Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast~Bellaire, Michigan

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

2012-03-02T09:24:00.002-05:00

My Favorite Little character!!

Summer Vacation Planning-Stay longer special

2012-03-01T16:55:00.000-05:00

Dreaming of summer?? Planning a summer vacation getaway? The Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast is the perfect home away from home! We are just minutes from a number of beautiful lakes, golf courses, Mackinac Island and the Sleeping Bear Dunes! Enjoy our wonderful wrap around porch...perfect for an evening cocktail and our home baked desserts! Home cooked breakfasts feature local ingredients from the many awesome farmer markets in the area~even the eggs are local (from our own girls)! We are offering our Stay Longer special....book 3 or more nights and get $20.00 off each nights rate! This is an annual favorite with our guests~so don't delay, book today!! Check out our website for more details...and availability! Applesauceinn.com

Wordless Wednesday-Remodeling

2012-02-09T09:47:00.000-05:00

Richardson Room before remodel start

Before remodel start

Say good bye to the Yellow

Lots of sanding to do

Another off-season project brought to you by the Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast! The Richardson room (soon to be renamed) will be a beauty when it is finished! Check back for more progress pics!!

Website Article featuring Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast

2012-01-31T08:28:00.000-05:00


Spring time beauty!!

Read our feature on the daily magazine website of the Awesome Mitten! This website is dedicated to promoting all that is great about Michigan!!

"As soon as a guest walks through the doors at Applesauce Inn, huge amounts of Northern Michigan hospitality is offered at the beautiful bed and breakfast just outside of Bellaire, Michigan. Jamie Creason (Innkeeper) and her husband Gary just took over the Inn a little more than a year ago from another family. “It is a different way to stay, a better way to stay,” Jamie said. Jamie describes the guest experience at a bed a breakfast as a much more comfortable, and inviting way to getaway." read more.....

It was so much fun being "interviewed"....I have never had that experience before!

Jamie~your Innkeeper

Happy 175th Birthday Michigan

2012-01-26T08:15:00.000-05:00

Old Mission Light

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Loon on Lake Bellaire

Frozen Mighty Mac

Trail on Lake Skegemog

Fall on Lake Michigan

Just a few of the many reasons why we are here in the beautiful state!! Happy Birthday Michigan from the Applesauce Inn B&B!!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T14:06:00.000-05:00

Don't forget your sweetie this Valentine's Day!! Check out our romance packages~celebrate every weekend in February at the Applesauce Inn B&B!!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T15:40:00.000-05:00

Take A Stand....click here and sign the petition!!

Wordless Wednesday-waiting for the snow

2012-01-11T13:55:00.000-05:00

The girls and Mr. Big enjoying the mild temps before the snow comes tonight!!

2012-01-06T07:28:00.000-05:00

Come and Dream with us!!!

Welcome to the new year!!! The Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast is starting it out right with some awesome special room rates!! January rates are only $99.00 a night....February Sweetheart Package is up on the Applesauce Inn website and we also have wonderful mid-week rates for February! Be sure to book early~
The snow has arrived, the slopes are full of skiers, the "sleds" are out and the snowshoe trails are groomed! All the more reason to get up north!! Enjoy our warm and cozy B&B, hearty homemade breakfasts and yummy evening desserts!
We look forward to welcoming you into our home!
Jamie~your Innkeeper

As the New Year approaches

2011-12-29T08:34:00.000-05:00

Wishing I had a few "Elves" to help get ready for a full house of guests this last weekend of the year here at the Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast!! I feel like the little elf on the right~worn out from the Christmas holiday rush of baking, shopping and traveling! Looking forward to welcoming folks for the weekend, I have champagne and noise makers ready for the New Year's Eve fireworks show on Summit Mountain at Shanty Creek (we can see the fireworks from our front porch), yummy breakfast menus planned and more cookies and desserts to make!!
I would like to wish everyone a wonderful New Year filled with precious memories and many blessings! I look forward to welcoming you into our home this coming year!

Jamie~your Innkeeper

Italian Christmas Bread Pudding

2011-12-27T07:07:00.000-05:00

Panettone~Italian Christmas Bread

At the Applesauce Inn B&B, I love to use Panettone in my breakfast bread pudding! Panettone is very similar to Brioche~very moist and packed with flavor! I always prepare the dish the night before, which allows for it to absorb all the yummy orange flavor!

Italian Christmas Bread Pudding

1 (12 ounce) panettone, cubed
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
1 pinch salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
2 tablespoons white sugar
Sauce:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur
3 tablespoons water
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Directions

Arrange the panettone bread cubes to fit compactly into a buttered 2 quart casserole dish. Do not compress too tightly; set aside any leftover bread cubes.
Whisk together 3 eggs and 1/2 cup sugar until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture becomes light yellow in color. Pour in the cream, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon orange liqueur; whisk to combine. Stir in 1 pinch salt, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, lemon zest, and orange zest. Pour this mixture over the panettone cubes in the casserole dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Remove the bread from the refrigerator, uncover, and dot the top of the bread pudding with 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of white sugar.
Just before serving, make the sauce by melting 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup orange liqueur, 3 tablespoons water, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Stir and heat over medium heat until the sugar is fully dissolved and the liquid is heated through. Remove from heat.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk 1 egg until well beaten. While whisking the egg, slowly pour 2 tablespoons of the hot mixture into the bowl with the egg. Then, while whisking mixture vigorously, slowly pour the warmed egg mixture back into the sauce.
Place the saucepan back over low heat, gently stirring the sauce and raising the temperature slowly to medium. Continue to stir until the sauce almost reaches a simmer, reducing the heat as necessary if the mixture threatens to boil. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens, 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon over the bread pudding and serve immediately.

Wordless Wednesday~Happy Dog

2011-12-21T09:44:00.000-05:00


Christmas Buster puppy

Merry Christmas! From the Applesauce Inn B&B

The Christmas Holidays are in full swing at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-12-06T11:39:00.000-05:00

Our welcoming Parlor!

Sending you Merry Christmas wishes from the Applesauce Inn B&B! We are dressed up for the season and ready to help put you in the Christmas Spirit!! Join us for our Holiday Open House this Saturday 12/10/11 from 6-9 pm....or come stay for a Holiday getaway! Enjoy all the yummy holiday goodies I bake and the seasonal breakfasts!!

Coffee Santa

Need a great gift idea? How about a getaway gift certificate?? Everyone loves to getaway...and Northern Michigan has so very much to offer!! Our Christmas gift certificates are on special for only the month of December...buy 2 nights and get the 3rd night free! This offer can be used any time in 2012...so even if you are thinking of a Summer getaway...this is the ticket!! Visit our website for more details Applesauce Inn B&B


Merry Vintage Christmas!

We look forward to welcoming you into our home~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Meet the newest Applesauce Inn B&B family member

2011-11-16T08:35:00.000-05:00

Hello~my name is Buster!

This is Buster!! He is a Pit/Mastiff/Shepard and whatever else you want to through in there mix!! He is about year and a half and still all PUPPY!!! He is a rescue from H.A.N.D.D.S out of Traverse City! We are working with him daily to get him used to being around the B&B! He is a beautiful fellow! Very gentle personality...but he thinks he is smaller than he really is! Our 2 kid cats~ Boo and Angel are adjusting slowly....Boo is eating Buster's food and both kids are drinking out of his water dish :) But my little Angel is still terrified....again we are working on that!
We have so many awesome changes happening here at the B&B...the Holidays are approaching....baking and decorating start in 2 weeks!! So be sure to come and see us soon!!

Jamie~your Innkeeper

Happy Halloween from the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-10-31T07:06:00.000-04:00

The Applesauce Inn B&B want to wish you the happiest of Halloweens!! Lots of tricks and plenty of treats I hope!!

Fall is just about over here~and the Holidays are right around the corner! Be sure to plan your pre-holiday getaway early! We have great mid-week and special rates for the month of November and a book 1 night get the 2nd night half off special for December! Gift Certificates make great Christmas gifts.....so be sure to call me and order yours today! Check out our website for the all the special details!! Applesauce Inn B&B

Jamie~your Innkeeper

Christmas at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-10-24T09:53:00.000-04:00


Christmas 2010

Where did the summer go? Halloween is next week...and Thanksgiving is right around the corner!! So hard to believe!! But now is the time to start planning your Holiday getaways....and Holiday shopping! Come up to the Applesauce Inn B&B and enjoy and old fashioned Christmas featuring Vintage Holiday decor, trees in each room and of course wonderful home made Holiday treats! Our rooms are super comfy, fireplaces warm and inviting, and don't forget our awesome breakfasts!!! Come up and start your Holidays here!!

Vintage glass ornaments

There is so much to do while you are here.... skiing at Shanty Creek which is just down the road from us! Winter Sleigh rides and snowmobiling and some of the best cross country ski trails
in the state are right here!! Don't forget we are also just minutes away from downtown Bellaire....and it great shops and awesome restaurants like Short's Brewing Company and Lulu's!!

Does Santa need some help this year with picking out that perfect gift? How about a Getaway Gift Certificate! You can purchase any dollar amount, the recipient can use it at any time...and they never expire!

Check out the Applesauce Inn B&B December special....buy 1 night get the 2nd night 1/2 off! Great for your comfy cozy Holiday getaway!!

Look forward to meeting you soon~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Pumpkin Mini loaves with Cinnamon Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

2011-10-14T18:07:00.000-04:00


Perfect evening dessert~

Made my very special pumpkin bread today for my guests evening dessert! The Inn smells wonderful, warm and spicy! Here is my recipe!

3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 16-ounce can solid pack pumpkin
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9x5x3-inch loaf pans. (I use the mini loaf pans-recipe makes 12-14) Beat sugar and oil in large bowl to blend. Mix in eggs and pumpkin. Sift flour, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, salt and baking powder into another large bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture in 2 additions.

Divide batter equally between prepared pans. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, 35-45 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Using sharp knife, cut around edge of loaves. Turn loaves out onto racks and cool completely.

Cinnamon Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick butter (room temp)
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
1-2 teaspoons vanilla
2-3 cups powdered sugar

In bowl of mixer blend butter and cream cheese medium speed until very smooth, scrape down sides. Add cinnamon and ginger and continue to blend. Once blended add your vanilla. Slowly add powdered and mix until you get your desired consistency. I usually only use 2 cups.


Little Pumpkin soldiers lined up for the guests!

Happy Fall one and all! Hope you will join us soon here at the Applesauce Inn B&B~

Jamie~your Innkeeper

Fall Color Tour-Old Mission Peninsula Style

2011-10-12T07:03:00.000-04:00

Center Road Farm Market

Nothing is more beautiful than Fall~and no where is more beautiful to experience Fall than the Old Mission Peninsula in Northwestern Michigan! The Old Mission Peninsula is doted with farm stands, lovely old farmhouses, rolling hills and best of all WINERIES!!! This region is gaining national exposure and acceptance for it's award winning Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gewürztraminer, sparkling varieties and the prestigious ice wines.

Old Mission Lighthouse

I was able to sneak away from the Applesauce Inn B&B last week while my Mom and Dad visited and we spent the day along the 19 mile drive from Traverse City to the very tip of the peninsula where the Old Mission Lighthouse is. It was a gorgeous day, and you could see forever......

Old Mission Point looking towards Lake Michigan

The Fall color was just starting to pop....and from I am told...it is in full swing this week! Don't miss it!!
Hope you will be inspired to come up North Michigan and enjoy all that this beautiful state has to offer!! We have plenty of room at the Applesauce Inn B&B~so come join us~~

Jamie~your Innkeeper

Great write up about the Old Mission Peninsula in the New York Post!!!

