vintage escapes
When Brenda picked up and brushed the dirt from the statue she’d tripped over, she realized it was an owl. How long it lay there, half-hidden and waiting to be found, no one knows. The discovery was the divine indica- tion they sought, and they purchased the land. The property contained one dilapidated 1960s bungalow. Though entirely unlivable, the foundation remained intact and became the base for a new house, designed by Steve. They acquired a “Breaking Bad”- style trailer, intending to reside there for the nine-month duration of building, but they got lucky: A rainless summer expedited construction, and merely four months later, the gorgeous A-frame was complete. In the meantime, the ambitious couple planted grapes (they now have a flour- ishing vineyard of 400 vines of Concord and Frontenac varieties), built a detached garage to house their clothing and possessions, and installed a water line on the property (there had been none). They still use the old enormous cistern beneath the house (gathering rain water from the gut- ters) to slake the thirst of their many gardens, which include blueberries, squash, peas, asparagus and more. These fresh fruits and veggies play a role in the fantastic meals chef Brenda (did I mention she also teaches yoga, writes for a quarterly publica- tion and paints?) prepares for guests while staying Hoot Owl Hill. Enor- mous, brightly colored bell tents (and the new favorite flower-patterned bell), imported from the United Kingdom, are set up with loving care and luxury. Large enough to bear four queen-sized beds, they also hold comfy chairs, lanterns, and vintage décor with the mission of an out-of-the-city natural experience minus the roughness of camping. Savor a meal, explore the Meditation Meadow, the Monarch butterfly garden, the bee hives from which Steve harvests fresh honey, and befriend the flock of guinea fowl that
VintageKC / Summer 2014 27
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