Posts Tagged With: B&B

Croquet on the Bay

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In the garage was an old forgotten croquet set. Covered in dust, its many colors were nearly indistinguishable. We cleaned up all the pieces to find a variety of colors. The storage rack was missing only one ball, probably chewed by the blades of a hungry lawnmower long ago. Aside from a few missing wickets(probably also lost to a lawnmower), it was almost complete although one of the remaining balls looked as though it may have been used as a dog toy.

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Thankfully there was a freshly mowed flat area that had seen many ball games of soccer, lacrosse, softball, and volleyball. There were many picnics with egg tosses, three legged races, tug of war, horse shoes, badminton, and obstacle courses, but I cannot remember ever having the croquet game set up here. This was a great spot for the croquet game, smooth, flat, and the view was perfect. There were 4 of us, the day was not too hot, and we had access to a phone to Google up the rules to set up for an official traditional game of croquet.

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Of course, it was important to hydrate with a pitcher of iced tea at the end of the game as we sat and studied the course for our next round.

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Life is good at Bayfields. Come join us for a weekend. www.bayfields.org

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Hansel and Gretel

As children, while visiting with our grandparents, we'd go up to the 3rd floor to look in the costume trunk.

As children, while visiting with our grandparents, we’d go up to the 3rd floor to look in the costume trunk.

The Hansel and Gretel was the second room in Bayfields to get a name.  My brother’s bunk beds came to me years ago, adorned with goofy stickers (Wacky Packages Topps bubblegum stickers) that looked like they were straight out of Mad Magazine.  I liked the warped sense of humor of the stickers, many were spoofs on advertisements from that era, and I can almost hear my brothers chuckling as they placed each new one up on their headboards.

The room in which I assembled the bunk beds is also on the 3rd floor, opposite from the Rapunzel. I remember playing there with my siblings, digging through an old trunk filled with costumes, masks, and hats.  Later, my own kids would climb up there for games of Hide and Seek, or to play Sardines(reverse hide and seek).  The thought of playful siblings makes me think of Hansel and Gretel, giving me the idea for it’s name.  I should clarify that although both Hansel & Gretel(as well as Rapunzel) were stories of captive children, you will not be captive, only captivated:

For the view from the Hansel -n- Gretel, through the newly installed vinyl window overlooks the beach, kayaks, dock, flagpole, and the balcony off the two rooms below.  You can see both the creek, river, and bay from this one little window.

I decorated the room with some old children’s books, a collection of ancient post cards, wooden carvings of my grandfather and his uncle, plus a handmade U.S.A. wooden wall puzzle that can be taken down to play with.  Each bed has a two new pillows, matching plaid blue/green down comforters, and the assortment of unusual stickers(since this post, we’ve replaced the bunk beds with one twin maple bed, and one full memory foam maple bed).

Hansel-n-gretel

Hansel-n-gretel

To add comfort for our guests, in this room we’ve installed a lighted ceiling fan, extra outlets, as well as one outlet with USB ports for charging your portable electronics.  The high speed internet is available even on the top floor, making it easy to remain connected.  We refinished the hardwood floors, and gave the room a coat of paint.  Each bed has it’s own lamp for night time reading.

Click here if you would like to reserve a room.

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Rapunzel had a room with a view.

Bayfields guest rooms have storybook names and we include a copy of the matching story in each room.

Bayfields guest rooms have storybook names and we include a copy of the matching story in each room.

My grandparents often enjoyed weekend guests here at Bayfields because it’s a lovely place, a peaceful retreat, and a beautiful getaway spot.  Upon moving back home, I’m inclined to agree.  I’ve had visitors from as far north as Watertown, New York, as far west as San Francisco, California, and as far south as Orlando, Florida.

One such weekend, I gave up the master bedroom to a visiting couple and I stayed on the 3rd floor.  At that time, I had cast and crutches, so as I crawled on hands and knees to the very top floor, I envisioned myself climbing to the top of Rapunzel’s tall tower.  With a leg in a cast, depending how I felt those days, I was either the witch or the princess.  Of course, as soon as I would lay back in the bed, far from the noises of the rest of the world, I certainly felt like a princess, resting on her pile of mattresses high above the kingdom.

Rapunzel, the 3rd floor guest room at Bayfields Bed and Breakfast, showing off it's red and white theme, has a warm glow at dusk.

Rapunzel, the 3rd floor guest room at Bayfields Bed and Breakfast, showing off it’s red and white theme, has a warm glow at dusk.

The view from up there is like no other in the house; the beckoning pool, my childhood home next door, the field where summer games were played, where horses sometimes graze, view overlooking my grandmother’s once prize-winning flower garden, plus a sparkly glimpse of  the Chesapeake Bay.  Even after the guests were gone and I had the house to myself again, that summer I’d often sneak up there to get away for a while. A secret nook, a private tower.  The name Rapunzel seemed fitting for our first official guest room.

