In the movie "Field of Dreams" starring Kevin Costner, there is an oft-quoted line:

John (Ray's father, a ghost): Is this heaven?
Ray (Kevin Costner): It's Iowa.

I've been to Dyersville, IA and have run the bases. It is a beautiful spot. Norm and Ruth's place put it to shame.

The moment we arrived, we knew that we were in a special place and being hosted by special people. Norm and Ruth greeted us with such warmth that it was like coming home to family - a feeling that only strengthened during our four days with them. With a glass of Norm's homemade pinot noir in hand (why go to Napa? It's excellent!) we quickly got to chatting, looking at the chickens and alpacas, and Sable, their australian sheepdog, found a sucker who would repeatedly toss her frisbee.

It was incredibly heartwarming to see how Norm and Ruth indulged my 2 year old daughter. She LOVES farms and animals and before I had gotten up on our first morning there, Norm was already showing her the animals, letting her "help", and giving her rides on his bike (4-wheel ATV). Then she would scamper over to the apple tree in the front yard with an antique picking ladder and climb up. Then she would go "help" Ruth plant her annuals. This truly was our home in Canada.

And the breakfasts! Oh my goodness the breakfasts. I'm not a breakfast person. I ate A LOT of breakfast thanks to Ruth. Her spinach, bacon, mushroom, cheesy omelets were perfectly done; the banana/chocolate chip waffles were in a class of their own and defy comparison; and everything is locally-sourced, organic, and oftentimes produced right there on their farm! For example, their exceptionally rich eggs are from their chickens, Ruth makes her own preserves, the sausages come from the nearby butcher who raises his own livestock, and her neighbors - a young couple I did not get a chance to meet :-( - supplied the wood-fired maple syrup - the best I've tasted (and I've spent a lot of time in Vermont).

Oh, and aside from being a master vintner (Norm grows some of his grapes behind the house), Norm is an accomplished painter. His style is in the vein of Remington, Bierstadt, the Hudson River School (my opinion). In other words, my favorites! I had the privilege to view his studio and though Norm insisted that I need not buy anything, I insisted and now have a Bradford lithograph in my collection!

Our conversations were light and fun, deep and thoughtful, and I feel that I benefited greatly from their knowledge, philosophies, and life experiences.

The rooms are immaculate and spacious. My daughter had her own bed. I got to see area in the back that Norm is clearing, enjoyed a bonfire with them on our last night, and had the privilege to meet Sara-with-no-h, Patrick, and Ryan.

FarmLife Studio is not just a room, it is a destination - a true home-away-from-home.