What a difference a year makes. I can’t believe that a year ago right now we were starting to prepare ourselves for yet another shutdown. Now here we are, wrapping up arguably the busiest year we’ve ever had. And while there were a lot of headaches this last year, there’s certainly so much to be thankful for! In honor of Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a moment to reflect upon all the things that we are thankful for!
First and foremost, we couldn’t do what we do at Farmhouse without the most amazing team anywhere! Our Farmhouse family of superstars stuck with us through good times and bad times. The hospitality industry has been hit harder than just about any other industry through covid and the recovery has been challenging. Our amazing team came to work every day with a smile and a great attitude (even though most of us were working extra days and long hours). In fact, two of my long-term employees, Reyna Levaro my, head of housekeeping, and Teresa Latham, my head concierge, were both nominated for hotel employee of the year for the California hospitality Association representing all of the hospitality in the entire State of California! Wow, what an honor!!!
We’re also fortunate enough to have some new players join our team. In January Irisha Steele joined us as our fabulous new spa manager. She brings a wealth of creativity and knowledge with a keen interest in Wellness. She is an absolute delight and the spa is better than ever with a whole slew of amazing treatments and new wellness activities including singing bowl meditation which has been a huge hit with our guests. This September Matthew DeQuillien joined Farmhouse as our Hotel manager. Matthew brings a wealth of small boutique Hospitality experience and fine dining experience. He may be the only guy I’ve ever met who is more creative and Works harder than me!
We have some big plans for 2022 including reimagining the restaurant, renovating the cottages, upgrading our in-room amenity program, and lots of other little amazing touches! After two years of just getting by, it’s so fun to be back in a place where we can be creative thinking beyond just today.
I’m also thankful for all of our furry and feathery new friends. This year we brought chickens back to Farmhouse with four beautiful hens that are just now starting to lay eggs. We also had a large grey tabby join the family, we are affectionately calling him Charlie. He lives in a wine box in the lobby and is an absolute loaf – he couldn’t be a more perfect Farmhouse cat! We also, again this year, raised 32 heritage turkeys. This is our sixth year raising Bronze and Narraganset heritage turkeys for Thanksgiving. These majestic birds live a beautiful life, free-ranging on my ranch dining on all organic diet. It’s so important to know where your food comes from!
But I think the thing that we are most thankful for is our wonderful guests that have chosen to visit us again and again during these turbulent times. We couldn’t do what we do if it wasn’t for them and while there have been so many twists and turns this last year, universally we have been so fortunate to every day have the most amazing people come to our home. I’ve heard so many stories about experiences during the lockdown, about people getting sick and losing friends and loved ones, dark days that we all weathered. But out of this darkness has come light, and every day I meet guests that remind me of the power of travel. Their renewed commitment to living life to the fullest through good travel and great food and honoring those things that are important has inspired all of us here at Farmhouse to make sure every day we’re bringing our “A” game. So oddly, I’m thankful for all we’ve been through because I feel like I will forever be better from what I have learned through all this adversity.
From our family to yours we wish you the happiest of thanksgivings!
