InnSights into Lancaster County

Mount Vernon Bread Pudding... Yum!

2012-02-28T00:27:00.000-05:00

Winter is such a good time to share recipes... especially ones that are heart-warming and sweet! So we'd like to share a recipe that we obtained while enjoying lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn several years ago. It's appropriately named Mount Vernon Bread Pudding, and with the original GW's birthday just behind us, it seems fitting to share it with you now. As lovers of bread pudding, we've eaten them at many fine restaurants and tried many recipes, but this one is by far the most delicious one we've found. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do here at the Apple Bin Inn!

Ingredients:

4 cups French bread cubes

½ cup raisins (optional)

3 tbsp melted butter

8 eggs

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ tsp salt

⅔ cup sugar

3 cups Half & Half

1½ tsp vanilla

whipped cream (if desired)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Arrange bread cubes and raisins in buttered 3 qt. baking dish, and drizzle with butter.

Combine eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, and beat slightly.

Dissolve sugar in Half & Half, and add to eggs in a fine stream, stirring constantly.

Stir in vanilla.

Pour mixture evenly over bread cubes, and bake at 350 degrees for 60-65 minutes,

or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

May be served warm or chilled... plain or with whipped cream. Enjoy!

"Jonah" Is Coming To Sight & Sound's Millennium Theatre!

2012-01-20T00:12:00.003-05:00

One of Lancaster County's most popular attractions is the world renowned "Sight & Sound" Millennium Theatre, located just 10 minutes from the Apple Bin Inn. We like to call it "Bible Meets Broadway", as the stories of the Bible come alive with original musical scores, inspiring actors, amazing sets and special effects, and even live animals... all presented on a breathtaking 180-degree stage that puts the audience in the heart of the action. This year's show promises to be one of their best ever, as the story of "Jonah" is brought to life. It's sure to be an amazing experience, and it's only playing for one season! Shows take place from March 10 through December 29, 2012. Full details are available on the Sight & Sound website, including videos, photos, show times, and online ticket sales. Shows are selling out fast, so don't delay!

And while you're making your show plans, why not plan your stay at the Apple Bin Inn. With 5 delightful guest rooms, including suites and a private cottage, plus delicious country breakfasts and the warmest hospitality, we promise to add lasting memories of your visit to beautiful Lancaster County. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Making Christmas Cookies With Our Guests!

2011-12-24T00:00:00.004-05:00

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!

2011-11-29T01:58:00.003-05:00

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!

2011-10-13T22:58:00.001-04:00

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!

2011-09-22T18:25:00.008-04:00

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!

2011-09-14T22:30:00.003-04:00

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

2011-08-31T23:54:00.000-04:00

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"

2011-08-21T22:43:00.003-04:00

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!

2011-07-31T00:00:00.002-04:00

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!

2011-07-17T00:28:00.002-04:00

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...

2011-07-08T00:35:00.001-04:00

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!

2011-06-27T00:03:00.006-04:00

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!

2011-06-01T16:05:00.003-04:00

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!

2011-05-25T19:51:00.002-04:00

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!

2011-05-15T00:30:00.008-04:00

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!

2011-05-06T01:20:00.009-04:00

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?

2011-04-16T21:58:00.001-04:00

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 !

2011-04-08T00:42:00.008-04:00

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!

AQS Quilters Party a Huge Success!

2011-03-23T00:13:00.006-04:00

Our last blog post talked about the reception party that our B&B association (Authentic B&Bs of Lancaster County) was throwing for visiting quilters attending the American Quilter's Society show here in Lancaster last week, so we wanted to give you a quick update. We had almost 300 quilters at the party, as well as about 25 of our local tourism partners who provided food, beer, crafts, music, and information about the many activities available throughout Lancaster County, to entice the quilters to return to our wonderful destination. We also had a best-selling author, Kelly Long (who writes novels based on themes from quilt patterns), signing and giving away 200 copies of her latest book. Plus there were dozens of door prizes to remind visitors of the great time they had in Lancaster.

