Lancaster from the Inn Side

A Visit to The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum

2012-01-16T18:13:00.000-05:00

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

2011-11-30T10:31:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-11-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-18T15:04:00.000-04:00

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

2011-10-06T17:26:00.002-04:00

Whether it’s Fairytale, Cinderella, One Too Many or theplain 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’sno loss of color – from mums and asters of every color to the vast array ofpumpkins that seem to float in fields around every turn. Gourds of every size and shape decorate frontporches, and roadside stands boast huge boulder-sized pumpkins of every shade oforange. They seem to exist just to make us happy.

If you are lucky, you’ll take the time to explore some newvarieties....and choose some to take home - they make great souvenirs! But you’d better hurry – the heavy fall rainshave 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!)

2011-09-14T11:51:00.002-04:00

It was a dark and stormy night last week when we set out toDutch Apple Dinner Theatre to see their new play – “I Love a Piano” –celebrating the songs of Irving Berlin. Theplay is jam-packed with American standards and it tells the story of a pianothat made its way through quite a few owners from the 1920s, through WWII, andinto 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 onstage 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 mindoff 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 inmy head. That song was “BlueSkies”. It was one of my dad’s favoritesongs and he often sang it – or at least the refrain. And when I’d call from two states away andask how he was, he’d often answer – “we have blue skies shining above”.

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

If you need a break from reality, head to Dutch Apple for “ILove 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

2011-08-19T15:01:00.000-04:00

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

2011-07-31T17:45:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-22T18:50:00.001-04:00

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

2011-07-11T19:27:00.000-04:00

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

2011-06-01T18:55:00.000-04:00

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)

2011-05-26T16:20:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

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

2011-05-10T17:06:00.000-04:00

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

2011-04-19T20:05:00.000-04:00

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

2011-03-18T22:44:00.000-04:00

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!

2011-02-28T18:32:00.000-05:00

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

2011-02-06T17:02:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

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

2011-01-26T13:23:00.000-05:00

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.

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County (Seventh in a Series)

2011-01-07T21:13:00.000-05:00

Boy, Oh Boy! OBIES!

About fourteen years ago, just after we had purchased The Artist’s Inn, I was out and about and needed mustard for dinner. I drove by a shop on Route 23 in Goodville that had an A-Treat Soda sign. I assumed that they would carry food, parked the car and went in. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

When I opened the door, the little store nearly exploded with bolt upon bolt of fabric. Or maybe it was the number of women busily gathering up their selections that made it feel so crowded. And then there was the (pretty loud) Christian music playing. It seemed all my senses went on overload at once!

I had not only opened the door to a store, but to a way of shopping long forgotten. Penny candy, children’s books, a pop machine, and squished in the middle of it all, a tiny desk with a cash register. That was just in the first five feet!

One thing I was certain – there was no mustard in sight and I was beginning to doubt that I would find any. But mustard was quickly forgotten as I set off to explore another one of Lancaster County’s hidden gems. This was a quilter’s delight. And though I don’t quilt, I can sew and do get “fabric fever”.

And fabric they have – not only calicos and plaids, but some interesting novelty ones as well. Every football team you can name,

every hobby and subject matter,

every kind of food.

Just look and you will find it. One might think the store is jam-packed and crowded, but don’t for a minute think it’s unorganized....I’ve seen people request a certain pattern in apple green and Nan can find it in a heartbeat.

Nan is the owner – she inherited the store from her parents, and her grandparents before that. She officially started working at Obies in 1975.

The store was originally built by a ship-builder in 1830. There’s a huge lighting fixture in the shape of an anchor – it hangs from the ceiling through two stories.

Look closely at the end of the hook to see the mermaid

I recently talked with Nan about her customers. “Oh, quilters are happy people. We’ve met folks from all over the world. They may not be able to speak English, but they know what material they want!”

Seems like quilters aren’t the only ones having fun. Renee has been working for Nan for about 12 years. “I have six kids. When they were young, I practically begged Nan for a job just to get a break. It’s so interesting and a lot of fun, so even though my kids are now older, I’m still here.”

This is old-fashioned shopping on a personal level. You talk, they listen. You both laugh. You explore, they wait patiently and offer helpful suggestions.

Aren't these pincushions cute!

There are about five thousand potholders – made right at the store.

(Yes, this is where I buy the potholders that I sell at our inn.) Nan currently has eighteen local ladies that sew for her – everything from aprons,

to Christmas tree skirts,

quillows, and placemats.

And quilts.

Upstairs there are about 300 large quilts in stock and about 60 wall hangings.

Quilts, quilts and more quilts!

Don’t see anything that you like? No problem – they’ll make one for you. Just go downstairs and pick out the fabric.

Since my first discovery, I’ve sent scores of guests to Obies – some order quilts to have them shipped all over the country, others purchase material that they had long ago given up ever finding again, and mostly men go just for the experience. They all marvel at what they find.

Great Christmas Places to Shop in Lancaster County, (Sixth in a Series)

2010-12-03T14:18:00.000-05:00

Take a trip with me. We’ll travel just around the corner from The Artist’s Inn...down the hill and around the bend...past two one-room schoolhouses where children are playing softball, past Eby’s store where you can buy your fishing license, your groceries and collect your mail, past the farm where our cupolas were made. By now we’ve seen several Amish and Mennonite buggies. Today I saw one with the number “6” marked on the window – clearly they had been to an event (it is still wedding season in Lancaster County), and this is how they mark their buggies for easy finding in a field filled with them.

We’ll travel a little further along the creek, stopping when the wild pheasants cross the road in front of us....deep in the heart of Northern Lancaster County...and discover a thriving nursery business called Frysville Farms.

Just after Thanksgiving, customers arrive by the carload to purchase greens, roping, wreaths, Christmas trees (yes, they have white pine – my favorite), ornaments, decorated trees, and kissing balls. The orchids, amaryllis and cactus are blooming.

And they have poinsettias.

80,000 of them!

All grown right here in Lancaster County.

It’s a feast for the eyes. Look closely as you may see some varieties that will surprise you.

So if you are thinking of purchasing poinsettias, why not go to the source – you’ll be glad you did. The hardest part is deciding which ones to leave behind.

Enjoy!

These should brighten up any room.

Poinsettia Tree in the Waterfall Garden

Thanksgiving – The Last Pure and Simple Holiday in America

2010-11-18T10:39:00.000-05:00

Just before every Thanksgiving we decide on the menu, call relatives and friends and plan a day around sharing – food, laughter and, memories. Not counting the elaborate meal plans, it’s a fairly simple day spent in the company of people that we love.

Oh, there are a few brave souls who decorate for the holiday with horns of plenty and the occasional pilgrim, but compared to its two neighbors on the calendar, (Halloween and Christmas), Thanksgiving is fairly quiet in the consumer-driven market of ghouls, glitz, and over-the-top commercialism.

Maybe it’s because I’m growing older. Or perhaps it’s because I’m just getting tired of lugging decorations down two stories, but I have a growing fondness for this holiday that gets lost at the end of November. In most houses, the day starts out rather nicely watching a parade and enjoying the smells wafting through the house. Then sometime halfway through dinner most folks have decided that there’s too little time left for Christmas shopping--so they’d better start that night and everyone shifts into Christmas warp speed.

But before the Christmas train comes screaming into the station, I’d like to take a moment and ponder just why I like this holiday so much. It’s pure and simple – the way it was so many years ago. And it delivers a gift of thankfulness and a deliberate reason to slow down – even if it is just for one day.

It’s a day that “the English” in Lancaster County spend much the same way as their Amish neighbors - giving thanks and being grateful.

In the past, I’ve made lists of the things for which I was thankful. But I think the bigger picture is the lesson of being grateful in and of itself. And that’s the part of Thanksgiving that we need to carry with us throughout the year.

To be able to count our good fortune is a gift in itself. And perhaps the lesson is that there is always a reason to be thankful. We are so blessed to live in a country where we can control our own destiny, where we have the climate to be able to grow our own food, share with others, give back when we can, to be able to truly care for others and be cared for, and to celebrate that love every day.

So, this Thanksgiving, I hope you take a moment by yourself to sit and enjoy the warmth of the fire or glance out the window and appreciate the beauty of a falling leaf as it floats to the ground and be glad for both – and for the time to slow down and savor not only the tastes of the day, but the sights and sounds as well.

From all of us at The Artist’s Inn, may yours truly be a happy and grateful Thanksgiving.

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County (Fifth in a Series)

2010-11-03T13:20:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for unique gifts, I suggest you visit this weekend. It’s the start of the bazaar season in Lancaster County. You’ll be able to find locally-made crafts, home-baked goodies, art, jewelry, doll clothes, and great food. But be warned...most folks have to hustle to take them all in. And the locals are up and out early – some of the bazaars open at 7:30.

No need to hit the mall or the outlets. Local folks find the best gifts just around the corner from The Artist’s Inn – you can walk to several of these bazaars that are held in local churches or homes.

Most of all, it’s a great way to support the local community as many of the bazaars help non-profits. So get up early and go – you'll be able to find lots of coffee, hot tea and good eats.

Here’s a partial list of the events. When in doubt of where to go, just follow the signs!

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church – (105 West Main Street in Terre Hill) Offering 15 different kinds of homemade chocolate and great food, including soup “to go” to enjoy later.

Real McCoys Christmas Bazaar – (Held at the home of Doris Weidner, 128 Center Avenue in Terre Hill) – Holiday gift baskets, old-fashioned woolen Christmas stockings, natural ornaments and even dog treats.

Berean Church Bazaar – (407 West Main Street, Terre Hill) – My favorite local Jeweler will be at this one.

Weaverland Auction – On Precast Lane, just outside of Terre Hill. Lots of great crafts, including QUILTS. They usually go for low prices.

Bangor Church - Route 23, Churchtown – This is worth a stop just to take a peek inside this wonderful historic church.

Bergstrasse Evangelical Lutheran Church (9 Hahnstown Rd. in Ephrata) – Their Fair-Trade Fair will feature handmade crafts by artisans from 35 different countries.

Mount Culman Evangelical Congregatoinal Church (1885 Turkey Hill Rd, East Earl) – (just north of Terre Hill on Route 625) – Features local crafts and hot lunches.

The Happy Chapmans – Featuring Folk Art on the Farm – (Route 897 just north of Terre Hill) – Hand-painted signs, especially Christmas items. To read more about the Chapmans, see our previous blog: http://blog.artistinn.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

Liberty Auxiliary Fire Company – (330 East Main Street, New Holland) – You’ll find candles, Chirstmas ornaments, and handmade baby items and much more.

Annunication Orthodox Church of Lancaster – (64 Hershey Ave. in Lancaster) Greek Food Bazaar – Imported items from Greece, pottery and, best of all.....stuffed grape leaves and other Greek Foods.

Did all that shopping make you hungry? St. Paul’s UCC Church in Bowmansville (just north of Terre Hill at 133 Church St.) will be holding a Corn Pie Supper starting at 3:00 p.m.

Happy shopping!

Lancaster County – The Land of Pumpkins!

2010-10-20T23:05:00.000-04:00

It’s pumpkin time! Whether they grow them for fun or food, Lancaster County’s farmers sure know pumpkins. I never realized there were so many varieties before moving to Terre Hill. Of course, you have your typical “face” pumpkins – great for carving on Halloween. They are at every farm stand this time of year.

See how many of these others that you know. Some of the names are as interesting as the varieties - Jack-be-Littles (tiny orange ones) and Little Octobers are shown with Baby Boo's (the tiny white ones pictured above).

The New Moon is white-ish and small and sit in front of the wagon. The big white rounded ones are called Full Moons.

In the back right of this picture, you'll see one of my favorites. French Fairytales are elegant and very proud - with a lovely blend of green and orange and deep ridges.

It’s easy to see why the SuperFreaks get their name.

These light green, small pumpkins are called Jarrahdales and are terrific for baking.

Cinderellas are beautifully bright orange and squat - as though someone sat on them. They too are among my favorites. They are a unique French heirloom whose correct name is "Rouge vif D'Etampes". Some say they resemble the pumpkin that Cinderella's fairy godmother transformed into a carriage. And they were also served at the Pilgrim's second Thanksgiving dinner.

The peanut pumpkins are not to be confused with the Red Warty things.

Another one of my favorites – and a little hard to find – is the One Too Many. So pretty.

Pumpkins are great for decorating, no matter how you stack them – all the way up to Thanksgiving.

The Autumn Cups are small and dark green.

