Enjoy Asparagus

It's asparagus season in Michigan! At this time of year, fresh asparagus is regularly on the breakfast menu at White Swan Inn. Grilled chicken and asparagus quiche, asparagus and red pepper tart, ham and asparagus crescent, asparagus and spinach strata... so many delicious options.

Here's a recipe that's quick and quite tasty; great for breakfast/brunch or for an alternative add a salad and you've got a yummy dinner.

Ham and Asparagus Crescent

1 tube (8 ounce) refrigerated crescent roll dough
2 tablespoons honey mustard
¼ pound smoked ham, chopped
1 cup trimmed asparagus, small pieces
2 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded

Unroll dough onto ungreased baking sheet; pinching perforations together. Spread honey mustard lengthwise down center third of dough. Place ham and asparagus on top of mustard, top with shredded cheese.

With sharp knife, make diagonal cuts to each side of the dough (approximately 1-1½ inches apart). Crisscross dough over ham and cheese filling, sealing ends by pinching dough together.

Bake in preheated 350° oven 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to serving platter, enjoy. Serves: 2

For your own taste-test, book a reservation during asparagus season at White Swan Inn in Whitehall, Michigan.

Yes, your child is welcome at White Swan Inn

Children at a B&B? Bring your pet to a B&B? Today's bed and breakfast properties aren't just for romantic getaways. At White Swan Inn in Whitehall, we have welcomed numerous families over the years. I have enjoyed meeting some really great kids, watching them grow in subsequent visits. Our room journals are filled with carefully printed comments and clever drawings illustrating the fun experiences that our young guests have enjoyed. Guests from Ann Arbor wrote, "Thanks for taking children. Tyler loved it here and will remember this vacation fondly." And kids love the big bathtubs in the Cygnet Suite and the Covell Room.

Guests from California posted on TripAdvisor, "Can't recommend them enough; you feel like family in their beautifully-appointed home. Plus, they were very comfortable having our 5 year old boy staying with us in our room...and their two cats kept him entertained throughout our visit." Many comments in the journals and the online reviews make mention of our cats. Max and Cricket garner as many compliments as do our delicious breakfasts.

In addition to the children, I have also met some great pets. It is easier in the off-season to welcome a guest's dog to White Swan Inn, as we don't have as many guests coming and going. When talking to a potential guest about bringing their dog, I always reiterate that we have two house cats. Most of the time, our cats make themselves scarce when they sense that a dog is visiting. Friendly, well-traveled dogs seem like such a natural in a B&B.

Check out for yourself the welcoming atmosphere at White Swan Inn in Whitehall with your child or pet.

Breakfast at a B&B is a Better Way to Start Your Day!

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Delicious, amazing, wonderful are a few of the adjectives used to describe breakfast at White Swan Inn in Whitehall. Food allergies and diet restrictions do not limit the variety of delicious food served at today's B&B properties. At White Swan Inn, I am very aware of some guest's limitations and plan accordingly. When guests inform me of food or diet issues, I am readily prepared to exceed their expectations with fabulous food that will fit into their regimen.

Allergic to soy, wheat, nuts, dairy or whatever; espousing a vegan or vegetarian approach to food? Not a problem. A recent guest review posted at Bed & Breakfast.com "breakfast was delicious even for a diabetic." "We felt at home and the hosts were really nice and made us a special vegetarian breakfast - to die for!" is a comment posted at TripAdvisor which affirms that taking care of our guests at White Swan Inn is of primary importance.

In addition to accommodating diet requirements, I am also sensitive to guest schedules. Have an early tee-time or a business meeting or are a late sleeper? Again, not a problem. Flexibility is the key. And a comment from one of our guest journals, "We enjoyed our breakfast conversation with the other guests - wonderful company and great food" sums up what the B&B experience is all about. Remember breakfast is half the equation: Bed and Breakfast, a Better Way to Stay!

