Spring Has Finally Sprung!

Spring, finally! This was a very long winter, was it that way for you too? It’s so great to feel that soft, moist air, see some colorful flowers blooming and finally put winter behind us. Today at our office, we are celebrating Easter, Passover and the coming of Spring with a tea party during which we are testing the finalist in our muffin madness contest, and sampling teas from TSalon in New York City, with whom we have partnered for a bed and breakfast blend, pretty exciting stuff!
Shannon, bed and breakfast membership coordinator bakes like crazy and made some very professional Easter cookies.

Highlight of my spring opener was the quote that drifted in from Cliff Cottage B&B in Eureka Springs, AR: “Thank you SO VERY MUCH for including my little salty tale in your newsletter. Everyone at Lanier's is SO helpful and does so much for our industry that I don't even know how to begin thanking you enough! I'm sending 1,000 gold stars to put on your shoulders!”
Of course spring brings on the need for one, a getaway trip, just to get out in the countryside and take a look at nature waking up. What better getaway could there be than a bed and breakfast stay? I’m headed to Alexandria, Virginia to a Publishing conference and really looking forward to staying at a historic inn in the old town and being seated at a breakfast table once used by George Washington’s grandsons. However, most of all folks, I’m looking forward to those cherry blossoms!
Washington DC environs all the way from the West Virginia countryside with verdant green fields, stone walls and baby lambs frolicking of the downtown mall and Washington Monument, blends itself for a spring trip for families. Many of our feature properties have spring fling rates going on, and the coming weeks, post Easter, are the perfect time to avoid the crowds and take off on a spring fling of your own.
Another topic that comes to the top of my mind come spring, is of course spring cleaning and we’ve included some traditional recipes for all natural, bio-degradable cleaners to get your home "spick" and span without harmful fumes or environmental damage. I recommend testing them out, there’s nothing better than saving money and also your health!

Rug Cleaner
¼ tsp dishwashing liquid (1.2 ml)
1 cup lukewarm water (240 ml)
Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area or use the solution to spot-clean non-greasy stains. Blot dry.


Carpet Freshner
1 cup crushed dried herbs, such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender (240 ml)
1 tsp ground cloves (5 ml)
2 tsp. baking soda (10 ml)
Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet. Let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up.
All-Purpose Floor Cleaner
¾ cup vinegar (180 ml)
5 drops citrus or other aromatic essential oil
4 quarts warm water (4l)
Mix ingredients in a large-bucket. Apply as you damp-mop your wood, linoleum and vinyl floors.

Spring is also the time I start to think about lightening the bedroom, not only on the bed, but also in the color treatments. To me, a dose of blue and white will go a long way towards brightening up for the seasons ahead. And, with this years “color of the year”, Turquoise # 15-5519 claimed by Pantone, there’s no better time but now to add this favorite shade to your very own abode.

One of the things I love about blue and white are the way these two lovely colors blends so beautifully with mixing patterns, other shades and tones, to create a complimentary palette. Blue bedrooms have been proven to be amongst the most restful and calming. Another variation on the blue and white theme is cream and a greener blue, like turquoise or a grayer blue like Wedgewood. All these create a dreamy, glowing palette of cream and blue. Why not anchor your bedroom with an elaborately draped or canopy bed, or perhaps a plush upholstery head board and upholstered bench at the base? Upholstered bed treatments are some of the easiest ways to accomplish a lush look, even on a budget. And a canopy bed can be simply a box, bed width attached to the wall above the head of the bed and festooned with fabrics and trims, all compliments of a staple and or glue gun.
One of the things I love about blue and white is the way they mix up pattern, twills, florals, stripes and checks. As long as one stays in similar values of blue and white, or cream, the result will be very pleasing. For accent colors, green is a natural and so are shades of pink and rose. One of my favorite styles is Scandinavian country. A classic form, which takes simple furnishings lightens them up with white or cream paint, brightens it all up with blue, reflects the sky in gray blues and creates an all together delightful easy elegance that goes well with all sorts of architecture.

