Spring, Easter, Baked Bread, Pastry, Hot Cross Bun

Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns,

One a Penny, Two a Penny,

Hot Cross Buns

I hope those of you who celebrate Easter enjoyed a holiday as happy as our family's. Yes, Ms. Dancing Bean did a good bit of baking. Fortunately, the everything-from-scratch cupcakes and key lime pie that I made turned out better than the crosses did on my hot cross buns. 

"WITH OVER A HUNDRED ACRES TO EXPLORE FOR RELAXATION, ALL IT TOOK WAS 4 SQ. FEET OF PORCH."

Finding the above quote in my guestbook was one of the nicest gifts I've ever received.

I had a variety of reasons for opening a  B&B. I enjoy playing Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, while Mr. Dancing Bean, who hates to travel, likes nothing more than meeting new people. And, of course, a little extra money (triple underline little) is always nice. 

What I hadn’t expected was to offer a retreat service. No, not the kind of retreat where you meditate and think deep thoughts. Or the kind where you coax unwilling joints into bending like human a pretzel Nor the kind where workshop leaders will get you motivated--although you are free to do any of those things during your stay here. 

Last summer, I had the privelege of providing a quiet space for a two-career couple who just wanted to unplug and spend downtime together. (I thank them for the above quote.) Another guest came for a very different reason. Recently widowed, she needed private space to work as a part of her journey of grieving. 

These are just two of the guests who found the peace and quiet (other than the sounds of nature and the barking of our Awesome Dog Pack) they needed here at the low-tech Dancing Bean Ranch. They helped make our experience as B&B owners especially rewarding. 

THE BRIDGE IS DONE

Hip, hip hooray. 

The Bridge Is Finished!!

After more than a year of sending guests the circuitous detour route to get here, we finally have a bridge! It's concrete and a wide two lane. The old bridge, wooden and rickety, was far more picturesque but the new one is safe to drive on. So there's that. 


As anyone who has visited the Dancing Bean Ranch in the past year can attest, the detour route included  two extra miles of gravel road. Far worse was the very narrow wooden bridge, with no guard rails and clear gaps in the plank. Crossing it wasn't for the faint of heart.


But that's history. Come visit the 'Bean this spring and enjoy crossing the finest bridge in Pawnee County.

Torvald and Inga, continued.

Inga, a weiner/terrier mix who had been dumped in the woods, found her way to the 'Bean and whimpered her desire to join the DBR's Awesome Dog Pack. From the moment she appeared, big Torvald treated her as the little sister he'd always wanted. For days, Inga's head was gooey where Tor had licked her and even tried to pick her up by the scruff of her neck and carry her like a puppy. They're best friends. The two nap together, play together and, unfortunately, get into mischief together.

Like the lovely spring evening they decided to take up gardening. I heard a thunk outside the kitchen window and went to investigate. Big Tor had managed to reach a flat of strawberry plants I'd set on an outdoor shelf, one I'd thought was beyond Tor's reach. Silly me. The thunk was the sound of big Tor pulling the flat off the shelf. When I arrived, Inga was doing her part by running back and forth through the plants as fast as her stubby little legs would carry her. Both dogs seemed very pleased by their hard work, and I learned my lesson on the extent of Torvald's reach. Or so I thought.

Like I said, silly me.