The venue for our party was the Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum, which is a gorgeous place for a reception... and we hope to return for next year's party! So if you missed the Lancaster AQS Quilt Show this year, we hope you'll plan for next year's event (March 14-17, 2012). And while you're at it, please add the Authentic B&B party to your agenda, and of course a stay at our Apple Bin Inn... we'd love to have you!

Hey wait a minute!... why wait until next year to visit our beautiful county?! Just plan a trip for this spring or summer! There are dozens of Amish quilt shops dotted around our area, plus tons of other things to do, see, taste, and buy! So give the Apple Bin Inn a call (800-338-4296) and we'll see you soon!

A New Twist for St. Patrick's Day in Lancaster!

2011-03-11T14:02:00.006-05:00

Chicago River on St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is such a wonderful tradition across America, and you don't need a drop of Irish blood in your veins to feel Irish on March 17th. We've lived in places like Chicago, where the river flowed green on St. Patrick's Day each year, and Cleveland, where green beer somehow tasted better than your usual brand. And our many years in Nashville included a rousing mix of bluegrass and Irish music each St. Paddy's Day.

But this year, here in Lancaster County, we have special plans for March 17th. You see the American Quilter's Society is holding its 2nd Annual Lancaster Quilt Show next week, and our B&B association (Authentic Bed & Breakfasts of Lancaster County) is hosting a huge party for visiting quilters on March 17th at the renowned Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum. There will, no doubt, be plenty of green mixed in with the rest of the festivities, including green quilts, green beer, and some Irish music performed by local musicians. There'll also be quilting demonstrations, book signings, great door prizes, and lots of food & fun. If you can make it to Lancaster County during the March 16-19 AQS Quilt Show, please make it a point to join our party. And of course we'd love to have you stay with us here at the Apple Bin Inn while you're in town. We'll save a room for you!

Lancaster County ~ Home of the Whoopie Pie!

2011-02-25T00:05:00.007-05:00

The Lancaster Whoopie

Amid all the distractions of world politics and various other seemingly critical topics that dominate the news, you might not have heard much about a controversy that centers around one of Lancaster County's oldest and most traditional products... the whoopie pie! Yes, that light and fluffy combination of cake and cream has been getting a lot of attention lately. It seems that the state legislature in Maine is debating whether to name the whoopie pie as their official "state dessert", apparently because they are very popular and commonly found in local shops and restaurants.

The Lancaster Whoopie

Of course folks here in Lancaster County are up in arms over Maine's attempt to steal a bit of our local heritage, since the whoopie pie has been lovingly baked and served here since before the dawn of recorded history. Even Wikipedia, that trusted bastion of truth, confirms that whoopie pies first appeared in Pennsylvania Dutch Country and were later brought to New England by Amish moving to that region.

In case you were wondering, we recently asked a local Amish woman how the whoopie pie got its name, and she told us that Amish wives would periodically put one of these mouth-watering treats in the bottom of their husband's lunch basket, and when he finished his sandwich and found it there, he would yell "Whoopie!" Well that explanation is proof enough for us that Pennsylvania's Amish Country is the one true origin of the whoppie pie. So we'll just go on enjoying these delicious local treats... no matter what they do to our waistline! And by the way, if you've never had a whoopie pie, you'll just have to come to its birthplace, Lancaster County, PA, and try one. We'll be sure to hold a room for you here at the Apple Bin Inn!

Oops, wrong Whoopie!

"The 39 Steps" at the Fulton Theatre was Hilarious!

2011-02-11T20:24:00.005-05:00

The Fulton Theatre, a historic revitalized Vaudeville theater in downtown Lancaster, is one of our favorite places to be entertained. It's not only gorgeously renovated in turn-of-the-century gilded plasterwork and ornate decorations, but it is also very intimate by comparison to most modern day venues, so you feel close to the actors no matter where you sit. The Fulton is one of only a handful of historic theater companies in the U.S. that still produces its own shows (rather than simply hosting a touring company from another city). They attract the best performers from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other notable theatrical centers, and the results are top-notch shows at a fraction of Broadway prices. Over the past few years we've seen awesome performances of "Grease", "Music Man", "Les Miserables", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "Spamalot", to name just a few.

