Posts Tagged ‘countryside’

The Before Picture of the Peach Room

Now that the planting of the gardens are done and the lawn is mowed, here at our romantic getaway in Northern Virginia, we have been embarking on transforming our Peach dining room into the new Sun Room. Starting with all new fabric from Provence we have made the curtains and tablecloths. The next step is underway with Tim, our incredible faux painter, using real ochre from Roussillon in France to finish the walls to a soft patine. We can hardly wait to set the tables for Friday, June 22nd, when all will be done.

Tim Just Starting the Faux Painting

Winey and Cheesey really will be confused as customers calling for reservations at L’Auberge Provencale often ask for the Peach Room. They will just have to get used to the new name of the Sun Room at our Northern Virginia bed and breakfast!

Our perennial garden at the inn

Whew…lists of things to do.  This is Virginia Garden week and we here at our bed and breakfast inn are getting ready for 900 people to descend upon us this Saturday, April 21, as L’Auberge Provencale is number 1 on the tour of houses in Clarke County.  Our maintenance staff and I have been busy (with a little help from Winey and Cheesey) getting the grounds in tip top shape.

1. Mulch Around All Trees
2. Prune the fruit trees
3. Plant the spring vegetable garden plants
4. Plant the beautiful Provencale pots and hanging baskets for our terrace and porch
5. Cut down the tulips which bloomed too early and tie up all the daffodils
6. Go on a crazy plant buying spree

Fluff all the pillows, and hope it doesn’t rain!  Of course, you know they are predicting thunderstorms for Saturday in our beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  Our chef are happily cooking with local ramps, asparagus, morels, sorrel, lovage and fresh herbs from our gardens and edible flowers as well.  It is a great time to visit Virginia, and the beauty is busting out all over.

There is the usual mess to clean up after a day of planting..but what a beautiful reward we get from all the pots planted and on the southern Virginia style porch.  Come out and enjoy the terrace for dinner at our bed and breakfast, the next time you are visiting the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley.

Give the gift that always fits,

A Gift Certificate from L’auberge Provencale!

Available for purchase online!

800.638.1702

Erin enjoyed a visit on her day off. The vistas are magnificent!

With summer in full swing it’s time to put those luscious gardens and orchards to use!

We would like to thank everyone who made it out for our Sizzling Suckling Pig Roast on the 4^th of July!

Everyone had a blast, especially Winey & Cheesy, who were extremely excited to see Alain in his festive American Flag T-shirt and Celeste singing along with the Brogue Rouges and their Hammer Dulcimer!

The Petanque Court on the front lawn became a battlefield.  The First Prize winner took home a $75 Gift Certificate and The Second Prize winner got a L’Auberge Provencale Goodie Basket filled with homemade James, Granola, Vinegar and Olive Oil!

It was a wonderful day enjoyed by all (except maybe the Pig)!  Winey & Cheesy had their camera’s ready to document the day’s festivities… we hope you enjoy them!

July 4th

Suckling Pig Roast
12:00pm — 4:00pm

Roasted Local Suckling Pig
Roasted at the event by Chef, Scott Meyers

Southern Summer Sides:
Braised Garden Collard Greens
Barb’s Homemade Potato Salad
Corn on the Cob
Cole Slaw
Cornbread
Peach Cobbler & Vanilla Ice Cream

Boutique Beers and Wines

Pétanque Tournament

Live Music Featuring Brogue Rogues Irish Band

Wine Maker’s Dinner

Friday May 21st, 2010

6:00pm

$88 per person

Meet the Winemaker, Caleb Foster,

of Buty Winery in the Walla Walla Valley, Washington State

Enjoy pairings with seasonal cuisine,

from Chef de Cuisine, Scott Meyers.

Featuring the freshest ingredients from local farms

Wine Maker’s Dinner Menu

Caleb Foster

Winemaker of 19 vintages in Washington, New Zealand and South Africa, Caleb designs Buty wines with Nina as personal statements. International winemaking has taught him to stay true to Washington wine’s character of origin.

