By The Wayside

Ever have the opportunity to thank someone that inspired you to make a big change in your life? This past week, I had such an opportunity.

I was in the DC area for training and I had two interesting moments of looking back at my past through a lens.

The first of those moments was when I pulled off the interstate at the exit of the town I grew up in. I had no plans. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't remember my exact address since I was only 7 when we moved, so this was going to be one of those adventures of getting lost. Don't you just love those!? It's my favorite kind of trip. Anyway, after about 15 minutes of wrong turns, I found the house I grew up in. Absolutely surreal. Sometimes I think our past plays in our head like some movie we once watched ... but this type of moment validates that "yes, it really happened. I really did live here!"

My second moment was visiting the bed & breakfast that inspired Brian and I to become Innkeepers. It's the Wayside Inn, in Ellicot City, Maryland. David's hospitality was the inspiration for me to get out of the corporate world, trade-in my high heels for flip flops, and get into tourism and entertainment.

The Wayside Inn is over 200 years old, which appeals to my inner-history buff. I pretty much just stand there silently in awe. There is a tree on the property that has been there since the Declaration of Independence was signed and local lore states that famous guests included General George Washington and John Quincy Adams. The exterior brick is 22" think solid granite, enveloping modern renovations and amenities sophisticatedly done with comfort in mind.

David's finesse made being an Innkeeper look so easy! And as I have learned later from operating our own lodging establishment, that is not always so. But even on the days where it seems like we're working really hard, the perks more than make up for it. I'm definitely enjoying this chapter of my life of Innkeeping.

--Rachelle
Tremain Street Cottages

Holiday Feast & Fixin's

I feel like I just gained a whole week of my life back. For the longest time I thought THIS past week was Thanksgiving. Thank goodness I was set straight before putting a turkey in the oven!

If you haven't done your T-day shopping or if you are just browsing for some more holiday cooking ideas, I've wrapped up our best holiday recipes below and included one new one that will probably blow your mind.

STARTERS & APPETIZERS

Savory Pumpkin Soup
by The Adora Inn

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Bread:
by Christopher's Inn

Spiced Pumpkin Bread
by Heron Cay Bed & Breakfast

Autumn Sangria
by Tremain Street Cottages

MAIN DISHES

French-Canadian Tourtiere
by Tremain Street Cottages

Peanut Butter Turkey Baste
by Magnolia Inn

Now, this one was the WOW-BLOW-MY-MIND turkey tip for me and one that we have not yet previously posted. Betty, Innkeeper at the Magnolia Inn, shared that they always smother their turkey in peanut butter. Yes, I said peanut butter. I love peanut butter. I'm even a big fan of Elvis' PB & Banana sandwich, but I would have never thought to baste a turkey with it! According to Betty, the peanut butter seals in all the juices making the turkey extremely moist. I'll have to try this one!

SIDE DISHES

Crazy Easy Cranberry Sauce
by Tremain Street Cottages

BREAKFAST THE NEXT MORNING

If you have family over and are planning to make breakfast too,
then definitely take a look at these pancake recipes.


Apple-Puffed Pancakes
by The Captain's Inn

Leander Pancake Wraps
by The Farnsworth House

Sweet Potato Pancakes
by Mount Dora Historic Inn

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Confessions of a Wino

How did your wine journey begin? Mine started in college with a fruity, fizzy, wine "cooler" that actually had no wine in it at all. But I thought I was cool.

I then graduated to a Blue Nun Riesling. (That makes me wince and grit my teeth just thinking about it.) I tried to impress a boy in my class by telling him my favorite wine was a "Riesling." Yeah. He was a wine rep. Not cool. But what did my young inexperienced pallet know?

What happened next I'm ashamed to admit. Boxed wine at camp-outs and pink wines that came in a jug. Wooooow. It's about that time that winemakers started jazzing up their labels with catchy names and graphics. Then I started picking my wine based on whether or not I liked the picture on the bottle. A label snob in all the wrong ways. I became a fan of Yellow Tail and had to try one of each "color." From the yellow label, to the blue label, to the hot pink label ... I drank them all. But at least it introduced me to reds.

One wine I picked up entirely because I liked the label was a bottle of Tango Malbec. The label lured me in with a hologram where the dancers feet moved when the bottle was rolled from side to side. Malbec. Boy, oh, boy, did I think I was pretty smart because NOW I could order something that wasn't a usual choice on most house wine lists. But at this point wine was becoming more than just a way to get a buzz with my friends on a Friday night, it was becoming a pleasurable experience of discovery.

I finally learned the only real rule about wine ... you either like it ... or you don't like it ... and either way, it's okay. I'm currently at a great place in my wine tasting journey. I'm not afraid of tasting something new. I can openly admit when I don't know about a certain wine ... and yet I know just enough to be dangerous. But I have to admit, I still do feel silly sticking my nose in a glass of wine and snorting a big whiff the way the "experts" do.

