Online Edition No.51 December 2008
Newsletter Title
 

GIZMO'S GOSSIP  Gizmo's Gossip

Hi again everyone.  Gizmo here.
With the holidays fast approaching I find it only fitting that I impart some  "Dog Etiquette" to my canine subscribers. I frequently receive letters from poodles, westies, pugs... you name it, who just want to vent. I guess I'm the only  canine "Ann Landers" they feel they can turn to. Well guys, the holidays are approaching and I feel that hindsight is 20/20 and I should remind you of just a couple of things. I've learned the hard way. So, when Mom & Dad  invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part: Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans - don't eat off the buffet table - beg for goodies subtly - be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa - don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach.  And remember, a big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!
 

Brad & Jacquie

 

P.S. Here's a picture of Mom & Dad in Pensacola Florida last month visiting my brother Mark.

 

Love Gizmo

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Spiced Pecans & Peach ButterSweet Potato Pancakes with Spiced Pecans & Peach Butter

Something special and different for the holiday season. Enjoy!

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
5 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 cups buttermilk
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large sweet potato, roasted and cooled
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Spiced Pecans, recipe follows
Peach Butter, recipe follows

 
1. . In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter, and then add this to the dry mixture. Peel and mash the sweet potato, place it in a bowl, and then add the honey, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix it well. Add this mixture into the pancake batter. Let the batter stand for 1 hour (or you can make it a day ahead of time). .
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add batter by the ladleful and cook the pancakes, in batches, until golden brown on each side. Serve immediately with Spiced Pecans and Peach Butter.
Spiced Pecans:
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 tablespoon butter
1/2 tablespoon tupelo honey
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add all the ingredients and cook until the pecans are lightly brown and caramelized, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cool, and store in an airtight container. Yield : 1 Cup

Peach Butter:
1/2 cup peaches, peeled and diced
1/2 pound butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
Pinch sea salt

3. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Yield : 1 1/2 Cups

 

 

Smugglers Notch Snow Report

Vermont Ski Report

Specials and more Specials! 

Buck Hollow Farm

Hi,

Skier's Special: ( January 4th to February 28th): It is no secret that the best skiing is during the week - fewer people, shorter waits, better powder. It is also no secret that inns and lodging establishments find it challenging to fill their rooms during the week in the offseason. (It's also no secret that everyone is edgy about the economy). IT'S A PERFECT MATCH.

To encourage all of you to make use of weekdays during the winter, we're making the following offer. Come stay with us and to the extent that any or all of your stay includes two weekday nights, excluding Friday and Saturday, we'll cut the cost of those weekday nights in half. That's right, a 50% discount. So, for example, if you stay Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, those first two nights will be at half price while Friday will be at the regular rate. Or, if you stay Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the cost of the entire stay is cut in half. Such a deal.

In this month's issue we are also including a link to Smuggler's Notch Ski Report so by clicking on the link you'll be able to view  the latest up to date ski conditions. Don't forget we also have complimentary snowshoes for guests and our outdoor hot tub is open year round. Please be sure to ask for our special discount coupon to Smugg's during your visit. Hope to see you soon. (No other discounts apply ie. AAA or Canadian at Par.)

 

Holiday Shopping Special: This year the holiday rush is accompanied by uncertain economic times, which most analysts agree will induce restraint in retail shopping. At the inn we understand that and perhaps we can help a little. How about taking a couple days at the inn during December to ease the tension and also do a little Vermont shopping (Our crafts, specialty foods and Vermont made products are simply a cut above). We'll help ease the financial cost by providing one of Jacquie's wonderful home made pizzas and her home made maple ice cream for dessert. AND, in case that wasn't enough of an inducement, (sound like one of those awful infomercials ?) we'll also waive our pet fee. AND ........All you need to do is to stay two nights between December 1 and December 22 and let us know which night you want your pizza. Hope to see you then.



