Ashford Acres Inn

Behind the Scenes Bridal - Bridal Hospitality

Sat, 02 May 2026 14:11:08 GMT

"It may be no surprise to some, but the parts of wedding planning I have found sweetest, are those you can only do as the bride herself."

After spending my early career planning for other brides, seeing their vision come to life, and executing two seasons of Ashford weddings, my own big day has been highly anticipated. Though I have loved it all - the vendor bookings & connection, design of the space I’m working with, and the logistical planning of timelines, layouts, and more; I have found myself falling most in love with all things “Behind the Scenes Bridal”.

It may be no surprise to some, but the parts of wedding planning I have found sweetest, are those you can only do as the bride herself. Hence the beginning of my new blog series, Behind the Scenes Bridal!

In today’s blog post, I want to write about the element I’ve found most inspirational in my personal life, and that is Bridal Hospitality.

Hospitality, as defined by Oxford, is “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers,”. In your bridal season, it is commonly understood that you are to be the one on the receiving end, most often, of hospitality (whether this be bridal showers, bachelorette parties, Rehearsal Dinners, and, the Wedding Day). I, for one, am here to make the statement that being a bride has inspired much more hospitality provision, rather than reception - more so than in any other season of my life.

Aren’t we, in fact, inviting others into our love stories (the most intimate parts about ourselves), in being a bride? What a humbling, and exciting, opportunity! Today, I want to cover several avenues for Bridal Hospitality, how that has looked for me, and how it can be custom to your unforgettable engagement.

Tradition

Though “tradition” can be received with negative connotation, there is something incredibly, deeply, special about the traditions held in bridal customs. It is wildly rare to see a version of the same thing existing for countless generations and cultures, but for weddings, that is the reality!

I have leaned into tradition in several areas in my Wedding Planning, and have found myself more in touch with the women and wives in my life, and the little girl version of Olivia, who dreamt of this day 20 years ago.

One custom I hope to never see fade is that of hostess gifts. Hostess gifts are more than a mere obligation, but an opportunity to thank the women who are celebrating you in this season. For my own recent bridal shower, the theme was “Feather Her Nest”, with all things avian sprinkled throughout the day. As my hostess gift to my mother, grandmother, and three aunts, I gifted them a Le Creuset Pie Bird.

This Pie Bird, accompanied by a handwritten card, is a small gift to give to 5 of the most influential women in my life, however, it was the perfect sentiment to express gratitude. Each of them are homemakers, and this “traditional” kitchen tool felt like the perfect punctuation of hospitality on a splendid day.

At my bridal shower, I was able to wear my great grandmother, Norma’s, (clip-on) pearl earrings! Call them traditional, but it’s hard to find anything more bridal than pearl accessories.

Reinvention

One of the elements that stands out most to be about Ashford Acres is its ability to reinvent itself, day in and day out, after more than 300 distinctly different weddings have been hosted on site.

With that being said, there are hundreds of unique ways to reinvent Bridal Tradition to fit you, your story, and your day. These next two reinvented elements are part of my Wedding Day, actually, that I am thrilled to share.

One reinvention is that of the First Look/Private Vow Ceremony, which my fiance and I are taking a unique spin on. It was important to me to have our closest people hear our vows and hold us accountable to them, however, I was not prepared to do so in front of 200+ guests. For that reason, he and I are hosting (if you will) a private vow ceremony before guests arrive, with only our Wedding Party, and parents. In this way, we are welcoming our most cherished guests into the day by hearing our commitments to one another.

Another reinvention will be our concept of a Memory Table. I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to honor our loved ones, whose shoulders we stand on, as we step into marriage. Rather than wedding photos, though precious, I am framing love letters and cards between the married couples in our family, in order to highlight their stories. Sourcing these letters has been the sweetest way to connect with my grandparents and parents, and see them as just kids, who once too, fell in love. I was moved to tears when my grandmother sent me her letter of choice, which followed my grandfather being drafted to the Vietnam War. Though they may not all be read, I will treasure the time spent being invited into their love stories.

Customization

In today’s era of personalization, the possibilities are truly endless for gifting! However, bridal gifting, in some ways, can lean towards wasteful, as trends come and go, and women are consistently gifted bridesmaid “proposal” gifts, bachelorette gifts, and wedding day gifts.

My Bachelorette Trip took place in Florida, and because of that, I gifted each lady a monogrammed beach towel, which can go with them for years to come. Each of these, also, came with a list of my favorite things about each woman who joined the trip!

Conclusion:

With less than 75 days out from my wedding, these moments of hospitality are coming to an end. However, I am so humbled by the love I have been on the receiving end of during this season of life, and that is something I will carry with me through life. Hospitality is, after all, a posture of a person.

In a book that truly changed my career and outlook, Unreasonable Hospitality , Will Guidara (author) is quoted in saying, “There are few things more energizing than the look on someone’s face when they receive a gift you’re responsible for giving them,”. May we be energized by our giving, whether you’re wearing white or not; and lean into the celebration of others and ourselves, day in and day out.

With love (& wedding bells, wrapped in lace, glimmering in sparkles),

Olivia Freeman
Director of Operations

How My First Job at Ashford Acres Changed Me

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 20:40:20 GMT

"Ashford Acres Isn't Just a job to me...It’s a safe place where young women like me can grow, learn, and figure out who we’re becoming."

Around June 8th, 2022, the number one thing I wanted for my birthday wasn’t something most teenagers would ask for. The one thing I really wanted was a job application to work at a bed and breakfast and wedding venue called Ashford Acres.

The reason I wanted to work there so badly was because of my sister. She had been working there for about two years, and I loved hearing all of her stories. At the time, I was only 14 years old, about to start my freshman year of high school. I knew that eventually I’d want a job, and somehow the perfect place ended up being right in my small town of Cynthiana.

Almost every day my sister would come home talking about work. She told me about the beautiful weddings, the magical weekday dinners, the gorgeous rooms guests stayed in, and how special the whole atmosphere felt. After hearing all of that for some time, I knew I wanted to be a part of it too.

So, on my 14th birthday, I opened my sister’s present and was honestly shocked—in the best way—when I saw the job application I had been hoping for. I was so excited that I filled it out right away and made my sister take it with her to work the very next day.

A few days later, I had my first shift at my very first job.

Walking in that day, I felt everything at once. I was nervous, anxious, and excited all at the same time. I remember being greeted by the staff and getting a huge tour of the entire house and property. It was honestly even more beautiful than I had imagined.

At first, I was really nervous about working with people I didn’t know and talking to guests I had never met before. Getting out of my comfort zone felt scary. But after doing it a few times, it started getting easier. I slowly realized that maybe I could actually be good at this job.

By the time I reached my first year working at Ashford Acres, I had already done so many different things. I had worked in the kitchen, helped with housekeeping, served guests, and seen so many beautiful weddings. The nerves I once had started to disappear, and I began to feel confident in what I was doing.

As time went on, I learned more and more about every role around the inn. I grew in ways I never expected. I gained confidence, people skills, and work experience that I know I wouldn’t have developed anywhere else at such a young age.

I worked hard to learn housekeeping and became the best server I could be for our guests. I spent a lot of time watching the more experienced staff and learning from how they handled things so professionally. Eventually, I was able to do both housekeeping and serving on my own, and my managers had full confidence and trusted me to handle it in the way I had learned to do so.

After about two years of working there, something really special happened.

I had gone from being the nervous new kid to one of the more experienced staff members. I remember feeling proud of how much I had learned just from watching, practicing, and growing over time.

When new employees started, sometimes they’d be told, “You’ll be training under Lilly. She’s what we call our “veteran here” meaning she’s been here for a long time and is trained to teach you how to do the job right.” Hearing that meant so much to me. It made me realize that I had truly become part of something bigger.

Now I’m eighteen years old and coming up on my fourth year working at Ashford Acres. Over that time, I’ve made so many memories that I know I’ll carry with me forever.

From working alongside my sister, to building friendships with coworkers, to gaining experience I never expected to have at such a young age—it all means a lot to me. Even the little silly moments after long nights during new events somehow made the hard nights and tasks feel easier.

Ashford Acres isn’t just a job to me.

It’s a safe place where young women like me can grow, learn, and figure out who we’re becoming. It’s a place where confidence is built, friendships are formed, and experiences help shape the person you turn into.

Working here didn’t just give me my first job. It gave me a place that helped shape who I am today—someone who will always cherish the memories, lessons, and opportunities that came from being part of Ashford Acres.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: when you have the chance to be part of something so big and special, don’t hesitate. Just go for it.

- Lilly Hersha

More Than a Pet: Celebrating the Life of an Animal Who Was Family

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:52:58 GMT

To have felt the love between a pet and yourself is magic, and losing it is some of the deepest pain...we wanted to share several ways that we memorialize them, keep them with us, and allow them to continue living on through us.

Mourning the loss of a pet has been scientifically proven to cause the brain similar pain and effects as the loss of a family member. Obviously, with their loss comes tremendous pain, grief, and at times a sense of misunderstanding from those who view your fur baby as “just a dog.”

Having experienced our own immense losses when our fur babies passed in the last year, we wanted to share several ways that we memorialize them, keep them with us, and allow them to continue living on through us.

1. Jewelry
If you cremate your babies, we highly recommend having a tiny bit of their remains made into jewelry. Jems and Juniper ( linked ) is a highly recommended website that we have personally purchased from and received gorgeous jewelry from. No one ever knows that it is jewelry made from their remains unless you want them to. We have had both a necklace and a ring made, and we have thoroughly enjoyed them and constantly receive compliments. Each compliment reminds me of my baby—which is exactly why it is there.

Another very favored option can be found on Etsy ( linked ) and is made from their nose print. One of the coolest parts about this method of jewelry is that the company can pull the nose print from a close-up photo of your dog. So your dog can already be passed, and you can still purchase this jewelry to memorialize them without stressing that you didn’t get their nose print while they were still alive. This necklace option was gifted to me after two of my fur babies passed last year, and they are pieces I wear every day. One of the necklaces even has the last words I ever said to him engraved on the back.

Men’s Preferred Option:
Of course, a man can wear either of the above options as well, but if you are looking for a more “masculine” option, you can see the one linked here. This necklace appears as a regular piece for a guy to wear, but it holds a tiny bit of their remains inside and can also have words engraved on the back. When our first baby passed in early 2025, this was my husband’s Valentine’s gift. He was very touched by it and now wears it nearly every day.

2. Christmas Ornaments
As a family, we get a new Christmas ornament each year. So when a fur baby passes, having their paw print made into an ornament for your tree is a beautiful addition to honor them and help them be part of the first Christmas without them. The business that cremated our babies very kindly made paw print ornaments for both of them. Instead of putting them on our tree, we actually have them on little stands next to their remains.

3. Planting a Tree or Plant
Pets are so connected to nature and help ground us back toward it, so when they pass, it feels natural to plant something in their memory. For us, we were gifted a tree when our second baby passed last year. It was actually a tea tree—which will eventually allow us to harvest tea from it. Ghost (our dog) was very grounding and deeply connected to our garden, the land, and nature, so having a tree next to our garden that we will harvest from for years to come feels very parallel to who he was.

Another planting we do in their name is getting a house plant and using their personal food bowl as the “pot” for it. We place their collar around the bowl so we always remember it was theirs and keep it somewhere in our home. This plant becomes a daily reminder of them as you walk by and remember how they live on in both small and large ways.

4. A Photo Album
After they pass, we save all of our photos of them onto a hard drive so that if something happens to our phones, we won’t lose those memories. We also make a photo album that shows their life from puppyhood to adulthood and through to their passing. We never want to forget what they looked like or be unable to view their photos due to a lack of a device. This album, for us, sits next to their cremains on a shelf so we can look through it whenever we want.

5. Mementos
We choose to keep all of the cards, flower notes, and gifts given to us during our losses because they help us get through those moments and remind us how much love exists in our lives. These small notes of love are then placed inside their photo album so we can continue to revisit them whenever we want.