Blue glass is a particular favorite collectible of mine. In these days I’m seeing more and more use of mirrors on furniture’s, walls and also mirrored lamps, mirrored burrows and mirror glass bowls. These all add a terrific note of glamor and style to any room.

Some colors of paints, a blue paint I especially love are bright blues. Great for accents or entry ways as well as small furniture pieces, or how about a porch chair?
Some great blue shades are:
Majestic (regal 4005-8c)
Peacock (Blueville A41-7)
Foggy Days (Danube 90BG 56/125)
Isle Waters (Isle of Capri (55oB-6)
True Blue (E26-1)
Star Spangled (59oD-7)
Blue Burst (4008-10B).
Gulf Grandeur (253-7)
I hope this note finds you all well, healthy and prepared for a gorgeous springtime.


Sending happiness, laughter and warm sunshine your way…

Best,
Pamela

Creating An Inviting Bedroom

By now, everybody knows I’m crazy about color. There’s just so much you can do with color to change the total ambiance of a room. One of the best places to experiment with color is in the bedroom. The bedroom is typically fairly small, yet highly emotionally charged. One of my favorite bedroom wall colors is blue, in any shade. . Nothing changes a room faster than paint…. One of my favorite blues is Benjamin Moores Heaven on Earth; it makes you feel like the sky has just come in. It’s just so restful and easy to approach.

Closely related is lavender, which pairs beautifully with grays and silver/chrome accents. Nothing wakes up a dark room faster than a sunny yellow. I love Benjamin Moore # 304, Shooting Star, which is like illuminated butter. If you use yellow in a bedroom, just be sure to strengthen it with a good dose of Mahogany, Burnt Amber or Black in furnishings and accessories. Another great way to wake up a room is by wall papering, either the entire space or just one wall alone.


I’ve been seeing some interesting uses of wallpaper lately, especially in bed and breakfasts. Perhaps get started with wall paper by covering the inner panels of an old door, saving the extra pieces for wrapping a small tray table or pencil holder, etc to inner weave the paper pattern throughout the room.
In a small room, another great way to lighten up is to use an acrylic chair, which seems to float in space and allow you visually to go through them. Myriad furniture is another wonderful idea for a fashionable bed stand or waste basket, drawing in even more light. In a dark room, a large mirror placed opposite the window can dramatically improve the feeling of light and radiance.
The actual bed in the room is another very important factor. What’s most important in a bed? First and foremost, the mattress must be comfortable. For an exceptional, quality mattress that will stand the test of time, visit our Lanier Bed & Breakfast Mattress Collection.

The bed itself, footboard and headboard should be well connected; to prohibit rocking and sliding. Or, another option is to use a platform and create your very own wonderful headboard. Keep your eyes open for an upcoming column on creative headboards! With a beautiful box spring, cover your cozy bed in beautiful chocolate mohair and nicely top with comfortable, crisp, clean sheets. No room in the house is more important than the master bedroom, not only is it where you spend a third of your life, but so many of life’s momentous occasions take place within those walls. There are many, many ways to give any bedroom, no matter how small, dark or drear, a wonderful snug, comforting feel. I like a bedroom to feel very comforting. If your room is extra small, consider installing a pocket door to the bedroom and bath, if adjoining. Think of those two spaces as visual extensions of the bedroom.
Everyone knows I’m a big fan of crisp, white sheets. They just always look so clean and fresh. I’m also big on upholstering the box spring or simply covering it with a deep fitted sheet for a smooth and continuous look. I, for one, also like a bed that’s pretty high off the ground. The height creates a special feel to crawl in and can also give you a better view out the windows. A big bedside table, even in a small space, is to my mind an absolute must. If it has shelves beneath it, it can also serve a multi purpose; so much the better.

There are just so many things you need room for on a bedside table: books, clock, flowers, iPod dock, a good reading light (although I like the lights that attach to wall on swing arms as well.) I’ve recently seen at a recent bed and breakfast a small feminine desk used clearly as a bedside table against the wall, which can double both as a writing desk or bedside table. The drawers can handle personal items. Every room also needs a chair or if space is tight, consider a bench. You can still sit down to put on your shoes and drop a bag. Another great way to delineate a bedroom and create drama is by taking advantage of the verticality of a 4 poster bed and the way it adds romance to the room. Under the bed, I like to use an area rug to fit the space and visually define it. Locate either an inexpensive pre-cut area rug or find a wonderful, luxurious bolt end and ask your carpet store to bind the edges. This will give you a high defined custom look for a very cost effective price.

