I always seem to write about the Mill House Gardens which are located in the back yard of our inn.  After 6 years of help from our Kalamazoo friends, Len and Pat,  we seemed to have moved to the very front of the inn.  For years and years there has been a viney hedge between the old ease way, for the horses and buggies of the mill days, and the road.  Every year it just seemed to grow like mad with Ron having to trim it several times each summer.  This year has been a little different.  Our crazy growing hedge decided to “bite the dust” so to speak. It turned brown and ugly, with little hope of returning to it’s glory days.  So a new gardening project reared it’s head and off to the front of the inn we went!

This was quite a project and a lot of hard work, especially for the men.  The roots were tangled and twisted,  firmly established in the soil. As I’ve thought about the hard work, I began to think of our personal lives and the “roots” we have established.  They can be deeply tangled, hidden beneath our exterior selves.  Hurt feelings, anger, physical hurts, anxiety, stubbornness all can keep us just where we plant ourselves.  And the place we are planted might not be a good place at all.    The soil might be old with no nutrients, it might be dry and powdery, mucky and muddy making us “stuck” and feeling there is no way out.

A huge root, taken out by the truck and 2 strong Godly men!

It takes strength to pull out those old “roots”  As we used our 4 wheel drive truck and a heavy chain to pull out the roots left by the hedge, so we need strength to “pull out” the roots in our lives.  Only One has the strength to help us “pull out the roots” and start fresh. The roots that have kept us in bondage just as the hedge roots kept the hedge grounded in the old dusty soil.  Only One has the power and strength to free us, all other strength is our own.  I’ve tried many times to “pull out roots” in my own strength and haven’t had any success.  Let Christ be the 4 wheel drive truck in your life.

While the men and truck were pulling roots, Pat was clearing away all the old debris left under the hedges.  She began using a small shovel to clear off what appeared to be a very narrow sidewalk.  As she scraped and pushed the dirt, the sidewalk became a beautiful wide slate walk.  It opened up the space between the empty hedge row and the road.  Someone even walked by and said “There’s a sidewalk there!”  After the first few shovels, Pat continued to scrape and dig, having faith that something really special might lie underneath the old dirt and grass that had found its way over the slate.  Reminding me of our lives, covered with years of dirt and grass, of weeds and mud.  As we get older, all of our past mistakes, thoughts, and deeds can determine who we have become.  We can sit in them and feel like they will be part of our lives forever, or we can have faith.  Faith that our God can clear and scrape away all the old stuff in our lives…after all, isn’t that why Jesus came as a man and died on a sinners cross?

After all was cleared we had a very long narrow empty space.  So much space that finances did not enable us to completely fill it in this year.  We made the decision to put plants on either end of the space and fill in the rest a little at a time.  Choosing plants was a process.  What plants can take the direct hot sun for up to 8 hours a day?  What will bloom throughout the season drawing attention to the front of the inn?  How high do we want the plants to grow?  How close together should we plant them?  So many questions.  Luckily between Len, Pat, and employees at the greenhouses, we were able to chose the perfect plants to begin our new front garden.

Our lives are full of questions as well.  If you’ve decided to begin anew, scraping and cleaning up all the old “stuff”,  what new stuff do we bring into our lives?  Actually there is only one new thing or person we need in our lives.  Jesus Christ.  He forgives us and puts all that old sin in what He calls the sea of forgetfulness.  He’ll never bring it up or use it against you again!  Whew…that is the best news ever!!!!

Just as we will constantly be adding to this new garden,  Christ will be constantly taking care of his new garden…you!  He will  water you with his water, Living Water.  He will feed you with the Bread of Life, His word,  and He will protect you in under the shelter of His wings.

