Happy August everyone. Just getting back to writing the blog after a short hiatus. We have had a busy summer and did not have time to sit down and get this done. But I am taking a deep breath and want to tell you whats going on here at The Inn at Stony Creek.
First off, the ducks and geese are getting huge. They are just too much fun. And they obey commands from Bill like you would not believe. If Bill tells them its time to go in, they all turn and go into the duck house like little children. The two mallards that we have go for a fly around the field and then return to feed and water. Bill seems to think that they will fly farther and farther each time but should come back to us. And we just got our first duck eggs. They are definitely a little more rich than the chicken eggs but just as delicious.
And speaking of chickens, we just got 25 new chicks back in June and they are also getting really big. But these chicks are very unusual. We had ordered the rare breed sampling and were very surprised when they came. One of the chicks has feathers going all the way down its legs to the ground. It looks like she has pants on. And four of the chicks have fluffy crowns like hats on their heads. One of them I swear looks like Cher during her punk days. In fact we named her
Cher. And one of them, for those who are old enough to remember, we named Hedda Hopper because she looks like she has a big hat on her head. We should start getting eggs from them sometime in September.
There is lots going on in the Warwick Valley this month. Bill and I just got back from a free concert that is held outdoors in nice weather and inside if it rains at the Lycian Theater grounds in Sugar Loaf. They have all different types of music every Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30. You can bring your own picnic supper or the fire department sells hamburgers, hotdogs, soft drinks and snacks.
The Warwick Valley is also abound with farms of all kinds. Every Tuesday in neighboring Florida, NY is a great farmer's market where you can buy veggies, fruits and breads all grown or made in the Warwick Valley. On Sundays there is also a wonderful farmer's market just off the main street in Warwick. Here you can find the best of what our farms have to offer. And free music to boot. There is also a great farmers market in Pine Island on Saturdays. For more information go online to http://www.warwickinfo.net/ for times.
And lets not forget the wineries in the area. On the weekends the Warwick Valley Winery has entertainment and delicious lunches. There are a number of other wineries such as the Demarest Winery, Applewood Orchards, all in Warwick and the Palia Orchards in Central Valley.
Warwick Valley is the place to be especially during this great harvest time. The restaurants in the area are the best you will find anywhere and the shopping is second to none. Hey we even have our own drive-in. Its a great place to be this time of year.
Now I would like to share with you a recipe that I have been making for our guests here at the Inn. It is for oatmeal butterscotch cookies. The guests love them and I hope you will too.
Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2/tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine softened
3/4 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cups packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups quick oatmeal
1 2/3 cups butterscotch morsels
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.
Beat butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
Gradually beat in flour mixture until well combined.
Stir in oats and morsels.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet of parchment prepared
cookie sheet.
Bake for 7 to 8 min. for chewy cookies; 9 to 10 min for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheet for 2 min.. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Makes about 4 doz. cookies.
Enjoy and I guarantee you will.
Boy, have I been rambling or what? Its time for me to go and to wish you all a great rest of the summer. We would love to see you here at the Inn so come on up and stay awhile.
Bill and I send you wishes of good health and laughter and prosperity.
Bye for now.