Nothing is more dated than old window treatments. So, if your room is guilty of this, here are my thoughts... Install new window treatments. I love the selection at Bed Bath and Beyond. Find a nice substantial pole to harmonize with your décor and use it behind either a blackout drape or a blackout blind to create total privacy and that wonderful “we’re all by ourselves” feel. Finally, a must have, some fresh flowers. Even one stem will add a sense of light and life to your décor. One more tip… outfit a small side lamp with a low watt pink bulb and leave that burning for background ambiance. I promise you will never look so good!

SHOW SOME L-O-V-E

The month of love is upon us all…red roses, dark chocolates, and the vibrant color pink fill the store fronts, igniting “love flames” across the globe. Does your heart pound for this hallmark holiday? February is the month to proclaim your love, to connect, express and appreciate your dearest valentine. The sacred 14th of February has long been reserved for you and your sweetie to enjoy one another’s company and dedicate the day for two.

There is no better way to get away from the stresses of life, to turn off the fidgety cell phone, shut down the computer screen, ditch the daily planner and center in on what matters most, the one nearest and dearest to your heart. Valentines Day travel is a great way to ensure a memorable, relaxing and romantic retreat. Venture out for a Valentines Day weekend you will remember for years to come.

With over eight hundred deals for you and your other half, there is no better way to truly express your affection than on an outstanding romantic getaway at a cozy bed and breakfast inn.

Aside from the annual heart day, February is a great month to begin gearing up for the New Year and pulling the house back together in recuperation from the hectic holidays. After taking a much needed “breather” in January, it is now time to buckle down in February and take action for 2010. Color and de-clutter is a great theme for motivation. Freshen up the pantry door, accent the walls and wake up the home with neutral, yet inviting colors such as butter cream or amber, paired with a honey hue to virtually give any room a refreshing and vibrant start. Investing in fun, but useful colored chalkboard paint could not only be enjoyable for the entire family, but also a great way to keep organized and on task with everyday life activities and ever changing agendas.

In over 24 colors, write directly on the paint just as you would a classroom chalkboard! Not only will the kiddies love it, but so will your scattered schedule! Open up those cob webbed closets, line up the room with a bin titled “garbage, “give away”, and “relocate” and get tidy in no time. It may be a good idea to have a support system in the midst of de clutter so you won’t be tempted to re-closet the clutter once again. Be productive and put your game face on, eliminating all excess accessories.

For those color critics, Pantone has officially announced the beautiful turquoise to be the official 2010 color of the year. “Believed to be a protector of deep compassion and healing, the color is also a sign of faith, water and sky.” Turquoise is a feel good color, sure to enrich your spirits and perk up your mood. An inviting, luminous hue, the color of the year is unique and universally flattering. So, next time you’re up for a shopping spree, take note to this tempting turquoise revelation. Speaking of turquoise, I had the recent privilege of setting sail on the shimmery, turquoise waters on a Holland American Cruise this past month. The scenery and magnificent service I highly recommend for anyone in search of a fantastic family friendly cruise!

With Love in February,
Pamela

New Years Resolutions

The New Year has many of us making resolutions and commitments to improve our lives. One of the surest ways to do so is to take care of our home environment, and that can be done on a shoestring! Sometimes, something as simple as taking down the holiday trimmings and pulling out some different décor by looking at the things you already own can make a big difference.

January is a great month to go glamorous. Look around the house for some mirrors or shiny objects. Maybe you have a piece of silver hanging out in the back of the cabinet in need of some polishing. Well get it out! Place it on a mirror and place some candles on top—voila! Instant ambiance!
I’ve been noticing more ad more innkeepers working with botanicals in their décor. January is a great month to bring some branches of forsythia, red bud, plum or apple into your home.

