Hi folks. We are back to Fall and the Hudson Valley is hopping. We are sooooo busy these days at the Inn that we barely have time to take a deep breath. But this is a good thing. We are occupied with raising our brood of poultry, finishing up the addition and of course tending to the needs of our guests. And everyone in town is gearing up for next week's big Apple Fest. But more about that later.
As I just mentioned, we are finishing up the main floor of the addition. We have had the electricity and plumbling installed and we just had the guys put in the insulation. Next week we start putting up walls. Then we can go ahead with floors and trim and painting. Our first floor will be living quarters for Bill and I and most importantly an office to conduct business for the Inn. The office will also be a resource center for our guests. It will have a computer and books and magazines. We will also have an extensive DVD library for the guests to use while staying here. There will also be directions to all there is to do in the Hudson Valley. Then the second phase will be the lower level which will house two guest rooms that will both have jacuzzi bathrooms. Phase 1 will hopefully be done by the end of November and Phase 2 by next summer. We have lots to do folks so wish us luck.
We are all getting excited about Apple Fest which takes place annually in the Town of Warwick on the first Sunday of every October. Last year, over 35,000 people attended the one day event. There is every kind of exhibit you can imagine and the food is as incredible as it is varied. You can get anything from a hot dog to fried dough to falafel to everything the Hudson Valley has to offer. And there are all kinds of crafts and games to play and great fun for the kids. Oh and there is a different band playing all throughout the festival. So come spend the day and have a ball.
And when you are done with Apple Fest, there is a plethera of wineries and orchards to satisfy your wine tasting and apple picking pleasure. Some of the wineries such as Warwick Valley Winery also serve a delcious lunch that can be eaten in their indoor restaurant or right outside in a beautiful umbrella'd area. Try their Margherita pizza. It is crazy delicious.
Then on October 10th, Pine Island will celebrate their Pumpkin Festival from 8am to 2pm at the Pine Island Park. There all kinds of pumpkin events such as pumpkin tossing, decorating, and even a pumpkin cookie bake off. Check http://www.warwickinfo.net/ for more information.
I will be doing a special Halloween edition of the blog mid-October to let you know what all the Halloween goings-on are. So check back.
Now for my favorite fall recipe. What better dessert to have during Apple Fest and apple picking season than Apple Crisp. Just made this particular dessert and served it with vanilla ice cream. Well, the guests loved it. So here it is for your pleasure.
Apple Crisp
1/2 cup cold butter (1 stick)
1 cup sugar
1/8 tsp of salt
3/4 cup flour
4 cups of apples sliced
2 tblsp sugar
1 tblsp water
1 tblsp cinnamon (or more if you like)
Peel, core and slice apples.
Cut cold butter into chunks.
Using a pastry blender cut butter into the 1 cup of sugar, salt and flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Place the apples into an oiled 8x8 pyrex baking dish. Mix in the 2 tblsp of sugar, water and cinnamon.
Cover with the flour mixture.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until apples are tender and bubbling (about an hour).
Hint: I double the recipe and use a 9x13 pyrex pan.
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and viola you have a delicious fall dessert (or any other time).
Well folks, time to go. Hope you enjoyed the blog and don't forget to check back by around the 15th of October for more Warwick Valley news.
Bye for now.
