Making Christmas Cookies With Our Guests!

The holidays are such a special time for our family, and also for our B&B guests!  This week we had a wonderful family from Australia staying with us.  They had asked if there was some holiday tradition that they could share with us during their stay, and we thought that making our annual Christmas cookies would be the perfect fun activity for us all.  Jamie prepared a large batch of cookie dough the night before, so we were all set for some baking magic when the Kelly family arrived.  After Sarah, Emma, Austin, and Lizzie donned their aprons, everyone got their hands covered with flour, as we rolled out the dough and began using our myriad of cookie cutters.  Cookie sheets rotated into and out of the ovens, as the pile of baked cookies grew.  Next we moved into the dining room, where colored icing and sprinkles had been prepared for decorating.  The artistry of children is always an amazing sight, and this evening was no exception.  Their mom, Jo, even added her touch of whimsy to the festivities. Of course the best part came at the end, as cookies were gobbled up by everybody.  Finally, it was time for the Kellys to retire to the Braeburn Cottage, where we had a 4-foot Christmas tree waiting for them to decorate with some of our traditional family ornaments.  We hope that we gave this delightful family some lasting holiday memories of their time at the Apple Bin Inn... we'll certainly remember our time with them fondly.  Happy holidays to our family, friends, and guests, wherever in the world they may be!

Holiday Shows are Awesome in Lancaster County!

With the holidays upon us, there's no better place to experience live holiday shows than Lancaster County!  Here's the lowdown on some of our favorite theaters:

"Sight & Sound" presents its annual production of "Miracle of Christmas" at the Millennium Theatre.  Shows continue through December 31st, on their amazing 180 degree stage.  Real camels, horses, and donkeys help the performers bring Bethlehem to life, in one of history's most important moments.  And if you arrive at the theater early, you can even interact with the cast members and animals!

The popular American Music Theatre presents its "Winter Wonderland" Christmas Show, with performances through Decvember 30th.  This original show, with its outdoor snowy theme, is sure to delight you with wonderful yuletide songs, dances, comedy, and a visit from Santa too!

The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre's musical version of "Miracle on 34th Street" plays through December 23rd.  Come see and hear how a little old man with a white beard turns Macy's and Gimbel's into true Santa believers!

And if one dinner theater isn't enough for you, try the Rainbow Dinner Theatre's production of "Home for the Holidays".  This "all comedy... all the time" theater brings you a hilarious story about a young couple and their visiting parents, and how Christmas and Chanukah combine in one New York apartment.  Shows continue through December 30th.

When you're in Lancaster for the shows, be sure to stay a couple of nights at the Apple Bin Inn.  Our December rates in the main house are just $99 on weekdays and $129 on weekends, plus tax, with our scrumptious full country breakfasts included!  So give us a call, or visit our website for more information.

And don't forget, our Gift Certificates are perfect for family, friends, business associates, and clergy... and they never expire! 

October Means Halloween!

The second half of October brings one thing to everyone's mind... Halloween!  And Lancaster County boasts some fantastic activities for this all-American holiday.  Two of the best, and scariest, places to go are Jason's Woods and Field of Screams.  They each have multiple attractions that are sure to be hair-raising experiences for the bravest among you!  But don't worry... for the younger or less brave (like us!) there are many other wonderful Halloween activities in Lancaster County.  These include Dutch Wonderland's "Happy Hauntings", Red Rose Segway Tours "Ghosts and Graveyard Tour", and "Ghost Tours of Lancaster County".  So come stay with us at the Apple Bin Inn during your Halloween season... we promise to be a safe haven from the ghouls and goblins out there!

Landis Valley Harvest Days are Coming!

Landis Valley Museum will host its 52nd Annual Harvest Days Festival over Columbus Day weekend, October 8 & 9. If you don't yet know about Landis Valley, it's the country's largest Pennsylvania Dutch living history farm & village, interpreting PA German heritage from 1740 to 1940, including tours and traditional craft demonstrations. Their Harvest Days Festival celebrates traditional fall harvest events, and includes over 80 demonstrators who make the village come to life with activities to captivate every member of the family! And if you can't make it in October, don't worry... Landis Valley is a wonderful place to visit no matter when your travels bring you to Lancaster!  And to make your visit to Lancaster County complete, why not plan a stay at the Apple Bin Inn. We promise to make your trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country unforgettable!

"Thomas the Tank Engine" Returns to Strasburg!

Thomas the Tank Engine is a character known to millions of kids around the world, through his syndicated TV series and videos narrated by Ringo Starr, George Carlin, and Alec Baldwin.  Each year he makes 3 appearances at the Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster County, to the joy of children of all ages.  He and his fellow railroad cars and friends from the Island of Sodor will be here again from September 17th to the 25th.  If you and your children have a fascination with trains (and what kid doesn't!), then "A Day Out With Thomas" is a day not to be missed!  We'd love to have your family as our guests here at the Apple Bin Inn... just 10 minutes from the Strasburg Rail Road.  Give us a call... you'll be glad you did! 

