Walking around Blacksburg

July 21, 2011 - Walking is about the best, least expensive, low impact exercise out there for the benefit. If you like to walk, Clay Corner Inn is the perfect summer destination. If you like to swim, well, we can accommodate that, too. If you like great food, we’ll get you started with the most important meal of the day and give you recommendations of places to which you can walk, though you will not want to miss The Palisades Restaurant (www.thepalisadesrestaurant.com).

So, if fields and woods are your favorite, in a half-block, you’ll be on the Huckleberry Trail. It goes a little more than six miles, ending at the New River Valley Mall. You can catch a movie and walk back! You can bicycle or inline skate too – BYOB or BYOS (bring your own bicycle or skates).

If gardening is your bent, head out the front door and in half a mile or less, you’ll arrive at the Hahn Horticultural Gardens (www.hort.vt.edu/hhg), a place to wander around, relax on a bench, take note of myriad plants and flowers at this Virginia Tech horticultural exhibit, open year round.

Walk another mile or a little less, and you’ll come to the duck ponds and the restored Solitude building (photo), originally a log cabin built around 1800. Acquired in 1872 for $21,250, along with 250 acres, this was the original home for the land-grant Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, which has evolved into Virginia Tech. Solitude is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Virginia Historic Landmark.

Smithfield Plantation (www.apva.org/smithfield) is a way-too-often overlooked gem in Blacksburg, and it’s about a quarter mile down a road from the duck ponds. Built in 1773, the house, grounds, gift shop and gardens is a delightful place for people of all ages.

Okay, love small town history? Turn right outside the front door and wander the 16 original blocks of Blacksburg, taking in the newly restored and open St. Luke’s and Oddfellows Hall a little more than a mile away. You can stop for lunch, ice cream (or the creamiest of all: frozen custard), coffee or tea along the way for rest and nourishment. The restored Lyric Theater (www.thelyric.com) offers a nice variety of movies and entertainment in the heart of downtown.

And, what if you simply don’t feel like walking? There’s always our Summer on the River special, to which you drive, then canoe or kayak, then have dinner at The Palisades (river clothes welcome) and drive back. Or, there are dozens of books and magazines around the inn, comfortable furniture at the pool, and okay, what if it’s raining?? Well, hunker down on the covered deck, and ask for a plate of homemade cookies and some lemonade or freshly ground, afternoon coffee, and watch the rain. Joanne

Liz, how does your garden grow?

June 21, 2011 - I tend to use the word “eclectic” with regard to interior furnishings, but I’m telling you, we have an eclectic yard at Clay Corner Inn this summer. Liz started a little garden last year on the second level of land next to the garage, behind the daisies. Depending on how you define success, it was a success. I define failure only as the failure to try, so her garden was a huge success in my estimation no matter the limited bounty.

The color photo upper left is not Liz's harvest from last year. She's hopeful that it's close to what will grow this year.

She loved gardening more than she imagined, and this year, she deemed that little plot too small for her ambitions. Thus, the eclectic-ness outside. By the back gate, you’ll find squash, maybe it’s pumpkin or zucchini. Off to the side of the back sidewalk, there are tomato plants, cucumbers and as you’ll see in one photo, corn. I’m no gardener, but I can readily identify corn behind the cucumber sign.

Back in her original small plot, she has planted zucchini or squash or pumpkin – they all look alike to me, and there are no cute signs there.

Liz planted a bunch of old, assorted flower seeds in the mulch in front of the house. No one claims the mint that is growing around the mailbox. John is responsible for having kept the geraniums around the pool going all winter (in the basement), and he collects a million marigold seeds each fall. They fill the street corner and various pots, and I see some flowering already between bricks near the pool.

It’s a pretty time of year, and thanks to the diligence of God (rain), Liz, Katie, Scott, James, Summer and Betty, everything gets watered regularly. It’s pretty all around town. The construction on North Main Street is nearly finished. Though I was not keen on the $11 million taxpayer price tag, it really is a classy upgrade to pavement, sidewalks and new lamp posts that match the others downtown.

Blacksburg is a great place to walk and relax. More on walking next time, Joanne

B&B vs chain hotels - no contest, folks!

