Warner Hall

Jonathan and I had the wonderful opportunity to get away for two nights to the Inn at Warner Hall. We first visited for Blake and Caroline's rehearsal dinner and wedding reception several years ago and fell in love with everything about this place. This time around, we extended our visit and actually stayed at the bed and breakfast, which was well worth it!

It feels like you take a step back in time as you slowly pull into the gravel lane, past the long white fence and arrive at the magnificent home, which has 11 rooms for guests.  We spent most of our time on the second story porch overlooking the front steps and driveway. It was a perfect place to read as the daily storm blew through. There's nothing like listening to rain on the tree leaves...and hearing nothing else.  

We stayed in the Queen's Suite, with the world's most comfortable bed and fluffy comforter, a steam shower (like a steam room and shower combined into one!), a sitting area and sweet little desk overlooking the grounds in back of the house.  

There was so much attention to detail in the whole weekend, from the welcome plate of fruit, homemade pistachio-topped chocolate bark and bottle of wine, fresh well water in the room, homemade cookies by the staircase, a little box full of accessories (night light, cards, match book) and the warm feeling created by all the staff members and owners of the Inn.  

view from our rear window in the room

Upon our departure, we told Troy, the innkeeper, that we loved our stay and did absolutely nothing and it felt so great! He replied, "Well you didn't really do nothing" and I guess he was right.  The first afternoon, we went canoeing around the lake/Mobjak bay and arrived home right before the storm started.  It was nice to see the mix of older lake homes and new construction.  The next morning I went for a 6 mile run around the Inn and JB ran later that morning (while I napped!). The roads were covered in gravel which makes the most peaceful sound and feels so good on the knees as well.  We biked the loop that afternoon and again, got in right before the flash floods arrived! 

But then we sat in rocking chairs and read, sat in the sunroom and read, sat outside in lawn chairs and read, sat in rockers and drank wine and watched the storm.  We lounged in bathrobes and watched the Batchelorette (missing Amber and Jonathan!!!). We ate a gourmet picnic overlooking the lake, snacked on a cheese and shrimp plate and most of all, rested and enjoyed each other's company.  

grand staircase in the entryway

I finished a new book, The End of your Life Book Club, by Will Schwalbe, which actually yielded a list of about 12 other books I can't wait to read. But I also came across this quote which I Just loved. Mom always stressed the importance of writing thank you notes. There have been times recently that I have been slacking on writing thank you's (like for the delicious meals we received after we had Jackson!), but I love writing and receiving a handwritten note and am going to pass along this important act to J.

"What I suddenly understood was that a thank you note isn't the price you pay for receiving a gift, as so many children think it is, a kind of minimum tribute or toll, but an opportunity to count your blessings. And gratitude isn't what you give in exchange for something, it's what you feel when you are blessed - blessed to have family and friends who care about you, and who want to see you happy. Hence the joy from Thanksgiving."