Thanksgiving Turkeys

These turkeys were just passing through! Happy Thanksgiving today.

Big Bird at Glendeven Inn

In honor of Sesame Street's 40th Anniversay this month, we share our brush with Sesame Street fame.

Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer behind the brilliance of Big Bird, stayed at Glendeven in the Pinewood Room in 2005.

Caroll created Big Bird's character and has voiced and performed the Bird since the first episode of Sesame Street in 1969.

Caroll has also been playing Oscar from the first Sesame show -- from inside the trashcan!

Happy anniversary from Glendeven Inn!

Evergreen

Bird Feeder

This little bird feeder outside the Stevenscroft building is a great little detail at Glendeven.

There are many small details to be found!

The Glendeven Gallery

Mariko Irie, along with other local artists, is now showing her work here at the Glendeven Gallery.

See more of her works here.

We're big fans.

Porcini!

This beautiful porcini mushroom was found in the woods near Glendeven.

The Wine & Mushroom Festival is on through to Nov 15th.

Glendeven is hosting two mushroom dinners too. See info here.

Free WiFi at Glendeven

There is free Wi-Fi throughout Glendeven Inn. You can stay connected if need be, at no extra fee.

We keep it simple.

Hats off to the Chefs!

Brian and Shennen Morris have brought a level of care and talent to the table at Glendeven. Literally.

Their menus, cuisine, and service are top notch. We hope you get a chance to enjoy one of their dinners the next time you're here on a Tuesday or Saturday.

The dining room and their services are also available on "off" nights the rest of the week for private dinner parties of two to 12 people. Let them take care of you for a night on the coast.

This could be your table tonight.

Hydrangeas

Fall booms at Glendeven. Nice.

Travel & Leisure

We're in Travel & Leisure. Boo!

Fall colors in the Anderson Valley

Our local wineries are in full fall color now. I took this picture today right smack dab in the middle of the Anderson Valley's drive along Highway 128. Beautiful!

Pumpkins!

Fluffy clouds late afternoon

Late afternoon in October. The air is crisp. The recent rains have washed away all the summer dust from the bushes and plants. Everything seems so green.

The Farmstead

I guess with this kind of activity outside your door, it's officially a farm!

Another fun wedding weekend

A 75 person rehearsal dinner and lots of fun people.

Way-back-when

Glendeven's main farmhouse has a rich history.

From Etta and her diaries to the evolution of this farm to an inn, this property has seen many changes, while at the same time remaining very much the same.

Bay Loft's View

I've always liked Bay Loft's view. It's so nicely framed by the garden and pastures.

Greenhouse and gardens

Vanna and I were just saying how pretty the garden looks this Labor Day.

Apples

The apple trees are loaded with fruit. Farm-fresh apple pies & crisps soon!

Dinners at Glendeven

Here's Shennen Morris, one of the Morris Catering team, plating a recent course at Glendeven's four-course pairing dinners.

We're now doing these dinners on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Fall 2009 menu here.

Menus change seasonally and are priced to be an affordably luxurious evening.

Guests and locals alike have been thrilled with these weekly events.

Hats off to the chefs!

PJ's Back!

After a long 8 months away at the Redwoods in the Meadow Llama Farm (or as we call it, "Llama Camp"), PJ is back with his mom and the rest of his herd.

He had to be separated until being gelded. It had to be done to keep him, sorry PJ.

He's smaller than the rest still, and will probably remain so.

It's good to have him back. Our little gelding.

The New Vegetable Garden

Here is our new vegetable garden. I sometimes let the chickens in to help me "weed".

They like the little shoots of grass that come up around the drippers.

So besides providing eggs, they're garden helpers.

Good chickens. Good chickens.

Greenhouse

Just like the rest of the gardens, the greenhouse is ever changing.

Guest perspectives

Taken from Bay Loft.

Wine Bar[n] food

The nosh in the Wine Bar[n] is delicious.

First-press olive oils, locally baked baguettes, organic local cheeses, fine charcuterie.

Perfect with your wine tasting selections.

Briar Rose fireplace

July fireplaces? You bet. The summer fog can be so cooling that a crackling fire is welcomed in the evenings....

Fences and gates

The south pasture gate.