June 9, 2011 ~ I went on a road trip recently, and since our driving time was not as set as usual, I did not make reservations at some of my favorite B&Bs – like The Speckled Hen in Madison, WI, and Jordan Hollow Farm’s delightful cottage in Lexington, KY. Rather, over the course of four nights coming and going, we stayed in a Holiday Inn, Sheraton Four Points, Quality Inn and Best Western. Next trip, I’ll definitely figure our time so we can stay in B&Bs. The chain hotels can’t hold a candle to the warmth, hospitality, quality, breakfast or amenities of a bed and breakfast inn.

The fact that one hotel had two double beds in a room alerted me that the beds were probably old. They were soft, outdated, uncomfortable, overdue for replacement. Three of the four front desk clerks were pleasant. The Sheraton Four Points (I used to work for Sheraton) no longer gives receipts to save trees. That’s a first for me! Lighting was poor in all four, partly due to fewer lamps in the room, and partly due to the new fluorescent bulbs. They flicker at 60 cycles per second and tire both your eyes and your brain, though you may not feel anything. I wonder if or how all these huge hotels manage the hazardous waste of such bulbs, which never can be simply tossed in the trash, and you have a small hazardous incident on your hands if one gets broken. Two of the four chains do not have complimentary breakfast, and of the two that did, Quality Inn (the least expensive) offered the nicest selection. Of course, it was nothing like our fresh, homemade granola, muffins and breakfast entrees, but, well, it was adequate, if adequate is, well, adequate [for you]. I suggest setting your sights higher -- here's our kitchen and a sample of French toast!

At Clay Corner Inn, you’ll slip into Comphy sheets, smooth as butter and perfect for the best night’s sleep (especially on top of our WorldClass® Beautyrest mattresses – all queen or king, of course). You’ll have a blanket then a quilt or bedspread and an extra blanket. In two chain hotels, we had a sheet and a heavy comforter --- too hot with the comforter and too cold with just the sheet, no middle comfort.

And speaking of the bed, Clay Corner Inn provides four pillows: two queens or two kings and two standards on every bed. The hotels have gone to small, square pillows about the size of a toss pillow. None of the hotel rooms had bathrobes, shower caps, sewing kits, makeup removers, pool towels or quality bath towels.

So, if you’re weighing your lodging options between a hotel chain and Clay Corner Inn, well, there’s simply no contest. Our rates are competitive. Our amenities are generous. Our linens are high quality, and you simply can’t get a better breakfast – well, unless you stay at a different B&B. Innkeepers are the nation’s best breakfast cooks, and at Clay Corner Inn, we freshly grind the coffee!

If your travels take you up I-81 through PA, arrange your overnight at Pheasant Field B&B in Carlisle, PA. There’s not much better recommendation than one innkeeper pointing you to another … not just because we are in the same industry, but because I am a repeat guest at the places mentioned in this blog.

Have a lovely day and happy travels and great B&B stays, Joanne

Jackson, a wonder[ful] dog

June 1, 2011 - Here’s a photo of some Memorial Day weekend guests: Eddie and Cathy Miller and Jackson, an Australian shepherd. Now, one of these has been written about in magazine articles and received an Air Force Commendation Medal. Eddie, you think? Wrong. Cathy, you say? No, wrong again. Well, I guess that leaves Jackson. Ding! Ding! Ding! Correct response!

Jackson is bred to round up as well as disperse a variety of animals. Sheep come to mind on the round up, and geese would be the dispersed critters in this case. They would number in the hundreds if not a thousand or more, and Jackson was charged with scattering them off the runway at Andrews Air Force Base so Air Force One, our presidential air transport vehicle, could land or take off.

He’s only four and a half (already retired from that line of work), extremely well mannered and well trained. Like other guests, he likes a little yogurt on his morning meal. While most of our canine guests are not medal recipients, they are still wonderful to meet, and the people they bring along are considerate and respectful of our dog friendly atmosphere and policies.

There’s a new 2-acre, fenced, town dog park 2.3 miles out the front door. The 6.5-mile Huckleberry Trail starts across the street, and we have a list of restaurants downtown where you can take your dog to the outdoor patio. The Millers ate breakfast outside on the covered deck, and you don’t need to have a dog to enjoy your morning coffee and nourishment in the fresh air. In fact, that reminds me that I’ve meant to move another table for outdoor breakfast dining. I’ll figure that out by next weekend.