 

Annual "Snitz Fest" at the 1719 Hans Herr House in Willow Street

 

Come celebrate the very beginnings of colonial Lancaster County three centuries ago!  The 1719 Hans Herr House, right here in our little town of Willow Street, is the oldest home in Lancaster County, and one of the oldest Mennonite meeting houses in the western hemisphere.  On Saturday, October 1st they will hold their annual Pennsylvania German festival called "Snitz Fest" (snitz are dried apple slices used in baking pies and tarts).  This fun day features great food, costumed interpreters, hands-on activities and demonstrations of colonial-era arts, crafts and farm life, including threshing, quilting, loom weaving, heckling flax, churning butter, cooking over a fire, and making shingles, shoes, candles and corn husk dolls.  Enjoy a bit of local charm and history by stepping back in time in our little corner of Lancaster County!

  

33rd Annual "Long's Park Art & Craft Festival"

As Labor Day weekend approaches, it's time to make plans to attend the 33rd Annual Art & Craft Festival at Long's Park.  Held September 2 thru 5, rain or shine, this show is ranked among the top 10 in the U.S., and will feature exhibitors from all over the country.  Over 1000 artisans submitted their work for review by a panel of 8 national jurors, who then selected the best 200 for the festival (including about 50 who will make their first appearance at this show).  Exhibitors will display every imaginable type of work, including paintings, photography, woodwork, glass, ceramics, metals, clothing, leather, and many others.  Also included at the festival will be a wonderful assortment of music, bistro dining, and local wine and beer selections.  If you love all things "arts & crafts", it's an event not to be missed!

Long's Park is an beautiful 80-acre city park, with a 2-acre lake and tree-lined picturesque walkways. So come join the 20,000 art lovers expected to attend this 4-day event.  Once you've been to this festival, you'll want to make it an annual tradition for your visit to Lancaster County. 

Rooms here at the Apple Bin Inn are filling up fast for the holiday weekend, so give us a call soon!

Great Ethnic Restaurants Abound in Lancaster County!

Sure, Lancaster County is famous for wonderful "comfort food" restaurants like Good 'n Plenty, Plain & Fancy, and Shady Maple.  But many visitors aren't aware of the assortment of great ethnic restaurants in our beautiful corner of Pennsylvania. 

One of our favorites, and less than a mile from the Apple Bin Inn, is Wasabi Japanese Restaurant.  It's not a tepanyaki style (where they cook at your table and throw shrimp into their hats).  Rather it's a truly authentic Japanese eatery, with some of the best food this side of Tokyo (where I traveled about 30 times during my previous corporate life).  Their sushi bar is not large, but the selection and quality are excellent, and it's fun to watch the sushi chefs create their masterpieces.  Plus they've recently added some scrumptious Thai dishes to their menu.  So come give Wasabi a try.  You'll be very glad you did! 

And speaking of Thai food, another great place is Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant, right across the street from Rockvale Square outlets on Rt. 30.  Their delicious Thai cuisine, including many delightful vegetarian dishes, will keep you smiling all through dinner.

If Mexican food is your passion, then you should definitely plan a dinner at El Serrano.  Not only will you feel like you're in the heart of Mexico, but they also offer an array of Peruvian dishes that are quite unique.  There's also a fantastic tapas restaurant, called Culturas, on the property.  If you've never tried tapas (meaning "small plate"), then your taste buds are in for a real treat, as you and your friends sample a variety of mouth-watering Latin American foods!

If you have a taste for Indian cuisine, there's no better place than Taj Mahal.  Their authentic Indian fare, with unmistakable aromas and flavors, will awaken your senses and take you to the other side of the world.  And don't worry... even if you don't like your food too spicy, they will season each order to your individual taste.  We have frequent guests at the Apple Bin Inn who consider Taj Mahal a required stop during every visit to Lancaster County.

We'll introduce you to more of Lancaster's amazing variety of fine restaurants in upcoming blog posts, but for now... Let's eat!

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm ~ What a Treat!

We made our annual visit to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm today with some guests from Virginia who were traveling with their 5 year old granddaughter.  Our son, Dylan, has been working at Cherry Crest for 3 summers, and we have been going to their world famous Corn Maze every year since 2003.  This year's maze theme is "Once Upon A Time... A Corny Tale".  As expected, the 5-acre maze kept us challenged and smiling, as we searched for map pieces and fun activities hidden throughout the maze.  We made our way out in about 45 minutes... a little faster than we historically are able to do it.  We then spent time enjoying many of the 50 other fun activities in the park, from the petting zoo area, to the hillside slide, to the bouncing pillows, to the farm tractor tour... with periodic stops for some mouth-watering snacks, like their amazing roasted corn on the cob, and a stop at their newly renovated fudge and candy shop - YUM!  This is the height of low-tech fun... a true agricultural amusement park for kids of all ages.  Why not plan a visit, along with your stay at the Apple Bin Inn.  We'll tell them to keep the tractor warmed up for you!