Bed, Breakfast and Bath

The scenario of a shared bath at contemporary B&B is an oxymoron. What existed 20-25 years ago, no longer holds true in the current bed and breakfast industry. Yes, there may be a few properties that still offer a shared bath but they are few and far between.

Today's B&B bathrooms have become a retreat unto themselves. At the White Swan Inn, the bath in the Cygnet Suite is quite generous in size and has a very relaxing air-jet whirlpool tub, blending a vintage look with modern technology. Add a large ceramic-tiled shower, a sink set into a birds-eye maple dresser, a separate room for the toilet with an additional pedestal sink and our guests agree that this bathroom has the "wow" factor. Compliment the space with hand-made soaps and Turkish cotton towels and guests don't want to leave.

Experience for yourself a relaxing getaway and a "Better Way to Stay" at White Swan Inn in Whitehall.

Bed and Breakfast - A Better Way to Stay

There is a myth among some travelers that B&B's are filled with lace doilies, paisley wallpaper, patchwork quilts, and shared baths. Nothing could be further from the truth. What may have existed in the 90's has been updated to reflect a variety of decor options. All around Michigan and every other state in the US, B&B innkeepers are offering exceptional hospitality, relaxing well-appointed accommodations and the attention to detail that generally does not exist in the hotel world.

First-time guests are usually amazed at how comfortable and relaxed they feel, as reflected in this review from a recent TripAdvisor posting about a visit to White Swan Inn. "My wife and I had never been to a B&B before and decided to go for our 3rd wedding anniversary. We are very glad we chose the White Swan Inn. It is beautiful, charming and we were so cozy in our room (so much so we overslept each day). The room is equipped with everything you want to relax indoors..."

Guest rooms at White Swan Inn include free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV with DVD player, and a selection of DVD's are available for guests to enjoy. Luxury amenities include Turkish cotton towels, soft elegant robes, hand-made soaps and of course a delicious breakfast. Many guest reviews comment on the relaxing accommodations, this review was posted at bedandbreakfast.com, "This was our first B&B and it was a great experience. The innkeepers were great, the food was delicious, and the rooms were beautiful. We may never stay at a hotel again."

Whether for business travel or pleasure, choose a B&B for your next reservation and experience the "Better Way to Stay" difference yourself.

Cajun Crawl - Blues Concert and Chili Cook-Off

Winter is still around but things are heating up Saturday, Feb. 26 with the Cajun Crawl at the Howmet Playhouse. Start off the evening at Pub 111 in downtown Whitehall with a Chili Cook-Off. $8 gets you chili options with all the fixings and dessert. Drink prices at Pub 111 are very reasonable. Chili served from 5:30 until it's gone!

Then "crawl" down the street to Howmet Playhouse (directly across the street from White Swan Inn) for a hot evening of cool blues. The Hawktones with legendary Grand Rapids blues artist, Junior Valentine will be rocking the house at 7:30 pm. Tickets are only $10!

Need more music? Head back to Pub 111 after the concert for King B and the Buzztones. Don't worry about finding a designated driver, book an overnight stay at White Swan Inn B&B and you can leave your car parked!

Winter Beach Visit

Wonder what it's like to visit the beach at Lake Michigan in the winter? Depending upon the day, the beach might be deserted, peaceful, picturesque, wild, cold, or just plain awesome. I decided to start 2011 with a visit to Lake Michigan and check on this incredible natural wonder. The closest Lake Michigan beaches (White Lake channel and Duck Lake State Park) are just a short drive from White Swan Inn.

The National Weather Service issued gale warnings for New Years Day - a great time to check out the waves! And yes, it was cold!!!!! There was a lone fisherman on the south pier of the White Lake channel. He obviously was dressed for the weather. The waves were rolling down the channel and the winds were gusting around 30 mph (maybe more.) I don't know what the wind chill temp was; all I know is that it was cold. Did I say it was COLD? ... and beautiful as well.

After taking photos, it was back in the car, got to love those heated seats, and back to White Swan Inn for some hot chocolate and a chance to warm up. Book a getaway at White Swan Inn and check out the winter beach scene for yourself.