22 Years of Travel Experiences Creates a Special Retreat for the Business Traveller!
November 30, 2010
In 22 years I travelled throughout British Columbia from Vancouver to 25 different cities. My job was Employee Relations Officer for a Crown Corporation.
I was passionate about my job, my Clients and all the cities I visited each week.
Traveling around the Province on a few days notice was very expensive and I worked hard to maximize my time and to see as many clients as possible.
Working and travelling on the road is much harder that one realizes. First there is loss of connection to home. Then there is the uncertainty of travel due to uncontrollable circumstances such as weather, mechanical problems, flight schedules, especially in the North and East parts of British Columbia.
Some of the difficulties of travelling that we all experience are missing our family and friends very much, our comfortable bed and healthy home cooked meals to name a few.
I always felt very tired when I got home because the typical hotel beds, mattresses and pillows for example were seldom comfortable.
Sometimes it took me days to catch on my sleep or to get over the allergies of the cleaning chemicals and fire retardants that were regularly used in the hotel/motel rooms in which I stayed in every week.
During the 22 years I was always re- designing the rooms I stayed in.
In my imagination: I would put in fresh flowers or fresh greens in my room; there was always well ironed, 100% cotton sheets to slide into; comfortable mattresses, without squeaky springs or lumps; real art from local artists; luxurious robes and towels; a small guest pantry so I could make a tea /coffee or hot chocolate in my room; a library of books or magazines to read.
There was always a window, to open, for fresh air; the water was filtered and tasty, so I could stay hydrated and healthy; natural cleaning products that left my room fresh and relaxing.
And because I wanted to stay healthy and focused on my Clients. So, in my imagination I created gourmand breakfast menus that appealed to all the senses with beautiful china and silver service.
In my imagination: I would create a special place for all travellers, especially the Business Traveller. I imagined that my Inn would pamper each Guest and that he/she would be surrounded with beauty, luxury, and wellness products to heal the body and relax the mind.
I imagined organic food prepared with love and to fit each Guest’s dietary preference or constraints.
A place where Guests can truly relax, have a deep sound sleep, drink pure water, breathe clean air inside the room, walk the garden, eat seasonal berries from the garden, go for long walks and relax in a outdoor hot tub with a view of the sky.
All of the above and much more has been created at Dancing Firs!
I want my guests to enjoy this unique property.
To feel at peace and to wake up feeling well rested and refreshed to take on the day. But most of all I want my Guests to feel good when they get home because they have travelled well.
Our motto at Dancing Firs is ” Live Well and Travel Well!”
Breakfast Like A King!
November 27, 2010
At Dancing Firs we see our Guests as Royalty! To be nurtured and pampered!!
Cooking breakfast is an art and a science. To me it is the most important meal of the day because our blood sugar is low and the body needs whole foods to start the day in the right way.
Our breakfasts are designed with the King/Queen in mind.
The food has to be fresh and of high quality, mostly organically grown, from our local Fraser Valley. As well when it is necessary we get organic produce from the Okanagan Valley, Washington, Oregon and California.
I am crazy about Fruits, Nuts and Mushrooms for their delicious taste, eye appeal and healing qualities.
As well, I like vegetables, the brighter the color the better the taste. I am constantly experimenting with food combining on the Dancing Firs Breakfast Menu.
In developing the Dancing Firs Breakfast Menu I want to please the King’s/Queen’s taste buds and to offer a nutritious and healing food combinations.
For example I love to cook with:
Almonds – brain food, lowers bad cholesterol levels, etc; *
Walnuts – brain food, conquers cholesterol, lifts mood, protects the heart, etc; *
Apples – keeps the doctor away, and much, much more; *
Coconut - the coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, etc; *
Melons - very high in beta carotene content, abundant in potassium, etc; *
Shitake Mushrooms – has viral and immunity-boosting properties, provide high levels of vitamins and essential amino acids, etc; *
Eggs – a good supply of Chlorine , a nutrient for good health, a good source of protein, phosphorous, vitamin A, vitamin B5, and vitamin D, etc. *
Squash – has influences on the spleen, stomach and it helps in reducing inflammation, etc; *
and many more tasty and nutritious ingredients.
Our King’s breakfast features sweet or savory treats freshly prepared with love and to the King’s palate. To quote Our King Hugh and Queen Mary “FABOULOUS BREAKFAST! (their caps) Thank you Mary for the extra special treat of fried tomatoes. You are the Best!”
On the sweet side our menu features are: 1) Oven Baked Fresh Apple and Almond Pancake sweetened with Organic Maple Syrup; 2) Maple Walnut Crepes with our own Preserved Pear Halves; 3) Baked Ricotta Crepes with Blueberry Compote.