Ephesians 3:16-19 ( ESV)  That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

A few years ago I wrote a blog asking for suggestions for my very hot, very sunny front porch.  The Mill House front porch faces south and it gets the hot afternoon sun.  The first 6 summers I have planted flower boxes filled with sun loving annuals.  I don’t think my annuals really liked the sun all that much because by mid July, they seemed to just be cooked!  A frequent guest commented on my blog that I should try succulents.  They may not be as showy as the annuals, but they are very interesting and planting them in various unusual containers make them wonderful conversation pieces as people walk by.

Here are a few pictures of my container plantings as well as some of the other early bloomers in The Mill House Gardens.

An old antique wooden toolbox makes the perfect display for my odds and ends containers

My little herb garden is perfect next to this old seed planter.

Beautiful salmon color impatiens along the brick wall

A Good Will find is perfect for this blooming succulent! I think I paid $1 for the container!

The tray from my antique tool box makes the perfect home for my "Babies" A variety of sedum and hens and chicks.

Close up of some of the succulents in the tray

Hens and Chicks from my mother's garden..a great way to remember her!

Front Porch Planting..this tiny medal drawer found in my basement..isn't the pink and yellow trim on the plant pretty?

Used an old Wooden Milk Crate for these beauties! So interesting…

Bearded Iris, given to me from a friend!

Just love this sweet little guy and he looks so cute in this colorful pot.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures of early flowers.  I’ll keep you posted as the summer goes on with pictures so you can watch them grow and bloom along with me.  Or better yet, come see us at The Mill House and see them all in person!

Romans 1:20…..For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.  Through everything God made they can clearly see his invisible qualities and his eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

The word “simple” has been bringing new meaning to me lately.  We get so caught up in our complex world with family, careers, friends, and bad news.  Goodness, this past week seems to be wrought with bad news.  No matter what station on the radio you listen to or what television channel you are tuned into, you can’t seem to stay away from hearing about bombings, kidnappings, homicides, and natural disasters.  My mind just goes on and on in thought, and it’s not usually positive thoughts.  Worry, fear, and anxiety grips me and most of my friends and family.   I’ve struggled with this for years, and after much prayer, the word “simplify” just seems to come back to me along with another word.  That word is “choice”.

I can get up in the morning and choose to listen to bad news, to worry about myself, family, and friends, and to grumble and complain about my life.  Or……I can choose to not dwell on those things, to not think on those things,  to turn them over to the One who can handle everything.  I can choose Philippians 4 things to dwell on.  Good things, praiseworthy things, honest things…..We have a choice to let our minds go 100 miles an hour in thought, or to seek rest for our minds, to seek rest for our weary souls.

That’s what Ron and I love about The Mill House.  We’re all about giving our guests a place to rest their souls.  We pray each day for the Holy Spirit to fill this place.  We offer a simple place, such small things can offer such rest.  A quiet river, the birds twittering away in the garden ( and I don’t mean on their iphones!), an ice cream cone from down the street, a cup of coffee or tea early in the morning, a yummy breakfast served with a smile,  breakfast made with fresh brown eggs from the farm across the river, and a simple stroll along our tow path.

This little note from our guest book this past week really sums it all up…...”This place, and you, overflow with Christ’s love and it weaves a wonderful spell on all who enter.  Peace and rest are hard to come by in this world.  Not only do you find both here but time seems to flow more slowly so that you are not rushed and can enjoy the simple little details.”  

Jesus said in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Peace to you my friends !

The Breakfast Table.  A place in a Bed and Breakfast where guests gather to enjoy a hearty breakfast.  Guests may gather as strangers, but by the time breakfast is served and eaten, they are new friends.  It amazes me how many times guests have realized that they have a connection.  Maybe they grew up in the same town, or their parents were neighbors, or they have a mutual friend.  It is music to Ron and my ears as we hear our guests laughing, talking, and enjoying each other’s company.  Sometimes breakfast can last over an hour as they become engrossed in a conversation.

