Come the blue bird bodily bursting

Into my windows he did bore

Flickering, fighting his own reflection

Clamoring, clamoring more and more.

 

Futile attempts to best the other

Reflecting bluebird mirrored, he.

Then time came –he calmed his clamor peace to him comes –  evermore.

It’s true!  For three days, we had a blue bird attacking his own reflection. Symbolic perhaps, the same three days paralleled my mother’s final decline. She had stopped swallowing, in her last days managing the disease of Alzheimer’s.

Indeed when the bird stopped,  she too, drew her last breath. Yet, the B & B business moves ahead and our guests were truly understanding.  With a full house at Bedford Landings, two friends (Susie and Marion) stepped forward to team up as hosts at Bedford Landings and became Inn Sitters for Memorial Day Sunday/Monday while our family gathered to pay tribute to Mom.  I couldn’t have been prouder to be part of my family. The grandchildren took part in the service as did my brother, sister and I.

Besides attending to my mother’s final tribute, and before gearing up for a busy tourist season, we had planned a short trip by (Jack’s) RV-4 airplane to Savannah, GA for some R&R. There we enjoyed learning the history of Savannah and staying at the Olde Savannah Inn, dining at the Olde Pink House, Paula Deen’s Restaurant (Lady and Sons), and Clary’s (made famous during the filming of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”).

After completing a relaxing two-day trip in Savannah, we flew the little plane to Jacksonville, FL  to celebrate my sister’s birthday and to visit more family in Orlando just for the day. But then we were forced by weather to extend our stay a bit longer as a stationary weather front over South Carolina prohibited us from flying back on time.

We had to again turn to Marion to be on call at Bedford Landings to check in guests. We did make it back, just a little later than planned. Keep that bag packed, Marion.

This summer brings guests celebrating weddings, birthdays, family lake visits, and anniversary celebrations. At Bedford Landings, we want to help guests have a memorable stay. We happily provide lake area maps and help determine a game plan to enjoying Smith Mountain Lake.

Depending on what guests like to do, some of our recommendations include:

– a visit to the state park, which is just 5 minutes away. They will be hosting summer (Saturday) concerts (http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/smith-mountain-lake.shtml )

– an abbreviated wine tour to the lovely RamuloseRidge tasting room (http://www.ramuloseridgevineyards.com) and settling in for sunset Saturdays at Hickory Hill (http://www.smlwine.com),

– a boat rental with lunch or dinner at (http://www.bwmarina.com) at a waterfront restaurant,

– A trip to Bedford Centertown (http://centertownbedford.com/) and the D-Day Memorial with anniversary events this year (http://www.dday.org/events)

Or
– shopping at unique gift shops like Oar Knot, the General Store, Cottage gate… maybe followed by a cold beer at Sunken City Brewery (http://sunkencitybeer.com/) .

With the bustle of the summer upon us, I still will need to become used to not visiting Mom. But the legacy she has left is remarkable. Did you ever experience emotions coming out in words or prose? It’s my therapy so thanks for indulging this blogger this time!

… The energy of the room represented the life that she lived, passed on, and represented to us.  Living as an example mother and working grandmother –  it is that energy and renewal that we must continue as her legacy; productive, giving, humoring, holding, and loving. It is this legacy that we must pass on within our family, to our children so that from generation to generation we deliver with the same integrity what we witnessed in her death. Salute mom.

May it be a great summer for all readers.  Remember who brought you into this world to enjoy the sunshine, friends, and feel the love!

It was spring for a little while last week.   I managed to put some things in the ground anticipating adding color to the yet landscaped yard.  I used colorful pots and put in sweet potato vine, coleus, and an assortment of colorful potting plants.   Two days later, Jack Frost killed them. I went back to the Moneta Farm store and got more.  So far the temperatures have stayed in the 40’s this week and the (end of) April showers are squeaking in to water our new azaleas, bedding plants, and grass seed.  I hope the grass decides to grow.  One of our guests who is a landscaper, said that the fertilizer that we put down with a pre-emergent killer for crabgrass could have killed the seed.

But I hear Asparagus is good this year!  And my good friend, Rita sent me a cool asparagus tart recipe. We have made it…twice!