Peace and Quiet

Find peace in the many sitting areas around the inn. Whether in the garden, the barn, the farmhouse, or the quiet of your room, Glendeven offers a little oasis of peace and quiet in this very busy world.

Bay Loft fireplace

Bay Loft, with its high ceilings, great view, skylights, and this wood burning fireplace, is one of the most popular rooms.

Barn Loft's fireplace

The Barn Loft's fireplace quickly warms its sunken living room on cool foggy nights.

Garret's View

The view from the Garret room

Lofty

Bay Loft has high ceilings and a great ocean view. This sitting area has a very nice wood burning fireplace too

Fancy pants

After their haircuts, the ladies all seem to be wearing fancy pants. Or, since they're from South America, pantalones de lujo (if my Spanish is correct.)

Spa day

Today the llamas had their spa day -- haircuts, nails done, and deworming.

Deworming, I realize, is not part of a normal "people spa day", but for llamas, it's part of the full treatment.

The Gallery

Glendeven's Wine Bar[n] and Gallery now features works by Ricia Ariaza & Michael Leventhal, David Jenks, and Malcolm West. All very talented artists.

We also have locally crafted jewelry and hand-blown glass decanters & wine tumblers, photographs by John Birchard, and wood carvings by very talented artists.

Brick path

Along the south side of the farmhouse is a winding brick path flanked by blooming gardens.

Street sign

Welcome!

Bayview windows

Bayview, in the main farmhouse, has a bank of south facing windows along its balcony, and another window wraps around to the east facing the gardens, pasture and thewoods in the distance. There is a lovely ocean view from the bed. Nice!

East Farmington's garden

A private little garden awaits outside East Farmington's French doors...

Daily menu

We bring a daily breakfast menu with your breakfast basket or tray, including the weather forecast of the day so you're prepared for your day's adventure after a delicious, hearty breakfast.

Bay View's mantle

Bay View's mantle with a spider mum. I like this picture.

Farmhouse lounge entrance

This image shows two of our original works painted by David Jenks who, by the way, will soon be showing his works in our Wine Bar[n] gallery.

Garden shed

Matchsticks

Wood burning firplaces in most rooms. Cozy.

In-room Breakfast at Glendeven

Breakfast is brought to your room each morning!

Today's menu:

Farm-fresh egg baked 'en croute' with Black Forest ham and our own hollandaise, muffins made with local, hand-picked huckleberries, and fresh fruit with lime ginger syrup served with our hand-squeezed organic orange juice and locally roasted coffee and organic teas.

All this, included in the price of your room. Delicious.

Ferns

Glendeven weddings

We love having weddings here. Here are some photos of some done on the property.

Anderson Valley

We took a drive out to pick up some wines for the Wine Bar[n] yesterday and snapped a few pictures. So pretty out there.



When you come to Glendeven, be sure to plan enough time to stop at a few wineries along the way to appreciate the laid back, old style of winemaking. At most wineries, the winemakers themselves pour in the tasting rooms. It's a very friendly community, and it's very fun to take it all in.

Outside our front door

A short 10 minute walk to the headlands takes you here. Bliss.

The Wine Bar[n] and water tower

Sitting rooms

Foxgloves

The foxgloves are having their moment.

Stop and smell the roses

There is no need to stop and smell these roses. You can smell them a mile away just walking by.

Fragrant climbers.

M&Ms

Mmmmm. Bottom-less Peanut M&Ms. Sometimes the simplest things are the best.

Garden crazy

I'm a little garden crazy these days. It really looks great this time of year.

This house

This wonderful Federalist house. This blue, blue sky. The very green grass. Our gardeners are heroes.

What a great day.

Sea Ridge Cottage sunny day

A sunny day at the Sea Ridge Cottage.

What a pretty spot it is.

Pullet surprise

Today is the very first day the chicks slept outside their nest box. Mom decided to roost, and they all followed suit.

But, clearly, it's hard to fit fourteen little ones under Mom to keep warm on the roost, even with them on her back.

But I think she's done very well.

Mailbox

Art Piscitteli (see post below) made this great mailbox for us.

It's modeled after the Bar[n] seen in the distance. We especially like the subtlety of the llama on the arm. Yes, it's modeled after Big Sue (also below).

This mailbox makes going to get the mail FUN.