The coolest package deal we are offering is “Summer on the River” – an overnight, the great Clay Corner breakfast, a “cruise” on the New River in a canoe or 2-person kayak (you and rented watercraft delivered and picked up where you begin and end on the river, 7 miles of floating), $50 gift card toward dinner at The Palisades Restaurant (www.thepalisadesrestaurant.com), an insulated lunch tote for taking your snacks and the book “Follow the River” (you’ll be moved by this one!). It’s $199 plus tax, Sun-Thurs, add $10 for Fri or Sat, and we have a 2 night minimum weekend stay.

Welcome to June! We hope to see you soon! Joanne

Springtime in Blacksburg

It’s time to finish the story of my fish, especially since lots of activity has occurred at Clay Corner Inn! One evening after a weekly cleaning of my fish tank, I was careless with making sure the divider was firmly in place and the next morning I found Roger huddled over Opal, hiding in the corner. I quickly fixed the situation and have had no problems since!

Our new packages have been unveiled on our website, so be sure to peruse them before making your next reservation! One package includes a movie at the Lyric theatre Theatre and cash for downtown, or another is dinner at the Palisades and a book about Mary Draper Ingles’ dramatic escape from the Cherokee Indians in the mid-1700s. She was found near the New River not far from the restaurant. My personal favorite, and most practical package, is the to-go snack basket. It comes in an adorable (will post pictures soon!) insulated lunch tote, with the Clay Corner Inn logo, that you can take hiking, on a picnic, or if you’re planning on becoming a Hokie, it’s the perfect energy booster for spending a day on campus. Be sure to ask what package is right for your trip when you book your room.

Right now I’m hosting a luncheon for the Civil Engineering department from Virginia Tech. All the prep work yesterday made this a smooth event, and they are enjoying a lunch buffet before a casual, afternoon meeting. If you’re interested in an office meeting or small luncheon, give us a call to discuss options. I’m more than happy to help you arrange an event for your group!

This evening is a First Friday in Downtown Blacksburg. We participate with an art crawl and cookie bar every month. Make sure to stop by if you're in town!

This past week we had the opportunity to give the inn a “spring cleaning”. We had our carpets cleaned and planted many flowers. The window boxes add color to the house, and the geraniums out on the deck and around the pool are beautiful. I even planted my garden, so I’m hoping to share the harvest with guests this year, as I planted more! Keep your fingers crossed for fresh cantaloupe and blueberries, along with zucchini muffins at breakfast.

Happy Spring, Liz

Unfit to be Tank Mates...

There’s been plenty happening at Clay Corner Inn, but the most exciting is that we’re creating packages! Once we have them completed, we’ll tell you more about them, but now it’s time to continue the story of Opal and Roger… Within a couple days, I started to recognize their habits. Roger is a speed demon and would zip from one end of the tank to the other. He also enjoys jumping out of the water and chasing Opal. Opal is calmer and prefers to be near the cover of plants or stare at her reflection. She would always swim to me when I walked in the room, but Roger would not.

One evening at feeding time, I noticed Opal seemed uncomfortable and was constantly swimming away from Roger. (I would too because Roger has creepy red eyes!) What I noticed was unnerving. Her back and top fins had been partially nibbled off! Well now it made sense why she was always trying to hide or show me her fins. I wanted to help her, but wasn’t sure what to do. My only realistic option was to divide the tank and keep Opal and Roger on separate sides. (PetSmart does have a 14 day return policy for fish that don’t get along, but I was already attached and couldn’t entertain the idea of returning Roger!) Unfortunately, the pet store was closed for the night, so I said a prayer and hoped that Opal would make it through one more night.

Thankfully, Opal was still alive the next morning and once breakfast was served and my guests checked out, I headed to the pet store and bought a tank divider. It’s a very simple contraption and easy to install. My favorite thing is the tiny holes so water can flow through. This was important so I wouldn’t need two filters or heaters. Finally, Opal was safe and could start the healing process and fortunately for me, I had piece of mind!

I learned that male gourami can be territorial with other males in the tank. I thought I had a male/female pair, but apparently Opal is a boy, even though I’m refusing to acknowledge it! By the end of the day, she seemed content and was starting to relax. Roger seemed angry that I took his fun away and kept trying to find his way around the divider. I was still a bit hesitant whether or not the divider would be strong enough to thwart Roger’s persistent attempts at breaking through, but only time will tell…

Meet Opal and Roger...

