Ho, Ho, Ho who wouldn’t know that Bedford Landings is “dressed” for the holidays! The first item of business was to “dress” the 8-foot wide, 33 feet tall fireplace! I tried a 24 inch wreath that was simply dwarfed. So I went to Southern Roots to ask Susie to try to make the largest wreath she could and she came up with what I will call the Winter-Fall-Holiday wreath. This spring I hope she will construct a Spring-Summer wreath. That way, I don’t need to get the 12-foot ladder out except twice a year to change it! I am so glad that I took this photo of Susie to show how large (48″) this wreath actually is!

Of course we had to get a tree that was equally scaled to a room with a 33-foot vaulted ceiling. We drove to Floyd and selected a live 12-foot Fraser Fur that was cut and wrapped. It only fell over once, crashing a lamp to the floor while we were trying to straighten it!

Throughout the house, we have added hints of holiday décor. We have decorated the Fourth Room in seasonal reds and holiday colors and put just a bit of the season in each of the other rooms.

Starting in November, our guests tasted a few new recipes. We experimented with pumpkin pancakes and cranberry muffins for the season which were well-received, but we also found out that some people really don’t like pumpkin. Who knew?! As for the Cranberry muffins, you need to put in far more sugar than the recipe calls for to counter the berry tartness. But they are festive!

We hosted our family (16 made it for lunch) in house for Thanksgiving (love the Fam!) and are hosting the Professional Women’s Resources holiday gathering on December 9^th with guest chef, Parker Lee, who will prepare Small Plates. The tables are set for this event occurring tomorrow. Afterwards, I can’t wait to share the photos of the food with readers!

I WILL blog again this month so watch for it! Share the link with others and know that we are getting ready to announce a Winter Escape deal for guests. We do have all rooms available for New Year’s Eve at this time and are accepting reservations.

On a personal note,  Jack acquired a new 1953 Cessna 170B and is teaching bagpipe lessons at Bedford Landings. Karen has returned to playing racket ball and continues to work with Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech.

Life is good.  Feel it in the spirit of the season and rejoice!

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

With the changing of the leaves come changes in the season, the colors, the weather, clothing, people, and attitudes, We tend to make more comfort-type foods like soup and warm breads.  We build more fires and light more candles.  We drink hot chocolate and deep red wines.  We snuggle under the covers a little longer and dig out gloves and scarves.  At Bedford Landings we are making some changes too.  These are things that we had in mind all along, but with the season slowing down a bit, we are finding more time to attend to these things.

We installed the LED lighting in the Great Room.  They provide lights for the upper level as well as give a nice glow below.  Thanks again to the Koontz’s for their assistance with this.

 

Jack also installed the ceiling fans on the front porch and has built a firewood storage area under the deck by the guest hot tub.  I brought in the plants from outside just before we had Scott the Painter stain all the porches and decks. Then Charlie English (ProSiding) completed the Maple siding  on each side of the chimney.  Previously, the siding ended at the vent and it was painted around those small windows.

The sun direction has shifted and I can see every bird splatter and failed effort to clean the windows.  So next week we are having all of the windows washed inside and out.  I have also ordered shades for the breakfast room.  This time of year, the guests are blinded by the sunshine at breakfast, so we hope to remedy that soon!

Just last weekend, we visited with each grand child.  The oldest, Jaxon, was the inspiration for my new children’s book.  Entitled Cloudy with a Chance of Dreams, Jaxon seem pleased with the outcome and being featured in this book about a dog, a bike and an airplane.  Here he is reading it for the first time.  You can purchase them at Bedford Landings for $10 or online (Click on this link)

 

After a nice vacation, we are settled in for our Fall and Winter guests.  Since we cherish our family time, we probably won’t ever host B & B guests during Thanksgiving or Christmas. Instead  we block the rooms for our 3 adult children, my brother, his 2 adult children and an assortment of wives, husbands, partners and grandchildren.  All other times, including New Year’s Eve, are great times to come enjoy the fireplace and the cozy theatre room or hot tub this chilly winter.

We do have a few new test kitchen recipes including the one I will share today. Jack and I have tasted the Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal and soon our Fall guests will enjoy it…maybe tomorrow! Here it is for your enjoyment, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
2 cups of oats (quick oats are ok and long cooking oats just take longer to cook)

1 ¼ cup of almond milk (can use regular)
¾ cup of canned pumpkin
2 T. pumpkin pie spice
¼ cup brown sugar
pinch of salt

Stir together and microwave 2-3 minutes on high or cook on the oven Then, select from the following as stir-ins or toppings: Butterscotch chips, pecans or walnuts, white chocolate chips, or cool whip.  I probably will beat an egg white on high to fold in as well to make the oatmeal light and fluffy!

So as you change with the seasons and enjoy the Thanksgiving harvest, ponder these wise words and don’t forget those who chip in to prepare the feast!

Drink and be thankful to the host! What seems insignificant when you have it, is important when you need it.
Franz Grillparzer

Bedford Landings now featuring a new book!  Karen’s first children’s book is now available.  Cloudy with a Chance of Dreams is available on Amazon as well as to guests who stay at the B & B (selling for $10 at Bedford Landings). Many thanks to Jaxon and Jennifer, the inspiration for the artwork rendered by Lisa Binion.  This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for children from age 6-13.  Karen is willing to autograph!

We just returned from two exciting excursions.  We took a two-week holiday to Ireland and Scotland accompanied by my sister and brother-in- law.  The green and rocky mountainous landscape was amazing as were the old, old structures (and of course the pints and drams!).

