that I got to work with such amazing people .” Kaelan has since paid the kindness of the locally-based craftspeople forward in his local community by offering to rebuild a wall at the gym where he works out in Bellows Falls . “ When someone accidentally punched a big hole in the wall , I offered to step in and help with the drywalling free of charge . Here in Vermont , people really seem to help each other out , and that ’ s one of the things that I love most about living here .”
Heartfelt Hospitality
In addition to the renovation , each of the six guest rooms and inviting common areas at the Harvest Barn Inn underwent meticulous decorative updates . The Yen Smiths ’ attention to detail is evident in every corner . Notable highlights include carefully curated antique furniture pieces from Windham Antique Center in Bellows
Falls and The Big Red Barn in Westminster - and exquisite ceramics crafted by Blessing herself . The result is a harmonious space that welcomes travelers who seek to indulge in the beauty of Vermont ’ s past and present . “ I ’ m looking forward to building a ceramics studio here in the near future ,” she adds . “ It ’ s such a place-based practice and a great way to connect with both the land and the creative community .”
Walking through the front doors of the Harvest Barn Inn from the front porch , guests are greeted by a dining room with a long , wooden table , which serves as a communal gathering space during the breakfast hour . Directly to the right , a cozy living room provides an ideal setting for visiting guests to relax and unwind . Blessing proudly channels her culinary prowess into the Harvest Barn Inn ’ s breakfast program , creating tasty dishes that warm the soul . She crafts delicacies
that marry traditional Vermont favorites with her California roots and the Angeleno influences she grew up with . Guests are treated to delightful , ever-changing plates that often feature favorite Green Mountain standbys , such as Vermont cheddar and maple syrup . She also brings in other cultural traditions , like shakshuka or the sweet buns of a Hong Kong-style cafe . “ I ’ d like to continue to build a plantforward menu that celebrates seasonality , hyper-locality , and the stuff that thrives in the unique ecologies of Southern Vermont ,” says Blessing . “ We ’ re also excited about experimenting with things like aperitivo and special dinners like an outdoor summer solstice feast in the future .”
The Yen Smiths have also created a versatile event space . They ’ ve hosted scrapbooking weekends and meditation retreats , and last winter held a banquet for the Timber Framers Guild of America ,
Stratton . Bromley . Magic . Okemo
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