tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26419938912092627872024-03-13T10:36:31.800-07:00Today at High Meadowspersonal ramblings on life at our bed and breakfast, High Meadows Vineyard Inn, in Scottsville Virginia. Some days I think about all the fun things there are for guests to do, and sometimes it's all about the fun things I get to do.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-82659608496529810162016-01-18T06:39:00.000-08:002016-01-23T07:56:43.764-08:00Things we love about Charlottesville Part 8<br />
This list needs no explaining...here are reasons 11-29:<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-66227151749480325392016-01-15T06:07:00.000-08:002016-01-23T07:57:00.211-08:00 'Things We Love about Charlottesville' Part 7<br />
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It's getting tricky now...but here we go! This part is all about why we love being in business in this area - and since many of you are dreaming of this, a bit of why it's so good here is in order.<br />
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39. Ok, not specifically to do with Charlottesville but...having a B&B isn't a stagnant occupation. There are new trends in the travel industry, in tourism, in how potential guests want to spend their time, and their money. We are grateful for our state bed and breakfast association, the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia. You only get out of an organization as much as you put in...so our advice is to participate! There are yearly conferences, regional meetings, and plenty of time for socializing with other innkeepers who are doing things in other ways. Always an opportunity to learn something from this group.<br />
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38. Next is our local organization, Inns of Charlottesville. There is a lovely network of 'local' B&B's who have gotten together to form a group, mostly to market what we do so well. And the socializing...some of my favorite people are fellow innkeepers I truly admire and who inspire me to do better every day. The winner will be lucky to have such amazing support already in place!<br />
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37. Scottsville in particular is an adorable town, with all the associated small town charms and quirks. If you get involved, you will see a lot of support from the Town - they want to see businesses succeed, and there is always advice to be had if you know who to ask...and we will point the winner in the right direction.<br />
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36. Speaking of Scottsville...we are incredibly fortunate to have the foremost, most sought after B&B consultant living LITERALLY a few miles away. Peter Scherman, of The B&B Team, lives here and has his office right downtown on Valley Street. Seasoned and Aspiring innkeepers from all over the U.S. pay to have his advice...and if you are lucky, you can catch him out for lunch, or stop in and ask whatever is on your mind. He is the best there is for sage innkeeping advice - and he's in our backyard.<br />
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35. Virginia in general is a great place for business. The state tourism arm has the MOST successful advertising campaign in the history of tourism ads...Virginia is for Lovers is talked about worldwide for it's marketing success. The Virginia.org website is one of the most visited tourism websites in the US, and participating is FREE. Some of the work of getting visitors in your door is already done for you!<br />
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34. Tagging right along with virginia.org is the local Charlottesville-Albemarle Visitor & Convention Bureau, or CACVB. Their marketing packages are pretty darn good, and again, participation is FREE. We have a gorgeous Visitor's Center, and the volunteers there are happy to recommend a sweet B&B...we will point the winner in the direction of those who are there to help!<br />
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33. This may come up again as a lifestyle reason to love Charlottesville, but as a BUSINESS owner, specifically one in which food is half your name...the food supply chain is unbeatable. From bakeries, to butchers, to Relay Foods for scheduled pickups when you are just too busy to shop (yes, it happens!), the support system for home cooks and chefs alike runs like clockwork.<br />
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32. Business services are also pretty darn good. The benefit of the rural atmosphere of Scottsville as a lifestyle isn't at all compromised by less than stellar professional services for your business...there are so many people who work from home, that finding just the right fit for an accountant, bookkeeper, or any other service you might want is pretty easy. Ask around, and you'll be amazed at the talent pool living and working right beside you here!<br />
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31. Local networking isn't limited to the Chamber of Commerce...many groups - especially in the wedding, restaurant, winery or tourism industry - host social events several times a year. We celebrate each others accomplishments, help spread the word about a new event location, and generally support each other! The saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats" and that is pretty much embodied in the hospitality business owners who are all working towards success in Charlottesville.<br />
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30. ...which leads to how wonderful it is to be a part of highly qualified, distintive, inspiring and innovative business owners, as you find in Charlottesville! Every issue of The Scout Guide Charlottesville is testament to the incredible quality and care that local business owners espouse in their everyday lives. The winner of High Meadows will be lucky to be a part of such community.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-36920784863929470562016-01-04T06:47:00.000-08:002016-01-04T06:47:28.264-08:00Happy New Year!Welcome 2016 - and welcome to the upcoming changes at High Meadows!<br />
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Our family had a lovely holiday season, celebrating and reminiscing about the Christmases we have been lucky enough to have spent here. None have been as sweet as this one that just passed - and though certainly there is some melancholy when we think about not being here for Christmas 2016 - mostly, there is excitement looking forward to the changes ahead, and joy when we think about the new family that will be calling High Meadows home this year.<br />
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We are steaming full speed ahead with essays...if you haven't written yet, and are planning to, just do it! If you have a friend or loved one who you think should enter, tell them. There is no prettier time up here on this hill than Spring - and it's fast approaching. With 72 degrees on Christmas day, we sort of wondered if it wasn't already here, but there is a rumor of snow finally next week, so those daffodils that are poking up will need to go back to sleep for a little while at least.<br />
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Our January will be full of packing, planning our move, and organizing business details for a smooth transition. The deadline will be January 29th at midnight - this is the actual date that a 60 day extension will arrive on, and we anticipate all entries having arrived by the 10th or so of February. With reading and judging ahead of us, we want to announce a winner by late February, if all goes well! They will still have 10 days to decide to accept in writing, and then we will work to make the transition as smooth as possible, and as quickly as possible.<br />
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At least one other recent contest has closed without a winner, and entry fees returned. Rock Spring Farm, a lovely private home, didn't receive enough entries - and so they have decided to simply put the property on the market. While not nearly as exciting as being able to announce a winner - I know that the experience for the essayists, and for the property owners, was still well worth doing - and we feel EXACTLY the same way. Regardless of how this turns out (and we remain very optimistic!!), we have no regrets for this process. How wonderful to sit and write and dream, and how nice to meet and hear from so many lovely people! It's been lovely so far - and we know this month will pass quickly.<br />
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So, Happy New Year to all of our friends, new and old! Set your goals for 2016, and then take those first scary steps to meeting them...we have, and it feels just wonderful.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-86930681997978647962015-12-12T07:53:00.002-08:002015-12-12T07:53:48.214-08:00What a month!First of all, WHAT A MONTH this has been!<br />
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Clearly, we were too busy to get everything done we needed to do...and blogging was (sadly) not on the top of the to-do list! You can see by the COUNTDOWN clock - we have decided to go ahead with the full 60 day extension...yes, it's kind of disappointing we won't be announcing a winner on Christmas - but from the feedback we received, it seemed better to just take the full time we needed, so we don't get hopes up again - and then need to extend another month. So, this is it! :) <br />
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We are well on the way to receiving enough entries to award the inn, and that may well be below the 5,800 we originally had hoped for - but the point is for us to be able to move on to a new project, and leave the inn in the hands of someone who will love her as much as we have.<br />
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We opened up reservations for New Year's Eve, and through Valentine's Day, and we will take a month during late February/March for transitioning to new owners. With reading well underway, we anticipate announcing a winner February 15th!<br />
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With contests like this one, the single deciding factor for success, is spreading the word! Please share our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, and I am sure we will be welcoming new owners in 2016.<br />
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Enjoy these holidays - So far, December in Virginia has been warm and lovely! We are finally finishing our tree here at High Meadows this week, and will be enjoying Christmas one last time in this great old house!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-41996387144680531532015-11-07T17:05:00.000-08:002015-11-07T17:05:25.361-08:00101 Things We Love...Part 6November! We are counting down...and hoping to get Ellen's attention, so if you have a cousin that works for her, please tell her we need her help to get the word out about our contest! We have a long way to go, but the pace of entries has picked up in the past week. I realized I had better finish my list, and I was reminded on Halloween of my next great 10 things...<br />
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49. Halloween in Scottsville. This year, our little town had well over 1000 trick or treaters - because, thanks to our own Baine's Coffee & Books - Scottsville businesses on Valley Street transformed into the Harry Potter village of Hogsmeade! In the past, we have hosted a pumpkin carving contest too - there are house parties, and an amazing Trunk or Treat downtown set up by one of the local churches. A M A Z I N G.<br />
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48. Halloween in Charlottesville at UVA Grounds. IF you decide to venture out the day before the big neighborhood celebration, the Grounds at UVA are host to lots and LOTS of little ghosts and goblins. And they go home with lots of treats!<br />
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47. First Night Charlottesville. The Downtown Mall in Charlottesville hosts an incredible family-friendly New Year's Eve party that includes music, magic, food, and tons of fun!<br />
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46. 4th of July Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello. Every year, Monticello hosts over 100 people who are sworn in as new citizens of the USA on the morning of the 4th of July, in Thomas Jefferson's front yard. Go for the emotion, the celebration, and the always inspirational speaker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJbZ2gSsHXmgOys2hF1S_cycbvme8GlYZcvPejVoPLGvezqWMCJZbs1Sx9m-mccaBAvwwAIDbmw1lz_kD1Yv0rgiYgbrA0_09zqp1_HfI3ywgX8VvCFhmT_oiGYzFodg-XU_FTs1H2kI/s1600/dave4th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJbZ2gSsHXmgOys2hF1S_cycbvme8GlYZcvPejVoPLGvezqWMCJZbs1Sx9m-mccaBAvwwAIDbmw1lz_kD1Yv0rgiYgbrA0_09zqp1_HfI3ywgX8VvCFhmT_oiGYzFodg-XU_FTs1H2kI/s200/dave4th.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave was there.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9wDIggM-I173ZIDktkfIX0vZezKfPP2Zxj8ZAQnQEb3ihyphenhyphenCaXJ1Ae63aUQ1P9Ecr0KjycDlKlAjfY13d384dvhAs6U8wBKTz1W8EgjT5XRQEslogP2cwPTrgoJn92Bpmjt48kAmR6WI/s1600/4thmonticello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9wDIggM-I173ZIDktkfIX0vZezKfPP2Zxj8ZAQnQEb3ihyphenhyphenCaXJ1Ae63aUQ1P9Ecr0KjycDlKlAjfY13d384dvhAs6U8wBKTz1W8EgjT5XRQEslogP2cwPTrgoJn92Bpmjt48kAmR6WI/s320/4thmonticello.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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45. 4th of July Fireworks in Scottsville over the James River. Fantastic celebration for a small town. Picnic with your family on the banks of the James River, an amazing morning Main Street Parade including every firetruck from every station within 20 miles! Best of all, you can walk down the High Meadows driveway for front row seats.<br />
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44. Scottsville Festival of Lights. It can't be overstated, for a small town, there is a lot of community! Each year, for the past 8 years, local school, businesses and clubs decorate a Christmas tree - and for several nights in early December, this magical place is open to the public - for free. Miniature train village, sometimes Santa...gingerbread, and good company - it's beautiful! This photo is by Thomas Greene...just a perfect winter shot...imagine it all lit up at night, soooo pretty!<br />
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43. While maybe not specifically a Valentine's Day celebration, Charlottesville hosts an annual Chocolate Festival downtown every fall...decadent and delicious, you can get your chocolate fix in one stop.<br />
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42. Gingerbread House display at the Omni. Ok, it's not the Grove Park Inn - but there are some really talented locals and always some professional entries that will blow you away! Early December, downtown Charlottesville.<br />
