Lancaster from the Inn Side

A Fun Way to Scoot Around Lancaster

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:20:00 +0000

If you want to see the back roads of Lancaster County, but you think riding on the train is too fast, traveling by buggy is too slow, and parking the car can be too much trouble ...

then a scooter may be just the right speed and size!

You can stop anywhere you want - to get a close-up of the cows, shop in town, or grab an ice cream cone.

First you need to pick a color you like.

Marc will explain everything you need to know.

Then you need to grab some friends and head for the back roads of Lancaster County.

We tried it and sure had fun! Guests of The Artist's Inn enjoy a special discount with Strasburg Scooters. We think you'll like it!

The Secret Behind Innkeepers' Great Breakfasts….

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:30:00 +0000

Part of why the food tastes so good at bed and breakfasts is because it looks so nice. Most innkeepers know how to create wonderful food with fresh local ingredients. They dress it up, serve it in a beautiful atmosphere….and voila - guests feel pampered!

Certainly garnishing plays an important role – as does an accessible herb garden. But most innkeepers I know have great stuff. From beautiful linens to quirky serving dishes, B&Bs set a table that matches their excellence in the kitchen.

So….what do two innkeepers from Lancaster County do when they get a rare day off? Well, go shopping for more stuff, of course. That’s just what Lynne Griffin (of the Australian Walkabout) and I did. I discovered Marlyand China years ago. They used to sell only wholesale, but have now opened up their showroom and website so that you, too, can enjoy all that great china you find at The Artist's Inn.

This is the overstock room - a treasure trove of vases, dishes, cups and platters.

I don't often use them for breakfast, but I have the covered casseroles,

several of the pitchers, and the platters on the bottom shelf.

Although the showroom is small, we managed to fill several bags full of great "stuff". My friends are usually more organized than I am; Lynne's the one that marked the boxes so that we could get everything back to the right inn.

The folks at Marylnad China are very helpful trying to wedge fragile packages into a small car.

Whether you need platters for your muffins,

berry bowls for fresh fruit,

serving dishes for jam,

or a tea set for your Babymoon package, you can fine all that and more at one of my favorite "secret" shopping places, Maryland China.

Just in time for Easter – Cheesecake with Warm Spiced Plums

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:30:00 +0000

Last night we invited friends over for dinner. I made an Indian dish that we love, Tikka Masala and, because it has a bit of a bite to it, I wanted a creamy but not-too-sweet dessert. I decided on a cheesecake – and combined several recipes to come up with this one. I hope you like it. It would be a perfect ending to an Easter dinner……and you just might find it at our Easter celebration this weekend.

Crust:

1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 stick melted butter

Combine dry ingredients, add butter, and press down in a 9-inch pie pan.

Filling:

1 egg
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
¾ cup sour cream
8 oz. cream cheese
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Put first four ingredients in blender and liquefy for 30 seconds. With the blender running, slowly add cream cheese in chunks. Stop now and then to scrape blender. Add melted butter.

Pour into crust and refrigerate for about an hour.

Bake at 325 for about 35 minutes.

Chill until set.

Warm Spiced Plums:

Just before serving, clean and slice four plums. Sauté in a small pan with 3 tablespoons of sugar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ cup water. Stir until the plums are soft and the sugar makes a nice sauce.

Spoon over cheesecake.

Serves 8 – 10.

Enjoy!

That's a Whole Lot of Bananas!

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Just three miles from the inn lies a food lover’s dream.

Shady Maple.

It’s the largest smorgasbord in Lancaster County. In a county that has quite a few PA Dutch restaurants, that’s saying something! Here are the numbers: 40 items on the salad bar, 7 meats, 14 vegetables and over 25 desserts.

Each day of the week features a different highlight. Tuesday is seafood night – a favorite of our guests.

Our advice is to go hungry and get the roast beef, broasted chicken and dried corn. We can’t get enough of these! A smorgasbord is also an opportunity to try some Pennsylvania Dutch foods that you might be curious about – like chow-chow, chicken-corn chowder, pepper cabbage, and shoofly pie.

Though it’s big – I recently learned that it’s the largest one on the east coast, (last year they fed 1,345,000 people), they do a great job of keeping it very clean. And you’ll never feel rushed.

Shady recently earned a plaque from Sight and Sound Theaters announcing that they are the dining choice of their customers. Speaking of numbers, that’s a lot of folks as well!

Our guests not only enjoy the enormous buffet, but the gift shop and farm market too.

And what a farm market it is. Shady makes its own sausages - we serve the sundried tomato and basil chicken sausage at breakfast. It has a large bakery section (try the gourmet peach bread) and even carry gluten-free whoopie pies. Shady buys fresh local produce from our local farmers auction (just outside of Terre Hill).

And, best of all, Shady Maple is very good to the community, supporting a lot of local charities. So the money stays locally rather than benefiting some huge company out in Arkansas.

I was at a luncheon recently and learned that Shady’s two biggest sellers are donuts (they sold one million last year) and bananas - over 600,000 lbs. - that’s more than the 30,000 in Harry Chapin’s song!

So the next time you find yourself in Lancaster County and craving either a banana or donut, you now know where to go!

Inn with the Old!

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Most folks love new things and I am no exception, especially if it’s a gadget for the kitchen or pair of shoes. But what really makes my heart beat fast is something old. Something that has stood the test of time, been loved and cared for and has a well-worn patina.

Bruce was brought up in a household that always loved antiques. But I didn't have much exposure to them until I met him. And so a whole new world opened up when we started dating. And my love affair with all things old is still going strong.

Friends were visiting last weekend. They started out as guests in 2002, and after spending many weekends antique shopping, we have become friends. These are dangerous folks because they have elevated the art of buying antiques to a level of incredible taste and style. They asked us to go to the VillageBarn Antique Shop in nearby Churchtown. While we had been there before, they said that the quality of the antiques was remarkable. And so we innocently set out for a quick visit.

And there it was. Across the room. It was love at first sight.

Bruce and I have always wanted a grandfather clock, and we could kick ourselves for passing one up at auction several years ago. They seem such a distant relative from the modern high-tech digital clock. And to have one that is beautiful, functional and patiently ticks - a piece of furniture instead of an accessory.

