Pt. 3- Our first B&B experience, looking at property, and car troubles...oy! (Warning, lots of pictures!)

On the recommendation of Darlene, the owner of the B&B we would be staying at, we grabbed dinner at a cute local place in Bonnieville. Such a refreshing atmosphere! The Olde Mill Stone was busy, too! The specials board had prayers and Bible passages. The decor was country primitive.

Matt carried a sleepy Gabriel in, who preceded to sleep at the table for some time, even while Sawyer screamed! Sawyer was screaming because the table we were sat at had 2 large Christmas ornaments, the big ones you might see on a 20 ft outdoor tree. He thought they were balls, and shrieked for about 20 min. We weren't really hungry, but there wouldn't be anywhere to go get something later. Matt ordered Country Fried Steak, which he shared with Sawyer. Isabelle and I split catfish, with an added side of frog legs! Yummy!!! Gabriel woke up and shared with us.

It was way later than I wanted it to be when we finally checked in at Country Girl at Heart B&B. Especially knowing that quiet time was 10pm- 7 am. I was a bit concerned about this, afterall, we had never stayed at a B&B. I was convinced that our night of no-sleep-camping would keep everyone asleep, though.

Upon check in, Darlene gave us a tour and told us some rules. She explained that every room was named for a local story. Ours, The Pioneer,  was named for a French Pioneer woman. The decor reflected her story and the pages of a book with the story were on the wall to read. A chilling story of a courageous woman and how after the French-Indian wars her betrothed left the states, married her, and brought his new bride back. Upon heading to their land, Both her husband and a friend were killed and scalped, she fled, speaking no english, found help. She decided to STAY in Kentucky! She didn't go back to France, eventually remarried and many years later her belongings were found, including the deed to the land, her marriage certificate, and her wardrobe.

Our names on the white board coming in!

The dining area where we would be having breakfast.

Wardrobe of French Pioneer woman.

More of our room.

All the kids had a bath in the big tub and  got in bed. Everyone was asleep when I enjoyed some peace in there! Imagine my delight whan I saw my towel was MJH~!!!

Matt getting Gabriel to sleep.

Our bed was super comfy! But about 6, Gabriel started whining. I knew he had to potty! We got him to the potty, but not before waking Sawyer. :/ Neither would go back to sleep.... So I took them to the basement rec room to play, hopefully, quietly. It was MOSTLY quiet. lol.....

Isabelle came down later and drew this.

The rec room had art supplies, blackboards (one for adults only!), foosball, air hockey, dress up, Thomas Train table, books, pool table, and mini theatre!

About 7:15, I took the kids outside, Matt met us out there after bringing our things out. Breakfast was at 8, and we were meeting a realtor at 9.

Holy flock of Chickens Batman!!

Barn quilt- Someday I will have one!

Soon it was time to head in for breakfast.

Breakfast was nice! we got to talk with Darlene, her helper, and the other 6 guests. We semi- rushed and made it to meet the realtor about 5 after 9. We ended up looking at only one property and talked to the realtor about what we are looking for so they can help us look.

In these pictures the property looks darn near ideal! But most of it is a rocky hill side and not very user friendly, at least not at 2k+ an acre! What are we looking for...??? Well, we want to have organic produce, a roadside stand, maybe a small vacation cabin for rental, eventually sustainable farm tours and classes (as in WAY down the road, lol!). We would like 30+ acres in a good area (slightly touristy), schools aren't a concern since we homeschool. It needs to have water on it, for emergencies, should they arise. We are looking in KY, because we can go work on it on the weekends without Matt leaving his job. We have also considered MO pretty seriously and are open to other ideas if you know of any!! :)

So after we left, we headed back down side roads. Matt stopped and bought that crossbow. Yep.... lol!

I noise in the front end of my car had us a bit concerned, so we headed toward my parents' house (Greenville, KY), since my step dad is typically my mechanic! ;) After changing some parts the problem is still there, so we have an appt to have it looked at today. Here is what the kids and I did while the guys worked on the van!