The Philosphy

Buty’s philosophy of winemaking reflects the old religious worldview of human growth from the body to mind to soul to spirit, called”the great nest of being.”  The all inclusive nest of being grows over time as we reach for the spiritual levels of life.  So, too, Buty Wines evolve including and expanding their quality at each stage of their development.  The wine’s development is a cumulative and artistic process.  Every stage of growth is equally important for a fine wine, starting with a great site developed into a vineyard, from fruit into wine, from cellared bottles to our enjoyment at a shared meal.  A great wine calls for complete attention as they expand the qualites present at every stage.

Romantic Homes Magazine featured L’Auberge Provencale in their April 2010 issue.

The article, Country Comfort, highlights all of the small touches that make L’Auberge Provencale worthy of being your favorite romantic getaway. Winey and Cheesy thoroughly enjoyed this editorial; of course they like anything that has to do with fine food, wine and decor!

We hope you enjoy it as well.

Enjoy the sumptuous repast in the cozy comfort of your room

Our repast and one night midweek specials have proven to be very popular with our new and repeat guests.  So we will, therefore, by popular demand, offer some great value added and discounted stays.  A great way to getaway and save a little along the way!  The brillance of fall beckons you to the harvest time in the Shenandoah Valley.  Take a holiday and enjoy crisp mornings, country afternoons and cozy evenings.  And save over 20%!

TWO NIGHT FALL HARVEST HOLIDAY

• Two Nights lodging in one of our premier rooms or suites
• 6 Chocolate Strawberries to welcome you on arrival, as well as a bowl of Fresh Fruit, Cookies and Chocolates
• One night Gourmet Repast delivered to your room featuring Provencale Vegetable Soup with Fields of Athenry Beef, Barley and Kale, House Cured Duck Caesar Salad, an Array of Artisan Cheese, French Bread, Spiced Autumn Apple Cake and a bottle of Red or White Wine to enjoy at your leisure
• 100.00 credit towards dinner for two in our nationally acclaimed restaurant
• Two of our fabulous signature breakfasts each morning

Suites- 695.00

Premier Rooms 595.00

Valid Sunday thru Thursday September 6, 2009-December 17-2009

ONE NIGHT FALL FROLIC

• One nights lodging in one of our premier rooms or suites
  

  Mmmm...a fabulous array of Artisan Cheese Awaits you on Arrival

• An array of Artisan Cheese on Arrival
• 100.00 credit towards dinner in our nationally acclaimed restaurant
• A parting gift from the bounty of our pantry; harvested from our own orchards and gardens
• Two of our fabulous signature breakfasts each morning

SUITES: 365.00

PREMIER ROOM- 340.00

Valid Sunday thru Thursday September 6, 2009-December 17, 2009

Not valid on holiday weekends

Just one beautiful spot at Blandy Farm, the Virginia State Arboretum

     Winey and Cheesey have been enjoying the heavenly weather this year.  Blue skies and puffy clouds in July? Incredible they say.  What a perfect time to visit  the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.  Within 5 hours from anywhere in the USA, just an hour and a half from DC what a great destination, L”Auberge Provencale.  The chefs have been cooking up some great food featuring the bounty of our gardens and local farms.  Pick a tomato at 5:00 and enjoy it that night!  Wow…can anything be better than that?

Mama bear

     Answer:  a picnic in one of our favorite spots.  Egg Hollow or Dickey Ridge picnic grounds on the skyline drive, and Blandy farm are two of my favorite spots.  Enjoy the pictures below of these beautiful areas. Celeste went to skyline last week and saw not just the usual deer, but a huge owl, and a mother black bear with her twin cubs.  No one seemed disturbed by the “tourist” taking pictures.  We’ll be happy to pack you a picnic with or without wine.  Just give us notice the day before and we can have it ready for you after breakfast!  You then can go off hiking, canoeing, wine touring, exploring, or just sitting by the pool at the Villa. A perfect way to spend the day.  The picnics are 75.00  for two and you keep the basket!  Wine is additional and winey will help with your selections.