2020...welcome!!

2020 began wonderfully with sunny skies, time with family and some quilting!!

We are excited for all the new adventures 2020 will bring us and all the new guests and familiar faces too!

Expect to see a few things from us in 2020

• Cameron will head out on his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - he reports to the mission on February 19th and will serve 2 years in the Czech Slovak Mission!
• Phase 2 of the Pond Project
• A brand new garden spot and some delicious fruits from our trees!
• A zipline in the backyard
• A dirt bike track (way out back)
• Dakota is hoping to complete a few quilts!
• She is also hoping for a little bit of renovation on a treehouse closet!
• More baby animals-hoping for puppies!!
• Phase 2 of the Missouri Quilt Museum --so excited!

Here we go-join us!!

The businesses in Hamilton have a lot planned as well. Here are just a few of the activities planned:
VISIT HAMILTON MISSOURI 2020

JANUARY    18            “Snowed In” Craft Day- Hamilton Event Center
                       1-31     “Snowed In” Quilt Show- Missouri Quilt Mus.
FEBRUARY 15 th         Lakeview Mouse Races
                      29 th         Men’s Chili Cookoff
MARCH       13th       “Feeling Lucky” Pot of Gold Treasure Hunt
                     1-31       Good as Gold Quilt Show- Missouri Quilt Mus.
APRIL          4 th       Pothole Festival
                     11th       Easter Hunt & Celebration
MAY            16 th           Butterfly Festival
                     1-31       Butterfly Quilt Show – Missouri Quilt Museum
JUNE           11-12 th     Missouri Star Academy
                     10-13th   Chalk the Block -Missouri Quilt Museum
JULY            4 th         Hamilton Celebrates 4 th of July
                     3rd       Old Glory Craft Day - Hamilton Event Center
                    1-31   Land that I Love Quilt Show – Missouri Quilt Museum
AUGUST    14-16 th   NW MO Steam and Gas Engine Show
                    1-31st    Block the Block Quilt Show - Missouri Quilt Mus.
SEPTEMBER 24-25 th     Missouri Star Quilt Birthday Bash
                    25-26 th     J. C. Penney Days
                    26 th     Hamilton .1K Marathon
                    26 th     Hamilton “Anything Goes” Car Show
OCTOBER 1-31     Scarecrow Festival/Contest
                   17-18 th   Steam & Gas Engine Fall Festival
                    5-31       “Pumpkin Patch” Quilt Exhibit
NOVEMBER 1-30       Scarecrow Festival
                    1-14       “Pumpkin Patch” Quilt Exhibit
DECEMBER 5 th Christmas Expo
                       5 th Hamilton Holiday Home Tour
                    5th, 12, 19th Christmas Quilt Show – Missouri Quilt Museum
                    16-20th Hamilton Christmas Creche Display - Hamilton Event Center


Visit Hamilton at: www.visithamiltonmo.com

ATTRACTIONS: Missouri Star Quilt Company – 12 different quilt shops!

J. C. Penney Museum

J. C. Penney Boyhood Home
Missouri Quilt Museum
NW MO Steam & Gas Engine Grounds
Hamilton Butterfly Park
Highway 13 Butterfly Trail
World’s Largest Spool of Thread

A gift from the heart!

I have the best guests! FOR REAL!! I enjoy what I do every day because of the people I do it for! My family and I are so blessed to rub shoulders with really good people, every day of our lives, in our own home. They come in as strangers and leave as family. We really enjoy our guests.

This gift from one of our guests, Rae from Colorado Springs, arrived in the mail the other day. This beautiful artwork was custom created for our family after her stay with us. The back says "Made with love for the Redford Family. Love Rae. Sego Lilly-Utah State Flower & White Hawthorn-Missouri State Flower" 

Rae and her husband Nate stayed with us for her birthday. He spoiled her while she was here with cute flowers from Tracy at Twig's Rust & Dust and Chocolate covered strawberries from Nellie's Sweet Shoppe. Then, she spoils me with this beautiful artwork!

I will be completely Honest with you...I cried, a lot. What a thoughtful gift! I am searching for the perfect frame because I will TREASURE IT ALWAYS!

Thoughtful gift

Today in the mail I received this beauty!

This piece of art was designed with my family in mind. The inscription on the back says 

" Made with love for the Redford Family. 