The Turk’s Turban is easy to remember..

As are the beehive - or maybe they are winter squash. To tell you the truth, sometimes I have a hard time telling the squash from the pumpkins, but they are so much fun to decorate with, who cares?

Perhaps the best part of pumpkin growing is catching a glimpse of orange in the fields as you drive along the back roads. Slow down and you'll see them!

So if you just can't live without a pumpkin, or two, or twenty, head to Lancaster County and support our local farmers. We'll be happy to share a list of the best pumpkin patches near The Artist's Inn. But be warned - once you buy one, you'll want more.

There’s No Place Like Home in Lancaster County

2010-10-05T21:16:00.030-04:00

I recently took a wonderful trip with friends – we cruised the Caribbean, saw beautiful sights, ate delicious food, and laughed the week away. It’s funny how you take the time to study the clouds, look at the stars and listen to the wind on vacation, but we so rarely take the time while we are at home. Our daily lives seem so rushed that there’s barely a chance to catch our breath at the end of the day. But I’m sure that if we took the time, we’d find some fascinating clouds, stars and breezes in our own backyard.

And maybe it’s necessary to vacation once in a while to appreciate time together, away from the responsibilities and pressures of life. Perhaps it helps you look at your world with fresh eyes and be grateful anew.

While I loved learning about other cultures, exploring new places and meeting new friends in a “summer” climate, when I returned to Lancaster County, fall had started. Change was in the air – there were a few red leaves on my burning bush, the corn was being harvested, and the morning sunlight in the dining room shone in at a different angle. When you live in Pennsylvania the seasons present themselves patiently, as though standing on your porch for a while – subtle changes that you barely notice at first. But those small alterations keep adding up until even the most distracted among us notice them knocking at our door.

Would I trade the seasonal changes for anywhere else? Nope! The smell of fresh mowed lawn in the spring, the song of the birds in summer,

the crunch of the leaves underfoot in the fall, and
the blue of the winter sky against fresh snow...

these are the seasons of life, each one bearing its own surprises for us and giving us a new appreciation of the world in which we live.

And maybe that’s what getting away is all about.

Lancaster County is a place like nowhere else. And it is our privilege to share it at The Artist’s Inn, no matter what the season.

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County (Fourth in a Series)

2010-09-28T08:24:00.024-04:00

Unlike my other blogs about places to shop, this post is not about one particular store. But it does describe one of the best things about living in Lancaster County: our local farm stands.

They carry a wide variety of fruit and produce so freshly picked that they sometimes still holds the warmth of the sun. To be able to get fresh asparagus in the spring, dozens of ears of corn in the summer, and pumpkins by the wagon load in the fall is pure joy to anyone who likes to cook, eat, or decorate!

Harvest time makes for a very special time to visit - as crops burst from every roadside stand and market.

To know that your purchases help support local farmers makes the shopping experience so much richer. We are grateful to have at least eight stands within two miles of The Artist’s Inn. Thank you to the farmers who work such long hours to bring us the best food around. And especially the ones who grow unusual crops – sugar plums, heirloom tomatoes, white peaches, chestnuts, ten different kinds of squash – you just never know what you’ll find!
One thing is almost guaranteed: you will find a money box; for these purchases are made on the honor system as most farmers are too busy to tend the stand. This is a tradition that is common to the locals, but surprises my guests, who are often from suburban areas.

So, if you can’t visit, I hope you enjoy this little blog journey today – a feast for not only our taste buds, but our eyes as well.

Feasting on Figs in Lancaster County

2010-09-08T13:00:00.001-04:00

I have long dreamed of going to France and Italy – taking cooking classes in some wonderful classic school, shopping in small villages with orange roofs, tasting the local wines while watching the sunset and biking through the countryside so that I can continue to eat and drink without suffering the usual consequences of such behavior. My long-time friend, Paula, and I have dreamt of this trip forever.

Life has a way of altering plans, and, though we often talk of it, we have yet to take our journey. So I bike though beautiful Lancaster County, attend cooking classes here and there when I can, enjoy some wine at sunset on our porch and, this year, planted a fig tree. It’s my little bit of Italy and France in our inn’s backyard.

When I bought it this spring at Deer Creek Farm,

my friend and owner, Kathy, warned me that not all fig trees will bear fruit. “It should be near a brick or stone building so that it can stay protected in the winter,” she told me. “It also needs the hot afternoon sun”.

So I paid my money and took my chances.

The tree seemed to thrive in our hot and dry summer – I wish I could say the same for my flowers.

As if the beautiful leaves weren’t enough reward themselves, soon my little fig tree was growing and branching off. I cut off four branches, encouraging it to grow up straight. And, although tall wouldn’t be quite the word I’d pick to describe it, the tree did produce three figs. The first got a little brown spot on the bottom – maybe I didn’t pick it fast enough. This made me pay even closer attention. Soon the other two green figs were a nice lime color and “gave: a little when squeezed.

I decided to harvest my crop early one morning and serve the bounty for breakfast. There was just enough for my guests. Though the portions were small, the warm, sweet fruit exploded with flavor. It was certainly a feast!

I was very proud.

The next challenge will be trying to get the tree to make it through the winter. Maybe someday I’ll even get to taste figs in France or Italy – perhaps topped with a little crème fraiche and toasted hazlenuts!

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County (Third in a Series)

2010-08-24T12:35:00.000-04:00

I saw these cute folk craft signs on the street corners in town one day last fall. They advertised “Folk Art on the Farm”. My friend Kathy noticed them as well and we were intrigued. So off we went to follow them. We travelled north on Route 897, just outside of Terre Hill and only about five minutes from The Artist's Inn. In no time at all, we found where the signs led.

To a barn behind a house, filled to the brim with all things painted - snowmen, signs, and trees.

Berries in the Meadow is the name of a local business run by The Chapman Family. In the back of their house sits a barn that is magically transformed – depending on the season. We first saw it just before Christmas, so naturally I purchased several gifts.

I particularly liked the old objects that were painted - like a child's hand-painted ice skate stuffed with pine decorations. Yep, you'll now be able to find that amoung my Christmas collection.

Lancaster County just seems to bring out the creative side in folks - often using old items for their craft. Ah yes, there are usually yummy treats at the open houses.

I loved the bright colors and cheery sayings.

The second time we visited was in the spring and I purchased stuff for me. Their next show is this coming Labor Day weekend, so if you are in town, make sure you stop in. If you aren't in town, call us at 888-999-4479 or visit www.artistinncom/reservations.htm and we can help with that situation! I can't wait to add to my fall collection.

Their motto is “Put a Little Happy in Your Life” and I’m hoping these pictures will help you do just that – in case you can’t make it to The Chapmans in person. To keep track of them, you may want to follow their blog: http://www.berriesinthemeadowart.blogspot.com/ or visit their online store at http://www.berriesinthemeadow.etsy.com/

Go Play Outside...on The Susquehanna

2010-08-19T20:57:00.012-04:00

“Rowing, Rowing, Rowing on the River!”

It has been a long hot summer in Lancaster County. When my nephew Jesse visited us, we decided that a cool way to spend an afternoon would be on the river. I had long wanted to go kayaking at Shank’s Mare.

Getting there was easy. It’s located in a historic building that was once a general store – right on

the banks of the Susquehanna. We each opted for our own kayak – a decision I thought about later since I could have sat in the back while Jesse (a football player and senior in high school) would have paddled me around! Instead, I struggled to keep up with him after two hours of rowing.

This part of the Susquehanna is dammed and the water is calm. Except for the occasional speedboat pulling a water-skier or a jet ski going by, we pretty much had the river to ourselves. We explored a small offshoot of the river that led to a stream, crossed the river at the 1 ½ mile point, paddled out to an island and saw about 10 great blue heron sunning themselves on an old tree branch. And when we got tired, it was so relaxing to dip a hand in the cool water, lie back in the kayak, and watch the treetops and clouds pass by. If you get disoriented, just head to the pretty little white church that is across from Shank’s Mare.

Sometime we hope to get back and try one of their tours and explore the river even more.

We highly recommend this for a morning, afternoon or evening excursion – it’s only about 40 minutes from The Artist’s Inn. Even better, we have discount coupons for 10% off rentals.

Here are my tips if you go:

1) Wear old tennis shoes – the launch area has a lot of rocks.
2) Wear a hat – there’s very little shade!
3) Bring a bottle of water – being around all that water made me thirsty!
4) Be careful that you apply sunscreen everywhere. (I thought that our kayak would be the kind you slip your feet into but they were open – so for about two weeks I sported the reddest ankles this side of the Susquehanna).
5) Take your camera in a waterproof bag. I didn’t trust that we wouldn’t capsize, so I left my camera in the car, and didn’t get any pictures while on the water. But the kayaks are very stable, and next time I’ll take my camera along.
6) Lastly, have fun! Shank’s Mare’s motto is “Go Play Outside”. Who could argue with that?

Here's a picture of Bruce and Jess posing by the "sign".

From Fallen Tree to Dr. Seuss in Lancaster County

2010-07-29T21:11:00.017-04:00

A nasty storm rolled through Lancaster County in late June. Terre Hill was right in the path. We lost a White Cedar tree behind the Olde Stone Cottage. I hate to lose trees, for they enhance the quality of our property and lives. Trees provide homes for birds, shade the yard and help clean our air.

As is common after every storm – winter or summer, we walk through town and talk with neighbors – seeing how everyone fared and assessing the damage. As we looked at the large broken limb, a name came to mind – Dean Fox (717-355-2566). Dean has been chain saw carving all sorts of creatures for our town park at our Terre Hill Days celebration each year. That would be a great tribute to our fallen tree.

The first job was to tear down the part of the tree that we couldn’t use. We called Jerry Ink in Terre Hill (717-445-7577)– he does a terrific job of putting the limbs down exactly where he wants them.

It is quite a show to watch him work - climbing all over the tree. In fact, the event drew a few spectators.

Unfortunately, we discovered that the tree, although healthy at the top, was rotted from the base up to 6 ft. – which is the part that Dean would need to carve. So Dean took what he could use for other projects and we went home disappointed. The rest of the tree was ground up for mulch. As you may know, cedar makes great mulch, because it doesn’t attract insects and smells nice when warmed by the sun.

Dean offered to carve a felled Red Cedar tree for us that had been drying at his house for two years. We agreed.

There was only one choice for subject matter.

As an inn that hosts four cats and seems to attract most of the neighborhood strays, it was only fitting that Dean carve a 6 ft tall Cat-in-the-Hat – our tribute to one of America’s most beloved poets, Dr. Seuss.

Thank you, Dean, for doing such a great job. We love it so much that we were inspired to write:

Come and meet our newest cat,
He’s six feet tall and wears a hat,
He does not shed or use his claws,
He stands and smiles with two gloved paws.
He’ll gladly pose for photographs,
To show your friends and share some laughs.

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County - Second in a Series

2010-07-09T22:45:00.021-04:00

Just 5 miles from The Artist’s Inn is the quaint outdoor antique and collectibles market of Shupp’s Grove. Tucked away in a shady corner of Lancaster County, Shupp’s Grove attracts antique dealers and buyers from near and far. It is the oldest outdoor antiques market around – that’s saying something since Adamstown is known as the Antiques Capital of the USA.

In fact, if you’re a fan of the Antiques Roadshow, you may find it interesting that Leslie and Leigh Keno got their start at Shupp’s when their dad was a dealer – we once saw a picture taken of them with 70’s hairstyles.

Admission is free, parking is free, fun is free. And, if you find what you didn't know you were looking for, well, that's when the free ends but the fun continues.
I really liked these outdoor "sculptures",

while Bruce finds it hard to pass up a Barrister bookcase.

And you just never know when you'll need another doorstop.
Or WWII ammunition?

Over the years, we’ve purchased all kinds of things – Christmas gifts, an old buggy seat that we use as coffee table for the Carriage House, antique linens,

furniture, even an old plunger to hold extra rolls of toilet paper at the Olde Stone Cottage.

You just never know what you’ll find!

Do not miss a stop at the bath house. There are not many places that have restrooms this nice. Fresh flowers and a real fireplace in the fall – that’s my kind of restroom!

Shupp’s also has several places to stop for a bite to eat and build up more energy for shopping.

If you look on their website, you can find the listing of special themed weekends. Dealers ranks swell during the three Antiques Extravaganzas – the last full weekends of April, June and September.

