The Mae House

Notes On A Spring And Summer Calendar

Levelers were put on claw feet for the tub that has cost much more than I originally anticipated in time and patience. I was sent a photo of a gray sink running this afternoon, a particularly delightful scene to see. Water out of a spout. A sign of the last fixture, the last hurdle, the last of the last, until there is something else surely. But for now, as the floors were painted a fresh coat of shiny gray-ish white, as a sink skirt makes its way to my hands within minutes, and a rug will chug along the train, I am enjoying it. The not-so–but definitely is–done version of The Mae House has made its way.

Nicole, who is the point person for guests, as the house’s inn-keeper, recently shared a beautiful reel on instagram of bits and pieces of her four-day stay two weeks ago when construction dust still lingered in the air. In the video, hand-pinched coffee cups on vintage stools, dry lavender in locally purchased vases, several bouts of a hearty breeze on scarves as curtains during an unseasonably warm day, all filled the 60-second clip. My other friend, Claude (who visited a few days before Nicole), wrote this, 

“That’s exactly it. The Mae House feels so warm and familiar, like home.”

Tomorrow we will head up again in the evening so I can clean and style, as we gear up for a few exciting photo shoots. First official guests arrive a few weeks after. And spring break remains open for those who’d love to enjoy it.

We have yet to make the request form for the BIPOC residency live (The Mae House will give 3-5 night stays to a BIPOC between the transition of seasons), because we have already, surprisingly, said yes to two Black friends of friends who need a place between now and then. And yet there’s still abundance and opportunity. Officially, that form will be live in April (we will prioritize families), and who we pick from that request will stay as summer rings its glorious bell, and swimming holes call our bodies. And BIPOC who’d like to visit, but who can’t afford the full price of a stay, please do email nicole@themae.house to access a gentle scaled cost. 

In these final hours, I’ve been held up looking around and doing my best to believe in the reciprocity of rest and abundance. Of offerings and of making. We, I, we, have done so much in such a time. If I give, you give, and we sustain those that sustain us and so on. A form of a love ethic, embedded in a nearly two hundred year-old house that just feels so good. I like to think that that good feeling Claude wrote about, is because of the hands that thought of it and helped make it new. I know it isn’t much, but it is something these days. 

As of today, our spring and summer calendar is open to book for 3 or 7 night stays, any day of the week. In time, the raised beds will have vegetables for us to share, and the grill will crank from the kitchen window. Maybe you’ll join us and visit one of the local hikes, farms, shops, or my favorite vintage store or cafe. Or maybe, you’ll just rest on the couch while your children swing on the playroom swing. Either way, we’d love to host you. 

Tell a friend. Or bring them right this way before calendar books.

With love and gratitude,

L