August Literary Club Meeting

We had a wonderful evening last night at our literary club discussing, "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. We chatted about the fascinating context the novel was set in both historically and the incredible textures that a circus creates for the backdrop of a novel. We discussed the care of animals, the hardships of getting old, prohibition, the depression, the many fascinating details the author incorporated so effortlessly into a captivating story, and possible different titles. Not many of us had seen the movie so there wasn't much discussion there.

Have you read the book and/or seen the movie? What were your thoughts? The consensus in the Maxwell Perkins library last night was mostly very positive.

Next on the reading list is...

"The Reading Group" by British author Elizabeth Noble. We aimed to find a book set in the present day  and we this one had been added to our list of potential reads so we thought we'd give it a shot.

The Reading Group follows the trials and tribulations of a group of women who meet regularly to read and discuss books.Over the course of a year, each of these women become intertwined, both in the books they read and within each other's lives.Inspired by a shared desire for conversation, a good book and a glass of wine-Clare, Harriet, Nicole, Polly, and Susan undergo startling revelations and transformations despite their differences in background, age and respective dilemmas.
What starts as a reading group gradually evolves into a forum where the women may express their views through the books they read and grow to become increasingly more open as the bonds of friendship cement. In The Reading Group, Noble reveals the many complicated paths in life we all face as well as the power and importance of friendship.

You can join the facebook event for updates (if any). Otherwise we'll see you next month. Happy reading!

We need these books

Aren't these editions of Fitzgeralds' works just beautiful! We can't get over it and think they would be the perfect addition to the desks in each guest room. We have lots of Fitzgeralds' books in our library and we do have books in each room edited by our Max Perkins but these are stunning and would be a perfect upgrade. Now, if only they would do some Hemingway as well.  Thanks Ainsley for the link love. 

250 Project at Snapdragon Inn

Before the spectacular fireworks show on Friday night, we had a launch for the 250 People Project on the Inn lawn. There was a display of some of the enlarged portraits, a banner with all of the pictures, as well as a projection of the digital book which you can view here. Check out the project and share. The goal is to print a hard cover version of the book. You can email info@250people.com if you or anyone you know would be interested. 

On another note:

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have some sort of annual art show on the Inn lawn in July? 

"Fireworks are brightness"

Photos via Nathan Larson Photography

This is what one of our little snappers said as the  Fireworks over Paradise Park began to explode and BOOM on Friday night. It was such a brilliant show and an exciting weekend perk for our many guests visiting the area to attend Harpoon's BBQ fest as the lake is just steps from the Inn. What a wonderful way to finish off a hot summer day and what many have said (and we do agree) is the best fireworks show around thanks to the beautiful location and the ability to be so close.  Just awesome. 

Save the date: this Friday!

There are some exciting events happening in Windsor this weekend. Firstly, Fireworks over Paradise Park will take off at 9:30PM over the Park. There are many fabulous viewing spots around town but you can park along Main Street and see perfectly down toward the north end of town.

Secondly, the 250 Project is launching their website this weekend with all the pictures they have taken over the summer. They will be installing a photo show on our lawn with a selection of the photos from the project available to the public to see Friday evening. Stop by and check it out on your way to see the fireworks. It will be open over the week so make sure to stop by and check out this exciting and unique project to celebrate 250 years of Windsor.

Come celebrate Windsor this weekend!

Underwater snappers

We thought these underwater shots of some of the snappers were too fun not to share this Monday morning. We had to get some pool time on Saturday afternoon after a hot and busy work morning at the Inn with all hands on deck. We got some serious weeding and re-seeding done.  Luckily, after a hot weekend it is raining this morning. Our gardens and our new seed could use some real moisture!

~ Speaking of underwater photos, these are just so magical.
~ What would you wear on a trip to the Greek Isles? Here's her pack bag.
~ Looking for a Curated Travel Experience? Check out this boutique travel advisory. Fancy!

July 15, 2010

Remember moving these radiators? Lucky everyone made it out alive!

Room 3 was coming together

Room 2 as the fabric station

and the library was still a bit of a mess!

These progress shots from July 15, 2010 make us so thankful that the Inn is open and the pillow making, lamp procuring, reupholstering, final furniture refinishing, blind installation, curtain hemming, radiator refinishing, and on and on and on is complete. Well the job is never done, but we are so glad to be welcoming guests and receiving such wonderful feedback:

I would advise anyone going to Vermont to stay at the Snapdragon Inn. It is a lovely Inn run by lovely people. It has the best of everything, is immaculate and the breakfast buffet is SO good! We have never stayed at a place we liked more. more on TripAdvisor

Also:

Looks like we have lovely weather for the weekend. Get out and enjoy it! And if you are in the area, check out the One Drum Festival happening down at Path of Life Garden in Windsor,  tomorrow July 16, 2011.