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41. Easter. Charlottesville Parks & Rec holds and annual Easter Egg Hunt in Charlottesville, if of course the natural spring beauty of Albemarle County in April isn't enough of a treat for you!<br />
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40. Holly Trolley in Charlottesville. There are some incredible light displays in Charlottesville! If you want a guided tour, hop on the Holly Trolley and travel in style. Every evening for several weeks in December, it's one of our favorite memories of Christmas in Charlottesville!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC9aavfwUWDnANVOtDQ_Wg2GvoZPAAGHxtJMm6biJW-zfXoA6AMrr8DGbKI_ULRGWk1nb5XTxX61dCOakjrqL0L6PqhPLDF-0q25Btam6oAE3ZRpkTKexYHHa_hd0AxVHHncTExGJchk/s1600/christmas+lights.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC9aavfwUWDnANVOtDQ_Wg2GvoZPAAGHxtJMm6biJW-zfXoA6AMrr8DGbKI_ULRGWk1nb5XTxX61dCOakjrqL0L6PqhPLDF-0q25Btam6oAE3ZRpkTKexYHHa_hd0AxVHHncTExGJchk/s320/christmas+lights.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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so...have I convinced you yet to enter!?! You've only got a few weeks left...get writing!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-65549051403408217552015-11-07T15:28:00.000-08:002015-11-07T15:28:59.152-08:00<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: #d4d4d4; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 18px; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-left: 20px;"><b>How do I enter?</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-left: 20px;">First,read the Official Rules. Most questions can be answered there.<br />
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Second, use the online entry form for the quickest and most secure way to tell us about your dream! Or, if you will be sending your entry through the mail, read the rules again for WHAT information we need and WHERE to send it.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-left: 20px;"><b><br />What does it mean when you say 'don't include identifying information in your essay"? I want to tell you about myself!</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-left: 20px;">Of course you do, and we want to hear it! We mean that - since we are doing everything possible to keep things anonymous - you should absolutely not use your real names in your essay, or phrases like, "I was Cynthia's roommate in 1985" because that is a specific person that we will be able to identify without lifting our eyes from the page. Saying 'I am a 5th grade teacher in Baltimore' is fine...there are a lot of you, and we do not read minds...just lots of essays.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-left: 20px;"><b>Can I visit High Meadows?</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding-left: 20px;">Sure! We are open year 'round, though we have closed reservations for a time in 2016 anticipating time to get the new owners acclimated to their new digs. If you're asking about just stopping in, well, use your best judgement...we are busy welcoming and caring for our guests, so rooms are often occupied and off limits to visitors anyway. The photos on the website are very good, and I'll be posting more on the blog as the contest continues. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-90777472373211478132015-10-26T14:14:00.001-07:002015-11-07T15:21:58.549-08:00Owner's Quarters...We have had a ton of questions regarding Owner's Quarters...so I'll try to do them justice here by putting everything in one place! I have tried to explain in other places that we have utilized MANY different parts of the inn for our own space over the years, as the needs of my family changed. I assume that the new owner will also use the spaces as they see fit. There is no 'one size fits all' owner's quarters here!! Options, however are everywhere. :) Since many people also are interested in the Cottage, I will start there:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NZf2dH09AqfitUjg2LDJcjhChbSK-Fg3OEx_it9T_DxAOQMwaIeN_331AgLz57yNl3i7cpSWSs5_iIhYEa9UiXG8DUfhvgEYzabrKI2qG7ZZaTD3jMDz6BYrCMYzMNPDcyA-fb0Tvf0/s1600/2015-10-26+10.36.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NZf2dH09AqfitUjg2LDJcjhChbSK-Fg3OEx_it9T_DxAOQMwaIeN_331AgLz57yNl3i7cpSWSs5_iIhYEa9UiXG8DUfhvgEYzabrKI2qG7ZZaTD3jMDz6BYrCMYzMNPDcyA-fb0Tvf0/s320/2015-10-26+10.36.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a photo of the Cottage (today...leaves are falling fast!),</div>
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and the professional photo from late spring </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehGiWhbPRs_yFLnBUjyJAs7b4Zwm2mbOaRnEDEqdAKDVPrTxnbtCUuEXRnkwpgpegYQDFxSr9BdcsEVKYF62irviTZf4MF3s0nC-8D4mrpeVisjOODoazTVQU74UQXe80m5HnX3Lk22Y/s1600/HMVI0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehGiWhbPRs_yFLnBUjyJAs7b4Zwm2mbOaRnEDEqdAKDVPrTxnbtCUuEXRnkwpgpegYQDFxSr9BdcsEVKYF62irviTZf4MF3s0nC-8D4mrpeVisjOODoazTVQU74UQXe80m5HnX3Lk22Y/s320/HMVI0192.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
which, as you can see from the floor plans below, is currently divided into two guest rooms, each with a private bath. This cottage was built in 1996ish for the previous owners' parents, and when they passed away, it was divided as you see it is now. We removed the kitchen appliances - but there is still 220 elec and plumbing run to the little sitting area (the room with the windows and yellow walls below) that has the door onto the deck, just capped off, that could easily convert this space back into a kitchen. This cottage also has drop-down attic stairs, accessed from the bathroom for the Cottage Room, for a storage space where we currently keep all the boxes for holiday decorations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9SlONDpOP8Sm1NXCygmbWwuDYMfe4KHaLbHxnm2etqdobUgQT3Ky7dor9KFKZmlbWQoGpT8wWWXe_275MCNSoXO37U5DGfCWqn3YcXD3jUzpXq74awONAFegUoB8Bsk5KiockRgrnIc/s1600/2015-08-20+16.20.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9SlONDpOP8Sm1NXCygmbWwuDYMfe4KHaLbHxnm2etqdobUgQT3Ky7dor9KFKZmlbWQoGpT8wWWXe_275MCNSoXO37U5DGfCWqn3YcXD3jUzpXq74awONAFegUoB8Bsk5KiockRgrnIc/s320/2015-08-20+16.20.48.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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This is a photo of the entry hall, looking in as you open the front door. To the left is the door to the Cottage Room, to the right is the door to the Cottage Suite (with the deck)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Izc0OTm6vEny5SlCMaBqMrozqvC323dHXlfRu13R_GRfKQV5QkPOTx_AxOqpSwFnJz5ba05JO3tenyq8aWA6SwDrf2RBHtzz0fPu-0MpR2Ifd5ArkDzaqL41NQ7Vs0KkieBD6uDa7L8/s1600/HMVI0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Izc0OTm6vEny5SlCMaBqMrozqvC323dHXlfRu13R_GRfKQV5QkPOTx_AxOqpSwFnJz5ba05JO3tenyq8aWA6SwDrf2RBHtzz0fPu-0MpR2Ifd5ArkDzaqL41NQ7Vs0KkieBD6uDa7L8/s320/HMVI0190.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Photos of the interior of the Cottage Suite:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveMrNweufky7KIK-DHBtXj58K50LF6pqQBG3bJXpWhnKp5Qz51-Xl6OPnVXecHlEbkMQq2fL7h8YUXFdoyJbbTj8zW2iFOh2UwNOkDLiDcaXmjtrrlSlY0e-jMx8jJTWgD47AWk2dVHY/s1600/HMVI0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveMrNweufky7KIK-DHBtXj58K50LF6pqQBG3bJXpWhnKp5Qz51-Xl6OPnVXecHlEbkMQq2fL7h8YUXFdoyJbbTj8zW2iFOh2UwNOkDLiDcaXmjtrrlSlY0e-jMx8jJTWgD47AWk2dVHY/s320/HMVI0174.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0pmmLwGkd6fze5Lavwy-sI-oUYm2NfMxZdbPP3OgN55WwU5jZY4BSoEkJM-OtyIvhApQ9jKVKFAGFvAdp9y91RuI7LNgadWAji8W0FhKXs6-u5ZJY-smtH9akFCVZEPj8P1-P7hRmXI/s1600/HMVI0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0pmmLwGkd6fze5Lavwy-sI-oUYm2NfMxZdbPP3OgN55WwU5jZY4BSoEkJM-OtyIvhApQ9jKVKFAGFvAdp9y91RuI7LNgadWAji8W0FhKXs6-u5ZJY-smtH9akFCVZEPj8P1-P7hRmXI/s320/HMVI0173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are a few photos of the Cottage Room:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2c7PmMSrNqd5u-4luDdAMslazsYrfzSNgVwUXu9b7y-Bnt2NKpAh211rH9nv23NQEHqtjcbOdgHTUMS2n58gCHCN4IfuREUhX75DygINizFtMv4WE3pJZYiUM7eLZT4GpMZadm_SExw/s1600/HMVI0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2c7PmMSrNqd5u-4luDdAMslazsYrfzSNgVwUXu9b7y-Bnt2NKpAh211rH9nv23NQEHqtjcbOdgHTUMS2n58gCHCN4IfuREUhX75DygINizFtMv4WE3pJZYiUM7eLZT4GpMZadm_SExw/s320/HMVI0176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These bottom two are obviously NOT the professional shots...but you can see the bathroom, and the new flooring, bed and table/chairs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK3zEd7Lrvk5nJCew44MpRMmXvnGoUc3rtKy5tWWYbqmk1BEBYEtnkId0oZNKMoZoxRLeeai_yVl_ngAMBOCOr2lTG1eGv2WBXdtRTFKLY3Y3HwPXjotwEg3B4HZ9v9bEcH4L2Hm5x8g/s1600/cotttageroom2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK3zEd7Lrvk5nJCew44MpRMmXvnGoUc3rtKy5tWWYbqmk1BEBYEtnkId0oZNKMoZoxRLeeai_yVl_ngAMBOCOr2lTG1eGv2WBXdtRTFKLY3Y3HwPXjotwEg3B4HZ9v9bEcH4L2Hm5x8g/s320/cotttageroom2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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That pretty much sums up the cottage...definitely potential and space for owners quarters, if the winner is so inclined.</div>
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These next pictures are of the basement hallway, in between the kitchen and the rooms my children use:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OqeEN2NP-17FGvZq56clsvmSul2rR7AJWBhPYDItaiFt2XA_nC3XiBsg918WjB2i2nlmjK-DblygQQ5c_c6Zw5C6PN0eFoA0zYbk9qJvlakvt4l-f0fsPkQAmtT6ntOyEIWgUqR_UsE/s1600/2015-08-17+18.58.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OqeEN2NP-17FGvZq56clsvmSul2rR7AJWBhPYDItaiFt2XA_nC3XiBsg918WjB2i2nlmjK-DblygQQ5c_c6Zw5C6PN0eFoA0zYbk9qJvlakvt4l-f0fsPkQAmtT6ntOyEIWgUqR_UsE/s320/2015-08-17+18.58.12.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFaPFlWElqSaHXEp38bveGQskmnZRjsNAyRQL-vWfUMr3Kf6i0twUIrl_lOj4kVjBdfMB7f-37zknmL3GX5m74FQt63kJ5RmZQOo5RUniMJcoQIjMAAw4cVtM0KT3CE8O9PHu0wUaXbQ/s1600/2015-08-17+18.58.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFaPFlWElqSaHXEp38bveGQskmnZRjsNAyRQL-vWfUMr3Kf6i0twUIrl_lOj4kVjBdfMB7f-37zknmL3GX5m74FQt63kJ5RmZQOo5RUniMJcoQIjMAAw4cVtM0KT3CE8O9PHu0wUaXbQ/s320/2015-08-17+18.58.26.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWieJIfrAchNbr6vd_DGkhuu9imCOCetNnOkmx_uW2LPEaKApUXfzLHJjPFa0aCnpkCTIi2pW6jyYd2rWG7IVxTTW3DoUndgYtXL1GiaSPMiit63dLrx1fo0KzxoVAONY5wFe2VzjrnLI/s1600/2015-08-17+18.58.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWieJIfrAchNbr6vd_DGkhuu9imCOCetNnOkmx_uW2LPEaKApUXfzLHJjPFa0aCnpkCTIi2pW6jyYd2rWG7IVxTTW3DoUndgYtXL1GiaSPMiit63dLrx1fo0KzxoVAONY5wFe2VzjrnLI/s320/2015-08-17+18.58.41.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7bHViuTmNZMzhkt0CKdOhiXZHWbmvNDp1Qhshxl0_gwSpAUMVqpYRTdJG6RLq826kovscqqif5Hmd6rRjJ2FJeZ25q7wjAQwhy_eAINaeMqfTi0HInFycUj8qjzjTDobPG3DqASzWX0/s1600/2015-08-17+18.59.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7bHViuTmNZMzhkt0CKdOhiXZHWbmvNDp1Qhshxl0_gwSpAUMVqpYRTdJG6RLq826kovscqqif5Hmd6rRjJ2FJeZ25q7wjAQwhy_eAINaeMqfTi0HInFycUj8qjzjTDobPG3DqASzWX0/s320/2015-08-17+18.59.22.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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These stairs are the ones that go to the main level, and you can see into the kitchen from this photo. The doorknob is just pretty, it goes into the full bathroom on this level. The wooden closet doors on the left cover a whole wall of shelving we use for towel and linen storage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1V4BNGAfM8ZV_zdTOsjSWMmxY4cbzX4DjVnP91PzMSAvBHjEP_SPVvZ8D_W_hRGxG91aHJH-3p0twg7ucynJK6ohkxxrAst8v3QJ5HB7gbOut1-QCJcww2eUN-erx94-O1zp5QiYHrI/s1600/2015-10-26+14.53.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1V4BNGAfM8ZV_zdTOsjSWMmxY4cbzX4DjVnP91PzMSAvBHjEP_SPVvZ8D_W_hRGxG91aHJH-3p0twg7ucynJK6ohkxxrAst8v3QJ5HB7gbOut1-QCJcww2eUN-erx94-O1zp5QiYHrI/s320/2015-10-26+14.53.58.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZWdDLIJFXHxPNSfSxKSWSqKGKS3ylaSFIyKIgDI6srWwpZHZpkdy6T0m5kMH9aCv8adeRytBfOBPyd0A1KAfS3likakWFoebYpMwBSLOBBI6_AyhyphenhyphenGX5L_gwczhkXJn4cP-b2n9bjcE/s1600/2015-10-26+14.52.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZWdDLIJFXHxPNSfSxKSWSqKGKS3ylaSFIyKIgDI6srWwpZHZpkdy6T0m5kMH9aCv8adeRytBfOBPyd0A1KAfS3likakWFoebYpMwBSLOBBI6_AyhyphenhyphenGX5L_gwczhkXJn4cP-b2n9bjcE/s320/2015-10-26+14.52.50.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I like the floors...white stones in the bathroom with painted brick wall, and brick floor in the hall.</div>
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The next photos are of the rooms down on the lower level that we turned into our personal space for living room/dining room. You can get a feel for the spaciousness, and the window placement. That's a great gas stove insert! Directly across from it (not pictured) is the door that connects the kitchen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo9kRurf0RUeUtWTH1p7i1S7BMKuM69WMPAKtNOIDeALUdp-hDGVa1UjGgoy5eX_CLY0W15CCtJ9beZqFBU8r4mph2NsRHZtJEsDvTn0SGAkj11mkyUs0tlt_6LgQFLxjgbe_-xDdCkk/s1600/IMG_9921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo9kRurf0RUeUtWTH1p7i1S7BMKuM69WMPAKtNOIDeALUdp-hDGVa1UjGgoy5eX_CLY0W15CCtJ9beZqFBU8r4mph2NsRHZtJEsDvTn0SGAkj11mkyUs0tlt_6LgQFLxjgbe_-xDdCkk/s320/IMG_9921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz3a0Y-UaZ4Vk0fxQChoWrUEGufQgtTLMqBBh9pEfGs8tGdK8VP0xKvV7hsAAncVsXSeAipXdmtnzO9p8cAn1HaCWDXDQnO6YIPAE5bR84o7tBGAHAroOHGTOaYavyB3jfBfmg7rYMLw/s1600/IMG_9930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz3a0Y-UaZ4Vk0fxQChoWrUEGufQgtTLMqBBh9pEfGs8tGdK8VP0xKvV7hsAAncVsXSeAipXdmtnzO9p8cAn1HaCWDXDQnO6YIPAE5bR84o7tBGAHAroOHGTOaYavyB3jfBfmg7rYMLw/s320/IMG_9930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The photo below shows the small room adjacent to the room above, and which also has a door out to the brick patio. This 'window' you see is covered with a board divider, and is seen from the other side above my son's bed (with the red/white coverlet below).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQ1SZZO7a9BxhKiuiTsNMwVphrLJSMMpT29ec9tquOITRRvzyHkAt7WzIKcbNgKTAMvU1pUApi7j8AdiRANQnFqyAjRWNoQxClqwKaxZBIaF57AKjNceBU2HGN4borTkf8Em36_mUU7A/s1600/IMG_9948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQ1SZZO7a9BxhKiuiTsNMwVphrLJSMMpT29ec9tquOITRRvzyHkAt7WzIKcbNgKTAMvU1pUApi7j8AdiRANQnFqyAjRWNoQxClqwKaxZBIaF57AKjNceBU2HGN4borTkf8Em36_mUU7A/s320/IMG_9948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got brave and took pics of my teens' rooms...don't judge me...it's their mess. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpd3TSxaXy1fDVqKbWtT4WVgzj0HIZJO3GnoPncB4wtEiigQj6CostIiTJDucyLhK9DQshrXIkgDovPN1xjd3m9jT_FhAgpxy5mC4j7Ri2qUt4D-hqgJGd7vXMzx0Xak0KaUmWsZ4uP1k/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpd3TSxaXy1fDVqKbWtT4WVgzj0HIZJO3GnoPncB4wtEiigQj6CostIiTJDucyLhK9DQshrXIkgDovPN1xjd3m9jT_FhAgpxy5mC4j7Ri2qUt4D-hqgJGd7vXMzx0Xak0KaUmWsZ4uP1k/s320/IMG_0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwXkJyqUZ3DIeqSilDkZRD6CyjiSSvlQIcobmCHJyeTgXWIBsBwUKp1z48xbG6djobD_EURNquO7I4RUrJgITDKeEHYp5tmlHi8B9sSTRS8yUkYW3iWbtY4Ss2LTgxOnv4TCNZQtkuLk/s320/2015-10-26+14.48.00.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Top photo as a guest room many, many years ago - nice and neat. Bottom is my 13 year old daughter's vision of pink.We painted the paneling - it's not fancy woodwork, just literally beadboard panelling, added in the 80's to cover rough plaster walls. There is an in-the-room handsink. The floor is painted concrete - we like that, but basically you could put down anything you want over this surface. This is at the front of the house, with a door connecting to the full bath (that also has the door from the hall with the pretty knob...two doors into one bathroom), as you are reading the floorplan...the room on the bottom right of the picture below.</div>
