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.

Christmas Cookies

As the innkeeper at White Swan Inn, I bake numerous batches of cookies throughout the year. I make dozens and dozens of chocolate chip cookies annually. But when the holidays approach, I like to bake something even more special.

Everyone has a favorite Christmas cookie; a cookie that evokes memories of family traditions and childhood dreams. One of my favorites has to be Thumbprint Cookies (I've included the recipe) filled with either jam or buttercream icing. And cut-out sugar cookies are fun to decorate when there are helpers around. Of course, chocolate and peppermint are perennial favorite ingredients.

This season I have decided to try out some new recipes. Just made Red Velvet Cookies (pictured) , yeah kinda like the cake. Wonderful! And I have dough chilling for Viennese Crescents which will be dipped in chocolate once they are baked. Both recipes came via Allrecipes.com Cookie Countdown and TasteofHome.com Cookie Countdown.

A cookie tray filled with a variety of textures, flavors and colors is a holiday treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. Search a re-sale shop for a unique plate or tray and combine with an assortment of holiday cookies and you have created just the right gift for a neighbor, co-worker, or special friends.

This holiday season, guests at White Swan Inn B&B will enjoy cookies with tea or hot chocolate following an afternoon of holiday shopping in downtown Whitehall and Montague.

Thumbprint Cookies

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg, separated
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
favorite flavor of jelly

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla. Work in flour and salt until dough holds together. Shape dough by teaspoonfuls into 1-inch balls.

Beat egg white slightly. Dip each ball into egg white; roll in nuts. Place one inch apart on an un-greased baking sheet; press thumb deeply into center of each. Bake about 10 minutes or until light brown. Immediately remove from baking sheet; cool on wire rack. Fill thumbprints with jelly.

Yield: approx 3 dozen cookies.

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.

Howmet Playhouse Concert - Red Sea Pedestrians

Looking for an affordable night out? First Friday Concerts at the Howmet Playhouse have returned for the winter season. First Friday of the month features cool music in an historic setting.
Tickets are only $10! Such a deal.

This month catch The Red Sea Pedestrians on from Kalamazoo. Original world roots music, blending Klezmer, Greek, Celtic, Gypsy, Jazz, and American Roots creating a high energy fusion for their own unique sound. November 5th at 7:30 pm, Howmet Playhouse, Mears Ave in Whitehall, Michigan.

Located directly across the street from Howmet Playhouse, award-winning White Swan Inn is pleased to support First Friday Concerts.

Pumpkins and Fall Harvest Time in Whitehall and Montague

Harvest time is the culmination of a successful summer growing season. Celebrating the efforts of the local farmers is a long-standing tradition. And what better way to celebrate than with a festival!

Fall Fest (Sept 25) in Whitehall features free hayrides, cider mill and farmers market, a variety of music entertainment, arts/crafts fair and food vendors. Also on the 25th, the 7th Annual Harvest Moon Classic Tournament (disc golf) takes place at the Whitehall Township course.

What started out as a Halloween prank has become a sanctioned event... annually 900-1000 pumpkins roll down the Dowling Street hill with ribbons for the winners of various age categories. Saturday, Oct 9th brings the PumpkinFest to Montague; host to the famous Pumpkin Roll on the Dowling Street hill along with a farmers market, pumpkin carving and painting, pumpkin seed spitting contest and of course pumpkin pies!

Combine a trip to the one of the area festivals with relaxing accommodations at White Swan Inn for your own fall celebration.

Pumpkin and Date Muffin
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper baking cups or grease 12 muffin cups.

Whisk together eggs, pumpkin and butter in a large bowl. Stir in dates.

Add flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt to the pumpkin mixture until just moistened.

Divide batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from the pan and cool on wire rack.

Yield: 12 muffins