Hill House Blogs!

Picture Perfect Memories

2011-07-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's nice to see guests taking pictures of the Inn and gardens to capture memories of their visit to Asheville, North Carolina. Of course we are always available to snap a shot of a couple together, since we know how often we come back from a vacation with lots of scenery photos and an occasional picture of each other posing by a tree or waterfall.

With digital cameras being so pervasive, it's easy to just click away. Our photo card is at capacity and I try to occasionally download pictures to the computer or share with friends on Facebook. But rarely do we actually print photos any more. Recently when I was composing a photo album for a big family reunion to celebrate my parent's 65th wedding anniversary, I became overwhelmed by how important these memories are to save and share with the next generation. My brother also compiled hundreds of photos on a disk with music to span the decades. Some pictures of our childhood I had never seen before.

And during the anniversary party, I was struck by an emotional moment that surprised me. The gathering totaled over 55 guests, mostly family, but also dear friends, neighbors and those special individuals my parents have known for years. After dinner and the champagne toast, my dad invited everyone to pass the microphone to each table and say a few words as an introduction. At first I thought, uh-oh, this is going to last forever... but quickly found so many fun and interesting things each guest had to say.

The most memorable was from a woman who was there with her husband and two young children, and her message was filled with admiration. She has provided household help for my parents for a long time. She said that while she had not previously met the family members, she felt like she already knew us. She explained that twice a month she would dust the cabinet that held the family pictures; she would clean each picture frame and carefully place it back on the shelf. Like many families, my parents proudly display photos to include all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren on one particular cabinet. After a baby is born, a spot is cleared for the new arrival. This woman has lovingly taken care of the family pictures for years, and at this gathering her family was finally able to meet our family that she knew so well.

So we hope you treasure the pictures of your life. Try to find time to print them or compile them into an album, so they don't just exist on your computer hard drive. At the Inn we are never too busy to help capture a photo of you with your special someone, whether it's on the front porch, with the dogs or in the garden. And at Hill House Bed & Breakfast we always appreciate being part of your picture perfect memories.

The picture above is a family visit years ago with my parents, sister and nephew -- you probably recognize the steps to the Inn's front wrap-around porch. And here we are with our daughter, son-in-law and baby Katelyn leaving my parent's Arizona home a few weeks ago.

Maisie's Story

2011-02-04T10:56:00.001-08:00

Now that we have two Golden Retrievers, we are getting accustomed to new daily routines. Bailey has been a part of the family since she was a puppy, so knows her job at the Inn very well. Maisie is 5 years old and we just adopted her a few weeks ago. They are both so sweet and gentle, but two dogs can take up a lot of hall space when visiting with guests! Just the other day someone asked "what made you decide to get another dog?". Well, it wasn't a situation where we were actively searching for a dog. Rather this beautiful red dog with soft brown eyes was searching for a home. Every dog has a story, and Maisie's will steal your heart!

I first met Maisie (then referred to as Mama Dog) when she was in foster care early December with a litter of puppies. The farm where I board my horse is peaceful and spacious, and the owner is very active with the Asheville Humane Society. She routinely fosters dogs and their puppies until they are old enough to be adopted. Of course you can't help but fall in love with puppies, but from the day I met her I knew that Mama Dog was very special.

Each week I watched the puppies grow and Mama Dog become more confident and playful with the other dogs on the property. When it was time, the puppies were taken to the adoption center and quickly found new homes. But Mama Dog didn't have a home. The shelter was a scary place and she refused to eat when she was there. So Elizabeth, the farm owner, kept her for another week when a big snow storm hit the area.

About that time Bailey was scheduled to have some tests performed at the vet hospital. I knew we couldn't think about adopting until we heard about Bailey's prognosis. If it was serious, we would not put her through the stress of a changing household. So I kept my fingers crossed. First that the vet would bring us good news about Bailey, and second that the sweet red dog would find a good home. Happily, I got both of my wishes!

