The River from our back bluff at sunset
Wow!
Can you believe that I have been working at the plantation for two weeks now!
Time just seems to race by now!
Just to give you a quick update on what we have going on…
We are almost done with the contract proposal for the repairs and landscaping. We hope to be able to move forward with the work within the next week. Once work begins, we hope that we will be able to complete it quickly so we can fill the mansion with furnishings. Our interior designer is ready to run as soon as we have things ready.
We were to start on the driveway and parking area this week, but found out at the last minute that the State and County required two permits and a bond for the work. So we are working like crazy to get those into place so we can start the work.
Sadly, because of the delays in the repairs and such, we won’t be opening on May 1st! Our hopes are to be ready by the end of May. It would be nice to open before Memorial Day and the start of the Summer Travel Season. But this is what opening a business is like. Best laid plans don’t always come when we want.
This week, I will be away from the plantation. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, I will be taking a Food Service Management course so I can be certified in this new area. So if I don’t reply back quickly please forgive me! I will be studying hard for my final exam on Thursday! Fingers Crossed!
After Thursday, if we don’t have a change in our schedule, I may head back to Chesapeake to see our kids and Hurley. Then we will head back to the plantation on Friday evening so we can be there, ready to go on Saturday. Maybe we can see about bring Hurley along.
Spring has arrived at Belle Grove!
How would you like to see Belle Grove before we open?
Here’s your chance!
We are going to be working on the grounds this weekend and would love to have some volunteers to help us if you can! We still have some debris from the trees to clear and bricks to pull from the riverside of the mansion. Bring your shovel, work gloves, chainsaws, lawn chairs and a brown bag lunch for a great day at the plantation! Church or Social Groups are more than welcome! We need all the help we can get to get things ready to go for the landscaping!
We also have free mulch from the trees available.
All you have to do is come on Saturday and load your truck!
Thank you again to all who voted for our “Official Cookie of Belle Grove Plantation”!
We are excited to be serving all of them at Belle Grove!
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Become a Fan by “liking” us!
Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast 
I am sorry for the delays, but hopefully all will end soon and you can open!!!
Thank you! I hope so too! I am getting tired of waiting! 😉
Hi Brett and Michelle. Everything will work out fine 🙂 Good luck with your exam Michelle 🙂 Willow x x
Thank you Willow! It’s been a little while since I have had to study and take an exam. I hope I can remember it all!
I’d help if I didn’t live so far away! Thinking good thoughts, thought!
Thank you! That was so sweet!!
*though
🙂
Oh, with I was there to help. It would be so much fun!
Thank you! I know you would be here with bells on!
The pics of the flowering trees just make me want to drive on over now!
Thank you! It is a beautiful tree. Sadly we had a storm a few nights ago and lost one of the limbs on it.
Exciting times for you both!
Thank you! Just hope it gets moving faster!!
If I lived a lot closer I would be there. I hope you get a good group of volunteers.
Thank you!! If you did, we would love to see you!
How cool, whether you open the 1st or the 31st! Wish I could help, but it’s a long drive from Colorado!
And love that river shot from your backyard–it just struck me, like a fistful of relaxation, even this early in the morning (4 a.m. MT)!
Wow, that would be a long way to come for help just one day. But if you did, we would love to see you! Thank you! We love the river shots too!
Seems like all preparations take for-e-ver, and then all of a sudden, you’re there. Like the old saying, “By the yard, it’s hard; by the inch, it’s a cinch.” You’ll do great on the test. I returned to college after 35 years and discovered that we can do anything we set our minds to do. Go, girl!
Oh I have to totally agree!! It does feel like forever!! Thank you! I have some studying to do tonight! And two practice tests!!
I live too far away to come, but I hope you get lots of help! Underneath all the busy-ness you must be very excited!
Thank you! If you could have come we would have loved to see you! We are very excited! I just wish it would hurry up!
I would love to help, but as sued51 noted, I am too far away. I am also very painfully aware of how stressful it is trying to hammer out details for a deadline. We are working on repair negotiations on our new to us old farmhouse (174 years old and counting). It is frustrating and I don’t envy you the magnitude of your undertakings! So now in addition to telling you to ‘just breathe’ I will be trying to take my own advice!
We shall begin breathing calmly together now…
😉
Whew… in and out… whew… I feel better. thank you! How about you? 😉
Getting there! 😀
Wish I could be there to help out! Good luck this weekend!
Thank you! We hope to see you one day!
Pretty colors! Hope your course goes well.
Thank you! I am down to just taking the test tomorrow. I should be studying, but I needed a break!
Now that is a large tree – plenty of firewood for next winter! Great to see that spring is showing up somewhere in the country. Will be a great time to open.
Thank you! Yes, it was a huge tree. But it won’t be firewood! Too valuable as a witness tree.
Keep going!
You’ll pass the exam, no sweat.
Thank you! Test is tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!
April is going by quickly… projects and family visits for us (that’s why I have not been around recently). We replaced/expanded our front porch, and had two weeks with both sets of family around. We took the family with the middle school aged children to Colonial Williamsburg for some history immersion. They had a great time. Enjoy your training this week. Now to get the gardens ready for planting!
Oscar
Wow, you have been busy too! I bet Williamsburg is just beautiful! I love Williamsburg in the Spring! Good to see you again! Thank you!