6. Booking a Medium
For both of our losses last year, we decided to book a medium. The first time she was new to us, and the second time we returned to the same person. I am a pretty hard-to-please non-skeptic (haha). I have my own abilities, so I am not skeptical of the concept of connection at all—however, I am extremely skeptical of people who pretend in order to receive money from those in grief.

The medium we chose to utilize ( linked) was fantastic and, with little to zero affirmation from me, brought through both of our babies in monumental ways. She shared information that she could not have known and that no one else knew (like the last words I said to Ghosty). It was truly a gift during such a difficult time. During these sessions, I take notes the entire time, and afterward I place those notes into their photo album so I can revisit them later.

7. Mugs
Each time a fur babe has passed, we have gotten a mug with their image or outline on it. Mugs are kind of our thing since we love coffee, so it makes us light up in the mornings when we reach for their mugs. While they aren’t running in the yard while we sip our coffee anymore, they are still with us as we do.

8. Celebrate Their Birthdays
While celebrating their birthdays may look different now, do something to honor them. Our first was born on February 11th, and since we work in the hospitality industry—which means we rarely get to celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 14th—we now celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 11th as a way of showing love to her at the same time.

Sometimes their birthdays won’t fall near a holiday, so take a walk, bake something, go out to dinner, cheers a mocktail to them, or do whatever makes you think of them. Celebrate what they were to you on that day. They will always be with you and grateful that you celebrated them, even without their tangible presence.

9. Make a Video
Though social media can sometimes feel like it’s about what everyone else thinks of you, we used it after the deaths of our fur babies to create and post videos compiling all of our favorite clips of them. It becomes an archive of our life with them that we can watch whenever we want. Having it online means that even if something happens to our devices, we will still be able to access the video. Creating these videos has been very cathartic, as well as revisiting them.

10. Donate in Their Name
Each time we lost a baby, my work team gathered money for me to choose an organization to donate to in their name. This made me emotional each time, but it allows your baby’s life and love to live on by helping others who are still here. It is a deeply touching gift that brings light in the midst of deep sadness.

11. Adopt Again
Loving another fur babe was a difficult decision to make—but it was also one of the best decisions in the world. It can feel like they were sent to you by your last one. You watch your love become the entire world for another baby, reviving pieces of you that felt like they died when your last one passed.

12. Read Books

Below is a quick list of some of the books that were helpful for me to navigate the grief:

"Signs" written by Laura Lynne Jackson

"The Amazing Afterlife of Animals: Messages and Signs From Our Pets On the Other Side" written by Karen Anderson

13. Gifting to Those Grieving: The amount of support that I felt from people that cared during the time of our losses was immensely impactful. It was all of the small gestures of love that really helped pull us through. With that, I have found the company linked here to be a great resource for giving to those that are experiencing loss, but don't live as near to you as you would like. It helps to give them a metaphorical hug from you, but from afar, and makes them feel supported and loved during the worst of it.

Choosing to love again and help save another fur babe will only make the one you ache for, immensely happy. They will still be there beside you both—loving you, guiding you, and watching over you.

To have felt the love between a pet and yourself is magic, and losing it is some of the deepest pain. If you fall into the group of those who have lost, I am sending you our deepest love and positivity on your journey through grief. We hope this list helps you continue to feel them, love them, and learn how to move forward with them in their new form.

<3
Annastasia

How Our Executive Director Chooses Healthy Living

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:59:17 GMT

"I have systems, routines, or ways of living that I have chosen for my life that have caused my body or household to feel better, get sick less, have more energy, and other beneficial outcomes - all based in my lifestyle edits."

I have to start by providing the disclaimer that I am not a doctor, nutritionist, herbalist, or anything professionally educated or experienced to give anyone advice on what they should eat or consume to be healthy.

Aside from the legality of that, I have systems, routines, or ways of living that I have chosen for my life that have caused my body or household to feel better, get sick less, have more energy, and other beneficial outcomes, all from my lifestyle edits. They are shared and brief descriptions are provided below…

1. We eat almost only organic food. I have chosen to research what gets sprayed on organic vs. non-organic food, what is allowed to then be on your food that comes to you in the grocery or even the farmer’s market (if it isn’t an organic farm then they are allowed to sell you food with pesticides on it, whether it is local or from a chain-store). For my own logistics, it just makes sense that whatever is sprayed on them permeates its external membrane and is absorbed. Fruits, vegetables… most of the are porous. So, the concept that you can ‘wash off’ the pesticide seemed ludicrous. When you go to the store, they will occasionally spritz with water the fruit and veggie sections to keep them fresh… this is because those fruits and vegetables, similar to spritzing a hydrangea on a hot summer day, absorb that water. They are living things absorbing what gets on their ‘skin’, and therefore, they are impacted by pesticides that get sprayed on them, and I felt that we were too, by consuming them.

There is plenty of research, lawsuits, and ‘Big Money’ behind organic vs. non-organic, and I strongly suggest that everyone look into those when making their own decision.

2. We eat Non-GMO foods. Because I had parents that only grew further and further into herbalism and natural systems of living, I had already heard of non-gmo foods when growing up. However, one day several years ago I listened to a podcast by Gary Brecka (a scientist that used to work for health care systems predicting people’s deaths – and now works to help people stay healthy – feel free to research him! Highly suggest it!) where he discussed the science behind Non-GMO foods (facts, not opinions. He states the studies you can go review to understand further). I decided that we could not continue to have these GMO foods in our diet. He also taught me what to look for on a label. I quickly grabbed my corn chips out of the cabinet that were a very popular brand and read the words “bioengineered corn” on the ingredient list.

Basically, genetically modified crops are engineered to withstand herbicides (like glyphosate), and those herbicides are then in your system damaging the gut lining, altering the microbiome, and contributing to IBS and leaky gut. Again, when my logical mind tries to process that, it feels like it is screaming “of course it causes these side effects!” GMO foods also are problematic because it can interfere with the body’s detox pathways, increases your body’s inflammation, causing hormone disruption, and neurological symptoms (because the gut entirely impacts your neuro-abilities).

Gary Brecka believes that non-GMO foods are more recognizable to the human genome (meaning the foods that naturally occur in nature and are not edited by humans to endure chemicals are more naturally recognized by our bodies… again, my mind is screaming ‘of course that is the case!’). All of these things mentioned, then impact your immune’s ability, as well as the inflammatory load on our nervous systems.

With that being said, Non-GMO does not qualify as ‘healthy’ all by itself. There are plenty of processed foods, foods filled with seed oils, foods filled with sugars, etc. that are still not healthy, but are made with non-GMO ingredients.

1. We Eat Very Few Heavily Processed Foods. We aim, especially in this current season of life, to consume foods that are not processed heavily with chemicals and processes tha t allow them to be shelf stable for months. What goes into these items -with the exception of fermented foods, homemade canned foods, etc. – are items that your body is not designed to process because they are non-biological and therefore your body has a hard time metabolizing them. These foods are full of preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, seed oils, and synthetic vitamins. What I understand this to cause is your detox pathways to again be overloaded, leading to brain fog, anxiety, inflammation, fatigue, energy crashes, and destroys the gut microbiome, as well. They have gums, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, and confuse the body as it tries to react to them – causing immune responses, high inflammation, nervous system overload… and truly leave you hungry again sooner than later since they have more ‘empty calories’ in them.

2. We only utilize olive oil and avocado oil. Again, I am not a scientist or a professional. But, my understanding is there are research studies showing evidence that seed oils can be linked to skin cancer. Upon learning that, I felt connected to the story because I have had skin cancer and actually got it in my late twenties. It was a spot on my back that I had been keeping an eye on for a couple of years and when it had first popped up, had asked a local doctor about it and he told me it was ‘no big deal’ (hence why it took years to figure out- a moment I like to highlight because you have to be your own advocate. It was my own advocacy that caused us to figure out it was cancer). I am fair-skinned and, yes, have tanned in my life but in very, very limited doses. I acknowledge it could have been that tanning that caused it, but also that it could have been my diet, as I have been much more exposed dietarily to toxins than via UV rays. There is research on this and I highly suggest anyone interested go read about it – very interesting!

Other than its connection to my skin, as well as having always been taught by my mother that olive oil is much better for you, I have learned that seed oils are very high in omega-6 fatty acids, which modern diets already have a massive overload of. When your body then has excess of this fatty acid, it causes chronic inflammation. This, again, is outside the lines of what our body is naturally meant to consume via evolution and biology.

In addition, they oxidize easily, break down faster with heat and light, and then form toxic aldehydes when used to cook with. What this means is once they are used to cook with, they cause damage to your cell membranes, stress out your liver because it is trying to detox this as a toxin, and impair mitochondrial function. This then causes fatigue, brain fog, poor metabolism, and inflammation.

THIS is a huge reason that professionals and scientists like Gary Brecka discuss restaurant foods notoriously making people feel awful. The reason that seed oils are everywhere is because they are cheap, shelf stable, and flavor neutral which means they are dominantly used in processed foods, restaurant cooking, fast food, and packaged snacks.

Essentially, if an ingredient on the package says any variation of seed oils, the quality-meter is already lower. For me, this is super important because being gluten free and wanting to buy only organic non-GMO foods, I can be deceived by finalllllly finding a granola bar that I can eat, and then realizing that all of my snacks I gloriously have located, mostly still have sunflower seed oils in them, or oils that allow them to be cheaper and more shelf stable, but not actually healthy.

With all of that being said, it doesn’t mean olive oil is just entirely good for you. With high heat, it too can still become toxic for the body by chemically doing some of the same things, it just has a higher heat threshold/ smoking point. And then there are other suggestions that are provided such as it being extra virgin olive oil, only, as well as that it is cold pressed, and instruction to utilize raw or with low heat.

Avocado oil is typically the number one oil that I understand to be healthy. It has a higher smoke point (that heat threshold I was referring to), is stable for cooking, low in omega-6 fatty acids, neutral in flavor, and less prone to oxidation.

1. We consume 100% grass fed organic milk and butter. Now, this is a new requirement in our household as of the last year. Basically, upon continuing to learn, I realized we were doing all of that above, and yet we were consuming byproducts from these animals that were being fed grain, or were being ‘finished on grain’ (which is when they aren’t 100% fed grass), where they then were consuming GMO products, eating things with herbicides and pesticides on them, etc. This, of course, can be tricky in that water run-off can still have chemicals in it from other farms utilizing pesticides, still then being in the grass that is consumed. But, we feel that the closest we can get to 'clean', the better.

First, grass fed dairy scientifically contains higher omega-3 fatty acids, a better ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (remember, omega-6 are the ones we were talking about earlier), more conjugated linoleic acid, and more anti-inflammatory compounds. Grain-fed contain much higher omega-6 fatty acids (the bad guys from up top that we overconsume, already) and more inflammatory fat balance. The reason that I understand that this matters is because the omega-6 overload drives high inflammation, and the inflammation then impacts your hormones, gut health, brain health, and immune function.

Grass fed also contains more fat-soluble vitamins – so they are richer in vitamins A, D, E, and K2 (which is apparently very important...but then again, my brain is screaming ‘of course it is!’). K2 helps to put calcium into bones and teeth, keep calcium out of your arteries and soft tissues, supports cardiovascular health, and supports hormone and immune regulation. Grain-fed dairy has significantly less K2.

My big reason for this move towards grass-fed dairy, as I learned all of that ^ after I made the move, is that it reduces chemical and toxin exposure. Grass-fed cattle are typically exposed to fewer herbicides/pesticides from feed crops (glyphosate, for example). They are exposed less to mold toxins that are then stored in the grain and are less reliant on antibiotics and hormone interventions. This means that less of these items are transferred into the milk fat (toxins concentrate in fat). Butter then would have larger transfers of toxins, making grass fed very important when it comes to butter.

Basically, grain-fed cows have their rumen bacteria changed, fat composition changed, their inflammatory markers increase, and then the milk composition changes, too – all from eating grain. This, according to some of the people that I follow in this field, makes grain-fed cow milk biologically ‘altered’ since it is not what our bodies are naturally built to consume.