Sue smiles - guest photo

Submitted by Barbara Steinberg.

This is Big Sue.

Seems to me she blinked for the camera while chewing her dinner. A bad combo when a camera is around, but she does look pretty happy.

Green eyes

Miss Roxy is one pretty cat. We have to admit it. And an amazing hunter to boot.

Good cat, good cat.

Woodpecker sky

This was meant to be a picture of this Acorn woodpecker, but it didn't come out too great.

But the sky is so blue, it's a striking picture.

The fish are awake

The fish in the pond have been sleeping all winter and stay down out of sight.

That now we have some warmer days, they're surfacing and taking in the sun.

The lily pads provide cover.

It's fun to have them back.

Morning garden path

This time of year is all about the garden. And its blooms.

So, these posts, I admit, are "garden heavy."

But how can I resist? It's peak season.

Giant purple rhododendron

Giant purple rhododendron. Needless to say, this bush was not planted last year.

How old must it be?

Not sure but that is one big, prolific rhodey.

Another view here.

East Farmington cozy fire - guest photo

This sent to me this morning from the East Farmington room.

Guests took this photo last night in of the East Farmington sitting area.

Nice.

Thank you for sending to me!

Firewood

The firewood we use comes from our own woods. We've lost some older oaks and pines in winter storms which have provided enough wood for two winter seasons so far.

Warm chicks - a weekly update

How many three-week old chicks can a hen keep warm at night?

Fourteen.

At least that's what this hen is doing. Well done, I'd say.

May rains

We realy need this rain. And I love it. It's so fresh outside and who doesn't love a wood-burning fireplace in this kind of weather? What a perfectly cozy weekend.

It's hard to photograph rain, so these are rain drops in the koi pond. I swear.

Friends

Glendeven owner John Dixon with friends Greg Gorman and John Scharffenberger in Philo today. A very nice day indeed.

Fern shadow

Everything is coming up, even the ferns. Fresh and new for the summer.

(I've decided this is the best way to have a self-portrait done -- without having to touch up the wrinkles.)

Finch pair

A pair of pretty finches. They're back for the season.

Fish eggs

Fish eggs on the bar.

Wild iris

Wild rises on the path to the chicken yard. Nice.

Chicks update

Mother Hen is taking fine care of her foster brood. We are two weeks out since their arrival and they're "feathering out" already.
They grow up so fast. They're all brilliant and I'm sure all headed for Stanford.


Seriously, it's very fun to watch. They're in constant motion.

Steller's jay

Lots of birds around - always. These guys are frequent visitors to our many feeders.

Our Courtyard Market Umbrellas

Our new market umbrellas in the Wine Bar[n]'s courtyard. Fun.

Miss Roxy pounces

This cat runs passed you as you walk the grounds. Out of nowhere she'll leap and follow anyone. Everyone. Out from under bushes, from behind a fence. She likes people. A lot.

Afternoon cypress sun

It's been very warm these last few days. Beautiful weather. Cooler as the sun goes down this afternoon.

Showy Pieris bush

Spring is all about the garden. Here is one of the pieris bushes. Such a cool plant. The new growth is red, and paired with the dripping flower clusters, it makes for quite a show.

JUST MARRIED

Every day nice people come to the inn and often times they're celebrating anniversaries, birthdays, or other events. We love being part of each special day.

Here is an image from today of the back car window of our new newly-wedded friends. They said they want to make reservations for their first, fifth & tenth anniversaries. We’ll be here, and can’t wait to see them back again.

Wine Bar[n] Garden

The new gardens at the Wine Barn's yard and courtyard are in their second spring, and they're starting to look pretty good I think. You can also see the greenhouse, water tower and the Barn Loft's deck.

Champagne and Wine

A special champagne and wine tasting in the Farmhouse lounge. Special indeed.

Pretty chickens

What baby chickens aspire to be.

White rhody's moment

The rhododendrons all bloom at different times. White is having its moment at the moment.

Llama regatta

It's rare that all the llama ladies all kush at once. If the meadow were the sea, they'd be a regatta.

Easter Chicks!

This is the coolest thing. We had a broody hen here at Glendeven. She was instinctually hatching eggs, but there were no eggs under her to hatch and, well, we don't even have a rooster....