Not all of our guests choose to eat in the common area around our breakfast table.  Some guests truly need the alone time together.  They may choose to eat at a different time, eat a wonderful breakfast delivered to their guest room door, or on the patio in good weather.  Whether having breakfast with a group or an intimate breakfast with your loved one, the breakfast table is a special place.

We have laughed with guests, cried with guests, prayed with guests, and listened to guests.  We have left them completely alone, quietly serving and disappearing so they can have time to reconnect and talk.  It may be the first time in months they have had quiet time together.

Early in the morning, as I set the Breakfast Table,  I “prime” it with prayer.  Asking God to bless each guest in a special way.

The Breakfast Table is our favorite place to serve our guests.  It encourages us as much as we hope it encourages them.

My challenge is to set your own Breakfast Table.  What a great time in the day to reconnect with  your husband and children before beginning a new day.  A new day to rejoice and be glad for whatever little surprises God has in store for you!

As most of you may know,  not only are Ron and I innkeepers at The Mill House, we also have a small home business called, “Joyful Confections”.  Joyful Confections was born out of a simple scone recipe and a burden for babies and mothers in Mali, W Africa.

Last year, Ron and I spent 40 days fasting and praying in order to get wisdom from God for what direction He wanted us to take Joyful Confections.  We both came to the conclusion that God wanted us to give all of our profits from “Joyful Confections” to Koutiala Hospital in Mali.  The following link will give you lots of information on the ministry at Koutiala.   http://www.koutialahospital.org/

I just learned that 200 woman are served at the hospital each month, and 150 babies are born.  Many babies die due to lack of care and lack of resources.  Koutiala offers not only the technology and medical care they need, but the hands and feet of Christ through the missionary doctors and nurses, and through the nationals who are following Christ and trained as doctors and nurses.  In recent months, you may have read or seen news reports on Mali.  Insurgents from Muslim radical groups have been infiltrating northern Mali and now have moved to the southern portion of the country.  From the latest report I have gotten from my friend, Lesley, whose husband goes to Mali to serve, the missionaries have been given the choice to return to Mali or be reassigned.  Thank God for the nationals who are keeping the hospital running and therefore still spreading the good news of Jesus.  Prayers for them and also for the missionaries who have decided to return to Mali would be greatly appreciated.

Along with the  desire to give our profits, we have also decided to focus the fudge portion of “Joyful Confections” on fundraising.  We are excited to report we have just recently completed our first fundraiser with the director of the Perrysburg High School Orchestra.  They have a small group of students going to England and were raising funds.

Fundraising with Fudge is simple, easy, and very lucrative for raising funds for mission trips, school groups, not for profit organizations etc.  The product is locally made, delicious, affordable priced, and its a win- win for both the organization and Koutiala Hospital.  We love to talk about our fudge and our ministry to the babies and moms in Mali!  Give us a call at 419-832-6455 or email us at munkster@roadrunner.com.  We’ll tell you all about it!

1/2 pound packages of fudge for fundraising project

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.     Luke 6:38

It’s January, it’s the Smokey Mountians, and The Munk’s are on vacation.  We were so ready for some rest and renewal and thanks to a recommendation from friends (thanks Bob and Jorja ) we stayed at Oak Haven Resort in Seiversville, Tn.  We spent the days hiking, siteseeing, shopping, and relaxing.  A cabin with a dishwasher, washer and dryer, pool table, gas grill, and hot tub is my kind of “roughing it”!

