The innkeepers at Blueberry Cove Inn, Narragansett, RI invite you to their world of innkeeping. This is a behind the scenes look at their version of innkeeping.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Curbing the Munchies
Obviously the most obvious tip - don't have anything around to munch on - really doesn't work in most households. You don't want to deprive the rest of the family but then those things sound a Siren's call every time you get a little bored. So what might work (WFMW)?
If you have things around put them in a cupboard that you need a step stool to reach. Put healthy snacks on the same shelf. Put the step stool in the basement or garage so you have to hunt it up to use it. The delay and aggravation involved in getting to the munchables might help you skip it altogether.
Next, allow snacking if you brush your teeth before and after the snack. Again, the forced delay might give you second thoughts about eating. (This is also a tip to apply to bored kids that want treats too close to dinner.) It also eliminates munching in the car since you can't brush.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Hotels sing the blues so stay at a B&B instead
We can sympathize with their problems but we are not going to follow their lead. We will continue to provide the small bath room amenities, free WIFI, luxury linens, air conditioning, cable TV, DVDs, beach towels and umbrellas, bountiful breakfasts (but still the Chef's choice of menu), the same staffing levels including daily maid service, and the other comforts our guests have come to expect. Heck, we might even come up with a few new amenities just for the fun of it. Despite the economic pressures we hope to avoid price increases this season.
If you don't plan to visit Narragansett this year be sure to check out B&Bs at your preferred destination. You may find that the atmosphere and amenities provided by B&Bs can be an excellent value for your money compared to local motels and hotels.
Let us know in the comments if there is an amenity you would like us to offer. We'd love some suggestions.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
More Snow in RI!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
RI joins E-ZPass
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Blueberry on the Road
Basically we talk to the students about the our reality of planning and executing a B&B without killing your partner. We also give them some very hard financial data about owning an inn. I think the two biggest shocks for the students are how hard we work to run this place without staff and how little profit there is when a 130 year old building makes old building repair demands. This year Dave was a huge hit with the class. (My financial discussion was a little boring, truth be told.)
Dave was really into the discussion this year. He even wrote points on the board that almost everyone in the class dutifully inscribed into their notes. My camera got stuck in video mode but it turned out so cute I just had to share:
The class is a lot of fun and very educational for us. It forces us to sit down and consider where the Inn came from and what we hope to achieve with us in the coming year. The students always pose a few questions that bring us to a "duh" moment which only makes us better innkeepers.
Thanks for inviting us to class and have stunning careers.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Stop dishpan hands
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Perfecting meringue
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
We should go where in January??
So beyond eating and sleeping and romancing, what will you do? This weekend you can check out the Bridal Show at the Towers, the Twelfth Night Celebration in Westerly and join the Audubon Society for a Winter Exploration. Have the beach almost to yourself. Join the surfers or just stay warm on shore and worry about their mental health issues. South County Tourism thoughtfully provides an events calendar that is updated frequently. Have a spa day, go golfing, go on a seal watch boat tour, indulge in some shopping (clothing is tax free), and just indulge in that thing called "relaxation."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Cake Triumphant
Although Gourmet's 12 Layer Mocha Cake looked and sounded great, truth be told I don't like coffee flavored things or hazelnuts. The recipe is a bit of a challenge but fun to do. The layers come together fairly quickly but the classic butter cream takes nearly an hour to make. Most of the hour is just walking past the whirling Kitchenaid and cheering on the beaters but you can't rush things. But it is sooooo worth the time.
Imagine the look of warm, satiny smooth taffy. Such a sheen! The texture? Imagine ice cream stirred into a silky slush. I flavored one with melted white chocolate and one with melted semi-sweet chocolate.
So, assemble the basics: cake layer, chocolate souffle layer, meringue (with chopped toasted pecans instead of hazelnuts) and the butter creams.
Not to fear, after chilling for an hour you come back and slice the sides so it looks pretty. Unfortunately my camera phone won't let me have that photo. This is how the Gourmet gang finished their cake:
Then you find some guinea pigs and force them to consume the final product. I like to use the University of Rhode Island students that live with us in the winter and their friends. (If they object I point out the clause in their lease that requires them to attend taste tests.)
All's well that ends well, the modified recipe is a keeper. A little more work on presentation and it is sure to debut on Chocolate Weekend.