Which brings me to the monthly wine tastings at the Adora Inn. Their wine-pairing dinners have given me plenty of tasting practice to get me out of my old bad habits. Luckily, they're our neighbors, so I can taste all I want and then walk home.

This past month's wine tasting featured Dutch Henry, a small family owned vineyard winery in California. We were fortunate enough to have one of the wine makers from Dutch Henry sitting at our table. He was quite the entertainer, not only through his knowledge of wine, but through music as well. He talked about the same evolution of "cool" of wine drinkers. I guess we've all experienced that journey at one point or another.

The first wine poured was a Rose. Hmm. I had flashbacks to the pink wine in a jug that I used to drink and wrinkled my nose at the thought. However, I trusted the pairing expertise of my neighbors and since the wine maker was actually sitting right there in front of me, I gave it a whirl and was sweetly surprised! Well I'll be darn, I discovered I like Rose. And it was not a fruity little light wine like I expected. It stood well on it's own and was even better when paired with the first course of Arthur's savory pumpkin soup. I could go into great detail about how deliciousness of the food and wine ... but then you'd just get drool and get saliva all over your keyboard. So, to spare you the clean up I'll just invite you to attend the next wine tasting dinner at Adora Inn. Where are you in your wine tasting journey? Tantalize your senses with a traditional Italian-style Christmas including wines perfectly paired at the Adora Inn's next wine tasting on December 13th.

--Rachelle

Autumn Sangria

A group of girlfriends of mine used to all get together on a monthly basis and gather for some gabbing, gossip and good wine. I miss those days! It seems children, careers and out-of-state moves have put some miles between us.

We all still keep in touch through online social networks. Which is why I know the world will hear a loud excited squeal when the girls all open their inboxes and find this recipe. My dear friend, Maranda, brought this with her to one of our holiday gatherings and we all crowned her wine-goblet-goddess for creating such a fancy looking, great tasting holiday brew. Enjoy!

Autumn Sangria

Ingredients

2 Bottles Merlot
1 Cup sugar
1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
½ Tsp Ground Nutmeg
½ Tsp Ground Clove
6-10 Apples
3-6 Cinnamon sticks
2 Liters Ginger Ale

1) In a medium pot, combine Merlot, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Let simmer for ten minutes on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved.

2) Pour immediately into a sealed pitcher or other container. Chop apples into thin slices and add them along with the cinnamon sticks to the mixture. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours.

3) To serve: pour contents into large punch bowl and add ice and 2 liters of Ginger Ale. Serve chilled.

*** For Winter Sangria, try trading out the apples for oranges and cranberries to give it a Christmas kind of feeling. Its been suggested to me to substitute Cream Soda for the Ginger Ale to give it a creamier taste, but I've never tried it. Feel free to experiment!

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Featured Inn: Farnsworth House

Sometimes, when you are traveling, you just want to have the comforts of home. A soft bed, a hot shower, a warm cup of tea and a friendly smile. A place where you can let your hair down, kick off your shoes, relax and just be yourself. That’s what you’ll find at the Farnsworth House Bed & Breakfast. A late 1800’s farm-style home tucked away on one and a half acres in the quiet side of Mount Dora. A meandering driveway lures you into a step back in time with mature oaks, green gardens and a camphor tree over 200 years old. If trees could talk, this one would probably have many stories to tell. The Farnsworth House is surrounded by history, but with the modern comforts of a hot tub, screened-in gazebo, and plenty of outdoor seating to get lost in book … or a nap.

After a corporate career and an artist’s life in Miami, this was just the escape that Innkeepers Vivian & Bob were looking for. While spending nights and weekends fixing up the home with their tender loving care, Vivian and Bob named her like a captain would name his ship. Abigail. And she’s quite a beauty for her ripe old age of 122. Originally the Farnsworth family home, the estate became a boarding house in the 1920’s. On the front porch you can still find the multiple door bells and mail slots from the era. The home is decorated with period antiques and some of the Innkeeper’s original artwork. When I asked Vivian and Bob what their favorite part was about Innkeeping, she answered,

“We really enjoy spending time with our guests, just sitting around the dining room table talking and laughing over breakfast and coffee. It’s our favorite part. It’s amazing the connections you find and the people you meet.”

Breakfast at the Farnsworth House is a belly-filling feast. I joined Vivian, Bob and their guests during the Bike Festival to partake in the morning festivities. We started with fresh fruit and homemade crumb cakes. I have quite a sweet tooth, so I love dessert first! I begged Vivian to let me post the recipe, but she says you have to come stay with her to taste it. Next, Bob served their Leander Pancake Wraps with Vermont maple syrup and breakfast steaks. This has all the goodness of breakfast wrapped up into one. Eggs, potatoes, cheese, and pancakes. A little sweet and a little salty.