On February 9th, as part of a PA Dutch Visitors Bureau mixer at the Fulton, we were privileged to see a "final preview" performance (the night before opening night) of "The 39 Steps". It is a wonderful comedy, based on Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1935 suspense movie. The plot and the comedy were non-stop, sometimes almost Monty Python-ish in their silliness. The entire cast is comprised of just four actors, who play many parts in some hilariously inventive ways. Some of the funniest scenes are when the actors repeatedly change from one character to another and back again, right before your eyes, and in the middle of a conversation! You'll just have to see the show to fully appreciate how truly amazing these performers are. Suffice it to say, this was one of the funniest, best acted comedies we've ever seen performed. The simple yet perfect set decorations, lighting, music, and scene timing all added up to a delightful evening of laughter. Oh and by the way, Mr. Hitchcock even makes a cameo appearance, just as he did in his films.

The show runs until February 27th, so we hope you'll have a chance to visit Lancaster and see it. Of course, while you're in town, why not spend a night or two at the Apple Bin Inn... just 10 minutes from the Fulton Theatre!

B&B Household Tips from the Apple Bin Inn

2011-02-06T12:12:00.001-05:00

As innkeepers, we pretty much do the same chores that other households do... we just do them much more often! We thought we'd share a couple of tips that have helped us at the Apple Bin Inn. Hopefully you'll find them useful...

We love serving tea to our guests in small antique china teapots, and have collected quite a few from England, Japan, etc. If you have teapots too, you may have noticed that over time they can get a brownish discoloration inside the pot, spout, and even around the lid. We just figured that this discoloration was simply the tea staining the ceramic. We've been using Mr. Clean Magic Erasers for various tough-to-clean things around the inn, and recently used a small piece on the teapots. Voila! With almost no effort, the discoloration came off, without scratching the china! We now use a Magic Eraser to keep the insides of our coffee urns clean too. Give it a try.

If you love strawberries, and like to buy large amounts from your local farmers market, or at places like Costco or Sam's Club, then you also know that strawberries don't stay fresh for more than a couple of days in the refrigerator before they get soft or begin to get moldy. Well we have a great tip for you... one that we learned from my sister, Judy Klock, who along with her husband Bill owns a B&B in the Hudson Valley area of New York called Captain Schoonmaker's. Take any strawberries that you're not going to use that day, rinse them and remove the leaves, but don't cut them in any way. Lay the rinsed strawberries onto paper towels and dry them well. Now put them in your favorite plastic container, which has first been lined with dry paper towels. The strawberries can touch each other, as long as each strawberry is in contact with some paper towel. If you have lots of berries, you can layer them in a large container, with a paper towel between each layer. Now simply cover and refrigerate, and use however many berries you need each time you open the container. We have kept as many as 50 strawberries fresh for as long as 7 days, and they stay virtually as firm and fresh tasting as the day we bought them. So go buy lots of strawberries to add to your favorite cereal, for dipping in chocolate or brown sugar, or as a great topping for waffles or ice cream!

We'll share more tips throughout the year. Please feel free to add a comment with some of your favorite household tips. Thanks, and have a great day!

Winter Bird Watching!

2011-01-30T14:32:00.010-05:00

Jamie had been wanting a new bird feeder since last summer, so this past Christmas I found an excellent one at Peaceful Valley Furniture, just west of Intercourse on Rt. 340. We hung it in our winterberry bushes, for easy viewing from our kitchen, family room, and dining room, and filled it with wild bird seed and black oil sunflower seeds, as well as suet cakes on the sides.

