by Clare Monnin | Jul 27, 2016 | Lifestyle
In September 2014 we had nine days to clean, spackle, paint, move in furniture, decorate, fill the kitchen with wonderful ingredients and our favorite recipes, then re-open the doors to the Dungeness Barn House B&B. Reservations wait for no one and nothing.
For a year and a half we prepared for the move to the Dungeness Barn House. Now it is absolutely surreal to realize we have finally made it here after 20 years of loving this property from afar. Our dream of being the stewards of this property is a reality. But there was so much more to it than wishing and hoping.
Thanks to an amazing moving company and even more amazing friends, we were able to accomplish all of this. I will never forget those nine days and the feelings are still strong.
It was a huge gift to work so hard with such amazing friends who were excited for us and unbelievably supportive in every way. Really good friends hold on to us, lift us up when we need it, feed us when we are hungry, and tuck us in when we are tired.
When it comes to our B&B guests the same applies. We serve you lovingly prepared food, give you a wonderfully peaceful place to rest, sleep and stroll which helps to send you off in the direction of YOUR dreams.
For 20 years this is the service that our hearts wanted to provide. Some things are just a part of us, a deep part of who we are. Some times, even way before we even understand it ourselves. But upon reflection, reflection of how it FEELS, we always knew this is what we were meant to do; to be doing. Doing right now. And it feels so good. Even when it’s a lot of hard work and long days, it still feels so good to be doing what we KNOW we were meant to do. In a location this lovely and with such warmth.
Thanks to all of you who have joined us here at the Dungeness Barn House B&B, or have come back to see us again, or let us celebrate moments of your life with you. We honor you, our new friends, and all that you share on this journey we take together.
These kinds of experiences over the past two years have literally changed me. On so many levels I feel like a new person, or what I really mean is that I feel like my truest self has emerged. That’s what happens when we hold tight to what we want in our lives.
by Clare Monnin | Jun 20, 2016 | Coastal Beach, Lifestyle
When you visit Dungenss Barn House B&B there is so much to see and do in the area, but …. There is a lot to see right at the B&B. Clare and Su have so many interesting antique and repurposed pieces of furniture. But what is a favorite with so many are the little treasures of art scattered around the Barn House. Some have interesting stories, some are just too darling to NOT have, and still others probably have a story but it’s too long for this blog. You can always ask us about what you see when you are staying with us.
Here’s a sampling. Beginning with a new arrival to honor our most recent adventure of raising chickens / eggs. This is our chicken mascot.
A lovely 3-demential art piece named Sea Goddess is located upstairs in the Great Room near the fireplace. Clare is the artist and it is one of those pieces of art that you really must see up close to appreciate all of the detail involved.
One of the wonderful things about this B&B for many guests is the waterfront location. The sea is a calming, soothing place. You can hear it rolling in and out; you can visit it via our beach access. So it’s appropriate that there be several forms of art honoring the sea. One is ceramic and sits upon the fireplace mantel in the Dungeness Suite.
Another form of art is the written word and on the very same mantel as the ceramic above you will find one of our favorite story books, “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
And because it’s always good to be looking toward to ‘what’s next’, we had to hang this vintage, re-purposed “cow jumping over the moon” (altho it’s moon has long since been missing) that was a gift from a friend. She knows that one, or both of us, has a dream of someday adding a miniature cow to our Two Crows Farm family. The detail in this cow painting is amazing. She is looking at you as you enter the kitchen where the amazing breakfasts are created. She knows she’s headed in the right direction!
by Clare Monnin | May 17, 2016 | Lifestyle
Now you can bring home a t-shirt saying “I spent the night in a barn”.
What’s YOUR TAKE AWAY from the time you spend at our B&B.
Our popular B&B t-shirts come in men’s and women’s styles as well as a variety of sizes.
If you want to order some ahead of time to wear during your family reunion at the B&B,
let us know an we’ll see what we can do for you.
Are you planning a friends weekend at our B&B, stay tuned for more options for your retreat.
Back of B&B t-shirt.
We have expanded our line of Dungeness Barn House B&B products for you to purchase before you leave the B&B. Look for our B&B jams, honey, soaps, and more. Stay tuned to our blog to hear more about our new products.
by Clare Monnin | May 3, 2016 | Farming Gardening, Lifestyle
Clare loves aprons and she wears them A LOT. Clare and Su work together to design apron styles that are functional, practical, and “barn-worthy”. Clare wears her apron all day. Starting in the morning to cook breakfast, in the garden, and even trips to the grocery store. After many guests inquired about the aprons that Clare wears they decided to sell aprons at the B&B. There is a fun selection to choose from.
Why aprons you might ask?
