Are You ready for Romance?

It’s that time again. The time when many of us start thinking about what to do on Valentine’s day for that very special person in our lives. We’ve done the flowers and chocolates, bought his or her favorite thing and taken them out to dinner. If you’ve run out of options, we have a great suggestion for you.

Why not spend the night or the week-end in a beautiful bed and breakfast in historic  Louisville, Kentucky? Our inns are welcoming, with distinct atmosphere and amenities, and delicious gourmet breakfasts. Our innkeepers know what makes their guests happy and comfortable. Great attention to detail is given when furnishing and decorating their guest rooms.

Belgian Waffle

Scrambled eggs

Each and every one is focused on making your morning breakfast a delight. You won’t be disappointed when you sample the delicious Belgium waffles, pancakes, or French toast prepared in ways that might include fresh fruit, tantalizing sauces, and authentic maple or other flavored syrups. If you prefer, our innkeepers, many of whom are chefs, can prepare astonishing omelets, and other vegetable and egg dishes, accompanied with Kentucky ham, sausage, or bacon.  Muffins, scones, home-made granolas, and other individual specialties of a particular inn may also part of your morning meal.  And don’t forget the fresh ground, gourmet coffees…Europeans blends, French Roasts, Columbian, Hawaiian, Jamaican, etc.

 
In addition, our innkeepers will help you find interesting things to see and do in the city and
nearby. Louisville has amazing local restaurants with every kind of cuisine you can think of. And our museums, theaters, and cultural attractions are first class. Not to mention world famous Churchill Downs which hosts the Kentucky Derby drawing thousands of international guests.
You won’t regret choosing our bed and breakfasts and our wonderful city to delight that special someone. I can guarantee it will be a visit you will not easily forget.
 
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Valentine's Day at the Inn

Valentine's Day at most bed and breakfasts is usually very busy. They fill up with couples looking for a romantic get-away to celebrate the day or week-end with someone they love. The Inns offer Sweetheart Packages, Spa Packages and the like. They fill the rooms with red roses, champagne and chocolates. We, at the Aleksander House, http://www.aleksanderhouse.com/ like to serve a special sweetheart's breakfast of Belgium Waffles with fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. Strawberries and chocolate seem to be very popular on Valentine's Day, so many of the Innkeepers make chocolate-covered strawberries. They're really not difficult to make. Here are a couple of recipes:

Recipes for Chocolate Covered Strawberries

INGREDIENTS
16 ounces milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1 pound fresh strawberries with leaves
DIRECTIONS
Insert toothpicks into the tops of the strawberries.
In a double boiler, melt the chocolate and shortening, stirring occasionally until smooth. Holding them by the toothpicks, dip the strawberries into the chocolate mixture.
Turn berries upside down. Insert pick in Styrofoam for chocolate to cool.

Recipe from: Armida Cooks
Since it's Valentine's Day today, I figured I'll re-post this oldie-but goodie recipe for Chocolate Covered Strawberries. If you want to impress your cutie pie, these strawberries are so easy to make.
Whenever I go to a fancy Sunday brunch, there are two things that I first look out for: the champagne and the chocolate covered strawberries. The recipe below is fool proof and delicious. Just make sure your strawberries are super dry before you dip them in the chocolate. Oh my gawd, I'm having cravings just writing this!

INGREDIENTS
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening, such a vegetable Crisco (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)*
12 large fresh strawberries, with stems, rinsed and patted dry

DIRECTIONS
Prepare cookie sheet by placing wax paper on bottom of it.
Place chocolate chips and shortening in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1-1/2 minutes or just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred; cool slightly.
Holding strawberry by top, dip 2/3 of each berry into chocolate mixture; shake gently to remove excess. Place on prepared tray.
Refrigerate until coating is firm, about 30 minutes. Store, covered, in refrigerator.
*Butter, margarine and spreads contain water which may prevent chocolate from melting properly; oil may prevent chocolate from forming a coating.

*Chcek out our Valentine's packages. They are available now through the end of February.

It's February: A message from the Innkeeper

I'm looking out the window and everything is covered with snow. Robyn came yesterday and cleaned of the sidewalks in front for me, in case we got some bookings over the week-end. It's been pretty slow lately.....January usually is. But it will be getting busy soon. February is usually a pretty good month for us. There's Valentine's Day, the Farm Machinery Show, and visitors who just want to get away or who are traveling here on business.
We have been focussing on Valentine's Day lately; putting Sweetheart packages together and making plans for decorating the rooms with flowers and candy. One of our Valentine's Packages includes champagne, red roses, chocolates and accommodations in a beautiful Victorian room with four-poster bed. It's very romantic.