I contacted Elizabeth and asked if we could keep Mama Dog for the weekend to make sure the girls got along. I picked her up that Friday and we would make a decision by Monday. The greeting between the two dogs was uneventful, so we went inside and they both quickly fell asleep. Boy, that was easy! When our visitor woke up I sat with her on the floor. She inched very close and gently put her head on my chest. I put my arm around her to hold her and pet her, and with her eyes closed I felt her exhale into my ear. Yes, this sweet dog had found a home. Our home. Within days we decided on the name Maisie.

Bailey likes being a big sister, but you know how it is with sisters -- you have to share everything -- her toys, her favorite sleeping spots AND her Mom & Dad. But Bailey is very patient and seems to understand. Maisie is quick to exit whenever a door opens, and Bailey has the funniest expression as the little one darts in front of her. At this point all I can say is, 'we're working on that'. But Bailey seems genuinely happy, and she's more playful and eating better than ever.

As we spend time together I learn more about Maisie. She's a talker and makes all kinds of funny sounds, and wiggles her whole body when excited. She loves attention and if you go to pet Bailey, you'll likely find the red-headed dog under your hand! We go on long hikes and she enjoys wooded trails. I think she probably lived in the country before since she is puzzled why a leash is always needed when we go outside. And when we walk down the street, she's alarmed that cars travel so close to the sidewalk. But she's learning to trust me, learning that when I leave I will always come back.

Both Bailey and our first Golden, Brandy, were from breeders. We always knew we would get another dog at some point, and I would occasionally check out Golden Retriever rescue sites. But sometimes wonderful things happen when you least expect it. So if you are thinking about a new pet, check out your local shelter. The look in the animal's eyes will speak volumes. They prefer not to share their past, and of course they are nervous about the present, but their eyes will tell you a story about their future. And Maisie's future has just begun.

A special note from Bailey: "I'm learning that little sisters pay attention to everything!!! Dad found Maisie on top of the kitchen table at home the other day. He was so surprised! I didn't have the heart to tell him that I was just reminiscing with her about when I was a puppy." Yes, the picture to the right is Bailey many years ago...

A Golden 2011!

2011-01-24T08:27:00.000-08:00

Big News at Hill House! We have adopted another Golden Retriever and named her Maisie. She's a sweetheart with a beautiful dark red coat. Maisie recently had a litter of puppies and once they were all adopted she needed to find a forever home. What better place than with us?!

Bailey seems happy to have a little sister and is quickly showing her how things are done at the Inn. I think Bailey has always wanted an assistant and Maisie is taking lots of notes. Goldens have that natural talent to melt your heart and make you want to pet them. They both sit nicely, look gently into your eyes and take turns getting attention from our guests.

Right now Maisie follows me everywhere, and Bailey doesn't want to miss anything so she follows Maisie. It's like a little train going down the hall. But we are quickly getting into the routine of being a 2 dog family. I'm sure the neighbors are chuckling at me walking the dogs together, trying not to get tangled in their leashes. Luckily they don't pull or do anything silly, but some days I feel like a third hand would be nice to have.

We'll be updating the website soon with new pictures, so come visit us -- our girls would love to spend time with you!!!

A Slice in Time

2010-10-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

October is always a busy month for us and the weeks go by so fast. We always enjoy meeting new guests and LOVE to see the familiar smiles of return guests joining us at the Inn. Over the years we've have the opportunity to learn about significant life events happening with our guests. Just this week one couple who has stayed with us several times shared they are expecting their first baby in March. Since our daughter is also due with our first grandchild in March, I felt like a proud grandmother-to-be. Another couple now has a 1-year old daughter since we saw them last.

