What a glorious spring morning.  I woke to the music of the birds singing and the creek gurgling.  The last couple of weeks have been pretty exciting at Plain & Fancy starting on Easter.  The kids, grandkids and my parents came to dinner.  The grandkids then stayed the rest of the week.  We got to go to Elephant Rock State Park and Johnson Shut-ins.  We spent hours climbing the rocks.  And the kids enjoyed the Johnson Shut-ins, but didn’t stay in the cold river water long.  Tom opened our pool.  At 65 degrees it was a little chilly for the adults, but the grandkids went in almost everyday.  

Easter Sunday also brought some ”old” guests that we hadn’t seen for almost two years, Bill and Alicia.   Al came in for the meeting the next day.  We hope all goes well with their business and we will see them a lot this coming year.

In the middle of Easter week, my parents moved into the Cottage at the Low Water Bridge while their home is being built next door to the bed and breakfast.  We still have two other cottages that are available this season that are children and pet friendly.  View the website at www.missouricottages.com.

And most exciting (for Erin, anyway) Andy proposed!  They stayed Saturday and Sunday nights with us.  They visited all the usual sites as well as Tiemann Shut-ins, Millstream Gardens, Taum Sauk Mountain.  But, it was Sunday at Johnson Shut-ins that Andy asked Erin to be his bride.  She wore a beautiful ring to breakfast Monday morning.

Late Monday afternoon Tom and I were taking a breather on the patio, when someone pulls into the drive, acting as though he knows where he is going.  I immediately get up, thinking that I had forgotten a reservation, and walk toward the car.  The couple getting out of the car were looking for a room for the night.  Charmain and Philip were from Ireland!  They were such delightful (or, should I say lovely?) people; they stayed with us a couple of nights.  Their daughter is an exchange student at Cape, she was having a series of exams and they decided to explore the area for a couple of days and then go back and visit more with her before their return trip home to County Down.

This reminded me of my favorite hospitality scripture verse:  “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”  Hebrews 13:2

Hoping to see you this spring where the birds sing, the creek gurgles and couples get engaged~Brenda

Last night kicked off the season at Bobby Powell’s Jamboree. The local talent produced the Hee Haw Show with our own Junior Jenkins (newpaper editor) and Minnie Pearl (you’d think she was the real thing!) There will be live entertainment weekly on Saturday nights now through October–Blue Grass & Country Music are the main venues mixed in with a little 50′s & 60′s as well as some gospel. Inexpensive night out. Eat at one of the local restaurants beforehand, or grab a hot dog at the show like we did.   Visit Arcadia Valley soon, where there is lots of things to do!~Brenda

After a pretty cold hard winter, we are getting ready for spring. And with spring comes the Arcadia Valley Mountain Music Festival. The dates for the spring festival is May 14, 15 & 16th. The fall festival with be October 8, 9 & 10th. There will be lots of music, a parade, a couple of street dances and lots of vendors. Put the dates on your calendar and plan now to attend! Spring is only 25 days away!!           Till next time`Brenda

The hills are starting to show  their color. First the sumac and now the maples are resplendent in their beauty. Red, yellow and orange are striking against the still green foliage of the hard woods.
This weekend Arcadia Valley will host the Mountain Music Fall Festival. There will lots of music as well as a parade, street dancing, food and craft vendors. It all starts happening Friday night 6 p.m. on the Iron County Courthouse lawn. The last band plays Sunday at 3:30.
Arcadia Valley Stables has another new horse. He is a beautiful 7 year old bay named  Prince. The horses are a little fiesty in the cooler weather and are raring for a ride.
Come for an afternoon, or come for the weekend–there is plenty to do in Arcadia Valley. Hope to see you soon~Brenda

We recently took delivery on two new horses.  Their names are Rosey and Buttercup; they are both quarterhorses.  That brings our total horse herd to 7.  We have 2 paints, 1 Missouri foxtrotter and 4 quarterhorses in a variety of colors and ages.

Tim is working with the new horses daily; getting them accustomed to our property, the other horses and the trail.  We hope that they will be trail ready in a couple of more weeks.

We now offer an hour ride, a two hour ride and a half day that includes:  riding, fishing and lunch.  You can stay with us, go on a ride and soak those tired muscles in the hot tub that night! 

Or, if you prefer, just come down for the day and enjoy the outdoors.  Fall is the perfect time for a ride.  The weather is great, the leaves will be turning soon and we are now taking reservations for weekend rides or weekdays.  Hope to see you on the trail~Brenda

Right after breakfast, I glanced out a window and noticed the orange blossoms on the lilies.  The yard is a riot of color right now.  The salmon colored rose is in full bloom.  It is new this year, and it is beautiful.                

The hot tub trelis has joined the Red Hat Club!  Red roses climb in between the purple clemantis.  Two large purple blooms adorn the one vine while the other vine is filled with  lots of little blooms.  How unique!

Zenias and coreopsis are also in bloom right now lending yellows, burnt oranges and whites to the color scheme.

Other flowers too numerous to mention (or I don’t know their names) are blooming and more are just bursting to open in the next few days and weeks to come. 

We invite you to walk our gardens and enjoy the beauty of nature and Tom’s hard labors~Brenda