I thought I would take a minute to tell you all about a place Vic and I stayed at. When we were planning to go to the Coshocton Apple Butter Festival in October, we really wanted to stay somewhere near Coshocton.
We looked high and low trying to find something reasonable and still be close to the festival.
Nestled along state route 91 just north of route 36, we found the Daisy Inn Bed and Breakfast.
What a wonderful place!
Our room that evening. Very comfy.
Built in 1880, this old farmhouse in Pearl Valley, a couple of miles up from 36, is very homey, very comfortable.
Downstairs sitting room. TV, bookshelves, lots of comfort.
Lots of cute, comfortable touches. A real country inn.
You can't beat the location. The pic above is looking down from the top of the hill behind the house. The house is in the lower left. Coshocton farm country.
The grounds have lots of little charming touches.
The coolest feature on the grounds had to be the flower bed that was edged with bowling balls and pins.
So Cool!! Not something that you ever expect to see. Loved that.
All that being said, the best feature of the Daisy Inn is the owner, Debbie Ungurean.
Debbie was such a blessing. She went out of her way to make us feel at home. Made sure all of our needs were taken care of.
But I have to say, the best was the next morning. The other couple that was there had already left so she literally spent the whole morning with us. Made us breakfast (a very good breakfast casserole), sat and talked to us the whole time. Told us all about the house, the area, her family (she has great family reunions) and anything else we asked about. She showed us around the house and the yard. Cool place. She even walked us up the hill. It wasn't long before Debbie and Vic were carrying on like old friends.
Hanging out at the top of the hill.
Once we were done up the hill, she actually walked us down to where she has a chestnut tree. We then spent half an hour picking chestnuts. Easier said than done.
A chestnut in it's protective covering.
Chestnuts actually grow on the tree in a sharp, spiky casing. Very nasty. We tried to pick them off of the ground. Those usually have casings that have split. I still got stabbed a bunch of times.
All told we were there that morning until almost noon. She went out of here way to make us feel at home. She really made it special.
Speaking of right at home, her dog Patsy was a blast. She took a liking to me immediately. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything without her along. Fun. Very affectionate. Such a big baby.
Here's trouble.
Deb has saying stenciled on the wall in her entryway,
"May all who enter as guests, leave as friends."
By the time we finally left, she made us feel like family.
Thank you Deb.
Now for the photography portion...
Just like at historical places, try to take in all of the little details that make a place special. In an old house like this and an example would be the door bell.
Original to the house, you crank on the outside...
It rings on the inside. Very Cool.
A nice touch that emphasizes the historical nature of the house. Same for the grounds and gardens. Any homeowner worth her salt will have personal touches everywhere. Try to capture the personality that created the place.
It is also important to put your self in the location. Establish the setting.
Definitely farm country. This is the view looking the other way at the top of the hill. The location makes the setting as much as the house. It gives you a context that makes the setting complete.
And most important, don't forget the people!! (and the dog)
They are what make a place like the Daisy Inn really special. Here Debbie is showing Vic how to peal the chestnuts.
One of the more important things I have learned is that over time, we tend to forget the little details that make a place special. Taking these pics takes time but when you look back later, it takes you right into the memory.
Keep shooting.
Don.