A bit of Canada, Britt, and Down Under 6/09

Jean-Philippe et Veronique at Julia Phifer Park-near Big Sur

Jean-Philippe et Veronique at Julia Pfeiffer Park-near Big Sur

Matt, Kristine, Paula, and David
Matt, Kristine, Paula, and David

It was somewhat an international time at the inn.  The French part of Canada was well represented and above is a fabulous picture of Jean-Philippe and Veronique enjoying a spetacular day hiking the Julia Pfeiffer Park Falls.  Isn’t it gorgeous there.  However, shortly thereafter, they emailed me, that a heavy fog rolled in and it was scary going in their rental car to Carmel on that narrow HWY 1.  They were on their way up via Carmel to San Francisco and then back to Canada.  They presently live in Montreal. 

David and Paula hail from Melbourne, Australia. They too were on their way North only by train and boat instead of car– all the way to Alaska.  Their train ride  of course garnered them a $100 gift certificate from the inn for a hopeful visit next time. 
Matt and Kristine’s last name is Britt–and they were here when the downunderners were here–so I just had to do a little play on their last name.  Matt is learning to play piano jazz and Kristine makes fabulous jewelery. 
As usual, we all had fun getting to know each other and they getting to explore the Paso territory. 
Posted under picture of the moment by margot on Saturday 20 June 2009 at 6:39 pm

Why Men Don’t Listen & Women Can’t Read Maps by Barbara and Allan Pease July’s Book 6/13/09

From Publishers Weekly
“To get a man to listen, give him advance notice and provide an agenda,” write the husband and wife Peases in this pithy, attention-grabbing guidebook to the differences between men and women. Originally self-published in Australia to wide acclaim, the book weaves together facts from the latest brain research, theories from evolutionary biology and a treasure trove of anecdotal events and conversations collected by the authors during a three-year research trip around the world. Sociobiology has rarely been so entertaining. The Peases say that a woman’s brain is wired to be able to speak and listen simultaneously, for example, and they are geared to talk through problems. Men, by contrast, need to clam up. “He uses his right brain to try to solve his problems or find solutions, and he stops using his left brain to listen or speak.” These brain differences took shape in cave days, according to the authors. Men were hunters and defenders who evolved tunnel vision (as compared to women’s vision), while, as nurturers, women not only had broad peripheral vision but sensitive relationship skills. Channel surfing and newspaper skimming are modern ways for a man to cut off from others to privately mull problems, advise the authors. “Remember, his forefathers spent more than a million years sitting expressionless on a rock surveying the horizon, so this comes naturally to him…. ” Feisty and crystal clear, this controversial work will appeal to readers of both sexes.
July 1 start reading chapters 1-5 and post comments on July 15.
July 15 read chapters 6-11 and comments on July 31
Jenny’s choice and she additionally commented:  “don’t think I’ll pose questions. I have a feeling the book may spark enough differing comments that I won’t need to. On the surface it may seem like a simple book, but time and again in various situations with “the opposite sex” I often think back to this book.”
Posted under B) VSI Book Club by margot on Saturday 13 June 2009 at 1:05 pm

JULY FIRECRACKER SUNDAY/MONDAY SPECIAL 6/09

Here it is—-your very own July Special.
Stay Sunday and Monday in July and get two nights for the price of ONE week night.
Tax is additional
DIscount is only given when reserved by guest directly with innkeeper or on website listed below. 
call 805-237-8463 or book on-line at www.vinestreetinn.com
why book in July? Fireworks here in Paso seen from wineries or from the hills above the inn(free); shows, music, food, and fun at the fair; to taste all of the new wines and visit the new wineries; to see the new stores and spaces in Paso; to go ballooning; to ride a bike in gorgeous countryside (early in the morn when it’s perfectly cool); to hear music in the park and in the new paso venues; to lounge and read a book (maybe for the VSI book club) in the inn’s lovely gardens; to grab a grape from the inn’s grapevines on the back deck;  for more ideas go on my website’s “wine,activities,and other links” page.  July is a perfect time to get away and relax. August may be the month for the French, but I think that July should be for us.
As always, this innkeeper is trying to present a special  value for her valuable guests.
Happy June to all and here’s to a firecracker July,
Margot and Hugo

 

Posted under Newsletter by admin on Monday 8 June 2009 at 5:44 pm

July Firecracker Sunday/Monday Special 6/8/09

The Vine Street Inn

The Vine Street Inn

Stay 2 nights for the price of one

. Enjoy Sunday/Monday in July at the inn for a real firecracker price.  Can’t beat that.   Weekday rates applicable. Tax not included. 

