Bed and Breakfast Magic

You don’t get this type of magic in a hotel or motel (written by young lovers at Windward House)(2007)

Oh Sofia, This room was a great idea. I thought we were going to have to sleep on your sister’s floor. With the dog to boot. I mean I like the dog but this is so much better than sleeping with the dog.  And the bath…. OMG how nice was that?  Maybe a 25% larger tub would make it more fun for two of us. I have to say you do look good in the tub….

Oh Rick, When Mamma said she would treat us to a room,(my mamma, not yours or ours, that would be weird!) I had no idea there would be a canopy. I luuuvvvv canopies. I even love to say the word can oh pea! It just feels good on the tip of my tongue. Mmmm! Thank you for un-tucking the bed linen for me. I like to feel free even my feet like to feel free and they are warm and toasty and happy!!

Culinary Tourism

Culinary tourism is defined as experiential travel, including local, domestic, and international tours, whereby one learns about and/or consumes food and drink reflecting a region’s cuisine and/or culture. Camden Maine is a New England Epicenter for Culinary tourism. The food and drink of the coast of Maine are superb and should be experienced by all. I have children and recently we went to NY for the traditional Italian family Christmas Eve fish dinner. My 10 year old son commented that the lobster in NY was not as good as the lobster in Maine. Most people at the party agreed. It was then that I realized the asset I have in my Maine neighborhood. The wonderful bounty of the sea: Frutta di Mar. The flavors of the coast are like no other.  Potatoes, vodka, fiddleheads,blueberries all worth trying when in Camden Maine.

I hestitate to share this wonderful website I recently came upon (don’t want everyone to know my great find). For those that want truely Maine Made protects, should check out http://www.transfigurationhermitage.org/. These nuns can make some awesome cookies and jams. They also make a great lasagna, but you can’t buy that online.

Earth Hour 2010

March 27, 2010

8:30 pm

Camden Windward House is the 1st Bed and Breakfast Environmental Leader In Camden Maine. March 28, 2010 at 8:30pm we will shut off all unnecessary electricity and honor this global effort. Turning off your lights for one hour, Earth Hour, Americans  show that they care about this issue and stand with the rest of the world in finding solutions to the escalating climate crisis.

I often tell people that being green is not easy due to the cost of environmental products. Have you ever asked for an estimate to put solar panels on your roof, or revamp your heating system to be more efficient? If you have you know what I am talking about. Even environmental friendly products are more expensive. There are things here at Windward that we have done that the state of Maine acknowledged and has rewarded us with the Green Certificate. This effort, contributing to a hour of no electricity, is something that everyone can do and if we all do it, we could make a great impact on the world. I encourage all to sign up for this effort.

LETTER TO GOVERNOR BALDACCI – GOVERNOR OF MAINE

In a bold statement of collective concern for our country, our planet and our future thousands of citizens across the state will join millions of people around the world in turning off their lights for one hour–Earth Hour–on March 27, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. local time.

United we are saying it’s time for our state to turn off the lights on pollution and climate change.  We support making the switch to a low carbon economy that will create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help us remain competitive in the global economy.

I am writing to ask that our state participate in Earth Hour 2010.

Participation is easy. By agreeing to turn off all non-essential lighting in the governor’s mansion and state capitol during the event, we will join cities, states, individuals, corporate and government leaders across the country and around the world in calling for action to save our planet for future generations.

Led by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is the largest event of its kind in the world. In 2009, nearly one billion people from 4,100 cities in 87 countries participated, as well as international landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower and Great Pyramids, and the city skylines of Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Tel Aviv.

Earth Hour reminds us that by working together, we can make a difference in solving one of the most critical issues of our time. Earth Hour also provides an excellent forum for citizens to hold meaningful conversations about the ways in which all of us can act to be part of the solution, which is why I encourage you to make our state a participant in Earth Hour 2010.

Additional details are available at www.EarthHour.org or you can contact WWF at EarthHour@wwfus.org for additional assistance.

Our community cares about the environment. I very much hope that you will choose to participate and help send a powerful message to the world that the U.S. is a leader in the movement to address climate change.

Camden Cookies for a Cause

The Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast is hosting its first Cookie Walk. I baked 84 cookies today and prepared cookies dough for another 100 to baked off tomorrow. Tomorrow is the kick off to the Christmas By the Sea Holiday in the Mid Coast of Maine. It is a wonderful time to visit the area. There will be a parade in the downtown and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Saturday, Camden Windward House is the sponsor of Santa coming to Camden Harbor by Lobster Boat @ 11:30am. Santa motors in and then walks up to the Camden Public Library (12:00pm) to read the Night Before Christmas to the children. at 1:00 The Camden Windward House will host the Cookie Walk. The cookie fundraiser benefits local school nurse Judy Clossey. Judy has been helping area children for over 35 years.

1st coookie for the WALK:

White Chocolate and Rasperry Cookies:

11 ounces white baking chocolate

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp Salt

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup seedless jam

1/2 tsp shortening

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Melt 4 ounces of white baking chocolate and let cool. Ta ke another 4 ounces of white chocolate and chop int small pieces.

2. Beat in  butter, sugar, baking soda and salt, beat until combined. Beat in eggs and melted white chocolate. Beat in flour, and then stir in extra 4 ounces of chopped white chocolat.

3. Drop by tsp onto cookie sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes. Bake until brown around the  edges and bottom. Let stand for 1 minute on the sheet then cool on rack.

4. Before serving, melt jam over low hea. Spoon onto of cookie. Heat the remaing 3 ounces of white chocolate and the shortening. Dizzle over the cookies, refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm.

ENJOY!!!

New Wine Tasting Law

Sign of the times, you can’t take your kids into a wine tasting room. Maine will pass a new law that children can not see you tasting wine. Although I somewhat agree with this law, I thought this article about the law was hysterical: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6729883.html , The last line, “We had a wine tasting this weekend and a couple with a baby stroller came in,” she said. “They would have had to leave the baby on the street or I guess the parents could take turns.” 

There are some wonderful wineries in the Mid coast of maine. The Cellardoor winery this year has decided to make their Wine stomping festival an adult only event, which makes sense, but boy was it fun to bring the kids the last 2 years. The winery had lots of things for the kids and it was fun for all. This year there will be a grand tent with orchestra music and dancing. Oct 2nd and 3rd, 2009.

Friday night, October 2, with a ticketed wine dinner-dance. Dinner will be served in the vineyard at Cellardoor Winery and each course will be paired with Cellardoor’s wines.  Dinner will be followed by desserts and dancing – dance music provided by Maine Pro Musica.
The Saturday, October 3 Vinfest lineup includes a stellar array of food, wine, music and activities for grown-ups. Cellardoor Winery will host grape stomping, a homemade wine competition, wine tastings, lunch prepared and served by Riverfront Barbeque & Grille of Augusta, wine cellar tours, live music all day, farm stands, hot air balloon rides and many other interesting activities.

Tickets for all Vinfest events will be on sale online. Tickets for the Friday night Vinfest dinner/dance are $100/person and will also gain you admission to the Saturday Vinfest activities. Saturday admission is $10/person.