New January Blog

For the New Year, I have found an all together fascinating book that has been getting some notable and well deserved attention recently. "At Home" by Bill Bryson is a close examination of his own Victorian house, in which he discovers not just his families history, or the history of the structure, but the entire history of the world. From the Introduction..."...whatever happens in the world - whatever is discovered or created or bitterly fought over - eventually ends up, in one way or another, in your house. Wars, famines, the Industrial Revolution, the Enlightenment - they are all there in your sofas and chests of drawers, tucked into the folds of your curtains, in the downy softness of your pillows, in the paint on your walls and the water in your pipes. So the history of household life isn't just a history of beds and sofas and kitchen stoves, as I had vaguely supposed it would be, but of scurvy and guano and the Eiffel Tower and bedbugs and body-snatching and just about everything else that has ever happened. Houses aren't refuges from history. They are where history ends up."

What a truly wonderful and fresh perspective with which to ring in the New Year! Such an idea, that the very history of ourselves as human beings can be found in the home is especially poignant for bed and breakfast goers, who find rejuvenation and inspiration from their B&B experiences, learning and living in another's home.

Speaking of books, we here at Lanier Publishing are proud to announce our 8th cookbook, to be released in the fall of 2011, called Inn Love: Romantic Recipes to Serve the Ones You Love. We are searching for suitable and delicious recipes to include right now, and would like to call on our members to submit their best and most loved recipes as soon as possible so we can feature it in this year's highly anticipated cookbook. Please email your recipe to Romantic Recipes Submission in order to be included!

Please find below some excellent recipes to kick off 2011. I simply cannot wait for the excitement, inspiration, and surprises that this year has in store!



Rita's Gnocchi

* You will need: 5 large idaho potatoes
* 1 egg
* 8 cups of all purpose flour

In a deep pot of salted boiling water cook 5 large Idaho potatoes in the jacket until just tender. Peel while hot under running water, then put through a ricer immediately into a large bowl. Beat 1 egg and add to potatoes, mix quickly. Add 1/2 cup of flour at a time, slowly beating all ingredients together until you've used all 2 pounds. Roll on a floured board into 1 inch cylinders, then cut into half inch pieces. Flatten slightly with the tines of a fork and allow to dry while salt water comes to a boil in a large pot. Cook until the gnocchi float to the surface. Drain and keep warm, serve with marinara sauce or pesto or 1/2 and 1/2 of each!




Aunt Flora's Lanier's Holiday Salad

* You will need: 1 large gelatin mold
* 1 pkg lime-flavored JELL-O
* 1/2 pkg plain Knox gelatin
* 14 large marshmallows cut into small cubes
* 1 8-oz pkg of cream cheese
* 1 16-oz can grated pineapple, well-drained and cooled
* 1 cup (or so) pecans, finely chopped
* 1 11-oz can Mandarin orange slices
* 1/2 cup Queen Anne cherries, drained and chopped
* 1/2 pint of heavy cream, well-whipped

Chill the JELL-O mold in the refrigerator ahead of time.

Dissolve the Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water. Add the marshmallows and stir until dissolved (will be foamy). Remove from burner and allow to cool. Once cooled, add the cream cheese and stir until completely blended and smooth.

In a separate bowl, combine pineapple, pecans, Mandarin oranges and cherries.

Fold the pineapple mixture into the JELL-O mixture until combined.

Gently fold in the whipped cream and pour into the chilled mold. Refrigerate until well-set.

This salad can be made the day before.

This is pure comfort food; cool, creamy and luscious.

Mary Gean's Corn Bread

* You will need: 1 cup flour
* 1 cup corn meal
* 4 tsp baking powder
* Pinch salt
* 1 egg
* 1 cup whole milk
* 1/3 cup oil

Mix dry, then wet on top of dry, mix all together.

Pour into a hot skillet with touch of oil, cook at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm and always fresh out of the oven.



Finally, we had this sensational cornbread while driving through the Black Hills of New Mexico on the way back from the New Mexico Bed and Breakfast Conference in November (see recipe above). Verbally, Lynn gave us the recipe for their infamous, wondrous, Chipotle Beef brisket. Take a whole brisket well trimmed of fat, salt and pepper both side thoroughly spread one small can, chipotle in adobo sauce, roast at 275 degrees for 12 hours. Tent with aluminum foil (and for my taste, put in some onions that last 4 hours, around the brisket, whole or half).

Best wishes and healthy 2011!

Pamela

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

Eco-Friendly is Inn!

