Family Recipes and Homespun Goodness

Greetings, Blog Readers!

Summer at Inn at Long Lake is proceeding just fine. The consistent rain we've had in Western Maine has been replaced with humid weather. We certainly needed a break from the rain but baking over an oven during this time of year is challenging (still love it, though!).

Matthew has been helping more around the Front Desk and in serving breakfast. This past weekend he lent me a beautiful FAMILY COOKBOOK dedicated to his "Grammie Ryder." The recipes were compiled by Matthew's Uncle Clayburn (haven't heard that name in a while!) and it is a wonderful testimony to an awesome homecook.

Elsie (Matthew's "Grammie") moved to Portland in 1926. She worked at many places in the Metro Portland area, including Spurwink Country Kitchen in the late 50's and Salmon Falls Country Club in the late 1960's. Her recipes include a Deluxe Gumdrop Cake (sounds chewy!), a Pumpkin Cake Roll (perfect for Autumn in New England, I'm sure), and fruity Raspberry Bars (YUM!).

Again...and I say it all the time. NOW---during your Summer cookouts and parties, get the recipes from your immediate families. Honoring the legacy of your family's food history can be done in many creative ways:

1. a cookbook like the one above,
2. a piece of artwork with a family recipe for kitchen decor,
3. (insert your own creative idea!).

There is nothing like family recipes. They remind of us the love we share, or had, with someone connected to us.

Speaking of recipes, back to the Inn Kitchen. Today's cookies are: Double Chocolate Chewies. Time to crank up my oven. May your day be happy wherever you are!

Your Maine Innkeeper,

Keith A. Neubert
Inn at Long Lake
Naples, Maine
80 degrees

A Guest Comments on Us.....

Greetings, Blog Readers! I trust everyone's Summer is in full swing & that plans for being with friends, family, and alone on a lawnchair are being made.

I received a lovely e-mail from Jim and Cheryl (in Tennessee) who stayed at Inn at Long Lake in June. As the tag end of their trip was open-ended, I sent them to a variety of excellent inns in Camden, Bath, & Portland. While I knew they would be in capable hands, their comment to me was:

"Dear Keith:

We had a wonderful time at all the B&B's, but by unanimous vote, your place is the best. The others were wonderful but you did the "little extra" that meant so much to all of us...We are all planning a trip to Maine in a couple of years and will definitely give you a call."
This made my day, of course.

Busy part of the Summer season now so will catch up on this blog soon.

Quick Party Tip:

*Cut fat in your Summer salads (coleslaw, potato, macaroni, etc.) by adding a combination of Light Mayonnaise & Low-Fat Sour Cream. Remember to jazz up the salads with seasonings (I love low Sodium Mrs. Dash & Jane's Crazy Mixed-Up Salt).
Bon Appetit!!

Keith
Your Maine Innkeeper
Western Maine Lakes and Mountains
Naples, ME

Morning Scones on a Rainy Day

Greetings, Blog Readers.

Despite the rainy, cooler days here in Naples, Maine, guests at the inn have been keeping busy. For me, baking is always nicer on cooler days rather than in humid weather.

This morning finds me trying a new recipe that I found in a book called "Simply Scones" by Leslie Weiner & Barbara Albright. I adapted it, though. These Whole Wheat-Berry Scones are cooling as I write. The simple scone dough has been modified by adding dried blueberries and wolfberries (better known as goji berries). These orange-red berries have a slightly tart flavor like cranberries with a hint of apricot. I added these into the dough, wrapped it tightly in cling wrap last evening, and baked them off today. Hints of nutmeg and cinnamon are permeating the inn. I hope the guests can smell them while they finish up their night of slumber.

A simple Broccoli-Cheddar Quiche (crustless) is baking in the oven now for them, too.

Other than that, the Summer continues and I have been receiving many reservations for the Fall. Looks like people are thinking ahead.

My inn-made granola is now being sold in our new Inn at Long Lake gift area, down at the fabulous wild plum owned by my gal-pal Tracy, and at my friend Ben's store Lake Region Produce & More. It is exciting to be able to market these outside the inn. I sent a bag to my friends Dianne & MaryBeth (my gal-pal in New Orleans, who I used to team with in the French Quarter waiting tables).

Stay happy even with the weather, everyone. Summer 2009 is waiting for memories to be made with you.

Your Maine Innkeeper,

Keith
Inn at Long Lake