And so we talked....well, not for long. But we did try to learn what we could.

It was made in 1820 in Philadelphia by Thomas F. Joyce. This is the year that:

- Maine is admitted as the 23^rd state,
- Tomatoes are proven to be non-poisonous,
- Missouri imposes a $1 bachelor tax on unmarried men between 21 and 50, and
- 67 Philadelpians die of yellow fever in September.

A different time indeed. You can't help but wonder who it was that first wound this clock. And so it was decided, we'd take it home. Now began the process of taking it apart,

inluding the pendulum

the weights

and the face. We learned how to set it, wind it,

and level it.

We finally welcomed it to The Artist's Inn!

with plenty of ceiling space

Not in the market for a clock? No problem. The Village Barn is only ten minutes from the inn, is open every day but Tuesday and Wednesday and has so many wonderful items. It's located in a restored century old tobacco warehouse in Lancaster County.

We’ve bought several antiques before, but on my list right now are:

An adorable French lunchbox - the green one on the left

This antique tray

This really neat apple butter bucket (not sure what I'd do with it as it is REALLY big!)

and I loved these boots as well. But our friends bought those, so I'll get to see them whenever we visit. Here are some more items that you might like!

But you are warned. Visiting this shop may result in falling in love with something irresistable, something you may have never seen.....something old.

A Visit to The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:13:00 +0000

It was a cold and windy day – a day when you’d prefer to stay inside. Although sunny, the temperature was in the teens and the wind was unrelentless. But we ventured out anyway and were so glad we did.
We drove north about half an hour from the inn....to the Mid-Atlatnic Air Musuem at Reading Regional Airport. Part of their collection of planes is housed in a hangar that once served as the home of the 148^th Fighter Squadron. WACs would fly the planes to Reading from all over the US. At least 24,000 bombers were built during the war years. Other planes are parked on what they call the Ramp. As we walked around the planes, our eyes teared from the wind and we rushed to move into the hangar.

There’s an assortment of planes, spanning eight decades, from small colorful ones hanging on the walls to airliners in the 50’s that are displayed outside. Several planes are in various stages of restoration, including the Black Widow, which was recovered in New Guinea.

Most surprising to me was the silk material that covered the wings and body of several planes. And the fact that you can look in and walk around the aircraft.

This was a look underneath!

Our guide was knowledgable and able to answer just about any question that our group threw his way. There was a huge TBM Avenger - it was designed so that the wings folded back to fit into tight spots. This is the plane that President George H. W. Bush flew during WWII.

Our group couldn't help but be fascinated by the WWII planes - including the B-25J Mitchell, 'Briefing Time'. There are bookcases full of memorabilia, pictures, and even bombs!

But the biggest event of the year occurs June 1, 2 and 3, 2012 with "A Gathering of Warbirds" as over 3,000 reenactors celebrate the 21st annual World War II Weekend. For more information, visit the website....and turn up the volume to enjoy the music!

As we went back into the museum to warm up, I couldn’t help but think of the thousands of people who flew and fought in the freezing cold during WWII...on days just as cold and windy as the one we experienced. But unlike us, that great generation often didn't have the choice to warm up.

Greens at The Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Maybe it’s all the Christmases of past that were spent in Williamsburg. Or the two trips to Germany and Austria when I fell in love with overstuffed window boxes. Maybe it’s the fact that we live in an old house with original shutters and window boxes that my Dad made. Whatever the reason, I have an overwhelming desire to hunt, gather and stuff this time of year…in a natural, green way. I feel that we owe the window boxes some companionship through the cold winter months when they miss their summer flowers.

As luck would have it, my neighbor cut down a large evergreen about a week ago. Don't worry - it wasn't this magnificent tree. We just borrowed a few branches from him. My friend Karen and I made several runs with the wheelbarrow down Main Street…and she magically transported empty concrete urns into works of art in front of the inn.

If you look around your yard, you may find the same – boxwoods that need to be thinned, scotch broom that should be cut closer to the ground so that it can withstand the harsh winter wind, holly trees that need shaping. It doesn’t take the best or biggest branches to make fat overstuffed window boxes and they are simple to do. Every scrawny twig finds its place to fill in the gaps. Just be sure to push the branches in securely so that they won’t blow away.

Boxwoods look great closer to the bottom and hollies are strong enough to stand proudly in the back. The shapes provide enough contrast to make it interesting. Water the dirt and your greens will stay fresh longer.

The window boxes seem to dress the house for winter and, once snow nestles between the branches, I think they help insulate and keep the draft down. A few beads, an occasional bird or decorative spray, wrapped by a ribbon and your house is decorated not only for Christmas, but will be looking good for several months to come.

In the summer, I love to throw open the windows and catch the breeze, but in winter, I feel comforted when I look out and the house is embraced by the branches in my window boxes!

Thanksgiving – Was It Just A Figment of My Imagination?

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:12:00 +0000

There used to be a holiday this time of year – a day off work to gather with family and give thanks for life’s blessings. But this year there doesn’t seem to be much evidence of it, and I’m afraid that next year it may disappear altogether.

A local store is advertising the fact that you can shop their Christmas specials starting at 6:00 a.m on Thanksgiving Day. I feel that my beautiful horn of plenty and the few Thanksgiving decorations are up for about one week before the boatload of Christmas stuff must be brought down from the attic. (It’s always tricky decorating around guests so we must start early to get all three houses finished.)

In a world that seems to rush by faster every year, the whole idea of Thanksgiving may seem a little, ah, old-fashioned. Perhaps that is why I like it so much. It is so rare to take the time to reflect and give thanks.

Yes, the two holidays have always been related. The Christmas season traditionally starts with the Macy’s Parade in New York City, but stores hardly wait for that anymore....it seems like it’s still August when they start putting up the fake trees and dancing Santas.

Thanksgiving....it’s our most “American” holiday, and it appears it’s the only non-commercial one left. So enjoy it while it lasts.....before you rush off to stand in line tonight to get into the nearest mall.

