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I celebrated my first July 4th holiday in Ogunquit today! Our Inn is full of guests and we hosted the most fabulous BBQ in our garden with all my favorite foods!

The best part - we watched a spectacular fireworks show on the beach. The display was huge and I felt like I could reach out and touch the fireworks we were that close!

I wore my @spiritdress Stars Saturday blouse. Mercer has the best selection of tops and dresses. Use promo code FOJ25 for 25% off your purchase! And my @designsbylaurelleigh
bracelet. I love supporting women-owned businesses!

Happy 4th y'all!

#MelissaINNMaine ...

So excited y'all - I launched Ogunquit Memorial Library's book club today! It was so much fun meeting new people in this gorgeous, historic library built in 1897 for the town's residents. We discussed @susanorlean The Library Book.

We plan to meet monthly until the end of the season. I'm living my best life!

#MelissaINNMaine ...

The little things. My morning routine at the Inn is setting up our coffee and hot tea service. I love the little touches that turn a simple cup of coffee into a luxury.

When we travel we like to experience the tiny details we don't normally practice in our daily routine - like tiny spoons, nestled in a jar to stir your coffee. Raw sugar cubes with tongs. How about personal - sized, white ceramic pitchers filled with milk or cream. Or mini size tea pots to brew your cup of tea.

I've rounded up my favorite "little things" on my Instagram shop. Click the link in my bio.

#MelissaINNMaine ...

Melissa INN Maine! If you're new to my feed, welcome to my new adventure as an "accidental innkeeper."

I took a leap of faith and retired from a great career I loved and was good at to leave Texas for Maine to manage a B&B.

I love to read and got my Ogunquit Library card the first month I was here. I'm starting the town's bookclub in a few weeks!

I love to collect seashells and plan to create something fabulous with my treasures.
I'm journaling my experiences to write a book - maybe even star in my own HGTV series!

I'd love for you to follow my journey as I share the day-to-day as an Innkeeper! Click in the bio to sign up for my blog posts.

Thank you @favoritect for the adorable dress and keeping me coastal resort chic! ...

The Flower Martini. Our gardens at the Inn are bursting with dahlias in pinks, creams and apricot. Check out my story this morning to see how big these blooms are. Here's a whimsical idea for your summer parties - flower martinis.

Clip a bloom, fill a martini glass with water, add a few olives then drop in your bloom. Place a line of flower-filled glasses down the center of the table or at each guest's place setting. Be the unforgettable host. ...

𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲. Since I left my 25-year corporate job to be an Innkeeper I'm curating a different closet. Jean jacket | tshirt | skirt | shorts. Pieces that can be interchangeable.

I found two skirts from Target I'll be wearing all summer long. Link in my bio to shop my instagram for this outfit and more warm weather staples.

#MelissaINNMaine ...

Pecan cheese wafers - so southern I had to make this recipe for our happy hour at the Inn. Perfect with wine, brunch or in a tin as a gift. My mother loved making this recipe for friends.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter softened

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1 pound sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded (do not use pre-shedded).

60-70 pecan halves

Instructions

In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce until smooth and creamy.

Mix 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika. Beat well, scraping the sides. Spoon into butter mixture until well blended.

Add the cheddar cheese and beat well, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.

Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and chill well, at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet 1 inch apart. Press the top of each ball with a fork (if the fork sticks, coat with flour). 

Place a pecan half on top of each wafer. 

Bake at 350 degrees 18-20 minutes

Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a airtight container. Best served within 2 days. ...

My first Memorial Day in Ogunquit! Today the town is bustling with beach goers, parades, American flags and vacationers. We are grilling dogs and I'm making my best ever baked beans.

Thank you to all the heros who've bravely served and given their lives for our country. 🇺🇲 ...

Lilac season is almost over but it ends with the entry of irises and spirea. Also known as "bridal wreath" I grew up picking the sweet smelling trailing white flowers to play bride in my mother's wedding dress.

I created this bouquet for our juice and water bar pairing beautifully with the cobalt blue Murano glassware. Shop my @shop.ltk in the bio for a stunning addition to your table. ...

The beauty of spring never escapes me here in Ogunquit. It's as if this place has awakened all my senses. I am grateful for pause life is giving me. Soak it in. Don't rush through the days. ...

Pretty much anything along the Ogunquit Beach is mesmerizing including the wooden bridges to the river off the beach. I captured this photo during my sunset walk.

Thank you for following my journey.
#MelissaINNMaine ...

The power of social media. I know it gets a bad wrap because some of what's shared is harsh and hurtful. But I thank social sharing for meeting people like Lisa.

She found me through my friend Jennifer @jenniferdimplesandtangles and started following my #MelissaINNMaine journey. She booked a stay at my Inn with her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Imagine my joy when she checked in and said she was in Ogunquit because of me!

Everyday unveils new surprises, experiences and reflections. I love what I'm doing and so proud of myself for stepping into the unknown.

Thank you Lisa for making me the happiest innkeeper in the world. ...