While it's easy for B&B innkeepers to fill their days with inn-related activities (even on days when there are no guests at the inn), we've been taking some time to watch our feathered friends with a lot more interest this winter. We bought a book called "Feeder Birds of Eastern North America" (one of the Peterson Field Guides), and also got a laminated card to keep near the window, called "Backyard Birds of the Mid-Atlantic" by Sibley's. At this point we're not necessarily interested in knowing their Latin names or their mating habits, but trying to identify the many birds that frequent our feeder has been truly fascinating. We even dusted off our old sports binoculars, and use them for an even closer view of each bird's details. One type of bird food that we're looking forward to trying in the spring is crushed egg shells... not only are they plentiful at a B&B, but they reportedly attract Purple Martins, who help keep the mosquito population in check during warm months.

In the past few days our feeder has been a hotbed of activity, now that word has apparently spread among the local bird population. We often have 10-15 birds of different varieties congregating around the feeder at any given time. Some patiently wait their turn as others eat their fill, some hop in the snow below the feeder pecking at dropped seeds, and some hang around the branches of the winterberry bushes eating berries.

A few of the varieties we've identified so far are Black-Capped Chickadees, Cardinals, House Finches, Tufted Titmouses, Blue Jays, Song Sparrows, and Eastern Phoebes. Being new to bird watching, we'll no doubt learn to better identify our winged visitors as we go. Come spring, we anticipate adding a variety of new feeders around our property. We can't wait!

By the way, our two cats, Jessie and Buddy, are delighted that we are finally learning to appreciate a hobby that they have been enjoying for years!

Peaceful Valley Furniture - Rt. 340, Intercourse, PA

Delicious Winter Recipes!

2011-01-24T00:37:00.004-05:00

With the slower pace of activity in Lancaster County during the winter, it seems a perfect time to talk about one of our favorite subjects... food! Some recipes just seem ideally suited for these cold winter mornings, so we thought we'd share a couple of our guests' favorites here at the Apple Bin Inn.

Our "Pecan Caramel Baked Apples" have become one of our most requested recipes. Why not make them a warm and cozy start to a special breakfast at your house...

INGREDIENTS:

Apples:

4 Rome apples of equal size (Gala, Stayman, and Cortland apples also work well)

Butter, unsalted

Cinnamon

Topping:

8 heaping tbsp light brown sugar

20 pecan halves, coarsely chopped

2 tsp golden raisins (optional)

½ tsp cinnamon

dash of pumpkin pie spice (important)

3 tbsp Half & Half

Heavy whipping cream

Core and peel apples, leaving a ring of skin around the bottom quarter of each apple.

Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each apple (so they don't roll) and place apples in glass baking dish.

Into each core hole, place a thick pat of butter and a dash of cinnamon.

Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and poke several air holes.

Microwave apples on high setting for 1½ minutes. Flip each apple upside down and microwave for 1 minute.

Turn apples right-side-up, and if necessary microwave extra time to reach the desired softness (poke with fork to test). Note: Microwaves vary, so experiment with cooking times to achieve the apple softness you desire.

Combine topping ingredients (except the heavy whipping cream) in a small saucepan.

Heat on medium high heat for 3-4 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved, then set on low to avoid burning. Topping should be thick & syrupy.

Place each apple into a dessert bowl, and spoon a generous amount of topping over each apple (try to avoid the core hole).

Fill each core hole with heavy whipping cream. Serve hot, and bask in the glow of your family's smiles!

Our next recipe is "Baked Deep-Dish Strawberry French Toast". A cross between french toast and bread pudding, it's an absolutely delicious winter breakfast!

Ingredients:

16 oz loaf of French bread, cubed into ½” cubes

6 oz cream cheese (¾ of an 8 oz package), cubed into ½” cubes

6 large eggs

1 qt Half & Half

½ cup butter, melted

¼ cup maple syrup

Topping:

16 oz fresh sliced strawberries (frozen sliced strawberries may be substituted)

10 oz strawberry jam

Arrange half of the cubed bread in a lightly greased, deep 9 x 13” pan.

Sprinkle with cubed cream cheese, and cover with remaining bread cubes.

Whisk together eggs, Half & Half, butter, and maple syrup.

Pour evenly over the bread cubes, making sure they all absorb the egg mixture.

