Breathing Life Into a Dream

We stayed at the Red Pine Bed & Breakfast this past weekend. It renewed a dream.

My brother-in-law was just returning 'home' (to our Inn) from a walk when I happened to drive up to the Red Pine B & B.

He met me at the car and his first words to me were, "This has exceeded all expectations."

Then he proceeded to start to tell me about our amazing hostess ... until the moment that I was warmly greeted and welcomed into our temporary home and met 'Edwina' myself.

As we walked in the doors and he said, "You've just got to see this ..." and we wandered through this amazing home which has been turned into a Bed & Breakfast.

Our suite was amazing. It housed all four of us with ease. It was almost unfortunate that we had the entirety of the rest of the house at our disposal, because we had all the comforts of home, right within our very own suite:

   

What  you don't see, is that there is comfy, cozy, big chair (that goes with the ottoman shown) and another full-sized queen bed, off in one nook of the 'living area'. There is a new television set with a multitude of channels (satellite) and an incredible selection of DVD's available to watch. There has also been a small fridge (with an wide variety of beverages), a microwave and a tray set up for coffee/tea and snacks.

It is unfortunate that the photo gallery of this B & B does not showcase the main floor level. There are two large sitting areas (which could be separated by a sliding door, if there was a need) and a hugh dining area. Every nook and cranny of this three story home has been decorated by hand picked items that have been acquired through auctions and garage sales over the course of the (two) years in which the owners have had this home.

You walk up one half of the first flight of stairs and there is the door to the North Balcony (pictured above). You continue up that flight of stairs and you find this:

Canto - Bedroom 1

Canto - from a different angle

and this:   

Madeira - Bedroom 2



Burgundy - Bedroom 3

and this:

The Office (now converted to a  4th Bedroom)

North Balcony (private access off of the Office Bedroom)

That is just the house. Then there is Edwina ... our hostess.

Each and every one of us was welcomed with open arms. She offered us refreshments any time there may have been an inkling of someone wanting a coffee or something to nibble on. She gave us just the right amount of space and privacy to visit amongst ourselves, as well as a chance to visit with her in small bits and bites. I believe we were all anxious to hear a little of her story ... what it took to get their B & B from 'there' to 'here'.

Before we left, I took a few minutes to thank Edwina. Before I even arrived, my family told her about my goal of running a bed and breakfast one day. So she took full advantage of the time that I had separated myself from my family to talk with her. "Come ... let's sit down and talk!", she exclaimed as she escorted me to one of the sitting rooms.

She buoyed my enthusiasm, restored my faith and she started me off with words of advice. She sent me on my way, encouraging me to keep in touch and ask her anything, as I set off on the road to pursuing this dream.

I have never let the goal of owning/running a Bed & Breakfast die. But it has withered ... just a bit. When one allows reality to seep into your dreams, it does water them down a bit.

After this weekend and most especially after sitting down and talking with Edwina .... I feel that anything is possible!