In the past few days there were honeymooners staying with us and several anniversaries being celebrated as well. What a great job we have! We get to share the excitement of these wonderful occasions. But babies are quite special. Sometimes couples visit Hill House for their 'baby-moon', their last getaway before the sleepless nights begin. Other times it's the first trip away since the birth of their child. New parents are sometimes a little nervous about leaving their little one, but I can assure you the grandparents or other family members taking over at home treasure every minute.

We are always honored when a guest comes back to Asheville to stay at our Inn. We know we all have certain places that are memorable and special, and there's a feeling of comfort in returning again. Sometimes it's about the occasion being celebrated, but many times it's about how a place makes us feel. And for us, it's truly memorable when these special slices in time are shared with us!

Changing Seasons

2010-09-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that September is almost over and October is right around the corner. October is one of the peak months in the area due to the fall colors and we stay very busy. We can already feel the weather change and the days getting shorter.

We are still serving breakfast on the front porch and hope that the morning temperatures cooperate for a few more weeks. Everyone loves the front porch! One day last week the fog was so thick I was nervous that the guests may be too chilly. But we're in the mountains, so most guests just added a sweater or light jacket. Then about 9:15 that morning, the fog started to clear and the breakfast conversation continued with happy faces. The light filtered through the trees and the birds were flying from branch to branch. Being so close to downtown Asheville, it's amazing how peaceful our front porch can be. It's a great way to start your day... and a great way to end it as well.

Each evening the porch is the place where several guests enjoy some wine and conversation, another guest may be reading and maybe another couple is playing a serious game of Chinese checkers. That's a nice part about our Inn. You can seek the company of others if you'd like, or find a quiet spot to read or nap. The hammock offers a a perfect resting spot -- if the squirrels don't bombard you with nuts from above. We used to think it was just coincidence, but those squirrels in the trees love to take aim!

So with October on it's way we'll plan to share pictures of the beautiful colors in the area. We hope to meet a lot of new guests and welcome return guests back to Hill House.

Here's how the tree on the side yard looked in previous years. Beautiful! It's a large tree with lots of leaves. But this is the classic fall shot -- clear blue skies, cool mornings and mild temperatures during the day. And yes, Bill will be spending lots of time in the yard come November collecting all those leaves that fall to the ground...

Butterfly Bailey

2010-08-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

Most of the time Bailey is so low-key, people wonder if she ever moves from under the dining room table. But recently she was a bit full of herself and created a little mischief. Who, me?!!!

We were having a very busy everning where it seemed everyone showed up to check-in at the same time. I was helping one couple, Bill was helping another, guests were waiting in the parlor and on the front porch. Mellow Miss Bailey wandered through to say a quick hello then headed down the hallway. From the Parlor I heard one of our guests tell Bailey 'No, No, No!!!'. Uh-oh... I'll be right back.

As I turned down the hall, I see her head in someone's bag pulling out pieces of paper towel and shredding them. I quickly escorted Bailey to the office and went back to the guests. Trying to use a calm voice, I asked if there was anything important in their bag. Our guest's eyes got big and she dashed toward their belongings, 'Oh no, I hope she didn't get...'

My first thought was... it wasn't jewelry was it?! No, the treasured piece was safe. Our guest had found these colorful butterfly wings as a head-piece to give to a friend. Bailey thought maybe they were for her. So, of course, the next morning before breakfast Bailey had to pose for a picture with the butterfly wings. Our fun-loving guests captured the moment for all to enjoy.

P.S. She likes socks too!!!

Sunday Pancakes

2010-08-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

Okay, this story isn't really about pancakes, but rather family traditions and routines we all cherish. For those of you who have stayed with us previously, our Sunday tradition is typically to serve our popular Creme Brulee French Toast. It's definitely the most requested recipe of any dish we serve.

This story is about little things people can look forward to and enjoy in these busy times. We just returned from a trip to California to visit our daughter and son-in-law, family and friends. We pack a lot of socializing (and eating) into a week and we love every minute of it! There's one family friend that I've known since I was a teenager and we always make a point of visiting with her. She's now in her 90's, lives on her own in the same house and still a bundle of energy. Quick witted with a bounce to her step that is quite impressive at her age.