Another way to create instant drama is to put together a beautiful sculptural creation with branches mixed in with a few colorful, long-lasting carnations or astrolomeria placed in perhaps a shiny water pitcher or a big glass, giving you pleasure and color for two to three weeks Citrus is coming into its full season right now.Nothing wakes up a kitchen like the one I visited last week more than an arrangement of brilliant lemons, oranges, and limes displayed on your countertop.January is also a great month for some travel planning and also to take advantage of travel deals.

Find yourself a few free days and you can get a spectacular deal at one of our member B&B’s. Nothing like a change of scene to revitalize ones mood, and for couples, more quality time together is a glorious New Year’ s resolution.


Wish you all the very best of 2010,
Pamela

Delicious Dips & Holiday Cheer

It was a cold night for the North Bay last night when we headed up to Healdsburg in the heart of dry creek and Anderson Valley for the annual fundraising event for Healdsburg library. The theme was wine and food and I was asked to bring an appetizer on behalf of an organization I belong to, Sonoma Culinary Guild. It was my pleasure.
Delicoius Dips

Marie and I showed up sporting Christmas red clothes and an hors d'oeuvre of dipped stuffed peppers, big chubby ones, in red, orange, yellow and green. Against the background of our square white plate and teamed up with all natural crackers in several shapes, this was a visual as well as a flavor hit. One of the dips was made with cream cheese or low fat cream cheese, blue cheese and I used the last portion of quite, strong blue cheese, mashed together, lightened up with some low fat sour cream and then for the final finish, we toasted and chopped some pecans. The whole things blended together in the course of the afternoon and were really a taste sensation.

I think I first had this type of dip in a little in Savannah, GA about twenty years ago..it stuck with me. The next one was a secret dip I learned at the Oaks in Ohio, an Inn/Spa that is noted for its affordable prices and fabulous cuisine. In one class, we learned to take low fat ricotta (non-fat cottage cheese works too) and a few chunks of strongly flavored hard cheese, in this case I used an excellent, ultra sharp New England Cheddar. Throw them together in a food processor and process longer until you would ever believe, until they totally form a dense cream consistency. Then, decant into a refrigerator container and store. Don’t taste until the next day. It’s amazing, but just 20% of the higher fat hard cheese totally permeates the blander ricotta and the whole dip is absolutely yummy and heart healthy.

My final dip was made of yogurt. In this case, a nice whole milk one-still pretty low in calories. Which I spiced up with some finally chopped green onion stems and a handful of finely chopped cilantro or parsley would be good too. Blend that, add some cracked black pepper and pop it in the refrigerator to combine overnight.
Delicious Dips

As you can see, the theme we chose was healthy, which is a lot of people we know New Years Resolution plan, just eat healthier all the time not be doing anything stringent, but by enjoying the delicious flavor of natural foods and cutting out fat calories, especially saturated fat calories by swapping lower cal dairy products. We heard lots of “mmms” and “wow delicious”. Come to think of it, it could be paired with Sonoma County’s finest wines, by Segheio, elevated our hors d'oeuvre quite a bit. What are you serving for holiday parties? We’d love to hear, send us your recipes!

Best to you and yours,

Pamela

The Color Orange

Autumn colors, the leaves turning oh so rapidly, the time is changing and it’s getting darker. To me, that means it’s time to brighten up! A really great way to do so is with the color of the season. Orange, whether pumpkin, azenia, carrot stick or turmeric is a color that spells optimism and energy.

If you love orange, like me, what does it say about you? You’re likely “outgoing, creative, expressive and young at heart,” says Colorstrology author and founder of myinnerworld.com Michelle Berhardt.
Colorstrology $13.57 amazon.com ISBN # 15947440259


I love orange and I love to bring it into rooms, but it can also be tricky if you want it to really be a treat. Generally when using deep pumpkin, or a bright day lily, it goes best in a smaller room and is great for rooms that will be lit at night. It also makes a fabulous accent color. Whether a bright chair or stool in the kitchen, or accent pillows on the sofa. The mellower, more amber shades may be used on larger surfaces with good effect. All oranges pair beautifully with mahogany, deep dark plum, medium dark blue, white, clove, dark woods and my personal favorite, chocolate velvet. The only color to really avoid is black, which except in the tiniest amounts on accessories creates too much of a trick-or-treat atmosphere.