After many years of not having a cat in the house, we are trying again. This is Mist a calico manx kitten from a litter of Blue, the last manx we had that mom took to tame down because she was so wild.

We rode the gator to the creek to play.

Then to check apples.

After the ride we watched the sunset from the porch.

Last week Pt. 2, Mammoth Cave, trail riding and Amish hats!!! (Stay turned for Pt. 3, cause this is longer than intended!)

As I said, we were on the road by 7:30, stiff and tired. ;) We stopped at a gas station for doughnuts off of 65 near Elizabethtown. No big deal, just standard cruddy DD. Matt has a thing for good doughnuts. These were not all that good. Kids were happy though! (Some of these pics are my phone, some Isabelle's camera)

Since we have been looking for property in KY, and we planned to be shown some while down in this area, we got off the interstate, got adventurous, and took some side roads to get to Mammoth Cave, coming in the back side instead of through Cave City.

We got off at the Bonnieville exit and started West. Funniest thing, as I was checking where we were on Google Map, Country Girl at Heart B&B showed up! Without even planning to, we drove right by the bed and breakfast we would be staying at! We also took note of for sale signs and took a few numbers. It was such a GORGEOUS morning! Cool, a bit foggy, the views in some of the open spots were TDF!

We soon passed n Amish store. Deciding that they may know where some good properties were, we turned around. The store was called Detweiler's (pretty sure I spelled that right...). This was a Amish supply/ bulk grocery type place. First off, let me say the Amish down there aren't like the Amish up here. Up here when you try to talk to them they close up like a clam afraid of being dinner!! Down there they are all smiles, and open!! Happy to talk to you and be as helpful as they can.

While there we admired to beautiful glass coal oil lamps, nifty gadgets, and hats. Matt had wanted an Amish hat for a long while. He was so excited to find half an aisle dedicated to them! Yes, he left with one! lol! As did Isabelle and Gabriel. We also found a cookie press in metal! Growing up we always made Christmas cookies with my great grandmas old cookie press that was handed down to my mom. I bought a plastic one a few years ago, but it was junk. I can't wait to try it out!!! Maybe when I have an oven again... We didn't leave with a lamp, though Matt REALLY wanted to and even asked about it again on Saturday as we drove by the last time.

We drove past, not planned, one of the properties we wanted to be shown that I had found online, we walked it. Wasn't well suited for what we want, so we were able to cross it off our list.

Walking property

Sawyer was feeling left out that he doesn't have a hat!

Proud of his hat!!! :P

It was such a nice drive! Shortly, we reached the turn off for Mammoth Cave. We took a short trip into the little gas station on the corner for a potty and drink break. Neat little place, had a tack store, and archery shop in it as well! Matt admired a crossbow for Isabelle, but we left soon driving into the National Park.

Soon we came up to cross the Green Rv by ferry! Now I have been on a few ferries, and I thought Matt had, too, but apparently not. Gabriel was so excited!!

Once we got to the visitor center and picked a tour, we got in line to get tickets. The tour sold out as I walked up, so we got tickets for the same tour later in the day. We decided not to hand out at MCNP, but check out the other towns nearby and take Isabelle on a trail ride while Matt sat with the boys.

Me is my hat. I have had mine for weeks, but now Isabelle has dubbed us "The Hat Family"....lol!

Ennis helping Isabelle

We were the only 2 on this ride, since it was only 30 min.

Isabelle on Midnight

 

The trail ride was fun! Isabelle was saddle sore, I wasn't, which I thought was kinda funny! ;)

We drove around, grabbed lunch and then headed back to MCNP for our tour. We went on the New Passage tour. 500 some- odd steps, mostly down. My legs were wobbly! I wore Sawyer, Matt carried Gabriel most of the way. I think Gabriel's favorite part was the bus ride though! 