Here’s my short list of things for which I’m thankful:

To be surrounded by people I love

To be able to bring joy and comfort to those who stay with us

The sound of laughter in at our inn

To learn to be happy with my talents, limited as they may be

To appreciate the beauty that is Lancaster County

To be able to share with others and give back – whether it’s time, talent, money or just a smile

To be grateful always, for everything, especially good health

To look for the good in every person and situation

And my wish for the year to come - to be able to give thanks next November having enjoyed more of the same – at Thanksgiving time - a holiday that I’ll always celebrate.

Cookin’ Up Something Good in Lancaster

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:04:00 +0000

It’s not often that an innkeeper can get away in the fall. Ah, but a bit of planning paid off last week when I attended a cooking class with Scott Martino at The Good Cooking Store in Intercourse. You may remember that I met Scott on my first visit to this store –he was handing out samples of his Italian spaghetti sauces. (See my previous blog, It's a Good Thing For Cooks in Lancaster County.)

The setting is delightful – Upstairs on the second level of the store is a state-of-the-art kitchen complete with TV screens and room for 18 of your closest friends.

Scott started out by saying that he’s not a typical chef with an ego that fills the room. We were encouraged to ask any kind of cooking question during the whole process. This casual atmosphere gave us time to jot down some notes ....while being served a three-course dinner.

Dinner was Radish and Cranberry Salad with Goat Cheese and Black Pepper, Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Sweet Pea and Asiago Risotto and....my favorite.....Chocolate and Valoplicella Crema with Fresh Whipped Cream. Yum!

Scott was trained in the classic French style – hot pans to sear and seal in the juices and finishing in the oven. I had taken cooking classes a long time ago at a French restaurant that used the same technique. However, this kitchen had brand new All-Clad cookware which stood in start contrast to the beat-up pans of my favorite French restaurant from long ago.

Scott's advice was that the most important thing is to cook love into everything you make – don’t just follow the recipes....taste...adjust....love the food. And remember that butter is better. I soooo agree!

He also talked a lot about working at various restaurants like The Loft and Doneckers, passing along little tricks of the trade.

A little present appeared in the back of the book of recipes....10% off all non-sale items that evening. It provided what little incentive I needed to shop at one of my favorite stores. And so I set off – the Cuisinart double boiler was a good buy at $34.99 – it will fit snugly over 1, 2 or 3 quart pans and had a nice rounded bottom that will make tempering chocolate a dream, a little pig that will sit on my soup kettles and hold my spoon (after all, soup season is just around the corner) and a new Kyocera ceramic knife. This is my kind of store and there is always something that I need.

Ah, a wonderful evening out indeed. To see the list of cooking demonstrations and upcoming classes, click here. If you’d like to make it a complete girls’ night out, don’t forget to book your room at The Artist’s Inn. We’re only 20 minutes away.

Pumpkin Crazy in Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:26:00 +0000

Whether it’s Fairytale, Cinderella, One Too Many or the plain old Jack-o-Lantern, Lancaster Countyis covered in pumpkins. I recently visited two of my favorite farms to share some pictures with you. They are right around the corner from The Artist's Inn.

As the summer landscape gives way to cooler weather, there’s no loss of color – from mums and asters of every color to the vast array of pumpkins that seem to float in fields around every turn. Gourds of every size and shape decorate front porches, and roadside stands boast huge boulder-sized pumpkins of every shade of orange. They seem to exist just to make us happy.

If you are lucky, you’ll take the time to explore some new varieties....and choose some to take home - they make great souvenirs! But you’d better hurry – the heavy fall rains have left many pumpkins rotting in the field. Be sure to store them out of the weather so they’ll last longer.

We admit it – we AREpumpkin crazy.

Look closely at the pumpkin on the left. Luke carved the words in it when it was young, and as it grew, so did the welcome! Of course, no fall decorations would be complete without including our own Cat in the Hat. As you can see by his smile, he likes pumpkins too!

But my favorite pumpkin this year is one that no one can explain. It has no name and grew in the middle of the gourd patch, looking a bit like a giant candy corn.

For more about pumpkins and gourds, read out other blogs on this subject: Lancaster County - The Land of Pumpkins!, Pumpkinology, and Gourd-o-Mania!

I Love a Piano (and More!)

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:51:00 +0000

It was a dark and stormy night last week when we set out to Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre to see their new play – “I Love a Piano” – celebrating the songs of Irving Berlin. The play is jam-packed with American standards and it tells the story of a piano that made its way through quite a few owners from the 1920s, through WWII, and into the 1950’s.

From “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” to “Puttin’ on the Ritz”, to “There’s No Business like Show Business”, the energy of just six people on stage was remarkable. And I loved the tap scenes with the men.

While I didn’t know all of the 50+ songs, I knew quite a few – you will too!

The great thing about musicals is that they take your mind off all serious topics of the day and let it float through the night with joy. They are a great break from reality.

There is usually one song from a musical that gets stuck in my head. That song was “Blue Skies”. It was one of my dad’s favorite songs and he often sang it – or at least the refrain. And when I’d call from two states away and ask how he was, he’d often answer – “we have blue skies shining above”.

Maybe I remember that song the most because at the end of the show, we walked outside to pouring rain, lightning and thunder. It was the second day of the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee, which would bring torrential rain and flooding to Lancaster County.

If you need a break from reality, head to Dutch Apple for “I Love a Piano”. It's only 30 minutes from The Artist's Inn. I'm happy to report that we do have "blue skies" once again.

Enjoying the Red, White and Green of Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:01:00 +0000

Lancaster County wineries sure know how to throw a party. Whether it’s jazz in the evening, picnics on the lawn or tasting new wines while enjoying the view, you are guaranteed to have a good time.

Recent rains have turned the county green once again and views from many of the wineries are relaxing and reminiscent of Napa or Sonoma. – and you don’t need to buy a plane ticket! Harvest season is just a few short weeks away, and fall colors always go better with a glass of wine.

Here’s a listing of events that are just a short drive from The Artist’s Inn. Then again, a day of tasting followed by a night on the porch provides some spectacular views as well.

