Happy Valentine's Day

After months of go-go-go, the husband and I were in serious need of some downtime to reconnect. So my darling husband planned a secret Valentine's/Birthday weekend getaway. He told me only that we were going somewhere "historical" and three hours away. Given that we live in DC, that leaves quite a few options--I was thinking Philadelphia, Williamsburg, or Harper's Ferry. But I was blissfully and completely wrong.

Three hours away from DC, tucked in the Shenandoah Valley, lies a stunningly beautiful, cozy, romantic, charming, peaceful place in the middle of nowhere called the William Cox Inn. The website does not come even close to doing it justice. Tom and Janet, the fantastic physicians-turned innkeepers, have transformed a home built in 1770 (by the infamous William Cox) into a lovely B&B that retains its historical character with all the necessary modern conveniences. They have thought of every single detail, down to a 1700s-era book on how to be a thrifty housewife on the dresser in our room (remember to wash your teeth with clean water every day, and to mend the socks before they tear--a stich in time saves nine). We slept in the tiny original bedroom, burned a fire in the original stone fireplace, and ate all-natural food entirely produced in the on-site garden and surrounding area farms, just as it would have been in the 1700s (but we thankfully did have indoor plumbing).

As the other details of the Valentine's Day weekend fall within the marital privilege, you get to read all about the food instead--and the details here just have to be relayed. Janet, a culinary genius, served a romantic four-course Valentine's dinner and the two most amazing breakfasts I have ever tasted. The food just kept coming and coming... On Friday evening we were greeted with a hot pot of all-natural tea and homemade scones, followed by local pear port and organic chocolate. Breakfast the next morning, served in the original 1770 dining room, consisted of baked local pears with nuts and cinnammon, blue-ribbon-winning light-as-air biscuits with fresh butter and homemade jam, local organic grain hot cereal (Ankur ate both of those), homemade oatmeal pancakes, and apple and cheddar omlettes made from eggs gathered that morning from the many free-range chickens roaming the property. A long walk with their two Golden Retrievers along the river on the beautiful property was necessary just so that we could make room for dinner. Speaking of, for V-day dinner, we devoured a hearty pumpkin stew, heart-shaped goat cheese ravioli, winter salad with dried cranberries, apple-stuffed free-range chicken, and a trio of romantic desserts--bread pudding, chocolate cake, chocolate-covered pears, and homemade coffee ice cream. And our (sad) parting breakfast was baked local apples, more of the scrumptious homemade biscuits, scrambled eggs with fresh cheese, and ginormous waffles. My mouth is watering just typing about it.

Our time at the William Cox Inn was full of amazing food for the stomach and for the soul. It was wonderful to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend time reconnecting with each other. Make your reservations today, and tell Tom and Janet that we sent you!