A rising concern for both Innkeepers and homeowners is the eco-friendly trend in every market – whether we are talking about organic food, renewable fuel, industrial business, or yes, hospitality, the big question on everyone’s mind these days is – is it eco-friendly? With the new awareness and efforts to make a smaller impact on the environment, new and exciting options are becoming available for Innkeepers, providing a plethora of opportunities to switch up your inn’s habits and promote a green and eco-friendly atmosphere. With these new tools, innkeepers can not only start (or continue!) promoting an eco-friendly business, but also notice an economical change – the following eco-friendly tips aren’t just good for the environment; they are good for your bank account too!


Even small changes make a big impact on the environment, and one of the best things Innkeepers, and homeowners everywhere, can do is to invest in some CFLs, or compact fluorescent lamps. These cost on average about $2 more than regular bulbs, but while regular bulbs last about 750 hours, CFLs can last up to 10,000! They also use 75% less energy than regular light bulbs, so your energy bill, as well as your conscience, will be a little brighter for this small change. Replacing high use bulbs is most important – like lights in entry ways or the kitchen – but simply keeping CFLs on hand for the next time a light burns out will make this eco friendly switch completely hassle free!

Another important aspect of the hospitality business is water – B&B’s, inns, and hotels all use way more water than the average household, with multiple travelling guests enjoying hot showers daily, keeping up the beautiful gardens and landscape, and not to mention the endless laundry of linens innkeepers keep on top of! All three of these expenses add up quickly – but there are ecological ways of cutting down on water use – without sacrificing any of the amenities or comfort of guests.


Rising in popularity are ultra-low flow shower heads, which have built in aeration that pulls air in from the entire room. This adds to the pressure of the showerhead while using 2 gallons per minute less than regular low flow showerheads, and 6.5 gallons less than traditional showerheads. As far as your garden goes, adding native flowers and plants to your landscape will not only add to your B&B’s charm, but subtract from the amount of watering necessary to bloom and blossom, since its natural environment is already in your backyard!

When it comes to laundry, a great option is getting back to the basics. Small inns may be able to air dry laundry, which help significantly when considering energy use. But if air drying is not an option, whether because of the volume of laundry or climate issues, front loading washers are a great way to save on water. Front loading washer use up to 50% less water than traditional top loaders, which will cut down your water bill quite a bit! And if air drying and a new washer are simply not in the stars for your B&B right now? Cleaning the lint trap on your dryer every time contributes to efficiency, and washing clothes in cold water whenever possible are quick and easy ways to cut into energy usage.

If a guestroom is due for a redecoration, see this as a golden opportunity to utilize some great eco-friendly strategies. Using low- to no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, which won’t emit toxic fumes, is a great way to kick off a room renovation, and products like Farrow & Balls paint offer great eco-friendly options, without sacrificing color or style. When decorating your new room, antiques are the most eco-friendly choice – they are already manufactured and create no new pollution or extra energy to make! Refinishing with some low VOC paint can give new life to an old piece of furniture, while eco friendly fabric, like seersucker, a nostalgic yet classic fabric that doesn’t require ironing, can be a quick way to refresh an old lounge, chair or bedroom.

There are so many great ways for B&Bs, inns, and boutique hotels to embrace the wave of options springing up for those ecologically minded. The obvious benefits to the environment, as well as to your monthly bills, are reason enough. But along with these great rewards go the pride in running a green business, without having to sacrifice any creature comforts or amenities to your family or guests.

West Facing Rooms - Don't Despair!

Indian Summers, golden afternoons, and bright afternoon light from the afternoon sun signifies this time of year for me, and I love it. When I race home and see the sun streaming in it gladdens my heart. These bright beautiful days have a downside, however, and uncomfortable glare from afternoon sun is an important issue when considering comfort, especially in west facing rooms.

A west facing room gets lots of sun, and generally has dramatic shadow lines that feed off of afternoon light. West facing rooms are ideal for using subtle color, and are an especially interesting area in which to use a warm gray or gray white, the “in” color this year. Gray will absorb light and soften hot spots, while still holding some color. A good choice would be Clunch 2009 by Farrow & Ball, which won’t reflect bright light, but combine to add soft warmth to any room. Some bright accent colors will help to compliment the neutral white/gray/beige combination. Another cool color is Benjamin Moore’s Valley Forge Tan AC-35, a darker shade which goes beautifully with light colored accents and upholstery.

One of my favorite color solutions for a west facing room is a soft lilac. This beautiful shade seems to change throughout the day in a west facing room, as it creates a very mellow beige in the morning, while in the evening, as it absorbs more light, can transform into a deep mauve that works to make a room enchanting and delightful for all guests. I recommend using Benjamin Moore, as they have the perfect shade called Misty Lilac 2071-70. Using this in a west facing room, along with a couple of soft lavender or white accents as well as dark wood furniture will make a simply lovely room.

