MIA
I know I have been MIA (missing in action) for several days, but we have been jammed packed this last week! It started a week ago last Sunday after we arrived back home from Fredericksburg.
We got an email from the owner of Belle Grove and met with them on Wednesday. So Monday and Tuesday we were working hard to get things ready for that meeting. Then we had the meeting on Wednesday and another was set for Sunday at the plantation. So Saturday was our “get all the household stuff done in one day” day so we could head up on Sunday.
Sunday was wonderful! Brett met up with the property manager and caretaker to walk the property and measure so we had a good idea of how many acres we are going to be using for the bed and breakfast. Then the owner arrived with his family. We also brought Tyler, our son and Alexa, our daughter. So it was really nice to have a chance to meet them and spend some time with all of them. We ended back in Fredericksburg for dinner at “Capital Ale House”. Yum! We set up a third meeting for this Wednesday before we left.
So this week is now jammed packed! Monday, Brett spent the evening working on adjusting our business plan to match the new start times and sending information to our attorney to work on the final draft of the contract. Tonight, I am off to Yorktown for a meeting with what could be our first television appearance! (more on this as it develops) Wednesday, it’s back to Richmond for Brett for his last meeting and then up to King George (the county seat for Belle Grove) to stop in at the clerk’s office to get some needed information. Then Brett is meeting a soon-to-be bride for some bridal photographs at Belle Grove. This is a special photo shoot. The bride’s family once worked for the Turner family that owned Belle Grove during the Civil War! Thursday and Friday, Brett is going to recoup from all his travels. I am stuck here in Chesapeake because of my current job. But Labor Day weekend is coming!
We are heading back to Fredericksburg on Saturday. We have reservations at “Schooler House Bed and Breakfast” for Saturday night. But first we are going to head to Mount Vernon near Washington DC to do some research! We are going to spend the day there looking at the gardens and getting ideas of what we want to do for Belle Grove’s grounds.
I am also working on a post about Belle Grove and some of the other events during the Civil War. Hopefully we will be able to get at least one up before we head out for the weekend. These two posts will be something you don’t want to miss!
Glad to hear about your progress! Sounds as if you are having fun even with the work of starting up a new business.
Fun it has been. But boy does this contract stuff test the nerves!
Welcome back!
When you visit Mt. Vernon, wave on the way past our home, we live three miles from there!
Thank you! Wow so close to Belle Grove! I have been to Mount Vernon twice before. This is going to be Brett’s first visit. Watch close on Saturday around noon. We will be waving!!
It sounds as if everything is coming together very well.
Slow but sure! We are getting there!
I can also recommend Woodlawn Plantation, if you’ve not come across it before. The property borders Mount Vernon and also has a Frank Lloyd Wright house on the grounds. My wife and I had our wedding there. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. Also, it tends to have less traffic than Mount Vernon; it’s obviously less notable.
I have not heard of Woodlawn Plantation near Mount Vernon. We have Woodlawn near Belle Grove, but its not open to the public. I will have to check into it!
i think I am addicted to your blog and i must know someone famous!!! You !!!!
Terry, you make me smile! 🙂
well i think u r so awesome!!!!! and u have the life i dream of
Aw you are so sweet! I hope one day you will get a chance to come see us!
IT IS MY DREAM!!!!!
Love to see what you come up with for the grounds. A wonderful landscape architect ( James David) company that we have used in the past is “Gardens.” I think he’s done work with Martha S. in NE as well, but we thought his aesthetic was a good match for traditional landscaping with English formality. Cheers!
Thank you! We will have to check into him. I am so excited about the grounds. It’s like a clean slate.
Sounds like a wonderful adventurous few days – have fun exploring! Can’t wait to read what you find. Blessings – Patty
We are still in the middle of it, but since Brett is up at Belle Grove, I am taking advantage of the time to do some baking and catching up on the blog.
Sounds like a good way to prepare for the second half of all your last minute tasks! As the weather cools my daughter and I are planning on our baking season. 😉