In conclusion, from what I have learned, our bodies work as a system (you already know what my logical brain wants to say here). Therefore, all of the manufactured chemicals, processed foods, and cheap oils are in place to make corporations money, not to make me healthy (‘of course they are!’). So, eating how I choose to eat is not about elitism but is absolutely about making my body feel better and ensuring I have more longevity than I would if I didn’t make these choices.

I will say, that within one year of going completely organic, our household got sick immensely fewer times in a year – and we have maintained that. In addition, I recently found out by performing genetic testing that I have the MTHFR gene mutation, which means by body has a higher problem in removing toxins, amongst other things this causes. With foods that can impact the same systems that my gene mutation impacts, eating clean is more important now than ever.

Other things we do for a healthy lifestyle:

- Take a daily probiotic/prebiotic (I use Pendulum Akkermansia)

- Take daily vitamins – especially those sourced to my own gene mutations, and only vitamins that are methylated (naturally occurring in nature, not synthetic or man-made)

o We take these at the same time each day, as well. The body, I have learned, really loves and receives a routine well.

- Getting 7-9 hours of sleep

- Drinking lots of water

- Aiming to get up with the sun more

- Eating dinner at the same time every night (we try)

- Drinking a glass of water with my probiotic each morning before coffee

- Consuming fewer plastics, not storing our food in plastic, and paying attention to microplastics (hot drinks in disposable cups, ziplock baggies, plastic cups, plastic cutting boards, etc)

- Installing a reverse osmosis system in our house for drinking water to create cleaner water than what comes from a plastic bottle or the tap, and with a higher PH. (Our system is the Cloud system)

- We try to get cheeses made not in the United States.

- We use Celtic Salt as our house salt

- Take creatine daily (creapure + NSF certified)

- We only use stainless steel pans or cast iron, we do not use anything that is non-stick/has chemicals.

- Get outside in nature

- Exercise

- Have community / experience community

- Journal and read more

- Limit alcohol intake (once a month, sometimes once every two months, or never)

Snacks we implement to replace processed snacks:

- 0% greek yogurt + Organic plain peanut butter (no sugars, additives, etc) + raw organic honey + homemade or organic granola + an organic banana

- 0% greek yogurt + apples cut up + honey

- 0% Greek yogurt + organic plan tahini + organic spices + organic salsa mixed together to make a dipping sauce

- Homemade chicken salad with organic chicken + organic grapes + organic celery, avocado oil-based mayo + and Greek yogurt + organic spices

- Lots of organic nuts and organic granolas

- Organic blue corn chips

- Organic Fruit

- Organic Veggies

- Organic Celery + Organic Peanut Butter

- Organic pumpkin seeds

- Sourdough Toast (gluten free or homemade)

Again, I am not a professional, I just am speaking for what I have done myself for my household. If you are on a health journey and find this inspiring or feel connected to this post, I am excited for you and the change you inevitably will be making towards better health!

-Annastasia Hicks

The Heart of Hospitality: People First

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:34:22 GMT

A positive culture, such as that of Ashford Acres, is one that stays with you creating a comparison for all future endeavors and a love that never leaves.

Culture: The Competitive Advantage

One of the most amazing creations I have ever witnessed is how the body reacts to a foreign

being. It first identifies if that being is a threat or an ally. Threat: it works and works until that

being is expelled from it in its entirety, except for the new antibodies that have formed to make

the body stronger and protect it from such beings in the future. Ally: it works in mutualism, both

working toward the same goal - a healthy, thriving body. Thus, it grows stronger and healthier

with both its threats and its allies.

Ashford Acres, even as a young business, has a way of attracting the most viable candidates

from near and far for a trial on its team. And those candidates are quickly identified as beneficial

or harmful for the “body,” not by a person, but by the culture. Those that are symbiotic with

Ashford Acres thrive, and often grow to their greatest potential, gleaning more from their

experience than they could have hoped. They may even be “lifers” with Ashford Acres, staying

in a career field they may not have even known they were interested in BECAUSE of the

culture. It’s the root of Ashford Acres’ competitive edge. Those that are not symbiotic may leave

Ashford Acres never knowing what they have missed. This is not to say that everyone who is no

longer with Ashford Acres was harmful to its being. I, myself, worked at Ashford Acres for years

in most positions offered by the business and loved every minute of it until motherhood pulled

me away for another great joy in my life. I still love Ashford Acres to my core and that is why I’m

writing to you today. To share how significantly I have been impacted by the culture of Ashford

Acres and how grateful I am to be part of the Ashford Acres family, currently employed or not.

The Heart of Hospitality: People First

Should you have the privilege to be part of the Ashford Acres family, you will hear repeatedly

how important “the Disney Experience” is to a successful business. Creating magical moments

for guests from Cynthiana to Sri Lanka is no easy feat, but it is made easier by a culture that

supports hospitality from the inside out. Annastasia and the management team, that once

included myself, consistently put people first, knowing them as humans; their interests, their

motivations, their needs, and their goals. As part of the team, you are not just an employee but

truly part of the family. I know how cliche that sounds and I’ve been a part of entities that use it

without meaning, but Ashford Acres is not one of those entities. It is no uncommon experience

for employees to want to stay beyond their shift to help a coworker or to simply be present in the

culture that has been built for them and by them. That internally experienced hospitality is

reflected in how each guest is treated when they visit Ashford Acres and it is why they return. A

culture that fosters hospitality for its team breeds hospitality for its business. It is this high

standard for hospitality that first drew me to its doors.

Growing Together

As aforementioned, there have been plenty of “ally” employees come and go from Ashford

Acres who feel as fondly about their experience as I do. Some in culinary school, others in

retirement, and some, like me, doing the mom thing. From top to bottom, that’s not because

there is anything so significantly gratifying about waiting tables or planning an event (aside from

the obvious gratification of seeing people experience the joy from their momentous occasions of

course), but rather because you are truly part of the beating heart of the business. There is no

position too small to be significant. Each position from the bottom to the top has meaning and it

is felt (trust me, I’ve done them all). When you are able to buy into the business as I did, it is

easy to go to work and feel as though you are simply at home, doing what you love, valued for

the work that you are doing, however small it may seem from the outside looking in. You may

ask ‘how much growth can really happen if I’m a dishwasher?’ But it isn’t necessarily the tasks

you complete that foster growth at AAI. The atmosphere you are working in where leaders are

motivating you, encouraging you, and pushing you forces the growth required to maintain the

Ashford Acres culture, one of value shown for each team member. I stepped away from

teaching when my position was being cut and took on a larger role with Ashford Acres and I will

never forget someone saying to me, “you’re going to leave teaching to be a manager?” And my

immediate thought, having already been working with Ashford Acres part time was, “No, I am

leaving teaching for Ashford Acres.” The leadership experience with AAI (Ashford Acres Inn)

was exceedingly beneficial, and I owe that to the culture that was so carefully crafted to help

you grow alongside the business, but more importantly as an individual.

Faithful Partnership

It was never lost on me that I was working at, first and foremost, a wedding venue, where each

weekend people pledged themselves to another for a lifelong commitment. In so many ways I

feel the same love for Ashford Acres. In the last 7 years I have been employed by AAI in some

capacity for 4 and a half. But for all 7 I have been faithfully committed to supporting them in any

way I can. Not because I am some great, ‘yes man’ employee who just buys into anything, but

because that is what you do when you love something and that love is reciprocated. You

support it, challenge it, help it grow both when together and when apart, and it does the same

for you. AAI has never been just a place to work but a mutual, faithful partnership since the

moment I turned in my application. I’m not one to easily feel comfortable in a new setting or to

open myself up to others but they make you their business. They take you on and help you grow

as much as you are willing to grow with them. Their unwavering trust in you, your abilities, and

your success makes for a culture of faithful partnership that continues well beyond the

paperwork of employment.

To my point: culture is either a killer or a competitive edge. It either makes people leave or gives

them the space to move on but never let go. A positive culture, such as that of Ashford Acres, is

one that stays with you creating a comparison for all future endeavors and a love that never

leaves. What better place to get married than the place that is the love story itself?

-Chelsea Hill

From Our Home to Yours: Holiday Decorating with Sonia Kirkman

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 20:36:41 GMT

"One of the best ways to decorate for the holidays is to use simple Christmas decor in unexpected but simple ways."

One of my favorite hobbies is decorating, though I'm not a professional by any means, and I've probably had more misses than hits. However, it's something that brings me a lot of joy. The holiday season, of course, provides many opportunities for decorating and I look forward to it each year, having the privilege of decorating at the inn as well as at my home.

A fun challenge for myself is to always make my spaces look a little different than the year before, all while still using 90% of my stored decorations. Entirely changing my holiday look each year would be outrageously expensive and environmentally wasteful, so I tend to ignore trends (such as the Ralph Lauren Christmas trend, which has cluttered my Pinterest feed since September). To achieve this I might change the placement of my Christmas trees (yes, that is plural), or add inexpensive ribbon throughout my house - in a different color than the year before, or simply find new and unique uses for various decor items that I use each year. Using the same Christmas decorations each year creates a feeling of nostalgia around the holidays. As you put up your favorite paper garlands, you remember making them with your daughter years before (yes, before they became the 'in' thing to do), and, of course, many of the tree ornaments hold their own special memories.

One of the best ways to decorate for the holidays is to use simple Christmas decor in unexpected but simple ways.

Glass (or plastic!) ball tree ornaments:

Don't place all of your ball ornaments on the tree, place some of them in a bowl or on a platter, inside of a hollow glass lamp, or around a candle inside of a glass hurricane. This year I placed a collection of my more vintage-y looking ball ornaments on a coffee table tray around a pile of books and a candle.

String lights:

Instead of only placing string lights on a tree, drape them around the tops of picture frames, on open shelving, over hutches and bookcases, and over doorways. You can also shove an entire string of lights into a glass vase or pitcher to add a little festive fun to a space without much effort. This year I laid a string of lights on my entry table without any order to the placing of them. It added just the right touch of 'glow' that I was looking for. Also, is there a rule that string lights on a tree only belong on a Christmas tree? If so, you know what they say about rules...If you have other trees or plants in your home, stick a string of lights on them too! (You might like it so much that you keep them up all year round!)

Garlands:

Another easy way to add some Christmasy cheer around your home is to use inexpensive garlands - tinsel, paper, fabric - there are so many options for holiday garlands. I have collected a very large supply of the felt ball garlands that flood the Homegoods shelves beginning each July and I use them throughout my house, but I also love our paper chains, our paper stars, our homemade dehydrated orange slices that we strung on long lines of floss (seriously, floss), and my favorite (purchased) paper garland - cats bringing figgy pudding.

A fun, easy and inexpensive garland idea is to collect old Christmas postcards and hang them on a string with clothespins. I've done this across my mantle and across mirrors. You can find these postcards year round in most antique and vintage stores.

If your garland collection is large enough, I highly suggest layering numerous garlands in the same space. I currently have two garlands hanging on my stocking mantle and five garlands and a string of lights hanging from a doorway. Try to differentiate the garlands when you're hanging them together to make the look more interesting. Command hooks are super handy for many things this time of year, including for hanging holiday garlands in unexpected places.

Ribbon:

Ribbon is one of my favorite holiday decor items! Ribbon is relatively inexpensive (depending on the ribbon you purchase - some ribbon can be quite expensive), which allows you the option to change your ribbon each year to update the look you're trying to achieve. This year I decided to use a green and white stripe ribbon in my living room, but I have lots of different colored bows throughout the rest of the house.

You can put bows just about anywhere and they will make even the simplest item look festive! At Ashford Acres this year we tied thin red bows around the necks of the blue ball jars in the sitting room, and everyone thought it was so cute! Do you have any plates displayed on your walls? Slip a red ribbon through the back bracket and tie a bow that sits at the top of the plate. You can do the same with a picture on the wall. Slip the ribbon through the wire on the back of the picture and tie a bow that sits at the top of the frame. Tie bows on lamps, on the Christmas tree branches, on your stocking holders, on your candlesticks, and on the necks of your wine bottles. Literally anywhere a bow can go, a bow should go.

