My husband and I enjoy visiting different bed and breakfast inns.  We hadn’t been to one in several years, and we decided that this spring would be a nice time to get away for a weekend.  This past weekend, we went to southern Ohio near the Appalachian Mountains.  I found this B&B (Murphin Ridge Inn) in this past month’s issue of Country Living and also in the Midwest Living publication of the month of May.

We left Friday afternoon and arrived late evening (just a little before midnight.)  We found our key in the lobby of the guest house in an envelope with our name on it, by a lamp near the front door.  When we entered our room we found a basket of cheese and crackers and fruit on the dresser.  Although it was terribly late to be eating, it just seemed too novel not to celebrate the moment and snack on it.

It was just what seemed a few hours later that it was time for breakfast.    B&B’s are known for their fabulous breakfast (thus the name, Bed and Breakfast!) and it is something that sleeping-in is not worth it.  It’s the highlight of the day .

At this inn, the dining room is situated in an old brick home, some 200 years old.  It has charm and ambivalence written all over it.  We were seated in the newer portion of the house that has floor to ceiling  windows on three walls. It is truly a “sun” room.  The walls were made of old logs taken from a home that was on the property built in the 1800’s.  While we were drinking our hot coffee, we admired the room as it looked like an original log cabin that had been restored with big beautiful windows. (It was later that we discovered the history of this room.)

 .

I love bed and breakfasts for many reasons, but one of these reasons is the originality of the breakfast that is served.  I love trying new breakfast recipes, always trying to glean new ideas.  This morning was a French toast that had a cream cheese filling, with baked apples on top.  It was served with a small glass of freshly squeezed orange juice mixed with a cranberry juice. 

After breakfast, we meandered outside of the dining room with our coffee mugs and sat in the gardens directly outside the windows where we had been dining.  Another couple came and joined us and we got to know them as we sat and chatted for almost an hour.  This is part of bed and breakfast tradition – getting to know other people and having time to chat and sip coffee.  I’ve always enjoyed this aspect of the B&B’s.

We took a walk around the property that had trails in the woods.  I enjoyed the walk although it was a bit muddy from all the previous rain and I couldn’t help but think how much I would enjoy these trails with my horse, Minnie.

In the afternoon, we took a drive into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.  Because we had arrived late the night before, it was interesting to see what we had driven through in the darkness.  I hadn’t realized just how remote this B&B  was located!

Most B&B don’t serve dinner (well, at least that’s been my experience) but this one did.  We returned to the dining house at 7:30 pm (our appointed time to eat dinner).  This time, we were seated in the original part of the house.  There was an elegant fireplace, and old wooden plank flooring.  Every table had a lit candle.  I wasn’t very hungry, so I ordered the homemade tomato soup and a salad that had all kinds of originality – I think that’s what defines the word, “gourmet.”  I think that even the beverage I had could be considered “gourmet” – it was lemonade made in the blender with vanilla beans.  It was delicious!

The next morning we were back in the dining house for breakfast, and this morning they served quiche – a favorite dish of mine.  Thankfully, one was able to order scrambled eggs, to which my husband, not being a quiche kind of guy, appreciated. They had a homemade, delicious, granola (and vanilla yogurt) that was set up in the hallway of the home for guests to help themselves too.

As we were checking out, I bought a cookbook that had been written by the proprietors of the inn.  I always do this when visiting a B&B (many offer this) as a memento of our trip, but also for the fabulous recipes that are always found within.  This one was extra special because it wasn’t just recipes, but rather a journal of the proprietors – what they did before this b&b, how they decided to start a b&b, and how they found this particular one for sale.  It also included the history of the property and buildings.  And the recipes within have made me want to try everyone.

From the B&B we went to Lexington, Kentucky – horse country.  I’ve been here before many times, but I enjoy the drive through the countryside equally every time. We meandered all over the country side, admiring the beautiful rolling hills, the green pastures with the cows grazing within,  and drove over numerous babbling creeks.  Many times there was no one else on the road but us, and we would just stop the car, get out, and take pictures.  We even pulled to the side of the road once, got out, and waded in the creek.  It was refreshing as well as a great place for pictures!

It was 4:00 p.m. and we decided to stay overnight at Shakers Village – a favorite place of mine.  We stayed in the main house where the dining room is situated on the first floor.  I could write an entire post on this place. Well, in fact, I have in the past.  ~Go Here~ if you would like to read about that. Warning: it’s a very long post! It’s all about my intrigue of the Amish, but my experience with Shaker’s Village is written within about mid-point. One of these days, I’m going to write a post devoted just to this destination spot and include pictures of our visits. 

We got back home the next day in the early part of the afternoon.  I was so glad to be back with my children – but also happy that my husband and I had taken the time to write yet another chapter in the story of our life together, building more special memories in the picture book of our minds. 

Don't forget to visit Mary and other show and tells....