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Looking Forward to 2018

elaineandmark February 5, 2018 Comments Off

Mark and I are just back from our winter getaway. The last two winters we have spent the month of January on Tybee Island near Savannah, Georgia. In January, it is much warmer than here (normally) and is the downtime for this small island community. Though much bigger than Lanesboro, it retains a small town atmosphere with lots of locally owned businesses and several art-focused shops. Now that we are back, we are starting to do some work in the house to prepare for reopening the first of March. We hope to see you here at the Habberstad House in 2018.

Our winter coats came in handy as a winter storm followed us to Tybee Island.

A find on the beach…a sand mermaid.

Our days were spent walking the beach, in search of shells and sanddollars.

The Savannah port is one of the top three in the country for ships coming and going.

It was a lot cooler in 2018 than in 2017 on Tybee Island. However, it was much warmer than Minnesota!

June 2017 Updates from 706 Fillmore Ave South

elaineandmark June 7, 2017 Comments Off

Summer is almost upon us and our busy season is well underway. We have been welcoming many new guests and several returning visitors to the Habberstad House Bed and Breakfast. Life is good.

On a personal note, Mark and I are grandparents for the first time. We are very excited about the newest member of our family who lives about three hours away. Close enough we can make quick visits.

Our Guests

This morning four women just checked out: two sisters in their 80s and their daughters. They were first time visitors to a B&B and to Lanesboro. They enjoyed an Amish tour, a visit to a local winery, and dinner at local restaurants. I think they liked the breakfasts too. Mona wanted to know how I got her recipe for rhubarb coffee cake. It is one that has been passed around this neighborhood for years.

Tour Groups

Yesterday we had about a dozen team members from Another Time Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Lanesboro tour our B&B. They were on a fun day, visiting local B&Bs and were also going on an Amish Tour. By being more familiar with local establishments, the staff can answer questions that many of the visitors to Lanesboro ask them. Kathy and Ron Kasten are the owners of the parlor and always take one day during the season to have a fun outing with their young staff.

Updates

We are continuing to make updates to the B&B. In the next couple of weeks, we will be replacing the deck flooring in the Scandinavian Suite and also some of the front porch flooring. Mark had to really research to find the right boards for the front porch. We will have to post a picture when we get that fixed. We have two new patio umbrellas on the property and lots and lots of flowers planted. Now if we can just keep ahead of the weeds.

We are also participating in the summer community theater production: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” If you are in Lanesboro the last two weekends in July, try and take in a performance.

Lanesboro Community Theater

Miles is up to his usual antics, sleeping and entertaining guests. Yesterday he got to sit on the porch swing with one of our guests for quite a while. Nothing like a spoiled Goldendoodle.

Lanesboro Inns Open Doors for Christmas Tour

elaineandmark October 20, 2016 Comments Off

Mark and I are excited for our first Christmas Inn tour here in Lanesboro. Set for the first Sunday of December, the tour will feature beautiful homes, seasonal decorations and holiday treats and entertainment.

The Habberstad House at Christmas.

Seven participating inns will be decorated for the holidays as Lanesboro area innkeepers welcome you to visit at this special time of year. Set for December 4 from 2 to 6 p.m., the tour will feature beautiful homes, seasonal decorations and holiday treats and entertainment.

Tickets for the tour are available through the Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce or 507-467-2696. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the tour. Those staying at participating inns will receive half-price admission to the tour.

Many Lanesboro downtown businesses and restaurants will be open the day of the tour for holiday shopping and enjoyment.

What Happened to Summer?

elaineandmark August 15, 2016 Comments Off

Really August? Are you half over already? Where did my summer go?

These are the “Not” things I am fretting about:

Not having enough time on my bicycle.
Not tubing down the river yet this year
Not enjoying enough of the music opportunities here in Lanesboro.
Not building our raised vegetable beds.
Not getting enough miles with Miles, the resident Goldendoodle.
Not attending yoga class. I have only made one class this summer (because it occurs during the breakfast hour!).

But wait. Let’s look at summer through the “glass half full” option.

Mark and I entertained fantastic guests this summer, most of them from here in Minnesota. But others from Singapore, England, Canada, California, New York, Connecticut, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Colorado, New Hampshire, North and South Dakota, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia. It could be I have missed a state or two in my roundup!
Mark and I enjoyed seeing The Commonweal Theatre’s productions of Three Musketeers and Souvenir this month.
I have read several outstanding books this summer, including “Me Before You,” “Bohemian Flats,” and “A Backpack, a Bear and Eight Crates of Vodka.” I am currently reading “Dear Committee Members” and “April 1865.”
We participated in Lanesboro’s Buffalo Bill Days parade, sold pies during the Art in the Park on Father’s Day Weekend, and also entered the baking contest during Rhubarb Festival.
We have seen many friends and family this summer in Lanesboro and are waiting the arrival of several others.
We learned how to make homemade strawberry jam. If only we had made more of this wonderful delicacy!
Mark is making dill pickles today. Beet pickles are on the order for tomorrow and sweet pickles later this week, using his mom’s super top secret recipe.
Mark loves to make pickles…sweet, beet, and dill.

