June Gives Way to July

Flowers are blooming at a feverish pace (at least the ones I fed before my little "vacation" at the beginning of May). June was a very busy month for us and helped us hit, yet another record for occupancy. July is just around the corner, and will bring Hannibal's National Tom Sawyer Days to life. On our homepage, you'll find a link to the CVB website and NTSD webpage. Check it out to see all the fun activities planned for June 30~July 4th! We'd love for you to come stay with us and enjoy our town, our home and your "Summer Vacation". Don't forget to book our exclusive "Breakfast with Mark Twain" experience. It's more fun than you can imagine. See you soon! Yes...We have central air-conditioning!!

Where did MAY go??

After spending time with my new little sweetheart and her parents, I am feeling like the month of May was the shortest month on record. Oh, and I had a birthday too. Maybe that was reason enough for May to pass quickly. At any rate I've been planting flowers and tropicals, one of my favorite summer jobs. Now if the raccoons will just stop digging out the new potting soil at night, they might just survive the summer. Yes, I mean both! I love raccoons, having raised several, but they need to leave my flowers alone or they may just find themselves in new "digs" in the country.

We've been on hold with the upper floors of the exterior painting over the past several weeks. We're hoping to see the painter again this month. In his absence Norm and I have been working on some of the first floor painting projects. We even found a window on the west side of the house that doesn't appear to have been painted inside the storm window, since the house was grey and white. That would have been back in the 80's. It will be exciting for us to see this ole girl with fresh paint!

Hannibal will be in full swing this month. Mark Twain HIMSELF will once again be in his theater, or you can always request his presence during breakfast, when you book your stay with us. Downtown museums, attractions and shops will have summer hours, the Mark Twain Riverboat will be running all excursions daily, the Trolley and Train will be on a regular schedule, and don't forget The Clopper too. Of course, the Mark Twain & Cameron Caves are both open year 'round. Come visit us! We have a wonderful veranda and rocking chairs calling your name. We look forward to hearing from you.

New Grandparents!!

Kaylie Elizabeth, our first grand baby is HERE!! She is absolutely beautiful!! Mom & Dad are doing fine and are really enjoying being blessed with this new little life. Grandma Judy will be going to see them in a couple days. Grandpa Norm and Weagle will be staying behind to "take care" of the homefront and supervise the exterior painting project, which is about one-fourth completed.

Spring has Sprung!

April is here! The flowers and trees are blooming. New flowers and perennials are being planted daily. This is the most wonderful time of year for Judy and her love of flowers.

The wait is short for the arrival of the first hummingbird of the season. Surely transients will be stopping by for a "hit" to carry them through the rest of their journeys north. Our resident little jewels begin arriving about the last week of April. With the warm weather we've had, we're hoping they arrive even earlier. Judy's feeders are filled and ready for dining.

It sure was refreshing to smell the cut grass last week. And though the job of cleaning the pond and waterfall was not pleasant, it looks beautiful. The waterfall is cascading, bubbling and providing a perfect bathing spot for the songbirds. Judy has just added some new copper tulip-shade landscape lighting. When you visit, be sure to walk to the back to view the waterfall and pond in the evening.

March has arrived!

March has arrived calmly in Hannibal. The meterologists say that there will be plenty of moisture for Spring flowers. My guess...next week we'll have some early daffodils. The early tulip leaves are about 3 inches tall now, and hyacinths are close to popping too. I love this time of year! Today I clean the pump in the pond. It's not one of my favorite jobs, but the fish appreciate it and blooming plants really put on a show after being watered with pond water.

We're looking forward to your visit!

Wilson's Chamber has a new look!

Each winter we do a project (or two), to spruce up this old girl. Last winter our Captain's Quarters was transformed. This year Wilson's Chamber was the focus, so our second floor "Twin" bed chamber has a new look. Though winter months are a bit quiet in the midwest, fortunately for us this winter, we have been busier than usual and guests have been our focus. This means putting a few projects on the back burner for the time being, but we're not complaining. We'd much rather accommodate guests, than 'work' on painting projects! The new pictures will be up soon, so check the website periodically for updated photos. We have a couple smaller projects in the works too, and will update info on those as they happen.

Soon, soon...warmer weather will arrive, and so too will our exterior painter! Yes, the exterior is getting a makeover, finally! We've searched high and low and have found a brave soul who has signed on to climb to the highest peaks of our Victorian Lady, and is scheduled to arrive this Spring to give our old girl her "new coat". We promise that he will not interfere with your stay. There are plenty of places which are out of the way, where he can work when guests are in house. We really can't wait to see this beauty when her paint is all fresh and bright.

Last week we noticed that the daffodils and tulips are starting to peek through. That's something else that excites the gardener in Judy. With temperatures projected to be in the 70's on Wednesday, there will likely be some massive yardwork going on. The waterfall needs to be cleaned so it can operate properly...yucko! That's such a slimy job. Today, the fish seem to be mouthing "feed me". They're ready for spring. Several of the tropical hibiscus plants (brought inside during winter months) are still blooming. But seeing them in full bloom outside is much more gratifying. Come on March!