For my birthday, my daughter, Abby gave me bookends that are two adorable Highland Terrier dogs. I put holiday bows on both of them and now they are even more adorable than before.

Blankets & Pillows:

Christmas = cozy, right? It's cold outside, maybe you've had snow already, you're in the mood to make chili, you're lighting candles a little earlier in the day because it's dark by 4:00. Well, that's the Christmas I fantasize about in my head. In southern California, where I'm very lucky to live full time, we often have days when the temperature is in the 70s and the sun shines bright. But in the evenings it can get down to a chilly mid-50 degree temp (brrrr...) and I have a small collection of Christmas throws and pillows that allow me to pretend the weather matches the holiday season. Most of the throws and pillows I have were found at - you guessed it - Homegoods, and therefore were relatively inexpensive and have been collected over a number of years. I put pillows on all my chairs and couches, drape throws over the corners of chairs or on an ottoman, and roll the rest up in baskets that sit near the couch. Even though these items have practical uses, they also add holiday color wherever I lay them.

In our family room we have a very large, blue, three-sided couch and this year I purchased three queen size, red plaid blankets on Amazon and draped them across the back of the couch on each side. They make the space feel more cozy and add holiday color to the room. Next year maybe I'll use them on our beds to add some Christmas cheer in our bedrooms!

Vintage:

I am a sucker for vintage anything, not just vintage Christmas decor. So, naturally throughout the year when I'm browsing in an antique store, perusing a yard sale, or scouring the booths at flea markets, I will always pause at a Christmas collection. This year Abby found a magnificent Santa cat teapot that we could not say no to. I also started a collection of what I affectionately call my 'lady heads'. They are vases, but they are also lady heads. And that description should be all you need to realize that you should probably start a collection of your own. I display my lady heads all year, however, for Christmas I stuff them with bottle brush trees and holly berries. This has been the new addition to my Christmas decor that has brought me the most joy this year.

Another collection I've added to over the years is old, multi-color outdoor string light bulbs. I simply lay them in a tray or a bowl and they add lots of color to the space.

The point is to always be on the lookout for good vintage Christmas decor! I mentioned the Christmas postcards above. You can find fantastic Santas (I have a small collection of Santas from my great aunt, which I have added to), beautiful tree ornaments (I used only vintage ball ornaments on my living room tree this year), vintage Santa mugs (put candy canes in them and display them on shelves or tables), and silver plated items like bowls, teapots, and trays, which you can display all year, but look great reflecting the lights at Christmastime. If you're lucky, maybe you too will find a teapot of a tuxedo cat dressed as Santa!

In conclusion, there are so many easy and simple options when decorating for the holidays. You can decorate with food, like Oranges and pomegranates! You can absolutely decorate with live greenery, purchased or directly from your yard. You can print photos from past holidays and put them on your refrigerator, tape them in a collage on the wall, or display them in frames.

If you want to do something new and different this holiday season, or next year, you don't have to feel overwhelmed. And most importantly, decorate for yourself, not to satisfy anyone else's expectations. If you like a trend - go for it. If you hate trends - do your own thing. If you want to buy the full Christmas tree Grinchmas kit and it makes you and your family happy - get that thing! And if all you manage to do is get the tree up with lights and ornaments hung - then you've done more than enough. Christmas cheer comes in decked out houses and yards and in small countertop trees with multi-color lights (my favorite). It's in holiday parades, local festivals and big church events, but also on the couch watching Christmas movies with take-out dinners. However it is that you find your Christmas cheer this year, I hope it brings you mountains of joy.

- Sonia

A Very Ashford Christmas: Gift Guide 2025

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:02:26 GMT

This holiday season, bring the gift of a Kentucky Getaway for the Soul to the people in your life - in whatever form suits them best.

While on site, our guests find that Ashford Acres Inn truly has something for everyone - whether that be the romantic in your life, the travel enthusiast, the foodie friend, or the luxury aficionado. This holiday season, bring the gift of a Kentucky Getaway for the Soul to the people in your life - in whatever form suits them best.

For the Romantic:
Ashford Acres Inn hosts an average of 40 weddings a year! On the eve of one full decade of love stories unfolding here, that makes roughly 350 couples who have said “I Do” on property. For the lover in your life, we couldn’t more highly recommend a stay at Ashford’s Bed and Breakfast, accompanied by a Romance Package.

A romance package at Ashford (priced at $310) has all the bells and whistles (or should I say strawberries and bubbles!) Find our Booking Link here: LOVER!

For the Travel Enthusiast:
Whether in need of a getaway or staycation, travel enthusiasts alike could all put an Ashford Acres Gift Certificate to use. With no expiration date, and flexibility of spending (whether that be an excellent meal from caring hands, or an unforgettable stay in our fabulous beds), it’s an easy “Buy” this Christmas!

Both available online and in person, give the gift of experience at the following GIFT CERTIFICATE LINK !

For the Foodie Friend:
At Ashford, we pride ourselves with our collaboration with over a dozen local vendors when you sit down at our table. Take the taste of Ashford home with you by purchasing our Exclusive Ashford Honey! In collaboration with local beekeepers, the Palmer Brothers, our Ashford Honey is just the sweetness your foodie friend needs.

Our honey makes the perfect stocking stuffer or gift basket addition, with an intentional touch! Visit the following GIFT SHOP LINK to get your own!

For the Luxury Aficionado:
Ashford has just the selections for your luxury-loving companions. Our sheets from Comphy are the perfect level of indulgence to qualify them as a gift, but are the appropriate level of practicality for everyday use. Find them at our GIFT SHOP in a variety of sizes and colors, under the tab labeled “Comphy”!

In the same realm, a luxury home would not be complete without a Capri Blue Candle. As a staple for many brands, including our own lobby, there is a scent for every setting. Go the classic route, with a Volcano candle, or add to the sparkle of the season with seasonals like Apple Cider Social and Tinsel & Spice.

Lastly, for the Ashford Admirer:
We might be biased, but our Ashford merchandise is the perfect way to seal a memory here! Whether that be a mug, T Shirt, or ornament, make sure a piece of Ashford Acres makes it to your home this Christmas.

Our branded gear is available both in-person and online, and we’re certain that it will become a next favorite in your morning routine, closet, or holiday traditions.

As we head into the most magical time of the year, we look forward to your visits, and wish you peace, light, and love. We sincerely hope Ashford can become a backdrop of your fondest holiday memories. Our team will be here to “tie a bow” on any unfinished plans you may make!

From all of us at Ashford Acres, Merry Christmas!

- Olivia Freeman, Assistant Director of Operations

The Garden Keeps Me Grounded - Paying Homage to Summer

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 23:26:52 GMT

Sunlight and Soil: A Love Letter to Summer Harvest

I’ve always loved the heat.

Not in a surface-level way—I mean I really love it. The way it slows things down, wraps

around you, makes you pay attention. Most people complain when it gets too hot, but I usually

just say, “I kind of love it.” Because I do. I always have. The heat feels like home to me. It’s tied

to days working on the line and garden rows, to the songs of cicadas and the smell of tomato

vines. To me, the heat holds memories. It holds meaning.

I grew up watching my grandfather work in the kind of heat that would drive most people

back inside. He didn’t care. He moved through his garden like it was part of him. He’d lost four

fingers on one hand and had damage on the other, but he never stopped. He made his own tools to

keep going. Built grips that worked for him. Nothing about it was easy or convenient, but he

never made it feel hard. He found joy in the work. He loved to grow things. And more than

that—he loved to share what he grew.

He had these scarecrows he’d put up every year. He made them out of whatever was

around—old shirts, a faded hat, a stick for a spine. They looked a little lopsided sometimes, but

they stood tall in those rows, like quiet guardians. I still picture them when I think about that

garden.

He also grew the best watermelons I’ve ever had. Huge and heavy, dark green, always

sweet. He’d slice into one straight from the garden—warm from the sun—and we’d eat it right

there, juice running down our arms, spitting seeds into the grass. We didn’t care about the mess.

That was part of it. That’s still my favorite way to eat watermelon—unwashed, sun-warmed,

straight from the vine. Nothing else comes close.

He tended bees too—nursed them through the winter, checked on them in the spring, and

by summer, they were busy buzzing and producing. I remember how carefully he moved around

them, calm and steady like they could feel his intention. And when the time came, he’d take out

his pocketknife and cut honeycomb straight from the hive for us. We’d stand there barefoot in the

grass, wax sticking to our teeth, honey running down our chins like it was the best thing in the

world—because it was. Writing that down makes my chest ache in a way I didn’t expect. I didn’t

realize how much I missed that until now.

And when it came to canning? That was a whole ritual of its own. My grandfather, mom

and grandmothers would spend hours in the kitchen—peeling, slicing, stirring, pouring. Steam

fogged up the windows, and the smell of tomatoes, corn, or beans would settle into every

corner of the house. I can still hear the soft pop of jars sealing on the counter, one by one, like

applause for a job well done. They lined the shelves like trophies—little reminders that the work

was worth it, that summer could be saved.

One summer I tried to buy sweet potatoes from my grandfather for the restaurant I was

working in. He just waved me off and loaded up a box. Wouldn’t take any money. He didn’t need

to say anything—he just wanted me to have them. That’s who he was. I ended up bringing him a

stack of aluminum pie pans that he later used for sweet potato pies. It was a fair trade to him.

These days, my favorite season at Ashford is garden season. Hands down. It’s when

everything feels most alive. My team packs tomatoes, we pickle veggies, we find ways to use

whatever we’ve got coming out of the ground. Peppers, squash, tomatoes, beans—we stretch it

as far as it’ll go. We don’t waste it. We work with it. When the dirt-covered five-gallon buckets

make it to the kitchen, my team knows the drill.

Guests don’t walk through the garden, but they walk around it. I watch them stop

sometimes and take it in. It’s more than just something pretty to look at. It’s a quiet kind of

welcome. A sign that something real is growing here—something that takes time, care, and

patience. To me, that garden is a reminder I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. When they

work their way around the rows, I hope they feel what I feel—a deep rooted connection.

Sometimes a honeybee from our hives will buzz by while I’m up in the garden checking

to see what she offers that day, and I feel my grandfather there. Just for a second. And when the

corn starts shooting up, I think of Judge—my great-grandfather—who’d always say, “That corn

wins the championship.” I hear it in his voice every time.

I didn’t know back then that I’d end up building my life around food. But I see now that

the seeds were planted early. That the heat and the soil and the slow, steady work all found their

way into who I became.

This time of year always slows me down in the best way. The days are long. The food

tastes richer. And the garden? The garden keeps me grounded. It reminds me that the most

meaningful things take time—and that there’s beauty in simply growing something and using

what you have to pass down the stories that live in every bite.

Audrey Middleton, Executive Chef, 2025

Women: We Do Belong in the Kitchen

Fri, 02 May 2025 01:34:49 GMT

"Because of the women who came before me, I’ve been able to create a space at Ashford Acres where everyone is welcome."

Women: We Do Belong in the Kitchen

When I think about the kitchen, it’s not just the warmth of an open oven or the scent of food

made with care that fills me with emotion. It’s the rhythm of laughter, the hum of hard work, and

the shared energy that transforms a simple space into a sanctuary. Most of all, I think about the

women who’ve stood beside me—who’ve shaped, inspired, and taught me what it means to cook

with heart.

My first memories of this magic trace back to my great-grandmother’s table. Her buttermilk

biscuits were wicked—so powerful they could silence a room, easing any tension with every

bite. These biscuits, often paired with her Southern-style gravy, weren’t just food; they were

symbols of warmth and comfort. That gift passed down to my grandmother, then to my mother,

and now it lives in me.

