A unique company deserves a unique corporate retreat, especially when they’re bringing together employees from all over the world. And that’s exactly what this international corporation got when they decided to host their gathering at BlissWood Bed and Breakfast.

Employees from Canada, Australia, France, and Houston journeyed to our 650-acre Cat Spring haven for three days of cooking, wine tasting, trapshooting, archery, tomahawk throwing, horseback riding, and more. And they did it all while competing on teams. Not a bad way to enjoy a corporate retreat.

Here are a few more pictures of their unique corporate retreat experience…

Click on the thumbnails for a full view.

Searching for a location for your next corporate retreat?

BlissWood B&B offers corporate retreat experiences that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Our friendly staff is dedicated to making every corporate retreat an event you and your employees will be talking about for years to come.

Here are some of the activities your company could participate in at BlissWood:

• Archery
• Bike riding
• Horseback riding
• Frisbee golf
• Bass and catfish fishing
• And more!

Click here to learn more about our corporate retreats, or contact us to discuss your upcoming corporate retreat.

While you’re enjoying your stay here at BlissWood Bed & Breakfast, you may want to take a day to venture into town and explore what Cat Spring, Texas has to offer. Here’s a little history about this small town with a big heart—

The settling of Cat Spring, Texas

Cat Spring, Texas is one of the first German-American settlements in Texas. It was settled in 1834 by a group of German immigrants from Oldenburg and Westphalia led by Robert Kleberg and Ludwig Anton Siegmund von Roeder. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the first settlers were drawn to Texas by letters from Friedrich Ernst, an earlier Oldenburg immigrant.

The town is home to the first agricultural society in Texas founded immediately following the Civil War.

What’s in a name?

A lot of guests ask us about the origin of the name “Cat Spring” which is not surprising since it is such an unusual name for a town. Amazingly, the origins of the name are more literal than you might expect.

The history books tell us that a son of Leopold von Roeder, and early settler in the region, killed a puma near a spring on the San Bernard River close to his family’s farm—hence the name “Cat Spring.”

Modern day Cat Spring

These days, Cat Spring, Texas is home to some of the most friendly, forward-thinking people in all of Texas.

According to the 2000 census, our population is around 766 people. But don’t let our size fool you. We’ve got a lot of heart.

Visitors will find that Cat Spring and the surrounding communities of Belleville, Sealy, Columbus, New Ulm, Eagle Lake, Richmond, Rosenburg, Round Top, Warrenton, Shelby, Brenham, Chappell Hill, and Winedale have plenty of attractions that keep people coming back for more. The area offers a variety of antique shops, historical attractions, and natural beauty.

Why not take a break from your busy schedule to visit little Cat Spring, Texas? There’s no better place to relax, unwind, and escape the hustle and bustle of big city life.

Click here to learn more about Cat Spring, Texas.

Mustang Alley - a local treasure.

About ten miles northeast of Cat Spring, Bellville TX is home to Nothing Ordinary Antiques, Cottonwood Cottage, and Antiques Etc Emporium, all within a few blocks of each other. Nothing Ordinary is located in an early 1900′s auto dealership, and upon entering it is clear that the walls house something special. The space is large – nearly 8,000 square feet – so perseverance and energy are required. This is a good place to find Victorian beadwork, Majolica from England, Europe and Japan, and lovely lace and linens.

About ten miles southeast of Cat Spring, Sealy TX is home to Bitter Weeds Antiques, Stokes Antiques, Four w Co, and Hradil Auction Co. & Antiques. Hradil’s puts on auctions and estate sales every other Sunday – a great place to find all sorts of unexpected and unusual items.

Cat Spring’s local treasure is Mustang Alley, located in an old general store close to Carol’s fine dining restaurant. Here you’ll find everything from antiques to jewelry, along with an impressive selection of Brazilian cowhides.

Antique hunters should enjoy lodging at our Central Texas guest cabins, since they are furnished with antiques. Poke around nearby antique stores by day, and sleep on a comfortable antique bed at night.

Our show barn is a lovely venue for a wedding reception.

Whether you want an intimate elopement or a reception with fifty or more of your closest friends, we have wonderful venues at our Texas vacation ranch. Say your vows in an intimate garden, in the Gazebo at Enchanted Lake, or under the capacious canopies of our ancient live oak trees. Host your reception nearby at Carol’s Cat Spring Restaurant or at the ranch in our spacious show barn (ideal during inclement weather).

Celebrate your wedding at Blisswood.

We have a lot of experience hosting weddings here at our Cat Spring guest ranch. Our wedding packages include the ceremony, minister, bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake and champagne toast. Some wedding packages include dinner for the bride and groom; and it is always possible to arrange a catered meal by Carol’s at Cat Spring at the ranch.