My favorite part being in the Smokies was enjoying the National Park, and my favorite place had to be “Bud Ogles Farm”
The farm is located not too far from Gatlinburg and is a short drive into the park.  I am such a texture person, and just the texture in the ground, buildings, and trees was “eye candy” for me.  Of course we walked the short stroll to the large cabin and out buildings.  They look like they did way back in the 1800′s when the land was cleared and farmed.  Being a beautiful January day, we decided to take the trail hike at the farm, we figured since it was rated “easy” we could handle the walk. We crossed over several small creeks, some with primitive bridges, some with logs, and some just stones.  Good thing this was the easy hike!We walked between old rock walls or fences that were built to keep the farmers animals in the field.  Can you imagine moving these mountain rocks?  All the while we began to hear what sounded like running water.  Not just a little trickle like we had seen in several small creeks we had crossed, but a more powerful sound.  It grew louder and louder as we came close.  I anticipated what might be around the next corner, over the next log, or around the next boulder….As the sound grew louder, I became more excited.  Let me tell you,  I am a strong believer that if you ask Him, God will surprise you everyday.  While on vacation, Ron and I have made a habit of asking God to “Surprise Us” with something special every day.  He has not failed to answer that prayer.  That’s why we have learned to travel with no agenda….we don’t want to miss what God has planned for us!  So, with excitement and anticipation I was ready to see the surprise!!We finally arrived at what was the most beautiufl stream, gurgling over rounded mountain stones covered in soft green moss.  This picture just doesn’t do it justice, but what can give God’s creation justice!  I really don’t like posting pics of myself,  but my ear to ear smile shows how excited I was to find this beautiful place.  I was actually speechless except when I started clapping my hands like I do when God does or shows me something spectacular, emotionally moving, and wonderously created by Him.

Start your day anticipating what God is going to do.  With all we face in the world, in our families, and in our jobs,  we need the encouragement of the Holy Spirit to surprise us with something unexpected each day.  I promise He will.  It may not be a gurgling mountain stream but it could be a smile, phone call, or pat on the back!  Take the time to look for your surprise each day,  get off the plan and off the beaten track and see what God will show you!

Psalm 37:4  Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

This is a Christmas Blog that’s going to start in October.  October is one of the busiest months at The Mill House.  Between the Apple Butter Festival, guests coming to enjoy the beauty of Fall along the Maumee River, and lots of scone baking and fudge making, it is a pretty busy and intense season.

It was toward the end of October and I was really feeling weary.  Even though I am constantly trying to remind myself why Ron and I have chosen this path, I still have those pity party, feel sorry for myself, selfish moments.  Dragging myself out of bed before dawn to fix coffee and breakfast for guests, until folding my last sheet at about 10:30 in the evening takes a toll after a busy season.

This particular weekend we were hosting the “Wild Carrots and Root Band” from the Cincinnati area.  They were performing at the Grand Rapids Town Hall as part of the “Live in the House” series.  We host them gratis to help support the town’s Arts Council.  We had 2 rooms for the group and they were arriving late on Saturday evening after their performance in Pemberville, Ohio.

Sunday morning came around really early that day and I was just not in my normal happy mood.  I was kind of feeling selfish and if you know me,  that is not how I usually am…I have a hard time saying  no to anyone or anything.  Plus I would give you the shirt off my back if you asked, but not that morning!  But, as the person who tries really hard to reflect Jesus in my service to others, I put on that happy face.

Breakfast went well, our guests included the 4 members of the Wild Carrots and another sweet local couple.  We had the regular chatting over breakfast and all enjoyed their meal.  As I was helping Ron clean up,  the band came into the common room with their instruments.   “Kathy”, they said, ” Since you aren’t able to make it to our show today, we have a song we want to sing just for you.”  I sat down at the table as they played their guitars and mandolin and sang.  It was so beautiful,  a song about coming together and the beautiful spirit of serving.  I sure wish I could remember the name of the song or the lyrics.  All I know is that it just melted right down into my soul and my eyes flooded with tears.  My heart was thanking God for this time, a moment in time when the Holy Spirit works through others ( even though they don’t realize it ) to encourage, confirm, and build you up.

I was so excited about the whole event that I tried to tell several others about my moment.  But no one seemed to really understand what it meant to me.  I just couldn’t seem to convey the feelings of the moment.