Cover with foil and refrigerate for 8 hours (over night).

In the morning, keep foil in place and Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove foil and bake another 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

While french toast is baking, combine and heat topping ingredients in a saucepan.

Cut french toast into 8–10 servings. Plate each serving, then ladle heated topping generously over each serving. Goes great with your favorite sausage. Enjoy!

New Year's Weekend will be a blast in Lancaster!

2010-12-27T02:00:00.018-05:00

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, full of joy and laughter with your loved ones, and a few nice gifts too! Well now it's time to make your plans for New Year's Eve, before there's any chance of those post-holiday doldrums setting in. There are some great events going on in Lancaster over the New Year's holiday that we'd like to tell you about. And of course it starts with a stay at the cozy Apple Bin Inn! We've got some great rooms still available for the holiday weekend, which you can book by clicking here! Now for some fun stuff...

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra presents a New Year's Eve concert at the American Music Theatre, Friday, Dec 31st at 7:00 PM. The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and full Symphony Chorus will perform a semi-staged performance of the delightful musical "My Fair Lady" along with the fully costumed Fulton Theatre cast in this once-in-a-lifetime concert. The Fulton production has been getting rave reviews, so this concert promises to be an amazing evening!

3...2...1...Lancaster! Friday, December 31st starting at 5:00 PM. Enjoy over 20 different entertainment and activity options at Clipper Magazine Stadium and the City YMCA. This family-friendly entertainment includes visual comedians, music, magicians, kids crafts, storytelling, caricaturist, fortune teller, plus ice skating at Clipper Magazine Stadium and much more! For those who can’t make it to midnight, an early fireworks display will be part of the festivities. You can click here for all the details.

Segway Holiday Tours, available all weekend. Click here for more details. If you've never been on a Segway, you've just got to try it once to be hooked! It's so easy to do, and they accommodate people of all shapes and sizes. It's a unique and thrilling way to tour historic downtown Lancaster City. And to broaden your smile even more, we have coupons worth $15 off your ride!

There are plenty of other great activities, shows, restaurants, and shopping in Lancaster County during the holidays, so come visit us!

We wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Prosperous 2011.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Deck The Halls!

2010-12-08T20:08:00.004-05:00

It seems like Christmas shopping starts earlier and earlier every year... now we've barely finished handing out candy on Halloween when the malls start their Christmas sales. Before you know it we'll be buying Christmas cards and suntan lotion on the same shopping trip. But decorating for the holidays is another story. Here at our home, the Apple Bin Inn, decorations are never done too early... we don't do any Christmas decorating until December 1st. And then of course it's a very busy few days while we get everything hung, strung, wreathed, and lit throughout the inn.

10 ft. Living Room tree

We have a 10 ft. tree in the living room for our guests to enjoy with us, an 8 ft. tree in our own family room, and a special 7 ft. tree in the kitchen that is decorated with Jamie's hand-strung popcorn, kitchen gadgets, and spice jars.

Kitchen tree

And since our guests enter the inn as friends do ~ through the kitchen ~ it's the first thing they see. We always look forward to decorating for the holidays. And even though we don't have quite as many B&B guests during December as we do during the summer and fall, we love watching our guests' faces light up along with our trees, garlands, and Jamie's amazing displays of Snow Village houses and characters. We invite you to come and stay with us during this festive time of year. We promise you a warm cozy bed, a scrumptious breakfast each morning, and fond memories you'll take home with you from Lancaster County and the Apple Bin Inn. Season's Greetings to All!

Buddy the Supervisor!

Lancaster's Live Theaters

2010-12-01T01:09:00.004-05:00

As we enter December and continue to enjoy the holiday season, we are reminded of the marvelous assortment of live theater available in Lancaster County. The variety of holiday shows this month includes "The Miracle of Christmas" at Sight & Sound's Millennium Theatre, and "The Voices of Christmas" at their Living Waters Theatre.

