The First Snow of WInter 2007

Originally uploaded by darbyfieldinn.

Wow! We asked for it, we got it…8 – 12 inches of the white stuff fell this Monday, making for a nice start to the winter season. We have started sleigh rides here at the Inn and we’re getting ready to bring out the snowshoes and cross country skis, too. This weekend is also the famous Christmas Cookie Tour , which involves a lot of fun AND sugar.

The New Mr. and Mrs. StansfieldOriginally uploaded by darbyfieldinn. Ronald Stansfield and Maggie Darden travelled here from Rhode Island to tie the knot on our back patio, with family and her daughter witnessing the ceremony. We got some great photos, and they enjoyed the Shackford Suite, one of our deluxe rooms, and dinner later that evening. We wish them the best of luck and hope to see them for future anniversaries!

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. SagerOriginally uploaded by darbyfieldinn.

Meet Jennifer Brown and Eric Sager – they arrived as two people and left as a married couple. Jennifer thought she wanted to have her ceremony in our award-winning gardens, however, there were no pictures of them on our website. She was nervous until she saw that the flowers are truely beautiful! I chose this picture from their wedding because it’s a great shot of them, and also to show others that the garden is a wonderful backdrop! Jennifer, Eric and their friends were great and very patient with me, which I appreciate…we wish them all the best married life has to offer!

They Did It!Originally uploaded by darbyfieldinn.

Amee and Brian came to stay at the Darby Field Inn for their elopement. They exchanged their vows in front of innkeeper and justice of the peace, Marc Donaldson, and were very patient while I took tons of photos! They had a great time during their three days here, getting tandem massages before the ceremony, a champagne toast and dinner that evening. They were a very photogenic couple; you can view more of their pictures in the wedding section of our photo gallery on the main page of our website. Thank you for sharing, Amee and Brian, and we wish you two all the best!

Here Comes the Bride!Originally uploaded by darbyfieldinn.

Amy Elkes was married to Nathan Simon on June 2, 2006. We love hosting small weddings here at the Inn…Amy was a beautiful bride and Nathan a handsome groom! Their ceremony went off without a hitch, even though storm clouds forced us to move the wedding under a tent. Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. Simon! We all wish you the best!

Changing of the Seasons:

We are celebrating the end of another season here at the Darby. The last two sleigh rides went out on Thursday, March 22nd…the first full day of spring, coincidentally. The Smiths, of Rochester, New Hampshire, were celebrating an anniversary here at the Darby with the dinner and sleigh ride package (purchased for them by their adult children…) and the Savages were staying here at the Inn, from Merrimack, New Hampshire.
The end of snow officially begins an often dreaded season, mud season! While some people play in it, and the flowers live for it, we use it as an excuse to reflect on the past season, take a deep breath, and prepare for the next one. Kim, Beth and Spike are taking a well-deserved rest before carriage rides start up (keep an eye out for new carriage offerings later this spring…), Marc and Maria (the innkeepers) are taking a little vacation, and Faye is getting ready to work her magic in our award-winning gardens, again. We’ll be following her progress this year, so keep checking back to watch our flowers (and vegetables) grow. I’ll also be passing on gardening hints I pick up while helping her out, here and there. Just a reminder:

We still have some great specials going on, so keep an eye on the Last Minute Special page on our website. Do you want to be a spring bride? We’ve created a new page for elopements and intimate ceremonies that is worth a look. Golfers, please note our new midweek golf special, and for those who just love a great deal, our Spring is in the Air package is for you! Until next time, Enjoy Spring and watch out for the Mud!

Congratulations, Kim and Charlie!

Another aspect of life here at the Inn, are the events that do not require you to step outside our doors. Our suites seem to provide such a romantic environment that we sometimes don’t see guests after check in ’til check out (we won’t tell…). Many people get engaged here, whether in public (carriage/sleigh rides, dinner, in front of the fireplace…), or in private. Sometimes we are actively involved (supplying ambiance, champagne, special desserts…) and sometimes we only hear about it afterwards. There are at least twenty engagements that take place here per year, that we know of. It is always special when we get to see our friends follow through with the wedding, as Kim and Charlie did last Thursday evening.

Joined by their best friends, Rick and Gena, they stood before Marc (our Innkeeper, also a Justice of the Peace) and exchanged vows in front of a roaring fire, as the sun set behind the mountains. You couldn’t ask for better special effects! Since Rick and Charlie are old-school pranksters, there were some jokes during and after the ceremony, all of which were taken in stride by Kim (she is so easy-going!). After the ceremony, everyone relaxed for a few in the tavern, then were seated in the dining room for their wedding meal.

If you have been thinking about either eloping or having a more intimate wedding, click here to see the different options we have here at the Inn ( http://www.darbyfield.com/weddings.htm ).If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for, give us a call, we’re always open to new ideas.

Thanks again for sharing, Charlie & Kim! Best of Luck to you both, and send us a postcard from the honeymoon!

More News From the Darby Field Inn…

2) You Can Stay Out Late(r)! No five o’ clock shadows here! Play all day…about the time you’re ready for dinner (6pm), you can still catch the sunset from our dining room.

3) Who Turned The Heat Up? Temperatures have been ideal. Just cold enough the snow doesn’t melt, just warm enough you can enjoy the sun on your face without 20lbs of clothes! Who says March enters like a Lion? We’re all outside, taking advantage of some “wooly” great weather!

Here at the Darby, our snowshoe and cross country ski trails are groomed and ready to go! Bring your own equipment and use them for FREE! New to these sports? $5.00 a day will buy you the use of Inn snowshoes and/or skis all day long – maybe you’ll find a new reason to love winter! We’ve got almost 10km of trails, so make sure and take advantage of our Full Country Breakfast so you have enough fuel to make it through the day! Check out our website (www.darbyfield.com) for our most recent last minute special. We change it every couple of weeks, giving you yet another reason to plan a spur of the moment getaway. Hope to see you soon!

After squeaking by with just enough snow to run the sleighs, Valentine’s Day brought what we needed …SNOW! While many people rushed to postpone their dinner reservations, those with sleigh rides booked braved the elements for a romantic, snowy ride straight out of a Currier & Ives painting!

Of course, Spike is a well known fixture around here, known for having his own distinct personality. Its difficult to tell which he enjoys more – pulling guests in the sleigh, or hamming it up with them in front of the camera!

Vacation week was busy, and is now winding down, but there’s more winter fun in store. The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (mtwashingtonvalley.org) is hosting a Winter Festival for ten days in the village of North Conway. There are tons of activities to get involved in all day long. Some are free, some require a small fee, but are worthwhile. And we all know the best way to unwind after a busy day of running around looking at exhibits, or shopping… putting your feet up in front of a roaring fire after having a wonderful meal in our dining room!

We have some of the nicest cross country skiing and snow shoeing trails in the valley! Did I tell you they are private and for our guests only. Marc (he’s the innkeeper for those that don’t know) is testament for the conditions out here in the back country… they are incredible!

Many guests have been out today and have raved about the magnificent view from the top of the hill. It’s so peaceful and quiet on the trails they explain to us. A fox was seen scampering across the field. Oh, it’s good to have the snow!! Thank you mother nature.