My grandma Janie—she was a hoot. Visiting her was an event all its own. Living out of state meant long hours on the road, driving from Alabama or Georgia to the far reaches of North Carolina. We’d arrive in the early hours, 1 or 2 a.m., and there she'd be, holding court. Through a haze of cigarette smoke, she'd sit at the head of the kitchen table, a cigarette in one hand and a cup of black coffee in the other. Her country-raspy voice filled the room as we piled into the tiny kitchen entry, and in that moment, we remembered how much we all adored her. Grandma had 21 grandkids, 5 kids, and local nieces and nephews who were like family. But even beyond that, there was always room for one more at Grandma’s—a stranger, an outcast, anyone who needed a place to land.

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So, whether you’re at The Leach House or The Napping House, I hope your experience at Janie’s table is just as memorable—hopefully without the cigarette smoke! Seriously, no smoking at the table. But truly, my wish is for you to create time with family and loved ones or even play a few games if talking isn’t your thing. Make that pot of coffee at 1 a.m. if you feel like it. There’s nothing more important than the relationships we keep, and we hope that Janie’s Table fills you up.

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“Wooooweeee!” (I couldn’t resist—Grandma used to yell that whenever she got excited. It just feels right here.)