Since it’s not warm enough to start updates on my garden I’m introducing the newest members of “my family”. I’ve always dreamed of owning fish, but was afraid of being too attached if they didn’t survive. Luckily for me, our maintenance worker, Scott, had an old fish tank and he gratefully brought it over for me. Thus begins the story of how my dream became a reality.

Within hours, I dashed to PetSmart to buy all the equipment. I knew what to get, but not specifics. The store associate was helpful and didn’t roll her eyes when I asked silly questions that should have made her wonder if I was ready to own fish! It took me 2 hours to set up my tank and fill it with water, it’s 20 gallons! So I had a gorgeous fish tank, but no fish…

Finally on Saturday, February 5, I made my way to the pet store for: a gold gourami and a blue dwarf gourami. The experience that follows can best be described as a nervous mother taking her first baby home. As soon as my fish were scooped out of
the tank, I was apprehensive that they would be in my care, and I want to make sure they are as happy as possible. The associate warned me that the gold gourami might bother the dwarf. I didn’t want my fish to be bullied! Reluctantly I traded the dwarf for an Opaline gourami that would grow to be about 5 inches like the gold one. Happy with my decision, I let George, my boyfriend, carry the fish, for fear I would trip, and they would go flying! On the drive home I kept asking if they were okay, and I drove extra cautiously.

I had read enough about fish to know that introducing them to their new home is crucial, especially in regards to temperature. After floating the bag for 30 minutes, it was time to free the fish. When I opened the bag, it collapsed, and they couldn’t get out or breathe. I panicked, but George was calm and helped them into the water. Finally they are home and I can breathe a little easier.

I fed them and got down to the last piece of business, naming them. I chose Opal for
the blue Opaline Gourami. George chose Roger for the Gold gourami because that’s the first name that popped into his head. Opal and Rog were shy at first, but after a few hours they started swimming around. I checked on them every 20 minutes, and I enjoy watching them swim and chase each other. Little did I know, the chasing was aggressive behavior and would lead to trouble! But I’ll save that story for another week… Liz

Happy New Year [it's still January!]

Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 - Happy New Year! Well, okay, it’s a little past the “season” but still in the first month, if barely. It’s a slow time in Blacksburg, and a busy time at Clay Corner Inn. January is one of our Deep Cleaning Months, and we not only clean d-e-e-p-l-y, but also repair, renovate, retrofit, paint – whatever it takes to keep things shipshape for your visits.

Top priority this year: resurface those wonderful [though weathered], old, porcelain tubs in the main house. You can’t buy that quality, and the resurfacing is bright, beautiful, sparkling and shiny! Scott Mattox, our go-to guy for all things maintenance and repair, gets the credit for this amazing renovation and the new white epoxy finish on the American Room shower walls. That old yellow simply didn’t go with anything, especially not Old Glory’s color scheme! Of course, John is still Chief Factotum (look that one up), but he’s wearing a cast on his left arm, and it limits his capabilities temporarily. I’d love to report that his parachute didn’t open, and he thought to land on his left arm since he’s right-handed, but it was the ol’ slip-on-the-ice-while-walking-the-dog scenario.

I’d take a photo of one of the bathtubs, but we’re sold out as I write this, and everyone has checked in – how cool is that for a winter night that started with a cold and snowy morning? So, I’m showing you three other things in photos. One is our AeroGarden (www.aerogarden.com) herb garden in our inn kitchen! Yes, we are growing and picking fresh herbs each morning all winter! We have snapdragons blooming in a small flower AeroGarden in the office.

The man relaxing by the fire last weekend is VT dad Mike Pereira. He comes often, and he spends a good part of the evenings right here, in the main living room, by the fire. He's engaging, shares a bottle of wine, and last weekend, he brought some great, homemade cookies. And we thought we had the corner on tasty cookies! Thanks, Mike.

The other photo is Cash. People ask why I don’t put blankets on my horses, which live outside 24/7. They’re uniquely designed for all kinds of weather. I can warm my hands under Cash’s mane, and here’s what horses do 16-18 hours every day. They eat grass. They paw through the snow, and they eat grass. When it’s 98 degrees, they’re out in the open --- eating grass. When it’s stormy, raining and thundering, they eat grass, often oblivious to inclement weather. And Cash just took a minute break to look up at me for this photo. Right now, he’s probably --- eating grass. And he’s warm and happy in his winter coat. Digestion and motion also contribute to keeping horses warm, so eating grass (or hay if there's a significant snow covering) and living in open pastures suits them just fine.

