Some from our brochure: "A rustic log finished cottage. Guests find that time slows down as they settle in and usually make their way to the front porch rocking chairs. Eighty foot trees shade the area and are home to birds, squirrels and the occasional deer. Family heirlooms are spread throughout and your hosts enjoy sharing stories about them. Neighbors often drop by in the afternoon for a glass of lemonade and to exchange a few stories. Your hosts are glad to share time with guests and neighbors alike."

Perhaps the most conveniently located Bed & Breakfast in Tennessee, Carothers House was just one mile from the intersection of I65 and State Highway 96, on South Carothers Road in Franklin Tennessee. The main log house featured twin enclosed lofts, each with their own staircase, and the Garden Suite. This three room suite offered an additional bedroom with a daybed that was ideal for a third traveling companion or for the honeymoon bride to use as a dressing room! All our rooms had private baths and individual heat and A/C, which was ahead of it's time for those years. Now, it's expected.

Then, if you remember, we had a Carriage House in the back which featured the Santa Fe Suite upstairs. Built like a one bedroom apartment, with full bath and mini kitchen, this room could sleep two couples comfortably.

I'm trying to find pictures of the Stone Fireplace (help me someone!) Remember our white Limousine? We had LOTS of fun on outings with that. Southern Living Magazine did a two page spread on us and were MOST complimentary! I've got to dig that up and scan it and get it up here. It was actually an accident that they found out about us. One of their editors and a photographer were in town (Franklin) doing some other info gathering and they stayed with us. Dumb us...we didn't even catch on that they were with a publishing company, let along check just what that company published. It was a Wednesday evening as I remember and they were the only guests. So I loaded them up in the Limo, and we went to town for supper and just had a fun evening of chatting and telling stories, and laughing! I guess not knowing just who they were took off the pressure both ways and it was just a fun evening out. Imagine our surprise a couple of months later, when we were written up as one of the "10 best Driving Destinations in the South!" My job was to keep the cookie jar full (course I worked at emptying it too, along with the "turn around." Preparing the guest rooms for the next visitors each day while Lorie was at her regular 40 hour a week job!

Which room did you stay in? The Country loft? The Woodland Loft? The Garden Suite? Or in the back in the Santa Fe Suite, above the Carriage House?
 

Well here we are serving up a typical breakfast.  With 4 rooms and the ability to sleep up to 14 guests, we often had a big table. We always thought of our guests as friends & family, not paying customers.  Breakfast always had a fresh cut fruit salad (which was my job) along with some hot dish with eggs/potatoes/meat.  Here was the individual quiches that Lorie would make, along with silver dollar pancakes, always two kinds of dense breads like banana nut, or lemon poppy seed, or pumpkin.  And our twin bread machines always had fresh yeast breads waiting to be drowned in Lorie's home made jams and jellies! Lorie just refused take a good picture, she always closed her eyes in anticipation of the flash ;-(

Here's the finished table, ready for seating and for us to bring the different breads.
I remember it like it was yesterday. 

Here's another morning, French toast, and our mainstay, a hash brown, sausage and egg casserole.

 Here are Eight women (and Lorie) who get together every year. Sorority Sisters as I remember.   How blessed we were to host them more than a decade ago.  I made a call in 2003 and they're still getting together, ALL of them!!  Seems like it's a healthy thing to do. 

Do you have memories (or pictures?) of staying with us?  SEND US E-MAIL  I'll pass them on to Lorie's family too.  You might remember her son Chris.  He's still living in the Franklin area, married, thinking about children (just keep Thinking Chris!), and has passed the quarter century mark.  Gasp!

Lorie and I closed the B&B in 1994, I moved to Minnesota and Lorie lived here for several more years, then she purchased a Condo in the city of Franklin where she lived till she passed away.

Do you remember the Christmas card we used to send out?

It's a night on the weekend and at Carothers House
Not a creature was stirring, Orkin killed every mouse.
The overnight guests are all snug in their beds,
while visions of breakfast dance in their heads.
When I in my apron and Lorie in her dress,
sneak down to the kitchen and start making a mess.
We went to the stove and threw open the shelves,
making hot breakfast we work just like elves.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear?
But our first breakfast guest, in their overnight gear.
They rush to the coffee and down the first cup,
look over their shoulder, "Am I the first up?"
The magic begins when more folks show up,
eating more for this breakfast - than they usually sup.
And finally by ten when the dishes are clear,
with hugs and goodbyes, they say, "We'll see you next year!"
(copyright John Reitmeier 1992-2004)

Carothers House is closed and the gentleman who bought it from us in 94  owner is selling.  Here's part of the listing! 

2006  I understand the new owners have completely gone through the place, central heating/air, wood floors, the works.  Don't know if it's going to open again as a B&B or remain a family home.