Xmas 2009

Hi Peter,

Have been meaning to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay at Hawthorne but Christmas kept me from the computer!

The house was perfect. It was spacious yet cozy and well appointed with everything we needed. The views from the main room were spectacular.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Best of the season,

Jill

A great winter with lots of snow and wonderful guests.

Maureen from Western New York:

Hi Peter,

We just got home last night. We spent a couple of days at the Mirror Lake Inn after our kids left. We had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the house. We had a Superbowl party on Sunday and on Monday we had a game night. It was so relaxing and so much fun!

Thanks again for making your home so comfortable. We love it!!!

Attention: Exchange owners please view.....

This is a two part blog. One posting will only take five pictures, but I want to post more, so be sure to check out the posting after this one....thanks.

This one has some pics of bedrooms.......If you click on individual picture it will come full frame.

Attention: Exchange Owners, Please See!

I have recently joined a couple of house exchange clubs with the intention of finding a great vacation spot and exchanging houses with someone. A spot like Ireland or Florida, etc. I listed our blog as a place to check out so here are a few shots of the house. The light was so beautiful this sunny day in mid October. The house looks so warm and cozy......If you're interested in renting Hawthorne, I'm assuming the pics will have the same affect (plus read some of the posted blogs)

!!!YAH BAYBEE - WHATTA LIFE!!!

While the pressure is on to post a recap of our reunion last week - I find myself saying "what just happened?!!". Another month to remember would help - but here goes.

This year, the Sara(h)'s and DeeLite were accompanied by all the rest with The Dude leading the pack and the Latin Americans pulling up the rear. Needless to say - we all died trying to get in our daily 3 - not to mention our daily 'personality enhancements' wherever we could - on the boat, on the dock, at the pub, in the kitchen, on the dance floor...

We leave - weary eyed, soggy, lacking social skills, bloated, showing signs of TMJ from laughing so hard, searching for song #280, parched for another several Adirondack margs, craving scones from the Price Chopper, waiting to see if the Dude n Jane make the cut on Dancing with the Stars and who the "Star" will be, anxious for the next book to be called "The SaraFoster Lifestyle Handbook" so we can buy a case of 'em, wondering if Hank has recovered from his meltdown and overall - dying to return while Peter still has dish duty.

We cannot be more grateful and leave everyone with words for the wise..."DON'T FEED THE ANIMALS"!!

We partied like retired rock stars

Two of my brothers and their wives joined Sara and me ( and my daughter, Sam, and Sara's nephew, Patrick) for a week together in early July. Unbelievable meals and daily mini triathlons, plus cocktail hour, were the order of the days.....here's a photo record of the week.......what a place, what a life

The Hawthorne trees in bloom means summer '08 is on!

I couldn't resist taking these shots on a late day, May 31st. We planted five hawthorne trees the year we bought the house and they bloom at the same time as the White Lilacs. It signifies the start of sumer for us . The next key event is the first day of water skiing on Lake Placid....

Spring of '08...Mom and her kids have a great visit

Hi Peter,

I wanted to let you know that we left the Lake Placid house early this
morning. I left a note for the cleaners, did some laundry, took out the
trash, locked the door and hid the key.

My kids and I had a wonderful time and your house is just beautiful! I
just loved sitting and looking at all your artwork, furniture, bedding
and the little decorations in all the nooks and crannies. It inspired me
to come home and start looking for unique or vintage pieces that I could
possibly use in my house.

Thank you again,
Stefanie Shea

A happy guest from the winter of '08

----Original Message-----
From: klmfitz@comcast.net
To: psellersp@aol.com
Sent: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 8:41 am
Subject: Re: Hawthorne contract

Hi Peter

Just wanted to send you a note finally to say thanks so much for the use of your lovely home back in early March. We really had a wonderful time and reunion despite the weather and your home was truly a wonderful retreat to hang out in. The weather didn't bother us too much as we still went skiing, dog sledding and toured the Olympic village. We had a great time out at your friends' restaurant as well and all in all it was a great weekend away.

a guest report from the winter of '08

Peter

I was just going to sit down and write you a note

we had a fantastic time - your place is absolutely wonderful, homey, and so comfortable
to vacation in

the irony of it is that last year we rented the Birches - 2 beyond you - and we had a
great time there as well - but have to admit the Hawthorne was much more relaxing and
seemed more like home

my one grandson has some special needs and has a very hard time "vactioning" and not
being home - and after the first night he was calling it his "home" - he loved the den
downstairs and it was his special room

we had fun xc skiing and the kids went downhill skiing - no more of that for my husband
and I - we like walking on both legs

the shops in Placid are the best -

the fireworks on Saturday night were spectacular and we had the best seats and stayed
warm as well

my son raced in the Masters division of the Empire State Games (and he finished 5th) and
so that was fun as well

my daughter in law could not get over the cook books and the way the kitchen was equipped
- THEN - I discovered your wife's cookbook on the coffee table - it was very special to
read this and with reading the forward and acknowledgements, it was almost like we knew
you -

I certainly hope you and your family get the time to come up "north" and enjoy your
wonderful place

again - thanks so much for allowing us the opportunity to rent your home for these few
days

Carol