We have some new packages coming soon – a movie night, a bed ‘n biscuit special (dog-related) and it just wouldn’t be a real February without some special chocolate treats. Take care and stay warm, Joanne.

Autumn at Clay Corner Inn

October 30, 2010 – The recent football winning streak of the Virginia Tech Hokies is enough to make autumn sensational, but it’s been an awesome fall around Blacksburg of blue sky, sunny days, cool mornings, fresh apples and Hokie colors in nature – the burgundy and orange mixed with golds, reds and earthy browns in the trees and crunching under foot.

Inside the inn, we’ve added curved shower rods for more elbow room, full mirrors where little medicine cabinets used to be and bright banks of lights in place of dinky, one-bulb fixtures. And those wall mounted soap dishes and dated toothbrush holders? Gone. In the smallest bathrooms, we’ve added side mirrors too. The photo above only has 3 lights, not 12. It’s real tricky to take a photo of mirrors in a small bathroom without being in it!

We are proud to have Virginia Green certification, but Liz is taking everything several steps farther. To reduce water bottle waste, she’s purchased water bottles with the Clay Corner Inn logo. They are full of ice cold, refreshing water in all the refrigerators. You may have as many as you like, and leave the bottles on the counters (or buy one for $5). They are washed, rinsed, sanitized [in our commercial dishwasher] and re-filled with more ice cold, refreshing water.

Not satisfied with any effort less than the best, Liz has a new, stainless steel, compost bin in the kitchen which will be mixed with green and brown organic matter outside and turned in her vegetable garden for next year. We have Aerogrow systems for growing our own herbs and flowers in winter.

It’s exciting to be part of this great conservation awareness mood that has swept the country, our state, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and Clay Corner Inn. And while we are eco-friendly and prudent with utility usage, you, the guest, are the most important part of our business, and we guarantee your comfort. We work for you! Thank you for coming – again and again! Joanne

Oct. 17, 2010 - So what is it about Fall?? Pumpkins, hay, Hokies, leaves, Thanksgiving, Virginia Tech football, crispy morning air, zucchini bread, chrysanthemums, sweatshirt weather??? It's all of the above and more. Virginia Tech football generates electricity in the air on weekends, and orange and maroon are in the air in falling leaves as well as in the stadium where "Go Hokies" permeates our small town lives this season.

At Clay Corner Inn, we celebrate downtown Blacksburg every day. Apples from the farmer's market are out for guests all the time. Cookie bar starts every Friday at 2 p.m. We have a new, little compost "system" and new re-usable water bottles and new towels and a new ice machine. And those medicine cabinets in bathrooms that so "date" the place?? Almost gone. New wall mirrors and new lights ... yes, ladies and gentlemen, you'll have real light for makeup application and shaving!

It's exciting just putting pumpkins on the front steps. When I did this our first year in business, 1994, John said "they'll never last" ... those pumpkins were there when I put up the Christmas decorations. We love Virginia Tech -- it's conservative yet fun, and the students are respectful. Our pumpkins stay on our front steps one block from Virginia Tech's campus until December. (John went to the Univ of Wisconsin and we lived and were married in Boulder, Colorado -- so he was thinking of those party schools, not the well-grounded Virginia Tech on the next block!)

And we love our mid-week business travelers who find Clay Corner Inn so refreshing and not the cookie cutter, look-alike, hotel rooms. A special thanks to the Nissan men who come repeatedly to visit the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. We're not asking for a car, just keep coming, and we'll keep those crepes and eggs Benedict coming your way mornings!!

Y'all have a wonderful, thankful Fall --- Go Hokies!! Joanne.

Fall Colors

There are new colors all around us as summer officially turns into autumn. The leaves are slowly starting to change colors, which will make for some beautiful scenery on all the hikes in the New River Valley. Of course, on weekends the streets become flooded with orange and maroon t-shirts as the Hokies cheer on Virginia Tech football. This weekend happens to be an away game against Boston College, but there are always students showing their pride here in Blacksburg, Va.

Here at the Clay Corner Inn, we are enjoying new colors too, mostly in our gardens. A purple hyacinth, which was given to us by a guest, is now in full bloom with vibrant shades of purple. On the other side of the fence, my tomato garden is still producing plenty of tomatoes and even a few peppers now. There’s even a cherry tomato plant
across the way that must be from John’s garden a few years ago. I’m excited to start harvesting those tomatoes soon!