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Below is my son's room (the bottom left room in the photo above) - it's a painted concrete floor as well. Nothing fancy, the windows let in nice light. It is at the front of the house, directly below the Peony room.</div>
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The last photo of where we 'live'...</div>
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This is called the 'Office' on the floor plan, it's on the main level, and we have a tv in an alcove here (not pictured, on the right), there is a full bathroom to the right also. </div>
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Behind the curtain, there is a doorway we boarded up (but could easily be taken down) that leads to the massage room - which has a separate entrance from the back porch. Before we closed it off, that part of this room held the bed for this room, which has been a guest room, and was also where my mother lived when we first came. </div>
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SO...these are some of the spaces you HAVEN'T seen on the website, as they are generally off limits to guests. I hope it's obvious there are SO MANY configurations for pretty much whatever the new owners needs are! Lastly, the laundry room, kitchen....</div>
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And the large chicken coop/tool shed. </div>
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Now go, write your essay, and ENTER!!! Good luck!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com055 High Meadows Ln, Scottsville, VA 24590, USA37.807638 -78.4976320000000137.4060505 -79.143079000000014 38.209225499999995 -77.852185tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-79241088148402153082015-10-14T06:00:00.000-07:002015-11-07T15:24:04.254-08:00Some bonuses for the winner!<br />
We have been pondering a few fun (but practical) ways we can support the winner in their new endeavor, and after following a few other contests with similar ideas, I think we came up with a few perks that will definitely put a few more reasons under the 'Why I SHOULD enter the High Meadows Essay Contest' column...<br />
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We are lucky living here in Scottsville to be near one of the best B&B consultants in the whole country, Peter Scherman of the B&B Team....a group of realtors specializing in inns and B&B's, aspiring innkeeper seminar leaders, and consultants. Peter lives here in Scottsville, though his business keeps him on the road a lot! We want the winner to be successful whether or not they are experienced innkeepers, if that's their dream. So - we are going to send the winners to one of the BB teams Aspiring Innkeepers Seminars in 2016, hopefully in conjunction with the Bed &Breakfast Association of Virginia's annual conference! They will have a chance to meet other friendly, helpful innkeepers in Virginia, be able to ask lots of questions, sign up for all sorts of interesting training sessions and get acclimated to innkeeping in Virginia. As much as everyone entering the contest is excited - my fellow innkeepers are excited too! They can't wait to see who wins, to meet them, and to support their dream. If we get our minimum of 5,800 entries, AND the winner has an interest in keeping High Meadows as a B&B...this trip will be paid for by us!<br />
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Also something that will be very relevant to a winner hoping to continue as a B&B...association membership fees for 2016 will be paid for AIHP (Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals), BBAV (Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia), and the Inns of Charlottesville. These are educational and advocacy associations that have been invaluable to us.<br />
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If we get at least 6,800 entries - we will also award the winner $10,000 to help pay immediate real estate transaction fees and moving expenses.<br />
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If we get at least 7,800 entries - we will award an additional $25,000 to help with startup expenses.<br />
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These are the biggies...we hope that they help!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0Scottsville, VA 24590, USA37.798754 -78.49556480000001137.748571500000004 -78.576245800000009 37.8489365 -78.414883800000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-2766449947668687022015-10-13T13:37:00.000-07:002015-11-07T15:24:44.224-08:00Things we love...Parts 4& 5This will be EASY...and maybe I am cheating a bit by not just listing 'WINERIES' as one item, BUT...they are all so different, we like them for VERY different reasons. So I think it's justified...read on for our faves!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the view at Blenheim</td></tr>
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69. <a href="http://www.bbvwine.com/" target="_blank">Barboursville Vineyards</a>. This one is the farthest from us - but if you are coming or going from DC like 90% of our guests, it's literally ON YOUR WAY. And it's a 'don't miss this' kind of place, especially if you are new to VA Wines. Some of the best are made here - Octagon of course. The restaurant is wonderful. The ruins are legendary. And there is an inn on the grounds, which I am also sure is lovely! Our own winemaker Gabriele Rausse began his storied career in Virginia as the guy this family recruited from Italy to grow great grapes and make great wine. The current winemaker, Luca, is a local celebrity.<br />
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68. <a href="http://kingfamilyvineyards.com/" target="_blank">King Family Vineyards.</a> To the west of us, this isn't necessarily convenient for our guests to visit while they are here for the weekend. But this blog is to tempt you into wanting to enter the contest and WIN HIGH MEADOWS...so of course it goes in. Great views, polo matches (fond memories from my college days in Sarasota, at Ringling School of Art & Design), a beautiful fireplace for winter tastings...this makes a great drive when we need to just get out of our own space and relax.<br />
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67. <a href="http://www.veritaswines.com/" target="_blank">Veritas</a>. Also over in Crozet, an amazing venue for brides, delicious wines, one of my FAVORITE sparkling wines <i>Fizz</i>, and they have their 'Starry Nights' music series every summer. Go at least once!<br />
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66. <a href="http://pollackvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Pollack</a>. Another place over in the western part of the county...we like to make a day of King, Veritas, Pollack, and the next ones...<br />
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65. <a href="http://www.cardinalpointwinery.com/" target="_blank">Cardinal Point.</a> One of my personal favorites, and they have a sweet farmhouse available as a homestay! Great wine for just about any reason.<br />
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64. <a href="http://www.flyingfoxvineyard.com/" target="_blank">Flying Fox</a>. Really pretty views, and visiting this winery gives you a reason to hope that the chef/owner of...<br />
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63. <a href="http://www.lebleuridge.com/" target="_blank">Le Bleu Ridge</a> B&B has her food truck open, Le Chic Picnic. If she isn't open near the winery, then she might be up at Bold Rock Cidery...wherever you find her - HAVE LUNCH. Whatever is on the menu will be awesome. She has won the Bed & Breakfast of Virginia Cooking Challenge for the last 2 years...and I was a judge one year. She is French, so maybe it's the accent. I don't know, but her cheese souffle was heavenly. So if she is open, go.<br />
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62. <a href="http://www.hilltopberrywine.com/" target="_blank">Hilltop Berry Farm & Winery</a>. So maybe wine snobs will think any other-than-grape, fruit-based wine is no good....but I beg to differ. Maybe not paired with a steak, sure...but as a light dessert accompaniment? Sorry, I think it's perfect. Plus, they make MEAD here! Honey-based, it's delicious. AND...I LOVE to cook with these wines!! They have fresh fruit flavors that really make anything special. The labels are as lush and pretty as the wines, too.<br />
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61. Because after all this wine tasting, if Le Chic Picnic isn't open, there is also <a href="http://basicnecessities.us/" target="_blank">Basic Necessities</a> over this way, which is a French wine lovers dream shop...cute shop, interesting wine selection, cheese counter, local breads and a lovely little menu. Our go-to place for food when in the Western part of the county.<br />
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60. <a href="http://www.pippinhillfarm.com/" target="_blank">Pippin Hill</a>. Stunning views. The only vineyard I can think of that actually has a kitchen too. And oh, what a kitchen! The food is stunning, little delicious bites that pair nicely with the wines. You will soon start to feel like you never want to leave, though closing time does eventually come. This place is perfect on it's own, AND only a hopskipandjump from High Meadows...so we enjoy it for lunch more than we should admit to.<br />
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59. <a href="http://www.jeffersonvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Jefferson Vineyards.</a> This one is nearly always packed, BUT...late winter, it's between us and Charlottesville, and not so crowded - and definitely worth a visit to taste the new wines.<br />
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58. <a href="http://www.trumpwinery.com/" target="_blank">Trump Vineyard</a>. Actually, my favorite thing about this winery is the patch of wineberries just off the parking lot in late July...but the Cru is a delicious after dinner wine and this is the best place to get it. The staff is great, and the patio is nice for picnics.<br />
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57. <a href="http://www.michaelshapswines.com/" target="_blank">Virginia Wineworks.</a> LOVE LOVE LOVE this place...it's not the fanciest tasting room, and there are zero views...BUT, you are in the actual winery, among the beautiful barrels and tanks. And, you can stop at<br />
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56. <a href="http://www.firstcolonywinery.com/" target="_blank">First Colony</a>. New owners took over a couple of years ago, and the changes have been extraordinary! From the amazing thatch roof, interior renovations, and still always excellent winemakers and staff - this is one of the closest wineries to us, therefore my go-to when I need a nice bottle of wine in the eve.<br />
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54. <a href="http://www.blenheimvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Blenheim</a>. This place has the best views, hands down. It's also one of the closest to us, I can be there in less than 10 minutes, driving the beautiful backroads. The art is ever-changing, and always great. The winemaker is a lovely person, making lovely wines, and a woman to boot. The wines are ALWAYS very drinkable - I've never had a Blenheim wine I didn't like. Did I mention the view? Apart from winemaker Kirsty...<br />
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also on staff is Tracy Love<br />
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- who always boggles my mind with her foodie knowledge, event stylings, and all-around great taste. That will lead me to<br />
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53. <a href="http://www.hillandholler.org/" target="_blank">Hill & Holler</a>. Not a winery at all, but a roving farm-to-table dining event company, run by the above mentioned Tracy and friends. The food is always stellar, and the wine pairings perfection. The Hill & Holler team knows their stuff, and I look forward to being able to attend more of their events when I'm not so busy with High Meadows...and the next owner should make time to go to at least one of the dinner events. In fact, maybe we should go together next spring! Future Winner, it's a date!<br />
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52. <a href="http://www.thistlegatevineyard.com/" target="_blank">Thistle Gate Vineyard</a>. On the other side of Scottsville, this vineyard sits by itself - but it's so worth the effort to visit this solitary gem. Some of these reds are so rich and yummy, they might be my favorite wines for fine dining enjoyment...Thistle Gate Cab Franc, and a steak at The Smokehouse Grille in Scottsville...pure local deliciousness.<br />
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51. <a href="http://www.gabrieleraussewinery.com/" target="_blank">Gabriele Rausse</a>. This lovely Italian winemaker is legend in Virginia. He planted many, many vineyards - including High Meadows in 1986. He was our winemaker here for years, and we have many fond memories of the High Meadows Pinot Noir Vin Gris. Now, you can visit his winery for very limited hours - and if you are lucky, get a chance to meet the man who made making wine in Virginia possible.<br />
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It's a long list, but you can see why we can't simply group them all together and call it a day! Whoever is the lucky winner of the essay contest, the one who will take over the property at High Meadows...whatever their plans - wine in Virginia has been a part of our history since Thomas Jefferson, and we are lucky today to enjoy such a variety of wines, winemakers, and wineries! Cheers!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0Scottsville, VA 24590, USA37.798754 -78.49556480000001137.748571500000004 -78.576245800000009 37.8489365 -78.414883800000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-13276906385849702392015-10-01T09:16:00.003-07:002015-11-07T15:25:04.663-08:00The good, the bad and the ugly.We have been getting lots of questions about the property! On one hand, if you are getting the property for $150, should it really matter if one of the 11 toilets isn't working properly? On the other hand, having arrived here blindly optimistic ourselves, I understand the hesitation of taking on a nearly 200 year old house! So, having been here for nearly 9 years now, we have a pretty good feel for what the strengths are, and what the house needs. Read on for our opinions!<br />