Enough of the half over and the half full. I am going to make a goal of enjoying every minute of this glorious summer, until it gives way to fall.

Spring Flowers at the Habberstad House

elaineandmark May 14, 2016 Comments Off

Flowers abound here. Enjoy a virtual walk around the Habberstad House and see our spring flowers. It has been a cool week here in Lanesboro, with a potential frost tonight. The recent rains have provided much-needed moisture for a promising spring bonanza of blooms.

Guests Enjoy the Flowers and Gardens

We don’t have any of our annuals planted yet or our baskets or pots set out. But our perennials have not disappointed our visitors, with a wealth of colors and blossoms throughout the yard. Stone and brick paths lead visitors through the gardens.

Blues, yellows, purples and pink blossoms can be found along with luscious greenery. Thanks to our son, Nathan, for taking these photos for us.

New ferns on north side of house

Pretty pink flowering shrub

Flowers intermingled with rocks along the stone path.

A lone purple iris in the garden.

Beautiful pink blossoms on the crab apple tree in the gardens.

Our new brick path connects the Carriage House to the main walkway.

Purple and yellow Johnny JumpUps peak through in the garden.

Pretty little blossoms peak through.

Tiny little blue blossoms can be found in the south gardens.

Purple flowers from the south gardens

Little blue flowers along rock formations.

Precious bleeding heart blossoms.

Flowers line the stone path on the south side of the house.

Courtyard view of Habberstad House

Ferns, astilbe and hosts along with other plants in the shady perennial bed on the north side.

Finally, the New Website

elaineandmark February 25, 2016 Comments Off

Our website needed help. Since we purchased the Habberstad House last summer, we knew the website was in need of revision. A site that worked on mobile platforms is a necessity for small business owners. Also, we didn’t have direct access to post our own content.

Gail Rocks at Website Design!

Thanks to Gail at CaptureItWebDesign in Rochester, we are up and running with our new site. Mark and I wanted a site that was responsive and had visual appeal. We envisioned an easy-to-read website that told people what they need to know and answers their questions.

Photos are really critical to the website and I hope to replace and add new ones periodically. Since we’ve done some updates to the Rose Suite, we took some new photos. However, some of the winter snow is seen through the windows, so I hope to get new photos when everything turns green and blossoms in the spring.

We have a Blog!

And, having a blog on the site will help us more easily share content and our news.

We also recently updated our reservation system so it works on mobile friendly platforms. A lot of people try and book a room at the last minute or search online through their smart phones for a B&B.

We hope you enjoy browsing through out new site. Watch for specials to be added and new photos and content.

Learn more about Minnesota’s Bed and Breakfasts

elaineandmark February 1, 2016 Comments Off

The Habberstad House Bed and Breakfast is a member of the Minnesota Bed and Breakfast Association. Our membership helps to keep us updated on the latest industry trends and provides tips on improving our customer service. In addition, we are able to publicize local Lanesboro events or specials for our customers.

But what’s in it for you? Continue reading

2016 Season Just Days Away

elaineandmark January 28, 2016 Comments Off

Mark and I are excited for February. We open for the 2016 season on Valentine’s weekend, beginning Feb. 12.

If you are considering a break from winter and want to spend a night at the Habberstad House, check our room availability by going to our website. We would love to entertain you this winter. Continue reading

2015 Season Winding Down

elaineandmark December 10, 2015 Comments Off

We want to wish everyone a happy holiday season this year. It has been an honor hosting many guests in our home at 706 Fillmore Avenue in Lanesboro during 2015.

As we prepare for the 2016 season, we hope to make a few improvements at the Habberstad House. Continue reading

Breakfast Requests

elaineandmark August 9, 2015 Comments Off

Mark and I have mastered a few breakfasts, but need to expand our offerings. It is difficult to find the time to practice without our guests serving as official taste testers however.

Today’s disaster: the brownies weren’t done. I baked them in a different pan than I normally do, resulting in an under-baked brownie. That mistake won’t happen again. Our guests never knew that brownies were on the menu. Luckily they were thrilled with the fresh California peaches served during the first course, served with vanilla yogurt and homemade granola. Continue reading