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The Gift of Quiet

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The last month has been a whirlwind of activity to prepare LakePlace for our guests. From receiving the approval of the town board to refinishing furniture to learning how to take the dock out, the quiet times have been few and far between. When I do have time to just sit, I have a new favorite spot. It’s a swivel side chair in front of the living room window. From here I can watch the lake, use the Merlin app to discover which birds I am hearing (chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, cardinals, woodpeckers, and trumpeter swans), and sometimes just nod off. The windows are wide open and it is silent. That’s it; no cars, no noisy neighbors, no airplanes. I’d swear the house was sealed up tight. In these moments, I have no desire to turn on a radio or put in some earbuds. The silence is more than enough.  I try not to work, use electronics (except for Merlin) or even read a book in my chair. Taking advantage of these moments help me recenter and recognize how grateful I am to have reach...
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LakePlace Has a Home!

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We are thrilled to announce that LakePlace Bed & Breakfast has a home! After a nearly three-year search, in August we will close on a house on Poplar Lake in Dresser, Wisconsin. We plan to begin welcoming guests in the fall. A big thank you to all who have accompanied us on this journey, especially our very patient, very professional realtor Cameron Voss with Edina Realty, and our home inspector Ryan Stewart with Straight Answer Home Inspections. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare the home and draw closer to our grand opening.
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For B&B First-Timers

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If you have never stayed at a bed and breakfast, considering it as a getaway option might be daunting. Many people think of a bed and breakfast as a stuffy Victorian with lots of delicate antiques. Who can relax there?   Our first B&B experience was in western Pennsylvania where we stayed for a friend’s wedding. It was a comfortable home and we really only slept there. The B&B that made us think about becoming innkeepers is Leech Lake B&B in Walker, MN. We unpacked our bags then went out to the yard where Mark immediately fell asleep in a hammock and I settled in on the dock to bask in the sun (yes, I was wearing sunscreen) and listen to the waves lap against the pontoon boat..  The reality is that the majority of B&Bs are people’s homes. Innkeepers love what they do because they are proud of their homes and communities and want to share them with others. And, yes, some are full of antiques, but even those are places where you can feel comfortable and use as a...
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The Search Continues

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After passing on a terrific property in Osceola, Wisconsin, in May of 2022, we have been on a bit of a hiatus for this project. It was a quiet winter in the housing market, but we continue to do all the back-end prep that we can. We sold our townhome in Eagan and moved to an apartment so that we can act quickly when the right place comes along. Our business plan is ready and we have lined up help with marketing, photography, web design, and accounting. Mark took a new job up in Wyoming, Minnesota, to reduce his commute from the B&B location. We have everything but a property! The feedback we continue to get from people who hear our plan is still so incredibly positive. It is what keeps us excited. To a person, they want to know when we open so they can stay. Mark continues to hone his baking skills; he is currently perfecting croissants. I continue to find beautiful furniture, decor, and equipment at estate sales and am hunting for the best bed and bath linens. Both of us are condu...
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Building Our Baking Repertoire

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Spring has sprung! We are getting closer to finding the perfect house so that we can start welcoming guests. While you wait for us to open, we'd like to share a preview of some the breakfast treats that Mark has been perfecting. Mark used to cook with our daughter Megan. Let's just say that their styles are very different: Megan sees a recipe as a suggestion and Mark sees it as a rule (that's his scientist background coming in to play.) Now baking, that requires a bit more of the precision that his brain embraces. After watching all the seasons of "Great British Baking Show", he was ready to go.  Enjoy this mini feast with your eyes and stay tuned.
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And So It Begins

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In June 2020, three months after the lockdown began in Minnesota, we needed a quiet getaway so we traveled to Leech Lake, Minnesota, to stay at the Leech Lake Bed and Breakfast. The hosts, Gary and Sandra, were lovely, their home was comfortable, and we relaxed immediately. And we decided that we could do this, too. Before that stay, I always thought that a B&B had to be a historic home in an interesting town, but this place helped me realize it could be a place where guests can have an experience that is new and a place to stay that is welcoming and relaxing. It has always been my dream to live on a lake and this could be a way to realize that dream and have it pay for itself! We are starting this blog to take you on the journey with us as we search for the perfect property, hone our business and baking skills, and finally open our doors. 
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