Cooking for others is an act rooted in selflessness and intention. My grandmother showed me

how to tell when fudge was ready using the “hard ball” method—an almost scientific process

that seemed impossible at first. Yet she had an uncanny ability to pull that hot sugar and butter

mixture at just the right moment. Every year, she and my mom spent a month preparing candy

for Christmas, turning their labor into the most cherished gifts. Now, my mom continues that

tradition, keeping my grandmother’s spirit alive with every batch.

My mom has been a cook her entire life, but she found a true sense of purpose when she became

a lunch lady at a small rural school in Western Kentucky. There, she and her team serve 180

students five days a week. When she talks about her kids—because that’s how she sees

them—her voice shifts. There’s joy when they succeed, heartbreak when they hurt, and a deep

sense of connection in every word. These women don’t just serve meals; they provide comfort

and care. The students call my mom Miss Melody, and they adore her—not just for the food she

makes, but for the warmth she brings into their lives.

That same spirit lives in my kitchen today. Being a female chef isn’t just a job; it’s who I am.

The women who taught me to cook turned the kitchen into a sacred space, and I try to carry that

forward. I think of my Sous Chef, who pours her heart into every carefully crafted confection,

my apprentice, whose hunger for knowledge drives her every day, and our Assistant to the

Director, who shares her food stories and gifts me cookbooks filled with Southern tradition.

Together, we embody the Divine Feminine—nurturing, intuitive, creative, and connected. In our

kitchen, creation and nourishment intertwine, and every dish tells a story.

Food brings us together. It sets aside differences and fosters connection. Around the table, we

don’t just share meals; we share memories, comfort, and belonging. It’s a simple act, but one

with profound impact—a universal language that speaks to everyone.

In the professional food industry, the atmosphere can be more intense. The nurturing energy

often gives way to sharper heat and more aggressive dynamics. Women have fought for their

place, respect, and recognition in a world that has long been dominated by men. This irony is not

lost on those of us carving out careers in this field.

Yet, we are making our mark. Icons like Julia Child, Edna Lewis, Nancy Silverton, Alice Waters,

and Martha Stewart broke down barriers and showed the world that female chefs are forces to be

reckoned with. Julia Child made French cuisine accessible, Edna Lewis elevated Southern food

to an art, Nancy Silverton revolutionized bread and pastry, Alice Waters championed farm-to-

table dining long before it was trendy, and Martha Stewart redefined domesticity and cooking

with her unique blend of expertise and style. These women paved the way, and I stand on their

shoulders.

Even now, female chefs face unique challenges. We’re expected to balance strength and warmth,

assertiveness and kindness, leadership and nurturing—all while constantly proving we belong.

But perhaps this balance is our greatest strength. We bring more than flavor to the kitchen—we

bring perspective. We cook not just for sustenance, but for connection, blending tradition with

innovation. And we do it with intention.

Because of the women who came before me, I’ve been able to create a space at Ashford Acres

where everyone is welcome. Here, food goes beyond nourishment. It’s about the stories we tell,

the connections we forge, and the care we offer with every bite.

In the end, love is the secret ingredient. It’s what transforms a simple meal into a lasting memory,

a shared table into a place of belonging. It’s the legacy of the women who came before me—their

strength, creativity, and care—that inspires me to keep cooking, creating, and sharing.

In memory of my grandmother, Rity Rice.

Audrey Middleton, Executive Chef, 2025

Recognizing Black History in Southern Dining

info@ashfordacresinn.com (Ashford Acres Inn) — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:43:27 GMT

" Southern cuisine has evolved, becoming celebrated nationwide, but we must never forget its roots or the people who cultivated them"

Southern food is the ultimate layer of comfort, a rich tapestry woven from history, tradition, and the deep connection between people and place. It's more than just a meal; it's a warm embrace, a story told through flavors passed down from generation to generation. The comforting aroma of cornbread fresh from the oven, the soulful simmer of greens on the stove, and the satisfying crunch of perfectly fried chicken—all evoke memories, both personal and collective, that ground us in our roots.

As a chef deeply rooted in Southern cuisine, I recognize that the food I create and the traditions I honor are inseparable from the histories and contributions of African Americans and immigrants. My journey through kitchens across the South has been shaped by the privilege of learning side-by-side with cooks whose stories, techniques, and resilience have profoundly influenced not only my career but who I am as a person.

Southern cuisine is more than comfort food—it's a testament to survival, adaptation, and creativity born from struggle and perseverance. Dishes like warm, yeast-raised biscuits with country ham, cornmeal-fried catfish, collard greens, and fried apple pies carry with them the legacies of generations who often cooked in the shadows, their names left out of history books despite their immeasurable impact.

At Ashford Acres Inn, we embrace the rich tapestry of cultures that have shaped our region. Our history as a Union headquarters during the Civil War is a reminder that places, like people, carry layered stories. Today, we honor that legacy by celebrating the diverse flavors and influences that define Southern cuisine. Every dish we serve tells a story—not just of ingredients, but of people.

Learning about the roots of Southern food means confronting uncomfortable truths. It means acknowledging the genius of cooks like Georgia Gilmore, who used her talent to support the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist who championed food sovereignty through community farming initiatives. Their work transcends the plate; it's about community, resistance, and empowerment.

Many beloved Southern dishes were born from oppression yet transformed into symbols of strength. Take potlikker, the nutrient-rich broth left after cooking greens. Enslaved people, denied the greens themselves, found sustenance in this "leftover" liquid—a quiet act of resilience that continues to nourish us today. Recognizing these histories is not about guilt; it's about gratitude, respect, and responsibility.

As a white woman in the South, I understand that part of my role is to listen, learn, and amplify voices that history has too often silenced. It's my responsibility to ensure that the stories behind the food are told with honesty and reverence. Southern cuisine has evolved, becoming celebrated nationwide, but we must never forget its roots or the people who cultivated them.

At Ashford Acres, we are committed to honoring these traditions not just through our menu but through our ethos. We believe food is a powerful medium for storytelling, capable of bridging gaps and fostering understanding. Each dish is an opportunity to reflect on where we've been, who we are, and how we can move forward—together.

Audrey Middleton, Executive Chef, 2025

"Why Ashford" - Olivia Freeman's Take On Choosing Ashford Acres as a Workplace

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:06:26 GMT

" There is no “boring Monday” when you work for a place that is fostering memory creation, day in and day out. "

When asked to think about my “Why Ashford”, I’m immediately taken to the little girl who spent her free Saturdays setting up cupcake and lemonade stands, folding clothes for her own “boutique”, and planning her friend’s next birthday party (or her stuffed animal’s, for that matter). Few people can say that their full time career has put them more in touch with their inner child, but for me, Ashford Acres has done that.

As I was halfway through my junior year at the University of Kentucky, studying Hospitality and Tourism Management, I was in search of a place filled with brand identity, vision, and purpose. I had followed Ashford for years on social media (who actually followed me first, which, in a way, feels like a sign of its own).

When receiving the position in late 2023, as Ashford’s first intern, I was jumping in bravely to a place that, unlike others I had worked for in the past, saw me as a deeply valuable addition to the team. It is a thrilling feeling to walk into work everyday, knowing it is your choice how far you are willing to help propel a business, a brand, and, as Annastasia says it, “a feeling”. Beyond that, I would say, it is a thrilling feeling to be a part of the most special parts of some one’s life. There is no “boring Monday” when you work for a place that is fostering memory creation, day in and day out. That, I would say, is why I chose to continue to work at Ashford when I graduate.

My favorite parts of working at Ashford range from the little details t o the grand leaps. I adore using my creative skills in wedding and event planning, but also, organizationally and systemically taking a look at our operational success.

The most magical lens to see the place you work for is through the lens of the client. This is my favorite practice on wedding mornings. I typically arrive between 6:30 and 7 AM, rising with the sun, and walk around the house turning each light on, starting the “Wedding Morning” playlist. The mimosa bar is being set up, Southern breakfast preparation fills the air, and I begin to unlock doors for our dedicated vendors to arrive. There is nothing quite like walking around a house from 1858, knowing how much life has been lived there. Let alone, knowing that for the people here right now, the biggest day of their life is just beginning.

What sticks out to me, as I reflect, is seeing one backdrop behind so many different days. Some may call it a blank slate, but I’d describe it as a setting distinctly of its own kind. Kentucky is the kind of place that opens its arms to you, keeps you in, and makes you never want to leave. Ashford Acres Inn comes from the same spirit, and that is one I will chase for the entirety of my career.

Olivia H. Freeman, 2025

The Top MUST DOs for Your Wedding Day

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 19:52:00 GMT

Book a venue that provides an entire weekend experience.

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

When shopping for venues, you find such a large variety of wedding day policies. Some venues allow access the day of with a limit of four to five hours of use, some require you leave exactly by 11pm with hourly fees if your vendors or guests are still standing on property after that time, and some allow two days of access but include zero services or insurance. Luckily, as the manager at Ashford Acres Inn , I already knew some of the ‘ins and outs’ of the industry, which allowed me to easily plan exactly how I wanted my wedding experience to go. At the initial time of engagement, I didn’t want to get married at Ashford Acres because I worried I would ‘work’ at my own wedding. However, my exact words were, “I want exactly what Ashford Acres Inn is- but I want it somewhere else.”

After searching many different gorgeous venues, comparing costs and then comparing the services that came with those costs- I decided there wasn’t another venue like us. Ashford Acres Inn is an entire experience, one that in hindsight, I would have fully regretted not having had I chosen to have my wedding elsewhere.

Ashlyn Techau Photography

We held our rehearsal ceremony exactly where we were to be married the next day and our rehearsal dinner on the house veranda with romantic string lights lighting the area, Ed Sheeran love songs playing on the speakers, sitting beside my favorite Magnolia Tree on property, and eating the best filet mignon in the state of Kentucky. We created a whole other relaxed and memorable moment with our favorite friends and family on Friday night, something we would have lost had we not had it Ashford Acres.

The morning of the wedding (after sleeping on site in the bedrooms), we had breakfast and coffee delivered to a counter sitting right outside our suite by the Ashford Acres Inn staff, mimosas of several flavors delivered to our door, and hair ( Hair by Maddie Woff ) and make-up ( Hanna Barnett Make Up ) came to the property to help us get ready. While the ladies had this experience, the guys all played lawn games, enjoyed refreshing cocktails and simply chilled-out together on the two-acres surrounding the house, enjoying themselves and looking forward to what was about to come.

Another moment that Ashford Acres Inn allows for is a Sunday Brunch before you all depart the day after your wedding. Following the best day of our lives, we had a brunch with 30 of our favorite people to reminisce on the day before. THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE ENTIRE WEEKEND! It was just simply too hilarious to sit and talk about the details you didn’t know about, the funny stories, the stories we probably shouldn’t have repeated (but yet we still repeat to this day), and to say a meaningful goodbye to all of our loved ones.

Most importantly, all of these memories were made in the same place. A place which will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Book a quality videographer

In the beginning stages of planning, we always knew we wanted a videographer – simply because we knew we wouldn’t remember the entire day due to nerves, and I absolutely wanted to be able to see all the memories I was going to miss. We booked Happy Camper Films and the choice to do so is one that I would make over and over again! They are AHHHMAZING! I ended up paying extra for the family footage and the full footage of the ceremony, however, their 7-minute clip that I received from the main package is the one that was an absolutely MUST. We have watched that clip SO MANY TIMES since our wedding and it definitely allowed me to see parts of the day I would have never been able to.

Also, the couple that runs Happy Camper Films is simply fantastic to work with! They were so easy, so understanding, guided us, were invisible in our day and yet obviously so present…we HIGHLY recommend them!

We will watch this video for the rest of our lives…and if you can fully grasp that feeling, then you will agree that it is worth every penny!

Have an early ceremony

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

I planned and executed weddings every single weekend during the timeframe of my wedding, so one of my early goals was to not allow my own wedding day to feel like –

A. Just another wedding.
B. Like it came and went in four hours.

To prevent this from happening we initially decided on an 11am wedding, to follow with brunch. However, there ended up being a two-hour gap of time where I felt like I may lose my evening crowd if, say it were to be too hot, boring, etc. Therefore, we settled on a ceremony that began at 1pm.