As we visited, she shared stories of her travels of when her husband was alive and the neighbors that still live on the street. Clearly everyone on the block keeps on eye on her and help as they can. She's always interested in what's happening at the Inn and the breakfasts we prepare. She shared that she usually only eats oatmeal and raisins for breakfast (maybe those oatmeal commercials are on target -- she's in her 90's!!!). But every Sunday she treats herself by cooking pancakes, bacon and coffee. She'll prepare a nice dinner each Sunday evening as well. At that moment I realized how important those weekly rituals are... to treat yourself to something special... to take care of yourself... to look forward to another Sunday with pancakes.

Her house is always immaculate with a nice sparkling pool in back. Bill asked if she still swims and she responded with bright eyes and a smile, 'yep, I took a dip just last month'. In the next breath she confided that her dip was a little unexpected as she reached for something at the edge of the pool, lost her balance and fell in! Not only that, it was the deep end! Then she chuckled that she made her way to the shallow end and managed to get out. With no one in sight, she peeled off the wet layers and likely walked into her house regally, like nothing had happened. Our dear friend definitely has a sense of humor.

So in closing, think about the little things you look forward to each week. Then promise to never stop doing them. And when you can, take a little time to help a neighbor who lives alone, a senior citizen without family, or actually hand-write a note to someone you haven't seen in a long time. Those moments will last a lifetime.

One Family's Journey

2010-06-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

One of the joys of running an Asheville Bed & Breakfast is having the opportunity to meet so many fun and interesting people from all over the world. Guests travel to Asheville for many reasons -- to celebrate a special occasion, to enjoy the outdoors or simply to relax. As owners, we're very hands-on and take pride in handling every detail to make someone's visit with us special.

A delightful family who recently stayed at Hill House Bed & Breakfast was traveling through the southeast on a summer road trip with their 10 year-old son. They were here for 3 days over Father's Day weekend and had a full schedule each day. One of the concerns in their travels was monitoring their son's diet and choosing restaurants that they could enjoy. Their son has Celiac Disease, which requires that he not eat anything with wheat, rye, oats or barley -- no gluten! Gluten is everywhere! I immediately thought about this 10 year-old boy not being able to have pizza with his buddies, no spaghetti and no hamburgers (well, no bun at least). But he was very mature for his age and seemed to take all this in stride.

For breakfast I was prepared with a variety of choices to keep our new friend happy and healthy. Greenlife offers some nice specialty items and we were able to serve eggs, waffles, coffee cake and special bread for toast. On their first day, he grinned from ear to ear when he saw a gluten-free brownie in their room just for him.

Luckily, we have some wonderful choices in Asheville for no-gluten diets. The family enjoyed Posana Cafe so much for lunch, they went back the following evening for dinner. What a relief for them that they could select anything on the menu and not have to study each item and worry about hidden ingredients. They were in heaven!

When it was time to say good-bye on their last morning, they thanked us as the mom's eyes welled up. It really meant the world to them that we went the extra mile and they didn't have to worry. This journey had taken them to so many places of uncertainty and fear. They shared that last fall their son had been stricken with Swine Flu. They later learned that as his body fought the flu, it became more susceptible to new ailments requiring MRIs, scans and blood tests. And it was then it really hit me what all they had gone through, and gluten was now the enemy. They realize how lucky they are that they can keep their boy healthy by simply eating safe foods, and there's no question they can do it.

So their road trip continued to Charleston and Myrtle Beach. They had set a goal to explore different areas of the country each summer, and their son hopes to travel to each state by the time he's 18! They felt so at-home at Hill House, we hope to see them again. It's a family we will never forget.

P.S. A note from Posana Cafe's website -- Celiacs and Diners with Gluten Intolerance: You Can Have Your Cake...and Scones...and Stickey Buns...and Muffins...and Cookies...and Coffee Cake...and Tempura...and Fried Green Tomatoes...AND EAT THEM TOO!