We enjoy making confections for Valentines day and have tried cakes, candies, and fondue. Fondue is one of our favorites and we have a great recipe which I have posted here.

Chocolate Fondue
serves: 6-10
Ingredients
6 ounces dark good chocolate
3 ounces of bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons dark corn syrup
2 tablespoon Gran Marnier or Kirsch
fruit, chunks of Angle food cake, and/or marshmallows

Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a double boiler, Stir until melted and well blended.
Transfer to a Fondue pot. Keep warm. Supply each person with a long fork and a small plate.
Have guests take turns dipping fruit, cake and/or marshmallow into the chocolate

Love Notes

Besides candy, flowers, and confections, it is traditional to send cards or to write poetry for the one you love. We have included a poem here, written in the name of love.

Falling In Love Again

I'd crept into the deepest darkest place,

Where life and love no longer saw my face.

My heart was cold, my very soul was dead.

My only solace, memories in my head.

You came to me and caught me unaware,

And unprepared, I fell into your lair.

I struggled as you crawled into my mind,

Afraid of what your loving me might find.

And as I stayed resistant to your touch

You never turned away, instead t'was such

an oh so gentle nudging at my soul

that woke me with your ever sweet cajole

'Til finally I melted in your arms

Unfolding as a child would, free from harm.

I gave myself completely, so beguiled.

A whole new world had opened when you smiled

(N. Hinchliff, 2009)

Click here: for info on a lovely Valentine's Day week-end

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Pamper yourself with our packages

SWEETHEART PACKAGES (perfect for Valentine's Day) Sweetheart package #1 -Spacious Victorian room with Queen 4-poster bed -Private bath -Bottle of wine, champagne (or non-alcoholic beverage) -Cheese and fruit tray -Sweetheart roses -Chocolates -Gourmet breakfast Cost: One night: $165 Two nights: $275.00 Sweetheart Package #2 -Lovely, spacious suite with Queen bed -Private bath -Working fireplace,sitting area, TV/VCR -Many other amenities -Bottle of wine, champage (or non-alcoholic beverage) -Cheese and fruit tray -Sweetheart roses -Chocolates -Gourmet breakfast Cost: one night: $235.00 Two nights: $380.00 SPA PACKAGE (reserve at least 3 weeks ahead)30-60 minute Massage in your room spacious guestroom with all amenities Bottle of wine Cheese & Cracker tray Gourmet breakfast One-two nights (with two 1/2 hr massages): $195-290 for two. One-two nights (With two one hr massages): $270-375 for two. Suite available:one-two ngts:(two 1/2-1 hr massages)$290-450 for two Extra persons: $20 each per night plus massage licensed massage therapist available ANTIQUEING PACKAGE2-day package includes: -accommodations -Private bath -Gourmet breakfast daily -Two Antique malls -Five Antique shops -One Garden shop -Architectual Salvage Shop -Glassworks Studio -Two Gift Shops -Lunch daily at or near Antique Malls For two: $350.00 CULTURAL PACKAGE2-day package includes: -Accommodations -Private bath -Gourmet breakfast daily -Two tickets to JB Speed Art Museum -Two tickets to Actors Theater -Lunch at the Museum For two:$375.00 GIRLFRIEND'S GET-AWAY (in the privacy of your rooms)-2 days accommodations -Suite/private bath -Great videos/TV/VCR -Comfort food (Pizza, Pop Corn) -Wine/Sodas -Terry cloth robes -Bedtime Cookies and Milk Cost: 4-6 persons, without massages:$395-425 ........With Massage:$37.50-75.00 extra pp THE HUMANA FESTIVAL Feb. 21-Mar 28, 2010 The Humana Festival of New American Plays is an annual site of pilgrimage where theatre lovers from around the world gather to get a glimpse of the future of the American theater. The Aleksander House is offering a theater package which includes two nights accommodations, one or two nights at the Humana Festival of New American Plays and two late morning Gourmet breakfasts. We will also make dinner reservations for you at a restaurant of your choice (dinner is not included in the price of the package). Theater is within blocks of our Inn. Cost: $320--375 (includes booking & handling fees.) (double occupancy)

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