Our News
BREAKFAST QUIZ Posted on 25 Jun 2008
We receive many calls, some more amusing than others. This recent one at the beginning of summer vacation has to rank near the top:
ME: Good morning Baines House
CALLER: What’s in French toast?
ME: I beg your pardon?
CALLER: What’s in French toast?
ME: Who is calling?
CALLER: I’m trying to fix breakfast for my sister. You serve breakfast don’t you?
ME: Yes. French toast has milk and eggs and sugar and
CALLER: Thank you.
MAYDAY!MAYDAY! Posted on 12 Jun 2008
Here’s what’s new on our magical block of Royal in slow-town Salado. For a turtle-paced place we’ve had a May whirlwind of activities and the excitement of a mystery unfolding on our premises. When famous guests and people from New York City and
Washington, D. C. started making reservations and we read in People Magazine about the Jenna Bush wedding date of May 10 our little minds began putting 2 + 2 together. Of course nothing was really known until a guest requested info about private airports and indicated that the no-fly zone would not be a problem even if the President was visiting Crawford! With a series of remarkable fests and guests gathered in Salado we all awaited the visit from the First Family on Friday. Many in the village were involved in various ways from lodging, food, décor, entertainment, hospitality and everything was fabulous.
We were all celebrating the success of the special wedding on Sunday at breakfast time and talking about all the Salado and Crawford events, the late night bus delivering guests back to the Baines House, and basking in the compliments for a job well done. The rich and famous seemed to love being tucked among shade trees in a setting of flowers, foliage and songbirds like a dream of beauty ready for the brushes and canvas of the landscape painter. Sumptuous breakfasts with desert and tea time treats were enjoyed by all. Just kicking back in perfect settings for romantic getaways or cozy retreats seemed to be exactly what these renowned people wanted and missed in their usual lives. Being anonymous was a pleasure.
After being thrilled and honored we were happily and slowly getting back to normal on Monday and Tuesday. May 14 came in with a bang. A tornado or something with mighty strong winds hit Salado at about 5:45 AM on Wednesday and WOW what a big difference four days in May can make. During the rest of May and continuing in June we’ve been devoted to clean up, removal of trees and limbs, repair, and reflection on just how lucky we were to have survived without serious injury. The music of chain saws awaken us and put us to sleep at night.
Sure – there are still areas to be cleared and refreshed but Rod and I have also taken time to smell the roses, read tons of books, watch old CD and video shows, sit and sip, and enjoy the rewards of our simple and satisfying life. Just admiring the beauty that remained untouched has been a renewing, rewarding pleasure. Time just slips away daily. Laundry is sky high, clothes need to be folded and put away but that stuff just isn’t happening right now. We’re too busy appreciating things and eating favorite foods like homemade potato salad and sausage dogs with lots of cookies for dessert. Calories are gathering momentum and pounds are probably going over the top but as of today, we’re not worrying about being too full of the good things in life.
The bridge which has been a vision for over five years is finally a reality connecting our two properties. It survived the big “blow” and has saved many steps already. The patio and walkways are still being built and landscaped so we are not quite ready for prime time but it will happen by fall we hope. The area is really lovely and though several huge trees fell in the storm it still retains an aura of privacy and sense of discovery that makes the gardens enchantingly welcoming. When finished we will have additional versatile space (indoors and outdoors) for events, classes, studio-art workshops, personalized spa services, small weddings, and renewal of vows. This has been a goal for a long while. So you can imagine how much we look forward to sharing it with you. Soon!