We recently just finished planting a bunch of mums around the property. There are even maroon and orange ones to show our support for Virginia Tech! I know I’m enjoying the vibrant colors and I hope that you’ll be able to stay with us and enjoy them too. There’s a garden with a bench out back that has more plants around it which looks so inviting for reading a book in the evenings. Perhaps I’ll run into you out there sometime; but always know that we’re here to help you plan your visit and make your time in Blacksburg special. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!

Happy Fall!
Liz

New Sheets!

While we finally got some much needed rain on Saturday, it proved to be a soggy day for the first Virginia Tech home football game. Our guests here at the Clay Corner Inn appreciated coming back to a warm house and taking an afternoon nap between our new Compy spa sheets. I’ve been told that they are soft and “buttery” and are “simply amazing”! Hopefully I’ll get a chance to try the sheets out next week when we aren’t so busy. Some guests enjoy the sheets so much that they decide to buy a set from our gift shop. While some would consider a queen set to be pricey at $129, anyone who has slept on these sheets would tell you that it is definitely worth the money to have a luxurious nights sleep.

Our recent investment in new sheets is just another example of how we strive to improve our guests’ experience. Through constantly updating our amenities and services offered, we hope to be able to provide you with a warm and enjoyable experience. As always, if there’s anything that we can do to help make your stay special, don’t hesitate to contact us. While we can’t control the weather or make sure the Hokies win, we can always help you make dinner plans, prepare a plate of homemade cookies, or suggest a great day hike. I’m most positive that you’ll enjoy your stay in Blacksburg and feel at home at the Clay Corner Inn.

Liz

Edible Creations

Here in Blacksburg, we’re gearing up for the first Virginia Tech football game and preparing the inn for a busy fall. Thankfully we have a break in the heat spell and have the chance to clean and bake in a more comfortable setting. I know I appreciated the cool breeze today when I was picking flowers to replenish our vases on the breakfast tables. Arranging flowers is one of the more creative sides to innkeeping that I find very enjoyable!

There happens to be creative opportunities available most days here at the Clay Corner Inn. Every morning I get to garnish plates with fruits and occasionally fresh herbs from our garden, or even pansies, which are an edible flower. Certain evenings we have guests arrive who are celebrating an anniversary or a birthday. Then I get to put together a cookie platter to leave in the room.

On our website we offer certain specials that can make your stay more enjoyable. My personal favorite to prepare is the snack basket which includes cheeses, crackers, fruit, and nuts. It’s a lovely idea for an afternoon after a long drive, or for a relaxing evening after you’ve been at the Virginia Tech football game. We’d be happy to put together a treat for you, so don’t hesitate to let us know if you’re celebrating a special occasion or would just like something to munch on before dinner. Plus, it gives us a chance to be creative and have fun! We’re here to provide you with a friendly atmosphere and warm hospitality, so we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Liz

Michael's books

August 28 - Last Thursday evening, local author Michael Abraham held a book signing at Clay Corner Inn --- the B&B guests didn’t seem to mind his dozens of friends and fans wandering through enjoying wine, punch, cheese, fruit, conversation and buying books. “Union, WV” is a novel about healing and redemption in a small West Virginia town, and “The Spine of the Virginias” is a non-fiction look at people, places, history and culture along the Virginia-West Virginia border. They can be ordered at http://www.bikemike.name/.

Graciously, he displayed a few of my books "Solomon Says" -- thanks Mike.
This plug is for you! Nice turnout.
So, you can't be sure whom you might meet at Clay Corner Inn -- but this is certain: you are sure to "meet" warm hospitality and comfortable lodging in a great location next to Virginia Tech campus. Have a great day! Joanne

Summer's cake and mid-week events

August 28, 2010. As the summer draws to a close, we bid farewell to Summer with a cake … not any ol’ cake. It has to have a horse! As an incoming freshman at Virginia Tech, this year’s cake also sported a VT logo, some horseshoes for good luck and a chicken for her animal and poultry science major. And check out that grass [frosting!] All the best to you, Summer – enjoy being a Hokie! [photo with her mom, left; Summer, right]