Moon Dancer Winery - Live music Friday nights, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Mt. Hope Winery - Mt. Hope winery has the biggest party of them all – the PA Renaissance Faire...every weekend until October 30.

Nissley Winery - Lawn concerts every Saturday night until Labor Day

Tamanend Winery - Offering winemaker dinners

Twin Brook Winery - Enjoy their gazebo concerts on Friday evenings.

Waltz Vineyards – Here are some pictures from one of their lawn events.

Don’t let summer slip away before you enjoy the red, white and green of Lancaster County.

Dance Explosion at American Music Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:45:00 +0000

One of the best things about going to a high-energy theater performance is that it is so exhilarating. That delightful “high” feeling affects me long after the last curtain goes down. I sing in the shower, croon in the car (if I keep those speakers turned up high, I sound halfway decent), and dance while I’m brushing my teeth, as the tunes from the show bounce around in my head.

The latest show from American Music Theater delivers a ton of excitement – from Broadway tunes to songs by famous singers and dancers. Michelle Rajotte must have an endless source of energy. I’d be exhausted just from the costume changes she makes in one night. She and Melanie Gaskins do a terrific version of Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag. That is most impressive, since it comes toward the end of the show.

So, what was my favorite part? That’s hard to say. I loved the tributes to Fred Astaire, Elvis and Michael Jackson, and OF COURSE, In The Mood and any tap number. And I’m not sure which of the men tumbled high across the stage several times, but whoever he was, he was incredible and I hope he heard my applause. Then there was the drum solo – making me regret not taking drum lessons. Wah.

If there was one song that I wasn’t too crazy about it would be Oklahoma. Judging by the audience reaction, clearly I was the only one there that night that didn’t like that song. I don’t understand why I can’t remember guests’ names from last week, yet I know every word of that song. Maybe it’s because just talking about it firmly embeds in my brain, sort of like being stuck in the movie, Groundhog Day.

I’m sure there are many songs from the show that you’ll like. So if you need an energy boost, don’t miss this original production at AMT. It is playing until October 8 right here in Lancaster County.

Napa Meets Lancaster and the World Rejoices

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:50:00 +0000

Those of us who have been mourning the loss of Effie Ophelia can now raise our wine glasses and cheer. The intimate space at 230 North Prince Street has been brought back to life by Taylor and Leeann Mason.

Ma(i)son, An Urban Cookery, features a marriage of Italian cuisine with a French flair, and there are enough changes to make the space seem new while maintaining that wonderful “Cheers” like familiarity.

Unlike Effie’s, Ma(i)son takes reservations – a welcome change. We couldn’t get in on a Wednesday, but on the second try we were able to reserve the Chef’s table for a Thursday night. The small restaurant echoed with laughter and two large groups were clearly enjoying their evening.

We could watch the care and attention to detail that every dish received before being sent out of the kitchen.

Taylor’s smile lit up the small kitchen and Leeann was warm and welcoming. She was born in Lancaster and moved away when she was four, so it is a bit of a homecoming to move back from Napa Valley.

We shared some of our wine, Cherry Tree Merlot from local Waltz Vineyard and urged them to visit Kim and Jan Waltz when they got a chance.

Dishes feature local produce and cheese from Lancaster County farms – in fact, we recognized the cheese from one of our favorite local Amish cheese makers.

The menu is small and seasonal and will change often – Taylor was already talking about dishes featuring the anticipated tomato crop. We liked both the Ricotta Fritta (so light and delicate) and the Squash and Zucchini Salad. The squash salad had a light dressing and the herbs on the tomato salad oozed the freshness of summer. Crusty bread and the house-made butter with herbs were a nice touch. Yum.

I had the burrata – mozzarella with braised artichokes and country bread, (yes, now that I think of it both dishes show my love of cheese) and Bruce had the slow roasted pork with swiss chard over cannelini beans. The pork melted in your mouth.

Desserts danced on our tongues - a blueberry tart with a hint of lemon and honey in the crust and a lemon verbena crème brulee served, of course, in a small mason jar.

If you go, tell them The Artist's Inn sent you. Better yet, give us a call and we'll meet you there!

Summertime...and the Eating is Easy in Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:27:00 +0000

You just can’t beat the fresh taste of summer foods...tomatoes that are still warm from the sun, corn that crunches on the cob and vegetables that look like they are posing for the latest gourmet magazine.

Lancaster County is all about food – after all, we provide it for over six million people a year and grow countless acres of feed for animals too.

There’s a procession of different fruits that parade through the season, each one sweeter than the last...

I thought about all that tonight as I ran out for some tomatoes at the farm stand around the corner - how lucky we are to live in a climate with ample rainfall, and the richest non-irrigated soil in the country.

One time I stopped at this stand and the farmer had run out of lettuce...when I inquired if he had any, he produced a knife and went out to the field to cut a small head of lettuce, for which he charged me only half price. Now THAT is fresh!

We really delight in showcasing these local foods at The Artist’s Inn. The breakfast tomorrow will feature zucchini bread, cantaloupe with lavender syrup, roasted potatoes, asparagus and swiss frittata, dutch apple sausage and double chocolate brownies. Everything is from Lancaster County: the flour, eggs, milk, cheese (from a certified organic old-order Mennonite cheese farmer not a mile from our inn), cocoa and chocolate from Wilbur (in Lititz) and the sausage is made at Shady Maple Farm Market – just three miles up the road. Even the lavender and the herbs are from the inn garden.

The best part is that when you visit, you can take home much of the home-grown goodness of Lancaster County. Just ask us where our favorite farm stands are located.

Here’s a very simple side dish that we live on in the summer: Fresh tomatoes, sprinkled with baby basil leaves, balsamic vinegar and sea salt. Add a little Lancaster County goat cheese and I’m in heaven....or maybe just in Lancaster County.

A Taste of Lancaster County, Now Available Nationwide

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:55:00 +0000

Want to keep cool on a hot day? Head to the Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia. You’ll be able to spend a couple of hours learning the story behind ice tea and ice cream--and even step inside a cooler.

I love the lights at the entrance - they look like old milk cans!

