Grace

Guest: Kim and Gary (Groton)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/12/11

So, my husband, and I have vacationed on the Cape only 1 time before staying at your home. One time! The previous experience, shall I say was Hmmm……well if it wasn’t for my extended family staying with us that week, we would have packed it up early. (Think yucky smells). I spent some of my best moments as a child vacationing on the Cape. I was determined to change our experience on the Cape, into something my husband would find relaxing and enjoyable! Wow - is all I can say!! Your house was beyond what I imagined; both inside and out! My husband said “the owner is an incredible designer or a hopeless romantic, or both” You have a “GIFT”. The GIFT of kindness, artistry and, a house and garden designed from the soul. The natural rhythm of life takes form in your gardens. Each morning my husband and I choose a different spot to sit and have our coffee; each spot was a treasure chest waiting to be opened. From sounds of trickling water to birds chirping to the 4:00pm wind chime symphony that occurred daily like clockwork. This house was magical for us. (not one uncomfortable seat in the yard…how do you do that??) We unwound our crazy lives while we walked around your gardens appreciating the experience at every turn. Together we loved the early morning sounds and late night starts. You created a Garden of Eden for two weary traveler, and we will be forever grateful. Thank you, Debi !! When we left the Cape my husband said "That was the BEST vacation - EVER!" Thank you, thank you, thank you. <3

Recommended for:People with disabilities, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing, tourists without a car, pet owners, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Guest: Dawn & Richard (-)
Date of Stay: 09/18/06 Review Submitted: 09/18/06

Debbie & Ray Thank you so much. Your combined gifts and talents have created the most peaceful and glorious hide-away we have ever stayed in. You have blessed us in more ways than you know. Don't worry, we'll be back, my friend. Love Dawn & Richard

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Guest: Paul & Lynne (-)
Date of Stay: 09/15/06 Review Submitted: 09/15/06

Dear Debbie, We had to be SURE and leave you a note to tell you how nice it was to stay here. We EVEN stopped at some of the places we were thinking of renting......and they weren't ANYTHING like this home!!! We stopped by the cottages in Eastham and it was so cute but since no kids with us, we thought this place would be ideal. We can see why you want to make this place your home. Love your decorating - eclectic & original, fun and a beautiful bathroom and master bedroom. How fun to pull the shades up in the morning and just lay there in bed. What a COMFORTABLE BED! The room was elegant and romantic and we totally caught up on our sleep. Times with God out by the pond and in the backyard rejuvenated us. Thanks for the devotion books and the feeling of God's presence here. It was SO GREAT after sight seeing to come back "home" to your place. After 28 years of marriage, we still have things to work on....so thank you for the PERFECT PLACE TO GET RECONNECTED. A lot of healing took place here. God bless you and your family. Paul & Lynne

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Guest: Lorna & Tom (-)
Date of Stay: 09/09/06 Review Submitted: 09/09/06

Hey Deb and Ray, We are having a great time in your beautiful home. Ray you're a craftsman. Your workmanship is top notch. Deb, your decorating and touch is professional - really made it a warm, relaxing feeling for the whole family. It's evident you guys took a lot of time with great imagination and pride in the work you have done. We love it. This place has great serenity. Thanks for sharing it with us. My family will never forget this place. Lorna

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Guest: Linda (-)
Date of Stay: 09/01/06 Review Submitted: 09/01/06

Overworked, stressed out, running on empty. It had been an exhausting, exciting, demanding year.....by the time I called you, I was aware that my life was totally out of balance. If I didn't choose a week to take a vacation, and find a little Cape house to rent it would be NOVEMBER before I knew it! But surely it was too late to find a place??? The Google gods led me to Debi - I begged, pleaded, wheedled until we found an open week......AND i pledged to be her easiest guest ever - it would just be me. I wanted a different kind of place. A place to get away from my chaotic life where everyone wanted a piece of me. I envisioned quiet, solitude, stacks of books, quiet swims in ponds, all those DVDS I never got to. Friends found out & wanted to come. I begged that I needed isolation and winnowed them down. A few were told they could come for one day each-mostly because I knew they were readers & swimmers, & also enjoyed solitude. Now the week is over. I have surprised myself to recognize that I look forward to home. Each day, I woke up whenver I chose. Took my coffee back to bed to read to whenever I chose. Drove to Scargo Pond to swim back and forth as long as I chose. Returned home to read or watch a film as long as I chose. I ate whatever I chose- the late August luxury of the local "fresh corn" & "sliced tomatoe" dinner. The once a summer fried clam plate. Kreme & Kone clams are 4-star. I wrote, I thought, I slowed down and found calm. I am restored, the world is back in balance. The breeze is making the trees sing and all's right with the world. This little house is PERFECTION - beautiful, calm, isolated. Thank you, Debi for your generous nature and unique vision. I am SO grateful that it all worked out. Came across this quote during my orgy of reading this week and it pretty much sums it up: " I THINK THE BEST VACATION IS THE ONE THAT RELEIVES YOU OF YOUR OWN LIFE TEMPORARILY AND THEN MAKES YOU LONG FOR IT AGAIN. " I ready to wade back in. Linda