So, if you enjoy the romance of the woods, the thrill of the hunt and the euphoria of “the big find”, make sure you head to Shupp’s Grove. But hurry, they are only open April through October.

Wheelin’ Round Lancaster

2010-06-07T22:43:00.015-04:00

Recently I saw Lancaster in a whole new way. Yes, I have been in the city many times and have taken several tours. But this was on two wheels – no, not those two wheels, these were side by side......as on a segway. Here's the view from the top:

Talk about fun. It reminded me of my days of downhill skiing – and what a difference a little weight distribution can mean. I used to call them “ski legs” – coming home from a week of skiing out west and then trying to negotiate the cubicles at work with the same speed. This is much the same, weaving around obstacles on the sidewalks. I was also reminded of my dad on my first driving lesson in his boat of a big Chevy – we had gone to a nearby mall. It was Sunday and, back in the day, there was no shopping then, so there were no other cars in the parking lot. My Dad’s car was his pride and joy and I was very nervous about driving it. It had a bench seat and I had it pushed completely forward so that I could reach the gas petal, forcing his knees almost to his chest. I remember him saying to treat the gas pedal as though it were an eggshell. We crept around the parking lot at 5 mph until a pop can appeared in front of the car. Gripping the steering wheel but not wanting to panic and swerve, I tried to straddle the can. Bad ideas as I had no idea where the tires where, and it was crushed underneath. So ended my driving lessons with Dad. Let’s just say I owe a big “Thank You” to Larry Connors – wherever you are – my boyfriend at the time who showed much patience in teaching me how to drive. Ah, but I digress...on this day I was trying to learn to “glide”. And it was much less complicated than learning to drive.

Terri and Bob Stauffer are the Chief Gliding Instructors with Red Rose Segway Tours and they do a great job of “training” you on the wonderful gadgets before you leave their office. With the slightest lean toward your toes, you go forward. And that’s when the fun begins.

Lynne (Australian Walkabout) and I had a personal tour of Lancaster. And we saw things that we never noticed before...because we weren’t in a car. We had plenty of water stops and chances to take some pictures.

We learned all sorts of interesting facts. Lancaster was a “first” for many things – Hamilton Watch Company produced the first watch here, Milton Hershey opened his first chocolate factory and Woolworth’s had their first Five and Dime Store. We discovered new places and heard a few stories. And everywhere we went, heads turned. People yelled out of car windows, waved from park benches and motioned for us to “pass” them on the sidewalk. Seems that the segways just put people in a good mood.

It was the first day of the Keys for the City. Chicago has its cows, Cleveland has its guitars, and Lancaster has placed pianos around the city.
They wait in bright colors, welcoming folks to play them. Two girls were playing chopsticks as we glided through the square, and a guy on the next block was playing some piece of classical music – the name of which I would finally remember hours later. If you haven’t seen them yet, that is reason enough for a visit.

So, the next time you get the urge to improve your mood, go downtown Lancaster and hop on a segway. Terri and Bob make it fun. And if you stay at either Lynne’s (Australian Walkabout) or my B&B, The Artist’s Inn, you’ll be able to take advantage of our coupon – saving you $10 per person.

Great Places to Shop in Lancaster County (First in a Series)

2010-05-28T14:45:00.021-04:00

Do You Yearn For An Urn?

The time had come to do something about our front yard. Years ago, Main Street in Terre Hill had been lined with huge oak trees. Their branches reached for each other across the street and met in the middle, creating a canopy that shaded sidewalks and cooled front porches. But when the electric and phone companies started trimming them, the trees began dying off. All that remained of the two that were in front of the inn was a tangle of roots and rotting stumps. Our ivy did a fair job of covering up the uneven ground.

So we replaced the sidewalk and had the rest of the old stumps ground out. But it looked so empty. That’s when I remembered Hoover’s Farm Market.

Located on Route 23 between Goodville and Churchtown (a mere five miles from the inn), they make concrete statues and urns.

It's where I purchased my beloved three-foot bunny for the back gardens of The Artist's Inn. He has survived several years – in fact this winter’s snow covered almost all of him.
My mom and I stopped at Hoover’s and I quickly found what I wanted-two beautiful large urns to replace the trees. She insisted that I get them. In fact, she paid for them too. Now you know where I learned my shopping philosophy: “If you see something and fall in love with it, you just need to buy it.”

There’s a wide selection of urns from which to choose – along with nursery plants, fresh vegetables and home-baked goods –

even "outhouses" - so it’s worth a stop whether you need statuary or not.

There is one drawback.....Hoover’s offers no delivery on urns.

Time to call some good friends for help. Good friends like Bob and Lynne. They own an inn, the Australian Walkabout. They also own a pick-up truck. And so we invited them to dinner.....

Getting the urns in the truck was easy - Hoover's had a contraption - sort of a cross between a backhoe and a forklift. Now came the moment of truth - unloading the urns without breaking them - or any other body part.

And so Bob and Bruce wrestled with the urns. (Funny, but neighbors seem to disappear from their front porches when a project like this gets underway.)

No job would be complete without a cheerleader, though I suspect that Taylor was more excited about the ice cream at dinner than the urns.

Lynne stood by with refreshments for moral support.

I was busy taking pictures.

The flowers are planted and now we just wait for the ivy to fill in. So if this gets you yearning for an urn, you’ll know to head to Hoover’s.

One of Lancaster County’s best secrets: great little shops that offer so much – they aren’t found on any tourist map and rarely do advertising. But the locals know about these jewels throughout Lancaster County. I’ll introduce you to some of my absolute favorites in this blog.....so stay tuned – after all, there’s always some shopping to do!

Memorial Day is just around the corner...and so is Lancaster County!

2010-05-19T15:08:00.020-04:00

You don’t need to drive all the way to the beach this Memorial holiday. The water is too cold this time of year anyway. Besides, the shore traffic is a killer. Instead, head to the rolling hills of Lancaster County.

Here’s our list of top ten reasons to do so:

#10 – If you like history, we have lots of “old” things for you –plenty of century homes (they don’t make ‘em like this anymore), and living history museums like Landis Valley, the Cloister, and Strasburg Railroad.

#9 – Are you the outdoorsy type? Hike some of the trails through Nolde Forest (15 minutes from the inn), Middlecreek Wildlife Preserve (about 20 minutes), hop in a canoe or kayak on the Susquehanna, or bring your bicycles and explore the backroads of Lancaster County.

#8- Thinking of planting your gardens? Jan will share her favorite nurseries – most within a five-mile radius of The Artist’s Inn. Not only do we have great selections and knowledgeable owners, but the prices are terrific too. Many guests leave with their cars loaded.
#7 – Do you like life in the fast lane? Maple Grove Raceway is only 12 minutes away – and because guests go the “back” way to our inn, you’ll avoid the traffic heading north.

#6 – Eat, Drink and Be Merry – The Great Pennsylvania Flavorfest at the PA Rennasiance Faire is Memorial weekend – lots of great food, wine, beer and culinary information.

#5 – Did someone say “shopping”? We have it all – outlets in both Reading and Lancaster, gallery row in downtown Lancaster, small shops specializing in crafts or quilts.

#4 – Looking for treasures? Adamstown (known as the Antiques Capital of the USA) is just ten minutes from the inn. We’ve found everything from an old buggy seat (we turned that into a coffee table) to the French antique furniture for the Kriss Kringle Room.

#3 – Strawberries, lettuce, radishes and rhubarb – these are just some of the recent purchases fresh from the farms that surround the inn. Lancaster County strawberries are among the sweetest that you’ll find anywhere. You remember – the kind that are red throughout – not those tasteless white things that have spent too much time in a truck.

#2 – The feeling you’ll get when you travel our backroads – rolling hills of green, Amish tending to their farms, and a connection with the land that you can feel.

Drumroll please.....and the Number One reason to head to the Artist’s Inn this weekend?

To slow down and reconnect with the one you love. Sit on the porch and listen to the birds chirp, hear the clip-clop of buggies, and let your cares melt away.

Yes, we are just around the corner, but you’ll feel like you are a world away.

So Much More Than A Bike Ride Through Valley Forge National Park

2010-05-11T20:07:00.013-04:00

The first bike ride of the year is usually challenging. It’s a process of waking up muscles that haven’t been used all winter and trying to adjust to sitting on skinny bike seats. This year was no exception. We couldn’t even remember how to get the bikes secured to the bike rack! Ah, but life in a small town pays off when our Mayor shows up to help out.

Off to Valley Forge we drove. It was a beautiful day, despite the 25 mph wind and the (mostly) uphill trail that we took. We biked past the joggers, the walkers, past the kids flying kites in the field, people walking dogs, past children holding grandparents’ hands, and deer grazing in the open....back into history.

Here is a park in the middle of suburbia but one would scarcely know it. There are vistas where you can see ridge after ridge of fields and trees – 3600 acres of them. Somehow it seemed appropriate that it was windy, and we could only imagine how cold it must have been in the winter of 1777. It was on one particularly steady climb that we came across a quote that seemed fitting: “It is beyond description to conceive what the men suffered”. Actually, we felt a little suffering ourselves...as we switched from gear to gear and finally walked the bikes up a hill.

We came upon Washington’s Memorial Chapel – which seemed to beckon us inside to say a prayer of thanks. It’s a beautiful Gothic Revival building that also houses the Carillon and Justice Bell.

This bell was used in the women’s suffrage movement. The clapper was chained to the side and not rung until women had the right to vote.
So many sacrifices took place in Pennsylvania...all so that we would have the freedom to fly a kite, ride a bike, or worship at a church.

The Nose Knows

2010-04-28T17:18:00.019-04:00

I learned quite a few things on a recent trip to Longwood Gardens. Their exhibit Making Scents: The Art and Passion of Fragrance is a treat for your nose...as well as your eyes.

You learn that infants can recognize their mother’s scent even before they are born. How they determine this beats me, but I’m impressed just the same.

I had always heard that scent is one of the strongest triggers for memories. Who doesn’t remember that first day of school and the scent of a newly opened book, Grandma’s house and the smell onions sautéed in butter, or the smell of fresh-mowed grass when you ran outside to play after school. These smells are anchored to powerful childhood memories.

So follow your nose as it makes its way past the jasmine in the conservatory, the lilacs just above the topiary garden, or the scents that you can create in the Music Room. Pay special attention to the giant perfume bottles placed throughout Longwood.

And, oh yes, there are at least 56,000 tulips to see as well.

Along with other flowers.

Mom - the orchids are for you!

This plant (Colleen, if you are reading this, please tell us the name!) was wonderfully fragrant -

especially if you stuck your nose underneath!

As my friend says, everything is bigger at Longwood.

My favorite sign of the day? I’m not dead, I’m dormant.

Longwood Gardens is just an hour from The Artist's Inn, and our guests have enjoyed the many seasons (and smells) of this special place. Now is the perfect time to create new memories that you (and your nose) will remember.

Spring in Lancaster County

2010-04-08T22:02:00.032-04:00

Spring came in a hurry this year to The Artist's Inn - it seemed to last one week and now feels like summer.

I like to think of spring as a symphony - with various flowers awakening in the spring almost as though they were instruments tuning up - first you hear from the quiet little crocuses, then the tulips and hyacinths, and by the time you get to the bushes and flowering trees you have a full orchestra blasting out Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue!

So sit back and enjoy while I take you on a tour of my gardens....

If anyone knows the name of this flower, please post - it returns every year.

Here's some of the bloomers at The Olde Stone Cottage:

A lot of my flowers were gifts - some from people who are no longer here. They are a wonderful reminder of friends. I hope you enjoyed the time with my flowers as much as I do.

A Paradise of Patchwork in Lancaster, PA

2010-03-24T21:27:00.024-04:00

Today was the opening day of the American Quilters Society Show in downtown Lancaster. I attended with two friends – not because we are quilters, but because we appreciate art and wanted to see the quilts on display.

Within the first twenty minutes, I felt like my eyes could not possibly take in any more color. This is a universe with its own language and beauty. There are fabrics from around the world (I especially loved this blue and yellow pile from France and could imagine what I could make with it), quilts spanning the centuries and made from all over America, and state-of-the-art long arm machines that look nothing like the sewing machine I have!

This booth is Hinkletown Sewing Machines - located five minutes from our inn.

Actually, many of the vendors are located within several miles of our inn, others hailed from Texas, Missouri and Kansas.

Even if you don’t plan to take any classes, the joy of seeing all of the quilt entries is worth the price of admission. But the different techniques, styles, patterns and the unending color schemes are mind-boggling.