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The Good.<br />
For starters, the walls are thick. Something like 22 inches thick. The houses in the 19th century weren't built like the ones today - obviously, because they are still standing. The bricks are double and triple stacked, and then faced with the exterior stucco, or interior plaster and lathe. This house isn't going ANYWHERE anytime soon. The roof on the 1882 house is slate, and we spent a small fortune when we came having it repaired. It's good for a lifetime and it's beautiful too!<br />
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The floors of the house are gorgeous, most of them old heart pine. Some of the exposed wooden beams, like the thresholds, are enormous slabs of beautiful wood, and you can see in some places the peg construction used to build the house. It's beautiful. <br />
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Most of the house has original plaster walls and ceilings - for me, that's a very good thing, because I like the bumps and wavyness as part of the history of the house! The window glass is also about 70% original wavy glass.<br />
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Little things abound...the washers and dryers are awesome heavy duty front loaders, the 2 garbage disposals in the kitchen are new and also heavy duty, and downright quiet compared to the old ones we replaced. We have replaced several old standard toilets with dual-flush, low flow models. The shower in the attic room is stone tile and glass, and beautiful. The instant hot-water faucet at the guest kitchen counter is new and terrific. We replaced one of the 80 gallon water heaters just a couple of years ago, the house NEVER runs out of hot water. We buried the propane tank for the kitchen, so you don't have that unsightly thing out back. We have added tons of new perennials to the gardens, and cleared the overgrowth along the southwest meadow edge, so it's ready for fence, or grading, or planting. The grounds are beautiful in every season.<br />
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The house is quiet - you do hear a few creaks and groans as guests walk around, but the main house guest rooms are quiet, probably because of the thick walls. Generally, we hear from guests how soundly they slept because of the quiet!<br />
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All but one of the 11 fireplaces either has a gas log stove, gas logs, or is open for burning (we use the ecologs for guests). Only one has been plugged at the top of the chimney, and even that one could have gas logs added if the next owner wanted.<br />
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The kitchen refrigeration is commercial, and is amazing, as is the commercial coffee grinder and coffee maker. We serve a lot of coffee, so we got the best! I posted once a long while back about how much I will miss the commercial dishwasher...and that is totally true. It uses very little water, and a cycle is about 2 minutes. <br />
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Also good - the 'feeling' of the place. I was walking through the house last night, it's raining and you can hear it on the skylights, and the house was just lit a bit from a few table lamps - for a brief moment I wondered if maybe we shouldn't leave! Just kidding...my mother is already packing. It's just so pretty, and peaceful, and quiet. Every now and then, we get someone asking about ghosts - and the answer is no. I am pretty sure that every family who has lived here has loved the house, been happy here, and added to the happy 'feeling' that you get when you are here. I can't wait to meet the next happy owner!<br />
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Now, The Bad & The Ugly...It's strange, because what I consider to be good can also be seen as not-so-good...the original glass in the windows for instance. That means that many of the windows are old. If you haven't lived in an antique house before, that is synonomous with 'energy inefficient'. Same with the plaster - while I love the cracks and bumps, I have had several people advise to tear it all out and replace with nice, smooth drywall. Um, not me. But the next person may see that as easier to maintain, and clean, and paint. Certainly, the ceiling in 3 rooms, could use some love, and some new plaster. The skylights are old,- and the gutters are difficult to clean. That's a bad combination when it's stormy. Add trees that were planted too close to the house dropping leaves, and you have a recipe for leaks. It's a lot of maintenance. I'd be looking at a new cottage roof in the next couple of years, we were hoping to add a standing seam metal roof - would be adorable out there!<br />
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We painted EVERYTHING when we came here - and have since only retouched trim as needed, most recently about 2 years ago. The last 2 winters were very hard on the exterior - and it's time to paint again. There is a significant amount of gingerbread trim on the front house, so it's not for the faint of heart! (And here we go again - yes, that's kind of bad, BUT...what a stamp you can put on the place this spring! Are you wanting simplicity? or a colorful painted lady like we did? Since it's time for new paint job, you can do ANYTHING that suits you!) The basement rooms could use some real, professional remodeling someday. We made do after removing some previous attempts at renovation that actually added to moisture issues. A permanent dehumidifier (we have a good one that we move around as needed), maybe radiant heated floors, would help significantly. It's definitely the 'working' part of the house, and the part most in need of help to really make it shine.<br />
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There is an addition at the rear of the house, we use it as a garden shed, I think it used to be an office, that needs to be gutted, or perhaps even removed. It's fine to store pots and garden tools in - but it's not a functional room anymore, after significant water damage from a damaged roof. It's only about 8 feet square, with a concrete floor (and an inground safe we have never managed to open! treasure maybe?). On the floorplans in a previous blog, it's noted behind the kitchen as one of the 'storage' rooms. I also thought about stripping it back to the studs, and adding clear poly panels and turning it into a greenhouse...anyway, it's not a great space. Neither is the back door 'mudroom' area, I don't have any good ideas for that space - we just walk through it quickly. lol It's where we store toilet paper, cleaning supplies, outdoor shoes and basic tools. <br />
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Plumbing and wiring were all done with the major renovation in the mid 80's. As we have changed things, we have also upgraded pipes and wiring as we went. That's not to say there still aren't places that will need work - the worst thing being there are still some places in the main inn with Qest pipes. If you don't know what that is, a quick Google search will make your heart sink...it's awful stuff, and why it wasn't replaced in the 90's as part of the class-action lawsuit against the product, I have no idea. That said - the leaks we have dealt with have lead to us adding better stuff in those areas, and I can tell the winner where they will still need to keep an eye out, or better yet - replace. It didn't scare us away, and it shouldn't scare the next owner - but it's all good to know.<br />
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There is central air, which could be changed to a heatpump - and thought the ductwork is all here, and fine, some of the finish work could have been better...in some places, it's covered in a luan-type of wood instead of drywall - very DIY-ish. It's a cosmetic issue, like the acrylic showers in a few rooms, but it's bothered me all this time. Changing it out was obviously further down my list than other things - I'd have upgraded the showers to tile waay before worrying about how the duct system looks - but, it's kind of ugly. :)<br />
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So - it's a process, we have loved improving on what was here, very grateful for the solid structure and beautiful parts of the house that are original, and the other things we just work with - and on - as part of being lucky enough to live here. Living in an antique is an experience all it's own, and to do it - you need to love it. Really I suppose, nothing is totally Good or Bad, as it is in life - but if you love something, like we have loved this property, it all seems just as it should be. Feel free to ask questions on our Facebook page...happy to try to answer anything!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-82090615014283807642015-09-24T11:38:00.001-07:002015-11-07T15:25:27.668-08:00Other places to see photos and get information...I thought I should probably mention here - if you haven't already, PLEASE go to Facebook and give us a 'Like'!<br />
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I've been posting some historic photos, and lots of other fun info over there - you can search for High Meadows Vineyard Inn on Facebook, we are pretty easy to find. Share with your friends too - the more the merrier.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/HighMeadowsVineyardInn">https://www.facebook.com/HighMeadowsVineyardInn</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-13396646769568708872015-09-24T10:48:00.001-07:002015-11-07T15:26:00.277-08:00Things we love...Part 3And the countdown continues...<br />
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79. The WEATHER. I really can not emphasize this enough, this week's weather is absolute perfection, and it's like this quite often. It's cool enough to have the windows open, a slight breeze, the sun is out and the sky is blue. Sleeping when the temps drop at night is awesome, snuggled under one of the cozy comforters we have at High Meadows. For MOST of the year, it's a wonderful climate! It was one of the top three reasons we moved to Charlottesville, actually.<br />
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78. The SCHOOLS. This was another of the top 3 reasons we chose Charlottesville. No matter what you are looking for in a school for your children, you'll find it here. Private schools run the gamut and serve so many different needs...the Autism Institute, Little Keswick School, Peabody, and the Discover School help with special needs. Covenant School, Charlottesville Catholic School and a few others serve religious needs. Tandem Friends School, Renaissance School, The Charlottesville Waldorf School, several Montessorri schools, the Field School, Free Union School, St. Anne's, The Miller School...all have their individual take on education, some offering boarding. The public schools are awesome too - our little Scottsville Elementary is like a family. UVA and Piedmont Community College round out the timeline. And that's just a sampling...if you've got a family to raise - you can find the school that's right for you. Or not - the local homeschooling network is the one of the strongest I have seen anywhere!<br />
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77. Crabtree Falls. It's a great hike. People die here because they think it's Disney World, and of course it's actually nature...so be careful. But it's beautiful, peaceful, and only an hour away from the inn.<br />
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76. The Downtown Pavilion. So our Downtown is a "mall", as in a big public pedestrian place, along the lines of the National Mall in DC, but brick and smaller. It's about 10 blocks, and has tons of fun stuff to do. The eastern end is the Ntelos Pavilion, and is a covered area, that is home to free concerts as well as hosting everyone from Barack Obama when he came to town, the Dalai Llama when he came to speak, The Flaming Lips, Jack White, Alison Krauss...you get the picture. It holds several thousand people - but you always have a good view whether you are in the front row, or on the grass in the back. So lucky to have such a place in our little city!<br />
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75. Van Clief Nature Area. About 200 yards behind the Maytag store in downtown Scottsville...there is a fairly unknown treasure, a beautiful recreation lake. Recently, the Town has built some nice trails on the 60ish acres surrounding the lake, which is also stocked with trout by the state fishery several times each year. It's amazing. And its literally feet away from the bustling activity of Valley Street. So lucky to have it!<br />
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74. The James River. If the serenity of a lake isn't your thing, no worries - the wide and wonderful James River is also mere feet away. Canoe, kayak or tube - summer activities on the river are endlessly fun. And it runs right through the heart of Scottsville, and is the backdrop for the awesome annual 4th of July Fireworks.<br />
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73. WEGMANS. Technically, we don't have this yet...but it's almost ready to open, and even better it's on the South side of Charlottesville...so EASY access from Scottsville! Can't wait.<br />
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72. Splendora's. Terrific gelato. I don't know why it came to me just now, but it's definitely one of the highlights of living here, and I don't want to forget it on my list. If your kids want gelato and you need coffee, no worries - they also have one of the best lattes in town.<br />
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71. Apple Cider from Carter Mountain. I'm going to separate this out from everything else wonderful at Carter Mountain. It's not pasteurized, sold cold, and it's worth the drive up the mountain to pick up a gallon. The flavor is unmatched. It's not organic, but it is DELICIOUS. The family business up there is run with lots of love - and that's worth quite a bit in my book.<br />
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70. The overlook on the eastern side of Afton Mountain. I live here, and I still pull over regularly to just sit for a few minutes and take in the view. So so lucky to live here!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-50213395191385983522015-09-03T17:50:00.000-07:002015-11-07T15:26:14.884-08:00101 Things we love about Charlottesville & Scottsville...Part 2As luck would have it, today I saw several little news bits about a few of my favorite shops, so since food was on my mind - this is just going be about some of our favorite food around here...remember these aren't in order of our favorites because really, they are all just awesome.<br />
