Running a Bed & Breakfast is an interesting business.  Believe it or not, we don’t just sit by the phone waiting for reservations, however!  If we don’t answer the Bedford Landings Phone line, most likely we are not in the house.  Remember the old Maytag Repairman commercial?  That’s not us.

Then Where are They?

Actually, Jack is the President of the SML Chamber of Commerce which involves meetings, ribbon cuttings ,and other business meetings.  He is also on the SML Center Board helping develop plans for a new community center at Smith Mountain Lake.  He teaches flight lessons, gives aerial sight-seeing tours, is on the church Board of Trustees, and is a realtor!  But, if he is on the property, he could be mowing the grass or building something; it was airplane building in the hangar, but now he is building a sailboat!  Sometimes he is playing bagpipes for weddings or funerals and he sings in the church choir.

Then where is Karen?  Karen is the President of the Smith Mountain Arts Council, give leadership to the Lakeside Singers community Chorus and is Chair of the Methodist Church Preschool Board.  She sings in the SML Boomer Band (All 60-70’s music) for charity events.  

Karen & Jack both sing in the church choir so there are several rehearsals with choirs and singing groups!

But rest assured, with the technology we have at hand, there are ways to connect!  If we don’t answer the phone, Karen’s cell number is on the voice recording.  We text, we email and Karen has the reservations calendar on her phone.  So if we are out and about, rest assured, we WILL get back to you. 

Your reservation is taken online and is delivered directly into Karen’s email.  The confirmation, however is personalized by Karen and added to the online calendar before it comes back to you.  The online calendar is as up to date as your reservation confirmation! So together, we can take care of you as our guests!

Doolittle Update
So if we are not doing laundry, cooking or serving in the community, we are giving Doolittle (our 11 month old pup) some attention.  He is so deprived you know!  And he still loves to steal things from us and leave them all over the house! Check out his shennanigans!  Come see for yourself!

We have planted grass seed and fertilized the lawn.  The forsythia and red bud have begun to bloom but I hear there may be a frost tonight!  Brrr!  It’s not quite time to move the sweaters aside and grab the sleeveless attire!  It’s around the corner though!

Jack could not keep out of the hangar nor have idle hands!  He is now building a sailboat.  The hull has been wired together, then fiberglass was applied to the inside.  We need three people to flip the boat over.  So now he is sanding it smooth.  It’s kind of a mess right now but I think it will be another masterpiece!

How’s Business?

Our business is starting to pick up so make your reservations now!  You may want to come in to enjoy one of the SML Boomer Band shows.  Karen sings with the Boomer band but they are not the only music in town. The summer is gearing up to be a very entertaining one!  There are a few facebook pages dedicated to promoting music and venues at Smith Mountain Lake as well! April 8 and August 6 are two of the Boomer show dates.  Email Karen for more info! We sure had fun taking our group photo with this cool car! Also Lyrics on the Lake will return over Father’s Day weekend.

Spring MUSIC!

Jack and Karen both sing with the Lakeside Singers.  About 35 community members rehearse for 4 months then offer two performances.  The performances will be June 3 (7 pm) and June 4 (2 pm) at the Trinity church with the theme of Love Letters!  Our director Melia Garber will also be featured doing a piano solo.  As a classically trained musician, you won’t want to miss that!  

So gear up for Spring….it’s a comin’!

I have never been diagnosed with ADD but I do have distractions that take me off task.  It sometimes feels like I am that little kid in Family Circus ©.

When it is time to go to sleep at night, as an Innkeeper, we need to double check everything is locked up and shut down the house.  That means, leaving our quarters, assuring the step lights are on, the overhead lights are off, the door is locked, music is off, etc.  Sometimes it is a positive thing to be a little OCD to assure everything is just right so guests feel safe and comfortable as they rest!

But other times, the distractions are a little bit of a nuisance for me.  I can get a lot done, but it’s because I learned to be efficient in my movements and multi-task.  For example, carry up things that need to go upstairs up when you are headed up the stairs; or make a trip to town count by combining all errands.  But just this week, this efficiency of movement strategy almost backfired.  I had decided to precook some sausage for the next mornings’ breakfast casseroles (recipe included below!). I put the meat on the stovetop turned on medium.