Breakfast anyone?

There have been such wonderful berry and fruit selections all summer to add to our continental breakfast. Here's a peek and the morning layout, not to mention a selection of breads, bagels, baked goods, and spreads, and of course tea & coffee. Hungry anyone?

How are you keeping cool?

Phew! Don't know about you, but the last few days have been hot & humid around here. Thank goodness for A/C in the guest rooms and Chaz's fresh & delicious cookies for our guests!  How are you keeping cool? There seems to be  lots of lemonade drinking going on and some emergency pool visits over here. It feels necessary to constantly have a popsicle or some form of ice consumption going on. Wouldn't these be a blast to eat? or do you have a perfect recipe for fresh lemonade? 

Are you going to Brimfield?

 The peacock chair that we scored last May from Rhode Island Jimmy.

It  is now our wedding seat and sits at the foot of the wedding trail in the back lawn,

Perfectly. 

If it was last year, we'd already be down there, pushing through the fields of Brimfield at 7AM. Apparently, that's when Martha Stewart likes to look around as well (or earlier).There are always a couple bits and pieces we'd like to pick up but if you have the time and even $5, you WILL find something at Brimfield. Remember when we found the peacock chair and we were driving through the narrow lanes of tents and someone shouted, "If you can't find it at Brimfield, it doesn't exist!"

You know just talking about it, gets the excitement of the find curing through our veins. It is meant to be in the 90s today (not conducive to a day wandering around fields) but it is on until this Saturday the 17th so there is still time to get on down there but you know there is something fantastic waiting to be picked up on Day 1 of Brimfield. 

Look here, here, and here for some of our other finds. 

The fountain

Good morning friends.
It was a hot one this weekend but we had a great weekend with out guests and are ready for another busy week at the Inn.

We'd like to take a moment to give a special shout out to one of our team members, Carol, and all of her hard/ sweaty work this summer working on the lovely flowers at the Inn. We are moving in phases since there is so much that could be done (as we have mentioned many times before) and last week she spruced up around our little fountain. It is looking so nice and she certainly has a knack for picking the prettiest combination of flowers.

Thank you Thank you!!!

July Literary Club Meeting

Has it already been a week since our last meeting where we had a vibrant discussion of "One Thousand White Women" by Jim Fergus? Wow! Well, we decided to go ahead and read "Water for Elephants" by Sarah Gruen for the July meeting on the 28th at 7:30PM. So you have 3 weeks to read it if you haven't already and if you have, then feel free to come on down and discuss or listen to others discuss. They are very low key chats so don't feel intimidated in ANY way. We are here on facebook too.

Happy weekend everyone!

Guest Perspective: Room 6

Room 6 bed details

A wonderful surprise stands in the midst of the beautiful and quaint village of Windsor, Vermont. We found the lovely Snapdragon Inn on google.maps and I am so glad we did. The Inn surpassed our expectations - the structure, the woodwork, flooring, rooms, ambience, the price - all combined to give the feeling of casual elegance. We had Room 6 King which was so tastefully furnished and decorated and created a very serene "home away from home". The bath towels were the fluffiest I have ever experienced, every detail of the inn, down to the photographs on the wall taken by one of the owners, were a special treat...Read on here. 

Before: Room 6 Headboard

Just for fun. We found these before shots of the headboard that we painted and upholstered last summer before opening when we worked like maniacs!

Happy 250th Windsor, Vermont!

Today Windsor is celebrating its 250th year since being chartered as a town on July 6, 1761. Then in 1777, the signers of the Constitution of Vermont Republic met in Windsor in what is now the Constitution House (just down from the Inn) to declare independence from Britain. The constitution was the first of its kind to abolish slavery,  grant sufferages to non-landowning males and require free public education. Thus making Windsor, "the birthplace of Vermont". It didn't become the 14th state until 30 years after being chartered. There is a celebration on the State Street green this evening that we'll be attending. Windsor is a beautiful town with an incredibly vast list of accomplishments and rich rich history. May the next quarter millenium be prosperous and exciting for our town!

Saturday work day

The "to do" list is never ending as you can imagine so it is necessary to have work days where lots of us can focus on a task. Many hands make light work, right? Right. This past Saturday we worked on clearing some brush, mulching the wedding path, weeding the beds by the fence and working on the path that will meander back there. It is slowly evolving. Takes time.

After we finished with a pool party. Photo care of Nathan Larson Photography.