In having an early ceremony, we were never rushed! We had a full one-hour “cocktail hour” full of lawn games, refreshing sangria, and socializing. We had a dinner reception with some of the traditional wedding timeline requirements: cake cutting, first dance, and speeches. Later in the evening, a BBQ food truck arrived to nourish any guests who were hungry, buffet tables turned into drinking game tables, Crank and Boom ice cream cups were displayed for guests to enjoy, and so much more! We found that all of the guests that we expected to stay and enjoy the evening with us, did just that- regardless of the timeline! There was so much for our guests to enjoy throughout the day, that it became one whole day of a celebration, instead of four to five hours of celebrating. Though your wedding day flies by no matter what, I personally would never choose a different ceremony time since it gave us so much time to be with our people.

Walk around your venue before anything begins

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

Something that I recommend to every.single.bride. from here on out, is to sneak downstairs at your venue and look around. A part of me on my wedding day thought, “oh, the photographer and videographer will capture all the feelings,” but ohhh emmm gee am I glad that I ignored that thought. I decided to run downstairs alone to look at everything two hours before the wedding was to begin. When I walked around I began to feel super grateful, emotional, and just unbelievably lucky. I watched the florist ( Hal’s Flowers ) who has grown to be our friend over the last couple of years, deliver flowers for MY ceremony, that he had stayed up all night to work on. I saw the most beautiful reception completely set and ready to go by my very own staff that I love and adore, lawn games in the yard, a silent hustle and bustle in the air mixed with the sound of the breeze through the trees… it was one of the best experiences from my entire weekend. The video and photographs that may have captured what it “looked” like, would have never captured what it felt like.

Have a First Look

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

Lots of couples that I work with tend to turn down the option to have a ‘First Look’ (which is where the couple sees each other before the wedding ceremony, alone). I fully recommend deciding TO have one, and here is why: If you have a First Look, you capture TWO moments – not THE moment. Lots of couples are afraid the moment at the end of the aisle that all people expect and dream of, won’t happen if you have a First Look. I fully disagree – my personal opinion is that you will only lose a moment if you DON’T have a First Look.

When you have a First Look, you capture a moment between the two of you that is far more personal, intimate and one that you could not recreate in front of your guests at the end of the aisle. It is romantic, you are close to each other, and you are giddy only from seeing each other. When you capture each other at the end of the aisle, not only are you an aisle-length apart from each other (so capturing both faces in one photo is almost impossible), but you are also in front of potentially 200-300 guests, all looking at your face. Your anxiety immediately jumps due to both seeing each other AND seeing all of those guests looking at you.

From my personal experience, I had two completely different experiences between the First Look and walking down the aisle- and I absolutely wanted them both on camera. Additionally, having a First Look allows for a lotttt of the wedding photos to be taken pre-ceremony, allowing for your cocktail hour to not go too long, and all of your guests to be fed sooner..so it is definitely a WIN for everyone!

“Let It Go”

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

My next piece of advice would one hundred and ten percent be to let all of the little things GO! I am a perfectionist and I manage a wedding venue – both of these facts could have made me paranoid, moody, nervous, and all sorts of other emotions on my wedding day. However, I decided, starting the day of the rehearsal dinner, to let all things go and enjoy my moments with my people. For example: during a ceremony you are supposed to stand in front of the arbor…when I got to the end of the aisle, I realized my officiant and groom were standing inside and under the arbor – but hey, “whatevs!”. It was gorgeous, if not even more gorgeous that way!

Overall point: don’t let the small, tiny details ruin your perfect day! Because if you do, then it isn’t the tiny details that ruined it, but your own mindset on what a wedding day is about! If you have a great venue, with great staff, then it will be fineeeee.

(Taylor’s dapper suit in the photo above, was purchased at Men’s Wearhouse .)

Book a Great DJ!

Never underestimate the role a DJ plays in your wedding day! This is a lesson I learned for myself by planning and coordinating weddings. There have been DJs that we do not enjoy working with for a multitude of reasons (professionalism, ability to follow a timeline, ability to work with us as their coordinators, ability to DJ… and so on). As a venue, we found Travis McGuire from Elite Entertainment Events out of Louisville, Kentucky, and we send him our business as much as we can – because WOW! He is FANTASTIC!

Travis sends you a Q&A where you fully dictate your wedding music. He dresses professionally, he follows our timeline and has adjusted so much to it that he makes our jobs much easier. His DJ equipment is ‘wedding ready’, white to match our barn, he has the ability to add your monogram to the set up, and he brings uplighting to your wedding that makes the party look so fab! It is so cool!! (and did I mention that he got married at Ashford Acres Inn this past November!?)

Be Unique

DB Shoots Photography

Again, due to planning and coordinating weddings every weekend surrounding the time of my own wedding, I needed to think of ways to make mine feel unique to me. So listed below are some ways we did just that!

GIVE YOUR BRIDAL PARTY SOME FREEDOM

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

There are so many aspects of planning your weekend that will stress you out, and so I highly recommend allowing your bridal party to have some freedom, allowing you to worry about one less detail. I personally chose 10-12 different types of bridesmaids dresses, and I chose their colors. I then sent my ladies the link to that showroom of dresses and allowed them to choose their own style! That way, they are in a dress that they like and they are in a dress YOU like!

I was not a bride that required their nails be a certain way, their hair be a certain way, or any other detail to control their appearance. Honestly, no one is going to see their nails, and I wanted my best friends to feel as beautiful as possible – which meant they needed to choose their hair style (as long as it didn’t match mine).

With the groomsmen, we chose the items online, sent them the links and asked them to buy the items they were going to wear (they mostly came from Macy’s ). We then asked them all to where dressy black shoes! This gave them some financial freedom, & allowed us to not be so stressed with their fittings and all of the details that come with that style of shopping.

(I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I found my perfect wedding dress in the picture above at Twirl Bridal Boutique! )

Take time to be with your partner

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

I saved the most important for last! I find that when Ashford Acres Inn hosts an elopement, I am endlessly stating that elopements are the way to go – simply because you get to actually spend time looking at and appreciating each other on your wedding day. However, I believe that you can have a wedding with a large guest count and still do this, but it does take intention when planning and communication so that you are both on the same page.

With my own wedding, we did choose to walk around and thank our tables, but we didn’t make a strict rule that we had to thank EVERY guest or EVERY table. It was very important to us to look in each other’s faces, sit next to each other, actually eat dinner, and have wedding day memories that mostly included each other, with our friends and family. In my opinion and experience, if you feed your guests well and provide them with a good time, then they will understand that they are there to celebrate with the two of you, and would never be upset that you spent time together rather than standing at their table thanking them for coming.

My wedding was, and always will be, one of the best days of my entire life! I hope that these ten tips help to make yours the exact same experience! Good luck on your wedding journey, and enjoy every second of it!

Have a Spooktacular Wedding at Ashford Acres Inn

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 21:47:00 GMT

In 2020 Halloween falls on a Saturday, the most popular day of the week, in one of the most popular months of the year to have a wedding. As a wedding venue we want all our Saturdays dedicated to hosting a wedding ceremony and reception, and while many venues may find booking Halloween day daunting, we feel confident a fun and adventurous couple will seek out our venue to create the spookiest wedding of the year. I mean look at our property…a large barn full of scary potential awaiting your wedding day vision, two acres of giant, ancient trees and an antebellum mansion quite easily suggestive of lurking spirits in the shadows. We can’t wait to prepare our venue for this unique and exciting wedding!

Writing about a Halloween wedding at Ashford Acres Inn makes me feel nostalgic for holiday festivities in Kentucky. I crave sweaters, boots, scarves, a warm mug of something delicious to keep my hands warm and my tastebuds happy, colorful leaves everywhere I look and crisp air that feels clean and thin. I might just have to sneak away and come to the Inn for next year’s Halloween wedding to satisfy my desire to experience a real fall season again!

Zoom in and note the CVS sign to the left of the tent.

Most of the year I reside in Los Angeles, where October is warm, leaves remain very green and flowers are still blooming. Unless you want to drive an hour or longer away, the pumpkin ‘patch’ is a parking lot with dirty hay scattered on the blacktop, a hay bale maze, and so many people squeezed into this city-fied farm attempt that I usually want to leave before my sweaty, booted feet leave my car (because you have to dress the part, regardless of the temperature outside). Our first year in the city friends told us we had to take the kids to Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch. You can look it up and find pictures of celebrities pulling their kids around in wagons through tight rows of stacked pumpkins. Seemingly, it has been the ‘it’ pre-Halloween spot if you have young children. It was during our first visit to Mr. Bones that I thought to myself, ‘this is the popular pumpkin patch?’. Eight years later it has become normal – the pumpkin patch on Hayvenhurst Avenue turns into a Christmas tree lot in November, and the big city continues to find profit in each resident’s desires to fill a void (because everyone here is yearning for their hometown Halloween season – no one is actually from LA).

Nolan and Abby at Bi-Water Farm in 2011.

When we lived in Kentucky we visited Bi-Water Farm in Georgetown every year, sometimes multiple times during the Halloween season. The whole family would meet and we’d all pile onto the hay ride, get off at the playground, take pictures on the giant rocking horses, feed the goats and bunnies, watch the kids ride the tricycles around the path and finally choose our pumpkins. Some years it was unseasonably hot. Some years it was chilly. But it was always a real pumpkin patch. In Kentucky, fall is authentic without the work. It’s like the season was born there and slowly grew to cover other parts of the country. It’s effortless, and moves smoothly over your skin and through your lungs providing closure from the summer and temporarily masking the dread of winter. Can you tell I miss it?

Abby and I took a little trip to Home Goods and found these super cute glass pumpkins!

Living in this sunny city we follow the lead of the parking lot pumpkin patches. We desperately look for ways to fill little pockets of fall in our daily lives and pretend it doesn’t feel like an oven outside. We believe if we decorate our tables with miniature gourds and pumpkins, hang Halloween garland from the fireplace, spread scary rubber snakes in vases around the house, put a life-size plastic skeleton on the front porch, overheat ourselves in our boots and under our scarves, and perform the annual ritual where we close our eyes, spin in a circle three times and say ‘pumpkin spice latte’ over and over, it will actually feel like fall . It sounds ridiculous. But you have to allow us a little ridiculousness. You have fall. We don’t. So let us pretend.

California pumpkin.

Disclaimer: All of this being said, Los Angeles is an amazingly fun city to live in and the weather is 90 percent of the reason why. I love this city! Yet, I argue, we are still allowed to miss a fall-filled Halloween season, and we are absolutely allowed to overfill our houses with spooky and autumn-y decor to make us feel like we’re back home.

Antique stores are fantastic resources for spooky Halloween decor!

My daughter, Abby and I decorated our house the first weekend of October. She’s been an LA girl since she was two years old, so a hot-as-heck Halloween is completely normal to her. One day she’ll move to the east coast and complain about the cool, damp weather, slippery leaves all over the ground and gray skies, and she’ll yearn for the Halloween pool parties of her youth.

Back to our decorating day: while I pranced around the house wearing my sweater and knee-high boots repeating “It’s fall y’all! We need to dress the part!” she looked at me with squinty eyes and a sideways head, wearing her shorts and tank top, as if I were wearing poorly clipped-in blonde hair extensions beneath a velvet top-hot, in a sorry attempt to look like Stevie Nicks (that was a different Halloween, but I’ll never forget the look of confusion on her face). After a few eye rolls we were on our way to scare-ifying our Cali abode.

I looovvvve these ceramic mannequins! They’re so weird. I found them on eBay a few years ago when I was preparing for a Halloween party.

With pumpkins on our table, skulls on our mantle and our vases of snakes overflowing, I close my curtains, fight my urge to turn on the fireplace and stir the pot of chili on the stove. My skeleton, Victor (named by Abby) sits quietly on the front porch, his bony figure allowing him to enjoy the hot temperatures as he keeps an eye on the graveyard on the lawn, draped in cobwebs that we’ve reused for so many years the twigs and dirt only add to the authentic look.