Will 2011 be the year you marry? If so, please consider Blisswood Texas Guest Ranch for you wedding venue. For more specifics, please contact Carol at 713-301-3235, or email Carol@BlissWood.net.

From time to time we we hear from our guests once they’ve resumed their travels – something we always appreciate. Below is a letter we received from one of our recent guests, a Swedish lady who delved into the lifestyle of our Texas guest ranch with gusto.

Dearest Carol,

Mikaela and Dukey

I wish for you to have wonderful guests who appreciate the quality of the services you are giving, the breathtaking surroundings, your animals, activities, and the good food your chef is preparing!

Back in Sweden I have a friend who runs a tourist agency. One of the first things I will do in Sweden after Christmas is to put you in touch with each other.

The horse I rode, Dukey, has a very sensitive soul; he noticed every little change in my voice or movement. I’m grateful to him because he helped me to heel an issue from another time.

With your professional and empathetic instructions we managed to stay on the horses, and I enjoyed it very much (you heard me singing and laughing – I forgot for a while everything else around me).

Have a great week. Loving thoughts from

Mikaela

Thanks for the letter Mikaela. We enjoyed having you stay at our Texas Vacation Ranch and especially had fun on the horseback ride. Come back when you can!

“>

Mikaela and Dukey after the ride.

Swedish and British guests enjoy horseback riding in Texas.

Our Houston area restaurant is preparing a feast that will satisfy everyone in the family, from grandparents to grandchildren. Sink those teeth into succulent prime rib and savor Texas caviar pasta. Mmmm. Feed him the foods he dreams about.

Our FATHER’S DAY BUFFET takes place on Sunday, June 20, 2010, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. We are located close enough to Houston to make this a convenient gathering place for everyone. At the same time, our beautiful rural setting in Cat Spring will make this Father’s Day feel special.

If you really want to treat your dad to something wonderful this year, give him a getaway at our Houston area guest ranch. Let him stretch his legs on our 650-acres. He can go horseback riding. He can fish. He can even ride in a hot air balloon if he likes. Or he can just relax on the porch of his Texas vacation rental.

Bring the whole family or plan something special for just dad. This year, give Dad a Father’s Day he’ll always remember.

Does Dad like to horseback ride? Let him explore our 650-acre Texas guest ranch.

Read on for the menu of our FATHER’S DAY BUFFET:

Warm artichoke and oyster soup.

Carol’s special prime rib roast dry aged and delicately seasoned, served at our carving station with honey dijon cream au jus.

Seared red snapper with Creole seafood sauce, served with shitake mushroom and wild rice pilaf.

Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin smoked over pecan and hickory, served over sweet potato souffle with nutty apricot glaze.

Coq a vin, served with herb roasted new potatoes.

Colossal honey ginger glazed carrots.

Sauteed Asian vegetable medley.

Texas caviar pasta.

Tropical Summer Salad.

Summer fresh fruits and veggies served over fresh mesculun greens accented by a mango ginger vinaigrette or your choice of dressing.

Fresh yeast rolls.

Mini dessert bar.

The buffet is $26.99 for adults and $12.99 for children under 10 (exclusive of tax and gratuity).

Blisswood is a great place to come if you love the feel of a working ranch, and being around animals. We are proud to be offering our guests the opportunity to learn more about horses on May 31, 2009, when The Lady Horse Whisperer comes to Cat Spring Texas to give a workshop. Delve into the dreams of horses. Learn how to truly communicate with these majestic animals. Folks with no prior riding experience are welcome, or you are invited to bring your own horse for hands-on training (coggins necessary). You will meet good people, be fed a delicious lunch, and learn something new. Come to this Texas Bed and Breakfast for a truly unique experience.

Welcome to the Oasis! This little corner of tropical paradise is the newest property addition to Blisswood. A lush, and elegant environment full of flowing water and cascading landscapes is in store for you at the Oasis.

The first house we are opening is Harriett’s House. Harriett is a two-story home with the bedroom and sitting room upstairs. Downstairs has full kitchen and living area, small dining area, dishwasher, refrigerator, TV, and WILL have internet access. The bathroom has shower/tub combo. We serve the usual Blisswood continental breakfast at the Oasis.  This special place is best for couples as it is a quiet, romantic place.

The centerpiece of the Oasis is the Conservatory. A Victorian wrought-iron greenhouse, the Conservatory will lead you to believe you have just left Texas for the South Pacific. A personal pool is in the center of the greenhouse, giving the guest the opportunity for bathing during any weather or hour of the day, in the greenery and tropical environment created in the Orchard house.

We can’t wait to indulge you with this lush paradise amongst the rolling Texas Hills! Have your cake and eat it too! It is the best of both worlds!

Look for a page on our website soon about the Oasis…