Clare, like many people and professionals have done for centuries, wears aprons as more than a way to keep clothes clean while they work. Clare likes to wear aprons as attractive fashion accessories or as a part of her daily clothing. She likes them so much that she designs and sews many of her own aprons (directly below).
Linen logo apron front
Linen logo apron back
Front of black rimmed pocket apron
Back of black rimmed pocket apron
There isn’t a lack of apron ideas when you look for patterns or browse Esty or Pintress. Aprons are in vogue and even better–they are retro-chic. And wouldn’t you really EXPECT to see someone who owns, lives and works in a barn to be wearing amazing aprons? Of course.
Here are some choices for you to consider if you want to take an apron home with you during your next visit to the Dungeness Barn House B&B at Two Crows Farm.
Apron front with crisscross back ties and patterned print
Apron back with crisscross back ties and patterned print
Denim wrap-around apron with pockets (front)
Denim wrap-around apron with pockets (side)
Sunflower apron front
Sunflower apron back
Sunflower apron marking
Our friend Tammy recently found the very first aprons that she and her sister ever made. They were inside of her mom’s keepsake box. For many beginning sewers, one of their earliest sewing projects is an apron (4-H club, home and family life classes, at the side of an experienced family member). Tammy’s mom is the one who taught her to sew and after learning sewing basics on simple items like place mats and pin cushions it was an apron that was the first garment she learned to make.
Church Lady Apron pattern
Over the years our friend Tammy has gifted a handful of her friends and relatives a home-made, reversible apron from her favorite pattern called “Church Lady Apron”. She said, “Don’t even try to get me out of the fabric store when I’m on an apron mission. I get into all sorts of other elements like prints, wovens, color combinations for the reversibles, …. ” Tammy recalls playing dress up with her mother’s mother’s old and worn out homemade apron that she’d pulled out of rag bag when she was younger than five years old. “Passion is passion, even for aprons.”
So if you share this apron-passion at least one of the many aprons we sell with SPEAK TO YOU!
by Clare Monnin | Mar 12, 2016 | Lifestyle, Olympic Peninsula Sequim
As the weather tries to warm up for spring, our bulbs have begun to bloom at the Dungeness Barn House B&B. The daffodils, crocus, and hyacinth are open with tulips close behind. That’s what we notice as we gaze around our beautiful yard. When we look around to see what others are noticing as spring nears, it’s obvious that there is much more going on than bulbs and spring.
Some of the wonderful events of summer are also beginning to appear in our local media. We wanted to be sure to share some of these with you over the coming weeks. So see if some of the concerts below might be of interest to you, then book your stay with us here at the Dungeness Barn House B&B.
Enjoy great music and wine under the stars at the Olympic Cellars Summer Concerts 2016. This is a special treat that Sequim locals (including your humble B&B hosts) know and love. Concerts are held at the beautiful Olympic Cellars barn off of Highway 101, just west of Sequim, on Saturday evenings from mid-July through late-August.
The doors open at 6 pm and all concerts begin at 7 pm. Arrive early for best seating or bring your favorite lawn chair. A local restaurant or catering company will be onsite for each concert with food available for purchase. Obviously Olympic Cellars will also have their lovely wines available for purchase as well.
The concert ticket price is $13 (plus online booking fee) in advance or $15 at the door. Half of the ticket price will be donated to that weekend’s non-profit organization. The concert series partners with a different non-profit organization each weekend. Tickets Available Online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com (scroll to the bottom of this webpage or search using Olympic Cellars)
by Clare Monnin | Mar 8, 2016 | Lifestyle, Olympic Peninsula Sequim
If you’re a bike enthusiast consider joining us at the Dungeness Barn House B&B the next two weekends to enjoy or participate in the 19th annual Tour de Dungeness bike race. It takes place on consecutive Saturdays: March 12 and 19, 2016. The 12-mile races start at 9:45 am each day and run until late afternoon, regardless of weather. Start is across the road from the Dungeness State Park and Recreation Area. Day-of event registration only. Approximately 400 riders each day will come from throughout the Puget Sound region as well as Central and Eastern Washington. The course includes Lotzgesell, Cays, East Anderson, Sequim Dungeness Way, Woodcock and Kitchen-Dick roads. It is a 12 mile lap course that is very flat and fast. The course finish will be on Kitchen Dick Road. For more information, contact Van Doren at 360-417-5257 (after 5 pm) or 360-775-7796.
The finish is only a mile or two from the Dungeness Barn House B&B. Join us in the rain shadow of the beautiful Olympic Mountain Range. And take advantage of our MARCH MAGIC SPECIAL $15.00 off per night, 2 night minimum.
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