Abby is going to be a black cat for Halloween this year – again. Or a devil. Or an inflatable tube man from the car lot she always sees wildly and frantically waving from the freeway. Whatever she decides, we’ll enjoy every minute of this fun and eery season until it’s time to pack up our decorations and put them in storage until next October. We won’t feel sad about it though, because while we’re shoving the Halloween boxes back into the garage, we’ll be pulling out the CHRISTMAS decorations! I don’t believe in taking a break between these end-of-the-year holidays. Don’t worry, we still fully celebrate Thanksgiving – while listening to Christmas music beneath our multi-colored Christmas lights.

Bringing it back to the Halloween wedding, because really, I’m talking about two different topics here…Hopefully we’ll find a couple looking for their perfect, spooktacular wedding venue for their October 31, 2020 wedding. There isn’t a venue with a better staff to tackle the project! With all the necessary elements already on the property, there is something so exciting about shaking things up a little and getting away from the traditional flowers, candles, tablecloths and napkins for a single wedding experience. The possibilities are endless for a Halloween wedding at Ashford Acres Inn – a candlelight ceremony and reception after dusk, black lace tablecloths covering the tables, burnt orange throw blankets as parting gifts for your guests, fire pits and s’mores kits for a fun reception treat, a hot chocolate stand serving (of course) pumpkin spiced chocolate…the ideas keep coming to me, but this sentence is about to get unbearably long so instead let’s discuss them over a wedding consultation!

Wherever you’re reading this from, we at Ashford Acres Inn wish you a happy fall and happy Halloween!

Making Self Care a Priority

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 20:43:00 GMT

Ashford Acres Inn Manager, Annastasia Hicks contributed this blog post. The inn is her baby and her workouts are her therapy. Thanks for contributing to the blog Annastasia!

When it comes to Ashford Acres Inn and managing the property as a whole, self-care is at the top of my list of daily priorities in order to stay fresh and focused every day on the job and present in my relationships. Part of my daily routine to ensure I take care of my physical and mental health is an early morning workout with one of my co-workers, Chelsea Hill. (I have to have another person participating in order to actually get myself out of bed each day!)

Every day of the week at 6:00 AM we get up and head to either Ashford Acres Inn or the local park to workout. We have meticulously planned each day to have a different purpose for our workouts in order to ensure we don’t get bored and we have the motivation to get up each day. Mondays are for HIIT Training, Tuesdays are for Strength Training, Wednesdays are for distance running, Thursdays are for HIIT Training, Fridays are for Yoga.

Listed below are a few mental health moments we incorporate into our daily workouts to help us start each day on our best foot possible!

Whatever you do, my overall suggestion is to do something no matter what! Find out your mental weaknesses and work around those to make sure you’re successful in your fitness and health journey. Enjoy the time to yourself, and as our yoga instructor Ivy would say, remember what your body felt like at the beginning of your workout and what it feels like at the end & be thankful for that.

Autumn in Kentucky: What to do?

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 20:39:00 GMT

The early morning air is beginning to feel a little more crisp, the kids are off to school, coffee shops are preparing their pumpkin flavors and soon the leaves above our heads will be changing colors and carpeting the ground beneath our feet.

Fall is on it’s way to Kentucky!

Dust off your knee high boots, freshen up the scarves you stored away in late spring and get your calendar out to make your fall-in-Kentucky plans!

Check out some of our favorite things to do in Kentucky during this cool and colorful season.

Have you visited Whispering Woods Riding Stables yet? If not, gather some friends of all ages and plan a day to horseback ride through true Kentucky woods. It’s such a unique and fun way to enjoy nature and spend a little time with the magnificent creatures our state is known for. I’ve been on many trail rides in my life – on mountainsides, on the beach, in pastures…but this was definitely my favorite equine adventure.

Visit http://whisperingwoodstrails.com for information on how to plan your fun, fall horseback riding experience!

Another fun horse themed escapade during fall is visiting Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Facility where retired race horses now reside, grazing on Kentucky bluegrass and freely galloping through beautiful green pastures. Fall is the best time to visit Old Friends because the heat and humidity of summer has given way to cooler temperatures and wilted leaves, making your walk between the fences much more comfortable. Be sure to visit Little Silver Charm, who we think is just as entertaining and interesting as all of his taller companions on the farm.

Visit http://www.oldfriendsequine.org for information on attending a tour.

Sometimes you need to get away from the fast-paced worlds of work, school, and kid sports schedules. Take a break by strolling along downtown streets filled with unique boutiques, florists, an antique store, a super charming hardware store, a coffee shop, a town museum, restaurants and a brewery. Grab a beer, a bite to eat, take pictures in front of towering murals and if you time it right maybe also catch a movie in one of the oldest movie theaters still showing first-run movies, Roh’s Opera House. (Photo by Shonda Judy)

Our family favorite pumpkin patch is Bi-Water Farm in Georgetown. We’ve made so many family memories on the hayrides, searching for the perfect pumpkins, watching the bunnies hop around their little town and watching the little ones climb around on the playground. Bi-Water provides fun for the entire family and we suggest picking up a jar of homemade apple butter before you head back home with your wagon full of pumpkins!

Visit https://biwaterfarm.com to view operating hours.

It’s difficult to pin down a single bourbon distillery as being the best. There’s a reason the Bourbon Trail is known throughout the world! Visitors never forget the beauty of the countryside witnessed not only at individual distilleries, but also on scenic drives to the distilleries. One of our favorites to visit is the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles. This world renown bourbon has built it’s own reputation as a near-perfect whiskey, but we believe whole-heartedly (and try hard to live up to this belief at Ashford Acres Inn with our own guests) that the quality of your experience makes everything taste better. Tasting your Woodford Reserve bourbon AT the stunning piece of Kentucky property where it’s made might just make it the best bourbon you’ve ever savored.

Visit https://www.woodfordreserve.com/distillery/tours/ to set up your tour.

To us nothing says fall better than parking in a grass field, shopping for crafts under big, white tents and searching for that once-a-year delicious treat of freshly made doughnuts sold out of a trailer, (which happens to sit very near the blacksmith’s cabin toward the back of the festival. We’ve done this once or twice before). The particular festival we’re referring to is Kentucky’s famous Wool Festival in Falmouth. This juried craft festival is a favorite for Kentuckians and cannot be missed! With endless booths of crafts, live music, a wool and sheep tent that gives the festival its name, shearing and herding demonstrations, and more yummy food trucks than we have room to list, this is the epitome of fall festivals!

Visit http://www.kywoolfest.org for more information about this year’s Wool Festival.

There are countless hiking trails throughout the state showcasing diverse and exquisite scenery. Various ability levels of trails throughout the state will lead you to natural bridges, flowing streams and stunning waterfalls. Very close to Ashford Acres Inn is Quiet Trails State Nature Preserve, which provides an easy 1.7 mile loop, making it perfect for family hikes, with views of the Licking River. Fall is the perfect time of year to renew your love and fascination with Kentucky’s countryside! We suggest packing a picnic and enjoying an entire afternoon in nature!

Tell us some of your favorite things to do during fall in Kentucky!

Annastasia’s favorite season is fall and so of course, she has a Kentucky fall bucket list!

Visit the pumpkin patch
Make chili
Have hot cocoa on the front porch
Have a picnic in the cool fall air
Go hiking
Watch Hocus Pocus with friends
Roast pumpkin seeds
Go to fall festivals
Bake a pie
Take a family fall photo
Decorate the house for fall
Go star gazing
Take a scenic drive
Have a bonfire

My Top 5 “Loves” of Ashford Acres Inn

Sat, 10 Aug 2019 20:12:00 GMT

Ashford Acres Inn staff member, Chelsea Hill contributed this blog post. She has worked at the Inn since April and has been a wonderful addition to our team! Thank you Chelsea for taking a moment to write about what you love about Ashford Acres!

Chelsea Hill, Ashford Acres Inn Staff Member

Ashford Acres Inn has quickly become a home away from home for me, despite being my place of work. Not just the grounds or the home itself, but the people, including the guests, make it such an outstanding place to work as well as retreat. Prior to working with Ashford Acres Inn, my mother-in-law hosted a bridal shower for me there. It was love at first site… with Ashford Acres I mean (I love my husband too though)! From a list of what seems like infinite favorites, I have selected my top 5 favorite aspects of Ashford Acres Inn, most being the small things that may not make the headlines, but make ALL the difference in a getaway or wedding day!

Ashford Acres Inn. Photograph by Christian Giannelli.

My first favorite and perhaps the most obvious, is the grandeur of the inn itself. Its classic, original crown moldings, chandeliers, and fireplaces make for the most amazing backdrops for photos with little to no effort on the part of the guest. While the inn feels rich and grand, the staff are always there to serve with relaxed, southern hospitality, bottom line. They cater to your needs and wants, and tailor your experience to make it exactly what YOU are looking for. It was this outstanding service that made me want to be a part of the team at Ashford Acres Inn.

Biancke’s Restaurant in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Photograph by Shonda Judy.

Secondly, I love the small town experience. Cynthiana, Kentucky, where Ashford Acres Inn is located, is the definition of small town America. What once was a booming, river city has become a quiet and quaint town in all the best ways. You won’t find an Applebee’s around the corner or an Olive Garden up the street, but rather Biancke’s Restaurant, a hometown favorite full of mouth-watering, home cooked meals! Attached, The Station at Biancke’s, sparks nightlife in Cynthiana with a fantastic Old Fashioned made with Kentucky Bourbon and many more cocktails to choose from. These are just the beginning of the list of small town accommodations offered in Cynthiana!

The Sitting Room at Ashford Acres Inn. Photograph by Christian Giannelli.

Adorned with lovely antiques including classic children’s novels, silver pieces, even war medals from Jack Owen, the former owner of the house, the sitting room makes the house a home. It draws guests away from their rooms to enjoy a cocktail together, read a book by the fire, or play a game as a family. The attention to detail in this room with the warm quilts, comfy furniture, and large windows never ceases to entice you in. It is my personal favorite place to be on the grounds.

Dinner on the veranda at Ashford Acres Inn. Photograph by Ashlyn Riley Photography.

Privacy or fellowship, the choice is yours at Ashford Acres Inn. When dining at the inn you may choose to be in one of our in-house locations like the dining rooms or sitting room, where other guests may also be dining giving you the opportunity, if you wish, to share stories of travel, tips on destinations, or simply a cocktail. Whatever the conversation, I personally love the opportunity to engage with other travelers from other places! That being said, I have also celebrated my anniversary at Ashford Acres Inn in which case I wanted my experience to be a little more personal. We enjoyed a walk on the grounds together and cocktails on the veranda for more privacy! While we did not reserve dinner at the inn, if we had, I would have chosen to have dinner on the barn veranda overlooking the sunset.

The Maple Suite at Ashford Acres Inn. Photograph by Christian Giannelli.

Lastly, the sheets. I know, I know, this one seems random, but you wouldn’t think so if you slept on these sheets! After all, this is a BED and breakfast so the sleeping experience is quite important. The sheets at Ashford Acres Inn are, simply put, phenomenal. Unfortunately, they set the standard and make sleeping on any other sheets mediocre. For your convenience, and sanity, we do have these sheets on sale at the inn.

The Garden Suite at Ashford Acres Inn. Photograph by Christian Giannelli.

Similarly, after staying at Ashford Acres Inn, you realize what you have been missing. It sets the standard for a vacation experience of its kind. We are sad when our guests leave, but love to see them when they return! So many of our guests have become friends, and in my case, employees, because, as I said above, Ashford Acres Inn truly becomes your home away from home.

A Wedding Weekend at Ashford Acres Inn

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 23:51:00 GMT

The unique element that makes Ashford Acres Inn stand out as a wedding venue is that your experience begins the day before your wedding and lasts through the day after . Your long-awaited-for, momentous celebration doesn’t have to fit into a five hour block of time.

