Winter is here!

December greetings! I always find B&B to be a great place to pick up holiday decorating tips and some of the best are on viewing tours of B&Bs taking place in many areas where there are a cluster of inns. We have some terrific recipes for Christmas cheer, cookies and more. Many of our favorite inns are offering all sorts of specials for their guests this time of year. Check those out in our B&B Travel Newsletter. The holidays can be hectic, but below please find some tips to keep you nice and warm, and happily fed, this season!




Winter weather is here and the first thing I want to address are some excellent tips that have been the result of recent speaking engagements at Bed & Breakfast conferences all over the US, most recently in Colorado just a couple of weeks ago. For older properties, it is important to make sure heating is efficient and taken care of, both for financial purposes and the comfort of your guests.


1. Stop Air Leaks
Designers and manufacturers are paying attention to the changing mood in the market, and have created new and inventive ways to meet the needs of style-savvy customers. Trends like heritage America, folk art, and vintage touches have become essential when creating a comforting and homey feeling in a room, and are quite easy to incorporate. Handcrafted pieces and classic furniture work to bring a nostalgic spirit, while the rich spice colors mentioned above are a lovely background palette from which to bring in a comforting feel.
check your windows.

2. Check Windows
Tightly secure all windows by locking them for maximum heat retention. Replace all cracked windows and any fractured window frames that leak in the cold air and become moldy from the damp weather. Rigid foam inserts or expandable foam fillers can help with the insulation.


3. Insulate Pipes and Water Heaters, and Inspect the Furnace
Insulate your hot-water heaters and basement water pipes to prevent heat loss. Inspect your furnace and have it checked professionally once a year. Replace the furnace filters twice a year if needed or at least annually prior to the cooler seasons of Fall & Winter. Check the air ducts and cover any air leaks with foil tape, or use duct putty on the seams.

4. The Fireplace
The flames in your fireplace need oxygen and your fireplace pulls air from the rooms in your house, including the warm air from your furnace. If you install glass doors in front of the hearth and the outside vent into the firebox, then the fire will draw air from outside the chimney to feed the fire. The radiant heat from the glass-enclosed fireplace should sufficiently heat the space near it.

5. Add Blow-in Insulation
Adding blow-in insulation to your home will save on heat loss and keep your home warmer longer. The work involves punching holes at the top and bottom of each stud bay and filling up the space with densely packed cellulose insulation.


With these helpful tips for keeping a cheerful household warm and cozy, your holiday is sure to go off without a hitch this season. Another great way to ensure guests are getting the full affect of the holiday cheer is the food! One of my favorite aspects of this time of year are the seasonal treats and dishes that appear, from old favorites like Holiday Peanut Brittle to new, inventive takes like Cranberry Nut Bread! We have a great variety of recipes to please the winter palette, from beverages to dessert. Some Hot Mulled Cider this season will surely please guests, while decadent Hot Chocolate can be enjoyed by the fire! Treats like Chocolate Orange Biscotti are a new twist in the holiday flavors, and Cranberry Cookies are much anticipated favorites.


So this time of the year, sit back and enjoy the hot cocoa, warm fireplace, and the festive cheer!

Best wishes and Happy Holidays,

Pamela