Some of my favorites didn’t make first or second place, but I’ll share them with you here...
Called The Little Juggler, I love the colors here...be sure to double click on the picture to enlarge it.

Double click to read the name of this quilt and apprecaite the quiltmaker's sense of humor.

I have always loved quilted jackets, and watching the parade of women with their jackets was fascinating – each one seemed to get prettier. By the time we made it to the third floor, I wanted one—badly. Well, not badly enough to devote the time required to quilt one...that will have to wait for a day when I’ll have more time for hobbies other than running a bed and breakfast!

The show will continue for three more days. That’s time enough to make your plans and head to Lancaster. If you go, wear comfortable shoes – the show spans four floors at the Lancaster County Convention Center and Liberty Place. At the Convention Center, I recommend using the escalators to avoid the lines at the elevator. There is cushy seating in the lobby of the Convention Center....you’ll be looking for it later. If you stay with us, I’ll share my secret parking places – within easy walking distance of the LCCC.

If you happen to head out on Thursday, there’s a free party for all quilters at Mulberry Art Studios from 6:00 pm to 8:30pm. I’ll be there – our bed and breakfast association, along with its partners, is hosting it. There will be lots of food, beverages, music, free shoulder massages—and yes, more quilters and quilts.

A Bit of Olde England in Lancaster County

2010-03-21T12:20:00.023-04:00

Keep Your Sunny Side Up!

It was a rainy Monday...a great time to head for a hot cup of tea at an English tea room. And just where would one find that in Lancaster, County? Well, in Intercourse (of course!) at Ye Olde English Tea Room.

I had the vanilla spice tea, and asparagus/ham quiche with salad, and a cherry scone with real clotted cream. It was great. This was just what the damp and dreary day needed. They also have bangers and mash and meat pies. In the summer months, the iced teas are light and refreshing. It all was so.....English....including the rainy weather outside the windows!

But as we talked and looked around the room, we forgot about the rain. What mattered was the conversation that turned to the hopes and dreams between two good friends. Soon the tiny restaurant filled with customers and we could hear their laughter float in from the next room.

We sat at a round table, with pretty fabrics...not unlike those found in Alice in Wonderland! I couldn’t help but get up from the table when something caught my eye– a book on English gardens, a picture, placemats....it seemed the room was filled with all things tea!

The table was set with wonderful items to explore - from the little teapot napkin rings to the sugar container. It seemed that everywhere you looked, there was something to make you smile.

Then there were those wonderful cheerful English voices – (the owners and staff are all from England) transforming everyday words to dance in your ears.

Did I mention the shopping? Specialty foods from England, interesting jewelry and other little gems are tucked into every shelf, corner, and windowsill. I couldn’t resist these napkin rings – do you recognize Bruce’s artwork?

So, did we just stop in for lunch, or where we transported to some magical place in the English countryside?

Better go for yourself to decide – and if you are a guest of The Artist's Inn, be sure to ask us for a coupon for a free pot of tea. They'll help you keep your sunny side up.

Joseph Arrives at Sight and Sound

2010-03-06T15:02:00.008-05:00

We were invited to the Premier showing of the new show at Sight and Sound Theatre in Strasburg last night. It was a grand affair. There were men in tuxes, ladies in glitter and heels, hors d'œuvres throughout the lobby and excitement in the air.

Politicians, business owners and friends of Shirley and Glen Eshelman (Owners of Sight and Sound) mingled while scores of cast members – Egyptian soldiers with spears, bright green dragons and women dressed in incredible costumes - paraded through the crowd.

This cake was made by Charm City Cakes – you may know them as Duff Goldman from the Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. I once saw Duff at a food show and can only imagine how much fun it must have been to be involved in the cake process.

This long-awaited show has been three years in the making. When you see the sets, you’ll know why. Some of them soar 30 feet high and the village and palace scenes are incredibly complex. Joseph’s dreams take him high into the theatre – impressive indeed. True to their other shows, Joseph also delivers in the live animal department. There are horses, goats, camels, mules, donkeys, a raven, sphinx cat and even a rat or two.

A few rows behind our seats, Don Harper signed autographs. He created the contemporary score that is surpassed only by the incredible voices of the cast.

So hold on to your seats - this is a huge performance – almost larger than life. The only thing that comes close to being so huge is the message that it delivers: to learn the power of forgiveness.

Lancaster County is truly blessed to have this theatre – both in helping the local economy (they employ 500 people and all sets are made on site) and in the spirituality exemplified in everything they do.

This is, in our opinion, the best show that Sight and Sound has produced so far and we highly recommend it. You can catch Joseph from now until October 30 – stay at The Artist's Inn and we’ll be happy to get your tickets at a reduced price.

A Trip Around the World at The Philadelphia Flower Show

2010-03-03T20:46:00.005-05:00

A trip to this prestigious show comes but once a year...and, living in Lancaster County, that means it is easily “doable”, and a very special outing. So when my friend Ruth said that she had room in their van for me, I jumped at the chance.

We arrived just before noon and opted to have lunch at the Reading Terminal Market, across the street from the Convention Center. I love this market, and quickly found the herb dealer who carries ground bay leaves (in my opinion, they are so much easier to use than trying to dig out that bay leaf hidden deep in the chili or stew). The market is not the place for people who can’t make up their minds – and while all the flavors tempted me, in the end I caved in to the pressure of the Philly Cheesesteak. (When in Rome....)

Nourished and ready to travel the world, we opened the door to the convention center. It was though we opened the door to Spring. This huge space, with many different heating zones and vents, was no match for those tiny little flower petals. It proved that strength comes in numbers because I smelled those hyacinths immediately. Then my feet never hit the floor as the smell of the roses and other flowers propelled you through the hall....so let me show you what I saw.

This balloon stood high above everything in the hall and was made of 80,000 dried flowers - it took a week to attached the flowers, and over 1,000 volunteer hours.
This is no small bouquet - it had a twin that greeted you when you entered - they were probably 15 feet tall.
What a great idea for an urban garden. The Landscape and floral displays are chock-full of terrific ideas.
If you look close, you'll see the orchids survining in an all-white winter display.

Spring was everywhere -from the large displays to the tiniest minitature daffodils.

This guy stood above our heads in the South African display.

I will hopefully be able to find these for my garden - Anemones are among my favorite flowers.

Can you tell that this represents the ocean, sand and dune? When you see it in person the lines that are supporting the flower vessels almost disappear....

One of my favorite displays, using paint cans. Be sure to look closely at the colors - very clever.

I spotted these cute little napkins rings for Ruth. She owns Flowers & Thyme B&B - we thought they'd be perfect for her breakfasts.

Pink flamingos wander through the explorer's garden.

We then traveled to India.

Here's a glimpse into the many educational and individual displays - Mom, this picture of the orchid displays is for you!

Then came shopping at the Marketplace...Aren't these calla lilies beautiful?

There were all kinds of wonderful things to buy - from planters and wreaths to brass door knockers and jewelry.

If I didn't have to carry them three blocks to the car, I would have come home with one of the bunny sculptures.

And who could resist a dozen roses for $4.95....in a dozen different colors...

This window was really fun lampshades made out of flowers!

On our way out of the main hall, we got to witness the majestic flying of Sun Conures and Parrots, compliments of the Philadelphia Zoo as they flew high above the Rainforest exhibit.

We finished at 4 – but there is plenty to do for two days if you take in any of the lectures and demonstrations.

We decided to have dinner in Philly before venturing out into rush-hour traffic. A short walk led to Maggiano’s - a bustling Italian restaurant serving huge portions of good food. I highly recommend the Chicken & Truffle Tortellacci with White Wine Cream Sauce, Smoked Ham & Asiago Cheese – a half portion was all I could handle.

The mini-dessert of crème brulee was just enough – here it is next to the ice cream that Don ordered.....enough for three people!

I hope you enjoyed this little journey. If you can, I highly recommend going to the Philadelphia Flower Show - but hurry - the last day is Sunday, March 7.

Chocolate for Dinner

2010-02-27T13:24:00.011-05:00

We received a dinner invitation from friends who are local innkeepers at The Smithton Inn in Ephrata. The theme was chocolate. Well, I thought, I’ll just whip up a batch of double chocolate macadamia cookies. Would that be enough for dinner? I certainly could survive for one night on chocolate and wine, but I’m married to a salad lover.

So I thought back to a wonderful dinner I had at Carrs (a great restaurant in downtown Lancaster) – it was part of our Chocolate Tour. Tim had served a unique white chocolate dressing on the salad. I know what you’re thinking – my brain also struggled to marry the tastes, but it was delicious.

And so I set out looking for recipes on the internet. I found plenty, but several called for ingredients that I didn’t have – chocolate extract, walnut oil, raspberry vinegar......and so the search went on. I came upon Recipe Zaar’s Chocolate Balsamic Salad Dressing.

Recipe Zaar is one of my favorite sites and allows you to adjust the measurements from metric to US and increase the amounts.

Three ingredients meant that the one hour I had to dress, make a salad, greet guests at the inn, and drive to the party should be plenty of time.

I changed the salad to include the ingredients I had on hand: red leaf and romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, shaved asiago cheese, toasted almonds and vanilla poached pears. To be honest, I think greens with a little more bite would complement the dressing better, but I had to work with what was in my pantry.

It’s best to serve this dressing slightly warm – a lesson I learned on a cold night when it began to congeal! A slight reheat did the trick. You also shouldn’t refrigerate this dressing.

Everyone loved it, and the salad was a nice complement to the mole chicken and Cincinnati chili that were also on the menu. Oh, yes, I took the cookies too – just in case the other three desserts wouldn’t be enough – after all, you just can’t have too much chocolate for dinner.

So the next time you are looking for something unusual, try my newest salad and dressing combination. Sorry I don't have any pictures of the salad....we ate it!

Chocolate Balsamic Dressing (Serves 14)

1 1/3 cups Balsamic Vinegar
10 5/8 ounces sugar
3 squares dark chocolate

Melt over low heat and stir occasionally. Serve warm.

The Best Way to Buy a Quilt in Lancaster County

2010-02-22T17:03:00.039-05:00

First, you’ll need a pair of boots and a plastic bag. Better take along a warm coat and I would definitely wear jeans. Go soon – this opportunity is only available in February, March and early April. Take cash, or, if you live in Pennsylvania, a check. Be prepared to walk a bit -there is never enough parking.

Next, you’ll head to the nearest Mud Sale. If you aren’t familiar with that term, it has everything to do with the boots and plastic bag. A sale, in Lancaster County terms, means “auction”. The Mud Sales held every spring are fundraisers for our local fire companies. All types of things are sold at them, from antiques to quilts. (See our blog from January, 2009 “Do They Really Sell Mud? to learn more about them.)
On Saturday, we set off for Honeybrook – the first of the Mud Sales. While it was actually just over the border in Chester County, there were enough Amish there that we felt as though we were in Lancaster! There were kids in charge of a wagon to help people with their purchases, Amish men bidding on horses and tools, and Amish women inside the quilt building. That’s what we’ll be talking about today.
The quilts are all made locally, and are either donated or on consignment for the Fire Company. The proceeds from this day’s auction will help fund the fire company – and as everyone knows, fires are a very real threat to farmers. Amish and Mennonites make up a significant percentage of the force – especially in Terre Hill.

Women work most of the winter (or longer) to produce the quilts for the sales. You’ll see every size, color, and pattern. If you are not too picky, and if you don’t mind not looking them over closely before hand, you can get a tremendous buy.

Be warned – the bidding is swift, there are hundreds of quilts, and there’s no time to put the auctioneer on “pause”. Set a price limit for yourself and know the colors that you can use. There will be a sheet available with all the quilts listed – they usually also put down the dimensions that will work for the different bed sizes.

Now the fun begins as the auctioneer starts his cadence, “Do I hear two hundred, two, two, two hundred”? Although every auctioneer has his own unique call, Bruce thinks they all sound a bit like a Native American war chant. Give your ears a chance to adjust and soon you’ll be able to follow the bids. You’ll probably learn several of the patterns, and you’ll experience Amish kids running in and out. While we were there, an Amish girl was fascinated with blowing her soap bubbles and another boy was busy eating a long tube of candy.
A good auctioneer will also announce if the quilt is signed, or if there are any “spots” on it. Once you purchase your quilt, allow about 20 minutes for them to process your bill and wrap the quilt. Surprisingly, some of the fire companies are now accepting credit cards, but I wouldn’t count on it, so unless you have a PA check, bring some cash.