At church that weekend, Pastor Vinnie mentioned how some events or sights will just fill us with awe.  The awe of God’s creation.  He mentioned how his first visit to the ocean was an “awe” moment for him.  I began to think that the special song was one of my “awe” moments.  That God had arranged it especially for me and that no one could really understand what it meant to me.  It was a treasure from God, one to keep in my heart and bring out whenever I needed reminded of the love of our “Awe Creating” God.

I did say this was a Christmas blog…..The last few months I’ve been pondering Mary the mother of Jesus.  The first few chapters of Luke are the familiar story of the birth of Christ.  Born in a manger in a stable,  Mary gave birth among animals with the sights, smells, and sounds of a barn.  The Son of God was born in such a humble manner.  I wonder what she thought and felt as the shepherds visited the Christ Child….or when the Wise Men finally made it to worship the Baby King.  Surely Mary knew what was ahead.  Surely  she must have been excited and frightened at the same time.  But scripture tells us in Luke 2:19 – But Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

I wonder if Mary thought about all these things as she watched Jesus grow into a man,  as she watched him teaching at the Temple, as He healed the blind and the lame, and as she watched him die a criminals death on the cross?  She treasured what God had given her..moments just for her.  Moments that would help her get through the sadness and grief that would soon turn to unspeakable joy.

In Luke 1: 46-55 Mary praises God with Her Song of Praise.

God gives us all moments of “awe”. Moments just for us.  During this Christmas season I pray you will take some time to ponder moments that the Holy Spirit has given you.  If you are a child of the King of Kings, I know that the Holy Spirit has given you treasures to ponder in your heart.  If you don’t know Jesus as the King of Kings, I pray that over this Holy season you would consider coming to know my best friend, Jesus , and the peace that comes from a relationship with Him.

Below is a link to a song I just love.  It reminds me of Mary’s Song of Praise.  We sing it in church and My Soul Magnifies the Lord for He has done Great Things for Me!!

We are thankful.  Ron and I are thankful to a God who listens to our prayers, honors our fasting, and cares to give us above and beyond what we could ever ask for or imagine. (Eph 3:20)

As most of you know, along with the ministry of  The Mill House, we also have a small business we call “Joyful Confections”.  ”Joyful Confections was born out of a simple scone recipe and God’s calling on my life to give to the woman and infants in Mali, West Africa.  A video in church, a friend innocently handing me an “Alliance Life Magazine” ( a publication of our denomination, The Christian and Missionary Alliance), and a scone recipe were the catalysts to God’s calling on my life and Ron’s.   Not only those 3 simple incidents, but a friend who serves at Koutiala Hospital where our giving goes, and a young wonderful friend who worked one summer at the hospital delivering and caring for these precious babies of God, confirmed this calling to me.

In the beginning, I prayed for a commercial kitchen to be able to make more scones plus it would give me the opportunity to ship anywhere in the United States.  God quickly closed that door when a kitchen became available, the price was right, but the space was not any better than my own kitchen for multiple people to be able to bake and work.  That door was basically slammed shut and I was truly at peace with the outcome.  I knew in my heart it would be very difficult to divide my days between the inn and a kitchen down the street.

As the scone business from my kitchen grew, we had the opportunity to purchase fudge making equipment from a store that was going out of business.  We were able to purchase the equipment and remodel our outside room into a fudge making room.  With Ron wanting to be at the inn full time, we really believed it was his ticket out of health care reform!!  Well, God had different plans.

We took a week off last winter to pray about the fudge and scones of  ”Joyful Confections”.  We spent quiet time in prayer, reading together, and also budgeting to get an idea of what we would need for him to “retire” from health care. After returning home we fasted for 40 days.  We met with a close pastor friend and his wife to discuss our future plans. The one conclusion we came to from that week with the Lord and our fast was we needed to put “Joyful Confections” into his hands.  We needed to be giving as much as we could to the hospital and trust God to take care of the rest!  All the while, God was working in interesting ways….