Sego Lilly- Utah State Flower

White Hawthorn- Missouri State Flower"

I have said and always will say "I have the best guests". But, it's not just something I say. I wholeheartedly believe that I do. They prove it every day! They are kind, thoughtful, generous, funny, good people. 

Rae and her husband Nate stayed with us two weeks ago. They are absolutely delightful! 

I am so grateful Rae decided to create this for us. And I am grateful that God knew it would be a good day for me to receive it. He is good. 

Thank you Rae, this I will treasure always, along with your friendship!

Amazed by You!!

Happy Valentine's Day to my sweetheart!!

There is no question that I am absolutely spoiled rotten! Every day he shows me how someone is supposed to be loved. He treats me the way God see's me, and he helps me to see my own potential. I am so grateful to Ryan for taking a chance on the immature, a little bratty, extremely emotional young lady. He has helped me become who I am today. 

A long way to go but look how far we have come!!

This is a picture of our wedding day, February 5, 2000 at the Mount Timpanogos Temple, American Fork, Utah.

So, now I have to brag on him a little more!! 

Fast forward to February 5, 2019

Here we are, 19 years to the day later! Same temple, same spot, same two hearts that have grown a lot larger and fonder for one another and for God.

For our anniversary Ryan asked me to dress in church clothes; he was taking me to the temple. A few days prior he said he was taking me "overnight to the city for our anniversary". So I packed a bag, put on a dress and out the door we went. About 45 minutes from the house I said "oh no, I don't think I brought my wallet and my temple recommend is in there" He responded with "uhhh, you are going to need your wallet...for more than one reason.

Well, he took me to "the city" (Kansas City, Missouri) where we promptly got on a plane...definitely needed my wallet (During the flight he showed me a 1 1/2 hour slide show; pictures of our lives together with our children. He is so the BEST!) and flew to "the city" (Salt Lake City, Utah) and then drove to our temple!! 

He took me back to the place where we were sealed for time and all eternity on our anniversary even though it is states away!! 

SPOILED!?!?! YES!!

Ryan had printed names from Family Search to take with us to the temple so that we could do family sealings. This allows other families to be eternal. And we did it in the same place that we started our eternal family 19 years previous, almost to the hour!!

After the temple we headed to my mom and dad's bridal shop, Veronica Michaels Bridal, to say hello to them! Good thing, if mom found out we were in Utah, albeit 36 hours, and didn't stop to say hello...TROUBLE!

After visiting with my parents for a bit we headed back to SLC to our hotel, Anniversary Inn. For years (as long as I can remember) I have dreamed about staying in this cute BnB. It is so romantic and each room is themed, LOVE!! We checked in and then headed to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. I got my mainstay.. Thai Lettuce Wraps--oh they make me so happy! YUM! We also enjoyed bread with vinegar and oil (my favorite) and then of course a piece of cheescake. Mango something or other. It was so good!

The night does not end there, no it does not! WICKED!! Yes, he took me to see WICKED. This is the second time on our anniversary that he has brought me to WICKED. He could repeat it every year and I would never, ever complain. I absolutely love this show!

As we were moving about downtown between dinner and show, etc. the snow was falling so gently. Beautiful, like out of a movie, or fairy tale. My own fairy tale! 

We awoke the next morning to over a foot of the white powdery stuff. It was incredibly beautiful but the roads were terrible! He then surprised me with a little time with my bestie, Cindy  Lou Who. We got pedicures and ate at Cafe Rio. I absolutely LOVE Cafe Rio and we do not have ONE in Missouri! Then he picked me back up and whisked me away to some shopping before heading back to the airport. It was an absolutely beautiful way to spend our anniversary. 

When we were dating Ryan sent me a CD of Lonestar with our song "Amazed". I was shocked and totally enamored. He did not listen to or like country music, but for me, he made it ours!

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby, when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me
Baby, you surround me
Touch every place in my heart
And it feels like the first time every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

Every little thing that you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do, oh
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

Want to hear the song? Follow this youTube link to their official music video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-skFgrV59A

Ryan I love you so very much! Thank you for choosing me to be the Queen in your kingdom and treating me as such. I love you, my King!! 

Love 2 Quilt Deal!!