Doolittle was outside so I went out to call him.  I noticed that the chairs were disarray by Marthy’s Creek and there were a lot of leaves blocking the flow of water.  I started pulling some leaves out by hand and Doolittle appeared and was chasing them.  I decided I needed to get in the garage and retrieve the blower to help with this task.  I blew all of the leaves back into the yard and tidied the patio.  I recalled I had left the deck door open when looking for DooLittle so I went back in that way to be sure to close it behind me.  Oops!  The house was smoky and the sausage was well done! Distractions!

All was ok and we didn’t need to call the fire department. Only the bottom layer of the sausage was well done!  The chickens loved it!  I was able to preserve enough for the breakfast casseroles!

This Spring, what are your distractions?  Do you consider them good distractions, therapeutic distractions, or a negative distraction?

In the meantime, enjoy making this totally simple breakfast casserole:

Bedford Landings Little Italian Casseroles

Spray non-stick cooking spray in small ramekins. Preheat oven 350 degrees.
Cook ground sweet Italian sausage (cooked not burned!)
Can of mixed tomatoes and peppers (like Rotel)
Grated Cheese of your choice
2 eggs per person
Cream – about 1/4 cup
Worcestershire sauce – a few sprinkles

Cover bottom of ramekin with cooked sausage.  Spoon on two tablespoons of mixed tomatoes and peppers, add grated cheese. Cover with egg and cream mixture. Sprinkle on some Worcestershire sauce and bake until eggs are set (not jiggly). It will take about 25 minutes. Set on a cookie sheet in the oven in case they rise beyond the dish!  Serve with salsa on the side.

Now, speaking of distractions.  In the time I have been working on this little blog post, I have put in a load of wash, taken a load from the dryer, lost – then found my phone, greeted someone at the door, and taken a phone call. It’s hard to stay focused but sometimes that’s ok.  We are getting it done here at Bedford Landings!

Next blog…will be about Jack’s new project.  He’s building a boat!

So let’s wind up 2021!  It was only slightly better than 2020!  But here we are.  We have made memories, we have stories to tell, gifts that keep on giving, and the spirit of the holidays in our hearts.  Or do we?

We put this little video together to show some of the highlights of decorating the Christmas tree for the B & B.  The tree got presents wet, ripped the paper, and broke ornaments.  Today we were just glad to be rid of the Christmas Tree that kept bringing us surprises.  What I could not capture was after we took it down, Jack loaded it on the truck to take to the dump. Half of it fell out into the road and he had to backtrack to discover it and return to the dump!

Enjoy this brief glimpse and may 2022 being us peace and good will!

The Christmas Tree that Kept on Giving. 

If you are seeking a relaxing evening on New Year’s Eve, we have three rooms still available to be reserved.  The tree is now gone so no worries there!  See our website for details. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The leaves are turning, there is a slight breeze, the chickens are molting,  we have winterized the jet ski, the water has turned chilly, and it is Fall, y’all!

First as an update, Doolittle has been “accidentally” packed into more overnight bags than I can mention.  He is growing so much, however his ears always peek over the sides of any suitcase and we discover him!  He is 5.5 pounds and as rowdy as ever.  He sure loves our guests and they love him.  I just took this photo today.  Check it out!  Believe me, he doesn’t miss a trick!

Speaking of Fall, there are many fall activities right here on the lake.  Next weekend (November 6) is the Chilifest.  It is held behind Bridgewater Plaza.  Attendees may taste each chili and vote on their favorite chili and their favorite themed booth. There are arts and crafts besides the chili.

Some folks love to hike.  The State Park is just minutes from our house.  However, it flat scenic trails don’t offer challenging enough trails, try the Peaks of Otter or McAfee Knob. Both are within in 40 minutes driving distance of Bedford Landings. Jack and I hiked to the top of Sharp Top at Peaks of Otter about 12 years ago.  It is beautiful but tricky with rocks and roots (tripping hazards) but you will feel a sense of accomplishment if you make it!

 

 

The Holiday Boat Parade is Sunday November 7 from 6-8 pm.  Led by the Virginia Dare cruise boat, others join in and decorate their boats.

Santa and the Elf on the Shelf will be hanging around Bridgewater Plaza shortly after Thanksgiving.  It’s always fun to have the children find the hidden elves!

Here at Bedford Landings, we will bring in a tree after Thanksgiving and take a few days to decorate it.  Each room will be lit for the holidays and most mornings Jack builds a fire.  Positive holiday spirit will fill the air, goodwill and peace will be found in this home.