So an online search uncovered some tricks for “snapping her out of it”, so she'd start laying again and running around with the rest of everyone. I wasn’t sure about any of the proposed ideas, and figured I’d just let her snap out of it on her own.

It just so happens that my set of new chicks was arriving and the nice folks at Highway 20 Feed told me that -- and this is the cool part -- if I slipped the new chicks under the hen while she's sleeping, she'll awaken a new mom and care for them. All 15 of them. All different breeds of them. There was a chance it wouldn't work, but was worth a shot.

Needless to say, it worked!

This is a "win-win-win".

Chicks are happy and safe, mother hen gets what she was hoping for -- her own clutch of chicks -- and I don't have to worry about heat lamps, cleaning a chick box, and the stress of introducing the young birds to the yard. Nature will take care of itself.

Happy Easter indeed!

-John

Wooded parking lot's welcome gate

Glendeven has parking for 25 cars in our wooded lot just north of the inn buidlings.

We direct people there for events and other overflow parking needs, so we built a gate and a trail to the Wine Bar[n]'s courtyard to welcome folks who enter from that direction. The signage matches the rest of what we've done around the property, and I think Art Piscitelli (see previous Blog entry) did a great job of building the gate.























The design matches the woodwork on the Carriage House's trellis pictured here.

Salmon Rhododendron

We have about 35 mature rhododendrons on the property, and I think these may be my favorites. The salmon color is pretty striking. That is Bayloft's ocean view window on the background.

Miss Roxy the Cat

Here's Miss Roxy the cat. She's sort of the neighborhood cat, but mostly ours by now I suppose.

A good hunter, she's welcome around here, as long as she stays outside. Letting her in is tempting, we know! But letting her inside breaks the big fat "no pets" rule and we have a 'wanted' sign at check-in.





Basilcally it says "No cats inside", and "Please don't feed her", and things like that. She is well fed, and has a cozy bed in the woodshed.

I imagine there will be more photos of her posted here over time.... she's pretty great.

- John

Another Beautiful Day

I was out running around the property just now and it was just really nice looking out the kitchen window across the pasture with the llamas grazing, and Van Damme rock out in the ocean.

Dogwood

The gardens this time of year are pretty amazing. Spring.

Every bush, tree, and flower has its as its moment during the year, and the dogwood's moment is now.

This tree is near the entrance of the Stevenscroft building.

Gallery & Bar[n] today

Here we are "two-for-two" on the photo of the day idea, which is very exciting for all of us at Glendeven.

This is a photo I took of the Wine Bar[n] just prior to its opening today taken from inside the gallery.

In it you can see the painting "Cuba" by Ricia Araiza / Michael Leventhal who co-paint each piece.

These large format oils are striking and we think add a fun element to the Bar[n].

As an added bonus I'm attaching two other 'images of the day" to this post.


Exciting indeed.
- John

Photo of the day - Mike & Art

So, one of the things I tell people is that each day I wake up at Glendeven and think, "Oh! I have another (bad) idea!" Some of them are good though, and stick. Others go out the window.

This morning I woke up and thought - I have another (bad?) idea!

There is always something interesting to see at the inn, and it changes daily with weather and the seasons and other activities and projects.

So, I'm going to start posting a picture of the day.

So here's the first.

This is Mike and Art working (and finishing) the exterior siding on the wine locker for the Wine Bar[n] taken through the picture window just behind the bar.

Let's see how this "picture of the day" idea goes..... and how long it lasts!

-John

Guest Photos

We love getting images from guests. We've chosen a few to post here from Helen Hong.

This makes me think we should do some kind of contest. We'll work on that!




Here are a few that we've chosen from Helen. She has a great eye.




This is a view of the farmhouse taken from in front of the Wine bar[n].







It's not a typical vantage point, and we liked it very much.

Many folks come to Glendeven armed with camera phones, small digitals, or even big fat SLR cameras.

All the pictures we get are great and we thought this is a fun way to share.

Sends us yours and we'll post them too!

Art Piscitelli, Il Guardiano

One of the best things about being at Glendeven Inn is that we get to work with the amazingly talented, Art Piscitelli.

He's the man who helps us make sure that everything is in perfect condition & running order.

He's not only helped us since we arrived just over a year ago, but he helped the last owners, Sharon and Higgins for eight years, and Jan and Janet DeVries before them.