Look how lovely it turns out!  We love puff pastry for breakfast and figured we can’t go wrong with butter, puff pastry and cheese with the asparagus.  My sister who hates asparagus even ate it!

I will share the recipe at the end of the posting but first I gotta tell you that Jack attended advanced biscuit school.  Last night the Bedford Landings test kitchen prepared sweet potato biscuits.  He says he also learned pimento cheese biscuits so we will offer those soon too if they pass the taste test!

Flash of news!! Last weekend, Destiny, our (almost) 9 year old super grand daughter went for her first airplane flight.  Jack let her fly with him to Chapel Hill where the biscuit school was being held at Southern Season.  Her mom picked her up there and she was all smiles!  There may be a budding pilot in the family yet! Yea Des! By the way…we are having a fly-in May 10th!  See: http://www.bedfordlandings.com/index.php/specials.html

Lastly, we tried to get a good photo of the house with all of the lights on.   Just as it was light enough to see but not totally dark, I took photos from the outside while Jack ran around inside turning on lights. Here is the front.  Look into the top windows to see the upper floor!  Cool!

And here is the back showing the hot tub on the lower level, completed deck and screen porch.  Love the glow!Happy Spring.

Here’s the tart recipe!

ASPARAGUS tart

1 pound asparagus, trimmed
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (about 1/2 pound), thawed
All-purpose flour, for dusting

1 cup grated fontina cheese (about 3 ounces)
1 cup grated comte or gruyere cheese (about 3 ounces)
1 tablespoon minced shallot
2 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons whole milk
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a large skillet. Add the asparagus; cook until bright green and crisp-tender, 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the asparagus. Drain and transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking; drain and pat dry. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Roll out the puff pastry into a 10-by-16-inch rectangle on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Bake until light golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet.

Meanwhile, mix the fontina, comte, shallot, egg yolks, milk, nutmeg and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a bowl until combined. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the puff pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Toss the asparagus with the olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange the asparagus on the tart and bake until the cheese mixture is slightly puffy, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the lemon zest. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

 

 

 

Many of you know we lived in a great little trailer in the hangar for nearly 2 years while we built Bedford Landings. But Jack needs the hangar space to spread out and complete the work on the RV-10.  Click to see a photo of an RV-10.

It seats 4 and we have completed the wings and tail. We are so hoping we are still agile and ready to travel once this is completed. Then we can travel, travel!

At any rate, we are selling the baby trailer.  Here is the Craigslist listing. http://lynchburg.craigslist.org/rvs/4409677621.html

Fly-in scheduled May 10
There will be a Fly-In at Smith Mountain Lake Airport (W91) on Saturday, May 10, celebrating the new ownership of the airport.  For this event, the cost of Avgas will be dropped to $4.89 per gallon (100LL).  Airplane displays, flights for a small fee over the lake, and food will abound. We only have 2 rooms left for that weekend.

New sign
The ground finally thawed and we were able to put up our new sign by WetchcoSigns!  We are proud to also be members of the Artisan Trail.  This is a rather new concept for our area but we will all be hearing more soon.

New Artists
In my last blog, I mentioned that my artist friend, Nancy Brown’s art was displayed at Bedford Landings.  When I told her I didn’t know what I would put up once she took her art down, she introduced me to some amazing women: the artists of ArtVisions Studio in Wirtz, Va.

For the next few months, we are now displaying the art of Nancy Stellhorn, Julie English, Marie Campbell, Shelly Koopman, and Jacque.  Give us a call if you would like to see it close up and personal!

 

Nancy Brown kept one or her works and one of my favorites on display in the breakfast room.   She will be hosting a Happy Hour painting class in June.  Nancy will guide your completion of an oil painting on location.

Happy Hour Painting June 17 at 5:00 OR June 24 at 5:00.
Iced tea and a light snack will be provided.  Bring your favorite wine. Cost is $35 each. You can call me or email me to enroll for your preferred date. We can host 8 per class.

(Karen @bedfordlandings.com or 540-488-4600).

In the meantime, enjoy the spring colors, the budding trees, the flitting bluebirds and the buzzing bees!