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89. Gearhart's Chocolates. The newsy tidbit about this shop is that they are moving into bigger digs - with a much wider array of chocolate decadence to choose from in the new shop PLUS I understand you may have a view of the chocolatier in action. <a href="http://www.gearhartschocolates.com/">www.gearhartschocolates.com</a> if you want a taste before you move here. Pure, delicious, and gorgeous. THIS is how chocolate was meant to be enjoyed!<br />
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88. Caromont Farm goat cheese. Gail Hobbs-Page is a delightful friend, and amazing woman, and a loving farmer. I don't know many who don't admire her work for access to good, clean FOOD. Her goat cheese is extraordinary - the first batch in spring is heaven. <a href="http://www.caromontcheese.com/farm-dinners/" target="_blank">The first farm dinner</a> is this October 3rd - and I would have been first in line for tickets, but I'll be in NYC...so I am just going to be jealous of all those who get to enjoy!</div>
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87. <a href="http://www.albemarlebakingco.com/" target="_blank">Albemarle Baking Company</a>. I have NEVER had to live in a town that didn't have great bread. Even in Fort Myers, Florida - which still leaves a lot to be desired as far as food goes - had Andre's French Bakery. Asheville was Blue Moon bakery, Norwich Vermont - King Arthur Bakery...and Charlottesville - well, an ABC baguette and some cheese was the meal I picked up to eat in the rental car as I drove home to Vermont on my scouting trip down here in January of 2006, and it's what pushed me over the edge to choose Charlottesville as our home. </div>
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86. MarieBette. <a href="https://instagram.com/mariebettecafe/" target="_blank">Their instagram page will make you drool</a>. It's crazy that in such a relatively small city, we have such great choices for just bread. I've never been to France, but when I go in here, and I focus in on a few items in the case (ok, maybe just the canele) I IMAGINE that's what it will be like someday. I LOVE THIS PLACE. It's not fast, it's not huge portions - it's perfect. Oh, the multi-grain bread, I forget what they call it - $10 for large loaf, so not exactly cheap - but OMG, it is delicious - I think it's fine to charge a little extra for the love they obviously put into everything on the menu.</div>
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86. <a href="https://brazostacos.com/" target="_blank">Brazos Tacos</a>. This place started as a pop-up last fall, and now has a permanent home in what is number 85 on my list, the IX Art Park, which also houses number 84 on the list, <a href="http://arkmountaincoffee.com/htdocs/shark2/" target="_blank">Shark Mountain Coffee</a>. Just go. I am not sure there is anything like <a href="http://www.ixartpark.com/" target="_blank">IX Art Park</a> anywhere, so I won't bother trying to describe it. Brazos tacos serves (vegetarian, breakfast and the best carnitas tacos in town). And watermelon juice. As a bonus, the guys behind Brazos also call the southern part of the county home, so they will be sort-of neighbors if you are the next owner of High Meadows... Esmont is a few miles from Scottsville.</div>
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83. <a href="http://hudsonhenrybakingco.com/" target="_blank">Hudson Henry Baking Company Granola</a>. The. Best. Granola. EVER. I don't care if you think you make your own really great granola. Yours isn't anywhere as good as this, it's just not. It's good right out of the bag, or for breakfast with milk, or as a topping on baked fruit - but mostly just right out of the bag. Anyway - the founder lives about 15 miles away from us, is always at the farmer's markets, and you can get it the stuff in bulk at the local Whole Foods in Charlottesville, and even though pretty soon you'll probably be seeing it everywhere, for now, it's here - and just one more reason to like it in Charlottesville.</div>
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82. <a href="http://jrbrewery.com/" target="_blank">James River Brewery</a>. This place is literally 1/2 mile from our front door. Great beer, great atmosphere, and because it's Scottsville, it's not ever really crowded...plenty of space to kick back and enjoy your drink and the company- around the firepit, out back, on the creek, in the fall, is the best place, in my opinion. Got it? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMoGv1A0ltwWW879lfYP9AIwhbuymaHqUva0vU1xBlr8rOoDz9hi-LiZY4YRIntbIYPrkCkNmVmLo-en-w8f-eL2ycgu29IoNPFiUtVZQDs5qPToWaf_j9VDk3oZy3ETBFD7Lni3Az9o/s1600/brewery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMoGv1A0ltwWW879lfYP9AIwhbuymaHqUva0vU1xBlr8rOoDz9hi-LiZY4YRIntbIYPrkCkNmVmLo-en-w8f-eL2ycgu29IoNPFiUtVZQDs5qPToWaf_j9VDk3oZy3ETBFD7Lni3Az9o/s1600/brewery.jpg" /></a></div>
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81. Dr. Ho's Humble Pie. Some seriously good pizza, that's probably good for you. Local ingredients, whole wheat crust, and lots of love in that kitchen - it's way south of Charlottesville, but not too far from Scottsville. It's definitely worth the curvy backroad drive to get there.</div>
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80. Farmstead Ferments. I happen to love sauerkraut and pickles (if you saw the photo of the kitchen at High Meadows, I SPECIFICALLY mentioned that I was not leaving my pickling crock...no way), and I enjoy making my own. But this stuff, specifically the Garlicky Greens, is addictive - </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyyHfeT53zI9xQAEYnipl4zlRRJPwMoxL8hDvuwbZwNDTQoRkqrbA76MK0A_O588mytp0wz7S9uPojY3tCOut586ktIFIKgSvV7Nl_6J4aDgwGR51og_gE3Kq1bXke7dBe6yZoVnCS5E/s1600/ffphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyyHfeT53zI9xQAEYnipl4zlRRJPwMoxL8hDvuwbZwNDTQoRkqrbA76MK0A_O588mytp0wz7S9uPojY3tCOut586ktIFIKgSvV7Nl_6J4aDgwGR51og_gE3Kq1bXke7dBe6yZoVnCS5E/s320/ffphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and I am happy to pay whatever price it is in whatever store I find it in, when the mood hits and I have to have some. It's great that we have such wonderful food choices here - from the farmers to the chefs, there is just a lot of care that goes into the food chain in this area. It's one of the reasons we are not moving too, too far down the road!</div>
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Come back in a couple of days - for Part 3. And please share our blog, our story, and the contest! We are so sure the right person is out there, and we can't imagine that at least 5,800 people won't want to give it a try - we just need to make sure they hear about it and enter, so share away please! Now I've made myself hungry...heading to the kitchen...</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-11520136685219947712015-08-31T07:47:00.000-07:002015-11-07T15:28:34.215-08:00101 Things we love about Charlottesville & Scottsville...Part 1.I bet you think I am exaggerating...but I'm not. Here's Part 1 of the list, kind of in order...<br />
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101. Spring. The state tree and flower are the Dogwood (I actually learned that on 'The American President'...Michael Douglas and Annette Bening) for a really good reason...it's gorgeous in April here.<br />
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100. Summer. The beach is about 2.5 hours away. The mountains are less than half an hour. Swimming holes abound. Take your pick and get outside!<br />
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99. Autumn. Apple orchards and cideries, gorgeous foliage, the Blue Ridge Parkway, crisp, cool nights and warm days. And unlike Vermont, no snow on Halloween.<br />
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98. Winter. <a href="http://www.wintergreenresort.com/" target="_blank">Wintergreen</a> ski resort is a 30-minute drive, with slopes open from right after Thanksgiving til early spring - there is snow to be had all winter, if you want it. But even when we get the white stuff down off the mountain, it's usually melted off the roads within days.<br />
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97. Location, location, location. You've got DC within 3 hours - free museums, Kennedy Center, big city stuff. Or the beach. Or the back roads in the country. You name it, you've got it within hours of Charlottesville.<br />
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96. Amtrak to NYC. People go to NYC for the weekend on the train, then return home to the country on Sunday night. Best of both worlds!<br />
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95. <a href="http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>. Get on the parkway going south, or Skyline Drive going north...the views and hikes are astounding.<br />
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94. <a href="http://www.monticello.org/" target="_blank">Monticello</a>. A World Heritage Site, beautifully restored. You'll learn something while you're there, too.<br />
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93. Scottsville Farmer's Market. Saturdays from late spring til fall, meet the farmers and local food producers. It's not the biggest in the area, but it's got everything you need...plenty of parking, and it's 1/2 mile down the road.<br />
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92. High Bridge State Park. GREAT biking, because it's flat and easy. Got kids? Take them! Pets on a leash, too. 45 minutes south. Free programs, like the recent Bike to the Moon...leaving from the trailhead in Farmville at 8pm on the full moon in August - bike to the bridge, listen to a talk about the moon, then bike back in the moonlight. Talk about a great date night idea!<br />
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91. Greenwood Gourmet grocery. An amazing little market store out near the Parkway and wineries in the western part of the county. Fancy sandwiches and great coffee to go, plus gourmet food items...and garden art/pottery, and the best pumpkin selection in the fall.<br />
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90. Paramount Theatre. My favorite little restored theatre was the Osolo in Sarasota. This one is really nice too - with performances by everyone from Lewis Black to screenings of 'Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang'. Just a 20 minute drive from High Meadows, right downtown Cville. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwa4H0aMeGk" target="_blank">Watch Lewis Black reading the top 25 things to do in town the day he was here...hilarious.</a><br />
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So there ya go...the first few reasons to want to live here. <a href="http://www.highmeadows.com/" target="_blank">Enter the contest to win High Meadows</a>, and you could be living and working here for just your best essay and $150. And stay tuned in a couple of days for the next best reasons, if you still need more motivation!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-25103966708107133122015-08-23T08:33:00.002-07:002015-11-07T15:29:16.386-08:00Floor plans to help with the dreaming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So many of you have asked about the layout of the inn...I admit is is difficult to imagine being in it in person! When we first moved here, for a week, I found myself going up or down the wrong staircase to try and reach a room I was aiming for. It's not that the house is that big, but the way that the two houses are joined together make some things really connected, and some things not. And it took a few days to figure it out. :)<br />
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These are VERY ROUGH plans...yes, I can do better, but these will give you the general gist of everything, and then you can go online and see photos of the particular rooms for windows, and fireplaces, and if you still have questions, please ask! (BTW, yes the fireplaces work. The basement and dining room have gas stove inserts, the rest we burn ecologs in, seasonally.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5P594W5G_jvwy30WbmkSvstKMOLpA-MnaYBoUCjKd6-geqLB3UOOrO5rsoorsnqs3BmQM68pzKiHumttUL4zk4GD29lgFDNuM-9BKth6kQjq6AoOaYtyubdM_pufe4MC-yFnD9qoO2A/s1600/2015-08-20+16.20.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5P594W5G_jvwy30WbmkSvstKMOLpA-MnaYBoUCjKd6-geqLB3UOOrO5rsoorsnqs3BmQM68pzKiHumttUL4zk4GD29lgFDNuM-9BKth6kQjq6AoOaYtyubdM_pufe4MC-yFnD9qoO2A/s320/2015-08-20+16.20.15.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">English basement...only 2 steps up/down to outside, big windows in each room. The bottom of the page is the front of the building. We currently live on this level.There is one full bath, and one half-bath. The floor is poured concrete, or loose-laid brick. The front two rooms are approximately 20' x 21'<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main level to the inn...double pink front doors and the porch are shown at the bottom of the page. We call the joining hall the Breezeway, and it's got a sofa/chairs/guest kitchen area and half-bathroom. The ceilings are about 10' high. Great wood floors, all have been refinished except the Peony Room. Again, not exactly proportional - most rooms have a king bed plus other furniture and plenty of room to move about. Refer to photos for a reference of what the individual rooms look like, this will give you an idea of their relationship to one another. The room we currently use as an office was an enormous guest room when we first came - with a separate bedroom, and sitting room, and we used it as such for a while. It had an entrance from the back porch, but we closed off the bedroom area (could be reopened easily) for our massage room, and still found the space plenty big enough for either a guest room or...an office/sitting area for us. This fireplace has a gas line to it, but currently no gas logs or stove, because we just didn't need it set up that way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Cmo8OOd3QSg9zm2_AZK1R8P5zfC0yfZnUSqtj_HG2DuYfJ_agRtR-DDMkwXkJi0LsFSvXyF8gQl9_YiMbp3wUXu0GNREfbc67fS4niTs_kOlwJc4x14Cqp0jezwsB1vDGATif2T0_c/s1600/2015-08-20+16.20.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67Cmo8OOd3QSg9zm2_AZK1R8P5zfC0yfZnUSqtj_HG2DuYfJ_agRtR-DDMkwXkJi0LsFSvXyF8gQl9_YiMbp3wUXu0GNREfbc67fS4niTs_kOlwJc4x14Cqp0jezwsB1vDGATif2T0_c/s320/2015-08-20+16.20.41.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the third floor of each house...they are not connected to each other, and both the Willow and the Robin's Nest rooms have windows that look out onto the Breezeway rooftop/skylights/and at the shingle roof of the 1832 portion of the inn. The front windows look out over the front lawn and vineyard. These two rooms have exposed beamed ceilings, very high. The Dogwood room is the charming peaked attic room...we lived in this area when we first moved here, because it is very large. The small room to the right has a built-in daybed under the eaves.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last important building on the grounds (we didn't count the toolshed, gazebo and chicken coops as 'important') is the Cottage. We have it divided into two rooms that we rent separately, though it's fun for a group too. We never lived out here because it's so popular - but if you were looking for a bit of privacy, this is an adorable space for owner's quarters. Originally, it was built in the 1990's for the previous owner's aging parents, so it actually has plumbing for a kitchen, and 220v for a stove. It's about 300 feet from the back of the inn. Very modern feel, with vaulted ceilings, and attic storage accessed by pull-down stairs. There is also storage underneath, accessed around the back under the deck, because this is built on a slight slope...the front is just slightly above ground level, the deck outback is about 8 feet off the ground.<br />
