You deserve a break: Summer Travel

Summer travel this year is all about the bargain. You might consider a trip to a lovely, historic bed and breakfast, where getting more for less could mean you have the best room at the Inn, more personal attention, and lots of extras. Most B&Bs, across the country, feeling the economic crunch, are reacting by offering discounts, valuable packages, additional services and more. It's definitely a win win situation for travelers looking for a great deal. So, now is the time to plan that great escape!

Look for Value: We're all uneasy about these economic times and a great many of us have decided to cut back, spend less and save more. But that doesn't mean we must continually deprive ourselves of the very things that can revive and recharge our batteries. We still need that occasional manicure, trip to the health club, massage or get away. This year more than ever, travelers are looking to get the best get-aways they can afford. Bed and breakfasts, all over the country, are plugging into that need by offering affordable relaxing and fun week-end packages.

Travel in the US: With airfares still fairly high, traveling in North America instead of Europe or other far away destinations is a cost effective. Leisure travelers might consider travel by car, since gas prices have remained down. Business travelers, flying into town, may find prices and amenities are to their advantage. If you wont be traveling this summer and plan your trip for sometime in January (slowest accommodations month of the year) and February (Valentine's Day), you'll find plenty of interesting and reasonable packages and things to do.

Explore Kentucky: Kentucky is rich in history,. It is jam packed with beautiful scenery and lots of towns and cities with lovely Inns, bed and breakfasts and working farm Stays to accommodate your overnight and breakfast needs. Week-end rates are a great value and most major attractions are free or minimal in price.

Plan Your Trip with the help of an innkeeper: Innkeepers are great concierges. They know the area. They can suggest ideas for sight seeing and entertainment, restaurants and can make reservations for you. They can help you get the most for your money; a popular travel trend every year.

a very happy, healthy & prosperous new year to all

Remember the good omen I talked about yesterday? ..........the one about the first guests of 2009? Well, let me tell you what happened when they checked in. First of all, they got here around 7:30 pm (two friendly 30-somethings from Kansas). I came running down the stairs (I have a lot of them) to let them in. Noticing that it was extremely cold on the first floor, I walked back to the thermostat to check it out. Josh ( the husband of Shana, my other guest) followed me, thinking maybe he could help, if there were a problem. The thermostat had fallen to the lowest point! ( and it was 25 degrees outside).

I mulled over earlier events that had happened before their arrival, looking for a possible explanation. I suddenly remembered that I had heard an unusual hissing sound a few hours earlier, but had dismissed it as something going on outside. someone's car.....or whatever. Josh and I continued to analyze the furnace problem, standing over each of several registers on the first floor. All of a sudden I put the hissing sound and the failing furnace together and my mind flashed to the basement.

Josh had offered to check out the furnace. I opened the basement door, turned on the light and peered down the stairs to see at least 5 inches of moving water traveling across the basement floor. Upon walking a little further down, I could see the water heater from the stairway. It was gushing water! OMG! I have guests tonight, there's no hot water for showers, and the furnace is out!
Good omen be damned! .......................................to be continued.

a good omen................for a profitable New Year

I am not normally superstitious. But I really think getting a booking for the first day of 2009 is a good sign....maybe an indication of things to come......a good way to start off the New Year. And a reminder to stay positive. It never hurts and sometime it does a lot of good.

Fabulous Baked Apple Pancake

I got the call a few hours ago. Then another and, wonder of all wonders, another. Did they read my blog post about being pampered with all sorts of creature comforts? Never mind......it doesn't matter....... I feel energized again! Gotta go shopping for food supplies so I can make something wonderful for New Year's morning breakfast! I'm thinking German Baked Apple pancakes. They are sooo good! Here's the recipe (see sidebar)


German Baked Apple Pancake (serves 2)
Glazed Apples
2 TBL butter
3 med-lg Grannie Smith apples, cored & sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
Confectioners' sugar
Maple syrup (optional)

Batter
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Saute apples in 2 tablespoons butter for 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Continue sauteing until just soft. Keep warm. Mix eggs, milk, flour, vanilla and salt is an electric blender.Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter is a large heavy frying pan (preferably iron). Heat for a minute or two on a burner on the stove top. Pour batter into hot pan and place in hot oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and slide pancake on to a plate. Pour sauteed apple over the pancake evenly and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with maple syrup.
 

German Baked Apple Pancake (serves 2)

Glazed Apples
2 TBL butter
3 med-lg Grannie Smith apples, cored & sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
Confectioners' sugar
Maple syrup (optional)

Batter
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Saute apples in 2 tablespoons butter for 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Continue sauteing until just soft. Keep warm. Mix eggs, milk, flour, vanilla and salt is an electric blender.Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter is a large heavy frying pan (preferably iron). Heat for a minute or two on a burner on the stove top. Pour batter into hot pan and place in hot oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and slide pancake on to a plate. Pour sauteed apple over the pancake evenly and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with maple syrup.

Gateau of Crepes

- See more at: http://innnotes.blogspot.com/2008/12/good-omenlooking-toward-profitable-2009.html#sthash.dfTG0k2I.dpuf

German Baked Apple Pancake (serves 2)

Glazed Apples
2 TBL butter
3 med-lg Grannie Smith apples, cored & sliced
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
Confectioners' sugar
Maple syrup (optional)

Batter
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Saute apples in 2 tablespoons butter for 5 minutes. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Continue sauteing until just soft. Keep warm. Mix eggs, milk, flour, vanilla and salt is an electric blender.Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter is a large heavy frying pan (preferably iron). Heat for a minute or two on a burner on the stove top. Pour batter into hot pan and place in hot oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and slide pancake on to a plate. Pour sauteed apple over the pancake evenly and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with maple syrup.

- See more at: http://innnotes.blogspot.com/2008/12/good-omenlooking-toward-profitable-2009.html#sthash.KXE3bHco.dpuf