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.

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.

Honoring Veterans

On this Veterans Day, thank you to all US veterans and current military personnel. White Swan Inn B&B is proud to have hosted three rooms on November 10 as part of the national Thank You Veterans program.

What started in 2009 by the Gillum House Bed and Breakfast in Shinnstown, WV and the West Virginia Association of Bed and Breakfasts as a way to thank and honor veterans, grew to nearly 900 B&Bs and Inns around the country in 2010. The Thank You Veterans program hopefully will continue to grow in subsequent years.

At White Swan Inn, our guests included a Vietnam Marine Corps veteran, a 20 year career Navy vet and a young woman whose husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan. Jeff and Nancy from Paw Paw commented at breakfast what a difference there is currently on how vets are recognized and how returning vets were treated during the Vietnam era. Harry and Pam from Holton traveled around the world during his enlistment in the Navy. And Fallon, along with her mother Charlene, from California along with her one-year old son is currently staying with her family in Owosso while her Marine Corps husband is serving in Afghanistan.

Since breakfast is half the equation of a B&B, breakfast this Veterans Day morning included fresh strawberries and pineapple topped with lemon yogurt, a baked farmhouse omelet and an upside-down blueberry coffee cake capped off with lots of great conversation around the table. The perfect way to begin the day! Our first-time B&B guests commented on how relaxed they felt and truly enjoyed the night away.

White Swan Inn will definitely be part of the 2011 Thank You Veterans program.

Asparagus Time in Michigan

It's prime season for asparagus in Michigan. Just north of Whitehall in Oceana County is the largest concentration of asparagus farms in the state. In fact, Michigan ranks third in asparagus production in the nation. So, it's only natural that asparagus will be on the breakfast menu at White Swan Inn B&B during the growing season.

When the first asparagus stalks show up at the local farm markets in late spring, I am always excited to introduce this wonderful vegetable to my B&B guests. Occasionally, I will note that a guest seems to be unsure about trying a dish featuring asparagus. Usually it is due to the fact that they’ve never enjoyed really fresh asparagus or have only been served some that has been “cooked to death.”

Asparagus and Red Pepper Tart

½ (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crust, room temperature

1 Tbs. olive oil
½ lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut in one inch pieces
½ cup chopped red pepper
¼ cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp. dried basil
2 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 oz. crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbs. Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large skillet, lightly sauté asparagus, red pepper and onion in olive oil, season with salt, pepper and basil. Unroll pie crust and place on ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on pie crust within an inch of the edge. Spread cooked vegetable mix evenly on top of mozzarella. Top with feta cheese. Fold edge of pie crust over vegetable/cheese mix. The crust will not cover completely vegetable mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until dough is lightly browned.

Remove from oven, sprinkle Parmesan evenly over the crust and exposed vegetables and bake for 5 more minutes. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. Serves 2-3