At the risk of seeming to boast...

We really appreciated this compliment from a guest. Peter and his wife from New York City stayed with us last night. This morning, after thanking us (and settling up!) and saying good bye, they carried their luggage out to the car. But then Peter returned to say this:

"I just had to come back to say, Beautiful house, beautiful room, fabulous breakfast. And you make it seem so effortless. But I know that when something this detailed seems effortless, it's because somebody is working really hard."

Bless you Peter! Way to make our day!

The Easter charade

We had a few VMI cadets, looking sharp in their white uniforms, come for ham dinner on Easter Sunday. After dinner we all played a round of charades--the cadets posturing hilariously to coax the right words from the group. What always makes hosting these young men so much fun--besides their genuine appreciation for home-cooked food--is their down-to-earth ability to relax with us senior citizens. "Give and it shall be given unto you," Jesus said. And truly the cadets give back in enthusiasm and affection far more than the meals and time we give them.

Hot trivia

While dousing our chili tonight with hot sauce, we noted for the very first time that we share a founding date: 1868!

TABASCO® brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded in 1868 by Edmund McIlhenny [his portrait here] on Avery Island, Louisiana, and still family-owned and operated on that very site.

On our website home page we point out that Johann Strauss composed Tales from the Vienna Woods in 1868. Imagine!--three world-famous beginnings in that blessed year: a hot sauce, a beautiful waltz and a Lexington VA bed and breakfast location! We're wondering now what we could serve for breakfast that would benefit from the sauce...while we play a CD of Strauss' TFTVW ...in the dining room of the 1868 Magnolia House Inn.

Any suggestions?

A new place to cuddle

We have acquired a loveseat for the Equestrian Suite. The cozy fireside is just that much more inviting with a place for two to cuddle. It's always fun to improve a room--something that goes on continually here. I regularly comb the local antiques malls and used furniture stores for special things to make the Inn say "home" in a way rooted in history.

And thanks to Jake, a VMI cadet whom we have come to know and appreciate for his kind and helpful heart, for carrying the other end of the new piece as we brought it home today...in the front door and up the stairs, setting it down in front of the Equestrian fireplace for all future guests to enjoy.