Clay Corner Inn is sold out September and October weekends, so come on the other five nights. Stay for three nights Sun-Thurs between Sept. 15 and Dec 15, and we’ll take 50% off the 3rd night. The Kandinsky Trio performs Sunday, Sept. 30th, on campus, and the Kronos Quartet will perform at the Lyric Theatre downtown on Wed., Oct. 6. “The Good Person of Szechuan” – a blend of Chinese opera, Brooklyn lingo, World War II-era socio-ecnomic struggles and gutsy cabaret–style songs is one presentation by Theatre Main Stage, School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech. Dates are Nov. 5-6, 9-13, 16-18.
It’s a short walk to any of these performances, and sitting outside on a warm fall evening with some Virginia wine and homemade cookies (always complementary at Clay Corner Inn) is guaranteed to provide the kind of relaxation we all need from time to time. Joanne.

Virginia Tech move in week and Business Expo

August 20, 2010 - This is Virginia Tech move-in week, and what a week it is! We’re enjoying meeting new Hokie parents and incoming freshman – and the Clay Corner Inn staff is managing beautifully the daily breakfasts, topping 20 people a couple mornings, along with housekeeping, laundry, ironing, baking, putting fresh flowers on the breakfast tables, answering myriad questions and giving myriad directions! Whew!
Jessica Kinley has joined the staff to take care of all our common spaces, indoors and out, stocking soda and that bottled cold water so craved after a hot day of moving boxes and crates into dorm rooms. Samantha is doing double duties housekeeping and front desk. VT intern Gretchen never stops smiling or working! Liz never misses a detail, like extra towels; keeps up our Facebook and social media entries; attended a hour and half social media seminar yesterday; and helped staff the Clay Corner Inn booth at yesterday’s Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. She made the display, too! [unable to download photos to this blog ... hmmm, so I'll toss in a patriotic photo!]
Summer ends her 3rd summer with us on Saturday and will be one of those freshman Hokies on Monday! All the best to you, Summer! Paula Frietag is returning to the B&B on Friday evenings, so she’ll meet lots of you and see some familiar faces, too. Scott Mattox keeps the lawn and outdoor landscaping neat and tidy. We're delighted to have him working with us, once again. Ten years ago, he did the same thing as a teenager, though now he also works on our barn, where his natural attention to detail and building construction degree mean that he always measures twice and cuts once! :) He's got a great resume, stable work history and a terrific reference from me if anyone is looking for a personable, skilled, educated, diligent young man who was laid off when construction dipped in this ongoing recession.

I applaud Clay Corner Inn staff for so many recent 6:30 and 7 a.m. mornings, for making each and every guest feel welcome and comfortable and for all the housekeeping and laundry and small details that make Clay Corner Inn the best place to stay with the best location next to Virginia Tech. Campus is a-buzz, and we love the energy and activity, along with hopes and dreams of these new Hokies and Hokie families!! A hearty welcome to Town, freshmen! Joanne

Tomato Cages

The other week I was weeding my garden here at the Clay Corner Inn, but I was having a very difficult time because all my plants were growing wild and I couldn’t even find the weeds! So I started to untangle the cucumbers and pick up the tomato plants, trying to organize a bit. I suddenly remembered that my Pop-pop, who has been gardening ever since I can remember, would tie his tomato plants to a wooden stake so they wouldn’t be lying on the ground. This protects them from bugs, as well as from rotting, once they start to ripen.

So I knew that I needed to get them off the ground, not only to protect them, but also to help clean up my garden. I asked John, the master gardener, if he had anything that I could use and the following day he showed up with two tomato cages. Boy was I excited! I quickly got to work tying up my plants and within an hour my garden looked like I was a master gardener as well! I had also just picked my second cucumber and second zucchini, so I was pretty proud of my garden!

Not too long after I set up my tomato cages, did the rest of my garden die. My zucchini plant became too big and toppled over, thus snapping off the roots and withering away within hours. It’s a good thing John’s garden yielded zucchini’s so we could serve those muffins at breakfast I talked about! My cucumber plants couldn’t take the heat and also withered away. The pepper plant is still hanging on, and just yesterday I noticed a small pepper had started growing! Hopefully in a few days it will be ready for picking!

The newly situated tomatoes are doing very well and I’ve already gotten to eat a few, which are very sweet and juicy. A couple mornings for breakfast we even used them as a garnish for egg dishes! I’m still trying to think of other ways to use our vegetables for breakfast. I’d love to hear your suggestions and as always I encourage you to come and visit us here in Blacksburg, Virginia!