Right about here Gabriel says, "I sure wish there weren't dragons here." After talking with him a second about how these were formations, he says, "It looks one(a dragon) to me!"

Right after the tour. Yep, we were all hot and sweaty!

More tonight on our 3 part adventure!

We FINALLY have a LAYER!!!!! (Pt 1 of last week)

Yes, folks, you heard it! One of our hens FINALLY started laying! :D

We have collected 3 eggs so far since Tuesday. I think it is the brown speckled hen, but can't be sure. I just hope some of the other 10 start soon!

Before I go any further I want to say how much I realize how bad my pictures are. :( My camera is still broken. So these are all with my cell (grrrr...)

I made another add to my cookbook dinner Tuesday night. Summertime Polenta. I had never made polenta from scratch! YUMMM!

Wednesday was NOT a good day. I went to bed Tuesday night excited about leaving for our mini trip Thursday and planning what needed to be done.  About 5 AM. There was this noise...I thought my fan was fried because right after the noise it started speeding up and slowing down on its own. A minute later the stairwell light blew. Craziness... I unplugged the fan and went back to sleep. 

When I woke about 7, Isabelle was telling me the power was out. How frustrating! I got up and went to investigate. What I discovered was we had HALF power. Some lights wouldn't come on at all (I later learned they had blown), the rest were as if on dim, and most appliances wouldn't work. I went outside as I was calling Matt who was still at work. I discovered a branch had fallen on the service line. I called Vectren and they arrived about 10, giving Matt time to get home and get the mess cleaned up. 

The tree it fell from is a BIG oak tree that Matt is wanting to take down (have I ever mentioned he trims trees, has since he was 11), but this massive tree is in a nasty spot and he is dragging his feet. Which may be good, (because it's a lot of work for a man that typically works 60+ hrs a wk at his job to come home and do) since the serviceman said that they may actually take part if not the whole tree down!! That would be awesome!

What ISN'T awesome is the lights all coming on and thinking all was a- ok only to discover my oven now will not work. And my stove is only 3 yrs old. :( The top works, so it appears that the power surge shorted out the computer of the stove. Now we have to figure out if it is more cost effective to replace or repair.

I am soooo bummed about this. And I guess I need to start shopping around.

Anyway, I barely got anything done that was on my to-do list for that day. I was packing up until we left at about 11 Thurs. morning. We drove toward Lexington first, and visited the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. We really didn't know what a Shaker was. Intriguing. Also a bit strange. The village was neat, but not much was going on. I am sure it is more fun on a weekend.

Silk worms!! Apparently raising silk worms was a big thing for the Shakers.

Peek- A- Boo in the Magnolia

These LOVELY well built rock walls were everywhere in the area!

2 lb tomato at the Gardner's Talk

Center Family dwelling

Since Matt is thinking about getting a couple of sheep, we talked to this young lady about spinning.

After the Village we went to look at a horse!!!

I have never mentioned this, but I am quite horse crazy. I had horses all growing up. I used to show a bit and I used to dream of having my own horse farm! I haven't had a horse since Isabelle was about 2. Oh!! I MISS IT! So we went to look at a Rocky Mt. mare. I really love her! Of course, I love almost every horse I see, but this was different. It was like she was really listening to me, concentrating on what I had to say. Sadly she is a bit too flighty to have here at home. I am afraid someone will get hurt. Although I have broke and trained several horses, I am not in the same shape I once was, so it would likely be me. We also looked at a supposed "anyone can ride" gelding. And though He seemed great for leading the kids on, he wanted to GO and not stop when Matt rode him. Still not a match. Bummer...

Cimmaron, the mare.

Matt leading "Dusty" with Gabriel.

We stopped to camp at My Old Kentucky Home, in primitive. It had been 8 years since we had camped.... We didn't sleep much ;)...lol!!! We set up at about 8:30 and were gone by 7:30 the next morning!

Well that gets us about half way through the week. More cruddy cell pictures tomorrow! Night and God Bless!!!