Spring in the Berkshires

I know I've been gabbing a lot about summer coming up, but truthfully I'm getting way ahead of myself. It's still spring! Why jump ahead when there are all kinds of lovely springy things around me to enjoy?

While pondering on this fact, I was browsing the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary website and I noticed that they're hosting the sanctuary's 80th Anniversary celebration on June 6th. My first thought was, "Holy Tulips! That sanctuary has been around for 80 years!?" Then I continued reading and realized what a great event it is.

The celebration (which is FREE!) will feature musicians, food, native plants for sale (Scarlet Bee Balm, anyone?), live birds of prey, and guided walks. The 1,314 acre sanctuary also offers picnicing, which makes me start dreaming of fancy cheeses, fresh baked breads, wine, and picnic blankets. Mmmm!

That same weekend Hilltop Orchards is hosting their 7th Annual Apple Blossom Bash. There will be hors d'oeuvres, live music, hiking, wine tastings, and as the name implies, the apple trees will be in full bloom.

Very much like this.

Forgive me for being a silly romantic, but how sweet would it be to have a wedding proposal on a sunny spring day in the middle of an apple orchard in full bloom? It's no wonder so many people get married in June, Mother Nature sets the romance up for them!

If you'd like more information on Pleasant Valley's 80th Anniversary bash, give them a call at (413) 637-0320. And for more information on the Apple Blossom Bash, feel free to call us at the Inn [(413)637-0193] or at Hilltop Orchards at (800)833-6274.

Hope to see you this spring!

With Love,
~Brande N.

On Loving Love

This past weekend was spent in a flurry of romance. We hosted two small weddings here at the Inn, and while they were completely exhausting, they were also so much fun.


This is the table I mentioned that we [meaning myself and our excellent housekeeper, Za] decorated using only swirly silvery things and streamers. See the cute little white carnations? Nothing but streamers. No tape, no glue, just paper. Pretty neat, huh?

The wedding cake. This was for the larger of the two ceremonies (only 11 people, the other was just the bride and groom). They were kind enough to share a bit of this cake with Dan and I and it was so very, very good. Wedding cake has a reputation for being dense and flavorless. This was exactly the opposite--fluffy, moist, flavorful. I tried my hardest, but I couldn't stop eating it. I had two pieces. Forgive me, dieting gods, for I have sinned!

Romance! Possibly my favorite thing about being an innkeeper is that I get to be a part of weddings, engagements, elopements, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, and all of those other occasions that involve love. It makes my heart go all a-flutter...


These weddings rings are from the second couple (the elopement). I love how atypical and unique they are. Is that hematite? I'm not sure exactly, but whatever metal it is, it's lovely.

My favorite element of the second ceremony was that the bride performed a song at the end. What could be more romantic than singing for your sweetie? I wish I had been that brave at my wedding!


This weekend was, as I said: exhausting. More than that, though, it was fulfilling and fun. And you know, if you're thinking about doing something special for your beloved, don't hesitate to give us a call! I'd be more than happy--ecstatic even-- to help you plan!

I'm like cupid without the wings or arrows...

With Love,
~Brande N.

Something Old, Something New

Wow! What a day it's been and it's only 11:30!

Already we've:

-Served a complete breakfast (and might I say that the maple granola recipe Dan and I whipped up is VERY good. I think I'll even post it sometime.)

-Done all the post breakfast clean-up.

-Set a dessert table for 12 (for which we had NO decorations and had to improvise--I'll post pictures tomorrow because it turned out absolutely lovely in spite of our being limited to streamers and silver spiral-twig-things.)

-Taken some candid pictures for the wedding

-And managed to fit eating my own breakfast in there somewhere, too!


There's still a lot left to do today, so I must, go, but I though I'd give the blog-reading world a taste of my day. I'll be back to regular posting soon, I promise.

Have a good one, all!
~Brande N.

PS:How do you like the new layout? I'm still adding a few more things, so keep your eyes open over the next few days!