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Hope this helps! It's fun imagining how the spaces could be used differently. When we came, the basement level was the restaurant...the rooms on the left were the dining rooms, and the room connected to the full bath was a guest room. We have used these rooms as dining rooms also, but a few years ago decided to move the dining room upstairs. It does make for lots of carrying up and down from the kitchen, but we also have a lovely brick patio that we serve breakfast on when the weather is nice - and that's out the side door, on the basement level (to reiterate - it doesn't really feel like a basement...the windows are big, and it's just 2 steps up to the patio or backyard to get outside. The kitchen also has really nice big windows beside the hood and stove....so it's bright.)<br />
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Happy planning, and happy writing! It's such fun to read the dreams and plans of everyone...I know that it's going to be tough to choose, but what an awesome day that will be, when we can finally call the winner!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-72883196374072772212015-08-17T16:27:00.000-07:002015-08-17T16:27:27.912-07:00The Story of How We Came To Do This Contest Thing.This is by far, the most common question! Just today,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66IUgaHttUIQFA3zq4NxTyh5dgjWbqyonEYjqi71RGSMEh_vFZWlT9Ss9TZFgiowYfs2IylVzbOP6FjAVNIdlvNkreYkSJl7ahK0P6qgB7KB2bsN3KmTYJp9CrXBKeDiOjQg1bxDzbK0/s1600/2015-08-17+17.23.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66IUgaHttUIQFA3zq4NxTyh5dgjWbqyonEYjqi71RGSMEh_vFZWlT9Ss9TZFgiowYfs2IylVzbOP6FjAVNIdlvNkreYkSJl7ahK0P6qgB7KB2bsN3KmTYJp9CrXBKeDiOjQg1bxDzbK0/s320/2015-08-17+17.23.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The swing stays...Ariel, our puppy, does not.</td></tr>
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guests enjoying the swing out front(yes,even in this heat!) asked us WHY are you leaving such a beautiful place? It's also the most common question asked by reporters - and to be fair, it's a long and tedious answer, so no one is going to be able to report it just right, 1) because I tell the story differently every time, and 2) because it isn't that interesting. But it's a good question,and people are asking - so I thought I'd lay it out all right here. Then, no matter what story you read that might only have room for one part of the explanation - you will know the whole story, because I am telling it now.This will be TMI for many people - but it's what happened. If you just want the rules, go to <a href="http://www.highmeadows.com/" target="_blank">www.highmeadows.com</a>. Once upon a time, a long, long time ago...<br />
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...about 8 and a half years ago actually, we set out to own High Meadows. The property was for lease - and that was good, because we couldn't have afforded to purchase it for the 1.6 million dollar asking price. For those keeping track - this was 2007. Real estate values, anyone? Yes - very, very high. So - the inn had been closed for a while, and it was winter, and the place needed a lot of love. We loved it! We leased it for a while from the people who had loved the inn enough to renovate it the first time, then extended the lease another little while...all hoping we would someday be able to purchase the inn outright. Spring of 2010 rolled around, and a very supportive family member who knew this was our dream - made purchasing the property possible! Yay! Part of the owner-financing required us, in 5 years, to make a balloon payment on the property. Not a bad idea we thought, as the business was growing and we had plans! Yay!<br />
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Well, those 5 years sped past quickly. We had been working on a 'regular' business loan through our bank that would take care of the balloon payment, and enable us to build cabins, revitalize the vineyard, and maybe even add an event barn for weddings. By fall of 2014 I was in planning mode, clearing brush readying the land for cabins, and we had even hired an amazing assistant innkeeper, excited about adding 5 new rooms by spring of 2015!Yay!<br />
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But things didn't go as I had hoped...and we were not able to get that bank loan (BOO!HISS!), so in February of this year, we began to think of other options. I heard about the Center Lovell Inn contest in Maine - that became a possibility in the back of my mind, but really a 'last resort'. We set up a GoFundMe. And I reached out to good friends asking for help. This is where I get emotional, thinking of ALL THE AMAZING friends I have! I am not kidding...we had people telling us how much this place meant to them, how much we meant to them, and contributions of LITERALLY everything from one dollar and up came our way. There is no way to explain how inspired I was, and how excited I was to keep moving on with my plans. I also had the very good fortune of meeting an amazing man, a friend of a friend if you will, who after many conversations, and questions, and meetings - all of which made me really think about my business inside and out, and love it even more - was going to become my partner! And this guy, well, suffice it to say - HE IS AWESOME. If I could have written down the qualities I'd want in a business partner, he would have every single one. I was excited to learn from him - and most special of all, he understands the quirky, enchanted craziness we have going on here, <i>and he likes it</i>. So awesome! Double Yay!<br />
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Then, life happened. Or in this case, death. My eldest sibling, my brother that I looked up to and adored for as far back as my memories will go, died of a traumatic brain injury. The injury was sustained a while ago - it had happened suddenly, crazily, an overhead door at his workplace hit him on the head, and an hour later, he was forever different. So it's not that this was unexpected exactly, it's just that his death finally happened. I have lost grandparents, but you sort of grow up knowing that will happen. For me, this was different.<br />
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It's a classic time when you lose someone you love, to take stock of your life. We've all seen the movies. That's how it was for me...in a matter of a day, maybe two, my path forward became crystal clear, as my mother and I talked. She was ready to move 'home' - to Florida. For real. Soon. My children, both teenagers now (they were 4 and 7 when we moved here!), have different needs than when I wanted High Meadows so I could work from home, and be there for all the things young children need. Now, they want to be able to take trips, or be loud, or spread out with friends - be teenagers - and I want that for them. Having this as a home and a job rolled into one suddenly was simply not the necessity it once was. My full-steam ahead approach came to a halt so fast...and I said no to the amazing offer of a partnership with one of the most inspirational men I have ever known. (This is the ONE little part of my story that I still wonder if I will regret!)<br />
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With the whole-hearted support of the previous owners, family, friends and colleagues - I decided to run the essay contest. You hear the cliche 'a weight was lifted off my shoulders' often...but that's the closest thing to how light I feel after making this decision! I know it's exactly the right decision at exactly the right time! The inn is busy and growing, but there is room for someone to make it their own.There are still a few showers that could use updating. (that's a future blog...The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly). The vines need replanting - or perhaps someone else will want something else! We have some fall repairs to make around the inn as we do every year, but I'm not repainting <i>everything</i> as I had planned - because in a few months, someone else will have the joy of choosing colors that speak to them.<br />
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So that's The Story of How We Came To Do This Contest Thing. Incidentally, though those are all the reasons why I made the decision, there are nearly as many reasons why this is truly the perfect way to pass on this particular inn...I know there will be people who don't like, or simply don't get the idea. They aren't the ones who would love it up here anyway. The people who will want High Meadows are creative, think-outside-the-box optimists and dreamers. People I know I will be friends with, and who will love High Meadows as much as we do, wrinkles, worn thresholds and all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNonElaEWbOaTLfbdPsyRGxbRAHp_jCqvLsHrGqoDyI8qUZvSHa84LyDGQUxx5BbNU1ZMMxIedqW9b02Xvex2VPGTjnBnuWvb4Nf4X6BWvDMOZOIcqCVVVzAXGIoYY46b0nqLre3rQHsw/s1600/threshold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNonElaEWbOaTLfbdPsyRGxbRAHp_jCqvLsHrGqoDyI8qUZvSHa84LyDGQUxx5BbNU1ZMMxIedqW9b02Xvex2VPGTjnBnuWvb4Nf4X6BWvDMOZOIcqCVVVzAXGIoYY46b0nqLre3rQHsw/s320/threshold.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite old threshold in the English basement, in the kitchen. It's part of the 1832 portion of the inn.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com055 High Meadows Lane, Scottsville, VA 24590, USA37.807638 -78.4976320000000112.498846499999996 -119.80622600000001 63.116429499999995 -37.189038000000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-7055309346717388972015-08-17T03:25:00.002-07:002015-11-07T15:28:13.493-08:00Win the Inn!<br />
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So here we go! Our local Charlottesville paper the Daily Progress sent an awesome reporter, Bryan "Mac" McKenzie out to talk to us last week about the Essay Contest. We are starting with our local friends getting the word out, knowing it will spread as others hear about our awesome inn. If you didn't get to see the paper, here's a <a href="http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/scottsville-inn-being-given-away-in-essay-contest/article_91bccce4-4385-11e5-aac8-a7bb6d2a655c.html?mode=story" target="_blank">link to the article</a> on the front page - nice photo of my mother with her sassy new haircut, too! (by the way, the dahlia on the table is from the garden...we have gotten a few survivors even with all this rain!)<br />
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I will be posting later this week some answers to the most frequently asked questions, some guidelines for where to find information (everything is in the Official Rules) people are looking for, etc. Pretty much, everything you'll need to know to enter or to follow the contest will be on our blog, some fun stuff on our Facebook page...but mostly in the Official Rules. Updates will be sent via email to anyone who has entered, for anything an entrant might need to know.<br />
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And we'll be getting press - which is nice! Just remember, if you are planning on entering, make sure you always refer back to the Official Rules...ever play that childhood game of 'operator'? Where one person whispers something in another person's ear, and then it goes around the room, and by the time it gets back to the first person, it's a totally different statement? Yeah, that can happen. The rules won't change, they will always be found here on our website, and so will any other pertinent, accurate information. Facebook will be fun to interact, but since comments can be made by ANYONE, the best place to have your questions answered is here on our blog and website. We're keeping this anonymous, so don't jeapordize your entry by not reading the rules.<br />
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One last comment on who can enter - obviously not our family, but you'll notice we did not exclude friends. That is such a vague word sometimes, and we have met so many people through the years passing through the doors of the B&B, who we would consider friends, yet who are not connected in such a way that they should be excluded from the contest...so that's the reasoning there. And it's also the reason that it's so important that those of us selecting finalists and ultimately the winner, read essays anonymously. The integrity of the contest is the most important thing to all of us!<br />
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So - what's your dream? Might it include this happy house on a hill? Someone out there is perfect for High Meadows, and it is perfect for them...do they even know it yet? Spread the word, if you know of someone who should enter! We have loved being here - and I can't wait to meet the next owner of High Meadows.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-21952472479497058312015-08-09T09:16:00.004-07:002015-08-09T09:24:07.033-07:00Essay Contest<br />
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I thought I'd write about several other contests happening around the state and country...there are quite a few, and I do have some favorites! Here's the list, in no particular order:<br />
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<u><b>Blue Hill Inn, Maine</b></u></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street view of The Blue Hill Inn</td></tr>
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<u><a href="http://www.winthebluehillinn.com/">www.winthebluehillinn.com</a></u></div>