2011-09-27T09:20:00.000-04:00

Grapes on the Old Mission Peninsula

Mission accomplished

A little-known Michigan wine country goes big (and why to visit now)

By NICOLE RUPERSBURG

Be a Queen for the Day-Saturday November 12th in Downtown Bellaire

2011-09-22T14:07:00.000-04:00

Champagne when you arrive

Yummy bath items await you in the Grantz room

Be QUEEN for the Day~ Saturday November 12th!
Book any room both Friday and Saturday November 11 and 12th for only $175.00!
While the guys are out hunting~come up to the Applesauce Inn B&B for the weekend! You will enjoy a complimentary bottle of Champagne when you arrive! And we are teaming up with all the shops in downtown Bellaire for a very special "Spoil yourself Saturday!" All the shops will have specials and events going on from 10 am - 9pm. At Sassy Sunflower, you can enjoy a complimentary makeover by Aimee Crepeau, professional make-up artist who has done the Oscars, Oprah, Sigorney Weaver and many others! At Sassafras~you will find whimsical fun holiday gift ideas, yummy food items and other surprises along the way! At Uniquely North~gifts can be found that will remind you of why you love to Come Up North!
After your busy day of pampering, shopping and eating....you can come home the warm and cozy Applesauce Inn B&B. Enjoy your evening dessert in front of the fireplace in the parlor and just relax! Sunday morning will greet you with champagne mimosas and a hearty home cooked breakfast featuring yummy home baked muffins!
So round up the girls~and have your "dear" getaway weekend!

Fall Applesauce Inn B&B breakfast recipe #1-Pumpkin Ricotta Pancakes

2011-09-14T18:10:00.000-04:00

Fall is right around the corner~today's weather certainly reminded me of that! There are many trees already starting to change colors~so it is time to think about our Fall/Winter Applesauce Inn B&B breakfast menu!

I love anything with Pumpkin and I have just recently found how amazing light pancakes made with ricotta are~so here is the perfect combo! We will start serving these yummy seasonal pancakes this weekend to our house-full of guests! In the coming weeks I will update the blog with additional new Fall recipes! Be sure to visit our website to book your room now for the Fall Color Tour getaways.....we are booking up almost a quickly as the leaves are changing!

Pumpkin and ricotta pancakes

Ingredients
1 ¼ cups unbleached all purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 hefty pinch of nutmeg
1 pinch cardamom
¼ teaspoon powdered ginger
2 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk (or regular milk plus some heavy cream)
½ cup fresh ricotta
¾ cup canned pumpkin puree
4 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Directions
Whisk the dry ingredients in large bowl to blend. Whisk milk, pumpkin, egg yolks, melted butter and vanilla in medium bowl to blend well. Add pumpkin mixture to dry ingredients; whisk just until smooth (batter will be thick). Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in another medium bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into batter in 2 additions. Grease a large non-stick skillet and place over medium heat. Working in batches, pour batter by 1/3 cupfuls into skillet. Cook until bubbles form on surface of pancakes and bottoms are brown, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing the skillet between batches.

Hope to see you soon at the Inn~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

We will never forget!!! God Bless America~

2011-09-11T11:47:00.000-04:00

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the friends and families that lives were forever changed on 9/11/2001. May God keep you and bless you!! God Bless AMERICA!!!

Some things should NEVER change~like love for your fellow man, and love for your country!

Peace~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Traverse City Cherry and Almond Granola~Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-09-03T18:37:00.000-04:00

I serve this granola at the Applesauce B&B with organic yogurt and honey from a friend's local beehive!! It is to die for!!!

Ingredients

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup water
3 cups rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped almonds
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
3/4 Traverse City tart cherries
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat an oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Cover a 10x15 inch pan with wax paper.
Mix brown sugar and water in a microwave safe bowl. Cook in microwave to dissolve the sugar, about 1 minute. Combine oats, salt, walnuts, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in sugar mixture, honey, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Pour mixture onto the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Create clusters by squeezing small handfuls of the oat mixture together.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and gently stir granola using a spoon. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes. The granola will be slightly browned and will continue to harden as they cool.

Our very 1st egg here at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-08-23T06:52:00.000-04:00


The Golden Egg!

After months of taking great care to make sure that my ladies were well fed, warm and not bored....we finally have our very 1st egg here at the Applesauce Inn B&B!! Hopefully soon our guests will be enjoying backyard fresh eggs! I wish I knew which of my little ladies was the 1st...I know it is one of my Issa Browns...and my thought my be that it was Sandee...but I am not completely sure! I was very excited to find this little gem laying in a corner of the chicken coop. They are not using the nesting boxes though...they prefer to sleep in them versus laying in them.

2 of my Issa Browns

Hope to meet you soon at the B&B!!
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Guest photographer at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-08-19T16:27:00.000-04:00


By the light of the Moon.

Our guests Ray and Lori Clossen stayed with us for a few days last week! They brought both their bikes and their kayaks, and were not disappointed! Day 1 was bike ride day~and boy did they ride!! This is a great area for bike riding...awesome hills and gorgeous scenery, little towns like Alden and Bellaire to stop in along the way, grab a bite to eat or just enjoy the lakeviews! Day 2 was photo day! Ray brought his digital camera (nice set up) and his tri-pod and he set it up on our wrap around porch! The photos he sent me are amazing! And I wanted to share them here! We have hummingbird feeders set up in different areas around the porch, and they are quite active! I have to fill up the feeders once a day! The little hummers are getting all fattened up for their journey south this fall!

Ray also took some great shots of my rooster Mr. Big!! Isn't he a handsome guy? Noisy...but what a looker!! His breed is called Barred Rock....and the markings are beautiful!

The lady to the left is Baby! She was one of my little runts....took forever to grow...got into everything and was always the 1st little chick to come over to me! She is super sweet, makes little gurgling sounds when I come around now!!

Day 3 for the Clossen's was kayaking day...the weather was PERFECT..they chose the Jordan River and said they had a blast! What a busy 3 day getaway they had!

We look forward to meeting you and sharing your stories too! Check out our website for awesome links and information to help you plan your getaway! Fall is coming, the best weather of the year, and NO crowds! Give us a call!!
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Zucchini muffins with Traverse City Cherries~Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-08-15T09:20:00.000-04:00

I am serving these today with breakfast here at the Applesauce Inn B&B....zucchini is in abundance right now, the cherries add a nice texture and a little zing!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/2 cup Traverse City Tart cherries
1/4 cup brown sugar for top of muffins (optional)

Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini and cherries. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full, top with brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

Putting up Pickles~Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-08-09T16:11:00.000-04:00

There is just something special about putting away summer veggies!! I love to open the cupboard, and take down a jar of tomato sauce or pickles or jam that I have made myself! It is very rewarding! Today I was able to can a few jars of dill pickles! Unfortunately most of my pickles in the garden at the Applesauce Inn B&B didn't far well this year...I only got a handful...but one of Gary's co-workers brought in a big bag full for me to have! Very excited! I had just enough to can for myself~Gary is not a pickle kind of guy!! Next I am hoping to make some tomato sauce, and some of my basil pesto to put away!
There is an awesome song from folk singer Greg Brown called Canned Goods... here is the link Canned Goods His Grandma put summer in a jar!!! Song brings a tear to my eye everytime!!

Fall is coming...you can already tell by the slow movement of the sun in the west....means color will soon be adorning the trees up north!! It also means an abundance of produce..and more opportunities to put summer in a jar!!
Won't you join me here at the B&B...we have a great special for Fall on our website...check it out
Applesauce Inn Website

See you soon~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Fall Color will soon grace the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-08-03T09:47:00.000-04:00

Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons here in Michigan! The colors, the warm days and cool evenings, the smells, the farm fresh produce! So much to see and do!! The Michigan back roads are the best this time of year~old barns framed by woods painted with the warm hues of fall!
We are already booking up for the September~October color season....we have a great Fall special going on right now....book any room, any 2 nights and receive $25.00 off each nights rates! Fall breakfasts will feature local farm fresh produce (and hopefully some of our farm eggs), evening desserts will remind you of how Grandma used to bake!! Apple pie.....fruit tarts and cobblers...yum!!!
So be sure to book early and don't miss out on this gorgeous time of year!

Look forward to seeing you soon!Jamie~your Innkeeper

Come up and meet Big Mama at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-07-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

"BIG MAMA"

This is a story about a hen, who was bought as a layer hen, but turns out she is a he!! I had ordered 15 pullets, and all along thought that is what I got. As time went by, Big Mama just kept getting bigger...hence the name! But then the beautiful red comb started to show, and then....she/he started to greet the sun each and every morning with her/his attempt at crowing....it started off pretty weak at first...but now he is getting his lungs and the hang of it! He also will continuously crow until he and his girls are let out of there run in the morning!! Big Mama is a Barred Rock...and he is gorgeous!

Gary also has a new girlfriend.....this is Blondie...and she just adores him! She follows him around, pecks at his martini glass begging for olives and as you can see, will let him hold her! Each of our girls have very distinct personalities....our Reds (Rhode Islands) have gotten very smart and know that when I bring them treats, it usually means they have to go back into their run...so they split and hide from me!!

All of our guests just love to watch the chickens run around in the mornings while they enjoy their coffee or tea on the wrap around porch! Loads of pics have been taken of my ladies/gent...they make our home even more enjoyable!
So make sure to think about the Applesauce Inn B&B when you are planning your up North Getaway! Fall Color will soon be here...and we have an awesome color vacation package available on our website! Be sure to book early....Fall is fleeting....
See you soon~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

Mexican Strawberry Water (Agua de Fresa)~ Cool water recipe from the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-07-18T07:13:00.000-04:00

I serve this refreshing water here at the Applesauce Inn B&B for both breakfast and with the afternoon Iced Tea~ (I usually omit the sugar, just let the juicy strawberries give all the flavor)

4 cup

strawberries (sliced)

1 cup sugar

8 cup cold water

1 Lime

8 sprigs fresh mint (optional)

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together sliced strawberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Remove the strawberry mixture from the refrigerator and pour into a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour the blended berry mixture through a wire mesh strainer set over a large mixing bowl; discard the pulp and seeds.
Add the remaining 7 cups cold water to the pureed strawberries and mix well. Place the Aqua de Fresa in the refrigerator to chill for several hours or pour over ice and serve immediately. Garnish with lime slices or mint leaves.

Today's elegant quiche breakfast recipe from the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-07-11T09:24:00.000-04:00

Made this for our guests this morning! Quite the hit.....added Michigan asparagus, sweet peppers and sun-dried tomatoes!

Quiche in Prosciutto Cups

4 slices prosciutto, fat trimmed, halved
2 egg whites
1 whole egg
3 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped black olives
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

print a shopping list for this recipe

Preparation

Heat oven to 400°F. Coat a mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Press 1 piece prosciutto into each of 8 cups. Whisk egg whites and whole egg until smooth. Whisk in yogurt, olives, rosemary, salt and pepper. Divide mixture among cups. Bake, uncovered, until quiches are cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes. Garnish with rosemary.

Summer Time at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-07-08T18:26:00.000-04:00


Our Kid Cats~enjoying their chairs in the shade

View from our wrap around porch!

"Summertime....and the living is easy"......channel Janis Joplin for a moment!! We have finally gotten the weather we are supposed to have this time of year! Sunny, warm, but not too warm, gentle breezes keeping the bugs away...pretty darn near PERFECT!!! The Michigan back roads are full of farm markets, and they are brimming with fresh strawberries, and the yummy sweet cherries right now! The sour/tart cherries are due around July 18th!

The skies have been so beautiful...little fluffy pink clouds in the mornings, and big white puffs mid afternoon!


