Meeting them face-to-face at this conference gave Dave and I the opportunity to learn more about their business and to see — up close — the color and design choices they offer.   We knew we wanted to update the look of our mugs and, with their expert advice, we decided on a new art design and three new colors.   We also decided to add a new mug shape to the Inn’s collection. 

After weeks of anticipation, our newly-designed mugs have arrived.   How fun it has been to open up the boxes and pull each one out!  They are amazing and have been well received by our guests.   

New things are happening at the Shiloh Morning Inn…Come see us!

Until Next Time,   Jessica

For more information about Deneen Pottery, please visit their website:   http://www.deneenpottery.com

Almost a year ago, Dave and I began seriously working to buy the Shiloh Morning Inn.  At that time, we started dreaming about what it would be like…what we would do once we were the Innkeepers.  One of the things we dreamed of was fresh flowers throughout the Inn and on the dining room tables at breakfast.  

Recognizing that we knew nothing about flowers, I bought several books on flower arranging.  One of these books was an old publication by Martha Stewart called, “Arranging Flowers, How to Create Beautiful Bouquets in Every Season”.  Although the photos in this book were amazing and Martha’s tips on flower arranging were very helpful, she had one idea that stood out…one idea that totally changed my way of thinking about flowers and the Inn:  the idea to create a ‘cutting garden’.

Martha explains, “When a flower gardener starts thinking like a vegetable gardener, what results is a cutting garden…. Unlike the conventional bed, meant to be appreciated as part of the landscape, the payoff of a cutting garden comes when the blooms are picked, brought indoors, and placed in just the right vase….Once you have established a cutting garden or patch and arranged it in a way that allows you to see the flowers as an actual crop, you’ll learn that what seemed too perfect to pluck from the main garden can be picked free of guilt.”

Although gardening had never really interested me before, the idea of planting flowers only for the purpose of making flower arrangements sounded fun.   The idea of a cutting garden resonated in me. 

 Therefore, a couple of weeks after we took over the Inn, I planted flower seeds — sunflowers; mexican sunflowers;  black-eyed susans, snapdragons, foxglove.  Using the Inn’s greenhouse, I nurtured them as best as I could.  After the last freeze, I planted the saplings.  Now 5 months later, the flowers are starting to bloom.  My first ‘cutting garden’ bouquets are now on the tables!! 

What fun it is to decide to do something that feels a little crazy at the time and then have it – in the end –  not only meet your expectations, but exceeding them!

 Until Next Time, ~ Jessica

Until next time, Jessica

Mathew and Mark — two very talented, professional guys from Jumping Rocks Photography – were here for several days taking photos of the Shiloh Morning Inn.  How honored we were to have them! 

When they first arrived, before they even unloaded the bags from their car,  they requested a tour of  the 73 acres and our guestrooms/cottages.  As we showed them around, they began taking notes, creating a plan for their photos…everything depended on the sun and lighting.

Up at sunrise the next morning, they were out on the property capturing some beautiful photos of the grounds.  Later in the day, they started photographing the guestrooms.  They graciously allowed me to hang out with them for the day.   I even had the wonderful opportunity to become their  ‘assistant’, helping to gather together whatever they needed to get their perfect shot, e.g., vases, flowers, decorative pillows.  The talented genious of these photographers was amazing to watch.  They obviously understand well the impact of object placement and lighting. 

It took three full days of intense work, but in the end, they took over 1300 photos!  Within a couple of weeks, we should have the best of these beautiful photos…and our website will show the true spirit of the Shiloh Morning Inn.

Before they left, we were able to take Mathew and Mark out to dinner at one of our favorite Ardmore restaurants, Cafe’ Alley.  Not only did they love the decor, they thoroughly enjoyed the food.   Thank you Samantha and Jasyn for a delicious meal!

Below are some ‘teaser’ photos for you to enjoy. 

 ~ Until Next Time, Jessica

Over the next few weeks, there are many scheduled events that will make your trip to Ardmore a lot of fun: 

(1)    Acoustic guitar stylist, Leo Kottke,  will perform at the Ardmore Goddard Center on May 1, 2010.  www.goddardcenter.org;

(2)  Ardmore’s Main Street Authority is sponsoring a Crawfish Boil on May 2, 2010.   www.ardmoremainstreet.com;  

(3)  If you are interested in biking (either as a spectator or a rider), the Red River Shootout Mountain Bike Race is being held on  April 18, 2010 - www.redrivershootoutmtb.com… Additionally, there is an offroad biking triathlon on May 14 through May 16;

(4)  Comedian Galleghar will perform on May 21, 2010 at Ardmore’s Washington Theater.  www.washingtontheatreok.com

If  you need a place to stay while you are attending these amazing events, please consider us.  Because we realize it is difficult to get away for more than one night at a time, Dave and I have altared the minimum-stay requirements.  With few exceptions, there is no minimum stay requirement.  Now, you can stay only one night – even on the weekends!

Until next time,  – Jessica Pfau

Moreover, we are eternally grateful for the hard work and creativity of Bob & Linda Humphrey, who designed and built the Shiloh Morning Inn.  For over ten years, they served graciously as it’s Innkeepers.  In honor of their work and passion, we have decided to refer to the main house – which contains five luxury guestrooms,  a large livingroom, library, and dining room – as “the Humphrey House.”

Until next time,   Jessica Pfau

To help celebrate and also to mark the end of summer, we are running an awesome August special!  Go to Specials to see details.   We look forward to hearing from you!

Now that Valentine’s Day, the last of the winter holidays is over, it’s time to start looking ahead to spring break and Memorial Day.  Our guests always keep us on our toes–one has already made their Memorial Day reservation.

Bob has his flower and veggie seeds planted in the greenhouse and more are popping their leaves above the soil each day.  Spring is a great time to get out for long walks–both at nearby Lake Murray and Chickasaw National Recreation Area as well as our trails here on the property.  It’s always an adventure for us to find that first wildflower of the season.  If you’d like to help, give us a call!

One of the best resolutions is to resolve to take care of yourself–body and soul–and renew your relationship with that significant other.  What better way to start off the New Year than to take time for yourself to rest and relax and spend quality time alone with your sweetheart?  Even if January is cold and blustery, it’s still the perfect time to make good on your first resolution.

We’re helping you out on that one–just visit our website to see the great New Year’s Special!

And have a wonderful new year in 2009!

This is the perfect time to give the gift of stress relief and time.  How do you wrap that up?  With a gift certificate for a time of peace and rest from Shiloh Morning Inn right here in Ardmore, on the sunny side of the Arbuckle Mountains.

Just look for the Gift Certificate icon.  It’s easy to fill in the needed info any time of the day.  The certificates will go in the next day’s mail and reach you in a day or two.  Don’t have that much time?  We can always email the certificate to you.

We still have a few openings for the week after Christmas when everyone needs some rest.  Check out your favorite suite or cottage on the Availability link–or give us a call.  We’d love to have you!