Discount given only when guest reserves directly with innkeeper or on the site listed below. 

Vine Street Inn,1521 VIne Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 805-237-8463 Margot Van Horn owner/innkeeper

www.vinestreetinn.com

 

Posted under C) Special $ Deals by margot on Monday 8 June 2009 at 4:52 pm

June is the month for weddings 6/7/09

Minister Miriam Lindbeck on way to perform the wedding

Minister Miriam Lindbeck on her way to perform the wedding

wedding flowers
wedding flowers

The inn was full of guests coming and going to weddings.  Additionally, there even was a 26th wedding anniversary to celebrate.  However, best yet, was Reverand Miriam Lindbeck who graced the inn with her spiritual and magical presence.  Hugo fell in love with her as did all of my guests.  She was here from her town of Santa Barbara to perform a wedding at a local winery.  I’m sure that it turned out extra special just because of her. At breakfast, she amazed us with her story of a wedding that was done with a LIVE falcoln flying in from high above and soaring up the aisle right above the grass, landing on the groom’s gloved hand with the rings in tow.  WOW.  Only Miriam could arrange a wedding like that.  To see more about Miriam, a Non-Denominational Minister, visit her web site at:www.wedingssantabarbara.com.

Posted under picture of the moment by margot on Sunday 7 June 2009 at 2:35 pm

June Bug

June 21st is just for you, Dads, and don’t forget that it’s the
beginning of Summer too.  Happy Dad’s day to all of you guys.
Unless you like spending time hunting around on the web for
stuff to do in Paso, don’t forget that Margot’s Vine Street Inn’s
website’s Wine, Activities, and Other Links page is as good as
the chamber of commerce.  Let Margot be your concierge for
all of your Paso activities such as jeep wine tours, biking, music
and performing arts, farmers markets, fitness and spa, bus
services, ballooning, hiking, golf, Hearst Castle, wine and
wineries seals, butterflies, whales, birds, and pertinent web
site links.
Save your valuable time and let Margot’s site do the work for
you.
Never fail then to call Margot to reserve a room at the inn soon
so she can help you participate in all of these activities.
Even if you missed the fun, but slightly warm Paso Robles Wine
Fest, fear not because just down the road(101) about 15
minutes, on June 27, along the shores of the lake, from 4pm to
8pm will be the Atascadero Wine Fest with 70 SLO county
wineries, art, food, and a cute zoo to boot.  There’s plenty of
shade there and it’s relaxed and cool.     www.atascaderowinefestival.com
“B ugs are not going to inherit the earth.  They own it now…so
we might as well make peace with the landlord.” T Eisner
U ntil you come visit Paso, you’ll not get to enjoy the new art
space full of wonderful art, the new wine bars full of yummy
wines and a new one on the horizon called the Meritage  - a
multi winery tasting room and lounge (next to Basils), and yes,
we now have The Scarlet Skein for you knitters.
G ood and great things are happening here so come soon to
enjoy a leisure visit at the Vine Street Inn and let Margot and
Hugo pamper and spoil you.  They love doing that.
PS
Don’t forget to look at the blog http://blog.vinestreetinn for pictures, recipes, and the fun and stimulating book club.
Best to all and woofs of course from the Mighty Dog, Hugo,
Your faithful innkeeper, Margot
Posted under Newsletter by admin on Wednesday 3 June 2009 at 8:03 pm

The Great Western Bike Rally 5/25/09

Sally (in the middle) and her friends had FUN!!!