Art's been here for around two decades. He knows where every fuse is located, where all the plumbing lines go underground and in the walls, he's amazingly skilled at doing anything that needs to be done around here, and the list goes on.

Art's done everything from small fun projects like making custom chicken nesting boxes and remodeling the entire coop for the 30 chickens and building our wonderful new mailbox (that's modeled after our Barn building), to large things like fixing numerous electrical and plumbing emergencies, helping us get the Wine Bar[n] and Sea Ridge Cottage ready for prime time, and troubleshooting just about everything when it goes wrong.

Here you see him creating one of our new signs -- this one is being made using a fantastic 100+ year-old pristine piece of redwood lumber that was salvaged when he and Higgins remodeled the Farmhouse kitchen years ago. Art stored this special piece of wood in the rafters of the shop for just the right moment. And its moment has come.

We're very lucky to have him around, and appreciate everything he does. Say hi to him the next time you see him.

We owe him a debt of gratitude for all that he does, and the way he gets it done.

Thanks Art.

- John & Mike

Sea Ridge Cottage

After working all summer to get it ready, Glendeven's new vacation rental house, the Sea Ridge Cottage, is now ready to go! We are very, very excited about it.

The Sea Ridge Cottage provides guests a new kind of coastal experience at the high standards that Glendeven sets in everything we endeavor to do. With its sweeping views and absolute quiet situated a quarter mile from any neighbors, this house is a paradise of tranquility and beauty.

Our first guest writes in the guest book, "I will remember the deer grazing outside, the silhouette shapes of the trees outside at day break, the attention to detail, and the quiet.", signed Ottmar Liebert.

We've decorated this fine little house in an unfussy slightly contemporary way. We love using eclectic things that we think go well together in color & detail, interest, and quality.

At the Sea Ridge Cottage, just six miles south of Glendeven, you'll find the same high quality linens and amenities , a large jetted hot tub just waiting outside your bedroom door, and quality in everything you see. It's a place to find peace and quiet surrounded by the power of nature, to rekindle romance together, or find a retreat to renew yourself.

We hope you get a chance to check it out on our website, and we hope to see you soon.

-- John

The Great Outdoors

So, one of the reasons we wanted to be in this beautiful part of the world was to take full advantage of all that it has to offer.

We've been at Glendeven Inn now for just over one full year and decided that it's time to start really making an effort to see and do more of the fun outdoor things there are here -- right outside the door. We've just got to make the time to do it, it's that simple. One new thing per week, that's the plan.

And, of course, it helps us to make recommendations to guests.

Given this new mantra, there's one thing that I've done a bunch of times over the past year: outrigger canoing up Big River.

Renting kayaks or outrigger canoes is quick and easy at Catch a Canoe and Bicycles Too which is just one mile north of us. You sign in, get your life jacket, a thorough safety refresher and away you go. Once up the river about 500 yards, you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature. And in fact you are. It's quiet, there are no buildings, very few people, and you're likely to spot otters and harbor seals. And there are lots of birds too, which is pretty great.

Check it out next time you're here.

-John

Guinea fowl

The guineas have finally found their way to the inn. We keep six guinea fowl in the coop next to the llamas. Because they are a little noisy, we wanted them to be away from the inn a bit. We acquired the guinea fowl chicks about he same time as the chickens, but we don't house them together.

The reasons to keep guinea fowl are 1) they are cool, 2) they eat bugs in the garden without scratching and ruining the plants, 3) they clean up bugs around the llama dung piles and 4) they also eat ticks. Gotta love that.

Today, as you can see, they were all over the grounds of the inn. Over the past few weeks since they've been free ranging, they've gone across the shoreline highway (we had to stop traffic to get them back), and they've gone into the spring and woods where I'm sure they are finding lots of good bugs to eat.

Well today they made their way onto the inn property, and even seemed to want to get into the new Wine Bar[n]. Apparently they're anxious for it to open too.

-- John

Glendeven Events

For the first time in some years, Glendeven hosted a wedding just a few weeks ago.

We are so glad to be able to offer the inn for weddings, commitment ceremonies, and other events.

