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Cinnamon Mornings and Chocolate Dreams

Whether you're hosting a formal get-together or need a quick brunch idea, this book will spark your imagination and your appetite.

FALLing In Love With Oklahoma

October 2011

Fall is my favorite season and where better to begin this special time than in lovely Oklahoma where I attended the OKBBA association meeting September 25-26, 2011. The leaves were just beginning to take on color the air was fresh and Oklahoma City was beautiful - bursting with galleries and several great museums - I especially enjoyed the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum with its terrific exhibits so evocative of frontier life.

Sunflowers and zinnias blazed at the Rusty Gables Guest Lodge and Gallery where we stayed and kicked off the event with my opening talk on Rural Tourism and Increasing Guests delivered in the inns haute rustic new barn and segued into a fabulous Southwest themed dinner and and accompanied by fine Montana wines.

My hosts Sam and Don were in full swing with their horse operation - Sam was out of town competing for an equestrian event - he returned victorious Tuesday night in time for a gorgeous Oklahoma sunset.

We had a great discussion over a working lunch at the Oklahoma Technology Center-the topic how B&B associations benefit members and ways to increase those benefits - we will be posting an article synopsizing these soon.

One inn I toured on this trip has a great idea for an easy seasonal up date. Painting one wall of the large entry /welcome area in a seasonal color using low VOC paints - love it! Some shades to try: Benjamin Moore's Mandarin Orange in a medium or high glossor Behr Paint's Sweet Mandarin in a flat finish. Add some dark wood pieces and autumnal accents-presto instant Fall drama!

I absolutely love Southwestern style especially with a twist...hope you enjoy these photos from my trip to Oklahoma City then by train to Ft Worth paralleling the famed Chisholm Trail...a little tamer today than in the cowboy days but still thrilling!

Best wishes!

Pamela

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