The Savory menu features are: 1) Shitake Mushroom Frittata with Mango Salsa; 2) Dancing Firs Sausage or Veggie Strata; 3) ‘The Firs’ Root & Squash Latkes, with Sour Cream.
On the lighter side we have Fruit Smoothies with Nikken’s Body Balance – Vegetable Protein Meal Replacement Mix-, for great energy all morning and it tastes great with Bluberries.
In the summer months I preserve fruits and jams/jellies with organic sugar and alkaline water for great taste and good nutritional value for my King/Queen. My preserves are featured in fruit salads and condiments. And, as a meal with Yogurt or Cottage Cheese and toast.
Breakfast is served on our ‘King’s/Queen’s time frame’ anywhere between 7:00 am to Noon, in the comfort of their suite, in bed, the dining table, or on a sunny day on the deck/patio.
As well, the ‘Guest Pantry” is stocked with organic juices, organic coffee and teas, milks (cow, goat, almond & soy) and seasonal fruits, for a relaxing drink of fresh fruit snack as soon as the King/Queens wakes up.
Our ‘Royal Guests’ are very special and Dancing Firs offers a Wellness environment with great Air, Sleep, Water, and the Breakfast is the perfect complement to our Wellness Philosophy. We are constantly studying the latest nutritional literature and creating new items on the menu and enhancing the old favourites
Our King’s breakfast is cooked with love, has great eye appeal and tastes delicious. To quote our Royal Guests, Andy and Julie,”‘Breakfast time was a highlight of the day”.
*Encyclopedia of Whole Food Medicine Vol II by Don Tolman
Why I Love Being An Innkeeper
November 15, 2010
I have been running Dancing Firs for over 5 years. In that time I’ve served over 450 guests. Today I’ve been thinking about those guests and asking myself, “Why Do I Love It So Much?”
My first “Why” is sharing this beautiful property with some amazing people from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. From the USA; Arizona, California, Florida, Oklahoma, Oregon, Nebraska, New York, Texas and Washington State. From the rest of the world, Australia, China, England, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, Shetland Islands, Scotland, Switzerland, Taiwan and Turkey.
For me Dancing Firs is a sacred space and I thank God everyday for the blessing of living here. That is “Why” I get such a thrill when I see my guest’s eyes widen and they say; “Wow, this is beautiful and so peaceful” or ” the pictures don’t do this property justice”, as one local business man recently said upon arrival.
But my two favourites are: what Denise from Edmonton said: ” This property is scrumptious” and about every 5th/6th Guest says; “We just do not want to go home.” That gives me joy and makes the long hours worthwhile.
One guest from Quebec said, when he stood in the lower gardens, “Who designed the gardens? I feel that I am standing on the bow of a great cruise liner”.
Other comments such as these are numerous from my guests. It pleases me a great deal that they notice the attention to detail and that they appreciate the love that has gone into creating this Sanctuary.
Another Big “Why” is that I feel there is very little pampering in world these days.
I absolutely love to Pamper My Guests!
I always prepare the food that I cook with love and with the person in mind. Before my Guests arrive I know what dietary likes, dislikes and restrictions they may have, so that they will be nourished well.
I always prepare a healthy and delicious “King’s Breakfast” which appeals to all the senses. This is delivered to the guest’s suite, so if they wish,they can eat breakfast in bed or inside or outside on the deck, in their robes.
Each Guest pantry is stocked with organic and locally produced food, organic juices, seasonal fruits, condiments, spices, organic coffee and tea, etc. This way my guests can have a snack or a drink any time they wish.
As well, every time I make a special Bosnian Dish, or Chicken Soup or Chocolate Chip Cookies I share these delights with my Guests. On very special occasions, I have hired one of the Local Chefs to cook an Anniversary or Birthday lunch or dinner for my Guests.
Another way I love to pamper my guests is to offer a luxurious and healthy environment. I had each suite professional designed for total comfort and relaxation. I wanted to create a “Home Away From Home” for my Guests because when I travelled for business, I missed my home so much.
For me pampering also means sharing my wellness techniques with my Guests. In 2004 I had a profound product experience to help heal a very painful bruise on my hip, from a Japanese Wellness Company, called Nikken. I discovered that Nikken Wellness Philosophy is based on 5 Pillars of Health; A Healthy Body, Mind, Family, Society and Finances, which is also in line with my belief system.
Within a two year period I equipped each suite with all the “Nikken Technologies” to help my Guests with any aches or pains, they may have from travelling. And, at the same time to introduce them to a great sleep, pure water and rejuvenating air. This gave Dancing Firs the coveted “Nikken Wellness Home Designation.”
I love to hear comments like ” I have never slept this well in my whole life”, “I had a great relaxing sleep” and “this water tastes so great” as my Guest from Quebec said the other day.