From now until the end of February we are running a special on our website. 25% off all rooms booked before the end of the month at

Home Inn Hamilton, Bed & Breakfast, 

with reservation dates before July 31, 2020. 

Take advantage of this great sale NOW!!

Use promo Code: LOVE2QUILT

Home Inn Hamilton

4011 NW State Hwy P

Hamilton, MO 64644

435-849-2564

Oh the romance of a GAZEBO

Spending a spring day here... YES!

I absolutely adore this gazebo. What a great way to spend the day relaxing, reading a book or shooting the breeze with family and friends. Guests at the Bed and Breakfast love to sit here and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. Me, I will sit here any time of day!

The gazebo is attached to the expansive deck. Both overlook the beautiful acreage and ponds that we call "our backyard". God loves me, I tell you! There is no greater peace than relaxing with His creations all around you. I love living in the country, and I love living in Missouri.

Here is a back view of the main house with the fire pit at the left, the deck and gazebo. Oh, how beautiful!

What a view!

This deck is expansive, stretching across the back of the house and gives a magnificent view of the back yard. Really, its stunning at any time of the year!
The deck wouldn't be complete without the adorable gazebo to cap it off. (Tomorrows post)




Really though, look at the back of the house with the deck! LOVE!!

Like I said earlier, though, the best part is the view. No matter the season, this deck aims to please and share all the beauty that you are perched above! From watching birds build nests in the spring to them soaring overhead in the summer, squirrels gathering in the fall and snowflakes falling in the winter, this deck is proof of God's beauty all around us. 

Really I post pictures in Instagram and Facebook often from this deck. Great place for taking Sunset pictures too. Oh, the sunset pictures!!

Let's talk about food for a minute.

You may have already learned this about me, but I love food!

One of my favorite things about food is that it brings people together around the table to talk. More specifically, my table. I absolutely love feeding the tummies of those that then sit and build relationships that feed their hearts and souls. THIS is WHY I HAMILTON! This is why I love owning a Bed & Breakfast. This is why I like to make good food.

This picture is taken on a typical weekday around our table. This menu is requested often by guests, albeit quite simple. Breakfast Casserole, Muffins and Fruit and Yogurt Parfait. I make a mean yogurt in the Instant Pot but as a tip, I LOVE (and often use) the Great Value Vanilla Yogurt. IT is delicious!!

From the air

It was really fun to get these drone shots back. The property is really just beautiful from every angle. I am so glad the photographer took the time to capture just a few shots from the air!

Quilters Paradise

In the beginning, this cute condo had a four car garage. However, I knew that I wanted to have a space for gals to sit and sew together. The garage was converted to a Bunk Retreat Style unit that we call Quilters Paradise. Thru the double doors to a wonderful quilting weekend!

The right side of unit, thru the door on the right side, is Carriage House (yesterdays post) They open to each other on the inside with an adjoining door. 

You walk into the sewing room of Quilters. This room has a 50" TV,  and plenty of space to spread out to sew. Tables and chairs are provided as well as ironing stations.

Groups can choose to bring their own machines or rent from us. Each "sewing kit" is $10/day and includes a machine, scissors, rotary cutter, ruler and mat. 

Off of the sewing space is the first of two bathrooms in the suite. This features a walk in shower, sink and stool.

The bunk room is directly behind the sewing room. This is our only suite at the B&B that is fully on ground level. 

It has 8 twin size pillow top beds. Alarm clocks are available so that you don't miss the opening time of the Missouri Star Quilt Company shops! We also provide ear plugs...just in case!!

The second of the two bathrooms is en-suite within the bedroom. This bathroom also has a walk in shower, stool and vanity. 

For a group of more than 8, you can add Carriage House to your reservation. They have an adjoining door and TOGETHER can sleep up to 16.

For even more guests add rooms in the main house or consider hosting a larger retreat at Hotel Hamilton. Hotel Hamilton is just 7 blocks from MSQC and can sleep up to 60! That space is broken down into 13 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms!! It also has the largest sewing space in Hamilton at over 7,000 square feet! This space also includes a full kitchen, guest bathrooms and tables and chairs for the entire group to sew together!!! We will do a future post all about Hotel Hamilton.

Lady of the Lake

What Bed & Breakfast would be complete without an Anniversary Suite? This one will knock your socks off!