Happy Independence Day!

We had a gorgeous 4th of July weekend!! Even the B&B got all decked out! I just love the old style banners on the wrap around porch! Something I always wanted...and am now blessed to have! My sis & her boyfriend came up and spent the weekend with us. We had a full house, but we were still able to sneak away to Elk Rapids for the day...and came back for a yummy BBQ! We were able to watch fireworks right from our front porch...courtesy of Shanty Creek! Great weekend!
We still have some wonderful weather weekends coming up (along with mid-week) so make your reservations soon! We are filling up fast! There is so much to do up North....Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, Grass River Natural Area....rent a boat and hit Lake Bellaire and Torch Lake! Give us a call and we can help you plan your summer getaway! Don't let summer slip away!

Ready to roast some marshmallows!

We look forward to hearing from you~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Today's Recipe-Berry Yogurt Crunch Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-07-05T09:50:00.000-04:00

This is Berry Yogurt Crunch is perfect with all of the fresh fruit now starting to show up in the markets!

Ingredients

3 cups plain low-fat yogurt
1 (1.5 ounce) envelope instant sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
2 cups blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries, mixed
3/4 cup wheat and barley nugget cereal (e.g. Grape-Nuts™)
1 cup blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries, mixed
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sweetened whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Directions

Combine the yogurt and pudding mix in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of the mixed berries and the cereal until blended. Pour the yogurt and berry mixture into a 9 inch pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate 2 hours.
Meanwhile, place the remaining 1 cup of berries in a medium bowl and slightly mash with a fork. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Set mixture aside at room temperature.
Spoon chilled berry-yogurt mixture into serving dishes. Top with a spoonful of mashed berries, and whipped cream, if desired.

Summer Mid-week special Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-06-28T15:16:00.000-04:00

Paris Chic~Richardson Room

Can you get away during the week? For only $95.00 per night Sunday-Thursday, this is the perfect deal for you to take advantage of and come up North and enjoy all that Northern Michigan has to offer for the summer months! Our 2nd floor Richardson Room features a lovely vintage shabby chic decor with a nod to Paris! This room does not have it's own bath, you will share the bath a few steps down the hall with only the Innkeepers! The beautiful bath features a vintage 1913 cast iron claw foot bath tub, plenty of bath bubbles and salts on hand to enjoy a nice hot bath! Most folks won't be hanging around the room anyway...so much to do here...take advantage of this deal today!!! You will still enjoy our wonderful hearty home cooked breakfasts, evening dessert and wine tasting, our wonderful wrap around porch with country views...the list goes on! Come on up...the Michigan Back roads are waiting for you!!

You can visit our website for more details Applesauce Inn B&B or you can check availability and book now Check Availability !

We look forward to seeing you soon!
Gary & Jamie~ Your Innkeepers

New Antique Shop crush! Another Applesauce Inn B&B day trip

2011-06-27T16:06:00.000-04:00

Elk Rapids Antique Warehouse

I took a few hours out for myself last Friday and headed over to Elk Rapids, which is one of my favorite little local towns! This little hamlet is right on the shores of the East Traverse Bay! The views are amazing along it's beach coast! Elk Rapids is only about 1/2 hour or so from the Applesauce Inn B&B, so it makes it a perfect Michigan back roads day trip! The downtown is full of cool shops, great restaurants and a wonderful beach all within walking distance! You can park once, shop for hours, eat and then walk the beach! Beautiful! My newest shop crush is the Elk Rapids Antique Warehouse, which is located just minutes from downtown on Bridge St., and is within walking distance. This is a must stop shop~it is loaded with great vintage finds and antiques! I fell in love with all the Michigan vintage items that they had!! I just need a bigger Inn to house all the goodies I would have loved to bring home with me!

Elk Rapids event and info website

New for dessert at the Applesauce Inn B&B~Rustic Strawberry Tart

2011-06-20T09:24:00.000-04:00

Rustic Strawberry Tart
Adapted from Cooking Light

1 cup all-purpose flour (about 4 1/2 ounces)
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces, divided
3 1/2 tablespoons ice water
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoons corn starch
pinch salt
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 tablespoons raw sugar

To prepare crust, lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 1 cup flour and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl; cut in 3 tablespoons butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3 1/2 tablespoons ice water; stir just until moist. Turn dough out onto a heavily floured surface; knead lightly 5 times. Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Place each dough portion between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; roll each dough portion, still covered, into an 8-inch circle. Chill 20 to 30 minutes (until the plastic wrap peels easily away from the dough).
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the berries, sugar, lemon juice, corn starch and salt. Stir to combine.
Preheat oven to 350°. Uncover dough; place dough circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange half of the strawberries in a pinwheel pattern in one of the dough circles, starting in the middle and forming concentric circles of strawberries, leaving a 2-inch border. Repeat with the second dough circle and remaining berries.
Fold up the edges of the dough circles over the berries, crimping to seal. Lightly brush the pastry with the beaten egg white. Sprinkle the two rounds with the raw sugar.
Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Jamie's Note: You can use any fruit for this, or even cherry tomatoes with cheeses and basil....anything goes!!

Rubber Ducky Festival~Michigan Road Trips Bellaire, MI

2011-06-14T07:12:00.000-04:00

Rubber Ducky Festival

2011 RUBBER DUCKY FESTIVAL

August 18th - August 21nd

BUY YOUR RUBBER DUCKY RACE TICKETS FROM MEMORIAL DAY

until 3pm on Saturday August 20th

Thursday, August 18 - Sidewalk Sales - Merchants - 10am-5pm

Bellaire Library Book Sale - 10am - 4pm

Friday, August 19 - Sidewalk Sales - Merchants - 10am-5pm

Music Downtown 7-9pm Danny Bellenbaum

Saturday, August 20-Sidewalk Sales - Merchants - 10am-5pm

5k Race - Church in the Hills - 9am

Kids Games at "Duckling Park" on Broad St. 10am-2pm

Bouncers & More Inflatables 10am - 5pm

Arts & Crafts Show at Courthouse - 10am - 4pm

Rubber Ducky Parade - Downtown 3:00 pm
Rubber Ducky Parade Application

Rubber Ducky Race - 3:45 pm (approx)

Ducks finish race - approximately - 4:15 pm (approx)

Buffalo Burger Picnic at Masonic Lodge on Stover Rd. 3-7pm

Sunday, August 21- Pancake Breakfast by Bellaire Fire Department

Great Blueberry Muffins~Martha Stewart recipe!

2011-06-11T14:48:00.000-04:00

Blueberry Muffins

Yield Makes 6 large or 12 small muffins

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for tins
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 large egg
2 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 3/4 cups blueberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter large (3 3/4 inches) or small (2 3/4 inches) muffin tins, and set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, egg yolks, and vanilla; mix until well combined. Reduce speed to low; alternate adding reserved flour mixture and milk to mixer, beginning and ending with flour. Remove bowl from mixer; gently fold in berries by hand. Divide batter among muffin tins; sprinkle generously with sugar. Bake until light golden, about 45 minutes for large muffins, about 30 minutes for small muffins. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Remove from pan; transfer to wire rack, and let cool completely.

What a weather fantastic weekend! Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-06-06T16:19:00.000-04:00


Good Morning Sunshine

We had some friends come up and join us for the wonderful weather this past weekend! They towed up their 5th wheel and their boat! It was so awesome to spend some time with them! Saturday we took the boat out on Lake Bellaire...which is 5 minutes from our B&B and saw several Loons (a personal favorite of mine).

Loon on Lake Bellaire

Then we rode through the Grass River Natural Area to Clam Lake where we saw muskrats, small mouth bass, rock bass and many birds! We saw a Bald Eagle and an Osprey! This area is just teaming with wild life! Gary and I got our fishing licenses....now we want a boat! Maybe this coming weekend we will find one (fingers crossed).

Grass River


Grass River

Grass River connect Lake Bellaire to Clam Lake which connects to Torch Lake! This lovely area is known as the "Chain of Lakes".....and it is just beautiful! On Clam Lake you can pull your boat right up to the Dockside Restaurant....get out and eat...get back in your boat and enjoy the sunset on Torch Lake! The Applesauce Inn B&B has ample parking for your boat...so be sure to bring it up with you!

The family!

We had such a wonderful time playing tourists with our friends! We hope you will come up and enjoy what this area has to offer! I have tons of links and information on our website that will help you plan out your vacation..please stop by! Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast

We look forward to meeting you soon~
Gary & Jamie~your Innkeepers

Make your Anniversary Special this year! Celebrate with the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-06-02T07:34:00.000-04:00

2 Night special package $275.00.
Make your Anniversary special this year! Our special romantic package can help you do just that! Book either the Grantz or Daniels rooms for any 2 nights and you will receive a complimentary bottle of Champagne or Sparkling wine (your choice), a lovely box of chocolates and fresh flowers in your room when you arrive! You will still enjoy all the other guest goodies that we always offer! Northern Michigan has so much to offer...what a wonderful way to relax and rekindle!!
Call us here at the Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast if you have any questions....we can also do additional add-on packages for you! Applesauce Inn B&B Special Package

We look forward to meeting you!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Traverse City Wine & Art Festival Saturday August 20th 3-10PM

2011-05-27T16:02:00.000-04:00

The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival returns to the Village at Grand Traverse Commons on Saturday, August 20, 2011 from 3-10 PM.
The festival is a landmark celebration of the wine, food and culture of Michigan’s wine coast, featuring wines from the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula, Old Mission Peninsula and Traverse City along with a selection of Traverse City and Leelanau restaurants serving food & desserts. The 2011 festival is our third annual and will once again showcase innovative music & performance and original artwork from dozens of regional artists.

Another fabulous not to be missed festival! Check out our website for room availability! Book early...we will fill up quickly for this! Applesauce Inn B&B is only 1/2 from Traverse City...we can be your home base...for all your backroad Michigan adventures!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Special Grass River Area Benefit Concert-

2011-05-25T13:09:00.000-04:00

Switchback Concert and Dance—Sponsored by Short’s Brewery

Friday, July 1—7:30 pm
Alden Depot Park.
The popular Celtic/Folk Rock group Switchback will perform country, blues, Cajun and Celtic music off of their 12 popular albums along with a mix of classics from the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and The Band. Proceeds from the concert will benefit educational programming at the Grass River Natural Area. Several varieties of Short’s beer will be served. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased online or by callling the office at 231-533-8314.

Fabulous event! We will not miss this and you shouldn't either! Proceeds go for a great cause!
Visit the Applesauce Inn B&B website for a special Richardson Room package...which includes tickets to the event, 2 night stay Friday July 1st & Saturday July 2nd!

We look forward to seeing you there!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Gorgeous Sunday Afternoon in Charlevoix

2011-05-24T12:10:00.000-04:00

Beaver Island Ferry Emerald Isle

This last Sunday...after our guests left, Gary and I headed up north to the lovely resort town of Charlevoix which is just about a 1/2 hour from the Applesauce Inn B&B. It was an absolutely beautiful Michigan day!! The clouds were full of drama, and it so warm and wonderful! We had lunch at one of our favorite spots (Whitney's Oyster Bar) right on the main street. And then we walked it off by going to the pier and checking out the Beaver Island Ferry arriving! An amazing day! We had a great time and just enjoyed playing tourists!!!


Emerald Isle going through the drawbridge!

Looking North up towards Petosky!


Drama clouds!

This is just another awesome day trip on the backroads of Michigan that you can experience for yourself while using the Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast as your home base! Check out our website, which is full of links of wonderful places to visit! Applesauce Inn is quickly booking up for the summer, so don't hesitate!