 

 

 

We have continued to be busy at Bedford Landings.  The snow and the continued cold winter didn’t slow down business.  We have had guests every weekend except one since we opened in December. Some have been friends passing through the area and we are making new friends with others.  The favorite room has been the FISHING room.  We think that is because it has the cozy gas logs.  The second most favorite is the FOURTH Room.  It also has gas logs so I guess we will need to consider upgrading to gas logs in all of the rooms eventually.  The Fourth Room is now decorated in BLUES and the Red decor  been packed away until next Christmas season.  It is fun collecting items around the house to change out the look of this room.

We received our final Certificate of Occupancy after Jack (and friends) completed the deck railings.  With the glorious sunshine this week, we have been sitting on the deck a bit too!  In fact our whole family was sitting on the deck last weekend.  I just wish I had thought to get a photo of everyone.  Jack and I have back-to-back birthdays in March.  With a milestone birthday this year for me, he surprised me by bringing in my best friend from Michigan, both my sister and brother (and spouses). If that wasn’t enough, the rest of the crew showed up the next day complete with all our children and grand children. Fun, exhausting, but fun!

For more Fun on the Deck, this Spring, we will be hosting a painting class with Nancy Rae Brown. Nancy has her art exhibited in Bedford Landings now in the great room and stairwell.  Make an appointment to see it or visit her website. Watch for the date.  There will be a fee and we are considering calling her class “Wine and Design!” Sound like fun!?

We have continued to test some recipes in the kitchen.  Here’s a photo of Jack cooking his Fig Dijon Puff Pastry (thanks to his high school classmate who shared this fantastic recipe). http://www.twirlandtaste.com/

We also tested a new recipe for the sideboard.  The sideboard is the table where snacks always appear for the guests.  I will share this Lemon Brownie Recipe for all to enjoy.

Lemony Lemon Brownies

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 T fresh lemon juice
8 t. lemon zest (Just grate the peel)
1 cup confectioner’s sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with butter and set aside.

Zest and juice two lemons and set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the flour, sugar, salt, and softened butter until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined.

Pour it into the flour mixture and beat for 2 mins at medium speed until smooth and creamy. Pour into baking dish and bake for 23-25 mins, should turn golden around the edges. Allow to cool completely before glazing. Do not overbake, or the bars will dry.

Sift the powdered sugar and whisk with lemon zest and juice. Spread the glaze over the brownies and let glaze set. Cut with a plastic knife and serve.

Spring is almost here!  The robins are back, our bees are busy and hopefully our grass will grow!  Enjoy!

 

We have now been open 50 days.  That’s hard to believe, but, we are having fun hosting guests!  Now, if I can just get Jack to listen for the dryer and fold those towels and tuck the sheets in at the foot of the bed, we are good!  Doing business with your spouse is sometimes not advised.  But we are doing fine.  We are even getting along in the kitchen for the most part.

I have sorta of missed blogging, but we have been really busy not just with guests but this winter in staying warm!  Jack has built many fires and we are continuing to work toward our Permanent Certificate of Occupancy.  Since it has been so cold, we got a 30-day extension on those porch railings.  We have the main deck complete except for the top caps.  And, Jack has the posts put up for the star-gazing deck

 

When it is cold outside, I am busy at my computer planning class lectures and Jack works inside.  Here are a few things he has done:

Laundry room shelves (a cubby for each room’s sheets and towels) with a folding table that will fold up against the wall.

He finished the window seats for the two large windows.

And I have made one of two cushions for the seats. Did you know that foam is about $30 per yard?! Outrageous!

 

The trim carpenter finally came back and trimmed out my stained glass so it looks must more finished.

I have stained every 6-panel door in the house except those that Sherry and Carolyn helped me with.  I determined there about over 60 sides to stain. Plus all of the trim.

Cooking wise, our signature item is becoming the pecan encrusted bacon. Jack’s biscuits are very popular as well as the Kahlua Caramel French Toast.  We have other dishes we are still testing.

We are already booking reservations into June and July so let us know when you are in the area and can spend some time at Bedford Landings!  Ya’ll come!