This morning we were surprised to see our first light frost. First thing Manick, our gardener, did when she came in today was check on what was left in the garden. To everybody’s surprise she came back with a small dish of strawberries and cherry tomatoes for tomorrow’s breakfast and a big dish full of figs for more jam. Our bountiful growing season is coming to a halt though. We are of course already thinking about next year. First we plan on doubling the number of growing beds and adding lots of raspberry bushes. They do so well and the berries are such a treat. We are also going to try our hand at planting asparagus again. About five years ago we planted four large beds behind the barn but the deer got them and we have learned that unless the beds are protected by a high fence we might as well forget it. Deer have sophisticated taste buds too!

Carole, Rita and I have been testing and tasting new recipes for cookies, pies and cakes.

Michael finished cleaning the chimneys to be ready for wood-burning fireplace season. There is nothing quite as cozy than to sit in front of a roaring fire, reading a good book and sip hot mulled cider or hot tea.

Come on down for a visit, we are offering some great special for mid-week stays.

By all means we are ready!

Here is a sampling:

“I feel like a little girl in a play-land”  Karen M.

“One night is not enough to use everything in here” Pat S.

“There are so many water features, by the time you leave you’re all wrinkled!” Tracey N.

“The contrast between the old carriage house and the new cottage is delightful-like going through a magic door to a special place”  Daniel M.

“It’s just like in the Wizard of Oz when it goes from black and white to color!!”  Wilma L.

 ”It is like an adult water park” Rodney S.

 ”We’re never leaving!”  Matt G. and Lynn P.

Check them out on our rooms page and then give us a call. The fall will be here before you know it and these rooms have great fireplaces. Maybe your comments will make the blog!! How exciting….

http://www.bramptoninn.com/mulberry.html

http://www.bramptoninn.com/olivias.html

Olivia’s Meadow is a mirror image of the Mulberry; the design is exactly the same except for the color selections in the decor: she is all dressed up in deep red, black and cream.

The cottage is named for the pony that belonged to Sophie, Michael and Danielle’s oldest daugher, and who once frolicked in the meadow that now affords a lovely,peaceful view.

When you view Olivia’s Meadow on our rooms page, be sure to click on the Video Slideshow icon; we can’t fit all the great pictures on one page!

http://www.bramptoninn.com/olivias.html

The property is home to many species of birds, butterflies and other critters.  We can lend you a pair of binoculars and our Sibley bird guide and you don’t even have to leave the Brampton to go on your own nature trail!  Or take a ride to Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge to look for eagles, osprey and all kinds of ducks and other water birds. (www.easternneck.fws.gov)

If this sounds too quiet, think kayaks. Our guests have been enjoying our kayaks for two years now. They are kept  at the Rock Hall Yacht Club  which gives easy access to the bay.  There is even a little island to paddle out to where you can enjoy a picnic lunch.  The club also has pool for our guests to use. It is one of Kent County’s most beautiful spots. 

Bicycling is another activity that many of our guests enjoy.  Avid bikers come from all around to ride on the large-shouldered, back country roads found throughout Kent County.  In fact, Carolina Tailwinds, a bicycle tour operator from North Carolina, includes Brampton as the starting and ending point for their popular Chesapeake Bay area tour.  They consider the area to have “perfect cycling conditions”. (www.carolinatailwinds.com) 

 If golfing is your thing, you can use our membership at the Chester River Yacht and Country Club to play a round.  They also have a pool for cooling off in these last days of summer. (www.crycc.org)

How about a ride on a sailboat:  Blue Crab Charters out of Rock Hall, MD is extremely popular with our guests.  For only $30 per person, Captain Mark and his First and Only Mate, Suzanne, take up to 3 couples out for a 1.5 hour ride on the bay.  They leave 5 times a day during the summer, but the best time to go is for the sunset cruise.  As Capt. Mark says, he guarantees a sunset every night!! (www.bluecrabcharters.com)

Of course, there’s always shopping…either downtown in Chestertown on First Fridays, or in other little towns around the area like Chesapeake City, Galena, Easton, etc.  If outlets are more your style, Prime Outlets in Queenstown is only about a 40 minute drive. 

Whatever you choose to do while you’re here at the Brampton, we hope you enjoy yourself and you leave feeling relaxed and refreshed and wanting to come back!!

The trees are showing off their new growth of tender green leaves. The peonies are competing for best in show with gigantic blossoms in shades of pink and purple, and the iris are in full bloom too.  When we first came to Brampton 21 years ago the landscape was very different from what it is today. When we look at old photos we can barely believe it’s the same place. Thanks to Manick Burton, our gardener, who has been tending to the landscape for the past 10 years, Brampton is just magnificent this time of year. She is also an amazing potter and you can find her pottery displayed at the inn.