Christian Gianneli Photography

When you arrive at the Inn the day before your wedding, you’re guided to your luxurious room decorated with comfort in mind, where you can get acquainted with the space and enjoy a complimentary, homemade, sweet snack and beverage. It’s the perfect start to your weekend. Your closest friends and family who are staying at the Inn are also arriving and getting checked-in. You marvel at the fact you don’t feel stressed the day before your wedding and feel proud of yourself for finding a place and the people to help you enjoy such an extraordinary time in your life. You don’t have to think about placing the centerpieces for the next day, what time your cake will be delivered or where to store the bouquets when they arrive in the morning. All details were planned months and weeks before and are being taken care of by the Ashford Acres Inn Wedding Coordinators and staff.

Ashyln Riley Photography

Evening rolls in and it’s just about time for the rehearsal and dinner. The Ashford Acres Inn Wedding Coordinator is available to walk you through your ceremony rehearsal, guiding your wedding party and family members, making sure everyone knows exactly what’s expected of them the next day. Then it’s time for the meal, preferably in one of our more intimate settings, such as inside the historic main house dining rooms or on the veranda, nestled next to our splendid, old magnolia tree and overlooking the soft, rolling grasses on the farm behind the house. This is such a special meal. The energy and excitement are vibrant as your most cherished guests gather to celebrate you and your soon-to-be significant other. Delicious food is served, toasts are made, and lingering is allowed! Guests can stroll on the farm wandering past the old tobacco barn to the pond, watch the sun set on the classic front porch rocking chairs, or gather for extra conversation in the comfort of the sitting room. The night moves at the pace you choose and the mood settles your spirit in preparation for the excitement of the next day.

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

After a restful night’s sleep in your cozy suite, you make your way to the dining room to join the other overnight guests, all of whom are your family and friends, for a complimentary, homemade, southern breakfast. Over plates of cheese grits, scrambled eggs, maple bacon and sweet crepes, your excitement for the hours ahead grows. You don’t have to worry about where or when you’re getting ready because your rooms have already been prepared for you and your wedding party. Later, a light lunch will be served buffet style either in the dining room or just outside your suite, and all vendors arriving to help you prepare will be directed by staff to where they need to be.

Caleb Irvin Photography

Now it’s time for your ceremony and the Ashford Acres Inn Wedding Coordinators gather your bridesmaids and family, make sure all bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres are in their proper places, and line everyone up in preparation for the processional to begin. You spend those last few special moments before your big entrance, with your family and friends who are excitedly standing with you. Your guests are awaiting your grand walk down the aisle, seated in perfectly aligned and flower-adorned chairs in the ceremony location you chose months before.

Sarah Katherine Davis Photography

After perfectly sweet vows are exchanged and guests have dried their happy tears your photographer guides you, your family and your wedding party to capture-the-moment in the many amazing locations on the property for wedding photographs. While you smile and pose for the camera, our staff will serve your guests during cocktail hour, making sure everyone is happy and entertained until the reception area is opened and your guests can find their seats and await your introduction as a new married couple!

Melanie Mauer Photography

It’s time for the reception! This is the part of the day everyone has been waiting for – a time to celebrate and visit with friends, eat scrumptious food, sample specialty drinks at the bar and dance, dance, dance! The hours of love and work provided by the Ashford Acres Inn staff to make the reception beautiful and impressive, pays off when everyone sees your guests’ expressions as they enter. They rave to each other about how they can’t believe it looks so gorgeous and how they haven’t been to another wedding so splendid.

Caleb Irvin Photography

Now that the ceremony is over and your vows have been masterfully expressed in front of your chosen audience, you can breathe a sigh of relief because everything you wanted for your wedding day happened exactly as you dreamed it would. You laugh, listen to toasts from the most special people in your lives, during all the mingling with your guests you try to find moments to grab a bite of the food you carefully selected many months before, you catch a private few minutes on the dance floor with your new partner swaying in front of a magnificent background of Kentucky bluegrass and you allow yourself to bask in the moment of YOUR day.

Ashlyn Riley Photography

When the wedding traditions are over, you give the signal to the DJ that it’s time to turn the party up! You spend hours on the dance floor with your besties dancing away and creating memories you’ll cherish forever. The flower girl is learning new moves, grandma is showing off her skills and you’re having the time of your life.

Christian Gianneli Photography

And then finally…it’s time for your big finish, your grand exit. Your guests line up and one last time they celebrate your brand new marriage. Beneath a tunnel of flashing sparks and screams of happy congratulations, you make your way to the Garden Suite, where you’ll spend your first night together as a married couple.

Arriving in the suite you find to-go boxes, put together and placed in your room by the staff, of the delicious food from your reception, which you were only able to pick at because you were having so much fun with your guests. You sit for a moment, slip off your shoes, take time to fill your belly, and you appreciate being alone with your new partner. At the end of the night when you close your eyes you struggle to fully relax because you keep replaying all of the exciting and happy emotions of the day. You finally do doze off though, sunken into the soft pillow-top mattress that envelopes every inch of your body.

But your memory-making isn’t over yet…

You wake the next morning, surprisingly well rested and walk to the dining room to meet your close friends and family who also stayed overnight. Everyone is excited to welcome you and you sit down to share your first breakfast together as a married couple and the last meal of your wedding-weekend celebration. You look around Ashford Acres Inn and you recognize it will always have a special place in your heart. The place where you began your marriage. The place where you formed so many life-long memories with your closest companions. And you know you’ll be back. For anniversaries, birthdays, summer get-aways…The memories of your time at this special place will continue.

12 Easy Steps to Turn Your Home Into a Temporary Bed & Breakfast for Your Guests

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 19:03:00 GMT

One of the best reasons to stay at a bed and breakfast is the extra pampering you don’t get at a regular hotel. Why not turn your own home into a personal bed and breakfast for your houseguests? If you follow these 12 easy steps, your guests won’t feel like they are intruding on your personal space, and instead will feel like you’re treating them to a relaxing vacation in your home.

First Impressions are very important! Make sure common areas are clean and organized. Make sure belongings are put away where they are supposed to be (shoes in the shoe area, coats in the closet). If you are strapped for time, (this happens to all of us!) make sure there is a location that you can stash some clutter and come back to after your guests leave. We’ve all done the ‘stuff it in a laundry basket and hide it in the bedroom’ maneuver. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the guest areas are neat!

De-clutter. Think: Essentials. Keep the room or area where your guests will sleep clear of personal items, (the box of old clothes you’ve been meaning to donate, framed family pictures, the stack of papers and projects your kid brought home on the last day of school…) and only keep the essentials around. This will allow your guests to feel like the space is just for them and they aren’t encroaching on your space.

Create ambiance. Open the curtains, dim the overhead light, turn on beside lamps, light candles or maybe even put on your favorite playlist. Spotify and Pandora are great options for already created playlists!

Clear a place for coats and bags. Maybe even provide guests with a drawer or two. While most guests expect to live out of a suitcase- they will feel more at home if they can unpack the necessities.

Stock up on guest toiletries. Collect the cute, little toiletries from your past hotel stays or stock up at your local store (Walmart is one of our go-tos!). Provide shampoo, conditioner and a body wash in the shower. Small travel toothpaste and mouthwash are perfect for overnight guests because these are items some people would not be comfortable sharing with past guests. A few other favorites we keep in a basket are makeup wipes, Advil, single use razors, bandages and feminine products. We also recommend keeping a trashcan nearby so guests don’t have to go searching for one. And ALWAYS remember to stock the cabinet with extra toilet paper rolls so your guest doesn’t have to ask for a roll later.

Fresh linens are every guests dream! It’s always a good idea to change the bedsheets closer to guests arrival to keep them feeling fresh and new. Same goes for the towels. This can be done the week of arrival so the stress of last minute to-dos doesn’t creep up on you. And don’t forget to include a washcloth or two, and a hand towel.

Don’t have a guest room? No problem! Invest in an inflatable mattress or prep the couch (keeping sheets and blankets folded nearby and making the bed closer to bedtime).

Provide a bottle of water or a decanter of water with a glass, by their bedside. Your guests will appreciate not having to find the kitchen in the dark in an unfamiliar home.

Pop something on a tray or in the oven! Before your guests arrive, get a sense of what they like to eat and drink. There is nothing that will immediately make guests feel more at home than a snack on their arrival or a home cooked meal! Pair it with a refreshing drink and your guests will begin relaxing as soon as they walk through your door!

Have a little extra time? Pick some flowers from your garden, or a bouquet from the grocery store and add them to the room for a little extra color and beautiful scent. Or, if you know your guests interests, pick up a few magazines you think they would enjoy and leave them on the nightstand. Gestures like these will be very appreciated!

Check the electronics. If there is a television in the room make sure it’s working properly. If there’s a clock on the nightstand, make sure the time is correct. Place an extra charger or a multi-port charging station nearby for easy re-charging. Have the remote control, fan remote or any other controllers in obvious locations. Writing the wifi password on a card for your guests to hold on to will keep your guests from having to ask you later once you’ve both said goodnight.

Ask about food preferences. Before your guests are due to arrive, ask if they have any food allergies or preferences and plan your grocery list accordingly. They will really appreciate you considering their nutritional needs and desires during their stay at your home.

Sit back and enjoy your hospitable home and happy guests!

Ashford Acres Inn

Behind the Scenes Bridal - Bridal Hospitality

"It may be no surprise to some, but the parts of wedding planning I have found sweetest, are those you can only do as the bride herself."

How My First Job at Ashford Acres Changed Me

"Ashford Acres Isn't Just a job to me...It’s a safe place where young women like me can grow, learn, and figure out who we’re becoming."

More Than a Pet: Celebrating the Life of an Animal Who Was Family

To have felt the love between a pet and yourself is magic, and losing it is some of the deepest pain...we wanted to share several ways that we memorialize them, keep them with us, and allow them to continue living on through us.

How Our Executive Director Chooses Healthy Living

"I have systems, routines, or ways of living that I have chosen for my life that have caused my body or household to feel better, get sick less, have more energy, and other beneficial outcomes - all based in my lifestyle edits."

The Heart of Hospitality: People First

From Our Home to Yours: Holiday Decorating with Sonia Kirkman

"One of the best ways to decorate for the holidays is to use simple Christmas decor in unexpected but simple ways."

A Very Ashford Christmas: Gift Guide 2025

This holiday season, bring the gift of a Kentucky Getaway for the Soul to the people in your life - in whatever form suits them best.

The Garden Keeps Me Grounded - Paying Homage to Summer

Sunlight and Soil: A Love Letter to Summer Harvest

Women: We Do Belong in the Kitchen

"Because of the women who came before me, I’ve been able to create a space at Ashford Acres where everyone is welcome."

Recognizing Black History in Southern Dining

" Southern cuisine has evolved, becoming celebrated nationwide, but we must never forget its roots or the people who cultivated them" ﻿

"Why Ashford" - Olivia Freeman's Take On Choosing Ashford Acres as a Workplace

" There is no “boring Monday” when you work for a place that is fostering memory creation, day in and day out. " ﻿

The Top MUST DOs for Your Wedding Day

Book a venue that provides an entire weekend experience.

Book a quality videographer

Have an early ceremony

Walk around your venue before anything begins

Have a First Look

“Let It Go”

Book a Great DJ!

Be Unique

GIVE YOUR BRIDAL PARTY SOME FREEDOM

Take time to be with your partner

Have a Spooktacular Wedding at Ashford Acres Inn

Making Self Care a Priority

Autumn in Kentucky: What to do?

My Top 5 “Loves” of Ashford Acres Inn

A Wedding Weekend at Ashford Acres Inn

12 Easy Steps to Turn Your Home Into a Temporary Bed & Breakfast for Your Guests

" Southern cuisine has evolved, becoming celebrated nationwide, but we must never forget its roots or the people who cultivated them"

" There is no “boring Monday” when you work for a place that is fostering memory creation, day in and day out. "