Certainly this is not the only way to buy a quilt made in Lancaster County….there are dozens of stores, all with knowledgeable salespeople who will help you.
There are farms where you can purchase right from the quilter (just look for hand-made signs). And, on March 24- 27, the American Quilters Society is having its annual convention at the Lancaster County Convention Center. Any quilter worth her stitches will no doubt be there, as Lancaster County is Quilt Country.
So, yes, it’s not the only way to purchase a quilt, but it sure is the most fun!

Here’s a list of upcoming Mud Sales which will be selling quilts. They are all within a short drive of the Artist's Inn in Terre Hill:

February 27 - Strasburg Spring Consignment & Mud Sale
8 a.m., Strasburg Fire Company #1, 203 Franklin St., Strasburg. 717-687-7232 or Strasburg Fire Co

March 6 -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.
Antiques, quilts, furniture, new & used equipment, small goods, hay & straw, livestock, buggies, tools, crafts and food.

March 13 -Gordonville Spring Mud Sale & Auction
8:30 a.m., Gordonville Fire Company, Old Leacock Rd., Gordonville. 717-768-3869 or Gordonville Fire Co.
The largest firemen's auction/sale on the East Coast, featuring 500-600 Amish quilts, antiques, collectibles, new & used furniture, tools, farm equipment, horses, mules, buggies, lawn & garden, barns, utility sheds & trailers, construction equipment.

March 20 - Airville Volunteer Fire Company Sale
7 a.m., Coffee and Doughnuts, Airville Fire Company, 3576 Delta Road, 717-862-3806
Crafts, antiques, plants, quilts, farm equipment, saddles, carriage, buggies, furniture, garden equipment.

March 20 - Penryn Fire Company 3rd Annual Mud Sale
8:30 a.m., Penryn Fire Company #1, 1441 N. Penryn Rd., Penryn. 717-665-4167 or Penryn Fire Co.

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

March 27 - 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 3 - Wakefield Annual Spring Mud Sale
8 a.m., Robert Fulton Fire Company, 2271 Robert Fulton Hwy., Peach Bottom. 717-548-2483
Quilts, crafts, horses, lumber & building supplies, shrubbery, miscellaneous items and lots of homemade food.

April 10 -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.

June 25 -Bird-in-Hand Mud Sale
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 26 - 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 28 -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.

Birchrunville Store Cafe - A Foodies Kind of Restaurant

2010-02-20T16:58:00.014-05:00

We are Foodies. We love to explore new restaurants and keep current with old favorites and recommend them to our guests at the bed and breakfast. And so we set off last Wednesday with good friends to enjoy a warm dinner out on a cold winter night.

We discovered the Birchrunville Store Café five years ago and it has become one of our absolute favorites. It is hidden away on a country road, deep in Chester County – but you will swear you’ve arrived in the French countryside. It’s actually only two turns and about 40 minutes from our inn in Lancaster County and well worth the drive. The restaurant is set in an old general store, its green paint well weathered, and inside window sills filled with corks from many happy diners. The front of the building is also home to the local post office. A stream behind the restaurant provides a backdrop for the lucky few who get to dine on the patio.

This small, intimate café is a place to fall in love-or fall in love again - either with someone, with the food, or with both. The glow of dozens of candles, the ring of wine glasses as they meet in a toast, and the warm oranges and reds of the French (or Italian) countryside wait for you inside. There’s a black and white whirl of a very pleasant (but not at all snooty) wait staff that delights in explaining the menu and describing the specials. And it seems there are usually more specials than one can remember. The only tough part is the decisions on what to order.

My appetizer of goat cheese soufflé with a warm truffle center balanced the plate perfectly between the cream and color of the soufflé and the crisp bite and bright green of the arugula salad.

As you can see, Bruce’s appetizer of smoked salmon, avocado, jumbo lump crabmeat napoleon with Japanese seaweed salad was a work of art, and Rich’s Romaine Salad wrapped in Parma prosciutto was just as impressive.

The main courses were wonderful too, but the more wine we drank, the fewer pictures I took. But everything, from the veal tenderloin with chanterelle mushrooms to the black angus strip steak, the quail and the rack of lamb were all delicious. You can see the descriptions and full menu on their website.

We were thrilled when we convinced the Chef and Owner, Francis Trzeciak, to make a rare appearance before our camera – many thanks to Jennifer, our waitress, for making this photo possible! Having grown up in France and then spending time in Italy, the chef has brought the best of both worlds to this little corner of America.
So, the next time you plan to visit The Artist’s Inn, we recommend that you ask us to reserve a table for you at Birchrunville Store Café – but don’t wait too long. They are open just four days a week and only for dinner. Saturdays are already booked through the end of May. Hey, that sounds like a good excuse to visit us on a weeknight and take advantage of our March coupon of 25% off any stay Sunday through Thursday nights. In case you missed our newsletter, you can sign up on our website. If you’d like to take advantage of our coupon, just mention it at the time of booking.

The Cafe suggests that you bring your favorite wine and they will happily pour for you, but leave your credit cards at home – this is a cash only restaurant.

It’s Snowing – Time to Head to the Kitchen!

2010-02-05T17:23:00.008-05:00

I don’t know why, but something about a big winter storm makes me want to cocoon where it’s safe and warm. Something deep inside tells me that I need not only to stay safe, but to produce nourishment to weather the coming storm. And so I always seem to end up in the kitchen.

It’s been a long tradition that my mom would make cookies or cake (preferably chocolate) on a snow day from school.
I grew up in a Cleveland suburb, and you would think that we had plenty of snow days – not so! But the few we had seemed better than a gift at Christmas.

Years later I worked in downtown Cleveland. There were times when the wind came off Lake Erie so strong that you had to grab onto the ropes on the sides of buildings so that you didn’t fall – especially on icy days. Of course, we were young and would never wear hats or boots – we had to look good!

During one blizzard, my good friend and roommate, Paula, and I managed to get home after a long bus ride. We both headed to the kitchen where, typical twenty-somethings, we had just enough provisions to make one chocolate cake. And we proceeded to eat the entire thing for dinner.

Of course, as I grew older I became much more sensible. I now pull up my hood when I feel any little chill. I now own all sorts of sensible boots. And, being sensible, I first make some kind of soup or stew....then I make something with chocolate.

Some traditions are destined for eternity.

Here’s a great recipe to keep you busy during the next storm. Our snow is just starting and they are predicting 12 – 18 inches. WOOHOO.

I think that half the fun of a big snow is the anticipation. You can almost smell the snow in the air....or maybe that’s chocolate.....

This is a recipe we submitted from The Artist's Inn for Cinnamon Mornings and Chocolate Dreams by Pamela Lanier. Printed in 2003, it is probably still available from Lanier Publishing.

Chocolate Melt-Away Cookies

The thinner you can roll the dough, the better these cookies will taste.

3/4 cup soft butter
2 1/3 cup unbleached flour
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 6 oz. package (1 cup) semisweet chocolate pieces – preferably Wilbur
Powdered sugar

In a large mixer bowl, beat butter. Add half of the flour, sugar, eggs, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and almond extract. Beat thoroughly. Beat in remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover, chill 1 hour or until firm. On a lightly floured surface roll half of the dough 1/8 inch thick. Keep remaining dough in fridge until ready to use. Cut into shapes with 1 ½ to 2” cookie cutter - stars, rounds, hearts. Place on ungreased cookie sheets (or use silpats). With small cookie cutter, cut out centers from half of the unbaked cookies. Bake in a 375 degree oven about 7 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are very light brown. Cool. Repeat with remaining dough. Melt chocolate pieces in a microwave at half power for about two minutes. Spread chocolate on bottom of each cookie. Top with cookie half that has the center cut out of it. The chocolate will show through. When cool, dust with powdered sugar. Makes about 40 cookies.

Friends in High Places

2010-01-31T21:06:00.011-05:00

I have always loved old houses. They seem like works of art compared to their modern counterparts. Take for instance, the roofs - instead of a sea of boring asphalt shingles, many historic homes boast a variety of scalloped-edged tiles, rows of different colored shingles, proud turrets, cupolas or brackets, depending on the style.

Our inn is a Federal home of 1848, with a no-nonsense, balanced approach. When we replaced the beautiful diamond-patterned roof (made of concrete-asbestos tile that had lasted 80 years) we opted to save the snow guards.

I had always seen those on historic buildings and thought they were pretty.

In the last five years, we’ve replaced three of our porch roofs as well with metal, standing-seam roofs. For some reason, the roofing company neglected to ask us about installing snow guards – or maybe it was that bad B word – the “budget” that made us skip them. Whatever the reason, we quickly learned that snow guards are not only decorative but serve a very important purpose.

We don’t get a lot of snow in Lancaster County, but about once a year we are almost assured a decent snow. It was then we learned the lesson that the snow guards taught. Because we had new smooth surfaces on which the snow could accumulate, and then the sun could melt, the areas between the seams formed massive glaciers.

The side porch was particularly dangerous. The morning sun would heat up the roof and, just about check-out time, would discharge a massive avalanche onto guests as they were departing. It was uncanny that the roof would release its glaciers just a moment before or when guests walked under it, causing snow and ice to block the sidewalk, or actually hitting guests in the head. They could be heard screaming and protecting their hair with purses. And we were forced to shovel several times a day to keep up with the accumulating snow.

Something needed to be done. The time had come to install snow guards. They would hold the ice an snow in place until it melted. It’s a good thing we have friends in high places

– frequent guests at the inn own their own roofing company in New Jersey. And so they came to our rescue and installed the guards on the three roofs, guaranteeing no measurable amount of snow for probably the next three years.

No matter. I still think they look pretty!

So if you find you need some snow guards, give Paul a call at the number above, and tell him that Jan and Bruce from The Artist's Inn sent you!

25 Ways to Add Romance To Your Getaway in Lancaster County

2010-01-24T18:08:00.011-05:00

We have some very romantic guests at our Bed and Breakfast....here are some of their ideas on how to make your Valentine’s Day (or any other day) a special one.

1) Men often call and order special flowers to be placed in the room so that their partner sees them when she arrives. I’ve seen everything from two dozen red roses, to a simple bouquet of yellow daisies. Both were greeted with a sweet “ohhhhhhhh”.
2) While a romantic dinner out is wonderful, couples who are looking for extra privacy really like our Lover’s Basket – stuffed with crusty bread, cheeses, fruit, crackers and chocolate. It’s perfect for sharing on their private porch or in front of their fireplace.

3) Several women have called to see if we can have a special CD playing upon their arrival. There’s nothing like music to put one in a romantic mood.

4) If a couple is spending their wedding night at the inn, usually the groom will arrive earlier in the day to bring in some of the luggage and his special gifts for his bride.
5) Dave wanted to propose to his girlfriend at sunset, so we arranged for a bottle of bubbly and chocolate-covered strawberries on the little porch at the top of the inn – with a perfect view of the sunset. When they checked in, he couldn’t wait any longer and ended up proposing just past 4:30. No matter, they were both so excited I’m not sure they saw the sunset that night.
6) We had one couple get engaged at our breakfast table. Instead of the usual “Bon Appétit” on the bottom of the menu, there was a proposal to Selena from Paul. When Selena was asked to read the menu, she started to cry, and Paul went down on one knee and asked her to marry him.

7) One couple told us that they go to sleep every night holding hands.
8) Many couples take walks together – they say it’s something they rarely do at home, but the world seems to slow down when they are on vacation, or maybe it’s just the magic of Terre Hill.

9) Some couples spend the day watching movies in bed. This is a luxury that doesn’t happen when kids, jobs and housework seem to demand much of your time at home.
10) We recommend sitting on the porch and talk and watching the moon rise and the stars come out at night.
11) Go to a gallery or art museum together and learn why your mate likes certain pictures.
12) We tell all couples to kiss in the middle of a covered bridge – it’s good luck! 13) Go antique shopping – it’s not like going to the mall – you never know what you’ll find.
14) Take a buggy ride through the countryside.
15) We have had honeymooners ride their bikes to a nearby park and enjoy a picnic lunch.
16) Read a book to each other while snuggled up on the couch.
17) Cross country ski (or hike) and come back to the inn to shower together. Ok, we’re not really sure if our guests do this, but we do!
18) Some couples share a wine tasting and fall in love with not only each other, but some of the local wines.
19) Join us for one of our culinary tours – it’s a day to spend together without the hassle of driving – we even toasted one honeymoon couple by clanging the spoon against the glass so they would kiss!
20) Take a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Lancaster County countryside. 21) Bring a kite and walk to Terre Hill Park to fly it – because we are on a hill, we usually have a dependable breeze
22) Explore a new food together – whether it’s German, Amish, Thai, Italian, Vietnamese or Cajun – we can steer you to the right place to eat.
23) Take a walk in the rain.....or snow!
24) Get a couples massage – our massage therapist lives right next door to the inn, and our guests love her.
25) Take a yoga class together – we highly recommend The Yoga Place in Ephrata.