Bailey's World

2010-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

If only dogs could talk... If you're a dog lover, I'm sure you would agree that having a verbal conversation would eliminate the guessing games when pets aren't feeling well. What hurts? We wish we knew for sure. We've been through a lot this past year with Bailey -- trying different home cooked meals, watching her protein intake, and monitoring her cholesterol. The vet has run numerous blood tests and has consulted with internal medicine docs. It's a bit of a mystery, but it's been difficult getting her to eat anything lately. Goldens tend to be at risk for some ailments, but Bailey has had more than her share of vet visits recently. At each vet appointment, she heads straight for the door after getting weighed. But no, the back room awaits her.

Luckily, Bailey has a heart of gold. She loves interacting with guests and usually can be found in our office or under the dining room table after breakfast
(not when you're eating of course!). Throughout the warmer months we serve breakfast on our front wrap-around porch, so the dining room is a good place for her to hang out and wait for guests to say hi to as they venture off for their day's activities in Asheville.

Bailey loves to be petted and prefers we keep the 'vet talk' to a minimum. You can tell she doesn't like that kind of talk, and her brown eyes beg us to change the subject to fun things like chasing cats. We try to keep the energy positive and reassure her that everything is fine. That seems to make her feel happy and secure. Greeting guests is the highlight of her day, and her gentle lean can melt your heart. What would Bailey say? 'Just smile and give me a loving pat and I'm good for the rest of the day!'

A Beautiful Hill House Wedding

2010-05-17T13:12:00.001-07:00

The first weekend of May was very special with a garden wedding held at the Inn. The entire Inn was filled for 3 days with Christine and Scott's family and friends to join them in celebrating their new life together.

On Friday evening we hosted a wine and cheese reception as all the guests arrived from different parts of the country. One brother was even able to make it from Japan. They were thrilled.

The ceremony was held on Sunday morning, with brunch to follow on the front porch. The morning was busy with the delivery of the wedding cake and beautiful floral arrangements. The cake was FABULOUS, baked at Short Street Cakes in Asheville. They even had an assortment of bite sized mini-cupcakes. And the flowers were a work of art! Christine's favorite color is green and Shady Grove Flowers on Lexington Avenue created magnificent green and white centerpieces for the breakfast tables as well as their bouquets.

It turned out to be a very warm weekend after a colder start to the week. It felt almost tropical! Luckily the rain held off that day and everyone was able to enjoy the garden setting and a leisurely meal outdoors.

After three days, we almost felt like family and the good-byes were heartfelt. The bride and groom stayed a few days longer in the Cottage, so they were able to take time to relax and see all the sights in the area. We felt honored to be part of their wedding weekend and look forward to their return to Hill House again in the future.

"We will always remember our beautiful wedding and how your generosity and thoughtfulness made every detail special."

Congratulations Christine and Scott!!!

Obama's Asheville Vacation

2010-04-27T12:07:00.000-07:00

After word got out that President Obama and the First Lady were planning a vacation in Asheville, no one knew where they would pop up. The reality of having the Obamas here in our city was very exciting. Would they dine privately and limit any public outings? Absolutely not!

After Air Force One landed at the Asheville airport, the First Family arrived at 12 Bones Smokehouse for a casual lunch. The President must love this place since he ate there previously when campaigning in 2008. The line is usually around the block and the place is only open for lunch till 4pm. After some good food and sweet iced tea, the motorcade then proceeded to I-240 and traveled up Charlotte Street to the Grove Park Inn, where 10 other presidents have vacationed previously.