This guest suite is undoubtedly my favorite and the one I sneak time in every so often. It is absolutely beautiful. I love that when you get to the top of the slightly turning staircase (wider at the top than at the bottom and curved to the right, just a little) double doors open into this suite. Romantic much?

The canopy bed is exactly what this room was beckoning for. With hints of burgundy and gold, this room sweeps you off your feet.

Large windows guide your eye to the large green backyard and a beautiful view of the water, hence its name, Lady of the Lake. This is our largest suite and boasts a queen size bed and a queen size sofa sleeper in its own sitting room!

The sitting room is large enough for a full size couch, love seat and over sized armchair. The TV is nestled in nicely along one of the walls. My favorite feature of the sitting room, though, is the gas fireplace. What a way to spend a weekend. 

This giant suite would not be complete without this HUGE powder room. Double sinks and large mirror assist in dolling yourself up for the day. The walk in shower has a rain shower head and the stool is behind its own door. The best feature though, is the large JETTED TUB with huge picture window overlooking that beautiful view of the property. (There are shades that pull down, of course!) This suite always make me feel a little full of myself, but everyone deserves to feel like a queen occasionally! This suite will do just that!

Fun & Fancy

I really enjoyed designing and decorating the Fun & Fancy suite. It is sooo different from the rest. This suite has a lilac purple wall color. The young lady who lived in this room before we bought the house had recently painted it to be exactly what she wanted. I vowed to keep it, for a time. I love it! I decided instead of the natural wood work we would go with silver. The headboard and side tables were spray painted to get the look I was hoping for.

This suite is very spacious. It has a Queen Size bed, and a double futon style sofa bed.  A large TV can be viewed from the bed or couch.

After a few months I realized that a suite with a couple twin size beds would be very helpful for many of our guests. The walk-in closet was turned into sleeping quarters. One of these days I will take out the closet shelving, but for now, it easily holds these extra beds, making it our only suite that will hold 5. More than one group of guests has commented that in the twin space it feels like sleeping in a tree house. Maybe I should paint the inside to look like a tree? I am not sure that I am that ambitious!

The young lady I spoke of earlier, spent painstaking hours taping off and painting this zig-zag pattern on the walls of the powder room in turquoise, grey and white and I LOVE IT! So, of course its here to stay. This room is a good size space with shower/tub combination and lots of counter space.

Fun & Fancy is at the end of the hall on the second floor. It's quiet, has lots of natural light and you can see the barn and animals out the windows!

Evening Star

When I chose for the Bed & Breakfast to be our Home Inn Hamilton, obviously Quilt Town USA had a lot to do with it. Quilters are genuine, good and charitable people. What better guests to invite into your home? With that, I knew that each room must be named after a quilt block!

First up, Evening Star.

Evening star looks out to the front yard (and that white cat-- still getting to that story one day). 

The chair in the corner is a sturdy solid wood chair. I love it! Simple lines. Beautiful. (yard sale find)

Do you see the quilt in the corner on the chair? That quilt is very special to me. Ryan's grandmother Millicent Redford made that quilt for me. Just for me. Why? I organized the family reunion. (A lot of work, but I love planning parties!) For a quilt, I would organize it every time it comes up!! I love quilts! She spent so many hours on this beauty! It has creams and pinks and browns in tiny squares! Oh, how grateful I am to have a piece of Grandma Millie in our home. 

I found the beautifully sculpted wood bed at an estate sale in Utah. (Most of the furniture was aquired this way) I wanted a certain feel for the BnB that couldn't be achieved with modern furniture. The size and weight of this piece is awesome! It was one of the first we purchased for the BnB. The bench and mirrors came from a sale here in Missouri about 20 miles away. Lamps too. As you can see the powder room is en-suite (for all our rooms).

Evening Star bathroom has a combined tub and shower, stool and sink. It is our smallest of the bathrooms but still large enough to get the job done!

When we first bought the house, this room was lime green with monkeys! An adorable little girls room transformed into this calming and enjoyable space to get some shut eye!

No TV, just conversation

After taking in the GINORMOUS kitchen you can turn 180* to this warm and welcome living room.

The wood work throughout the house is stunning. One of my favorite features is the oak wood wall surrounding the fireplace. I originally thought there was too much wood. I have changed my tune. It is so warm and welcoming. This living room begs for conversation. Sit, relax and enjoy one another. 