Weeks after our spiritual retreat, Ron was given the opportunity to be at home full time.  Because of confidentiality, I can’t share the particulars of the event, but God worked in a way that we would never have expected.

Since we have surrendered “Joyful Confections” to him our business has really taken off.  My passion for giving to these sweet babies has grown. God opened up a new opportunity for my scones to be sold at a new store in Grand Rapids called “Savvy Ave’”, The owner takes no money from the sales and all the profits go to Mali.  Olde Gilead Country Store, also in Grand Rapids, is carrying our fudge.  We have 2 new opportunities for fudge fund raisers. One with a local school district orchestra, and the other with an inner city church.  Its just a win-win for the babies and for the organizations holding the fund raisers.

I look back over the last few years and see how God has worked.  If I would have rented a kitchen, not only would I be overwhelmed and not able to take excellent care of my inn guests, but the cost of the rent would have meant less money to give to Koutiala Hospital!

I’m a happy camper, or should I say baker and fudgemaker,  at the end of the day I know I can handle what God has entrusted to me, I don’t need to be the star or have a fancy storefront.  I just need a simple kitchen and a fudge kettle, oh and most of all a wonderful Godly husband, and a Heavenly Father who listens to prayers.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  Matthew 7:7

http://www.koutialahospital.org/

Thought this week’s blog entry would be about our favorite time at The Mill House……Breakfast Time!!!  Most guests of B&B’s look forward to breakfast, after all it is a part of our name.  It would be different if we were just “Bed”, but we are a “Bed and Breakfast”.  Ron and I put a lot of time and energy into planning, preparing, and serving breakfast.  From planning menus depending on our guests dietary restrictions, likes, and dislikes, to cooking , serving, chatting, and cleaning up….breakfast takes a lot of time.  We wouldn’t have it any other way.  We want our guests to feel like they are eating at Grandma’s house.

Breakfast is a short walk to our common dining room, our beautiful riverside patio, or we can serve it in your room.  Come in your PJ’s and slippers, sweats, or dress up!  However you are comfortable.  Like to eat alone?  Let us know because we are happy to accommodate.  Ron and I personally serve you and love to fill up your empty coffee cup!

I’m always looking for good recipes and I recently found the following one in a cookbook.  I mentioned it on my facebook page and many people requested the recipe so here it is:

GARLIC  ZUCCHINI FRITTATA

1 Tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon finely chopped onion

4 garlic cloves minced

1 med zucchini, shredded

6 eggs

1/4 teaspoon ground mustard

4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese

1/4 cup sliced green onions

In a 10 inch oven proof skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and garlic; saute for 1 minute.  Add the zucchini; cook for 3 minutes or until tender.

In a large bowl, beat eggs and mustard.  Pour into skillet. Sprinkle with bacon, salt, and pepper.  As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath. Cook until eggs are set about 7 minutes.  Meanwhile preheat broiler.

*Place skillet under the broiler, 6 inches from the heat for 30-60 seconds or until the eggs are completely set.  Sprinkle with the cheese and green onions.  Broil 30 seconds longer or until the cheese is melted.  Cut into wedges.

* Actually, I wasn’t sure if my skillet was oven safe ( the handle ) so I didn’t use the broiler.  Once the eggs had set well, I cut the frittata in half and was able to turn it over in the skillet using a large spatula.  Then I sprinkled the cheese on top.  Took the skillet off the heat, covered the skillet with a lid and the steam melted the cheese just fine!!  Don’t skimp on the garlic, it really makes this dish’s flavor pop!!!

If you happen to have a great egg dish that can be made for multiple people, please let me know.  I love to try new and different recipes and finding unique egg dishes can be a challenge!

God Bless and Happy Frittata Eating!!