If lilac doesn’t tickle your fancy as far as colors go, another Benjamin Moore gem for west facing rooms will do the trick - Spring Mint 2040-70. This color goes from a gray-blue in the morning to something similar to a robin’s egg tone in the intense evening light. It doesn’t clash with the western light, but works in tandem with it to create a room that simply glows. I love the richness of this color, and that it can be combined with chocolate, light gray and white accents in order to complete the room.

Whatever color you end up choosing for your west facing room, remember that the extra sparkle and light it receives is a blessing. These beautiful colors look best with the intense sunlight your west facing room receives, and your room will shine the most, both with warm sun light and delightful décor, in the evening light!

Best wishes,
Pamela

Island Style Tips

I recently had a perfectly lovely trip to the Galapagos Islands, a place of fantastic natural beauty and unbelievable sights. I had a complete blast island hopping aboard the Ecoventura ship Eric with my teenage daughter, scuba diving among the colorful fish, lounging with the sea lions, and learning all about the archipelago of the Galapagos. The amazing wildlife along with the tropical weather and lush green surroundings were completely inspirational for me, so I thought I'd share some tips on how to bring exotic island life into your B&B through some simple, and some more demanding, decorating.

On the larger scale, if you are painting your B&B and want a little island flare, remember that bright colors are essential, but less is definitely more in this category. You don’t want to be overwhelming, so pair your bright pinks, oranges, teals, and reds with muted neutrals for balance. Remember that light sagey greens, sandy off whites, and warm tans are all reminiscent of the tropics as well as their eye catching counterparts. If you have some nice prints or fabrics in mind, using a crisp sugar white paint color as a background brings a classic island feel to any room.


If you are planning on changing or updating the furniture in your B&B, making an island style choice is actually quite easy! Dark woods, bamboo and any natural pieces will be the start of your island adventure. Take a little time to distress (or even find some vintage!) pieces, or find some bold, detailed furniture with carvings, bright painting or small but colorful accents to inspire the tropics of Jamaica or the Bahamas.

Fabrics are my personal favorite way of creating a relaxing island feel to a room, and definitely one of the easiest. A tip to getting the island style right with fabrics: repeat a single bright and tropical fabric on several surfaces in a room to create connectivity and balance. A bedspread, pillow, and small table cloth or cover are a perfect combination. And don't be afraid to look beyond simple palm tree prints or tropical flowers – bright stripes, bamboo styles, or eye catching solids with accents can be just as refreshing and stylish!


Finally, one of the most important features of decorating that is often over looked, lighting! The tropics are light, bright and full of natural sunshine, so make sure your room mimics this feel with sheer, breezy window treatments. Classic white shutters are great island accents, especially if you go with the white sugar paint on your walls. Keeping your bright colors well lit is essential to completing your island paradise right in your B&B.



Even the smallest accents can help your B&B feel tropical and exotic during the summer, allowing your guests (and you, of course!) to relax and enjoy the island lifestyle.

Best,
Pamela

Summer Travel Tips

I love July, mostly because it means summer is in full swing, the weather is warm and delightful, and traveling in earnest can begin! A lot of people wait to have their vacation during the temperate summer months, so you might feel a little rusty after the long winter at home. But this doesn't mean you have to make all the mistakes to remember the best ways to travel this summer, you can just refresh your memory with some travel tips from J&P Voelkel, renowned adventure travel authors, and myself.

One of the first tips on a comprehensive list you can find in our article archive is ”Bring more bug spray, itch soother and sunscreen than you think you'll need - it can be hard to find and expensive.” This is especially important for summer trips – a fun getaway can turn ugly from simply a nasty sunburn or mosquito attack! One of my favorite home remedies for mosquitoes is using the original amber Listerine (no mint or orange – the sweetener in these will attract bites!). Putting it in a little squirt bottle will work perfectly as an emergency back up on your summer getaway.

Along the same vein, J&P caution to “Never, never underestimate the power of the tropical sun. Stay out of the sun in the middle of the day, bring hats and rash guards and extra t-shirts for swimming.” What wonderful advice for the summer heat we've been enjoying! Whether you actually get to take a tropical sojourn this summer (lucky you!) or will perhaps be enjoying the beaches of local destinations like California or Florida, being really careful of the sun will definitely add to the enjoyment of your summer getaway. I personally love this time of year, when I can break out my floppy hats and sun dresses to fully enjoy the sunshine!

If you are taking your kids along for a family vacation this summer, J&P give the practical advice - “Set yourself a low bar. Expect to cover a lot less ground when you travel with children. Pick out your must-sees ahead of time and regard everything else as a bonus.”

Prioritizing is a must when traveling with kids, but I also believe this can be immensely helpful on any trip. Discussing beforehand the importance of each destination and attraction will make the days spent on vacation relaxing and worry free, allowing for total enjoyment during your summer vacation.
Finally, J&P Voelkel leave us with one last tip for the summer - “Don't stand under a tree with howler monkeys in it.” No argument from me!

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