Art at the Farmers Market

Blacksburg, VA has many great sites to see, if you’re not bogged down with orientation at Virginia Tech! Certain weekends though, the town sponsors an event that gets the entire town excited. July 17th happened to be one of those events, the annual Art at the Farmer’s Market.

Luckily, I was able to sneak out of the inn for an hour and check out the sidewalk show. A storm happened to be passing through, so artists were packing up, or huddled inside canopies, trying to protect their artwork from the weather. Sporting a Clay Corner Inn umbrella, I ducked in and out of tents to appreciate the artwork that was for sale. Of course I was amazed at the local talent, but was not able to afford any of the pieces to bring back and display here at the inn.

Certain pieces stood out to me though… There were photographs taken of animals and landscapes that had been put behind old wooden windows. It gave the illusion that you were looking out a window into your backyard. Another favorite stand was glassware. There were bowls and vases that were sparkling with vivid colors that attracted the eye. I just kept thinking that one of those vases would look great on a breakfast table with some fresh cut flowers! My favorite stand, which had also won an award, was from Bimbur Books. They displayed all handmade paper and journals from an artist at Main Lee Art. The books were gorgeous, with different patterns, colors, and styles of paper. I suppressed the urge to buy one, but now that I have some downtown gift certificates, I just might meander down to the art store and support our local businesses!

As always, the farmers were at the market selling their fruits, veggies, and pastries. There was also breakfast at the market, but I bypassed that, since I knew it would not be as delicious as the breakfasts here at the Clay Corner Inn! I did hear from passersby that it was quite a treat though!

If you’re bummed that you missed out on this great event, then make sure you visit Blacksburg this weekend, August 6-7th for Steppin’ Out’s 30th anniversary. There will be tons of vendors, food, and music to entertain you all day! We hope to see you soon!

Me - audience of one with U.S. Rep. Boucher

July 31, 2010 - [photos above: Joanne and Rep. Boucher posing on the front steps; Joanne making a point to the Congressman; left VT intern Gretchen Jackson, Joanne, Rep. Boucher, resident innkeeper Liz Albitz.]

U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher was a guest at Clay Corner Inn last night, so guess who grabbed her tea and plunked down across the table at breakfast?? Yours truly, this small business owner/innkeeper!

He was attentive and gracious, whilst polishing off a baked egg (think: heavy cream, some Swiss cheese, herbs, oven baked, yum yum), which could have been served with ham, home fries and a fresh thyme biscuit. I think he declined a couple sides, in favor of a small dish of fresh fruit with some homemade granola and a spot of yogurt. But what he ate is insignificant compared to his understanding of small business being "the backbone of America" - his words. I expressed my concern about certain tax cuts expiring at the end of the year, the federal deficit and what I perceived as huge government not making an effort to reduce its expenses. I told him I figured if the government ran Clay Corner Inn, it would have a staff of 14 or 15 people doing what is now done by a superb core staff of 3 along with extra summer help and a second great Virginia Tech intern. [We're already missing you, Cory Johnson!]

To say I am pleased he stayed at Clay Corner Inn is an understatement. The only way our Congressional representatives can understand their constituents IS to rub elbows with them in their real worlds, patronize their businesses and share a breakfast table or cup of tea on a regular basis. So many in Washington, D.C., seem to have lost touch with the people they represent. I'm impressed that Rick Boucher seems to be keeping in touch. We applaud you, today, Congressman Boucher. [And we won't forget the evening glass of milk! :)] Joanne

A little birthday bash

July 29, 2010 - Liz and Samantha have birthdays a few days apart, so we ordered this cake with the garden for Liz (left, our first resident gardener with her first vegetable garden) and coffee for Sam (right, our go-to gal for all things coffee). We all enjoyed lemon cake and the camaraderie of a small, impromptu staff gathering.

We support downtown Blacksburg by giving gift certificates to the downtown merchants for these occasions. Hokie parents can do the same thing for VT students! It's an easy gift and can be redeemed at several wonderful shops and restaurants. There are some hard working entrepreneurs downtown with not-your-run-of-the-mill merchandise. You can buy gift certificates by calling Downtown Blacksburg at 540-951-0454 or call us and we'll handle it for you. It doesn't even need to be a birthday; it can be a simple "we're thinking of you, son/daughter" gesture.

Happy Birthday, ladies! Thanks for all your hard work!! Joanne