We look forward to meeting you soon!
Gary & Jamie~your Innkeepers

The Cherry Blossoms are starting here in Northern Michigan-Cherry Pie recipe

2011-05-19T18:48:00.000-04:00

Mother's Cherry Pie

from the King Orchards website Great local Farm Market just up the road from the Applesauce Inn B&B in Central Lake

Ingredients:

4 cups tart cherries
1 cup sugar
Dash salt
3 tbsp. Corn starch
3/4 cup cherry juice

1/4 tsp. Lemon or almond extract
1/4 tsp. Red food coloring
2 tbsp. Butter
Crust for two crust pie

Directions:

Mix 1/4 cup sugar, salt and corn starch
Add 1/4 cup cherry juice to make a paste
In a saucepan, mix 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup cherry juice and bring to a boil. While boiling, slowly add corn starch mixture.
Stir constantly, and cook until thick and clear
Fold in the cherries and add lemon or almond extract, food coloring and butter.
Pour into pie crust, cover with top crust and bake at 375 degrees for one hour.

Once of a lifetime raffle~Mackinac Bridge Tower Tour

2011-05-18T10:01:00.000-04:00

Win a Big Mac Tower Tour (for two) and go to the top of the Mackinac Bridge

The Bellaire Rotary Club is conducting a raffle for a prize of a lifetime: the Big Mac Tower Tour. It features a ride to the top of one of the towers, 552 feet above the water, to an outside platform. Only 25 of these tour certificates are awarded yearly, and only to nonprofit organizations such as the Bellaire Rotary Club. As Susan Ager, Detroit Free Press Columnist noted it is like being “Atop of Michigan, Atop the World”. Purchase tickets from Bellaire Rotarians and at various local events before the drawing on July 4^th at our sidewalk booth in Central Lake at approximately 1:00 pm.

Raffle Tickets: $5.00 each or 5 for $20
Bellaire Rotary Club Raffle for Good Works
Winning ticket allows two persons to visit the top of the Mackinac Bridge.
You can’t buy this- only a limited number of tour passes are awarded yearly for charitable fundraising.
Certain Bridge Authority safety restrictions may apply.
All Proceeds to Antrim County Charities
Need Not be Present to Win
Drawing about 1:00 pm, sidewalk booth, Central Lake, MI, July 4, 2011
Bellaire Rotary Club - License R11786 - Box 923 - Bellaire, MI 49615

I am a Bellaire Rotarian so give me a call at the Applesauce Inn B&B if you would like to purchase Raffle Tickets! 231-533-6448

Jamie~Your Innkeeper

Parkside Arts Council~ Antrim Artists Studio Tour July 17th, 2011

2011-05-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

What a great opportunity this is! Come and meet artists, in their own work environment, check out the behind the scenes action, talk to them about their art~and visit some of the most beautiful countryside in Michigan! Gary and I are thrilled to be a part of the studio tour this year! The Applesauce Inn B&B gallery/studio will be open, so come and join us!

Visit all the artist studios during the day or choose the ones that interest you. A chance to visit working artists’ studios in Antrim County, to chat with the artists and view their works and their working spaces at your leisure on Sunday, July 17, 10 am to 4 pm.

Tickets are $8.00 for Parkside members and $10.00 for non-members. Tickets are available at the artists studios on the day of the tour or in advance from PAC Corresponding Secretary, Elizabeth Balestrieri. Phone: 231-533-6240 or 231-377-7521. For more detail, or to purchase tickets online visit the Parkside Arts Council website

ARTISTS Who will be participating!!

1. Chad Pastotnik, Printmaker, Mancelona
2. Jeff Krino, Mixed Media, Bellaire
3. Kate Hetzel, Glass Art, Bellaire
4. Jamie Creason, Jeweler & Gary Juliano, Painter, Bellaire
5. Peter Balestrieri, Painter, Bellaire
6. Margie Guyot, Painter, Eastport
7. Tom Brown, Photographer, Central Lake
8. Mary Ellen Murphy, Stained Glass, Central Lake
9. Ron and Cynthia Tschudy, Ceramics, Six Mile Lake
10. ISLAND Hill House, East Jordan

The Applesauce Inn B&B currently has several rooms available for the weekend of July 16th & 17th, so if you are planning to come up, be sure to book early! Visit our Applesauce Inn B&B website for reservations!

We look forward to seeing you~
Gary & Jamie~your Innkeepers

Lil' Applesauce Inn 15 ladies and 2 kid cats

2011-05-10T11:11:00.000-04:00

Lil' Applesauce Inn under construction

Here is the chicken coop after all the wood was taken off the front and off the floor! It was pretty precarious! But Gary was able to shore the puppy up and she is not going anywhere! We were able to reuse almost all of the wood...and the cost for reconstruction was a box of nails and a few of our weekends!


Almost finished!

Gary and I found some cool old aluminum roofing at this awesome junkyard located down the highway from us! We used the roofing to add a little shade awning on the right of the coop for the ladies! The roof panels had the perfect patina...and we got 4 of them for only $10.00.....more eco chic recycling!!! I love it! In the wood pile that was inside the coop was a super cool panel that was held together by an old rusty hinge~so I created the Lil' Applesauce Inn sign with it!


The ladies house sign!

The ladies are getting pretty big....they are starting to lose the baby fluff...and feathers are coming in! They are just so darn cute! I created a makeshift pen for them this last Sunday as it was warm and sunny!

Chicks in the sun

They love to scratch around in the dirt and chase each other! I hate to have to put them back in the brooder but they are still too small. I let my kid cats out to check them out! Pretty comical!!

Boo checking out the chicks

Angel and little peep

Both kid cats were intrigued for all of about 5 minutes....then they were on to other things in the yard! Funny to watch them as they 1st discovered these little fluff balls behind the fence!

Spring is definitely here....
Look forward to seeing you here at the Inn!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Hiking the Grass River Natural Area~

2011-05-06T09:34:00.000-04:00

Nestled in the hills of Antrim County in Michigan's northwest corner of the lower peninsula, the GRNA encompasses lakes, a meandering river, rushing streams and crystal clear creeks — a haven for plant and animal life, including both rare and endangered species spanning five distinct ecotones. This natural eco-guardian project and adventure in environmental tourism lies midway on the renowned Chain of Lakes waterway, a connector of Torch and Clam lakes, and Lake Bellaire.

The Grass River Natural Area is a must see when you come up north and stay with us here at the Applesauce Inn. It is 10 minutes from the Inn~and well worth the trip! Bring your binoculars and cameras because the scenery and wildlife are so wonderfully abundant!

Visit our website for this and many more "daycation" ideas that are around our area~ Applesauce Inn B&B

A Tale of Two Peninsulas -The "Middle Coast"......

2011-05-04T09:11:00.000-04:00

Situated in the middle of Grand Traverse Bay are the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. At the center of the base of both peninsulas lies Traverse City. Touring Traverse City wine country is as simple as driving 45 minutes from one peninsula to the other, directly through Traverse City. Here oenophiles will find more than 25 tasting rooms where they can sample some of Michigan’s nationally-ranked, award-winning wines, as well as sample farm-to-table cuisine from celebrated chefs. While maneuvering the sharply curving roads, the panoramic views of lush green hills covered in vineyards surrounded by vast, sparkling waters will truly take one’s breath away. Tuscany … Napa Valley … Traverse City? Yes, Michigan.

Your Innkeepers Note:

Great blog post....This is in our own back yard! The Applesauce Inn is just minutes from the wineries, we are the perfect home base for your wine excursion! Visit our website at Applesauce Inn for all the links and info needed to plan your trip

To read more of this article click on the link below!
A Tale of Two Peninsulas
Written by: Nicole Rupersburg

Gift Certificates for Mom! Last minute gift idea

2011-05-02T18:35:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day is right around the corner! This Sunday~hope you have not forgotten! We can help you out if you have~call us and order a Getaway Gift Certificate for your lovely Mother! The Applesauce Inn is a beautiful, vintage country Inn. We offer Gift Certificates in any dollar amount, they never expire and your Mom can plan her getaway on her schedule! We can email your Gift Certificate so you will have it in time for the Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday! Call us at 231-533-6448 and we will help you create a very special gift that will surely not be forgotten!

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers
Applesauce Inn B&B~Bellaire Mi

Vintage Recipe-Whoopie Pies

2011-04-28T08:13:00.000-04:00

The one and only...Whoopie Pie! I had fun looking for vintage recipes online...and this is today's favorite! I will give these a try here at the Applesauce Inn B&B!!

1 cup shortening or Margarine........(use butter instead, you won't be sorry)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup hot coffee

Filling:

2 egg whites
1 T vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup vegetable shortening
1/4 pound butter

Cream the shortening* and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. In another bowl, sift the flour with the cocoa, salt, and soda. Gradually add this to the creamed mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Mix in the hot coffee. Drop the batter in spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 8 minutes. Store on wax paper until all the cookies have been baked.
For the filling, beat the egg whites until fluffy. Gradually beat in the vanilla, milk, sugar, and flour. Add the shortening and butter (butter should be @room temp.) and beat until very fluffy. Take one cookie and spread a generous tablespoon on the flat side. Top with another cookie; they should look like yo-yos. They freeze well if wrapped individually.

Traverse City National Cherry Festival - July 2nd-9th 2011

2011-04-26T13:51:00.000-04:00

National Cherry Festival Blog

Be sure to mark the dates on your calendar, this is one of Northern Michigan's premier festivals! The Traverse City National Cherry Festival is a true family event and has been attended for many generations. My Dad has slide photos his Dad took of the festival in the 1940's! So in order to be around as long as it has.....means it is NOT to be missed! The Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast is only 1/2 hour from Traverse City, and we have many other area destinations just a hop, skip and jump away! Our country inn is the perfect home base for all of your planned day trips! We are also having a "Kick Gas" summer promotion...you will save $25.00 off each night's rate when you book 3 or more nights! The Applesauce Inn is casual, comfortable and full of wonderful guest amenities! Starting with yummy hearty home cooked breakfasts, fresh muffins, juices and coffee...to the glad to be home baked cookies in the afternoon and the evening "happy hour" featuring locally poured wines paired with unique and home made cupcakes!

Check out our website for more information! Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast
We look forward to enjoying a glass of wine with you!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

2011-04-19T10:10:00.000-04:00

b&b's Kick Gas Promo-Better Way to Stay

The Applesauce Inn B&B has joined forces with Better Way to Stay and we are offering a special Summer special when you stay 3 or more nights...you will receive $25.00 off each nights rate! You will still enjoy the same amenities....and you will save a little MOLA for your gas tank! This offer is valid through October 31st.....Visit the Applesauce Inn B&B website for awesome links to area attractions to help you plan your up north Michigan vacation. Be sure to book early.... the calendar is filling up quickly!

We look forward to meeting you....
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Vintage Lemonade

2011-04-16T13:09:00.000-04:00

By: Aunt Suzie

"In the 1800's this is how people made lemonade - you can do it too! It's not that difficult, and tastes wonderful!"

Ingredients

5 lemons
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 quarts water

Directions

Peel the rinds from the 5 lemons and cut them into 1/2 inch slices. Set the lemons aside.
Place the rinds in a bowl and sprinkle the sugar over them. Let this stand for about one hour, so that the sugar begins to soak up the oils from the lemons.
Bring water to a boil in a covered saucepan and then pour the hot water over the sugared lemon rinds. Allow this mixture to cool for 20 minutes and then remove the rinds.
Squeeze the lemons into another bowl. Pour the juice through a strainer into the sugar mixture. Stir well, pour into pitcher and pop it in the fridge! Serve with ice cubes.

