Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year everyone. I hope your holidays were wonderful and that the new year brings you nothing but health, wealth, and peace.

We are getting ready for a big year here at the Inn. We are working on the addition, to get it finished for the upcoming season. The electric is in and the staircases are done. The next things are the duct work and insulation and then its smooth sailing from then on. The addition will include our living quarters, an office and reception area for the guests and two new guest rooms. More info to come as well as pictures of the progress.

Bill and I are getting ready to put in our order for more chickens this year. We are ordering at least 25 more chickens as well as 10 ducks. Just don't say that the Inn at Stony Creek is for the birds. :) We will be expanding our breakfast menus to include many more egg dishes as well as new muffins and breads to utilize all these fresh eggs.

We have also been mapping out the garden for this year's planting season. We are going to be growing many more vegetables to be used in our breakfasts for the guests. So far we've decided on tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and squash and all sorts of fresh herbs, all organic of course.

Our next big weekend will be Valentine's Day. I am already getting the recipes out and planning to make some heart shaped linzer tarts for the guests. And we will also be serving heart shaped pancakes with fresh strawberries as well as fried eggs that are also heart shaped.

2011 will also bring some new events to the Inn. We are toying with the idea of specials such as drive-in nights, which would include a night's stay, tickets to the drive-in and snacks and drinks to take with you. Another plan is to provide a dinner for guests who have rented the whole inn and choose to have dinner here in lieu of going to an outside restaurant. We of course have other extras such as chocolate covered strawberries, flowers, massages, etc. More information will post here in future blogs.

As far as whats going on in the area; on February 12-14, Greenwood Lake will be host to their Annual Winter Carnival sponsored by the Breezy Point Inn. All kinds of activities and contests and plenty of food and drink. Check online for more information.

On February 13, Pennings will sponsor their Sweetheart Barn Dance from 7-11pm. $10 adults and $5 for children. Come enjoy and old fashioned hoe down. Food and drink will be available to purchase. Call 845 986-1059 for further details.

Also on February 13, Florida, NY will be having their grand opening of an indoor Farmer's Market from 11am to 4pm. Food, live music, chocolates, flowers, and all kinds of Valentine's gifts will be available. Call 845 651-1170 to get more information.

And don't miss the annual Valentine's Day party at the Eclectic Eye on Railroad Ave. George will be on hand as usual as host. Call for details.

Ok folks, time for my monthly recipe. I wondered what to start the year off with, and I decided that a tasty muffin recipe that can be served at any time during the year would fit any season.

The Inn at Stony Creek Sweet Muffins

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tsp. vanilla

1 2/3 cups of unbleached flour

2 tsp baking powder

pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease muffin tin or use muffin papers

Beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and sour cream.

In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt.

Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until just blended.

Fold in your favorite ingredient. ( I do it according to season) berries, bananas, applesauce or nuts or any combination of ingredients, 1 cup of whatever you choose.

Don't overmix or muffins will be tough.

Spoon batter into the prepared pans or cups and fill 2/3 full.

Sprinkle some raw sugar over the muffins and bake for about 20 minutes. Let muffins cool in pan for about 5 min. Turn onto a rack.

Best served warm.

Hope you enjoy the recipe and remember they taste best when served at the Inn at Stony Creek. (smile)

Well folks, Bill and I wish you again a very Happy New Year and we hope that you will come visit us year. God Bless you all.