Sally (in the middle) and her friends had FUN!!!

The Great Western Bike Rally is a very fun event on the Memorial Day week-end.  On view around town and in the surrounding hills are tons of energetic road bikers going up and down all of the gorgeous treelined roadways amongst the vineyard dotted hills where wild turkeys and deer abound.

There are competitions for those who want that challenge, however, my  guests partook in the non-competitive rides featuring winery stops and sips along the way.  There are all sorts of organized rides for men; for women;and for men and women; and for kids–some extremely energetic and challenging, others a lot more mellow; some competitive, some not.  So this rally has something for everyone. It even now includes guided mountain bike rides. 

There also are wine and cheese socials; a bike and equipment swap; a Sunday cook out with music, awards, and a raffle, and all sorts of other goodies.

It’s another wonderful reason to come to Paso and stay at the inn because it’s so easy to walk or ride to and from the event center where the rally takes place.

And this year was extra wonderful because the temps were only barely 80.

www.vinestreetinn.com

www.greatbicyclerally.com

Posted under picture of the moment by margot on Monday 25 May 2009 at 5:35 pm

Birthdays at the inn are always Festive and Fun 5/16/09

A joyous crowd

A joyous crowd celebrating TWO birthdays at the VSI

Two birthdays on the same day…..just what the inn and the innkeeper loves.  Festivities, candles, balloons, good food, a little champagne, comradarie, laughter,  a real celebration of one’s birth date and of life on earth including of course a good glance through “The Secret Language of Birthdays Book”.  For breakfast, my cobler makes an excellent birthday cake. 

We had fun!!!

Bonni and Bryan blowing out those candles

Bonni and Bryan blowing out those candles

Posted under picture of the moment by margot on Monday 18 May 2009 at 8:12 pm

Want to join the VSI book club???? Comment here please. 5/09

If you are interested in joining the VSI book club, please write a comment here and please say with which book you wish to start.  I’ll contact you via email and take it from there. 

In advance, thank you very much for your interest in joining our club. 

Best,

Margot Van Horn

VINE STREET INN

805-237-8463

info@vinestreetinn.com

http://www.vinestreetinn.com

Posted under B) VSI Book Club by margot on Sunday 17 May 2009 at 9:12 pm

VSI Book Club’s Updates on Procedures and such……..5/4/09

Hugo hard at reading

Hugo hard at reading

We now have 8 members (well really 9 including Hugo who also will be commenting from time to time. He does need glasses at 5 years old. Luckily, he has them. Bummer).  What fun!!!

The original 4 founding members got to and will get to choose the first 4 books.  Margot chose American Lion( Author now Pulitzer Prize winner for this book—Amazing???!!!); Cathy chose Glass Castle; Nancy Thousand Spendid Suns.  Jenny will chose next.  Then the next person who will get to choose will be the person who first joined the club after the original 4.  So, Corinne will be next; then Jackie; then Michelle; and lastly Ann.  I think that’s the easiest and fairest way to do it. (Hugo is excluded from this procedure.)

I also think that we should have a book a month.  So, our book choices should be reasonably sized and with that time frame in mind.  If someone has a SUPER GREAT longer book and everyone agrees, we could have a book read take 2 months.  The person who chooses the book also has control over how and when the comments will be made.  Please make sure to share with everyone so that I can put it in the blog and so that everyone is on the same page. 

Just some thoughts that have been going through my mind and hopefully will meet with everyone’s approval.  I am very flexible about this though and can be outvoted quite easily if everyone has a different idea which seems better. 

I really am enjoying reading the books and the comments.  I want to wait till everyone finishes their 1st comments on Glass Castle before I make any more comments.  I think it might be interesting to get different kinds of opinions and view points and then counter-comment. 

Happy Reading all. And by the way, Jenny, how do you like reading on the Kindle?  I did get the impression that you have a hard time speed reading on it.  Do you have the newest version? 

Margot

Posted under B) VSI Book Club by margot on Monday 4 May 2009 at 3:38 pm

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