Short's Brewing Company event "Short's to Short's Paddle

2011-04-13T08:03:00.000-04:00

This is an event that marks the start of Spring! The Short's to Short's paddle is a widely known and anticipated yearly trek! The event this year will be held on April 29th, starting at 7AM! For all the fabulous information...please visit their website Short's Brewing

The Applesauce Inn B&B is offering a special discounted rate for this weekend event only...$99.00 per night for the weekend of April 28th-30th, we will offer an early breakfast on Saturday to get your day started!

Please give us a call at 231-533-6448 to book this special weekend event! We look forward to meeting you!!

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

April is wine month in Michigan!!

2011-04-11T10:20:00.000-04:00

Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail
What a perfect reason to come up north Michigan....WINE!! April is wine month in Michigan, and we have 2 wine trails here with many wonderful tasting rooms, restaurants and amazing country views!!!

We invite you to visit our website for more event links and day trip ideas. We are offering a Mid-week April special, and a Fri-Sat special Applesauce Inn B&B Website
We look forward to meeting you!!

Gary and Jamie ~your Innkeepers

Mid-week Spring getaway-Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-04-03T08:51:00.000-04:00

Good Morning Sunshine!

I went to get the paper this morning....and this was the view from the east side of the house! So beautiful! Red sky in morning....sailor take warning! They are calling for rain or snow today! Gotta love spring! And that leads me to....our April Mid-week Getaway deal! If you can sneak away during the week, this is a deal for you! Come up and enjoy the changes of the season, the daffodils are coming up, the birds are arriving and singing away! And of course the sunrises and sunsets! The light is longer, and the colors are breathtaking!

Come join us any Sunday~Thursday night in the month of April for only $99.00 per night! You can choose any room, and you will still enjoy all the home comforts we offer, home baked cookies, hearty full breakfast and evening dessert! Come up North and getaway before all of the crowds descend on us for the Summer season!
Check out our website for more details Applesauce Inn B&B

Look forward to seeing you soon~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Craving this at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-04-01T17:39:00.000-04:00

Easy peasy pie....and boy am I craving this!!! Yum!

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup milk
1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts

Directions

Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
Spoon into two 9 inch graham cracker pie shells; cover, and freeze until firm.

Visitors to the Applesauce Inn B&B in Belliare, MI

2011-03-29T10:39:00.000-04:00

Lovelies at the Feeders

Even the deer know that the Applesauce Inn B&B country Inn is where it's at!!! LOL....these two joined us last night for dinner....there is still quite a bit of snow on the ground...so they are really looking for food! Gary had shoveled all the snow on the ground around our bird feeders, so the Cardinals and Doves could find loose seeds in the grass. Well it apparently works for the deer too!

Keeping watch~

These two deer stayed in the yard for about 30 minutes....Angel the Kid (our crabby tabby) was having a fit, growling like mad from her kitty perch by the window!!! As we looked out the window, there were about 6 more deer in the neighbors driveway....keeping watch on the two here in the yard!
I was excited to see the deer in the yard....but I know I won't be happy when they are in my gardens in the Spring....but I will deal with that later! Last night they were beautiful!!!

We are looking forward to seeing more wildlife here at the Inn.....Eagles will be here soon, so will the Ospreys! Plan to join us on our beautiful wrap around porch...with a glass of wine, binoculars in hand, and you may just see this for yourself!! Bring up your camera!!

See you soon~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers
Applesauce Inn B&B Bellaire, MI

River Rafting the Jordan River in East Jordan MI

2011-03-28T11:57:00.000-04:00

Paddling the Jordan River

This gorgeous river offers some of the best views, and best paddling/rafting around! And it is just minutes away from our lovely country Bed and Breakfast! The folks at Jordan Valley Outfitters will set you up with everything you need! They have awesome Moonlight and Full Moon paddling tours, river trips, scenic lake paddling as well as day or weekly rentals.

Be sure to check out our website for more local attractions, day trip ideas and amazing links to help you plan your Up North getaway. http://www.applesauceinn.com

We look forward to meeting you~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers
Applesauce Inn B&B

Mother's Day Special Package~Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-03-25T11:45:00.000-04:00


Relax in our Daniels Room

The Applesauce Inn B&B is proud to announce our special package deal for Mother's Day Weekend!

Join us for Friday and Saturday nights, May 5th and May 6th. Fresh flowers will greet you in your room. Enjoy our evening "Happy Hour" an hour of local wine and spirits along with dessert, both Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday morning, you will enjoy our Mother's Day Champagne Brunch...featuring some of guests favorites, Cherry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast, 4 Stack Apple Cinnamon Pancakes and ham and cheese omelettes, fresh baked muffins, fresh fruit, champagne mimosas and other juices. A dessert table will feature home baked goodies! This weekend package is only $275.00 per couple!!
We also have add-on packages available if you would like to make this weekend even more special~just give us a call! 231-533-6448

Come and join us for this special weekend!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

From the Gallery at the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-03-23T14:44:00.000-04:00

Fishtown-Leeland

Gary has been busy....this is a new piece in a series that he is planning to do featuring our awesome Michigan landmarks! This 11" x 14" acrylic painting is done in warm sepia tones, that gives it an amazing vintage look! Gary painted this from a photo that he took a few weeks back from a day trip we took to the Historic Fishtown in Leeland on the Leelanau Peninsula! This piece is available for purchase! I will post the additional paintings as he finishes them!
You can check out our gallery on our website http://www.applesauceinn.com and this spring we will have the gallery open for all to see here at the Inn!

We look forward to seeing you soon!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers
Applesauce Inn B&B

Planning an April Country Inn Getaway? Check out the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-03-22T16:56:00.000-04:00


Angel the Kid enjoying the Spring Sunshine

We here at the Applesauce Inn B&B are ready for spring!!! I spent the day yesterday (Monday 3/21) out in the soon to be gardens. I trimmed back all of our grape vines, there was a lot of dead vines, and I am hoping that the vines that are green, will come back this year. I tightened up the wire supports and did a major clean up of the area!! I turned the soil in the smaller salad garden, I will use this area just for baby leaf lettuces, arugula, cukes and my pickles! This area is already fenced in to keep the critters out. The flower garden in the front of the house is going to be beautiful again this year, and I will be adding more lovelies to this area~I have several day lilies waiting to get in the ground! The daffodils are poking through the soil.....and I can't wait to see my beloved lilacs.....ah how I love spring!!

Our lovely country Inn is ready to show itself off for the Spring season! The birds are coming back! (robins, cardinals, goldfinches and even the Eagles have been seen the last several days) This is a great time to getaway...the crowds have not arrived yet, the local restaurants and Short's Brewing Company are still accessible!! The hiking trails are yours alone...bring your cameras and binoculars so you can capture the rebirth of the forests. The Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast is a great home base for all of your day trips....visit our website for some wonderful ideas! http://www.applesauceinn.com

Ghirardelli Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Hearts-coming to the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-03-18T13:16:00.000-04:00

Here is another recipe I will be experimenting with for evening dessert at the Inn! What a great excuse to come up north...among many other reasons!!

Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup ground almonds
4 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
Cheesecake:
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
4 eggs
Raspberry puree (recipe below)
2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
Raspberry puree:
1 (10 ounce) package frozen raspberries
4 tablespoons white sugar
Chocolate Ganache (optional):
8 ounces Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
Additional Garnishes (optional):
Fresh raspberries
8 ounces white chocolate, melted for drizzling

Directions

Preheat over to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
CRUST: In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter. Add the chocolate graham crackers, ground almonds, and sugar and mix until combined. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
PUREE: In a saucepan, combine raspberries and sugar. Bring to boil, and continue boiling 3-5 minutes, or until sauce is thick. Strain sauce through a mesh strainer to remove seeds and set aside.
CHEESECAKE: In a small pot over low heat, bring the whipping cream to just boiling. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Set aside for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth.
In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Remove approximately 1 1/2 cup of this batter and place into a smaller bowl and add 1/2 cup raspberry puree. Blend until combined. Add the melted chocolate to the remaining batter and mix until combined. Pour the chocolate cheesecake batter into the pan. Very carefully layer the raspberry cheesecake mixture on top of the chocolate mixture. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until filling is set. Cool in pan, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold before removing from pan.

Footnotes

Recipe Note: To make the individual heart shape cheesecakes, prepare the recipe as directed using a 13 x 9 inch pan instead of a springform pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. After the cheesecake cools, cut out the hearts using a metal heart-shaped cookie cutter.
GARNISH (Optional): Top cooled cheesecakes with one or a combination of the garnishes below.
Ganache: In a small pot over low heat, bring the heavy cream and butter to just boiling. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Set aside for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth. Pour over cold cheesecake to form ganache layer, or drizzle over the cold cheesecake. Refrigerate until it is set.
Raspberry puree: Pour remaining raspberry puree over cold cheesecakes.
White Chocolate: In double boiler over hot water, melt the white chocolate until smooth. Drizzle over cold cheesecakes. Refrigerate until it is set.
Fresh raspberries on top or served on the side.

Beautiful Sunset...at our Country Inn in Bellaire

2011-03-14T11:12:00.000-04:00


Last sunlight on the hill....view from our front porch

Had to take some shots of the area around the Applesauce Inn B&B last night! It was great to still have light after 7pm....and it was great to have SUN even if it was the last light of the day!

Sunset, from the front porch

The colors were so warm and inviting...and deceiving. We still have snow on the ground here in Bellaire, the ski slopes of Shanty Creek still has snow, and that means Spring Skiing!! The weatherman in promising that the sun will be out most of this week...and it is going to be warmer!! Come up north....we have rooms available for only $99.00 per night for the month of March!! Short's Brewing Company is right around the corner!!

Sun reflecting icicles

We look forward to pampering our guests here at our boutique bed and breakfast!! Yummy hearty breakfasts, fresh baked cookies and homemade desserts await you every day!! How can you pass this up?
Give us a call..... 231-533-6448 to book your getaway today!!

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers
Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast Bellaire, MI

80's Prom at Short's Brewing Company April 2nd in Bellaire!!!

2011-03-13T14:24:00.000-04:00

We’re Totally Having An 80′s Prom!

http://www.shortsbrewing.com/

[ April 2, 2011; 7:00 pm; ]
Have you ever wanted to friz-out your hair and relive the Big 80′s? Like, seriously, now’s your chance! We’re having an 80′s prom on Saturday, April 2nd!
Here’s your prom planning checklist:
Circle April 2nd on your calendar! You won’t want to miss this party.
Ask the person you have the biggest crush on to be your date. Girls, you can ask guys.
Girls, break out those 80s prom dresses! The crazier the better!
Grow out your bangs, because we’re going to have an on-site stylist creating 80s hairdos.
Get ready to dance like a cool kid, because we’re going to have DJ spinning all the 80s classics.
This is going to be an event like no other at Short’s. And the best part about going back to the 80′s this time around is that you’re old enough to drink and you’re at Short’s! Keep checking our website for more 80s prom updates!
-SBC Prom Committee

This is going to be a blast (from the past for sure)..........Visit the Applesauce Inn B&B website to book your room....we only have 2 rooms left for this weekend!!! http://www.applesauceinn.com
We look forward to seeing you in your 80's best~
Gary & Jamie~your Innkeepers

Planning an April Country Inn Getaway? Check out the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-03-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

Cherry Blossoms

The promise of Spring is right on the horizon here at the Applesauce Inn. The buds are forming on the maple trees, the snow is melting as quickly as it is falling. New birds are showing up daily at our bird feeders, and the sun is shining more! There is no prettier time of year than Spring. April will bring wonderful orchards full of amazing trees in bloom. Gary and I are looking forward to the day trips we will be taking with our cameras to capture the fields of bloom that will be all around us! Catch Spring fever and plan a Spring getaway! There is so much to do here in Northern Michigan, anytime time of the year, but especially in the Spring! Visit the Applesauce Inn B&B website for special April weekend getaway deals and a run down on the local events.