They hiked the mountain-to-sea trail, and over the weekend the President enjoyed playing golf while Michelle got in some tennis and spa time. The local paper posted a picture of a woman hiking the same trail as the First Family and stopped in her tracks when she came face to face with the President and the First Lady. She noted she had encountered some agents along the way that politely asked to scan her, check her camera, etc. But the hiker had no idea that around the next bend she would have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. "Are you who I think you are?!" She was staying at a B&B in Weaverville and the following morning's breakfast conversation must have been quite entertaining as she shared her day's experience!!!

Gorgeous Spring!

2010-04-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

The spring weather continues to be beautiful and the flowers and trees are in full bloom. The dogwood trees have their delicate floral buds and the pink and red tulips are opening up. The yellow tulips always come through first, so they've been around for about a week.

The morning temperatures are still quite cool, so it will probably be another month before we start serving breakfast on the front porch. But everyone is enjoying their late afternoon wine & tea on the front porch rockers or the Adirondack chairs in the side garden. Asheville is all about seeing the sights during the day and coming back to the Inn to relax.

We are very excited that some guests are getting married at the Inn the first week-end in May. The Inn and garden are looking great. We were able to get our painters out last week to refresh the paint on the exterior walls, since the winter was pretty harsh. The Cottage is also being repainted so you'll see a new picture of that soon.

Bill always enjoys being in the garden and is planting today. The garden is already breathtaking, but he loves to find new varieties and incorporate them into some of the established areas. He is the expert, so all plant questions are directed to him! We also have a Garden Blog, so check that out as well.

The Joy of Food in Asheville

2010-03-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

Guests often ask us 'what's your favorite restaurant?'. I start rattling off a few, but then it's hard to know when to stop! There are SO many choices. Recent guests have raved about Salsa's, Bouchon, Rezaz and Mela (mother and daughter had lived in India for a year and they went back to Mela a second time during their stay!) . Tupelo Honey is always a favorite and has a new South Asheville location.

Last night we experienced Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian restaurant up the street that is fabulous! The prices are low, the ingredients fresh and the atmosphere is lively. One of the house specialties is the Eggplant Parmigiana, which is terrific. A fun evening with great food. Eric Scheffer recently closed Savoy and opened this new gem.

Asheville never has a shortage of good restaurants, and we love to dine out when we can and enjoy a glass of wine... or shaken beverage. Typically if we have a free evening, we head to Limones. It's always delicious and they have some yummy margaritas -- try the Blood Orange margarita. Bill's favorite drink there is the 'creamsicle'. No, that's not the name of the drink, but it's an flavorful orange cocktail that reminds Bill of creamsicles as a kid. They may be confused if anyone else tries to order it that way, so the actual name is Paleta de Naranja: Vanilla Vodka, Cointreau and fresh squeezed orange juice, shaken & served up. We experimented for months to replicate the recipe at home and I think we've got it!

One way to get a good sampling of what the area has to offer is to try the new walking Food Tour. There are two tours -- Downtown and the Biltmore Village area. There is a great deal now being offered for B&B guests. Starting April 1st, the standard pricing for the Food Tour will be $39 per person. However, the promotional price for Hill House guests will be $29 per person. What can be better? Great restaurants, sharing the experience with some other folks and getting in a good walk! Think about it next time you're in the area.

Okay, time to eat...

Miss Barley (I mean Bailey)

2010-03-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

Our daily lives at the Inn revolve around our guests... and Bailey. Somehow the two are so intertwined. Since the day we arrived in Asheville, Bailey tends to be the center of attention at Hill House. And she loves every minute of it.

As we've previously posted, Bailey has developed some recent kidney issues so we needed to reformulate her home-cooked diet (yes, we've been cooking for her for about a year)! Her previous diet was too high in protein and potassium, which is not good for her situation. The new diet called for a fairly high volume of white rice to mix with a small portion of pork, which we gradually introduced over a 10 day period. At first she LOVED the rice.