Again, just like the dining room, the windows in this room bring me such happiness! There is so much beauty out these windows. From the animals scampering, the sunlight gleaming off the water on the pond, all the green (Missouri is sooo green) and one of my favorite things in that back yard... the boys in a game of football. Oh, how they make me smile!

When we moved here, of course, I added the massage chair to the corner. Many a guest of Home Inn Hamilton has relaxed in that chair. Rarely a day goes by that I don't get enveloped in it. And you see, no TV in this room. People in real life are so much better! I love my home!

Now that is a kitchen!!

Peeking out behind this beautiful dining room is a FABULOUS kitchen!

The contractor that built this home sure knew what he was up to when he put in this kitchen!!

It stretches out for days!! Look at all of those counter tops. I absolutely love a clean counter top. I walk into this kitchen with its clear counter tops and it makes me stand just a little bit taller!

 And cabinets!! Everyone I know has too much junk in their kitchen and I am no different. Still filling these cabinets, 3 years later, but I am determined to make it happen!

And the island... we gather around and visit. Kitchens truly are gathering places. This one can welcome everyone at once!

She is a kitchen I adore, and love cooking breakfast every morning for the guests of Home Inn Hamilton and of course for my family for all the meals! I love hosting!

Perfectly quaint dining room

Right off of the beautiful staircase (still makes me giddy) is a formal dining room.







Now I have to admit, when I first saw the wall paper in the dining room, I wanted to rip it all out! Every single bit of it. It has grown on me. A LOT. Not only do I not mind it anymore, it fits. The house loves it. So many stories, laughter, tears, testimonies born, this wall paper has seen it all. Oh to be one of those bunches of grapes, haha!

Not to mention sitting in these chairs and staring out these windows into all that God has created! Between squiggy the squirrel, the goats, the robin and her nest, and the morning parade of ducks. This room holds a very special place in my heart! And, we can't forget the white cat that becomes the topic of discussion on far too many mornings! (That is a later post)

And, built-in China hutch!! This house has so many of my favorites!!

Double doors that open into a beautiful kitchen is so romantic! Swoon!

Grand staircase? Yes please!!

So I have to admit, I may live a little bit in a fairy tale. Some people would use the word spoiled. I use the word blessed! But when it comes to a grand staircase in your home...spoiled might be the accurate description. Standing on this front porch, I was giddy...

But then the door opened to this...

Isn't it dreamy?

Immediately my brain flashed back to all the movies with a beautiful slightly turning staircase! It seems every girl who had their dreams come true had one. One of my favorites is from Father of the Bride. Can't you see a beautiful bride on this staircase? Me too!! Stunning.

A dream is born

I have been blessed with incredible amounts of dreams coming true throughout my life. Ryan supports me 100% in all that I do, so I can't say that I am surprised that we opened the B&B over 3 years ago, just that I am so glad that we did!
I first laid my eyes on this house in May of 2015 on an internet MLS listing on my cousins smart phone. I loved it from the moment I laid eyes on it! She of course, forwarded the listing to me, and less than 12 hours later, we were making plans to go to Hamilton and see it in person!
I arrived with my cousin Meg in Hamilton Missouri on July 7, 2015. We pulled into the driveway and I got emotional. This was my house!

Isn't she beautiful!! I know, had you pulled into the driveway and seen this, you too, would have been smitten!! And just like that Home Inn Hamilton was born. 

County Commissioners Vote YES!

Caldwell County Commissioners met on Monday October 26th to discuss the opening of the Bed & Breakfast. Meg and I attended the meeting. There were quite a few people from the community there speaking in support of the BnB. We are so appreciative of the great citizens  that are involved in regards to what is happening and changing in Caldwell County.
These community members and the commissioners had a lot of good questions and input. There was a hearty discussion. Ultimately the vote was 3-0 to approve our permit. We are one step closer to opening, hooray!
There is something about this place that speaks to my soul. I am so delighted to own this property and rub shoulders with so many great people along the way. I can't wait to get to know many more people in the area. 
The preparations for guests is coming along swimmingly. We are so excited to share our home with you and look forward to seeing you soon.
 www.homeinnhamilton.com