There are many different and varied venue options given our eight-acres, gardens, and our indoor & outdoor public spaces:

The courtyard of the Wine Bar[n] is a protected private space perfect for outdoor dining and other events. We had a full sit-down full-service dinner here for the wedding, and it was picture perfect.

Inside the Gallery and Wine Bar[n] we can hold up to 50 people, we have a full on- & off-sale wine license, on-site parking for 30 cars, and a Wine Bar[n] kitchen that helps facilitate the food and wine service.

There are lawns, and even pastures that can hold large tented events. We're going to explore this and offer the pasture lands as an option in 2009!

It is really very exciting and we cannot wait to host more. We've got two more weddings in October, and we are very excited!

Step by step, our goal is to offer more amenities to guests, and also more ways for Glendeven to be used as a venue for local and guest events. We're moving forward step by step -- we want to be sure to do it right!

More to come!

-- John

The Greenhouse

OK, so I kind of love my greenhouse.

The first time I toured the Glendeven property, there were many things that I liked about it -- the grounds, the rooms, the views, the state parks surrounding, the proximity to the Mendocino village -- but one thing clinched the deal. The greenhouse.

I'm not ashamed to say this either.

The greenhouse is a little building built by Glendeven's founding inn-owner, Jan DeVries, under the watertower, next to the pump room. At the time I first saw it, it had a full watering system already in place, but only had empty pots stacked neatly on the shelves. It was a little paradise just waiting to happen.

Last year I planted a number of things in the low planter and also stocked the pots with fun plants.

But this past winter, I went kind of crazy with the hanging begonia bulbs and then had to find patience. Well, now they're doing very well. They're thriving. And it all makes me pretty happy.

The greenhouse is a little jewel right in the middle of the property. It's a little hidden, which makes it feel even more special. Make sure you take a minute to find it when you're here.

-- John

Mendocino Music Festival

When chatting with guests, I'm often asked how we came to be in Mendocino.

About 15 years ago I was on a solo bicycling / camping tour of the northern Pacific coast when I happened upon Mendocino. I'd planned to stop for just a few hours for lunch, but when I arrived into town, I saw the huge white tents and 'discovered' the Mendocino Music Festival. I ended up staying for three days (instead of 3 hours) and had a wonderful time.

In all the years since, I'd always wanted to get back to Mendocino to enjoy the festival. It was always on my to-do list, but I never was able to make it.

So when we were looking for an inn to buy, I knew Mendocino was a fantastic spot. Romantic, stunningly beautiful, with fine dining, rugged outdoor activities and all the arts represented -- it's an all around world-class location. So when we found Glendeven Inn, I knew this was the spot. In all the world, this was where we wanted to be.

We ended up closing the deal last year in August and taking over the business during the time of the Music Festival. And this year by planning ahead, we were able to donate and support the Festival in a few different ways.

Last night, Glendeven Inn sponsored the coffee for the festival as seen in this (bad) image taken on my mobile phone.

It's good to be here on this one-year anniversary, and Mike and I are looking forward to seeing and hearing the remaining Festival shows of this season and to many, many more years in Mendocino.

--John

Chickens

"If you don't want to find me, don't look in the chicken coop." That's what I tell folks. I like it in there.

About six weeks ago, our new chickens started to arrive. They were two days old at time of arrival, and they came in three batches. We got every kind of laying hen and we'll have a lot of different kinds of eggs in every color you can imagine. Farm fresh eggs! Unfortunately, we have to wait months before they're laying, but it's going to be worth the wait! We have Barred Rocks, Aracaunas, Buff Orpingtons, and many many others. It's the Noah's Ark of Chickens. Essentially two of each.

We even got some Chinese Silkies just for fun.

We're using the old coop of the farm which is set back in the northeast edge of the pasture, and it's built like Ft Knox. No predators will get in for sure, which is one of the big potential problems in keeping hens.

It's very fun to go the coop and watch them work-out the pecking order, scratch around, and fuss.

Soon they'll be able to get out into their yard, but for now they're still too small. We worry about the neighboring cats a bit. Stay tuned for more pictures (and eggs!!)

-- John

Spring

The rhododendrons are blooming like crazy now. The daffodils have faded, but every day it seems like we discover something blooming new in the garden.
PJ the baby llama is a constant entertainment - and the promise of new life in springtime makes his arrival all the more welcome.