We purchased a nice-sized rice cooker, and she would just stare at the cooker and drool as the rice was being prepared. We bought a huge bag of rice from Sam's and started our new daily routine. She loved it and gobbled it up, and each day we increased the amount to the vet's suggested ration. That is, she loved it until about DAY 11... At that point she decided she didn't really like rice, or anything it touched. She would stare at her full dish at mealtime, look up at us and walk away. She wouldn't take a bite. She'd whine and cry and drill us with her piercing eyes as if so say 'got anything else in that fridge?'.

Given Bailey's allergies, there's not a lot of options of what we can feed her, but we knew we needed to get her to eat something. We shared our dilemma with one of our guests, and she suggested to add some baby food to her meal. Sounded like a plan. So off to the grocery store I go. Up and down the aisles looking and looking -- I have no clue where the baby food is. I saw a woman with her toddler shopping and almost asked her, but I was determined to find the baby food myself. I think it's similar to how men don't like to ask directions when driving. I finally discovered the section (next to greeting cards?!), but the prices have certainly gone up since I was a new mom 27 years ago. Found the baby peas, the baby carrots and applesauce thinking she will love this. Well, not the applesauce.

Now the vet has suggested incorporating barley in her diet, instead of any rice or potato. Barley is not a common shelf item, but I found a small box. To us it seemed to make sense that barley could be prepared in the rice-cooker. Okay, it needs some baby-sitting since it boiled to the point it almost displaced the lid, but we are determined to use our new rice cooker. And yes, Bailey LOVES her barley... for now at least.

2010-03-08T09:36:00.000-08:00

Yeah! Another sunny, warm day in Asheville!!! The most recent snow in the area fell on March 2nd, so we are really ready for Spring. I took Bailey to the nearby lake on Sunday and lots of people were out enjoying the day -- playing frisbee, running, biking, relaxing in the sun. It felt great.

Bailey, as you know, has quite the magnetic personality so we always end up striking up a conversation with someone. As many guests have noted, Bailey has never met a stranger. We were relaxing at a bench when a little boy and his mother strolled by. The boy seemed very interested in Bailey, but a bit tentative. I reassured him that Bailey is very friendly and he could pet her if he'd like. The mom mentioned discretely that her son is terrified of dogs and they have no idea why. Julian is in kindergarten and started fearing dogs when he was about three. But Julian was so interested in approaching Bailey that it really surprised his mom. Sure enough, he patted Bailey's head and stroked her back. Bailey sweetly looked up with her soulful brown eyes and wagged her tail. This little boy looked like he had just won a prize he was so proud!

After chatting for a bit, Bailey and I continued our walk and they headed on their way. The paths at Beaver Lake loop around like a figure eight, so it wasn't long before I heard an excited young voice behind me. I turned to see Julian running toward us, grinning from ear to ear, he was so excited to pet Bailey again. His mom just stared in disbelief, smiling and shaking her head. If there's any dog that can be calm and reassuring, patient and loving, it's Bailey. And I think Bailey understood she had helped make someone's day a special one.

2010-01-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys... It's Me... Bailey!

Seeing as I am one of the big reasons you stay with us here at Hill House Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina, I thought I’d give you an update on how things are going here at the Inn.

This is the 7^th winter we’ve been here and this has been the most memorable with all the snow we got last month. We still do our 3 or 4 walks a day, but they tend to be a little shorter and faster with the cold weather. It’ll sure be nice when spring arrives, especially since that means there will be more people staying with us at the Inn and needless to say, more people to visit with me.

I have never missed a day of work visiting with guests – in fact, I’ve never had a vacation! That’s OK as I love meeting ya’ll.

Now that I’m 8 years old, I may be a little slower getting up to greet you – but don’t worry I will eventually make my way over to say hi, sniff your shoes to see where you’re from and wait for those big pats and pets.