Update ~ Independence Day Concert at Long's Park...

A follow-up to our previous post...  We attended the July 3rd concert at Long's Park, and all I can say is "Wow!" Not only was the U.S. Army Band as wonderful as ever, but the cannons seemed louder than last year (if that's possible), and the fireworks show lasted 40 minutes, with a 5 minute finale that was the brightest I've ever seen! The last time I was this awed by a fireworks display (and I'm really dating myself now) was in New York Harbor when the tall ships came in for the 1976 Bicentennial.

The estimated attendance at this concert was 35,000 people... reportedly the largest non-athletic event in Pennsylvania each year!  So if you missed this Long's Park concert, you should definitely put it on your calendar for next year!  And don't forget, these free concerts happen every Sunday at 7:30 PM, June through August, with a wide variety of musical performances.  The Apple Bin Inn is just 15 minutes from the concert amphitheater, so come spend the weekend with us, and enjoy all that Lancaster County has to offer :-)

Free Summer Concerts at Long's Park!

Tonight we attended a free outdoor concert at Long's Park in Lancaster. This was the fourth in a series of 13 free summer concerts that takes place every Sunday night at 7:30 PM during June, July, and August each year.  The featured stars tonight were the Grascals,  the award-winning country bluegrass group who took home three 2011 Bluegrass Music Awards including Instrumental Group of the Year. They have recently played with Vince Gill at the Grand Ole Opry, as well as Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Williams Jr. The group consists of a 3-time mandolin player of the year, a 4-time banjo player of the year, as well as legendary fiddle and guitar players. Their names aren't well known outside country music circles, but the music they performed tonight made it clear that we were listening to country musicians among the best in the world.

The season's most anticipated event will occur next Sunday. The concert on July 3rd will be the third Lancaster performance by the U.S. Army's "Band of the Nation's Capital". This concert draws about 35,000 spectators annually! The evening always concludes with Tchaikovsky's stirring "1812 Overture", with about 20 real Civil War cannons exploding on cue during the last movement. And if that wasn't enough to awaken your senses, there's a huge fireworks display after the concert.  It's truly an event not to be missed, and we will certainly be there again this year!

To see details of all of this summer's concerts, simply click this link to Long's Park. We would be pleased to have you stay with us here at the Apple Bin Inn as you enjoy the many exciting activities throughout Lancaster County this summer. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The "Turkey Hill Experience"... What a Fun Place!

Today we had the privilege of enjoying a preview tour of the "Turkey Hill Experience" that will open on June 4th. Turkey Hill Dairy was named for the hill overlooking the Susquehanna River where it was first located, and has been producing milk, ice cream, and iced tea products in Lancaster County since 1931. This new attraction highlights both the past and the present, in a 26,000 sq. ft. renovated factory that is now a modern museum. There are nine exhibit areas that allow visitors to see how the dairy works, how ice cream is made, how different teas are selected from around the world, and the history of the Turkey Hill Dairy. This is all accomplished through fascinating historical displays and interactive exhibits that kids of all ages will enjoy. You can even create your own ice cream flavor, packaging design, and TV commercial, which can be emailed to your home to impress your family and friends! There's also a delightful cafe that offers many flavors of Turkey Hill ice cream, iced tea, and lemonade. They're located just 15 minutes west of Lancaster, right off Rt. 30 in Columbia. We recommend that you add this to your itinerary of fun things to do in Lancaster County. And we hope to see you soon at the Apple Bin Inn!

Flowers are Blooming Like Crazy!



It's late Spring, the weather is finally getting consistently warm, and the flowers are obviously happy about it!  Annuals and perennials alike are showing their glorious colors and shapes, and the effect they have on everyone's spirit is quite amazing!  After the long winter, and a cold damp early Spring, it's so invigorating to see the splashes of color popping all over our property.  A freshly mowed lawn adds to the serenity, and the frolicking bunnies and squirrels make everything just about perfect.  We hope everyone is enjoying this rejuvenating time of year... and if you'd like to see all of these wondrous colors up close, just come to the Apple Bin Inn for a relaxing getaway in beautiful Lancaster County!  See you soon!!

By the way... if anyone can tell us the name of the unknown variety at the bottom of this post, please add a comment and let us know ~ Thanks!




Pink Geranium

 

Double Knockout Roses



Picasso Ivy Geranium




Purple Lanai

 


Nasturtium - the edible flower

  

White Peony (smells fantastic!)



Rhododendron


 



Who knows what this is???