Some would say that the visit to a B&B alone is romantic – and they would be right. Special care is taken to decorate rooms so that each one is different, and many antiques lend themselves to the sentiments of bygone days.

Breakfasts are also different at bed and breakfasts – usually on a more private scale than at a large hotel, and much, much more leisurely. We serve four courses by candlelight. If you need a little help with romance, we’ve made it easy for you here at The Artist’s Inn, - Romance baskets, My Forever Valentine Basket, Lover’s Baskets, Anniversary baskets and others – are all available on our specials page.

And remember, Valentine’s Day may only come one weekend a year, but romance never goes out of season.

What are your favorite romantic ideas? Let us know – post your comments!

The Art of Innkeeping, 101

2010-01-14T23:59:00.010-05:00

Guests often ask me, “So when do you get away? And do you stay at a hotel or B&B?” I smile and usually admit that it’s a rare occasion that I leave the inn, but just such an opportunity arose this week.

I attended the Mid-Atlantic Innkeeping Conference held at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. While I normally frequent other bed and breakfasts, my second choice is always an historic hotel. My love of history seems to pull me there, and this impressive grand old hotel has many charms.

The minute my foot landed on the marble steps of the front portico, I could feel the history pull – almost expecting my shoe to disappear into a high-topped ladies’ boot of 1901. The massive wings of this brick and building curved forward in both directions, almost enveloping you in their arms.

I was most impressed by the beautiful marble and tile underfoot, and the massive carved columns and majestic lights overhead. Furnishings are all coordinated and the designers touch is here, to be sure, but the workmanship that this building demanded and the fact that it took five years to build is what impressed me most. I’m not saying that I don’t stand in awe of the engineering needed to build shiny new superstructures that reach to the sky, but the buildings of old are the ones that tug at my heart. They speak of a sacrifice we can scarcely comprehend – what it must have taken in time and labor to build a grand hotel in the middle of the mountains, with the vision of catering to folks who would come here to relax and take to the waters. I thought it was the perfect place to hold an innkeeping conference - what better place to learn about hospitality than an inn originally built in 1766? It has stood the test of time, reaching out to weary travelers through three centuries, surviving a Civil War, a Great Depression, and our current economic situation.

So what are we to learn here? Perhaps the lessons of history are that people, from all walks of life, through the years, are the most important part of an inn. That time today is no less valuable and precious than it was two hundred and fifty years ago. That people need to get away now and then to slow down and take time to be grateful for our role in life – whether that is the important work of raising a family or contributing to the welfare of mankind.

I came away from The Homestead thinking that every innkeeper should strive to give each guest special attention and respect. Though today’s world demands that innkeepers spend time on the latest technical gadgets, and that we now must be concerned about social media, websites and management programs, the basics still count as most important.

After 13 years in the bed and breakfast business, I am supposed to be burnt-out. They tell me that seven years is the limit. Yes, there are days when I am tired, or overwhelmed at the amount of work that needs to be done – whether that means a pile of laundry or trying to change something on the website. But here’s the thing that makes it all worthwhile – the smile that is the same the world over and throughout history – whether it’s on a child’s face from England, on a couple from Tasmania, or on the repeat guests from Delaware who have become close friends. I feel privileged because they all walked through my door and enriched my life in some way. It is my reward as an innkeeper – and what makes my heart beat fast.

The Homestead was a study in graciousness. From the smile of the Jamaican man at the front desk who was studying hotel management, to the waiter that remembered what kind of tea I liked, to Traci, our dinner server, who told us about her nephew that just made the Olympic team. To sit in the lobby while someone attends the fire, another person plays the grand piano and yet another serves you afternoon tea takes you back to an earlier era when people scheduled relaxation as part of their day.

That is the feeling that I hope to create at my small inn, a 160-year old Federal-style home in Terre Hill. And though it is only a fraction of the size of The Homestead, I’m grateful to be able to provide a place where people can celebrate their relationships with each other, create memories, and slow down to relax. What I re-learned this week is that it’s important to be real, to be yourself, and to share the history and beauty of a place I call home.....Lancaster County.

County Comes to Town….A Visit to New York City

2009-12-27T11:27:00.010-05:00

There’s no better time to visit New York than at Christmas. Everyone seems to be in a happy mood – at an accelerated pace, but happy just the same.

It’s been five years since we were in the city…enough time to forget what a pain it is to drive there. We managed to switch lanes at the last moment, when the Lincoln Tunnel “green” sign on our lane turned to a blaring red “X”, and, after searching several levels of the Port Authority Parking Garage, ditched the car and set out on foot.

I couldn’t help but notice the contrasts between home in Lancaster County and this day in New York City. New York assaults all your senses at once – the horns, the rapid movement of scores of people walking and cars bumper-to-bumper, the smell of a dozen different kinds of food – and most memorable this time of year – the smell of chestnuts roasting on street corners.

Lancaster County is certainly known for its smells too - the most memorable being the fertilizer that is spread on the fields, especially in the spring. Certainly a visitor to both NYC and Lancaster couldn’t help but notice the aromas. And the chimes from the church across from our inn is very much a part of the experience of Terre Hill.
Instead of the brick walkways of downtown Lancaster, we walked across metal grids, beneath which could be heard the roar of subway cars below the streets of New York. And there in front of us were two horses (hey, we have lots of those in Lancaster!). These belonged to the mounted police but were no less majestic and well-mannered than the ones pulling a buggy.

There is an “energy” about both places….Lancaster’s large vistas of farmland give one a sense of peach and calm. It makes you feel small compared to all that is around you. NYC’s energy is infectious and also makes you feel small in comparison – the vistas are mostly vertical, rather than horizontal, with buildings soaring into the sky.

There is a mix of cultures in both places – the Amish and Mennonites blending with the “English” in Lancaster. In New York there’s a diversity of cultures coming together. Because New York and Lancaster County are big tourist attractions, you are likely to hear several languages on any street corner in either place.

There is a juxtaposition of old and new – from the dazzling electronic billboards at Times Square – (there used to be just a few, now they are everywhere) to the classic art-deco architecture. There are brand new shiny skyscrapers next to century-old churches. The bike-riding couriers fight for space on the street with a limo that would easily seat twenty.

In Lancaster, the Amish travel by horse and buggy, and use the same roads as modern vehicles. And both the Mennonites and Amish use the shiny new roller blades. Stores along Route 30 offer the latest in everything from fashions to electronics.

We walked past the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, stepped in to sniff the aromas of what Dean and Deluca had cooking, admired the tree in Rockefeller Center and waved to the skaters. Times Square was very busy – but in less than two weeks this will seem quiet compared to the million people that will jam this intersection to welcome the new year.

Lancaster, too, has its busy places – the hustle and bustle of Route 30, the excitement of the new downtown Convention Center, Gallery Row and all of the places whose business it is to produce food – from hand-twisted pretzels to chocolate to ice cream. Amish and Mennonites love to skate on the ponds and streams. There is skating all winter at Clipper Stadium as well.

We ate lunch at Tony’s (Times Square) at 2:30 and were lucky to get the last of the tables. Everyone here seemed to be celebrating – there were big tables filled with folks and their shopping bags. Downstairs I passed a little girl dressed in a green velvet dress with white fur trim, and a waiter carrying a huge tray filled with glassware and then piled with linens, all balanced on one hand and carried way high above everyone’s heads.

The restaurant was a study in efficiency as waiters hoisted the table next to us and carried it over our heads down to the front of the restaurant…no matter, a new one soon appeared, was reset, and ready for the next customers. Drawings of Broadway actors and actresses lined the walls, next to a huge menu board. I loved my dish of Tony’s Chicken – a chicken cutlet in a balsamic sauce with tomatoes and basil and, I am sure, lots of garlic. Bruce’s Chicken Parmesan was probably the best we’ve had since eating in Little Italy. The pasta was perfect and the sauce and bread to die for. I would have been happy to sit all afternoon and drink wine – as we were quite possibly the only two people in the restaurant without an alcoholic drink in our hands. There is no better place in America to eat Italian food than in New York City.

Lancaster County also has its share of special foods – showcased at the immense smorgasbords offering Pennsylvania Dutch fare. The sight is not unlike what we found in NYC, with big tables of families and friends gathered together….sans the alcohol.

We walked past the theaters where we had seen so many Broadways shows, past Spiderman (opening in February), Minnie Mouse, two of the Muppets, and two people being interviewed on the street by a TV reporter. Lancaster, too, has its own grand lady of the theatre, The Fulton, where we’ve enjoyed wonderful performances. We also have Sight and Sound, a huge new theatre dedicated to Christian stories.

Looking at the perfect blue sky and the helicopter overhead, I couldn’t help but think of that day in September nine years ago when people were going to work and sightseeing….and then the world stopped. We, too, had a tragic day in 2006 when a gunman opened fire on a one-room schoolhouse in southern Lancaster County. Citizens of both places will never forget, nor will the world that watched these events.

This day was a study in contrasts and similarities. Both destinations are special treasures – found only in America.

Twas Three Weeks Before Christmas

2009-12-06T23:52:00.011-05:00

It is December 6th and twelve kinds of cookies are made and packed away – we are about halfway through the Christmas Cookie Marathon. This is a special time in my kitchen shared with my husband. Though it is normally not his territory, he has honed his skills as dough-roller-outer extraordinaire. With Christmas tunes in the background and flour in the air, I’m a happy camper. It is a time to relax and work and share some laughter after a busy fall at the inn. And, since many of my cookies must be packed and shipped by December 15, we start baking the weekend after Thanksgiving.

I don’t know what it is about food, but some of my earliest memories are in the kitchen, helping Mom. Most center on the holidays – with the bustle of preparations for large crowds and the excitement of the coming gathering. She was always patient with me – for I was not, and probably will never be, a “tidy” cook or baker. We had an extensive family and, with three brothers, there was no meal too big, no desserts too rich, and certainly no such thing as too many cookies.
Ah, yes, the cookies - this yearly tradition of making cookies at Christmastime started a long time ago…
I always loved to give home-made gifts – sometimes it was crafts, sometimes chocolates (when I was in high school I enrolled my boyfriend and myself in a chocolate-making course). I was never sure if he was all that interested in the chocolate, but we had a lot of fun and he liked to eat the creations. Over time, I settled on just giving cookies every Christmas. I would stay up late many nights and lug in big platters of cookies to every job I ever had. It became my “thing” to do for the holidays.

Soon friends were sharing their family favorites. Over the years, I’ve compiled my tried-and-true recipes, but I always like to add a new cookie just to keep it interesting.

Two years ago I decided to try my hand at making marshmallows. Gourmet printed a recipe for Toasted-Coconut Marshmallow Squares – this seemed the perfect little stocking stuffer gift for my Mom – a real marshmallow lover.

I’ve adjusted the recipe slightly – doubling the amount of coconut. You’ll see why later.

I think this would be a great recipe to make with kids – especially the final process. This year I made the recipe with my mom. She pronounced it too “fussy” but I think it’s fun, and there’s no denying that these are not the boring white cubes that arrive in those plastic bags. You will need a candy thermometer and will have best results if you make these on a dry day.

Toasted-Coconut Marshmallow Squares

4 cups unsweetened dried coconut
3 (3/4 oz) envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 cup water, divided
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
½ teaspoon coconut extract

Preheat oven to 350 and toast coconut in baking pan until golden – about 7 minutes. You’ll want to stir it frequently – it tends to brown around the edges first.

Spray a 9-inch baking pan or use a silicone one. I like the silicone – you can bend it to get the squares out. Sprinkle with ½ cup toasted coconut.

Sprinkle gelatin over ½ up cold water in mixer bowl – mix a little and let sit while you make the syrup.

Heat sugar, corn syrup, salt and remaining ½ cup water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium heat without stirring, washing any sugar crystals down the side of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in cold water. Ok, I don’t do the pastry brush thing – I just boil it. Put the thermometer in and boil until it registers 240. Remove pan from the heat and let stand until the bubbles dissipate.