Between meeting guests after breakfast and late afternoon, I spend a lot of time napping in our house as well as being taken care of by Terry & Bill. Since I have developed some medical issues over time (skin allergies, high cholesterol and now some kidney issues), I get to eat really well! Each day they prepare a home cooked meal of P3 (Peas/Pork/Potatoes with egg whites, fish oils and supplements) – I get to eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a couple of snacks during the day. Not only does this stuff taste great, but it has helped a lot – my cholesterol went down from over 1000 to where it is now in the low 100’s.

While that’s the yummy part – I have to take a bunch of pills each day to help take care of some of my health concerns. Interestingly enough, these are some of the same pills that people take each day. Now, both me and Bill get our blood pressure medicine from Sam’s Club (quite a savings by the way) – they had to sign in as Bailey Erickson’s ‘Guardian’ in order to pick up my medication.

I’ll be heading back to the vet this week to get my blood pressure taken as well as a little blood to see if some my kidney functions are improving. The last time I went to the vet, they shaved a racing stripe on my side so they could do that ultrasound thing. Well, at least I went to the groomer a few days later and it’s hardly noticeable now.

Anyway, for now I’m quite content with my belly full of pork, peas, potato... and egg whites. I enjoy the life I have, meeting guests, play time and walks with Terry & Bill. Even though I’m graying a bit I think I still have IT! Everyone tells me I’m the best dog ever!

Hope to get to meet you soon!

Bailey

2009-12-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone is enjoying the Holidays and getting ready for the New Year! Our Christmas was very nice this year with our daughter and son-in-law traveling from California to spend the week. But the days go by so fast. It was a treat to have some snow on the ground to experience a true winter scene. And did we ever have snow!

There was an abundance of snow that fell in the mountains from the storm that hit Asheville a week before Christmas. Easily a foot of snow accumulated, which is quite uncommon in this area. Roads were closed, grocery shelves emptied and most businesses were not able to open for a day or two. Usually we receive only an inch or two of snow at a time, so this really surprised us!

Our guests all arrived that evening or the following morning with lots of stories of their travels. Many homes lost power for several days, but the Inn was very fortunate that we were only without electricity for a couple of hours after breakfast. Thank goodness...

And Bailey acted like a young pup in the fresh snow. There is something so peaceful and quiet about a new snow, and the evening light almost made the city glow. As I took Bailey out for her late night walk, she just bounded through the snow like a deer. All of the stresses of the day melted and we laughed and jumped like kids. Of course the next morning brought the harsh reality of lots and lots of shoveling. Bill saw to it that our guest's car windshields were all brushed off as well. I hope the next storm just brings an inch like usual!

We have a full house for New Year's Eve and downtown will be full of festivities. We wish you a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

P.S. Bailey loved her annual shredding of the wrapping paper after we opened gifts Christmas morning. Look at that smile!

Winter Is Upon Us at Hill House Bed & Breakfast in Asheville, NC

2009-12-04T13:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you for taking time to read our Hill House Bed & Breakfast Blog -- it was just launched the first week of December so you are among the first to view it.

And in honor of our inaugural Blog post, here in Asheville North Carolina, we are having our first snow of the year! So far just a light dusting, but it's covering the branches of the trees and looks beautiful. The snow was just beginning to fall while we served our breakfast this morning and all guests enjoyed the winter scenery.

We have finished all the decorating for Christmas, both outside and inside the Inn. As you approach the Inn, the white lights frame the front entry. The tree inside the parlor is gorgeous and everyone enjoys that warm cozy feel in front of the fireplace. Luckily the outside decorations were put up during a nice balmy day this past week. Temperatures can change quickly here in the mountains of Asheville.

With winter approaching, we have been busy 'tightening up' this old 1885 Inn. We got some major projects done ahead of schedule to help make the Inn even more comfortable and warm with some energy saving projects. We've replaced all the windows and door in the foyer with argon filled double-pane insulated windows, and installed new energy efficient honeycomb blinds in the parlor. Not only do they look great, it has really made a noticeable difference in maintaining a consistent temperature in those areas of the Inn. Now everyone will get to enjoy these benefits all winter long!