Breakfast is served! Look at my adorable monogrammed #MelissaINNMaine apron from my former co-workers. I keep all my stuff in the pockets. It's fun to wear it while I serve our daily breakfasts at the Inn!

I'm still sending out batches of postcards from Maine. If you want to be added to the list click on the link in my bio.

Thank you for following my journey! ...

So much to celebrate this weekend. Twenty-five years ago I promised to love Doug and I thank God everyday He helped us find each other.

Time flies when you're having fun. Our life together has had its share of sorrows but there's always a rainbow guiding us to happy times and hopefully another 25!🌈 ...

𝗠𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲. Each day I learn or do something new as #MelissaINNMaine I say to myself, but mostly outloud, "I love this the best!"

Well, this morning as I strolled our beautiful gardens picking forsythia and daffodils to make posies for our dining tables I felt the peace of knowing this is good for me. Some days there are growing pains but there are more moments of joy and happiness.

Thank you for following my journey 🦞

Melissa INN Maine. ...

The flowers in the village are bursting with color. I love these Jonquils with their sunny orange centers. I picked this for a guest who checked in last night.

The New England spring lasts much longer than what we are used to in Texas. Many rainy days and milder temps will bring us a glorious garden. I can't wait to make bouquets for our guests to enjoy during their stay. ...

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁! I worked my first breakfast service today. It was so fun hosting our guests - a group of precious gals from the south! It made me feel all warm and fuzzy meeting them.

We served a new addition to our menu - chocolate biscuits with orange butter and fudge sauce. Isn't the presentation stunning!

Thanks for following my journey #MelissaINNMaine. ...

𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀. I feel my mother's spirit everywhere but especially here in Ogunquit.

When I was little I would accompany Mother on her early morning walks on the beach when we'd vacation in Galveston. Holding my hand in hers she'd say, "If you want to collect the finest shells you must get up very early each morning before they are all picked over by the shell seekers.”

I remembered her message as I walked the beach early one morning last week. I have a new blog post up sharing more memories of my parents and the lessons I'm learning now. Link in the bio to read.

Thank you for following my journey.

Melissa INN Maine🦞 ...

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝘁. I found this beautiful Japanese teacup yesterday in a thrift store while I was exploring my new neighborhood.

I decided to up-cycle my treasure into an Easter basket with a twist. I filled it with grass, chocolate covered eggs and adorable @lindt_usa chicks and sheep.

Gift someone by wrapping it in cellophane with a ribbon or place cups on the table as a treat for your guests.

Happy 🐣 Easter and to new beginnings. ...

𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲. It's been almost two weeks since I made Maine my seasonal home. This little spot is right outside my room. I brought my treasures to sprinkle the space with the familiar.

Everyday is a new adventure. I'm in a new season of my life leaning into the unfamiliar, recognizing the gifts of change, navigating relationships. It's scary somethings, but I'm stretching my wings.

Hop onto Insta LIVE tomorrow at 8 p.m. Eastern to chat and catch up. I can't wait to see you! ...

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲. Who wouldn't want to sit here? I found the faux grass placemats @daiso_usa and added the little sheep from my Easter decor box. The finishing touch is always a pretty linen napkin from @amyhowardhome. Fill in with heirloom carrots from @traderjoes and Peter Rabbit will stop by for sure.

Link in my bio to shop my Instagram for the gingham melamine plates and napkin rings. ...

𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲!
Melissa INN Maine - episode one. Join me and my special guest, Mr. Twist on Facebook LIVE Thursday night at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Bring your sip and we'll dish on all the exciting things we are planning for opening day on April 29 when you book your stay - a commemorative gift in your room, a special Texas-themed sip and a welcome party! Think girl friend, an anniversary surprise or a working vacation! Link in bio to book your stay.

See you Thursday! #melissainnmaine ...

𝗣𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝘆, 𝗜 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗷𝗼𝗯! I can't believe I'm in Ogunquit, Maine working with this awesome team @thetrellishouse.

We celebrated my first day with bubbly @coastal.wine for their opening of the new season. Hop over to my stories to see my walk into town and on the beach this chilly Saturday.

Come see me! Link in the bio to book a stay. I'm a Mainer y'all! #melissainmaine ...

𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗮. Ogunquit, Maine is my happy place. I will be standing in front of this gorgeous property next week! Pinch me.

The award-winning Trellis House is where I first stayed many years ago. Sophisticated flair, Maine charm, laid back garden-meets-beach luxury and named by Trip Advisor as the ninth best B&B/Inn in the USA. 

Next door is their newest property The Blue Shutters Inn & Studios. That's where I will live until November - steps away from the ocean.

I'll share more soon. In the meantime visit @thetrellishouse to book your stay so I can give you a hug. I'm a Mainer y'all! ...

"𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔; 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅." 𝑬.𝑽.

As the sun sets today so does the end of my 25-year career at TCU. I'm the luckiest girl to have worked with the best team and met so many wonderful alumni along the way.

These gorgeous flowers graced the table at my retirement party. Designed by @twigandpistil they are a work of art. I'm humbled, blessed and content. Thank you TCU. ...