In fact, the whole experience is as interactive as you’d like. And fun. You can create your own flavor of ice cream, design the package and even star in the commercial. I designed a concoction called Chocolate Dreams! Kids (or adults) can milk a cow, pose in an old delivery truck,

and learn about cows. A lot about cows! Did you know they have 32 teeth? Or that dairy cows produce over 7 gallons of milk each day? That’s 112 glasses!

A vendor at the 1905 Worlds Fair in St. Louis dumped some ice into tea because it wouldn’t sell on a hot day. And that is how Ice Tea was born. Now Americans consume it daily. At the Turkey Hill Experience, there’s a kiosk where you can match your personality to one of their teas...my “quirky” one paired with the Cherry Pomegranate.

I learned all sorts of things – that coconut is actually a nut and not a fruit, that the delivery business was started in 1931 in Columbia at the height of the Great Depression. And I learned that the third generation owners care as much about the local area as their predecessors.

In fact, here are some of the most impressive things I learned today:

- The experience is housed in an old Silk Factory building that was vacant for 25 years, so they have reused an existing building and preserved farmland rather than building a brand-new structure.

- Turkey Hill Dairy donates about 20% of their profits to charity.

- 25% of their power will be produced by their own wind turbines this year.

- They are so committed to quality that when they try a new flavor of ice cream, they cut the entire box in half to see if the ingredients are mixed properly.

If you get hungry or thirsty during your visit, no problem; there are 150 flavors of ice cream and 20 flavors of ice tea. Downstairs in the café, you’ll be able to sample many of them. They also had gelatos that were wonderful. My favorite was the almond fig. Yum.

Not familiar with Turkey Hill yet? Chances are you will be as they now produce the nation’s No. 1 refrigerated ice tea (be sure to try the Sweet Blackberry Tea (diet) – it’s my favorite!). Their ice cream ranks No. 4 nationwide. You’ll be seeing more of them at sporting events as they produce special flavors for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New York Yankees, and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Turkey Hill - a cool experience indeed!

Put this on your list the next time you visit The Artist's Inn.

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County – (Eighth in a Series)

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:20:00 +0000

Here’s how an innocent mug led to a new dining room at The Artist’s Inn.

I’m always searching for something new for our bed and breakfast. When I attended a recent innkeeping conference, I ordered new mugs from Deneen – they are hand-thrown and made in the USA and our guests love them. I picked out a navy blue with a white glaze top.

I saw this as the perfect opportunity to change the color of the walls in the dining room (after all, the color of the dining room should serve only one purpose – to show off our new mugs in the best light). Bruce wasn’t too keen on the idea, but I was tired of the Williamsburg blue and wanted navy and so whining ensued.

Of course, the chair covers had to be changed to match – lucky for me our inn is about 15 minutes away from The Interior Alternative, tucked away in the Manufacturers Outlet Mall in Morgantown.

They offer a dizzying array of designer and home decorating fabrics, ready-made chair pads, window treatments and trim. I picked out enough material for six chairs (and little extra) and paid my bill of only $30. (They have terrific deals here as some of the bolts are seconds due mostly to color dye – watch carefully when you buy but I’ve never had a problem and Waverly is very particular). Unfortunately Interior Alternative doesn’t have a website, but their Google Places page gives some basic information.

The chairs only took about half an hour to cover,

and I had lots of help from the cats.

Bruce painted the walls below the chair-rail in about two hours.

We’re pretty darn pleased with the change, even though the blue doesn't quite match.

So the next time you get the urge to redesign a room, you may want to check out the collection of stoneware at Deneen Pottery.

Falling In Love at The American Music Theatre

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Sat, 14 May 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Bruce and I recently saw Music of the Night (The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Weber) at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster. It was a tribute to the many musicals that Weber has produced. Like many of the shows we’ve seen at AMT over the years, this one was terrific and we fell in love.

But it wasn’t with the singing - although there are many incredibly talented voices singing some well-loved but very difficult songs.

And it wasn’t with the production – although the sets went from fun and fast for Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat to mournful with Phantom.

And we certainly enjoyed the trip down memory lane – having seen most of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s classic shows when they first played on Broadway.

What we fell in love with was the emcee for the evening, Jeremy Beveridge. This ten-year old performer stole our hearts from the moment he appeared on stage in his top hat and cane. He wound his way through every one of Weber’s shows, sometimes on skates, sometimes running up and down the steps and once jumping right through the bottom of the stage floor.

This original production features a youth ensemble that energizes the entire show. What a terrific way to introduce kids to the theater – whether they are in the show or audience, they will forever appreciate all the work that takes place both on and off stage. And, for all we know, we witnessed the future stars of Broadway!

One of the things that we’ve always loved about American Music Theatre is that the cast comes out after every show and, if you work your way down to the front, you’ll have a chance to chat with them.

We talked with some of our favorites and got a chance to meet Jeremy’s mom. When I asked Jeremy if this was his first show, he informed me that it was, in fact, his eighth! Wow, that’s impressive for a ten-year old.

In fact, the whole show is impressive. Catch it while you can....on stage until July 1. Stay with us at The Artist's Inn and we'll order your tickets at a discount.

You just might fall in love.

Jonah – it sounds like a whale of a good time in Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Tue, 10 May 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Two weeks ago I attended a preview of the 2012 show at Sight and Sound...Jonah. It promises to be the most interactive show the theater has ever produced – and these folks have been in the business for 35 years.

Jonah is one of the shortest stories in the Bible, and Sight and Sound admits they took some liberty with this story, expounding on the personality of the character of Jonah. They’ll use lots of symbolism and humor during the play. From what I saw, Jonah is a bit like his house – rigid and straight and strictly adhering to the laws, and God would like him to be just a bit more forgiving. Ah, the lessons this show will hold for all of us.

We met an absolutely adorable skunk – just one of the animals being trained for the show opening in March. We met the donkey as well – one that Jonah thought was a bit, ah, stubborn. As I said, lots of symbolism on this set.

