Dear Honey Run Friends,
I have found that doing chores around the property — mowing the sheep field, splitting firewood, or building something — offers me relief from the daily stresses that come with running an inn. While I was mowing the new sheep pasture last week, the song from The Sound of Music titled “My Favorite Things” began playing in my head. As I hummed the tune, I began to think of my favorite things at The Inn at Honey Run.
The immediate first choice that came is the view. Every time I complete the mowing of the sheep pasture, I ride the mower up to the crest of the hill on the south end of the property along the blue trail and I orientate the mower to face east and I soak in the view. The photo above is what I see from the mower.
As I continued to enjoy the view I listened to the sounds of the country, hearing birds chirping, buggies traveling down the road with their clippity-clop, and tractors off in the distance working the land. I watched bluebirds swoop down to gather the next meal for their young and then retire to the watchful location on top of the nest. It is these simple pleasures that help bring me calm and allow me to appreciate all that is created.
I have never been much of an animal person but you would not know that by the animals I have surrounded myself with at Honey Run. Our sheep are certainly my favorite, but I have even grown to enjoy some outdoor kittens who moved in for the summer. We left some food outside for a stray mother cat this summer and she continued to hang around, and in early July, she had four kittens. It has been so enjoyable watching them explore, climb, and wrestle with each other. Our Chef just adopted one of them but we still have two left looking for a good home.
I have enjoyed the cooler temperatures this summer and I am excited for the upcoming fall color in the next few weeks. I can hardly believe that I am saying this but I am even excited for winter. I love Honey Run in the winter when the warm fireplaces are crackling and the entire area is covered in a fresh white blanket of snow. There is a silence that winter affords us in Amish Country that I believe everyone should experience for a couple of days.
The Inn at Honey Run truly encompasses many of my new found favorite things. It is in the quiet moments that I slow down and truly understand how much I have grown to love this property, our staff, and you, our guests. This humble 50 acres of land has been and continues to be a refuge of hope, joy, and serenity for thousands of people, including me. I am awestruck with the honor it carries and that I am a part of such a magical and restorative place.
Please help me continue adding to the list of my favorite things and let me know what your favorite things are about Honey Run. If you haven’t discovered them yet, I hope you will in the near future.
See you soon,
Jason
Jason,
I really enjoy your newsletter. I read every one you send. And I can’t help but feel wistful everytime I see that photograph taken from the balcony of a Honeycomb room with the two empty chairs and the binoculars. Thank you for giving me this glimpse into your life, and renewing my desire to come back and enjoy your hospitality once again.
Yours,
— Sharon D.
Even though it has been a while since we have stayed at the Inn, each visit is a pleasant memory. For me, the Inn allows me to step back and listen (or not listen to our noisy world). The accommodations, the food and service, and the wonderful property make up the perfect package for a getaway…a getaway that always feels too short. My favorite romantic getaway is in a honeycomb but a friends/family gathering is wonderful in the main inn. Thanks for all you do to welcome us.