For me “Being an Innkeeper” is a labour of love, I get to share my blessings with others. I get to share my passions for WELLNESS with my Guests. And, I can use my cooking, canning, cleaning, decorating, garden design and flower arranging skills to pamper and nurture my Guests.
I delight in making my Guests experience at Dancing Firs as enjoyable as possible! That is why I love being an Innkeeper so much!
Hope to see you soon!
- Read reviews of Dancing Firs Bed and Breakfast
Renovations Were More That I Bargained For
November 9, 2010
In my last post I recalled the events that led to the founding of Dancing Firs. Today I’ll share with you some of my reminiscences on my renovation challenges.
You may recall Donald and I were living in two side by side bungalows. The first challenge was how to turn one suite into three, while at the same time retaining one of the units as my home.
The next challenge was roof integration. One of the bungalows had a flat roof. The other was a regular hip roof. In my mind this was very unattractive. So the challenge was how to integrate the two.
My next step was to hire an architect. Her and I meet many times to discuss how improve the aesthetics of my roof. Her biggest problem was that the flat roof was over 2 feet lower. Regardless she submitted drawings to the roofing company. The roofers were actually quite good and had suggestions on how to accomplish what I wanted in an easier way.
But it seems there was a bigger problem.
Once the roofers got on top and had a thorough look they concluded that there was so much rot that the roofs of both units had to be removed and replaced at a much higher cost than I budgeted for.
Once I realized that this was going to be a major undertaking and not just a matter of fixing a roof, I thought to myself, ‘I might as well’ change the front entry, add 1000 sq feet, put new windows in, demolish the old garage, build an attached garage, add a hot tub, build new decks, build a new courtyard and a cistern to collect the rain water from the roof, and a add new driveway.
In addition the City of White Rock building department wanted me to bring the 62 year building to the present building code. Finally all the walls, wiring and plumbing had to be replaced.
“Whew!!!”, — it makes me exhausted just thinking about it.
The good news is all of it has been done and my guests can now enjoy the aesthetic appeal of these enhancements. On this website you will see numerous pictures where the fruits of my labour are presented.
I hope to see you soon!
The Story Of How Dancing Firs Began
November 8, 2010
One of my recent Guests was intrigued at how Dancing Firs came about. It has been a while since I thought about the major events that happened in two and a half years that turned my life upside down and thus into creating Dancing Firs. In today’s post I will share with you the story of it’s beginning.
In January, 2002 my job, as the Staff Relations Officer, in BCAA in Ladner, BC was down sized. I was devastated, so much so that I went home and cried for the whole weekend. This was my second major loss in 2.5 years. I lost my Husband Donald, two years earlier. At the time I was living in the home we shared for almost 10 years, two side by side small white stucco bungalows. Our property sits on the bluff overlooking Semihamoo Bay and the USA San Juan Islands in White Rock, BC. This Sea Side Community is 45 minutes South of Vancouver, BC and about 2 hours North of Seattle, Washington State.
Once I calmed down and could think straight again, I recalled my big dream which Donald and I discussed many times. My dream was to turn one of the bungalows into a B&B. Donald’s response was “Kate, keep on dreaming but never give up your day job”.
Now that my “Day Job” was gone, I started to dream again. If I built a Wellness B&B then my dream would come true. In an instant I knew the perfect name for my B&B, “Dancing Firs”. Years earlier Donald decided to call our little Heaven “Dancing Firs”.
On our property we have 18 tall Fir Trees which put on a dance show whenever the winds blow out of the Pacific Ocean. He used to say “Mary, look at those firs dancing”.
Now all I needed was to pull together the funds to do the renovations needed to develop 3 independent suites. Renovations started in September 2003 and the 3rd suite was completed in June 2008.
My first booking was on August 22, 2004. A lovely couple from Oregon. They had booked a weeks holiday in a B&B, on a horse ranch, on Salt Spring Island. White Rock/Dancing Firs was a perfect place to stay and play for a day, while on route to the Island. Dancing Firs is only 20 minutes from the Tsawwassen Ferry to Vancouver Island. I informed them that as my very First Guests they would get a special rate. In appreciation they gave me a beautiful book.
After they left it occurred to me that August 22nd was important for another reason. It was the same day in 1958 that our Family arrived in Canada from Bosnia. I thought it was a good omen!
A few weeks later I got a nice thank you note. They were kind enough to remark that the B&B they stayed at paled in comparison to Dancing Firs.
I was very pleased to hear such a compliment. It gave me the confidence needed to continue living my dream; to have a world class B&B which focuses on beauty, luxury and wellness, so that my Guests can have a home away from home, to relax, refresh, recharge and rejuvenate!
Take the video tour and you’ll know why!