And what a set it is. If you’ve never been to this Lancaster County theater, the stage is all around you – and this show promises to bring you underwater AND inside the whale. Just how they will do that is a secret that won’t be revealed until showtime. What isn’t a secret, but is just as amazing, is that the sets are controlled by GPS!

Kids are especially going to love Jonah...there are bubbles that float out and over the audience and cute little crab puppets for sale.

It’s going to be a great show...we can’t wait to see it. If you can’t wait, call us – The Artist’s Inn is a participant in their hotel program, so we can purchase tickets at a discount to any Sight and Sound show.

The Road to Winterthur Leads to Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:05:00 +0000

On a rare day off from the inn, Bruce and I visited Winterthur Museum. We always enjoy our visits, but the special exhibit

called Paint, Pattern and People that features the furniture of Southwestern Pennsylvania from the period of 1725 – 1850 really delivered. Whether it was carved angels from a church in Mt. Joy or beautifully made grandfather clocks, lots of Lancaster County artifacts have made their way to Winterthur. No photography was allowed of that exhibit, but we snapped away where we could!

Our day started with the initial tour and history of Henry Francis du Pont’s remarkable home.

Although we’ve taken this tour for years, we always learn something new from our tour guides. Incredible collections of everything made in early America is on display – as well as lots of imported china and over 85,000 pieces of decorative art. We got to know Harry (one of our guides actually knew Mr. du Pont personally and referred to him by his first name) a little better during this visit. When he attended college, his dorm room was furnished in oriental rugs and antiques!

One of my favorite things is a collection of silver tankards made by Paul Revere.

Mr. du Pont’s reputation and love of collecting American-made goods grew so much that everyone from ordinary folks to antique experts would seek him out. In fact, there’s a story they tell of a man who desperately needed money and donated the molding from a room of his house. The molding is pictured here and perhaps that contribution is one of the reasons that the house is still standing today.

Many of the houses and artifacts would have been long lost if it was not for Mr. du Pont’s foresight and diligence in collecting.

Our second tour of the day focused on the Distinctive Collections – showcasing everything from Shaker to spectacular collections of fraktur and Pennsylvania German painted furniture. It complimented the special exhibit that is featured until January, 2012.

Don't forget the gift shops - full of wonderful things, an incredible selection of books and available online as well.

Be sure to include time to walk the grounds or take the tram tour of the gardens. There are 1,000 acres of naturalized gardens and woodlands – they are most spectacular in the spring. It’s where I first fell in love with Virginia Bluebells. (I now have them growing in my own garden, YAY!) You can check what is in bloom here: Yes, they also sell plants.

What a gift Mr. du Pont has given us – a treasury of American decorative arts beautifully preserved in this 175 room mansion. Treat yourself.

Bed and Breakfasts, Soap, Lancaster County and the World

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 02:44:00 +0000

Did you ever wonder what happens to all those wonderful used soaps that are left at a bed and breakfast? Innkeepers take great care to seek out a nice scent, design a package (often touting their private label) and proudly display them. Some offer a plastic sandwich bag so that guests may take their leftover soap home. But most folks leave them behind, often hardly used and still sporting the inn logo that is carved into the soap.

Years ago, we donated our used soap to some missionary organization, but they ruled that the soaps were unsanitary and discontinued the practice. And so, over the years, thousands of our soaps from The Artist's Inn were thrown out.

Last year we heard about the Clean the World program. We now had a new place to send our soaps....and we could either mail them or save them for a Bed and Breakast conference to be held in Lancaster County. That conference was last week, and I hauled in 17 lbs of soap from our inn. There would have been more, but throwing away soap is a hard habit to break! (Finding a place to store them until the conference was a challenge too.) I’m guessing I finally got with the program in August of last year.

At the conference, there was a competition sponsored by the generous folks at the Hummingbird Inn in VA, offering $100 to the innkeeper that brought in the most soap. My good friend, Ruth, from Flowers and Thyme B&B won – she saved 81 lbs! YAY Ruth! All together the innkeepers at our conference brought in over 300 lbs. of soap.

Still more amazing is the company that processes the used soap, Clean the World.

To read about how they recycle the soap, click here:

http://www.cleantheworld.org/operations.asp

We’re proud to be a small part of such a great program.

And now they are helping with the gigantic clean-up efforts in Japan. To read about how you might help, click here: http://www.cleantheworld.org/japan.asp

There’s Always a Season to Visit Lancaster County....Right Now It’s Mud!

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:32:00 +0000

Mud season in Vermont signifies the last of the skiing....it’s kind of sad as they shut down your favorite trails and runs, limiting your options each day.

But Mud season in Lancaster County is just the beginning of fun. Saturday was the first of the mud sales (auctions to the uninitiated), and they will continue all spring. The money that is raised benefits the local fire companies in Lancaster County.

The cool weather, the smell of great food, the chance to mingle with the locals, and, best of all, to squish in the mud like a kid....it’s an experience like no other. And chances are, once you try it you’ll be back for more.

These sales each have their own personality. Some specialize in building materials, others have fresh roses. Most all have hundreds of hand-made quilts and donations from businesses big and small.

Throw in Amish kids helping to carry goods on wagons, families trying out the swing sets, horses gathering in the meadow, and you’ve got a picture of our special part of the world..... a land like no other where people come together to help a cause.

So adjust your ears for the auction cadence, grab your boots and head to Lancaster County. And don’t worry about the chill in the air - all the excitement will keep you warm.

Here’s a full schedule:

March 5 - Bart Township Annual Auction/Mud Sale

8:30 a.m., Bart Twp. Fire Company, 11 Furnace Rd., Quarryville. 717-786-3348 or Bart Twp. Fire Co. website - Antiques, quilts, furniture, new and used equipment, small goods, hay and straw, livestock, buggies, tools, crafts and food.

March 12 - Gordonville Spring Mud Sale & Auction

8:30 a.m., Gordonville Fire Company, Old Leacock Rd., Gordonville. 717-768-3869 or Gordonville Fire Co. website

The largest firemen's auction/sale on the East Coast, featuring 500-600 Amish quilts, antiques, collectibles, new and used furniture, tools, farm equipment, horses, mules, buggies, lawn & garden, barns, utility sheds and trailers, construction equipment.