During the holidays, it was exciting to have the entire stairway twinkling with lights.  Bayfields Bed and Breakfast has two guestrooms on the 3rd floor.

During the holidays, it was exciting to have the entire stairway twinkling with lights. Bayfields Bed and Breakfast has two guestrooms on the 3rd floor.

Bayfields has 5 bedrooms, the Rapunzel is the only bedroom with a view of the pool, garden, game field, pasture...

Bayfields has 5 bedrooms, the Rapunzel is the only bedroom with a view of the pool, garden, game field, pasture…

From the Rapunzel, the 3rd floor guest room at Bayfields Bed and Breakfast, looking down the hallway to Hansel and Gretel, the other 3rd floor guest room.  The cat you see on the floor is Kiki, our elusive cat, who only shows up when we have guests.

From the Rapunzel, the 3rd floor guest room at Bayfields Bed and Breakfast, looking down the hallway to Hansel and Gretel, the other 3rd floor guest room. The cat you see on the floor is Kiki, our elusive cat, who only shows up when we have guests.

The park-like setting of Bayfields Bed and Breakfast is so peaceful and quiet.  The two Arabian horses(Dusty and Sweetie) enjoy the golden morning sunlight as they snack in a nearby field.

The park-like setting of Bayfields Bed and Breakfast is so peaceful and quiet. The two Arabian horses(Dusty and Sweetie) enjoy the golden morning sunlight as they snack in a nearby field.

Rapunzel, the 3rd floor guest room at Bayfields Bed and Breakfast, showing off it's red and white theme.

Rapunzel, the 3rd floor guest room at Bayfields Bed and Breakfast, showing off it’s red and white theme.

To make this room more restful and inviting to guests, I added a Sealy® memory foam mattress.  We installed a new ceiling fan/light fixture, plus extra outlets. The hardwood floors were refinished and the walls were painted.  I discovered two mismatched white dressers from other parts of the house, plus an old red table I found tucked away deep in a closet.  I painted the dresser knobs red to match the table, and without leaving the house, I found a burgundy carpet, red lamp, white night stand, red flowerpot, and a white bookshelf, creating a cosy uncluttered feel with a red and white theme.  As we know that there’s nothing more comforting than a fresh set of sheets and towels, so between guests, we launder each room separately, using the sanitize feature on both washer and dryer.

Click here if you’d like to reserve a room.

-Robin Heintz Anderson

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Reforestation on the Shore of the West River

Acorns started in my greenhouse under the tangerine tree.

Acorns under the tangerine tree.

Yesterday it was cold and windy, as my cousin and I scurried around like squirrels gathering acorns from the large white and red oaks at Bayfields.  The acorns are already starting to sprout, sending their tap root deep into the cold ground, long before the new green leaves unfurl in the spring.

Today I planted 136 acorns, in flats, in my sun warmed greenhouse, under the tangerine tree.  We will transplant them to Bayfields when the weather warms, because we are reforesting a lot of the lawn.

It will be like our own arboretum!  I can make a tree map.

-Holly Heintz Budd

Bayfields is a bed and breakfast on the West River, in Maryland, with a great view of the Chesapeake Bay. You can learn more, and make your reservations here.

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Thankful that Wind and Water Passed Us By This Time

High water before and during Super Storm Sandy at Bayfields on the West River

High water before and during Super Storm Sandy at Bayfields on the West River

Super Storm Sandy did not cause major harm to Bayfields.  No damaging winds. The tides no more than 2 foot above normal. Wish Sandy was as kind to New Jersey and New York.

-Holly Heintz Budd

Bayfields is a bed and breakfast on the West River, in Maryland, with a great view of the Chesapeake Bay.

You can learn more, and make your reservations here.

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Bayfields Before Hurricane Sandy

Bayfields is beautiful in the fall.  I love the golden leaves in contrast with the grey water.  Today we were readying everything just in case the “Frankenstorm”  turns out to be a bad one.  It is about 7 miles from Bayfields out the mouth of the West River, and directly across the Chesapeake, to the Eastern Shore.  So if winds are directly out of the east, the shore line could take a beating.  The house, built in 1921, has been above the flood wars so far.  Enjoy the “Before Hurricane Sandy” pictures.

Bayfields in the Fall

Bayfields in the Fall

Not too windy yet. Got to get the flag down before the storm.

The shoreline of Bayfields on the West River, Saturday, before the storm.

A nice spot for a break.

Oysters for the Hurricane party

Oysters for the Hurricane party

Bayfields is a bed and breakfast on the West River, in Maryland, with a great view of the Chesapeake Bay.

-Holly Heintz Budd

You can learn more, and make your reservations here.

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