 

 

 

This past Friday, we went to the screening for the new movie to be released soon called “Wish you Well.” We were  “extras” in the movie.  All told, I guess there was maybe 9.5 seconds combined showing our faces in the movie! But the movie is a beautiful story and the filming is very artistic and the (based on the David Baldacchi novel of the same name) story so sweet!

Now we are back, the leaves are beautiful, we have moved the thermostats from COOL to HEAT.  We have a fire ready to light and warm coffee or cocoa prepared!

We are ready to jump back into being hosts to our wonderful guests who walk through the doors of Bedford Landings!

 

 

Jack and I were persuaded to form a team to walk in the Jim Cameron Memorial Walk that was held Sept 20.  This 5K and 10K walk is a fundraiser for Lake Christian Ministries. LCM does great things to support and assist families in financial, health-related, and job crisis.  Neither Jack nor I are very good at promoting ourselves nor money-related events such as this.  But we proudly raised $500 for LCM.  Thanks to the supporters who contributed (especially Shelley who donated then guilted several pilots into donating!)  We indeed walked and felt no aches nor pains the next day! We even had guests who were staying with us come walk and join our team!

There have been a few fly-in guests at Bedford Landings this month.  Jack’s favorite was a Monocoupe that was flown from Pennsylvania.  These guests spent several days at Bedford Landings.

Also in this photo is a Cessna 150 that was flown up by the new owner of Jack’s RV-4.  For many of you who flew with Jack in the RV-4 it is time to tell it goodbye as it flies off to Eagles Landing in North Carolina.  This little plane was a great traveling plane getting us places fast.  However, several of our guests have asked for rides over beautiful Smith Mountain Lake so Jack is looking for a plane that can seat 4 in which he can take people to see SML from the air.  Stay tuned on that development!

As a P.S. to the monocoupe pilot,  He sent a photo once he was home.  The subject line was “We miss your breakfast.”  This is the picture he sent.  This is NOT an image you would see at Bedford Landings.  But it is often what we hear that people eat when they are not staying here!

Karen’s finally completed her Children’s book entitled “Cloudy with a Chance of Dreams.”  The book, intended for 7-12 year olds features an airplane, a dog, and a bike. Using grandson, Jaxon, as an inspiration artist, Lisa Binion (See: http://jdiva.com/) conveyed the illustrations.  Karen has published it with CreateSpace.com under the name of Karen Phillips.  It is available through amazon.com (ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1502376664) and will be available at Bedford Landings for $10 a copy.

The story is interactive in that parents and children can determine together the outcome of the storyline at several different junctures. A note to parents and a page about how to become a pilot are included in this educational little book.

Summer is gone and Fall is here!
We thank all of our guests for a fun summer. We met many new friends.  It was busy, especially in July and August.  It is slowing down a bit, but the lake keeps active with the upcoming Wine Festival (Sept 27-28), the Charity Home Tour (October 11-12) and the Chilifest (November 1).  See: http://visitsmithmountainlake.com for more information about Fall events)

This summer, we enjoyed serving fresh fruit and vegetables.  For Fall and Winter, we most likely will be back one of our favorite recipes: Cheddar Apples. A trip to the orchards is on our list of things to do this Fall!

For those who still have tomatoes left, here is a recipe for you to try at home.  Very tasty and easy to make!

Breakfast Bruschetta

Use French or Italia bread slices sliced about 1/2 inch thick.

Brush with olive oil and sprinkle VERY lightly with garlic salt.  Broil just until beginning to brown. You can do this ahead of time.

Remove from broiler and sprinkle on finely chopped fresh tomatoes that have been lightly tossed with olive oil and fresh chopped basil leaves.  Top with grated mozzarella.  Broil until a little browner and cheese is melted.

Bon Appetite and happy Fall!

 

Bedford Landings has had a fantastic first summer in operation. We have met so many interesting people and learned so much about our guests! We are still having fun greeting folks, telling them about the lake, cooking together, and yes, even cleaning!

This fall, the lake community continues to hold special events to enjoy. We have a VERY active Chamber of Commerce and their website is chocked full of activities and events.

The Chamber helped us host our ribbon cutting last week for our “official” opening. It was well attended by Chamber members and they got a chance to tour the house. Here is a group photo. 

This coming weekend (Sept. 6) is the Hot Air Balloon Festival with the main lift-off event on Saturday between 5 and 8 pm in Downtown Moneta.  We have only one room left.  Snag it now!

Next weekend (Sept.12-14) is the Antique & Classic Boat Show at Mariner’s Landing. You gotta love those old wooden boats!

Both of these events are very close to Bedford Landings!

We have two rooms still available for one of the most popular events at the lake- the Wine Festival. The location of the festival is about 20 minutes from Bedford Landings. Most people bring a chair and go for the day. There are bands, booths, items for sale, and of course wine tasting. We will be attending too so be sure to check in early that day!

Plan ahead for many of these other fall activities at Smith Mountain Lake. The Chili Festival is November 1. Jack is considering entering his chili so we need your help and selective palette to tally up some “people’s choice” votes!.

See the Chamber Calendar for other upcoming activities. http://business.visitsmithmountainlake.com/events/calendar/

I just can’t believe the summer has passed so quickly.  Many of our guests want to return to see what the winter is like at the lake.  Just check the availability on our B & B calendar.  We are open year-around!