March 19 - Bart Township Building Materials Mud Sale

8:30 a.m., Bart Twp. Fire Company, 11 Furnace Rd., Quarryville. 717-786-3348 or Bart Twp. Fire Co. website - Wood and aluminum siding, windows, doors, paneling, bath tubs, wash bowls, lumber and food.

March 19 - Penryn Fire Company 3rd Annual Mud Sale

8:30 a.m., Penryn Fire Company #1, 1441 N. Penryn Rd., Penryn. 717-664-2825 or Penryn Fire Co. website

Woodcrafts, furniture, antiques, quilts, crafts, farm equipment, food and more.

March 19 - West Earl Fire Company Mud Sale

6:30 a.m. breakfast, 8:30 auction begins. 14 School Lane Ave., Brownstown, PA 17058. 717-656-6791 or West Earl website

Groceries, local nursery stock & mulch, hay and straw, lawn furniture, outside toys, swing set, sheds, quilts, food and more.

March 19 - Airville Volunteer Fire Company Mud Sale

7 a.m. coffee and doughnuts, 8 a.m. auction begins. 3576 Delta Road, Airville, PA 17602. 717-862-3806

Crafts, antiques, and household furniture, building material, plants, trees, equipment, groceries, windows & doors, tools, quilts, tractors, saddles, tack, buggies, and more.

March 26 - Gap Annual Spring Mud Sale/Auction

8 a.m., Gap Fire Company, 802 Pequea Ave., Gap. 717-442-8100

Horse-drawn carriages, buggies, wagons, new & used furniture, quilts, crafts, dry goods, groceries and more.

April 2 - Robert Fulton Volunteer Fire Company Mud Sale

7 a.m. breakfast, Robert Fulton Fire Company, 2271 Robert Fulton Hwy., Peach Bottom, 717-548-8995

Crafts, plants, tools, antiques, farm equipment, furniture, food, buggies, wagons, groceries, horses.

April 9 - Rawlinsville Annual Mud Sale

8 a.m., Rawlinsville Fire Company, 33 Martic Heights Dr., Holtwood. 717-284-3023

Quilts, horses, crafts, building materials, lawn equipment, new and used furniture.

A few fire companies have changed their sales for later in the year:

May 7 - Gratz Area Mud Sale

8:30a.m. Held at Gratz Fairgrounds, 601 E. Market Street, Gratz, PA 17030. 717-365-3043 or Gratz Fire Co. website

Equipment, nursery stock, quilts and crafts, tools, antiques, flowers, building materials, children's toys, appliances, furniture, animals and more.

May 14 *NEW DATE* - Honeybrook Annual Auction/Mud Sale

8 a.m., Honeybrook Fire Company, 679 Firehouse Ln., Honeybrook. 610-273-2688

Quilts, crafts, new furniture, Winross trucks, Smuckers bells, farm-related supplies, tools, buggies, heifers.

June 24 *NEW DATE* - Bird-in-Hand Mud Sale
Lancaster County Carriage and Antique Auction

8 a.m., Along Rt. 340 (Old Philadlephia Pike) across from Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant, 717-392-0112

Antiques, harness and tack, specialty items, quilts, crafts, carriages, buggies, wagons and food.

June 25 - Refton Fire Company Sale

7 a.m. breakfast, Refton Fire Company, 99 Church Street, 717-786-9462

Hardware, shop tools, plants, furniture, antiques, crafts, hay and straw, quilts, horses, food and more.

August 27 - Kinzers Fire Company Mud Sale

7 a.m. breakfast, Kinzers Fire Company, 3521 Lincoln Highway East, 717-442-4121

Plants, groceries, antiques, furniture, lumber, tack, sheds and gazebos, equipment, buggies, quilts, horses.

October 22 - Cochranville Fire Company Mud Sale

7 a.m. breakfast, Cochranville Volunteer Fire Company, 3135 Limestone Road, Cochranville, PA 19330. 610-593-5800

Tools, household goods, shrubbery, horse tack, quilts, horses, sheds, outdoor furniture and more

To read more about mud sales in Lancaster County, see our previous blogs:

The Best Way to Buy a Quilt in Lancaster County
and
Do They Really Sell Mud?

It’s a Good Thing for Cooks in Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 22:02:00 +0000

Guests were telling me about it, I saw the ads, and finally I got there myself. Phyllis Pellman Good, author of Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbooks (which have sold more than 9 million copies) has opened a cooking store.

It's called the Good Cooking Store and it's located in nearby Intercourse. Add it to your list of fun things to do the next time you visit us at The Artist's Inn.

While other women like to shop for clothes or shoes, I am drawn to all things "kitchen"....so a store devoted entirely to cooking items is right up my alley.

Right now, The Good Cooking Store is having a Grand Opening Event – it runs until February 12, so if you hurry, you’ll be there for special sales, demonstrations and tastings.

On the day I visited, J. Scott Martino, CEO of Cortazzo Foods, was handing out samples of his family’s spaghetti sauce..(no preservatives, no trans fats and gluten free)...and, best of all, made right here in Lancaster County. He used to work at Doneckers and we soon found out that some of his friends are some of my favorite chefs.....it’s a small world, after all.

I couldn’t decide between the Marinara or the Arrabbiata sauce, so naturally I bought both. I love the picture of his family on the label and am happy to support local products.

The store is brightly lit, not too big, and they have packed great quality and products into every inch. I ran into two friends from Terre Hill! They were as delighted as I was with the selection.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with one of the most expensive items in the store – this wonderful Staub enamel cookware. No, I didn't get the roaster, but it's already on my Christmas list!

There are shiny new pans, containers, a nice selection of microplanes and bowls. There was a great salsa bowl shaped like a red chile,

wonderful stacking bowls that would solve anyone's challenge for lack of shelf space,

a banana peel that doubles as a handle protector,

and the cutest cocktail picks shaped like nails.

So many great things in one spot!

I'm a gadget gal and loved seeing the display.

You just never know when you'll need a banana slicer

or a scrubby shaped like a mushroom

or an avocado slicer!