]]> http://themillhouse.com/its-breakfast-time/feed/ 0 http://themillhouse.com/innkeeper-summer-get-away/ http://themillhouse.com/innkeeper-summer-get-away/#comments Sat, 14 Jul 2012 18:50:33 +0000 innkeeper http://themillhouse.com/?p=773   As innkeepers, we always look forward to get-aways.  We are always seeing couples come to The Mill House for special get-aways. Sometimes they are ...]]>

As innkeepers, we always look forward to get-aways.  We are always seeing couples come to The Mill House for special get-aways. Sometimes they are celebrating a special occasion or sometimes it is just to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.  Many times as I am hosting and taking care of my guests I get a little jealous that they are able to get away and have some down time.

Each summer we take a few days around the first part of July to celebrate our anniversary, #31 this year, and to take a mid summer break from innkeeping during our busy season.  People probably think we are pretty boring as we just enjoy having no agenda, sitting around as much as possible, doing a little treasure hunting in antique, consignment, and junk stores, and finding locally owned places to eat and enjoy a good meal.

Here are a few pictures of our recent trip to the metropolises of Piqua, Ohio and Van Wert, Ohio with a side day trip to Greenville, Ohio!

Our first stop was the “Winery at Versailles” just outside of Versailles, Ohio.  This winery was right in the middle of nowhere! But it was a lovely day so we sat on the outdoor patio and each tried a selection of 5 different wines ( that way we can each taste 10 wines )  It was all quite tasty and relaxing as well.

Our first two nights we stayed at “Caldwell House B&B’ in Piqua. This picture does not do the room justice.  The Caldwell House is a Foursquare Craftsman built in the early 1900′s.  The rooms were huge, the floors original hard wood.  This B&B has a great front porch for sitting and relaxing.  Deb and Staci the innkeepers are great hosts and serve a tasty breakfast too.  They gave us great ideas on places to go and stores to visit.  I’ll post a link to their place at the end of this entry.

Between Piqua and Greenville sits the little town of Coventry, Ohio.  Here we discovered a treasure. Bear’s Mill built in the mid 1800′s. It has been restored and you can tour the mill.  Four stories high it includes all the old mill equipment and stones as well as an art gallery.  Admission is free but you are welcome to leave them a donation.  We even saw “roller machines” that are the type of milling equipment that was used at The Mill House when it was a mill.

Here is picture of a roller machine!  I need to keep a picture of this to show my guests what they looked like!

After Bear’s Mill we visited the birthplace of  ”Annie Oakley”, Greenville, Ohio.  We visited several antique shops and art galleries then had an awesome lunch at a cafe called, “Montage”.  As you can see from Ron’s expression it was really tasty!  Huge panini sandwiches, a nice variety of salads, cookies, chips and beverage.  We both had full meals and our bill was only $20.  I think we could have shared a sandwich they were so big.

Our next B&B was the “Hughes Inn” in Van Wert, Ohio.  Why Van Wert?? You might ask!  Well, we have a very sweet return guest who is office manager at an Art Gallery and center in Van Wert and we wanted to visit her.  The Hughes Inn is right down the street so why not stay close?  It is a mission style craftsman style home built in 1915 and WOW!!! it was beautiful.  The woodwork alone is worth a stay, along with the beautiful french doors throughout the home.

Our room was huge with a “fainting couch” , sitting area with TV and the largest bathroom I think I’ve ever seen!!  

For dinner we were recommended to go to “The Wild Hair” a BBQ Joint in Van Wert!  The owner does all the cooking and the smoking and grilling are done out back.  We both enjoyed the smoked brisket with sides…too much food but OHHHH so good!

Well thats it in a nutshell!  Who said you can’t stay in Ohio for fun??  We always enjoy staying at Bed and Breakfasts and want to promote them for others.  But of course our favorite B&B will always be our very own Mill House!!

https://sites.google.com/site/caldwellhousebedandbreakfast/home

http://hughesinn.com/

Above are the links for “Caldwell House” and “Hughes Inn”

thanks for coming along on our get away!  Don’t forget we’ll take good care of you on your get-away to The Mill House!