Brad and Jacquie Foliage Banner

OK, so you don't love to ski. (Don't worry, you're not alone.) But there is plenty of winter fun in Vermont for the non-skier.
As your innkeepers we are your best ally. We are virtual encyclopedias of local information and activities. But, to get you started, we thought we'd give you a few suggestions.

Here are just a few of our favorite winter fun options:

check Get Out in the Snow -  Leave it all behind on a pair of our complimentary lightweight snowshoes and head out into the back country. We have 400 snowy acres to explore.

checkTry Sledding Again - It's not just for kids anymore. Vermont has two companies making sleds for adults and redefining what it means to have fun in the snow.

checkGo Ice Skating - Most Vermont towns and villages have a community skating rink. As your innkeeper we might also be able to suggest a park or pond that the locals use for skating. You say you don't have skates - most indoor rinks offer rentals. Ice skate year round at CREW indoor arena. Skates available for rent. 802 888-0166. Skate outdoors in a covered setting at Jackson Arena Stowe Nov. - Mar., $3. Skates available for rent, $4.50. 802 253-3721

check Take a Sleigh Ride - "The Road Less Taken" owned by Scott and Jori Dean offer traditional horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides. Tel: 802-868-4404

check Ride a Snowmobile - If you've never tried it, snowmobiling is easy, comfortable and surprisingly addictive. Take a guided nighttime snowmobile tour that departs on the hour, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Starting at the base of Morse Mountain, travel by way of Madonna Lodge over snow-covered Rt. 108, through the Notch, over to Stowe, and back. The tour takes about 1 hour and you must be 18 years of age to operate a snowmobile. All tours are by reservation only. Snowmobile Tours

check Hit the Spa - If your idea of relaxation has nothing to do with speeding down a mountain side, slow things down with a luxurious day at the spa. We now have a massage therapist on call. Just let us know the time and day and she will come to the inn to work her magic. Afterwards you can slip into our year round outdoor hot tub.

check Watch the Dog Sled Races - The sight (and sound) of 16-dog teams racing over a frozen lake is hard to match. Dogsled Info

check See Where It's Made -See how Vermonters make world-class ice cream, furniture, teddy bears, blown glass, cheese, chocolate, pewter and much much more. Vermont Made Products

check Catch a Concert - From jazz to folk to classical, Vermont's music scene is busy and eclectic. Check it out at The Flynn Theater

check Track a Moose - Walking in the woods after a fresh snow can yield countless discoveries.

check Tour a Brewery - Vermont is home to dozens of micro-breweries. Some of the larger ones offer tours. Magic Hat Brewery and Mardi Gras Info.

check Visit a (Little) City - From Burlington to St. Albans, Johnson to Jeffersonville, Vermont's cities are the way cities used to be -- small, friendly and often quirky.

check Hit a Sugarhouse - In late winter, the sap starts running and the sweet smell of maple fills the air. Or take a tour of our sugarhouse and follow the maple tree trail in pursuit of our resident moose Morris. Anyone who sees him gets a FREE gallon of our maple syrup.

check Browse for Antiques - The selection is often comparable, and the prices better, than you'll find further south. We have our own shop at the inn and we can also direct you to area shops.

check Try Ice Fishing - Find out why all those structures pop up on Vermont's ice-covered waters.  Ice Fishing Info

check Walk a Covered Bridge - Vermont is home to 106 covered bridges. Northern Vermont Covered Bridges.

check Shop a Country Store - Before the shopping mall, America depended on the local general store. In Vermont, many still do.

check Join a Contra Dance - In Town Halls and school gyms, the community square dance is a Vermont hallmark. Burlington Contra Dance Info.

check Go Outlet Shopping - Vermonters appreciate a good bargain. You'll find some of the best at outlet stores in Manchester and Essex. Essex Outlets

check Dine at a Church Supper - One of the cornerstones of Vermont's tight-knit communities, the church supper is a popular meeting place for locals and those just passing through. There is an actual website for Vermont Suppers so you can plan a supper around your visit.