Rest and Relax at Pillows & Paddock
Have you ever been to LaGrange, Kentucky? I had not, in fact, been a really long time since I had set foot in the beautiful Bluegrass state. That was until my visit to Pillows & Paddock Bed and Breakfast. Set in the heart of horse country, along Harrod’s Creed, Pillows & Paddock also known at P&P is run by Michelle Thelander and her daughter Shannon. They hosted us for this amazing visit.
Arriving
As we drove in, we saw the stately two-story house surrounded by a Thoroughbred Horse Breeding Farm. Further up the drive is a barn and fence with two fun greeters, Mr. Pig, and his side kick, Meatball. The two pigs like leftover breakfast and are friendly to visitors. There are also two lovely horses, Jess and Hippo, that were out of sight when we arrived.
The story behind the Inn
Shannon, a former horse trainer, relocated to Kentucky from their home in California, and a few years later her parents came too, following their retirement dream to own a bed and breakfast. Last year Michelle lost her husband, and today Shannon and her mom operate this country inn together. The inn has been open for 15 years, and Thelander’s has had it for the past five.
“We first started coming here ten years ago,” Michelle said. She would stay here when she came to visit her daughter.
Our tour!
After arriving at their lovely country location, Michelle gave us and another couple a tour to celebrate her anniversary before settling into our room, the Nantucket Suite.
The bed and breakfast have a horse theme that is part of the décor. Offering five suites and two apartments, one that is accessible, there is room for many! “We do weddings, both here, and lodging for weddings next door at the Willow Lake Farm.”
Michelle took us first to the bourbon room, where visitors can also enjoy a glass of bourbon and honey wine, Meade. Originally, they were using a local Meadery, but they have not been open for the past year, so they added a nice brand from Ireland which fits well with the visitors that stay for the annual Celtic festival.
Our tour moved on to the lovely dining room where breakfast is served each morning.
Friday Evening Dinners
On Friday evenings, chef, Kylie Solnosky provides a hearty meal. We enjoyed this marvelous feast, feeling like a King and Queen being the only ones with a dinner prepared specifically for us. Talk about the Royal treatment!
Learning to cook from her mother, Kylie served us an amazing acorn squash dish, with a salad with a honey garlic vinaigrette and an apple bake dessert!
Besides dinner on Friday evening, they also offer a high tea. In their dining area, which also serves for receptions and more, Michelle said there is plated seating for 25, standing 40 for cocktails. “We have had a couple of movies filmed here. One was a Hallmark holiday one that comes out December 1st,” Michelle added.
Downtown LaGrange was also selected by HGTV’s Hometown Takeover. This area has a bit of Hollywood!
Off the cooks’ dream kitchen is cool lodge room with a fireplace, and a back porch with an amazing view of the pasture and if you catch it just right, the sunset glow.
Breakfast and Mr. Pig!
The paddock out back is where Shannon’s horses, and two pigs reside! In the morning after a hearty breakfast, Michelle grabbed a bowl full of leftover waffles and the fun began when Mr Pig and Meatball, and even the horse Jess came running for a bite. At breakfast Michelle said, “Don’t feel bad if you can’t eat it all, Mr. Pig will finish it off!”
While many visitors enjoy the ambience of the electric fire pit on the back porch, the heartier guests can build a fire out front with wood. There is also a jacuzzi as well.
Making the inn their own.
After Michelle and her family purchased the Inn, she made a few additions like the theater room, the Speakeasy, where you can make a cocktail, and the Game Room all set up for a poker match or whatever game you choose.
This room is also used for massage therapy for those interested. These wonderful additions are in the basement, and she said came about when there was a tornado warning and she had to move guests to a basement used for nothing but storage. She saw a use for the space, and now the Inn is self-contained, you can do like we did, arrive, eat on a Friday evening, watch a movie, and just settle in.
After dinner, Keith and I watched a movie with popcorn and soda. It was like being at the movies on our own.
Morning Walk!
The next morning, before breakfast, Keith and I enjoyed a tranquil morning walk.
Then Shannon made baked eggs, an amazing cinnamon roll (the best ever) and I drank a bottomless cup of tea.
After our meal, Shannon shared her story about how she came to love horses, then we headed out to feed Mr. Pig and Meatball and see the horses before heading on our way.
Keep this wonderful stay in mind. It is perfect for a stand alone visit, or a place to stay when touring Louisville. For those that go to the National Farm Machinery Show, keep this in mind, it’s a gem!