During last week’s rain and high winds we lost one of two sugar maples that graced our front yard. This very old tree had been victim to high wind damage before. Twice during the last 15 years did it loose limbs the size of a medium tree but it kept on producing the most amazing Fall foilage. Sadly, this time the tree split in half and we had to have it removed.

This is also the time of year when our Paulownia trees are in full bloom. You can get a whiff of the sweet flowers when walking on the edge of the plantation.

Every year, during Memorial Day weekend, Chestertown celebrates it’s very own “Tea Party”. Like Boston, the forefathers of this small town had a run-in with the British over tea and taxes. Check-out: http://www.chestertownteaparty.org/schedule.html

for more information.

Three days of small town celebration and merriment culminate in the reenactment of throwing the pesky Brits and their tea over board the Sultana.

Cheerio!

Even if I say so myself it’s gorgeous. Pictures to follow soon. Now we are waiting for warmer weather so the grass and the plants can grow. Other than that the inside is ready for our discerning guests. The biggest hit seems to be the huge infinity tub on the porch. Of course the jury is still out because the steam shower has been gaining mightily in popularity too.

We are offering a super preview mid-week rate for Mulberry cottage to those that mention reading about it on this blog. Don’t wait, give us a call and whisk your honey off for a most romantic getaway. Sunday through Thursday, we will even try our best to let you check-in early and let you leave late.

You may have seen the National Geographic Traveler’s Stay List icon on our home page.  We are very excited and honored to have been included in their list of 150 hotels.  We’d be even more excited to see an actual copy of the magazine!!!

It’s true, we don’t get out much.

So, if you are among the first 5 people to visit and bring us a copy of the April issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine, we will thank you with one of our special, hand thrown ceramic Brampton mugs.

 If you’re wondering what the Stay List is, here is an excerpt from the press release page of their website:

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER April 2008 THE STAY LIST: 150 HOTELS YOU WILL LOVE (PAGE 76)
According to Editor Keith Bellows, there is no greater letdown than a hotel that isn’t original and fails to exhibit any understanding of its cultural context. Hence the creation of National Geographic Traveler’s “Stay List” that celebrates 150 hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean region that are among the best at blending location-inspired architecture, ambience and amenities, eco-stewardship and an ethic of giving back to the community. Backed by extensive research, including input from local experts and seasoned travelers, in-depth questionnaires to more than 600 nominated hotels and detailed follow-up by magazine staff, the list showcases overnights that range from rustic to luxurious, dirt cheap to splurge. Yet all the featured hotels cherish a sense of place and offer a sweet night’s sleep. Organized by country, state and city, this is a list that travelers will refer to repeatedly.

The new cottages are coming along nicely,  with the first one, tentatively named Mulberry Grove, due to open in a few weeks.  Michael and Danielle are very busy with the final details.  With their floor to ceiling fireplaces and luxurious tile bathrooms inside, and screened in porches with soaking tubs outside, they promise to be very popular.

We hope that you are enjoying this first day of spring wherever you are, and that we see you soon!

 All the best,

Rita

Marshmallows Recipe

Ingredients:
3½   envelopes of Knox gelatin
½  cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
½  cups corn syrup
½  cup hot water
¼  teaspoon salt                                                                                                                     2 large egg whites, (we use pasteurized whites)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners’ sugar for dredgingInstructions:Oil bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 Pyrex dish and dust bottom and sides with confectioner sugar.In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup cold water. Let stand until soft.In a 3 quart heavy sauce pan cook granulated sugar, corn syrup, hot water and salt over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to moderate and boil mixture without stirring until a candy thermometer registers 240 degrees, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat and pour sugar mixture over gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is dissolved.With a standing mixer beat mixture on high until white, thick and nearly tripled in volume, about 6 min. In a large bowl with clean beaters beat egg whites until they hold stiff peaks. Beat whites and vanilla into sugar mixtures until  just combined. Pour mixture into prepared Pyrex form and sift ¼ cup powdered sugar over top. Let dry at room temp. at least 3 hours. Run a knife around edges of pan and invert onto a large cutting board. Cut marshmallows into 1 inch cubes. Sift remaining powdered sugar into a large bowl and add marshmallows in batches, tossing to evenly coat. Keep airtight and cool for up to a week.

This is a great way to keep you informed about news and recipes from the inn. I don’t know about where live but here in beautiful Chestertown, we had 70 degree weather along with a thunderstorm earlier this week and today we woke up to an inch of snow covering the boxwoods.  This keeps Rita and me on our toes and Michael in shape!

Thank goodnes for all those wood-burning fireplaces to keep our guests toasty warm. Add a cup off hot chocolate and a home-made marshmallow and what else do you need??

Stay tuned for more weather and other up-dates.

Hope to see you soon,

Danielle