Trillium in bloom

We are excited to start our gardens, and we will be welcoming our chickens soon. The wildflowers will be filling the woods....ah spring!!! Hurry up, for I can't wait!!

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain


Our soon to be remodeled Chicken Coop....

Our country boutique Inn is wonderfully warm, friendly and comfortable! Come Up North and visit us soon.

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Black Magic Cake Recipe-Coming soon to the Inn

2011-03-08T12:07:00.000-05:00

Black Magic Cake Recipe~ Coming soon to the Applesauce Inn B&B! This will be added to my evening dessert repertoire!

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong brewed coffee
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans or one 9x13 inch pan.
In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center.
Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack. Fill and frost as desired.

Bed & Breakfasts are taking market share!!! Great article

2011-03-05T11:39:00.000-05:00

B&B or Big-Box?

Social media is stirring this sleeping micro-giant of the Lodging Industry. Here’s how they’re doing it.

Friday, March 04, 2011

Daniel Edward Craig

bookmark this

On Twitter @hotelinteractiv

“I have no doubt we will be stealing some market share.” – Jay Karen, President & CEO, Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII).

Social media, the great equalizer, has allowed bed-and-breakfasts and independent boutiques to compete for the attention of travelers online with big-box, chain hotels. And when it comes to creative content and compelling stories, small, independents properties have emerged with some of the strongest voices.

Recently, the Professional Association of Innkeepers launched a campaign called "A Better Way to Stay" to convince travelers—especially Gen X and Y—to choose inns and B&Bs over hotels. PAII’s President & CEO Jay Karen calls it “a true grassroots campaign” that will feature “fresh and edgy content—perfect for social media—never seen from our industry.”

To find out more, I caught up with Jay. Here’s a condensed version of our Q A session.

Some wear boxers, others brief; some prefer B&Bs, others hotels. Convince us: Why choose a B&B over a hotel?

That’s easy! Do you prefer your breakfast made from food off a Sysco truck or hand-picked by an innkeeper (most likely sourced locally)? Do you like never having to pay for wi-fi? How do you feel about free parking? Historical settings? Beautiful properties? Afternoon or 24-hour free snacks? Sometimes wine and cheese hours or afternoon tea? Local knowledge of the best places for recreation and dining? Also, B&Bs are considered by many women business travelers as safer than hotels.

Guests at B&Bs aren’t just a room number and a stat that adds to the RevPAR and occupancy charts – they’re people looking for more than just a room, and innkeepers enjoy delivering more than an electronic key card.

Do B&Bs compete more against hotels or other B&Bs? Should hotels be worried?

When someone chooses a B&B, it’s safe to say they likely chose that B&B over another B&B, not a Hilton or Marriott. We compete with hotels every day of the week. I firmly believe that the loyalty index among B&B guests is much higher than hotel guests. And in the new world of social media, more and more loyal guests will be telling their friends and families about their fantastic experiences.

I’m not saying hotels should be shivering with fear, because our total room volume is incredibly modest by comparison, but the playing field has certainly been leveled in this new age of connectivity. I have no doubt we will be stealing some market share.

Lately there’s been a lot of controversy over the authenticity of online reviews. What’s your position on this?

My belief is that the vast majority of online reviews on travel sites are legitimate – at least in our neck of the woods. Travel websites that do not authenticate reviews by verifying that reviewers actually stayed at the properties in question have an inherent weakness. But the concept they rely on is that the law of large numbers will overcome that weakness … the wisdom of the crowds. There’s going to be the occasional fool or fake in the crowd, but the thought is they will be drowned out.

There is a problem with that in the B&B world - we don’t have the large numbers that hotels do. A good B&B that is actively soliciting reviews from guests will still only have a few dozen reviews over the course of a year – not a few hundred. A few bad apples can spoil things a hell of a lot faster for a B&B with 5 rooms than a hotel with 500 rooms.

To me, the bigger problem is review sites claim little or no responsibility when it comes to the details within the review and won’t get involved in the veracity of the reviews. When it comes to negative reviews that have been embellished or falsified, the property owners have everything to lose. Joe Schmoe Reviewer has nothing to lose, and that’s still very troublesome at times.

TripAdvisor: friend or foe of innkeepers?

On balance? Definitely a friend. While we still suffer from second-class-citizenship on the site (we’re mostly found behind the “hotels” moniker instead of beside them, like vacation rentals, in the most visible areas of the site), the site allows the smallest of inns to compete with the largest of hotels in the same city. TripAdvisor is a great site for those who love doing their homework when deciding where to stay.

TripAdvisor reviews can work really well for local, independent players. The rest of the commerce on the site, i.e. banner ads, booking, etc., is no friend to the innkeeper. Nine out of ten B&Bs do not participate in the GDS system, so when someone is searching for availability, we are left out almost completely. It would be good to build a bridge with the off-GDS platforms that most B&Bs use and the TripAdvisor availability search tool.

Over the past few years, we have gained a good bit of attention through our high-profile discussions with TripAdvisor. I believe we have been the only lodging organization that is persistently meeting with their senior staff about parity, fairness and responsiveness with their very powerful system. I’ve been blogging about it since 2008.

Do B&B’s play the OTA game?

B&Bs generally do not play the OTA game for a few reasons. Those who do play the game, though, are generally pleased. The reasons for opting out include not being able to afford the commission structure (25-30%), the lack of good information on the guests that gets passed between the OTAs and the innkeepers, and the lack of supply with which to play in the yield management game. It’s a bit of a hassle to contribute only one or two rooms to the system and have to manage that.

Companies like BedandBreakfast.com have done a good job building that bridge between an innkeeper’s PMS system, booking engine and the OTAs, but it takes a lot of hands-on management on the innkeeper’s part to make it all work. Oh, and then they have to go turn three rooms, shop for tomorrow’s breakfast and respond to the latest online review.

The major search engines are still the biggest players for B&Bs. Google Places (and various iterations of Google Maps and Google Local) have always been an influential player, and even more so if they keep stepping up their game in the travel space.

Given such limited resources, which social media tools and resources if any do you recommend B&B owners engage in?

Facebook – no doubt. There is no better tool that allows a happy B&B guest to tell their hundreds of friends and family what a wonderful time they had. We haven’t even seen the beginning of the fruits Facebook will produce for innkeepers. I’m encouraged greatly by the social buying sites out there – especially LivingSocial. Twitter is great, but only if you’re posting content that is relevant to Twitter users, and if you look at it as a search engine.

How is 2011 looking for the innkeeping industry?

The only weak point in our industry as a result of this recession has been the transaction market. Our RevPAR, occupancy and revenue numbers have remained steady. Changes in travel preferences have benefited our industry – the desire to stay closer to home, long weekend trips, smaller, boutique properties (duh), etc. Therefore, we are generally poised for strong performance in the coming months and years, as long as the economy doesn’t tank again.

Our biggest challenge seems to be that more and more gets added to the plate of innkeepers each year, but nothing gets taken off. Innkeepers pine for the days when SEO was the only internet-related marketing game they had to keep up with. Keeping all the plates spinning in an ever-more-complex world is a big challenge. But that’s where PAII comes in, right Daniel?

Daniel Edward Craig is a former general manager turned hotel consultant specializing in social media strategy, storytelling, and reputation management for the lodging industry. He is the author of three hotel-based novels, a popular blog, and various articles about issues in the hotel industry. His new e-book, The Hotelier’s Guide to Online Reputation Management, is now available. Visit www.danieledwardcraig.com or email dec@danieledwardcraig.com. Twitter: dcraig.

Copyright © 2011 Daniel Edward Craig. All rights reserved.

Mardi Gras Gumbo Recipe

2011-03-04T16:59:00.000-05:00

Boudreaux's Zydeco Stomp Gumbo

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - chopped
1/2 pound pork sausage links, thinly sliced
1 cup olive oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons minced garlic
3 quarts chicken broth
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
6 stalks celery, diced
4 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 sweet onion, sliced
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, with liquid
2 tablespoons chopped fresh red chile peppers
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup Cajun seasoning
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions

Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat, and cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Stir in sausage, and cook until evenly browned. Drain chicken and sausage, and set aside.
In a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, blend olive oil and flour to create a roux. Stir constantly until browned and bubbly. Mix in garlic, and cook about 1 minute.
Gradually stir chicken broth and beer into the roux mixture. Bring to a boil, and mix in celery, tomatoes, sweet onion, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, red chile peppers, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 40 minutes, stirring often.
Mix chicken, sausage, and shrimp into the broth mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes.

Historic Fishtown in Leland! Day trip from the Applesauce Inn B&B

2011-02-27T14:41:00.000-05:00

Historic Fishtown, Leland Michigan

Fishtown, Leland Michigan

2 fishing boats, and cool out buildings

This amazing little historic fishtown is 145 years old!! Gary and I headed out to visit this cool area yesterday! The sun was shining just for us! Downtown Leland is home to some wonderful shops, galleries and eateries, and is only an hour and a half from the Applesauce Inn B&B . The fishing town, which has been lovingly preserved, is a true working commercial fishery! If you like whitefish, this is the town for you!

We had a great time with our cameras, it was cold, but the water was crystal clear and just beautiful!

Great window dressing!


For the fish nets

The trip to Leland winds you through wine country, plenty of wineries to stop and check out! The farm land and open space is just beautiful! It is just another awesome day trip you can take from the Inn! There are so many day trip options for you while you are staying with us! As we love to say...we are close to everything, but away from it all! Come up and spend some time in "God's Country".....you will not be disappointed!

You don't have to travel far.....we have so very much in our own backyard!!!

Visit our website for our special Gift Certificate promotion just in time for the Summer and Fall vacation planning!
We look forward to seeing you soon~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

My Favorite Martha Stewart Cookie recipe!!!

2011-02-25T10:40:00.000-05:00

Everything but the kitchen sink cookies!!!
Makes about 18 cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup toffee bits
3/4 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate
3/4 cup dried cherries
3/4 cup roughly chopped pecans
3/4 cup roughly chopped salted pretzels
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with nonstick baking mats or parchment paper.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and both sugars. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Stir in vanilla.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low, gradually add to the butter mixture; continue mixing until well combined. Add the oats, coconut, toffee, chocolate, cherries, pecans, and pretzels and mix on low until just combined.
Using a 2-inch ice-cream scoop, drop batter onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Press tops down with the bottom of a glass, sprayed with nonstick cookie spray, to flatten cookies evenly. Transfer baking sheets to oven and bake until golden, 12 to 14 minutes.
Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Everything but the Kitchen Sink Cookies - Martha Stewart Recipes

These are a favorite cookie here at the Applesauce Inn B&B! I make fresh cookies everyday for the guests, I really like this recipe because you can add just about anything to it!!

Hope to see you soon at the cookie jar!!!

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Mardi Gras Celebration at Pearl's in Elk Rapids

2011-02-23T13:15:00.000-05:00

Mardi Gras at Pearls in Elk Rapids!

http://www.magnumhospitality.com/pearls/index.php

Mardi Gras Celebration

March 4 - 8, 2011
The North's biggest and best Mardi Gras party

FRIDAY, MARCH 4

Kids’ Night featuring balloon artist, Twister Joe; live music with Dave Cisco and his Magical Steel Drum; plus Face Painting all evening. More fun than any kid should be allowed to have!