There's a whole line of cute stuff for cooking with kids.

I found my way upstairs where there was a gadget demonstration in progress. Of course I ended up buying a little flour duster and will use it to sprinkle confectioner’s sugar, cocoa on truffles or anything else that I can think of on dessert.

Oh yes, that brownie tasted even better once it was properly dusted.

This is the kitchen where they are planning to have cooking demonstrations soon - we'll keep you posted on those - and don't be surprised if you see me in class!

Here are some interesting quotes that I found on the wall in the store:

This is from the New York Times: Good's books have sold more in the United States than the combined works of popular Food Network hosts Ina Garten, Giada de Laurentiis, and Jamie Oliver.

and

"The author who came in second to Rachel Ray in total foodie sales was Phyllis Pellman Good, who does not have a TV show." - Publishers Weekly

Pretty darn impressive. And right in our own backyard. YAY for Lancaster!

I was almost done making my purchases, when I discovered the knives under the counter by the cash register. I was really intrigued by the ceramic knives by Kyocera – ten times sharper than metal, but very light. Tina, the Assistant Manager, explained that the knives are so sharp that you can cut a tomato without a serrated knife. Wow.

I sent more guests to the store this weekend. I think they’ll agree, and perhaps Martha would too, “It’s a good thing”.

Staying Warm During the Winter in Lancaster County

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 03:29:00 +0000

Lancaster County received its first significant snowfall Wednesday – about 9 inches of the stuff.
So on Thursday afternoon, Bruce and I packed up our cross-country skis and headed to Nolde Forest, only 20 minutes away on Route 625; actually it's just over the border in Berks County.

There’s no better place to appreciate the beauty and romance of the snow than among the towering pines, planted over 100 years ago. When hosiery baron Jacob Nolde acquired this area in the early 1900s, there was but one single white pine. Inspired by this tree, the German-born Nolde hired an Austrian forester to create a coniferous forest. Now it’s one of the few places around where you can enjoy over 600 acres of century trees.

There are trails, occasionally marked when they cross each other. We just followed the tracks left by some hikers.

Once off the road, the forest becomes very quiet. Occasionally there’s a group of birds, the gurgling of a stream, or a call from Bruce as he waits for me while I play with the camera.

See if you can hear the stream...

Big puffs of snow, falling from high tree limbs, float to the ground silently.

Turn in any direction and you'll see majestic trees reaching skyward.

And the snow is so pristine, it looks blue.

Thank you, Jacob, for having the insight to create such a beautiful place.

Nolde is a well-kept secret – in fact, we only saw two other folks the entire time we were there.

So, grab your Valentine, pack your skis or hiking boots and your backpack and we’ll fill a thermos with hot chocolate, pack up some cookies and send you on your way for a romantic afternoon.

Not into skiing? Here are some other ideas for staying warm in the winter...

Go Ice Skating. New York has one. So does downtown Cleveland, and now Lancaster has one, too—its very own ice rink. Skating is depicted on countless Christmas cards throughout the years, a romantic way to spend an hour or two. Yep, we’ve skated here at Clipper Stadium. No skates? No worries – they rent.

Or stop and build a snowman, Lancaster has many parks with all the snow you’ll need. We found this one on the way to Nolde - just past the Amish schoolhouse. I couldn't resist giving it a hug.

Of course you can look forward to coming back to the inn to soak in your own Jacuzzi, and sit in front of the fireplace. Ah, the best part of winter is warming up.

And don't worry about a little bit of snow - The Artist's Inn is located on State Route 897, so our road is nearly always clear.

For more romantic ideas for Valentines’s Day – or any day, see our January Blog, "25 ways to add romance to your getaway in Lancaster County" from last year.

Boasting About Roasting

noreply@blogger.com (Jan Garrabrandt) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:23:00 +0000

It was just before Thanksgiving...and I could hardly believe that beautiful red Lancaster tomatoes were still for sale at some of the farm stands. They called to me each time I drove by. I had already made my sauce (or gravy as they would say in Jersey), and bags of it were waiting in my freezer for winter meals.

I really had no plans to stop – no reason to stop. But how many November days will ever come again when I could still buy farm fresh tomatoes? Tomatoes so red that you know the sun personally kissed each one of them.

And so I loaded the box into the back of the car.

I had planned to write this blog then, but the hustle and bustle of the holidays came...
So I’ll post it now, and as I look out my window at the fresh fallen snow, I’m so glad that I took the extra time to pick up those tomatoes. I made a lot of sauce and some soup – and froze what we couldn’t eat for cold winter days.

One of my favorite ways to make soups, vegetables and appetizers is to roast them. It fills the inn with wonderful aromas, warms up the kitchen and brings out the best in flavor.

This recipe is so solid that you can even use winter tomatoes – distant cousins of those summer beauties.

So, from one kitchen to another, I hope you enjoy this simple recipe. Add some crusty warm bread, a hearty red wine, a good cheese...ah, sounds like dinner to me!

Roasted Tomato Soup

3 lbs. of your favorite kinds of tomatoes (I have used all kinds)
6 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half
1 large sweet onion (Vidalia or Walla Walla), cut in chunks
1/4 cup olive oil – maybe a little more
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 quart chicken stock (I like to use the low-sodium powdered mix that you can buy in bulk in most smaller grocery stores and Amish bulk stores in Lancaster County)
2 bay leaves (if you’ve never tried bay leaf powder this is great because you don’t have to remember to take the leaves out – just use ¼ teaspoon
4 tablespooon butter
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
3/4 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 450.

Wash, cut and get rid of as many seeds from the tomatoes as you can.

Place tomatoes, garlic and onion in ceramic roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and pour olive oil back and forth over entire pan (I’m guessing about ¼ of a cup).

Roast for about 40 minutes, until onions are browned and tips are starting to blacken a little.

Remove pan from oven. In a large stock pot, boil chicken stock and bay leaves. Add butter and tomato mixture. Turn down the heat to a simmer for about 30 minutes, or until liquid is reduced by a third.

Add basil and puree the soup with an immersion blender. Add cream, adjust salt and pepper and serve.

Serves 7.