This is when the recipe turns into a science experiment. With mixer at low speed, pour hot syrup into gelatin in a thin stream down the side of the bowl, increase speed to high and beat until very thick – about 15 minutes. Add vanilla and coconut extracts and beat 1 minute more.

Spoon marshmallows over toasted coconut in baking pan and press evenly with dampened fingertip to smooth top, then sprinkle with ½ cup toasted coconut and press in – I find that wearing food-grade gloves helps.

Let stand for 2 hours or until firm. This is a good time to get the kids – they’ll like this part.

Run a sharp knife around the edge of the pan and cut into the tiniest pieces you can. Put remaining toasted coconut in a bowl. Dredge the pieces in the coconut and watch them grow. This is why you want the pieces really tiny lest they become the blob that ate Lancaster County. The first year I could not believe that a small 9 x 9 pan would yield enough marshmallows for everyone in Terre Hill.

Even if you don’t like marshmallow, you owe it to yourself to try a small square. These are really heavenly.

Enjoy.

Lions and Tigers and Christmas in Lancaster County

2009-12-01T22:54:00.009-05:00

Recently I had a chance to go on a lion hunt in Lancaster County. And they were joined by zebras and tigers and bears too. Find that hard to believe? I was in the storage rooms of the Millennium Theatre of Sight and Sound – a Christian Theatre in Strasburg. I had gone to the offices of the theatre for training – The Artist's Inn will be listed on their website for lodging. We can also order tickets for all shows and behind-the-scenes tours at a discounted rate.

If you’ve never been to Sight and Sound, you’re in for a real surprise. It is big, seating 2,000 people, and is the dream of Glenn and Shirley Eshelman. Built upon the site of their former theatre (it burned when a spark from a welder’s torch caught fire backstage), it opened in 1998. Performances feature live animals and animated ones that look and act so real you’ll have a hard time telling them apart. The original theatre began in what is now called Living Waters Theatre – a smaller 600-seat theatre on Route 896 next to the Millennium Theatre.

The buildings to support the theatre include animal quarters and production facilities for elaborate sets. Everything is locally made and every detail, from the minute you walk in the front door, to the last act of the show, is both professional and well organized.

We visited on a day that the theatre was closed and employees were decorating for the Christmas season. Even the bows for the 30-foot high tree were lined up, waiting to take their place …not unlike the actors awaiting their cue.

My favorite show has always been Noah, but there’s nothing like the Miracle of Christmas at the Millennium Theatre or the Voices of Christmas at the Living Waters Threatre to put you in a holiday mood.

There’s a lot of excitement this year as a new show opens on March 6 – the story of Joseph. Don’t wait too long to get your tickets – whether it’s for the Christmas season, Joseph, or a back-stage tour….we know you’ll enjoy the shows and tours – just as so many guests of The Artist's Inn already have.

An Apple A Day

2009-11-04T23:05:00.018-05:00

It seems like everyone is talking about the flu…be it swine or the regular run-of-the-mill variety. I’d rather avoid getting either of them. So it’s time to boost our immune systems and do all those things that Gram and Mom said to do – get plenty of sleep, gargle with salt water, clear your sinuses and…yes, eat an apple a day to keep those doctors away.

I know of a great place where you can get enough apples to carry you through the entire winter. Not far from The Artist's Inn, along Route 340 near Bird-in-Hand, sits the quaint store of Kaufman’s. The Kaufman family (now in its 5th generation) has been in the business since 1915, and they harvest apples—by the ton. Here are some of the huge bins piled up in the back of the store.

They currently carry Braeburn, Cameo, Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Idared, Jonagold, Jonathan, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Rome, and Stayman apples. Sound like enough?

They also make cider – 102,000 gallons this year.

A visit to their store is a must on your next trip to Lancaster County. But don’t wait long….winter is coming! You’ll find the pretty apples inside, the outside bargain bins are shown here and are still great for baking pies and cakes, and making applesauce. Kaufman’s is closed on Sundays, but has a website, online store, and a blog.

Here’s an easy recipe I tried recently, courtesy of Whole Living. It goes well with baked pork chops (and I only changed the recipe a little).

Apple, Leek and Butternut Squash Gratin

· 3 tablespoons olive oil
· 2 medium leeks, white part only, trimmed of roots and tough outer leaves, thinly sliced crosswise, well washed and dried
· Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
· 1/2 cup dry sherry
· 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, plus leaves for garnish
· 2 tablespoons butter
· 1 1/2 pound butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
· 1 pound apples, such as Gala, Cortland, Baldwin, or Macoun, peeled, halved, cored, and cut

into 1/8-inch thick slices
· 1/2 cup freshly shaved Parrmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a 10-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add leeks and 2 tablespoons water; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Add sherry and sage and cook until liquid is reduced to a glaze, about 3 minutes; set aside.

Melt butter in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish, arrange squash in overlapping layers; season with salt and pepper. Spread leeks evenly over the. Squash. Arrange apples in an overlapping layer over the leeks. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake 1 hour.

Uncover and sprinkle cheese over the top. Raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees and bake 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is golden brown. The tip of a paring knife should easily pierce the gratin. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sage leaves. Enjoy!

A Tale of Two Kitties

2009-10-05T22:45:00.023-04:00

It Was the Best of Times:

I was talking to my Mom on the phone one sunny afternoon in May while sitting on the back porch. I noticed some movement in the shrubs by the Carriage House. Kittens were jumping up and down inside the bushes. I could see their heads appear on top of the bush, next there was a tail in the air! I watched as they made their way to our backyard, jumping and running and doing all the cute things that kittens do. The weeks went by and the kittens were around more and more. They were so tiny and Mom was still nursing – but all were very skittish and (I assumed) feral. And so, being the cat lover that I am, and knowing that the odds of these kittens leading a full life was very low, we set out some boxes with towels for beds and fresh water and food. But they liked the coconut mat and windowbox under the porch.

We knew that their only chance for ever being adopted was to trust people. All of our four cats were strays. Unfortunately, we live a small “apartment” inside The Artist's Inn. Outdoor cats have an average lifespan of four years, but indoors, that average soars to 14 years.

I don’t know when we started to name them, but they were simple names used to tell the difference in them: Big Red, Little Red, Tuxedo Man, The Man in Black, Mom. They would entertain us at night as we ate dinner on the back porch. They chased after fireflies, climbed the tree (and go down backwards!), jumped on each other, rolled and played, ran and jumped into the air – all under the ever-present watchful eye of Mom. And a mom she was – quite good actually – cleaning her kittens, and being so patient as they landed on her head and pulled at her tail – not unlike small children waking up their parents in the morning in bed. Guests delighted in seeing them in the early morning and cat lovers would often try to pet them.

That is why my flowers were a bit trampled and thinner this year, why we didn’t put fresh water in the bird bath (lest the birds become dinner) and why there was usually a towel on the Adirondack chairs to cushion their nap.
And so the process of socializing the felines started. Our cats loaned us a toy they hardly ever used. It was a stick with a rawhide string attached, and, at the end, a white lambswool “mouse”. It was a hit from the time it appeared on the porch. And so I would spend as many evenings as I could trying to tame the kittens…starting with letting them “catch” the mouse, then having the mouse “touch” their bodies, then having the stick scratch their head or tail, and finally getting them to be brave enough to have a human hand touch them.

Tux was the bravest. We scooped him up and held him in our palm – and once he felt the warmth of Bruce’s hands, there was no turning back. Every time we went out to the back, he was there looking for attention. As so the Friis, who came to bike and visit, went home with our little Mr. Tuxedo Man (although it took quite a while to wake him from his nap under the boxwoods). They wanted Little Red as well, but she was just not tame enough to come to them – even though Tuxedo Man was her best buddy. And so Little Red was left behind.

The report came back from the Friis’s vet – no feline leukemia, no fleas, no ear mites, no diseases of any kind. He was in great shape and ready to take over the household.

With that successful adoption, we were inspired to move on to the other kitties. I started to put out milk on the porch twice a day, and call the kitties by name. Their little heads would appear and even Mom enjoyed the treat. Little Red was the next to be petted. It happened one sunny Sunday afternoon. Bruce lay down on the porch and she and Big Red went all around smelling his hair and nose – and eating the treats that we tossed to them.

They would visit our porch parties regularly, as if patrolling and checking on us, but were still pretty aloof.

As the weeks went by we were able to feed them all treats. Big Red was probably the most affectionate. I got to hold him like a baby and he would stand by the porch door on his back legs, looking in at Chardonnay. Did they know they looked alike? He would stand in my windowboxes and meow and Jack would come over and they would smell each other through the screen. And they were both talkers. What they had to say to each other remains a mystery to me, but it sure seemed like they had a lot to talk about.

Mom was not spending as much time around our yard, and the kittens were now answering my calls more than hers. Our goal was to get them all spayed and neutered and adopted out to homes. Progress was slow and when Bruce’s cousin stayed for a visit, he was able to catch Little Red by the scruff of her neck. But as she was held in the air screaming, I just didn’t have the heart to trap her and I made him release her. It was my hope that I would win her over my way – with gentle persuasion so that she would learn to trust people. And so he let her go.

It was the Worst of Times:

One day as I was driving down Main Street, I felt a terrible thud and my front tires went over a bump, and, in what seemed like slow motion, the back tires went over a bump too…..dreading what I would see in the rear-view mirror, I caught a glimpse of the tiny little mottled kitten (yes, there was a fifth) pulling his injured body off the road. By the time I went back he had gone somewhere alone to die. I felt awful and still do.

As I parked the car at home, I saw Mom on the back ledge by the gardens. She seemed to know and I explained how sorry I was. Did those big eyes understand? Was that why she was waiting for me and didn’t run? Can they tell by the tone in your voice? I was now more determined than ever to get these kittens off the streets and into homes.

While Big Red and Man in Black would stick fairly close by (and I knew their sleeping places) Little Red was spending a bit more time away. Her favorite spot to snooze was on the back steps from the Garden Suite. Although the spot was sunny, there were several times when she was in the way of guests going down the back stairs, and fell from the steps into the lilac bush.

I started to get concerned because she wouldn’t always answer my calls. One busy Saturday she appeared for milk and her tail was huge. She seemed to be dragging it behind her. I called my vet and, although they couldn’t look at her that day, I arranged to have her boarded – she would be safe and they would evaluate her on Monday. And so the kitty that I had never picked up, got scooted into the dining room while I ran for the carrier in the basement. I’m not sure who was more scared, but on the fifth try and wearing my biggest oven gloves, I managed to get her into the carrier and off we went to the vet. Man in Black and Big Red looked on as she was hurried past them crying all the way.

That Monday we learned what we had feared – she had to have her tail amputated – apparently she had gotten it caught in something and had pulled so hard to free herself that she had damaged the nerves in her back end. We had her spayed since she was undergoing surgery anyway and we were scheduled to pick her up on Wednesday. I was busy with guests, and Bruce was away when the vet called. The surgery had gone fine and Little Red was recovering but there was a chance that the nerves would not regenerate and she would be somewhat incontinent. She was making it to the litter box in her little cage but, he warned, in a house, she may not always have the time to get there.

We hoped and prayed and waited for her return. She was the runt of the litter and seemed even tinier than before, with just a stub of her tail left. So inside she came--and adapted as though she owned the place. At first she hid under the couch to sleep, but as she became more comfortable, she took up more and more space on the couch – stretching out her toes, leaning her head against the arm, and once fell asleep with her head in the food bowl! She took her antibiotics like a trooper, and learned to jump on the back of my chair and onto my lap. She immediately took control of all the toys, especially the one with the merry-go-round ball. She would paw at my leg and squeak for attention. She ate everyone’s food, watched as the printer pumped out papers and was patient as I prepared breakfasts. As she regained her strength, she and Jack would run and jump and climb all over each other and even paw at each other under the closed door. Often I would get up in the middle of the night – just to check on her – she would be laying on the floor just outside our bedroom door, wanting to be with us.

But it was a rough go from the start. Little Red, try as she might, just had no idea sometimes when she was urinating. Most poops would be caught, but there were those that she missed and would try to clean up by pawing imaginary litter across the floor. A bleach bottle in my left hand, paper towels in my right, I would inspect the floors all hours of the day. We restricted Little Red mostly to our family room and covered the couch with piles of towels – which I laundered twice a day. And we hoped and prayed that she would regenerate her nerves. We researched the condition and talked with vets – all saying the same thing – this is a serious condition and one that may get worse.