It's Baseball Season in Lancaster County!

For sports fans like us, summer means one thing... baseball season!  And one of the best ways to enjoy a professional baseball game is to come to a minor league ballpark... with its clean, wholesome, and family-friendly atmosphere, well-behaved smaller crowds, prices that won't empty your wallet, and just plain fun! So while you're visiting Lancaster County, we highly recommend you enjoy an evening of Lancaster Barnstormers baseball at Clipper Magazine Stadium. You'll be amazed that ticket prices range from just $5 to $12, and believe it or not, stadium parking is free... try getting that at a big league ballpark!  There's a wonderful variety of food and drink concessions that are also reasonably priced, and there's even a great kids' play area for the youngsters.  For most games, if your child wears their Little League jersey, you can even sit on the grass beyond the outfield fences for free, and maybe even catch a home run ball!  So come on over to Lancaster County this summer, enjoy a fun getaway at the Apple Bin Inn (just 10 minutes from the stadium), and celebrate our national pastime.  

As the umpire says... "PLAY BALL!" 

Clipper Magazine Stadium ~ Home of the Lancaster Barnstormers

A Special Recipe for Mother's Day!

As Mother's Day arrives this weekend, it's once again time to think about that person we too often take for granted... Mom!  So why not turn the tables this weekend and cook her a special breakfast... ideally served in bed, with a rose bud and an extra hug!  
And we have just the recipe that will warm her heart and bring a loving smile to her face... our scrumptious Apple Cheddar Quiche.  Based on a recipe from Captain Schoonmaker's B&B in High Falls, NY, it has become a favorite of our guests here at the Apple Bin Inn, and we know your Mom will feel pampered when you serve it to her!

 

Apple Cheddar Quiche at the Apple Bin Inn

Ingredients:

1 unbaked pie crust                                                    

2 large apples                                                             
¼ cup sugar                                                                
Cinnamon to taste

6 eggs  

1 cup Half & Half

1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese           

-  Preheat oven to 350^o F. 

-  Peel, core, and slice apples.  Sauté in butter.  Halfway through, add cinnamon and sugar,

and continue cooking until apples are fork tender.

-  Place unbaked pie crust in quiche pan.

-  Place cooked apples on the bottom. Cover with cheese.  Beat eggs and Half & Half together and pour over apples and cheese.  Swirl any syrup left from the apples over the top before baking (you can also save a few apple slices to place on top). 

-  Bake 40 to 50 minutes until filling is set.  Cut like pie, and serve with sausage or bacon.  

Complete her plate with a sprig of mint leaves or grapes.

Accompany with a small bowl of fresh strawberries with french vanilla yogurt and brown sugar,

along with orange juice, and coffee or tea, and Mom will smile for days! 

Warm wishes for a Happy Mother's Day,

from our family to yours!

Have You Stayed in the Cortland Suite Lately?

Here at the Apple Bin Inn, we try to make some nice changes to our guest rooms almost every year.  It's our way of surprising our returning guests with a little something new (besides our graying hair!).  This spring, the Cortland Suite is showing off its cherry Pennsylvania House canopy bed, with a new pillow-top mattress.  After searching Lancaster County antique shops and consignment stores for the perfect thing, we heard about this wonderful old bed for sale... just outside of Hartford, Connecticut!   So after a couple of phone calls to negotiate the price, it was time for a little road trip... of course we made sure to include stops at some interesting antique shops and quaint restaurants along the way!  We returned home a couple of days later, all excited to see how the bed would look in its new home.  After putting it all together, adding a few extra support slats, and draping the new canopy, it was time to take this photo for our website.  And best of all, later this week we have some guests coming who have stayed in the Cortland Suite on past visits.  We look forward to their reactions :-)

 

The Apple Bin Inn is Truly Global !

Perhaps the greatest thing about being innkeepers is meeting people from all over the world and sharing stories about our families, customs, traditions, jobs, hobbies, and yes even politics.  During our 8 years at the Apple Bin Inn, we have hosted guests from 45 U.S. states... and last week we achieved our own milestone of welcoming visitors from 50 foreign countries!  Our 5 most frequent are Australia, Canada, England, Germany, and France, and rounding out our top 10 are Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, and Ireland.  And last year we completed our list of "All 7 Continents" when we had a guest who actually lives much of the year in Antarctica (he told us the only inhabitants who live there longer than him are the penguins)!  Our son, Dylan, also enjoys meeting our international guests, and these experiences certainly enhance his 3-year participation in his high school's "Model United Nations" organization.

Okay... for the curious among you, here's our full list of 50 visiting countries, listed alphabetically... Antarctica, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Latvia, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Virgin Islands, and Wales.

We hope to keep the list of states and countries growing, so if you live anywhere on Earth, we look forward to welcoming you to Lancaster County and the Apple Bin Inn!