanted to reveal the cover of the new Discover Magazine that Jack is on with a wonderful feature story about his flying experiences. The story is well-done!

 

But, instead, a cloud came I over the lake last week.

Last week, something horrible happened and the atmosphere here has just been slower, quieter, meditative, and sad. The unthinkable threw many of us into a distracted state, pre-occupied with reading social media inordinately and listening to stories on the news, vigilantly praying for the families who have lost their dear children while we reach out to our own to assure that they are safe.

Prayers continue to surround two devastated families. Prayers continue for Vicki Gardner and her family working toward her healing so that we can highlight “good” not dwell on the evil. The media correctly reports that Vicki is such a “good person” and we echo that at Bedford Landings as we have experienced Vicki ‘s goodness. She welcomed us to the community, advised us, introduced us, and spoke at our Ribbon Cutting and our Business After Hours event for Chamber members. She is one who can always find the right words, the right positive attitude, and the right way to provide the welcoming face. She finds a unique way to welcome each person with whom she comes in contact. We can’t wait to hug her in the flesh to see for ourselves that she is ok. And we are amazed at her husband, Tim’s, stamina and ability to nurture her while providing the media with brief stories regarding her recovery and the events that happened nearly one short week ago.

I know Vicki would want to spin the terrible into something more positive for us to again smile over the fact that SML indeed is The Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Jack and I often look at each other and marvel that we discovered Smith Mountain Lake and the wonderfully friendly community that it is. We frequently host guests at Bedford Landings B & B who ultimately ask us about living here, ask about property, or begin considering retiring to this area. And we don’t want such a cloud to continue to loom over our lovely lake.

When I taught 7^th graders in Sunday School I recall teaching (but also learning) the meaning of the Rainbow. It is a promise from God.

I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. And it shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh… (NASB) Genesis 9:11-15

Sighting a rainbow is indeed up-lifting. We need rain at this lake! And remember that after the rain there just could be a rainbow. Look for one and lift your eyes upward. Then give thanks for that rainbow and for the your life.

When I am confused or need to sort out my thoughts, I write. So today, I offer a poem focusing on the beauty that can emerge after a storm.

Seeking Rainbows

In this universe they do exist
Disgruntled unhappy minds;
Seekers of ways to make sense
Struggling to find simple peace of mind.

Struggle is part of the journey in this path of life
Navigating the fight outside and in,
To find answers to suit us,
Seeking ways to build and blend. 

But in the quest to become complete
Simple answers are not always present
For like a Bridge over troubled water
Answers are complex and often are not evident.

Higher, we must search turning eyes to the sky
Seeking rainbows instead of wondering WHY.

Look beyond the clouds, seek the sun, evermore remembering
The promise the rainbow brings
Allow hope to shine anew
Hope–floating in on angel’s wings.

Smith Mountain Lake continues to be the Jewel of the Blue Ridge.
Smith Mountain Lake IS Strong. So turn your eyes upward. Wait for the rain to clear and SEE the rainbow!

Painting at Bedford Landings?  Of course!

Bedford Landings supports local artists.  We are also members of the Bedford Artisan’s Trail.  This month, we have a new artist displaying her work at Bedford Landings. Nancy Ostroff’s art will be here through October 1st.

Nancy O. paints in oils, watercolor, pastels, acrylics and pen and ink. Her love of color is reflected in her landscapes, still lives and portraits which are painted in an impressionistic way. You also may be interested in calling (to be sure we are home) and coming by to see her work. There are mountain scenes, lake scenes and still life pieces. Her website is nansart.com where you can peruse and also see that her paintings are very reasonably priced.

 

And, if you haven’t heard, we are offering a Happy Hour Painting Class on August 17 (Monday).

Artist, Nancy Brown will be teaching acrylic painting using one of her landscapes as the product that students will paint. The class starts at 5:30 on August 17. All painting supplies will be furnished. You just have to bring your own wine. Bedford Landings will supply iced tea as an alternative beverage.

Last year we had so much fun with this event, we are repeating it.  Please give us a call to sign up (540-488-4600) or email Karen.  The class is limited to 8 participants and costs $35.

Below is Nancy Brown’s painting entitle “Autumn Colors” and it is the inspiration for what class participants will paint in the class August 17th.

Besides painting at Bedford Landings, we have enjoyed new faces and family visits this summer. We have been on the water more, worked hard, traveled a bit, and are ready to host guests this fall for the Wine Festival (9-26 & 27), the Hot Air Balloon festival (9-11) Classic Boat Festival (9-12), the Charity Home Tour (10-10 & 11) and the Chili fest (11-7) and more. See the upcoming lake events at visitsmithmountainlake.com

Words cannot express how much we thank Sherry and John for taking care of business (literally) last week while we were away at Oshkosh enjoying the roar of airplane engines and mingling among the aviation enthusiasts! My inn-sitting sister and brother-in-law juggled the duties of caring for guests superbly! Thanks sis and John!  You look so much at home, maybe you would like to so this more?!?!

While away, we went to Brodhead, Wisconsin to see Jack’s Pietenpol building friends before going to the largest fly-in in the world at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Landing there was interesting as the calm and collected air traffic controllers landed three at a time on the colored dots marking the runway. We stayed in a private home where we were way comfortable with folks who have now become friends who may just trek south to see us soon!