Millennium Theatre

Then there's the annual "Christmas Show" extravaganza at the American Music Theatre, along with Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at the Theater of the Seventh Sister. The historic Fulton Theatre has the classic musical "The Sound of Music". And not to be outdone, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre has brought back Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", while the Rainbow Dinner Theatre is offering a holiday comedy, "Pool's Paradise". There's even an "Amish Family Christmas" at the Freedom Chapel Dinner Theatre.

American Music Theatre

Fulton Theatre

A number of our B&B guests have seen several of these wonderful shows during their visit to Lancaster County, and have truly enjoyed being immersed in our seasonal live theaters. Please take some time to click the show links above, and we think you'll be amazed at the wide variety of performances, not only during December but coming up in 2011 as well. And of course we hope you'll come stay with us at the Apple Bin Inn as you explore the many treasures of Lancaster County! Happy Holidays!!

Happy Thanksgiving, From Our Family To Yours!

2010-11-24T17:39:00.002-05:00

One thing we've learned after almost 8 years in Lancaster County is that "family" is the core to most everything that happens here. It's easy to spot this in family-run businesses, like B&Bs or the myriad of cottage industries operated by the Amish. But it's also true of larger businesses throughout Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Our son, Dylan, works summers at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, a wonderful agricultural amusement park that caters to children from 1 to 99. It's owned by a local family who treats every employee like part of their extended family. Coming from the corporate world ourselves, and living in numerous cities during our long engineering careers. we have really come to appreciate what we have here in Lancaster County.

So that brings us to today's simple message... To wish each and every one of our friends, neighbors, family, B&B guests, and fellow innkeepers a Very Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Pies and Apple Pies, baked today by Jamie and Dylan... Yum!

Ready for the Holidays!

2010-11-21T18:59:00.015-05:00

As those of you who have visited Lancaster County in November and December already know, this is a great place to be for the holidays! Shopping at the outlet malls, Tanger and Rockvale Square, is always fun, but "Black Friday" weekend is totally over the top. Tanger's festivities start at midnight on Thanksgiving night and continue all weekend ~ with extra sales, deals, coupons, and more. Rockvale has similar events, and together they make for a really cool overnight of holiday shopping.

Just a couple of miles from the Apple Bin Inn is a great candy and chocolate maker, Evans Candy, who is only open from October until Easter. Since holidays are their prime time, they really do it up right. Their chocolates are some of the best we've had, and they make hundreds of specialty candy items in every conceivable shape and size. Our favorites include "mojeskas", which are homemade marshmallow and caramel dipped in chocolate... heavenly!

Of course the holidays aren't just about shopping. So if you'd like to get in the Christmas mood in the most memory-evoking way, you definitely should visit the National Christmas Center. This amazing museum's curator and historian, Jim Morrison, looks strikingly like that jolly old soul with the big white beard and the red suit. And his museum is such an uplifting collection of Christmas history, nostalgia, storybook lands, international displays, toy railroad mountains, and just plain fun, that you'll leave with a renewed spirit, and a better understanding of how Christmas has touched the lives of families across the generations. We won't spoil all the surprises by telling you everything... you'll just have to see this place for yourself. And the best part is, they're open all year 'round!

Well that's it for today. We'll be adding much more about Lancaster County in the coming weeks and months, so please become a "follower" of our blog, and we'll talk again soon :-)

Welcome to the Apple Bin Inn's new blog!

2010-11-19T00:03:00.005-05:00

To what we hope will be a growing number of followers, we wish you a fond welcome to our newest endeavor at Internet communication! We've often thought about writing a blog about Lancaster County, the home of our Apple Bin Inn B&B, but never seemed to find the time. But as we read many of the wonderful blogs being written about our little corner of Pennsylvania, we realized that we had a lot to add to the conversation...

We plan to post entries at least twice a month about things to do, places to eat, and sights to see, so feel free to add your comments about topics you'd like to know more about in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. We sincerely hope you'll become followers of our blog, "InnSights into Lancaster County"!

We also hope you'll visit our website, and come stay with us when your travels bring you to Amish Country in Lancaster County. Have a Happy Holiday Season!