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I love this place! Owner Sarah has taken time to get an online contest done right...the official rules are clear and she obviously has the right intention. Good Luck to her and the team at The Blue Hill Inn! The next owner of this property will be lucky indeed. The current owner also had the very good fortune of a front row seat to the most talked about contest lately, The Center Lovell Inn - which was featured on everything from the NBC Nightly News, to the Today Show. Clearly she has learned from their small mistakes. This is an inn ready to move into the future while embracing it's past. Just lovely! $150 and 200 words.</div>
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<b><u>Rock Spring Farm</u></b></div>
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<u><a href="http://www.rockspringfarm.org/">www.rockspringfarm.org</a></u></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the main house at Rock Spring Farm</td></tr>
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Imagine life on a tranquil 35 acre farm on the Rappahannock River in Virginia...now imagine that life could be yours! This essay contest giveaway property is my favorite of all those that are not necessarily income-generating properties, though even here - there is a rental cottage. About an hour from Williamsburg, this farm is rural - but isn't that ideal for horses, or goat, or llama or alpacas? A farm sancuary? I imagine the possibilities here are pretty broad, especially if you can work from home, or make your living with the animals. This also has the perk of the house being built in this century! $200 and <b>1,000</b> words gives you ample room to woo the judges.</div>
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<b><u>The Claiborne House B&B </u></b><b><u><a href="http://winclaibornehouse.blogspot.com/">http://winclaibornehouse.blogspot.com</a></u></b></div>
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Another inn located in beautiful Virginia, this one down in the Southwest corner, near the birthplace of country music. This B&B has already seen one family raised here, it's time for a new one! Five rooms is the perfect size to manage for one person or a couple, living and working from home. It's a great life, and it can be yours for 200 words and $150.</div>
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Finally, our own </div>
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<b><u>High Meadows Vineyard Inn</u></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.highmeadows.com/">www.highmeadows.com</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8lG07cRjxysRu__-N_G1MUUkjVnTZVKC2dzD1gOwgalC3bxje_SpwoF1auGim0i7IvLrjM-qyor6r2j0FfV1Rb8WknGdCNiOOwc85mEcLwfPlSABWi0X8GkYMLqM4l62ldXA53QVZA/s1600/katie-and-bryan-lovingston-virginia-wedding-photographer-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv8lG07cRjxysRu__-N_G1MUUkjVnTZVKC2dzD1gOwgalC3bxje_SpwoF1auGim0i7IvLrjM-qyor6r2j0FfV1Rb8WknGdCNiOOwc85mEcLwfPlSABWi0X8GkYMLqM4l62ldXA53QVZA/s640/katie-and-bryan-lovingston-virginia-wedding-photographer-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks to <a href="http://www.meredithsledge.com/" target="_blank">Meredith Sledge</a> for this pretty spring photo! </td></tr>
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We have just over 13 acres in the cute <a href="http://www.scottsville.org/" target="_blank">Town of Scottsville</a>, plenty of room to make this the farm of your dreams, with meadows and old pastures, a pond, a stream, and pretty woods. The vineyard is not currently in production, but the infrastructure is all here and ready for whatever you want to do. Our inn gets rave reviews, and has been an award winning restaurant as well...will you continue that tradition? We are rural enough for privacy and country life, but less than 20 minutes away is <a href="http://www.monticello.org/" target="_blank">Monticello</a>, a World Heritage Site and <a href="http://www.visitcharlottesville.org/" target="_blank">Charlottesville</a>, consistently ranked as one of the most desirable small cities in the US to visit or to live in. The property is close to <a href="http://davematthewsband.com/" target="_blank">Dave Matthews</a>' <a href="http://www.blenheimvineyards.com/" target="_blank">Blenheim vineyards & winery</a>, <a href="http://www.firstcolonywinery.com/" target="_blank">First Colony winery</a>, <a href="http://www.thistlegatevineyard.com/" target="_blank">Thistle Gate</a>, and over <a href="http://www.monticellowinetrail.com/" target="_blank">30 others</a>. <a href="http://www.jrbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Breweries</a>, cideries, great restaurants, and great swimming holes are all within a half hour, or a half mile! Washington DC is 3 hours north, and accounts for the vast majority of our visitors, and is an easy getaway when we are craving the <a href="http://www.washington.org/smithsonian-museums-dc" target="_blank">Smithsonian</a>. We truly have the best of everything here, and we are so happy to be giving a chance to someone else to make their dreams come true. Our contest details will be announced August 17th, just one week away - it will be <b>$150 to enter, and you've got 300 words to tell your story.</b> Stay tuned and help us spread the word!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-12363289558696143012015-08-03T16:00:00.000-07:002015-08-03T16:00:02.894-07:00Making lemonade out of lemons!First of all, let me start by saying I LOVE LEMONS. A slice of lemon with salt makes my lips pucker just thinking about it, and plain water with a squeeze of juice is so refreshing! Baked, preserved, sweet or sour, lemon curd, lemon pie, lemon pickles...and yes, even lemonade - truly I love lemons, so this silly saying always makes me laugh, because if you start with something you like, then of course the outcome of any effort to improve on it is probably going to be great! It's appropriate then to describe the past few months here at High Meadows, and the decisions we have made regarding our stewardship here. It's been emotional, to say the least.<br />
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The support and love from friends, guests, family and pretty much everyone has been unending, eyeopening, and truly life changing. I am going to try to bring everyone up to date without too much backstory or digression...<br />
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One of the first things that most of our friends and family have been wondering is 'What is the status of the inn?' Many of you donated and pledged support towards a rather large balloon payment on the property mortgage that was looming, and potentially going to stand in the way of our future here. I was humbled by the support of so many people! We love what we have been doing here at High Meadows, and were grateful when things worked out for us to continue living and working at the Inn. However, despite what seemed to be the answer to our prayers only months prior, we were faced with other, more personal challenges...and after several weeks of discussion, the decision was made to pass on High Meadows to her next owner.<br />
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I won't lie - it was an incredibly difficult decision to make, and there are small moments when I question it...like a few weeks ago, when 4 sisters staying with us hugged us goodbye and thanked us so sincerely for making their getaway so special, and I wondered if this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing - making people happy, because it makes up happy in return! Those moments of questioning have been welcome - because it is with a very clear heart that I look forward to whatever is next in my family's journey. They are also welcome, because it's clear that we have made something wonderful happen here, built on the love of those who lived here before us - and it is time to pass it to another someone to love the inn, the property, the house - and to make it their own.<br />
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As anyone who knows me, or who has been to High Meadows will tell you, I don't do ANYTHING the 'right' way. If it's quirky or strange, or wildly wonderful - I will try it! So why then just put the inn 'on the market' up for sale? Purchasing an inn like High Meadows would be expensive - well out of the financial reach of lots of people who might really love her, and be really good at this innkeeping thing. Frankly, it was financially out of our reach when we came here...but we were lucky to start with a lease, and then lots of creative financing. Yet practically, we have a mortgage on the property to pay off, and family expenses - there is certainly a 'number' that we need to achieve if we sold the inn in the traditional way. So imagine my joy at reading about an ESSAY CONTEST being run in Maine to pass on another historic inn, the Center Lovell Inn! The current owner actually won the inn 22 years ago in an essay contest, and was passing it along again the same way.The new owners will be opening soon, and the previous is happily retiring...what a joy for all involved! I loved reading about it several months ago, and now, presented with my opportunity to find someone to love High Meadows - I find this solution to be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.<br />
So an essay of 300 words or less, on a topic such as 'Why I'd love to own High Meadows Inn' or 'The Future of High Meadows with Me', a potential innkeeper/farmer/homesteader (let's face it - we have over 13 acres here plus the house...the property can be almost anything!) will send in an entry fee of somewhere around $125-200 (we haven't ironed out all of the details yet) and their essay...and to the best/most creative essay - the prize will be High Meadows! With enough entries (we are hoping for around 5,800)our family will be able to turn over the property and the business free and clear to the winner...who takes over as the next owner for the price of their entry and a few hours' writing time. What better way to set the next future innkeeper up for success! In addition, I get to put High Meadows into the hands and heart of someone who will love her. Obviously, there will be some tax,training, and transfer issues for those of us involved - but we believe it's nothing that a successful, growing business and gorgeous property like High Meadows can't handle for the next owner!<br />
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We are so excited! Details will follow soon...we are building an online entry form, and working out the official rules. We are working on a marketing calendar to get the word out - this can only work if we get enough people who want to try their hand at a creative essay! The contest is slated to begin around August 17th, and run through November 30. I will need time to read all of the essays, narrow them down, then send the finalists to the judges - 3 people not connected to the inn, but whose opinions I value - who will make the final decision of the winner. We will call the winner on Christmas morning - what a gift this will be to the future innkeepers of High Meadows! So...wish us well, and keep an eye out for contest updates. The next few weeks will be somewhat quiet as we work behind the scenes to get the website in good working order, (though we'll be able to accept entries through the mail as well) then we are looking forward to a busy fall of blogging, press releases, community support, and finally of reading about the hopes and dreams of those wanting to be the future of High Meadows Inn! <br />
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Be happy for us, be excited for the future owners of High Meadows, and if you think you know someone who would be a perfect fit for our little bit of heaven up here, pass this along! Follow us on Facebook, and check back around August 17th at www.highmeadows.com for online entry information.<br />
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We have truly loved every minute of our time here - and can't wait to meet the next owner!<br />
Cynthia, Nancy, Francis & Sophia<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-90099721957165192292015-02-04T18:47:00.000-08:002015-04-12T10:30:54.528-07:00Oh Henry.There's a certain amount of trepidation and excitement felt when moving and beginning a new job. For me, High Meadows was an instant hit, but still, you know some things will be different. High Meadows itself is truly different; what do you expect from two houses built within 40 years of each other during plantation days, and then joined at the hip? I expected to work hard, meet new people, and enjoy the beautiful Virginia countryside. I did not expect Henry. <br />
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If you've stayed with us before, then you've probably met or heard of the late, great Mr. Henry, our resident peacock. Henry was stately and handsome, and boy did he know it. His favorite past time was strutting along the stone path towards the gazebo, fanning out his brilliant plume, and slowly rotating like a model on a runway for the inevitable visitor standing 10 feet away with a camera. Of course, being from Missouri originally, I didn't know people sometimes owned what I thought of as exotic, zoo-only birds. I felt that, over time, Henry and I developed a sort of professional-ish bond; he watched me as I worked, and I took pictures of him on my phone and echoed his calls with an admiring whistle when I thought he looked lonely.<br />
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However, Henry was unfortunately lost to us this summer. A few theories float around to try and make sense of his disappearance, but no none can explain for sure what happened to poor, lovely Henry. It has been far too quiet this fall and winter without him.<br />
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Needless to say, I was ecstatic when Cynthia announced we'd recently accepted a new member into the High Meadows family--a young peacock! It's too early in the year for his beautiful tail feathers to be shown off, but his neck is a lovely, iridescent green. He's a wee teenager compared to Henry, but he is sure to enjoy the grounds and visitors to the inn just as much as his predecessor. <br />
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We haven't yet named the new peacock, but I'll follow up with it as soon as a decision is made. In the mean time, leave your suggestions in the comments and come see our new peacock!<br />
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--Written by DannahAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-14336567452677527292015-01-14T08:55:00.000-08:002015-01-14T08:57:28.555-08:00Martin Luther King Jr Day Approaches!Hi, I'm Dannah!<br />
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Since moving to Virginia in April, I have been working as an assistant innkeeper here at High Meadows and have now witnessed the house in each season. It seems winter has moved in; the cold snow lightly settled among the trees sets a comforting contrast to the warm coziness inside High Meadows. Excited children celebrate the area's first official snow day today, while we are taking advantage of the quiet day to prepare for the upcoming three day weekend that is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. <br />