It was about this time that the Woolleys came to visit. Big Red and Man in Black had now abandoned their little beds down below and were sleeping every night and afternoon on our side porch. Paws landed on each other’s head, rested in their ears, tails and legs intertwined, they didn’t mind and the two were inseparable.

I found myself going out to love them a lot during the day, and they seemed grateful for the visit (or was it the treats?!). I could now carry Big Red around like a baby. I looked for them every night before I went to bed, tucked them in and greeted them before I set the table for breakfast. If the window was open and they saw me, they were quite vocal about getting their morning milk.

Big Red charmed his way into the hearts of the Woolleys (guests at the inn) and they offered him a home. As he was in the carrier on the porch, Man in Black came over and pawed at Big Red as if to say goodbye. And mom must have heard the cries, because she appeared on the porch as well. We hadn’t seen her in days. Is there more communication going on with these kitties than we know? It was so sad to see him go and see Man in Black left all alone.

That is when Man in Black started to cry – every time I went onto the porch, he cried. Was he crying for the loss of his brother, Big Red? Was he crying because everyone else was gone and only he was left? It seemed like he was spending all his time on the porch. At night he would stand on the windowbox and cry to come in. Bruce’s mom had agreed to take him – if only we could get him tame enough. The clock was ticking. He had been eating treats out of my hand, and now became very brave and let me pet him, but would run if I tried to pick him up. These cats surely tried to teach me patience.

The day came when Little Red got her stitches out and Bruce put her outside to reacquaint her with Man in Black. (We had planned to take them to Priscilla’s farm, where they could look out for each other.) They played like crazy all day, running around the house, up and across the porch, into the yard to chase after butterflies, hardly stopping to eat. That night I kept looking on the porch for Man in Black. I had hoped that he and Little Red would sleep together – just as he had with Big Red. But there was no sign of either of them.

My last guests arrived late that night, and as I was turning out the lights, a black form on the sidewalk across the street caught my eye. Man in Black must have been hit by a car and dragged himself to the sidewalk. I stood there and cried – just that day I had been able to rub his belly, and he rewarded me with kissing each finger. I had looked up and Mom was in the corner of the porch, witnessing the little miracle. But all the lessons had been in vain, for I had failed to find him a safe home fast enough to get him away from the danger of living outside.

How sad to end this little life of 6 months – Man in Black was probably the most loving with his siblings – he was always grooming one of them, and I’m convinced, if given the chance, he would have been a very loving and handsome addition to any family.

As I stood there with just the moon lighting the way, my mind raced to Little Red and I starting calling earnestly for her. I had to find her and get her inside again. I did find her, running wildly next to Main Street, clearly saddened by her brother’s passing as she ran back and forth to him.
And so she came inside again and I cuddled and comforted her cries. She had been through a lot in 6 months – getting her tail caught in some horrible terror, going to the vet with strange cats and dogs and noises and smells, losing her tail, and now witnessing her brother getting hit. Was she with him when it happened or did she find him after? Did she narrowly escape the same end?

I was glad when the rain came on Sunday to wash away the blood left on the sidewalk from Man in Black.

We researched cauda equina syndrome; and learned about lower motor neuron bladder, we cleaned up after Little Red and hoped for a miracle and the nerves to regenerate. Although there was great improvement on one day, the next day would bring bad news again. Both Bruce and I had grown to love this little fighter and would gladly give her a loving home – if only she could control herself.

Bruce was at a show talking to a customer when he learned about The Best Little Cat House in PA – a no-kill shelter for cats that have no other hope. He called and found out information and Lynn seemed to know a lot about Little Red’s condition – in fact, they had a cat with the same problem. Could this be the answer?

A date was set – unfortunately it was a Saturday. I cancelled my trip to see family, cancelled the innsitter and rearranged my schedule on a busy Saturday to drive to the facility and see if Little Red would like it. I cried two days before, the whole time there, and since. I packed her favorite merry-go-round toy and, of course, the mouse, loaded her into a carrier and set it in the front seat. She is so tiny that she didn’t weigh enough (even with the carrier) to set off the seat belt alarm. Did she know where we were going? I had told her and she looked at me the whole way there – past Hershey, past the two dead cats on the road, past the places where I turned around because I couldn’t concentrate on the directions.

It is a wonderful place – full of things that little furry ones like – lots of windows, a place to go outside (safely), plenty of food, places to investigate and other kitties.

But, I had never been to a shelter before and I was not prepared for what I saw. A cat with one eye, a kitty born paralyzed with his feet turned the wrong way, cats with brain and kidney tumors. Cats were craving affection, especially the ones in the “other” room – where they separated the leukemia and AIDS cats. My heart ached for them. How could I leave my perfect kitty here – would she contract the upper respiratory infection that the little grey cat had? Would she have anyone who could play with her? Would she have anyone to cuddle at night when she cried? Would they notice if her condition got worse? Would she live a long life?

The answers to my questions were mixed – they have a staff of volunteers, but never enough. The kitties have no rules and can come and go outside whenever they want - something that we could never give her. Once you leave a cat you cannot ever visit it again (thank you insurance companies) and once you leave it, you leave it like an unwanted pile of clothes at Goodwill – she belongs to them and you cannot, under any circumstances, have her back (thank you to the lawyers of the world).

All of these things weighed heavily on my mind. My cell phone wouldn’t work at this remote location so there was no talking with Bruce. His words rang in my head: This may be Little Red’s only hope for a happy home”. I watched as she lay still in her carrier – eyes wide as two other cats climbed on top. And so I tried to make my decision, and in the end I left her. As Charles Dickens said, "There is a wisdom of the head, and a wisdom of the heart." Unfortunately, we had to choose the wisdom of the head this time. But our hearts will ache for quite some time.

Little Red will probably adapt – she’s a fighter and will have other cats to play with, will be fed and kept safe and warm. There are very good people at this shelter and she will meet cats from all over the world. Her basic needs will be met, but the cuddling and comfort that a family pet receives is gone and she will have to adjust.

We miss her terribly. How I wish I could take back the day that she got in trouble. How I wish I could have worked more quickly on taming these cats and finding them homes. How I wish I had just taken them in where they would have been safe -(even though we were at our limit with two and now have four cats).

How I wish I had a place big enough where Little Red could be isolated and cared for by us, but we do not have that luxury.

So, what have I learned from all this? That you may not always have the time to love something, so you’d better love it with all your heart and soul. That everything in the world needs love and that we all need to take care of someone. That we never know when our time is up and that it’s important to remember the good times. That it’s important to take pictures – I have only a few of all those happy times. And that cats live in the moment – and there’s a wisdom to that. The porch is now quiet and soon winter will set in. All that there is left to do is to somehow trap Mom and get her spayed so that she will not be bringing more litters to the neighborhood. Poor Mom has seen her babies leave one by one. If she’ll let us, we’ll provide warm towels and food and water and her basic needs will be met as well.

And so ends this tale of two kitties – two kitties that beat the odds and ended up in loving homes with furry friends.

If you would like to help, consider volunteering at a local shelter – cats and dogs need to be loved, walked and groomed. Consider donating food, gift cards from PetSmart, or money. Have your cats and dogs spayed and neutered. Not only does it cut down on the explosive growth in population, but it helps lower the spread of disease. Keep them inside and give them lots of love.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness” - Charles Dickens

All the County is a Fair in Lancaster

2009-09-23T23:19:00.009-04:00

Harvest time is here – bright pumpkins dot the rolling hills, fields of mums stretch through the farmland. Farmers are busy cutting down corn, drying tobacco, and bringing in the last of the tomato crops.

There’s a busy-ness as a touch of fall starts to turn the leaves just a bit…you can feel it in the early morning mist…things are changing. This is a time of celebration, and Lancaster County sure knows how to party. There’s a change in the air….a distinct aroma….could that be….funnel cakes?

From one end of the county to the other, Lancaster Countians have Fair Fever. State routes are closed for days at a time, streets are jammed with vendors selling every imaginable kind of greasy food, hawkers entice you to try your hand at games of chance, and midway rides thrill the young. Kids get off from school, every non-profit organization is involved in some way, and you’ll make it to your appointments only if you plan a little extra time for detours.

Inn guests have long enjoyed these fairs, with their vast array of contests – from scarecrow judging to cake decorating competitions. Guests can sense the strong community support here. They’re impressed by all the parades – babies in the morning, pets in the afternoon and at night the Homecoming Queens, dozens of marching bands from around the state, and local businesses transforming tractor/trailers into floats.

Guests are also surprised and delighted by the skills demonstrated in the apple balancing race and the water-balloon throwing contest. (These may not be listed on anyone’s resume, but they sure make for good entertainment. And most of it is free – from the musical groups to the local radio broadcasts.)

All of this is impressive, to be sure. But what my guests comment about most are the chairs.

Yep, just ordinary lawn chairs.

People put them out on the sidewalk to reserve a “spot” as early as noon on the Sunday before the Thursday parades. Kids walk to bus-stops and ride their bikes by them. No one moves them or would dream of stealing one, for this is a long and respected tradition. Welcome to small-town America at its best – with the respect of another’s property and your neighbor’s right to claim a good seat.
So, if you are planning a trip to Lancaster this September or October, pack your chairs and, you too, can get a good spot to see the parades and enjoy the fairs. It may be your last chance to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of late summer.

For a listing of fairs, schedules, and directions see http://www.collectiblewebs.com/fairs/pa-lancastercounty.htm

The summer of Two Tomatoes in Lancaster County

2009-09-12T16:01:00.006-04:00

Bruce thought we should plant tomatoes. I looked at him, and said “why?” Our bed and breakfast is in a great little town in Lancaster County, surrounded by the richest non-irrigated farmland in the country. These farms produce a bounty of the best foods - just outside our door - at unbelievably fair prices. Why on earth would Bruce, an artist and big fan of staying indoors on hot summer days, want to grow tomatoes? The answer was as good as any, “I just want to”.

And so off I went to the nurseries. I looked at all the different kinds of plants, mostly heirloom. This is shear torture in April - as you begin to salivate just reading the description…your mind wanders back to summers past and the bright red meat of perfect tomatoes. I picked out five tomato plants, knowing that this would produce way too many tomatoes for the inn, but thinking that I would make sauce out of the rest, as I have done for the past ten years.

After a rainy spring, I got behind on planting and so the tomato plants went in late.

Then there was the issue of watering them. It seems both of us forgot – even when reminded – and after a week away, I returned to find them gasping. A little digging by Bruce produced the old tomato baskets that I had used long ago when I had a real garden – now we just hoped the plants would someday grow into the cages.

But I’m afraid we just got too busy to pay much attention to these plants. And, let’s face it – tomato plants are not the prettiest sight in the garden. So I didn’t want them in my flower gardens where guests would see them. Their location in the herb garden by the side of the inn tends to get overgrown but hopefully most guests don’t ever see it. It doesn’t get all-day sun but I had hoped that it would get enough to make them happy. I put them next to the basil, thinking that they should get to know each other as they most surely would meet again.

I have fond memories of my dad in his garden, tending to the plants, pinching off the suckers, training the branches, tying white cloth to help bear the weight of the fruit,. His garden was planted in straight rows, basked in plenty of sunshine and watered consistently. Weeds didn’t have a prayer of surviving. Our tomato plants could only dream of such care.

And so it is now the end of summer and time to harvest our bounty.

Both of them.

There is hope that there will be a third, but it is pretty small and still green.

But I’m grateful to be a neighbor to these farmers and support them. They produce crop after crop, one as delicious as the next. As I look at the box of tomatoes in the kitchen, I know that the sauce (or gravy as they say in New Jersey) they will produce will be so much better than anything I could buy in a jar.
Lancaster County farmers are safe for another summer - there’s no competition here!

Here is how I roast my tomatoes.

Sundried Tomatoes:

Cut thin slices of fresh tomatoes, remove excess seeds and place on a silpat (or parchment paper) on cookie trays. You can place them close together, they will shrink a little.
Sprinkle with a little of your best olive oil and a small amount of kosher salt.
Bake for about 2 hours in a cool oven – about 175 or 200. You don’t want them to completely dry out but this will really concentrate their flavor.
You can freeze them, store them in the fridge for a week, or serve – I like to top them with a nice Parmesan cheese and serve them at the inn with an egg dish. Bruce has been known to eat an entire tray while standing at the kitchen sink…..hey, maybe that’s why he wanted to grow tomatoes!

Enjoy!