TUESDAY, MARCH 8
"FAT TUESDAY"

Top it all off with a Fat Tuesday Celebration, featuring Live Music & Dancing! No cover charge, no reservations required. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: New Orleans Funk, Zydeco & Blues music by The Saucecats! "Why?" you ask....because Some Like It Hot!!

Of course there'll be all sorts of hap'nins all weekend, so stay tuned for more details!

An event that is not to be missed!! Pearl's is an experience all it's own. Be sure to visit the Applesauce Inn B&B for availability next weekend! We have several rooms still open if you are planning a New Orleans style getaway! We have our special March Madness Rates in effect~so don't wait to plan your stay!! Check out http://www.applesauceinn.com today!!!

We look forward to meeting you~

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Wanted-warm and cozy room is looking for guests

2011-02-20T18:19:00.000-05:00

Daniels Room

Warm and cozy room is seeking guests to enjoy a wonderful Up North Getaway. Seeking fun loving, romantic couples who are looking for a relaxing and pampering experience. No special skills or experience needed!
Our lovely Boutique Bed and Breakfast is loaded with charm, luxury amenities, the best breakfasts and home baked cookies around! Whether it is just for one night, or a long weekend, the Applesauce Inn B&B offers a casual, relaxed getaway experience. Be sure to check out our website http://www.applesauceinn.com to book your special trip! We look forward to seeing you soon!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

St. Patty's Day Fudge Today's Bed & Breakfast recipe!

2011-02-18T10:46:00.000-05:00

Irish Cream Truffle Fudge

Ingredients

3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
3 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup Irish cream liqueur
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
4 tablespoons Irish cream liqueur
2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Butter a 8x8 inch pan.
In the top half of a double boiler melt the 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, 1 cup white chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter until soft enough to stir.
Stir in the confectioner's sugar and Irish cream until mixture is smooth. Stir in nuts. Place mixture in the prepared pan and lay a sheet of plastic wrap over top; press and smooth top down.
In the top half of a double boiler melt remaining chocolates until soft. Remove from heat and with a fork beat in the butter and Irish cream until smooth. Spread topping over cooled fudge with a knife. If a smooth top is important place plastic wrap over the top. Refrigerate until firm, 1 to 2 hours at least. This fudge can be easily frozen

2011-02-15T12:41:00.000-05:00

February 18 - 21, 2011

Don’t let cabin fever set in this winter – get out and enjoy some great winter fun in Traverse City at Winter Wow!fest.
Traverse City is a four-season playground with fun activities year ‘round.
And, there is no better time to enjoy winter fun than at Winter Wow!fest.

http://www.winterwowfest.com/

Here is an awesome reason to come Up North!
Hope to see you soon~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers
Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast
Romantic Boutique Inn

Decadent! Fudge Truffle Cheesecake! Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T10:27:00.000-05:00

Fudge Truffle Cheesecake

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
In a large mixing bowl, mix together crushed vanilla wafers, confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and butter or margarine by hand. Press ingredients into a 9 inch springform pan.
In the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips, making sure that they are very smooth.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer. Gradually beat in condensed milk until smooth. Mix in melted chocolate, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
Bake at 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 55 minutes. The cake will seem underbaked in the center, but will continue to cook after you remove it from the oven.

Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast - Bellaire Bed & Breakfast, Historic Inns - Pure Michigan Travel

2011-02-10T18:34:00.000-05:00

Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast - Bellaire Bed & Breakfast, Historic Inns - Pure Michigan Travel
Check out our new slide show page on the Pure Michigan website!!!

Thank you Bonnie for adding this to our link!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Grass River Shiver Snowshoe Race and Family Fun Day

2011-02-08T16:23:00.000-05:00

On the wagon trail

Grass River Shiver Snowshoe Race and Family Fun Day

The beautiful trails of the Grass River Natural Area in Antrim County will be the site of the first ever “Grass River Shiver” Snowshoe Race. Registration for the 5 mile race will begin Saturday, February 19 at 9:00am at the Grass River Natural Area located at 6500 Alden Highway between Alden and Bellaire. Co-sponsors for the event will be Torch Chiropractic Family Wellness Center, Brick Wheels and SEEDS. At 9:30am, Brick Wheels will conduct a snowshoe demonstration followed by the race at 10:00am. Great prizes will be awarded! There will be a 2.5 mile course for non-racers that will also begin at 10:00am.

Following the race, there will be fun family activities including Snowshoe Soccer, Snowshoe Volleyball, Hibernation Hike with a Grass River naturalist, and crafts. Pizza, hot chocolate, and coffee provided by SEEDS will be available for a nominal fee weather permitting.

The cost for racers is: $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the race. Children 12 and under are free. A limited number of snowshoe rentals will be available for $5. To register for the race on-line, go to www.active.com or www.runmichigan.com. Participants may also register by calling the Grass River office at (231) 533-8314.

The cost for non-racers is $5 and children 12 or under are free.

Finch Creek

Be sure to check out our website for more info about the Grass River Natural Area!

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

www.applesauceinn.com

Michigan Bed and Breakfast Blog: Pesky Add-on Hotel Fees..Yet Another Reason to stay at a B&B

2011-02-06T10:58:00.000-05:00

Michigan Bed and Breakfast Blog: Pesky Add-on Hotel Fees..Yet Another Reason to stay at a B&B

Marti Mayne / Boston Bed & Breakfast Examiner / Examiner.com

David Wilkening, a leading writer for Travelmole.com, warned travelers to expect more fees when visiting hotels this year.

In his recent article entitled Hotels: In airline style, expect more fees Wilkening quoted Bjorn Hanson, an associate professor at NY University Tisch Center predicting “Despite a forecast for a continued decline in hotel rates in 2010, hoteliers will become more aggressive in collecting fees and surcharges this year”. According to Wilkening, Bjorn predicted an increase over the existing one billion dollars in collected fees and surcharges by US hotel companies this year.

While I enjoy staying in hotels from time to time, I prefer B&Bs not only because they are each so distinctively unique, but they are also fee-free. Nothing bothers me more than the high prices for add-ons at hotels, and nothing makes me happier than all the complimentary amenities at B&Bs. Just for kicks and giggles, I decided to do a little comparision shopping between hotels and B&Bs in Boston.

First I called two Marriott hotels. Not only was a surprised at the high fees for parking, breakfast and Internet access, I found it incredible that the costs vary from one Boston Marriott location to the next. I found the same high parking, breakfast and internet access costs at the.......

Read More at Examiner.com

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Boys and Girls...the moral of this story was that the author found he could save $150.00 per day by staying at a B&B in Boston instead of a hotel...all because of the outrageous 'tack-ons' the hotels use to boost revenues.

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At the Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast~we include all the little extras, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, free home baked cookies and dessert, free cable, free movies....

It is better at a Bed & Breakfast~
Visit our website for more information http://www.applesauceinn.com
We look forward to meeting you soon~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Valentine's Day next week! Need a great gift?

2011-02-05T13:08:00.000-05:00

Brushed Silver and Gold~re worked vintage necklace

Check out my jewelry studio on Etsy! http://www.bungelowjame.etsy.com

Lovely cameo and bow earrings

I hand craft vintage style rings, brooches, necklaces and earrings! It's not too late to order your perfect gift...last day to ship to arrive for Valentine's Day is 2/9/2011! Don't be late!! Gary and I will be adding a gallery to the Inn this coming spring! He will feature his paintings, some of our local artist friends work and my jewelry! Just another reason to come UP NORTH!!! We look forward to seeing you soon! Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers


Van Gogh Sunflower Adjustable Ring

March Madness Getaway Deal

2011-02-02T19:37:00.000-05:00

March is rapidly approaching and our rooms are booking quick! February is almost completely booked and the deals for March won't last too long! If you are looking to Come Up North in March be sure to check out our special $99.00 per night any night any room deal!

Only good for the month of March!

Wake up to fresh brewed coffee and a wonderful continental breakfast anytime from 8am-10am! Our warm and cozy rooms with fireplaces, comfy beds and fluffy pillows will make you want to curl up with your sweetie and watch movies all day!

Check out our newly designed website for availability http://www.applesauceinn.com

We can't wait to meet you~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Easy Peasy Eclair Cake! I am going to make this!!!! Yummo

2011-02-02T19:23:00.000-05:00

Eclair Cake~

Ingredients

2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
3 cups milk
1 (16 ounce) package graham cracker squares
1 (16 ounce) package prepared chocolate frosting

Directions

In a medium bowl, thoroughly blend the pudding mix, whipped topping, and milk.
Arrange a single layer of graham cracker squares in the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking pan. Evenly spread half of the pudding mixture over the crackers. Top with another layer of crackers and the remaining pudding mixture. Top with a final layer of graham crackers.
Spread the frosting over the whole cake up to the edges of the pan. Cover, and chill at least 4 hours before serving.

Footnotes

FOOTNOTE

The frosting will be easier to spread if the cake is covered and chilled for about 30 minutes before spreading.

Are you coming up for the Comedy Fest???

2011-02-01T16:08:00.000-05:00

This is going to be the place to be!! What a great way to spend Valentine's Weekend!!! Hope you can check this out!!
http://www.comedyfesttc.org/

Just another reason to COME UP NORTH!!!
Jamie~your Innkeeper

New Website Design

2011-02-01T13:54:00.000-05:00

Check out my newly redesigned website! I have been playing with pics and colors etc....I am excited about the new layout! Let me know what you think!

