Long before we were blessed with children I dreamed of owning a Bed and Breakfast. When my husband and I would travel we always reserved a night or two in a B n B. We loved everything about it! More often than not we were greeted by cheery Inn Keepers who were happy to see us. They always had something hot or cold to drink and a snack just in case we were hungry from a long day of traveling. After a comfy nights sleep we would awake to wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen early in the morning. We couldn't wait to get down to the antique-filled dining room to see what tasty home made treats were in store for us!
I remember one breakfast in particular. Home made Scones baked from scratch, banana and walnut pancakes, fresh fruit, apple smoked sausage, fresh squeezed orange juice and hot coffee. What delighted me even more was the way each inn keeper set their breakfast table with lovely antique linens, dishes, real silver and crystal. A simple arrangement of freshly cut flowers placed in the center of the table for an added touch of elegance.
Most Inn –keepers love telling their stories so we never had to be in suspense for too long wondering about the history of the home, where all those beautiful dishes came from and how they landed such a great deal!
We stayed in many different types of Inns over the years. On a trip up the Northern coast line of California we stayed in a lavishly decorated Victorian Inn in the quaint town of Ferndale, and a more modern affair in Eureka that had a jetted tub inside the room! Then there was the ranch style inn in Little River where each room was outfitted with its own four poster bed, fireplace and an amazing ocean view.
My all time favorite inn was “The Old Pioneer Garden” in Unionville, Nevada. A tried and true self sufficient homestead at the end of a dirt road in the middle of no where. When we stayed there the main guest house was only 5 years old but had been built to feel as if it were no less than 100. The food we ate was all grown right there on the ranch. Milk, eggs, meat, veggies and herbs!
If you’re like me, you have to bring home a little souvenir of some sort when you travel. Just so happens, they had Antiques for Sale in the barn.
I have a few “treasures” in my china cabinet to help me remember our stay and the friends we shared that weekend with.
Naturally, people who run such a place are what really make it interesting and we thoroughly enjoyed visiting with proprietors Lou and Mitzi over a delicious lamb chop dinner.
I don’t own a bed and breakfast like the ones we used to stay in, but I did get one that’s right for me!
Mine is called Moms Bed and Breakfast! Open 24 hours- year round. My hubby makes a mean Sunday waffle breakfast complete with home-made syrup, sliced ham and fresh fruit. I set a pretty table and brew the coffee. The kids are the clean up crew!
Additional Services: caterer, chauffeur, laundress, moneylender, seamstress, psychologist, tutor, nurse, etc… etc…
Nope, it’s nothing like those fancy inns of days gone by, it’s even better.
Try making your own ...
Simple Homemade Syrup Recipe~
3 cups granulated sugar
3 cups brown sugar
3 cups water
3 tea spoons maple extract
3 tea spoons vanilla extract
Pour water in a large pot and add all sugar. Bring to a low boil then reduce heat stir and let cool for an hour or so. After it has cooled you can add the flavored extract and serve. Store your syrup in a glass container in the refrigerator.
It's that simple!
For Organic syrup, just use all organic ingredients!
