March is Virginia Wine and Dine Month!

LOVE BY THE GLASS

This March treat your self to the perfect pairing as restaurants and wine shops accross the state celebrate love by the glass; Virginia Wine and Dine Month. Follow your heart to local flavor!

Love By The Glass: Virginia Wine & Dine Month
Combining the best of culinary traditions with elegant local wines and special tasting menus, Virginia Wine & Dine Month features Virginia wine by the glass at hundreds of participating restaurants and wine shops in Virginia during the month of March.

1. WINE TRAILS in VIRGINIA
2. WINERIES in VIRGINIA - WE HAVE OVER 200!
3. WINE EVENTS in VIRGINIA - like wine makers dinners, music, cooking classes and more!

Experience the beauty of Virginia from one of nearly 200 wineries where tasting rooms offer variety and medals are hung proudly. Taste to find the one you love.


From The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast - we recommend our wineries up on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Such as Chateau Morrisette Winery with it's 360 degree views and fine dining! Sunday Afternoons listen to live Jazz....visit their website for details on upcoming events!


Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

Yes, much better than last year's getaway

 HAS THIS HAPPENED TO YOU?

Last Year

Yes, much better than last year's getaway

Oh yeah this year...at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast

Take her some place special ~ Book your special getaway online 24/7 on our website www.ClaiborneHouse.net and we'll turn the lights down low, the A/C on high and you can snuggle under the soft linens.

One way or another

YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO VISIT VIRGINIA!

Source: witanddelight.tumblr.com via Deanna on Pinterest

Come on out and meet Virginia, she'll steal your heart!

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

Ideas for a Perfect Blue Ridge Day!

Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau shares this...

Win a free Blue Ridge Mountain Getaway

In the mood for a special trip to the Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge? There is still time to sign up for our Blue Ridge Mountain Getaway Sweepstakes. The winner of the sweepstakes will receive: 4 weekend passes to the Blue Ridge Bike Fest, 4 attractions passes valid for (10) regional attractions, $100 dining gift card to Corned Beef & Co., and up to two rooms for two nights at the Country Inn & Suites of Roanoke. Enter the sweepstakes here. And don't forget - everyone is a winner when taking advantage of the special offers and packages listed on our website.

The Luck of the Irish

As spring begins to fill the air, it's time to make plans for one of the Roanoke Valley's biggest parties, the St. Patrick's Day Celebration, which takes place during the weekend of March 16-18. Now in its 23rd year, the Roanoke St. Patrick's Day Celebration has become one of the premiere celebrations of Irish culture and heritage in the entire state of Virginia. Kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend festivities on Friday evening at the Jefferson Center by seeing Celtic Crossroads, an authentic and exciting Irish musical experience. Then, enjoy a Saturday morning breakfast or the St. Patrick's Day Brunch at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and find a spot in downtown Roanoke to enjoy the McDonald's St. Pat's Parade, scheduled to begin at 11:00am. Following the parade, spend the day downtown at the Celtic Festival experiencing the best of Irish culture, heritage, and toe-tapping fun with a variety of festivities the entire family will enjoy.

Let's go outside!
 If you've caught a case of cabin fever this winter, there is a grand frontier of outdoor adventures for you in Virginia's Blue Ridge. The Roanoke Valley offers over 22 miles of greenways, perfect for a jog, family bike ride, or leisurely walk. The greenways offer a unique opportunity to explore the valley's distinct neighborhoods, such as the historic downtown districts of Vinton and Salem. Additionally, Virginia's Blue Ridge features some of the best mountain biking in the country, including Carvins Cove Natural Reserve, the second largest municipal park in the nation. You can even experience some incredible fishing and other water adventures on the Upper James River and Smith Mountain Lake. Be sure to visit the Outdoor Adventures section of our website for helpful information and directions to the outdoor activities in Virginia's Blue Ridge.


and they add:

Request your Free Visitor's Guide Or, download a copy here. March Madness is coming... Harlem Globetrotters 2012 World Tour Roanoke Civic Center March 1 VHSL State Basketball Tournament Salem Civic Center March 2 & 4 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships Salem Civic Center March 16 & 17 MARK YOUR CALENDAR Broadway in Roanoke: Monty Python's Spamalot Roanoke Civic Center March 11 Elton John Roanoke Civic Center March 15 The SPRING Home Show - Better Living Expo Salem Civic Center March 23 - 25 Cirque du Soleil: Quidam Roanoke Civic Center March 28 - April 1 The Velveteen Rabbit, the Musical! Roanoke Children's Theatre March 29 - April 7 Roanoke Symphony Pops & KC and the Sunshine Band Salem Civic Center March 30 Collegiate Bass Tournament Smith Mountain Lake April 13 & 14 Blue Ridge Bike Fest Roanoke Civic Center April 13 - 15 Click here to see more events.

The Claiborne House is just a short drive from downtown Roanoke VA!  We are on the OTHER side of the Blue Ridge, the eastern foothills. Smith Mountain Lake is just up the road from us here in Franklin County Virginia

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.

This month we Celebrate 9 Years as Innkeepers

Time sure flies! 
But when I see our daughters who are part of this innkeeping team I can really see where we were and now are. For example, just today our eldest daughter received in the mail her Voter Card. Gulp, hold back tears... 

Claiborne House girls at nearby Fairy Stone State Park in 2004!

From our family to yours, we are thankful for the opportunity to serve you here at The Claiborne House. You all have made the journey worthwhile.

The Floyd Radio Show

THIS IS TOO MUCH FUN TO MISS!
Floyd Country Store said: Hey Folks! Just got the word that Wayne Henderson & Helen White will be joining us for the next Floyd Radio Show, along with Old Man Kelly and Jimmy Costa! It's gonna be a good one, get your tickets now! 
Floyd is about a 50 minute scenic drive from Rocky Mount. Tickets here.

Wordless Wednesday Aussie Style

HEY TRUE BLUE!

Bluegrass Gospel Sing this Weekend!

SING ALONG TO SOME HOMEGROWN BLUEGRASS GOSPEL THIS WEEKEND!

Harwell Grice Band listen to them on myspace here great pickin' and harmonies

Snowy little Rocky Mount

It snowed all day yesterday and into the night, it was just gorgeous! 
We have had no snow so this was actually a treat for us. But of course owning an inn it brings on extra stress with footpaths covered in snow and possibly icing up. Fortunately for us it will be 50 degrees today, and so far this morning everything is melting!

Tony clearing the footpath from the porch to the parking lot

GOT RUST?

ANTIQUE STORES IN ROCKY MOUNT

Franklin County Courthouse. Rocky Mount is the County Seat - visit this Confederate Soldier Statue as you wander on uptown to a couple nice antique shops. 

Uptown Rocky Mount near the Courthouse (just 3 blocks from the B&B)

'Lake Effects' to air on Hallmark Movie Channel in May

The movie, whose stars include Jane Seymour, was filmed at Smith Mountain Lake.


The wait is over -- "Lake Effects" officially has a home.

The movie, which was filmed and set at Smith Mountain Lake last year, will premiere on the Hallmark Movie Channel (HMC) Saturday, May 19 at 8 p.m. The film will air several times over the two weeks following the premiere.

Virginia is for loafers

You better believe it!

Picnic by a waterfall (you can order this picnic and secret location from the B&B)

Fly fishin' the Pigg

Quiet time by The Claiborne House ponds

Skipping stones at a nearby lake

All images above taken by your innkeeper Shellie who wants you to get outside and loaf.

We have plenty of ways to help you loaf!

Life is too short for bad coffee...Shellie your innkeeper @ The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount, VA - Blue Ridge Country! You can book your room online at any time right here http://www.claibornehouse.net/

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is 15 miles to three exits off The Blue Ridge Parkway.  We are located at the half-way point of this beloved road in Virginia, exit at MP 121.  We were awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor - click here to see our certificate.