http://www.applesauceinn.com

Jamie

March-April Up North Events

2011-01-31T18:14:00.000-05:00

Frozen Mighty Mac~Saturday 1/29/2011

Northwest Region - Pure Michigan Travel
Great events coming up for March and April! We have a great special running for March!

~~~Book any room any night in March for only $99.00 per night. This special includes a continental breakfast served from 7am-10am and is good only for the month of March! Come up and getaway!~~~

Give us a call at 231-533-6448 or check out our website http://www.applesauceinn.com

Can't wait to meet you!

Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Today recipe! Cakes in a cone! Cute birthday party idea!

2011-01-31T07:44:00.000-05:00

How cute is this????

Cakes In A Cone

Ingredients

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
24 flat bottomed ice cream cones
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 ounce colored candy sprinkles

Directions

Prepare cake mix according to directions. Fill each cone about 3/4 full of batter, up to first ridge. Place cones in the cups of a cupcake pan or on cookie sheets.
Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 15 to 18 minutes.
Place 10 chocolate chips on top of each warm cone, and in a minute or two spread melted chocolate over top. Decorate with candies.

Mid-week Winter getaway deals!

2011-01-28T13:05:00.000-05:00


Winter on Torch Lake at Alden

We all can't wait for the weekend....but what about sneaking away during the week? Short's Brewery, Toonies (Wednesday night is rib night!!!!) and Lulu's are all quieter during the week, no hour and half waits like on the weekends! You can have the snow shoe, snow mobile and cross country trails virtually all to yourself! And don't forget about the slopes...or tubing~no crowds like the weekends!

Finch Creek~Grass River Natural Area (snowshoe & cross country trails)

The Applesauce Inn has awesome Mid-Week Winter Getaway rates of only $99.00 any room your choice Sunday-Thursday! You will wake up to wonderful fresh ground coffee, a hot and hearty breakfast and great breakfast table conversation! The snow is perfect for any of your out door activities! Our expanded movie library could entice you to just hang around and watch movies in front of the warm fireplace!

We all need to getaway now and then! Give us a call for these limited time offered rates!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Seeking Michigan-Happy Birthday today!

2011-01-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

The First State Election in Detroit, Michigan 1837. A painting by Thomas Mickell Burnham. Used courtesy of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Rough and Rocky Road to Statehood

By Bob Garrett, Archives of Michigan | January 25, 2011

January 26 marks Michigan’s 174th birthday as a state. Today, many residents of our country’s fifty states take statehood for granted. For 1830s Michiganians, the road to statehood proved rough and rocky.
Seeking Michigan

Limited time offer Discounted Gift Certificate Deal

2011-01-24T10:52:00.001-05:00

We welcome the New Year with a fabulous Discounted Gift Certificate deal!!

We would like to extend a warm “come and stay with us” offer to all of our past and future guests.

If you are planning a Summer or Fall Color Vacation “Up North”, this is a deal you will not want to pass up. We are offering a FREE NIGHT for every 2 nights you book with us, if you book 4 nights you will get 2 additional nights for FREE, and so on. This offer is valid through Gift Certificate purchases only!

Gift Certificates must be purchased before February 28^th, 2011 and will never expire. You can use this offer for yourself, or give it as present to someone else. Please give us a call to order your Gift Certificates.

We look forward to seeing you!

Applesauce Inn Bed & Breakfast is a “boutique” Inn that offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere. We may be small, but that means we pay attention to all of the important details.

All rooms offer new Queen-size pillow-top beds, fluffy pillows to die for, warm cozy fireplaces, vintage style and antique quilts, wine glasses and ice buckets, expanded cable TV, Wi-Fi and a large movie library. A hearty home cooked breakfast is served each morning, home baked goodies are available all day and evening dessert is served at 7pm.

Call us at 231-533-6448

Jamie Creason & Gary Juliano~ your Innkeepers

Applesauce Inn B&B

Today's recipe Apple Pie Muffins

2011-01-23T18:41:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 cups diced apples
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 12 cup muffin tin or line with paper muffin cups.
In a large bowl, stir together 2 1/4 cups flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the egg, buttermilk, 1/2 cup melted butter, vanilla and 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar until sugar has dissolved. Pour into the flour mixture and sprinkle the diced apple into the bowl as well. Stir just until everything is blended. Spoon into the prepared muffin tin, filling the cups to the top.
In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/3 cup flour and cinnamon. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of melted butter while tossing with a fork until well blended. Sprinkle this over the tops of the muffins.
Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed.

Come on up the snow is fine! River rafting, snowmobiling, snow tubing!!!

2011-01-22T13:33:00.000-05:00

Wow do we have snow! And it is the fun snow too! We had a group from Canada this week that were here for the wonderful snowmobile trails! They were able to rent all their gear in Mancelona, only about 8 miles from here at http://snowblitz.com/ . They spent 2 days on the trails, the 2nd day they went all the way to Petoskey and back! They were amazed at how well groomed the trails were, and how beautiful the terrain was! Snowmobiling not your thing? How about snow tubing? We had guests today that just came back from a fun time tubing at Shanty Creek, they loved the fact that our Inn was only 5 minutes away from the tube hill! Check out their link http://www.shantycreek.com/winter/tubing.php . Want to really be adventurous? Try Winter water rafting down the Jordan River~again only a few minutes from the Inn! Their link is http://www.jvoutfitters.com/Winter.html . Here are several reasons to come up and play in the snow! Give us a call for our special weekend and mid-week specials! We will be here, with all the info you will need to make it a wonderful winter get~away!

We look forward to hearing from you!
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

The Michigan Beer Blog: Bottled Michigan: Short's The Wizard Barley Wine

2011-01-22T09:26:00.000-05:00

The Michigan Beer Blog: Bottled Michigan: Short's The Wizard Barley Wine: "I wanted to write this description of beer as a tongue-in-cheek nod to the 1989 movie where Fred Savage kidnaps his brother and gets him to ..."

Culinary tourism can benefit Michigan | MLive.com

2011-01-21T13:49:00.000-05:00

Culinary tourism can benefit Michigan | MLive.com

At the most basic level, you are a culinary tourist because you eat while on the road.
Move the definition up a notch and you are a culinary tourist if you research restaurants, wineries, breweries, bake shops, delis and such before heading out.
With a smart phone or iPad, you can search out attractions while rolling down the interstate. We did this on a recent trip to Maine, finding a great barbecue joint in Rochester, N.Y., and a knockout cheese shop near Portland, Maine.
Before the Internet, all we had was the AAA tour book, a packet from the visitor’s bureau, a newspaper travel article we had clipped and a tip from cousin Mary. We made great finds by accident on our travels and, of course, we had a great time.
Now, with a world of information a mere screen touch away, you might wonder why those who operate and promote food-related destinations need to do much more to corral the tourist. Let him find us.
The response obviously is if it’s that easy for the consumer to find your bed and breakfast near Traverse City, it’s just as easy for him to find one in Milwaukee, Galena or Gatlinburg and go there instead.
Tourism officials believe a new type of foodie traveler has emerged.
“We are seeing people who want more than good dining (in their travels),” says Linda Jones of the state Grape and Wine Industry Council. “They want an educational component as well.”
They want to see how the grapes are grown, for instance, before tasting the wine.
Jones was one of the organizers of the first Michigan Conference on Culinary Tourism. It took place last week at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing.
About 200 representatives from dining, convention sales, resort, winery and other sectors paid $50 each to brainstorm about how to better promote their regions and the state as culinary destinations.
As Melody Johnson from the International Culinary Tourism Alliance said, everyone involved in this industry must push themselves to think outside the box for new and better ways to promote and package these attractions.
Yet, it can be as simple as “becoming a concierge for Michigan,” said Barb Tholin, publisher of Edible Grand Traverse magazine.
That helps make it real for me. It means that the clerk at the Holiday Inn Express is primed to talk enthusiastically about the Flint and Grand Blanc farmers markets, historic Westwind Milling Co. in Argentine, our fine Middle Eastern restaurants and, of course, the Flint Cultural Center.
It’s too bad that no Genesee County representatives attended the one-day conference to share the energy I felt. But they can catch up by signing up for regional gatherings planned over the next two years.
The state Agriculture Department and Travel Michigan, a part of the Pure Michigan campaign, are soliciting foodie tour ideas. Up to 11 stops can be included. Any restaurants should use local foods and products.
Outlines can be submitted to Carol Royse at roysec@michigan.org. Before you can develop a tour proposal, you have to sit down and list all the possible stops. That will open one’s eyes to Michigan’s wealth of culinary/agriculture resources.
Jones said a golden opportunity exists for entrepreneurs to develop and market such packages.
“We have to get to the point where tour operators are bringing groups to Michigan. There’s such potential.”
In the meantime, we can devise our own local foodie tours. Think about what yours would look like.
Community ed cookery
Add to your recipe repertoire or explore a cuisine in enrichment classes being offered in Flint and Grand Blanc this winter and spring.
Cake baking and decorating can be a great pastime as well as financially rewarding. Learn the essentials in four-session classes in April through the Flint School District. Call (810) 760-1211.
Grand Blanc Community Education will offer a dozen one-session classes starting next month. Topics include tamale-making, make-ahead freezer meals, jam-making, Middle Eastern cuisine and soups and stews.
Call (810) 591-6088.

French Toast Casserole~today's recipe

2011-01-20T07:50:00.000-05:00

French Toast Casserole

Ingredients

5 cups bread cubes
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup white sugar, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon margarine, softened
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter an 8x8 inch baking pan.
Line bottom of pan with bread cubes. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and vanilla. pour egg mixture over bread. Dot with margarine; let stand for 10 minutes.
Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45 to 50 minutes, until top is golden

Come and play in the snow for Valentine's Day

2011-01-18T20:08:00.000-05:00

We have an awesome special going on for you and your Sweetheart~ book any room any night in February and save $25.00 off each night. You will find a wonderful bottle of bubbly and yummy chocolates in your room upon arrival as our special gift to you! We can also create a personalized add-on package for you~ how about a wine, cheese, cracker and fruit platter, or in-room flowers! Just give us a call~we will help you create a lovely special get-away package!

Visit our website for more info and availability! http://www.applesauceinn.com
We look forward to seeing you soon~
Gary and Jamie~your Innkeepers

Today's yummy recipe!!!

2011-01-18T08:48:00.000-05:00

Creamy Banana Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

Cream the butter or margarine and cream cheese together. Gradually add the white sugar, and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and soda; mix until batter is just moist.
In a small bowl, mix together chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Divide 1/2 batter into two greased and floured 8x4 inch loaf pans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over batter in pans, and top with remaining batter.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Michigan Bed and Breakfast Blog: White Pine Stampede: A Michigan Cup Race

2011-01-17T19:16:00.000-05:00

Michigan Bed and Breakfast Blog: White Pine Stampede: A Michigan Cup Race: "For 34 years, skiers from all over the state have been gathering to celebrate their passion for the sport of cross-country skiing, and ..."

Grandma Johnson's Scones Recipe - Allrecipes.com

2011-01-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

Grandma Johnson's Scones Recipe - Allrecipes.com
Today's recipe!!! Yummy~get your cup of tea ready for these babies!

See you soon~
Jamie~your Innkeeper

White Pine Stampede - The Midwest's Premier Nordic Event!

2011-01-14T15:42:00.000-05:00

White Pine Stampede - The Midwest's Premier Nordic Event!

White Pine Stampede: A Michigan Cup Race

For 34 years, skiers from all over the state have been gathering to celebrate their passion for the sport of cross-country skiing, and for 34 years, smiling faces have raised money for charitable organizations around the state while having fun with their friends and family.

Race Headquarters » top


Phone	231.587.8812
Fax	231.587.8065
Postal Mail	PO Box 330
	Mancelona, MI 49659
E-mail	wps@torchlake.com

Date & Time » top

Friday, February 4, 2011	Packet Pickup at Shanty Creek Resort 3:00pm - 9:00pm

Saturday, February 5, 2011	7:30am to your race start time. New entries and registration changes must be completed 45 minutes prior to the scheduled race start time. 40km classic & freestyle - 9:30am 20km classic & freestyle - 10:30am 10km tour classic & freestyle - 11:00am

Location » top

The Stampede will start at the Mancelona High School and finish at Shanty Creek Resort & Club.
Click the map on the right for a larger view.

Check-In » top

Stampeders may check in to receive their ski packets from 3:00 - 9:00p.m. Friday, February 4, at Shanty Creek Resort. Clothing bags will be provided and may be retrieved at all finish areas.

Pre-Race Meeting » top

Pre-race meetings will be held Saturday at the new Mancelona High School.

40km classic & freestyle - 8:45am
20km classic & freestyle - 9:45am
10km tour - 10:15am

Races in The White Pine Stampede » top

40 Kilometer Event (25 miles) previously the 50km

Join the thousands who have skied this event on professionally groomed trails which wind through the most picturesque landscape of northwestern Lower Michigan. The race ends at Summit Village at Shanty Creek.

20 Kilometer Event

The 20 kilometer event (12 miles) takes skiers over rolling hills and across fields, concluding at Schuss Village at Shanty Creek.

10 Kilometer Timed Tour

Enjoy skiing the Roger Eschedor 10 kilometer time tour (6 miles), finishing at Schuss Village at Shanty Creek.

Awards » top

White Pine Stampede tee shirt, commemorative medal to each entrant.
White Pine Stampede commemorative plaques are given to the top three finishers in the each classification.
40km and 20km men's and women's champions receive the traditional award together with a gift certificate for Shanty Creek.
Skiers finishing the Stampede will receive a specially cast and registered medal to mark their accomplishment as they cross the finish line.

Awards Ceremony beginning at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, at the Summit Village, Shanty Creek
(Please note: No awards or times will be given to skiers without a bib number.)

Additional Race Information » top

Child care is available.

A portion of each entry fee is donated to the Children's Hospital of Michigan.