Today we planted seven trees on the southernmost end of the property. While we were at it, we set the grade for the back yard and dug two trenches in preparation for the inn's septic field.

Our backhoe operator, Justin, is first class - with a steady hand and phenomenal eye. Each time I looked through the transit to check the ground level he called out the correct measurement from his cab before I did. A good operator makes the job go quickly and Justin at Earthstone Excavating is worth his weight in gold!

Happy Halloween from all of us at our spooky little inn.

It was a given that the Copper Crown (castle) suite of the Hazelnut Inn would have a wishing well in the garden. What would it look like? As we began doing up a concept for the well the question changed. If we were to include a wishing well in the gardens of all three suites what might they look like? And so the design process to answer these questions began. At this point it is still a wish... but we believe wishes do indeed come true at the Hazelnut Inn.

Every family has its traditions and ours is no exception. When I told my mother that city hall officially approved our rezoning she did what we call the "Dance of Joy." Invented by my grandmother, Joy Spiers, it consists of jumping up and down while spinning madly in circles - usually with a partner. While it can make you more than a little dizzy, it is the perfect way to celebrate a happy moment and I highly recommend it!

The first draft of our plans has arrived! Thanks to our friend Cam over at RDS Building Design, our dreams for the inn now have carefully calculated dimensions. It is an exciting day!