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I am looking forward to the warmer weather expected to come just in time for the holiday. What a holiday it is going to be--we are booked! Nothing like an extra long weekend to enjoy the area's wineries and attractions, like Monticello...and nothing like cuddling by the fireplace at the end of a full day. <br />
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If you are unfortunate enough not to be amongst the lucky travelers who booked a room here at High Meadows this weekend, alas I feel your pain. You will most definitely miss out on an excellently cooked breakfast prepared by Cynthia, and truly warm welcome by Nancy this weekend. You will not take a luxurious bubble bath in one of our house rooms. Nor will you book a massage with our talented masseuse, Tarja, pondering briefly while you relax the sad lot of those who are not enjoying your three day weekend vacation. However I offer this word of hope to you, my forlorn traveler: winter is not over and there are still many opportunities to come stay with us!<br />
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Winter is such an underrated season to travel when there is still so much to offer. Tourist attractions and restaurants are less busy, and the hills and mountains of the area are beautifully highlighted for the season. High Meadows is a short distance to the slopes when you feel the call of winter sports. Not to mention that the quickest fix for seasonal depression is taking an extra two days off work to get away and unwind (in fact we're conducting a non-clinical survey here at the inn; side-effects include: happiness, sleeping in, and a reluctance to return to the office). In short, take a winter retreat to High Meadows. We can't wait to have you!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-70240095507176758532014-09-05T10:38:00.003-07:002014-09-05T10:39:24.635-07:00September...Fall Specials and our local food bank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall is here...despite a bit of hot weather welcoming in September - we are expecting a cold front coming through this weekend! A nice snap of cold will make the apples crisp, and get the leaves jumpstarted...are you ready?<br />
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We are - during the months of October and November, we are offering a special rate for 2 night stays Sundays thru Thursdays. I know it's hard sometimes to get away during the week...but trust me...if you saw the weekend crowds at the breweries, wineries & orchards - you would take that extra day or two and enjoy relaxing at all those same places...with the views nearly all to yourself.<br />
Just some of the best reasons for a weekday getaway:<br />
* Same great views...without other people in the way!<br />
* Often you'll get a visit from the winemaker or winery owner...the weekdays are when they get to enjoy their places too!<br />
* Restaurants...no reservations required, and you might get to meet the chef<br />
* Farmers Markets are later in the day, nearby on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays.<br />
* Sleeping in on a workday...THAT'S luxury!<br />
* Reduced rates - our special happens to be $359 for 2 nights, (and if you reserve by Sunday, we will throw in lunch!)...but pretty much all the area B&B's offer midweek prices less than on the weekends.<br />
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If that doesn't convince you, then hey, we would still love to have you on the weekends! <br />
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On another note - the best B&B's and inns in Virginia belong to different associations...Select Registry, Relais & Chateau, Diamond Collection, and our own Bed & Breakfast Association of Virginia. To belong to one of these means the inn has been inspected, keeps some pretty high standards, and generally - even if the place is still the innkeepers home - it's a professionally run place, where hospitality comes first. Many of these groups fund-raise for different charities. Last month, for the first time - the Virginia group (BBAV) partnered with the Virginia Area Food Banks. We thought that since 'breakfast', the most important meal of the day, is part of our name - what better way to give back to our communities than to help make sure EVERYONE in our areas has enough to eat.<br />
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Some inns provided food collection bins, and gave discounts for guests who brought a contribution. Some made envelopes available to guests, and encouraged donations to local food banks. We, like several other inns, committed to donating a portion of our income to our local food bank. I am pleased to be donating 1% of our August sales to our Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Turns out, just before the holidays - food banks are often very low on funds. It's just before people really feel compelled to give during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, so they are especially grateful. Our donation provided over 1,000 meals! Thank you to all of our guests, for helping make this happen - even if you didn't realize you were helping, you were. And also - thank you to neighboring inn <a href="http://www.aftonmountain.com/" target="_blank">Afton Mountain Bed & Breakfast</a> for being the engine behind this wonderful fundraiser...Dan & Orquida are remarkable people - and super fun, so if you need a place near Wintergreen skiing this winter - look them up!<br />
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Just a reminder...if you are reserving a room in October & November, checking in Sunday thru Wednesday - be sure to select the Fall2014 package! We are looking forward to those leaves!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-22185811417914942342014-08-14T07:19:00.002-07:002014-08-14T07:20:53.484-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn43kVUaVLXzc1zdXnKpVrgMiICH-CHsJ4P7arw524Ui8rAehNkhayOmebHrr5St1MqpF1-dYrBFwh1muqBEzld-eGmuN1Ku2yS_4cLuz4ZuZeFhWiSz31HCapfD4arD3r4ijjUrhh-cE/s1600/2014-08-02+14.40.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn43kVUaVLXzc1zdXnKpVrgMiICH-CHsJ4P7arw524Ui8rAehNkhayOmebHrr5St1MqpF1-dYrBFwh1muqBEzld-eGmuN1Ku2yS_4cLuz4ZuZeFhWiSz31HCapfD4arD3r4ijjUrhh-cE/s1600/2014-08-02+14.40.21.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a>We had the sweetest wedding here at High Meadows last month...a bride and groom, and their closest family and friends...what joy! Big parties are always fun, but something about the sincere simplicity of this wedding was just delightful. There is no doubt that sometimes, it's just easy to see when a couple is 'made' for each other, and this was one of those times.</div>
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I had the pleasure of making their wedding cake, a lovely raspberry & lemon cake with lemon buttercream frosting...it was as pretty as could be, and since there wasn't much left - delicious too! Flowers for the bride came from our gardens, and a few select blooms from my favorite florist <a href="http://www.hedgefineblooms.com/" target="_blank">Hedge Fine Blooms</a> in Charlottesville. A simple summer luncheon, and games in the yard that afternoon, then off to dinner at our place The Smokehouse Grille. They had the entire balcony for themselves upstairs, and the entire evening to enjoy celebrating with family and friends...what could be better? Oh, and the weather? Rain clouds parted for the outdoor ceremony, and a light cloud cover the rest of the afternoon kept off the summer heat. Perfect!</div>
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We love to host weddings...though we may be changing it up a bit...our friend Jan at <a href="http://www.basicjoy.com/wordpress/bellehaven-on-the-james/" target="_blank">Belle Haven</a> has such a talent for welcoming brides, we encourage anyone looking for a magical location to seek her out first. High Meadows is just 1/2 mile away...so we'd like to be your place to stay! Jan's barn and beautiful gardens, and our overnight rooms make just about the perfect combination for larger events. In 2015, we'll be focusing on the intimate weddings we love...and being the best place for Jan's wedding parties to stay overnight nearby! If you just have your heart set on High Meadows, however, please get in touch - a good party here and there never hurts...:) Enjoy the fleeting last bits of summer - and plan a fall visit to see us!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-39070382079164899422014-07-28T14:10:00.001-07:002014-07-28T14:14:29.607-07:00A day in the life of an Affineuse...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8yQGh-VII4UE_hoHakyH34z-eWRlMsCy1NdefTtPjFQ7fNQlIj4w8AuqdcZpx7Dkpc-4wj2RyiI3TUx7n13VGIa2mTfR0HzMApfMZGRyoGPS9JTajyetvVgTS9YcFfYtr4m45NxjuUI/s1600/2014-07-28+12.37.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8yQGh-VII4UE_hoHakyH34z-eWRlMsCy1NdefTtPjFQ7fNQlIj4w8AuqdcZpx7Dkpc-4wj2RyiI3TUx7n13VGIa2mTfR0HzMApfMZGRyoGPS9JTajyetvVgTS9YcFfYtr4m45NxjuUI/s1600/2014-07-28+12.37.56.jpg" height="320" title="Caromont farm cave...Red Row" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caromont Cave...Red Row raw cows milk</td></tr>
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Word of the week...'affinage'! I spent today learning a little about aging cheese from a wonderful woman who makes delicious cheese, Gail Hobbs-Page of <a href="http://www.caromontfarm.com/" target="_blank">Caromont Farm</a>. After a tour of the dairy - including an audience with her awesome Kickstarter-acquired new cheese vat, Gail and cheesemaker Alhena set me to work in the 'cave'. Anyone who has visited High Meadows has had Caromont cheese in one form or another - cheeseplates or crepes, or even cheesecake - my favorites include the fresh chevre, the amazing Red Row, and now...Tinto. It was my job today, in the cave, to flip the Tinto and to wash and flip the Esmontonian. These are all raw milk cheeses, aged for a minimum of 60 days. Gail and I tasted several of the Red Row batches - it was amazing to taste, feel and smell the difference that a few weeks of ripening can add to a cheese!<br />
After donning hairnet, rubber shoes, rubber apron and rubber gloves - I got to work in front of a pan of brine...the cheese wash - in this case, a mixture of local vinegar and water. Using a small delicate brush, and starting with the youngest cheese - each round was carefully brushed to remove surface mold, washed, then flipped and placed back on the shelf to continue aging. The Esmontonian is made in basket-like forms, so there is a lovely 'woven' pattern all over the outside of the cheese round...it's beautiful! The vinegar solution clouds as the youngest cheeses are washed, and it begins to thicken. By the time the oldest cheeses are being washed, it is an almost creamy solution that is somehow beautiful. It coats the cheese rounds, and you just know that in that perfect humidity and temperature, good things are going to happen.<br />
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I can't say the outfit was the most glamorous (see hairnet photo above) - but being alone in the cave, with the pungent smell of the cheeses, in the company of those glorious cheesemites doing their work - I can easily see how one could become obsessed with the art of making cheese. I suppose it helps that I am an admirer of chef-turned-cheesemaker Gail - we met soon after we came to High Meadows, when she brought me a gift of her amazing chevre. Her husband Daniel, is a fixture at the Nellysford farmer's market on Saturday mornings, smiling behind the cheese, and at his restaurant in Charlottesville, <a href="http://www.hamiltonsrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Hamilton's at First & Main</a>. Point is, I think the cheese is so lovely because there are such lovely people nurturing it! Gail says she thinks it helps that the goats are milked about 10 feet from the cheese making room...the milk doesn't travel - talk about local food!<br />
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I will be acting as affineuse as often as I can - it was a wonderful, peaceful experience. The photos below are of the Red Row in the foreground, the Esmontonain on the back shelves, and the Tinto (the very dark rind cheese) in the bottom picture. That cheese is washed in red wine(!) and my new favorite. Maybe next time that one will be on my list to care for!<br />
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And now for the really cool news...if you've visited all the wineries, but you still like coming back to Charlottesville - you can work with the cheese at Caromont for a day! Washing takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from about 9am til sometime after lunch. The Friday worker gets lunch cooked by Gail! We are still putting the package together - breakfast early at High Meadows, we will send you to Caromont with a picnic, and you will get a tour of the dairy and instructions for the day. Back to High Meadows for a massage, and a cheese tray to taste all the goodies from Caromont. Email us if you are interested - it's a once in a lifetime experience!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caromont Cave...Red Row (foreground) Esmontonian (background)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caromont Cave...Tinto - raw goats milk</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641993891209262787.post-6117307678026130792014-07-25T12:52:00.000-07:002014-07-25T13:07:40.488-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes...those are PUMPKINS ripe in the garden! We had some gourds, pumpkins, melons and spaghetti squash sprout from the compost pile...and these two beauties were ready to pick now...in JULY! Thankfully, fall isn't here quite yet - as is evidenced by the amazing blackberries we have been picking for a month, and are STILL ripening on the canes. Figs are getting plump, basil is DELICIOUS, and dahlias and zinnias are blooming. Summer is in full force...maybe the pumpkins are just trying to reflect the beautiful sunshine we have had all month.<br />
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Coming along also is our "Flower Bed"...it's one of those things that will either be really cool, or really NOT. Preparing with plantings to match a wedding in October...before and after pics to come. Any guesses which bed we used? You'll soon see! (Hint: It was beautiful, but a bit too small by todays standards, and would have needed a custom mattress to fit around the posts) Stay tuned - so far, I am liking it a lot. We'll be taking votes though...sometimes my artistic sense is questionable...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17786081518284926240noreply@blogger.com0