Yummy Breakfast B&B Style - Fast!

I’m constantly hearing from our readers how much they enjoy those sumptuous wonderful breakfasts they are served at the inns. Of course, everyday mornings don’t allow for a sumptuous breakfast…but a yummy breakfast? But of course! A table set for a sumptuous breafkast Taking a few tips from the B&B’s, there’s several ways to achieve a fantastic start to you and your family’s day without getting up predawn. I often spend Saturday mornings puttering around the kitchen, listening to my favorite cooking shows on TV, and preparing a few veggies in advance and some baked goods for the week to come. I must say, I really enjoy this time and I’ve also used it as a great chance to teach my kids some easy recipes in a relaxed way.

Some of the best ideas for make-ahead goodies come from the inns. Here are a few that I love and use all the time.

Make a batch of quick bread, something fruity and healthy, and freeze the small loaves. Take them out the night before and serve at breakfast with cream cheese or cottage cheese and a quick fruit bowl. Great nutrition and great taste! These quick breads also make a great grab-and-go homemade goodie to take to a potluck.
Slices of Pumpkin bread yumm



* Cranberry Bread Recipe
* Zucchini Pineapple Bread Recipe
* Pear Walnut Bread Recipe

I love to make granola and it keeps very well in a tightly covered container, so I’ll often whip up a batch. And because it’s so easy, it’s a great place to experiment with different favorite ingredients. My friend Judy’s favorite recipe lends itself well to other dried fruit and nut combinations. Skinny it down by using less oil than called for, but you still have to use some to get the crispy quality. Granola, fresh fruit, and a dollop of yogurt make a stellar breakfast. The same granola also makes a perfect topping for quickie breakfast muffins and for make-ahead batter you keep in the fridge till you need it; it couldn’t be easier. If you really want to wow everybody, try some of our innkeepers’ wonderful recipes for make-ahead breakfast casseroles.
Oats and berries

* Bark Eater Granola Recipe
* Fourteener's Granola Recipe
* Apple Cranberry Granola Recipe

Quiches are also a great make-ahead, as they can be cooked in advance and just briefly heated in the morning. Of course having a coffeemaker filled and preset so you can wake up to an invigorating cup-of-joe is something most inns do, and I do too. Somehow I just seem to have more enthusiasm for breakfast if it doesn’t loom so large and I can get it done beforehand. Be sure to check out all the wonderful breakfast recipes, including those that take just a little more time, like pancakes, waffles, and specialty egg dishes!

* Oat & Green Apple Griddle Cakes Recipe
* Apple-Sausage Puff Pancakes Recipe
* Nested Eggs with Mushrooms Recipe
* Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata Recipe

Pamela

April Get Away Time!

April is the best time for that quick family getaway. Why? Because the earth is alive, spring has burst into bloom, and almost everyone is near someplace in the countryside that’s just beautiful. Lots of family Bed and Breakfast’s and Inns are offering specials this spring to entice travelers with one or more nights to spend. To find just the right one for you, enter the key word in our amenity search at www.LanierBB.com. With school vacations and service days coming up, you might just want to try for a three-day weekend!
I always think water is just the magic ingredient when children are involved, whether they splash in it, or swim in it, or just look at it. It provides endless entertainment and a chance for adults to relax and observe. Some of my favorite Midwestern resorts have indoor swimming and recreational facilities that can handily bridge the sometimes tricky April weather. However, if it looks like rain is inevitable; another dandy option is an in-town getaway. Simply segue downtown and stay at a lovely inn or Bed and Breakfast near some fun attractions. Planetariums, aquariums, plays, IMAX theaters, and more all beckon family travelers and are budget friendly during this spring season as well. If you have some favorite spring travel ideas, please let us know!