If you’re going to add orange to a bedroom, do so with care, but do it! Perhaps start with a throw, it could be solid or even more fun and ethnic textile, maybe a paisley. I’m also seeing more top of bed and throw pillows with hints of orange. These can really wake up many background shade bedrooms, especially those with wall shades of mossy greens, pinks and “ubiquitous beige-y.” Keep those sheets and other under bedding white to balance this very vibrant hue.


Flowers are another natural way to add shades of fall to your decor, some of the very best looking silk and dried flowers can be found in this vibrant palette. Think field poppies, day lily, chrysanthemums, tithonia, sunflowers, there are so many. Why not mix them up with some taller hat tails, wheat ornamental Chinese pumpkins for a really stand out presentation? I also noticed more lamps and other room accessories in an orange or rust hue. I don’t think you can miss with a rust colored suede leather or velvet side chair. These shades of amber also go well to punch up a blush pink room and give it a little more backbone for winter.

Finally, I passed a house in Napa not too long ago that had a glossy front door in a rich but slightly muted pumpkin shade. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was gourd b1-2 by Dutch Boy. The door looked sensational with brass knocker, brass lamp above and flanked by terracotta pots running riot with greens and white Geranium. What a welcoming entry! I can just imagine it, with seasonal wreaths hung, if one were so inclined. Speaking of pumpkin, don’t miss out on our pumpkin pie recipes, pumpkin muffins and much, much more in the recipe section of

Some Oranges To Preview:

-Clay Red
-Valspar Orange Fruit
-Orange Bead
-Benjamin Moore Mandarin Orange
-Behr Paints Sweet Mandarin
-Glidden Paint Deep Garnet
-Glidden Paint Vibrant Day Lily
- Turmeric- Yarrow SW6669
- Carrot Stick- Crushed Orange 250B-7
- Wild Fire- Orange Bowl 47YR
- Zinnia- Palomino 2011-12
-Pumpkin Seed- Gourd B1-2
-Autumn Orange2156-10
-Autumn Glow 250B-6

Nebraska Travels & Award Winning Recipe!

Just back today from the amazing state of Nebraska where I had the pleasure of addressing the Nebraska Association of Bed and Breakfasts and the 2009 Nebraska travel and tourism conference. I am amazed by the inventiveness that the Nebraskans have shown in developing the tourism industry and increasing lodging and stay-overs in their state. Actually one of the most heavily transited in the United States going back all the way to the Oregon Trail, Pony Express, Union Pacific Railroad, and now Highway 8, which carries over 16,000 travelers over 450 plus miles each year. I had the pleasure of also taking part in the annual Bed and Breakfast recipe contest. Even after reviewing more than 6,000 B&B recipes for our cookbooks, including our latest Cinnamon Morning and Savory Nights, I still get a thrill from a wonderful thrill from a new recipe and this one developed by Yvonne Dalluge from My Blue Heaven B&B in Pawnee City, Nebraska.

UPSIDE-DOWN BANANA-WALNUT FRENCH TOAST
1 ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup butter or margarine, melted
¼ cup corn syrup ½ cup chopped walnuts
3 medium bananas, sliced 1 loaf sliced unfrosted firm cinnamon bread
6 eggs 1 ½ cups milk
1 teas. Vanilla
Spray bottom and sides of 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray of grease with shortening. Gently stir in bananas. Spoon banana mixture into baking dish.
Reserve heels of bread for another use. Arrange 2 loaves of bread on banana mixture, tearing bread to fit if needed.
In medium bowl, beat eggs, milk and vanilla with a wire whish until well mixed. Pour over bread. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.
Heat over to 325. Uncover bread mixture. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve portions upside down, spooning sauce from bottom of dish to cover each serving.
Makes 10 servings.

Best,
-Pamela