I had the opportunity to sign at least 15 books for kind, supportive people who showed an interest in my little children’s book “Cloudy with a Chance of Dreams.” It was fun to have this as a mission while attending the largest fly-in in the world! And it felt good to have my book stocked on the shelves of the EAA Wearhouse! Susan Dusenberry interviewed me in the Vintage aircraft area after the book signing where I could tell more about the story and why I wrote it.  Since our grandson Jaxon was the inspiration for this book, I talked with young girls who were at both Brodhead and Oshkosh about what they think a book with a female character should be about. On the plane ride home, I started a new adventure story with a female protagonist!  Thanks Abby (age 12) for chatting with me about a new story!

If you are interested in knowing more about this huge event, take a look at some of the videos. There is no way that I can describe how large of an event it is.

Jack is the one who can name about every airplane. But I had fun taking some cool photos of planes and other things! See what you think of these!

We got home safely to a well-kept B & B.  My sister and the guests met us as we landed and counting our blessings in addition to all of the planes, friends and inn-sitters, it has been a pretty wonderful week!

We are having such fun and meeting such wonderful guests who have passed through our door this summer! I just thought I would share a few photos and a couple of recipes for fun! Thanks for the continued support from local businesses and friends and thanks to our new friends and guests!

Now for the recipes.  These aren’t too difficult and they are yummy!

Cherry-stuffed French Toast
Texas Toast (2 slices per serving)
Blend together cherries, cream cheese and a bit of sugar
Spread between toast.
Soak in batter. Coat in cereal flakes at this point (or not)
Grill, top with cherries.

And if you are into smoothies, follow this recipe, but for a healthier smoothie, add a handful of kale or spinach.  I know that sounds icky, but it adds vitamins, color, and doesn’t really change the taste!

Honey Banana Smoothie
1 cup milk (almond milk works too!)
1 banana
3 large strawberries
1 tablespoon vanilla yogurt
1 teaspoon honey

In a blender, combine milk, banana, strawberries, yogurt and honey. Blend until smooth. Pour into glass and serve. Yum!

Recently my sister discovered powdered peanut butter and sent some to me (I say “me” because Jack would never degrade his crunchy peanut butter to such a level!) and I love to add a heaping spoonful of this powdery flavor to a smoothie!

Enjoy the summer!  And tell us what is going “gangbusters” in your life!

 

June has been a month full of storms, sunsets, and rainbows! We have been extremely busy and one of the bright spots this month is our June guest artist, Bonnie Mason. Bonnie is from Roanoke, Virginia and her work includes landscapes and seascapes from Virginia and nearby. She also does still life and home places. They are reasonably priced. Be sure to get by to see them while they are still on display. If you want to take a look, give us a call to be sure we are home and you can come by. The one of the river featured on her webpage is hanging in our living room!

Wish You Well – the Movie!
Another bright spot this month was the lovely photography in the winner of the People’s Choice award at the Sedona Film Festival, “Wish You Well.”  As soon as our DVD copy of this movie, arrived in our mailbox, Jack and I grabbed a bowl of popcorn and a glass of wine then rushed to the theatre room to enjoy this Sara Elizabeth Timmins production filmed in nearby Giles County. We of course had to pause the DVD and look for ourselves playing extras in the courtroom and graveyard scenes! What fun! If you stay here, you too can watch our copy! We keep “Wish You Well” right beside Sara’s other movie called “Lake Effects” that was filmed at Smith Mountain Lake and the copy of the 1991 movie “What About Bob,” also filmed at the lake.

Fly-In 2015
The SML Airport was host to a fly-in mid month; and this year, the storms held off until it was over. This year’s fly-in served as a fundraiser for the Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy raising over $4000 as people climbed aboard planes for rides, ate bar-b-que and watched remote control airplanes fly around. It was a fun family day.

Honoring Joe Borgess
Just after the dinner hour, a huge downpour of rain fell. But as the sun began to shine through the rain, a group of neighbors and flying enthusiasts honored the previous airport owner, Joe Borgess.

Joe had owned and operated SML (W-91) airport for over 35 years. To mark the end of his era and the beginning of the new era, we honored Joe with a lovely inscribed glass award. Joe was genuinely touched.

As we took photos and reminisced with Joe, a rainbow shined brightly after the storm.

Fly-In 2016
Next year, the airport will be the venue for a 60’s weekend May 13-14^th. This is one of the many events being planned to celebrate the Lake’s 50^th birthday. Since the lake was flooded between 1964-66, the year of 2016 is considered the 50^th anniversary of when the lake became full pond. Watch for more events to unfold. And give us input as to what could happen at the airport including antique cars, antique planes and a sock hop!

June has brought an array of storms, sunsets and rainbows. At Bedford Landings, we have measured over 8 inches of rain causing nice green grass, a full the rain barrel, and the washed out mulch. We have been on the water several times and the sunsets have been breathtaking.

We are so appreciative of the guests who have walked through our doors this month! Each one has his or her unique story and we never tire of hearing from them. So amidst the storms, sunsets and rainbows, our doors are open to you! June has been extremely busy and reservations are starting to roll in for July and August. But we have room for you! Just give us a call!