The most unique thing that Vivian is known for is her juice mixes. We all played a little guessing game before she would reveal her secret ingredients. Our juice cocktail blend contained cranberry, orange, lime, pineapple and blueberry. Vivian’s watermelon cooler was such a popular treat that over the years she inadvertently started a collection of watermelon themed gifts.

If you're looking for a home away from home, a peaceful escape, and a scrumptious breakfast ... then the Farnsworth House Bed & Breakfast is the place to be.

--Rachelle

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Posh Plush

Going "green" last year has solicited a lot of junk mail with various salesmen trying to promote their latest and greatest greenwashed project. Samples of trash bags that are made of "recycled" material at the bargain price of $4 a piece. Expensive energy converters that would take 10 years to pay for themselves ... but they save energy! I do admit, some samples have been pleasent surprises ... such as the soaps, lotions and shampoos. What girl doesn't like to receive bath and body stuff?

However, you'll never believe was was in my pile of junk mail today. Toilet paper. Yes, I said Toilet Paper. TP. Three little squares folded up nicely in a little plasic sample pouch. Seriously folks!?!? Do we Innkeepers really need to receive toilet paper samples in the mail? Is there some marketing guru out there that thinks this is an excellent idea? Are there really connoisseurs of plushness?

When I was in high school, the best use of tp was to decorate the outside of our dance teacher's house with it at 2:00 in the morning as a way to celebrate winning a competition. As I got older, it became a way to embarrass future brides at their shower by wrapping them up in tissue bridal gowns under the guise of a "contest."

Today's junk mail let curiosity get the best of me and so I Googled unusual uses for toilet paper. Surprisingly, I found a million different crafts for the actual toilet paper roll. Puppets, totem poles, cardboard candles, bowling pins, pretend binoculars, new years poppers, etc. I guess if you have children at home, crafts are the best way to reduce/reuse/recycle.

But what made me laugh the most was discovering some surveys on whether it is a better method to "crumple" or "fold." You can see it for yourself at MentalFloss.com.

Ha! What will they come up with next?!

--Rachelle
Tremain Street Cottages

Meet Your Innkeepers: Coconut Cottage Inn

I've been posting "Meet Your Innkeepers" surveys so that you can get to know your Mount Dora Innkeepers. What they love about Innkeeping ... how they got into it ... their history, hobbies and other fun facts. Here's the Innside scoop from the Coconut Cottage Inn.



INNKEEPERS AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD
BY NANCY HOWELL AND GARY MCKECHNIE

The best thing about greeting our guests is serving breakfast the next morning. Not because we are gourmet cooks, but because we enjoy the camaraderie and conversation shared at our dining table. Of the hundreds of guests we have welcomed over the past eight years, we have heard thousands of entertaining, adventurous and humorous travel stories about them, their families, and friends.

As travel writers (our other dream job) these stories inspire us to continue exploring and writing about the great American landscape and the people, places, and things we've seen.

Our first cross-country adventure began in 1998 and resulted in the book, Great American Motorcycle Tours. Twenty rides and seven motorcycles later, the book hit the stands in 2000. To celebrate - and to stay home after a year on the road -- we opened the Coconut Cottage Inn here in beautiful Mount Dora and began welcoming our special guests. This had been a ten-year quest, so it was very exciting to have a book published and a bed and breakfast open all in the same year.

The book became the best-selling motorcycle guidebook ever, aided perhaps by the foreword written by Peter Fonda and an endorsement by the American Motorcyclist Association. In 2001, the book earned a Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award - known as the "Pulitzer Prize of Travel Writing" - presented by the Society of American Travel Writers. In 2002, we challenged the backroads of America again to add five new rides to the book, which continues to make news with articles in USA Today, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Austin Statesman, and numerous motorcycle magazines. In October 2008, Gary earned a second Lowell Thomas Award for 'Prairie Hog', an article written for Harley-Davidson's magazine, Hog Tales. In 2009 we expect to hit the road again as GAMT goes into its fourth edition with even more rides.

From Florida to Washington, from Maine to California, we have been thrilled by the beautiful and stunning sights this country has to offer. We have seen buffalo, bears, moose, elk, antelope and prairie dogs, as well as geysers, canyons, caves, deserts, mountains and waterfalls. We've met Indians, farmers, fishermen, ranchers, musicians, astronauts, artists, storytellers, prospectors and other interesting people all across America.

As we embraced this great country, we decided to write yet another book, USA 101. Scheduled for release in 2009, this National Geographic travel book will highlight 101 American icons, events, and festivals including the Statue of Liberty, Little League Baseball World Series, Indianapolis 500, Custer's Last Stand, Golden Gate Bridge, The Alamo, Colonial Boston, and beyond. We've experienced the best of America and have the honor of writing about its treasured landmarks.

But returning home to the Coconut Cottage to meet and greet our guests is an indulgence we appreciate equally as much. We look forward to welcoming you and enjoying your company over breakfast and we hope you bring along some travel stories to share. See you soon!

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