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Guest: Ailene the Artist (-)
Date of Stay: 08/19/06 Review Submitted: 08/19/06

Thanks, Debbie for your encouragement to come out and do my relaxing and recuperation at your place. You were right that is was much better than lying in a hotel room!! The ergonomic lounge chairs ( I have myself at home ) was HUGE too. You've done a great job with all the little touches to make this a wonderfully peaceful retreat. Sorry we didn't get to paint marshes or have that cup of tea. Now that my son has moved East, hopefully, I can come back sooner rather than later. I was able to snap some great photos which will have to motivate me for now. Regards, Ailene

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Guest: Kate & Eric (-)
Date of Stay: 08/12/06 Review Submitted: 08/12/06

Dear Debbie and Ray, Well!!! WHERE shall we start?.....for starters, we clicked on the phone right from the start! I could not wait to get here and I was SO not disappointed. (she checked OUT on another internet rental the year previous...on the first day so she deserved this - (landlord note) she swore she'd never rent on the net again...good thing she did! read on....) No one else from the gang was disappointed either...The only thing was that we missed you one morning when you stopped by to invite us to breakfast and left a note. Too bad! We were having wonderful jogs on the beach. I loved it here!! The baby was bathed in your glorious sink in the kitchen. (like a roman queen!) We had busy days, good, good eats! And to top it all off! I was proposed to!!!!! ON the beach!!!!!! So, if you will have us - we shall be back year after year for our anniversary! The house was AMAZING. I shall go home and redecorate! We took good care of the fish and the grass! We love you! Kate & Eric

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Guest: Jim & Becky (-)
Date of Stay: 08/11/06 Review Submitted: 08/11/06

Hi Deb, We had a great time here in your "Shangri La." This place is GREAT!! You have such an eye for the personal touch. There are so many unique decorative touches. It is evident that you are a talented decorator and take great pride in this place. Our first vacation BACK to the Cape in 20 years has been unique, thanks to you and Ray. The garden, the pond, the artistic serenity is all just wonderful. We spent days running about the Cape whalewatching and going to Boston. Best of all, it was just perfect to always come back to this wonderful sanctuary. Jim, Becky & Rachael PS. We are thinking of coming back next year!

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Guest: Ken (-)
Date of Stay: 07/29/06 Review Submitted: 07/29/06

Best rental EVER! Ken

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Guest: Your Host (-)
Date of Stay: 07/22/06 Review Submitted: 07/22/06

how does one beat that? this is the owner and i shudder to try to keep up with the sterling reputation my guests have given me.SURELY it was the "luring aura" of the home.Surely, it is the PLACE that is lovely.So thanks, Ira & Cindy. O.K less about me now! Hmmm… WHAT did these people DO here to enjoy their stay? They went to Martha's Vineyard on a ferry and wished they had gone to Nantucket. (now they have to come back!)They visited one my "favorite" haunts.....Scargo Pottery...a true vision of outdoor and indoor artwork hidden on 6A near Scargo Tower and Scargo Pond (all great hidden treats). I always go there, buying or not!A visit to the Brewster General Store...the local-yokel "General" store filled with goodies.Yes, they actually had time A.L.O.N.E. there......I'm sure of it.....(even though I wasn't there!)No neighbors. No loud invasive music. Whispering trees and an unusual amount of ocean breezes fly over that pond from the ocean straight to the master bedroom and kitchen. Really, THAT many breezes. Who needs ACThe Lemon Tree store in Brewster. Cape Cod Antiques on 6A in the Dennis area on 6A as well, is as large as any museum..The usual visit to the Christmas Tree Shops. There are at least THREE in the general area.A wonderful drive to FORT HILL...in Eastham...a trail where one gets probably the ABSOLUTE BEST GRAND VISTA of the Cape Cod National Seashore. So much more to dooooooooo...and no time left.Oh yeah, the bike trail, da! They went on the bike trail AND whilst biking to the local beach.....they found a new beach shack - Dave's beach shack. Turns out this 30 something guy picks apart his own lobsters to make his own SIGNATURE LOBSTER ROLL. Yep, right there on the beach.....no need for a restaurant...one can swim and eat some of the best lobster rolls around whilst watching the waves slurp up the sandy shore.There's 2'fer Fridays.....I guess you can get two hotdogs for the price of one on Fridays......wow. Guess we will be walking down there tonite. WALK....that's what my husband and I do. Forces us to have those SLOW conversations with one another we really appreciate in this day and age.Yep, Cape Cod even affects (perhaps INFECTS) those who live here also. WELL....IF YOU FOLKS KEEP COMING....we can afford to stay!So DO VISIT....we are sure you will like it.Vacation Regards........Debi

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