Well, here we are again, and let me tell you, it’s nearly impossible to believe. Six years ago, on St. Patrick’s Day, we opened the doors of The Shoreham Inn for the first time. We wanted to say hello to our new neighbors, welcome people to our new business and generally see what we could see. Wow. And wow, again. That’s all we could say on March 18th 2004. We used to joke that moving from London, England to Shoreham, Vermont was like moving to another planet. Absolutely everything changed when we made that move, so much so that it was hard to even begin to point out differences, hence, Planet Shoreham. As we discovered then, and continue to discover almost every day, Planet Shoreham is a pretty special place, full of funny, loyal, critical, helpful and generous people. We really don’t know how we got so lucky. Maybe there is something to the ‘luck of the Irish’.

And so, with that, St. Patrick’s Day rolls around again, and we take the opportunity to say thank you to all our customers and friends who make the Pub a pub. Dominic and I had an idea of a country village pub, and we did all we could to put the elements in place to make it happen. The final, and most crucial ingredient, is the customers. The customers that embrace a place and make it their own. Only then does a pub become a pub. And boy, has Planet Shoreham done us proud.

Thank you for 6 wonderful years.

Sometimes publicity comes to you unexpectedly. Sometimes it’s wonderful, sometimes it’s unwanted – we thankfully (cross all fingers and toes – it can be a tough world out there!) have had very little of the unwanted variety, but the unexpected? This morning I woke to an email from a friend saying she was so pleased to see The Shoreham Inn mentioned in the Seven Days Sex Issue. Not an email you get every day. And, honestly, not one I ever imagined I’d get in connection with my cozy country Inn. I did a little investigating (had to prepare myself, I was already imagining the calls I might be fielding….) and found a very sweet mention of the Shoreham Inn in an article about sexy food. You can read it here yourself, but the gist of it is that we provide good food and a comfortable atmosphere, and it you’re happy and comfortable, what’s sexier than that?

With that thought, I am looking out the window as I type, and perfect movie snow is falling. Small flakes, straight down. Beautiful. And isn’t that sexy?

I made marshmallows this week and I just felt moved to write about them. Have you ever had a homemade marshmallow? No? They are magic. Light and chewy and sweet. And like most magic, they are also pretty simple. It’s basically a combination of gelatin and water to which you add some hot liquid sugar (corn syrup, honey, sugar….) and then whip, whip, whip. Add flavor (vanilla, spices, lemon….) and whip some more. Pour into a tray and let it sit. Cut and toss in confectioners sugar and starch. Yup, that easy.

They have very little in common with a store bought marshmallow. You’ll have to believe me, or come in a try one this weekend. I understand if you are skeptical, I probably would be too if it weren’t for my grandmother. My grandmother used to make marshmallows, and while I don’t know exactly what recipe she used, (like so many things, I didn’t realize how important that might be until it was too late) I was converted the moment she first opened a tupperware container of them and said, ‘would you like a marshmallow?’ I said yes to be polite, this was my grandmother after all. But, marshmallows? Not really my thing. Oh how wrong I was. And so I continue on my quest to waken the world to the ease and loveliness of a homemade marshmallow.

Next I need to figure out how she made candied grapefruit rind.

The Shoreham Inn is located in Shoreham, VT. (I know, imaginatively named. But, since it was named 211 years ago, I’m not changing it) We’re located in a little slice of Vermont, kind of far from anything in particular, at the same time, near everything. This is one (of many) beautiful thing about Vermont, you are never far from anything. Here in Shoreham, we’re about halfway up (or down) the state, well located for just about anything you might like to do. 45 minutes gets you to Burlington. An hour sees you in Manchester, VT.  And 15 minutes gets you to Middlebury College. Maybe you are visiting the school, dropping off or picking up a child, coming for an interview – I completely understand the desire to stay in Middlebury itself, it’s a lovely little town and one of the reasons we moved here too. But, Shoreham is 12 miles away – about 15 minutes in the car, and provides a little glimpse of the quiet, the beauty and the rural-ness of this life. 15 minutes isn’t a long drive and we have found many guests like that little bit of breathing space, little connection to the countryside around them. So, next time you’re coming to Middlebury College, think about giving us a try.

Here in Addison County, in west central Vermont, we are (well, I should only speak for myself) feeling a little blue looking at the weather forecast and seeing all that gorgeous, unappreciated snow in Washington DC, and wishing we were having a foot or two, or three up here. I guess the blessing in disguise is that The Shoreham Inn is not dependent on ski business (though, the mountains are in much better shape than we are – so, ski, ski, ski!) and since this post is all about me, it’s the Shoreham inn owners that are dependent on skiing. We have to make hay as the sun shines, as the farmers say, and skiing in our slow season is my version of making hay. So, we’re big fans of snow and all the activities that go along with that. And, we can’t change the weather, so I’ll stop going on about it.

This all started because I was thinking about, and appreciating, the teamwork involved in running an inn, running a restaurant and running a small business. One of the most important teams we belong to is the Heart of Vermont Lodging Association, which is a collection of about 40 inns and B&B’s in this region of Vermont. We share marketing power, referrals, gripes, shopping tips and handymen. It’s a great organization, and makes all of us small businesses feel a little more connected. So for today’s post, go check out the Heart of Vermont, fall in love with a property and come stay somewhere, anywhere – it’s pretty fantastic here no matter what the weather. If you can figure out how to bring some snow with you, I’ll give you a discount. And a big kiss.

We have a beautiful piano here at the Inn, one that I surely don’t deserve, but here it is. I come from musical people, well at least on my father’s side of the family. My grandmother was a wonderful pianist and my aunt made a career of her musical abilities as a professor of music. (Though, I believe there is family lore that she could have been, maybe should have been, an opera singer – but she was an only daughter in a family where there were unstated rules, at a time when having such a far flung and eclectic career wasn’t looked upon kindly) This all leads to the fact that we have inherited a beautiful Pleyel piano and it sits here in the main living room at the Inn, exceedingly grateful for any small attention that is paid her.

I am asked questions about this piano frequently enough that I thought writing it down in one place would be helpful. Pleyel is a famous brand, though much less well known than others of the music world. Pleyel’s are made in France, and we think ours was made around 1926. Chopin was a Pleyel fan. It’s a beautiful, unusual wood, with an almost matt finish and a very pronounced grain pattern. And, thanks to the wonder of Google, I also know that the man Pleyel, who founded the company in 1807, was the 24th of 38 children. That needs no further comment.

Our Pleyel made it’s way to me via Switzerland through the eventual head of the piano department at Denver University. I think it then briefly lived at my aunt’s house in Santa Fe, and has lived in Vermont since 2004.

Anyone is welcome to come and visit this historic piano and pay it some of the attention it deserves. Please do, my years of piano lessons are an insult to the class and stature of such an instrument.

It’s coming, the second annual Middlebury Winter Carnival and Chili Contest Saturday February 27 2-4pm. Here at The Shoreham Inn, we’re working on Dominic to enter some chili into the contest, along with about 30 other local restaurants. I know some fabulous chilies won in various categories last year, so the competition is steep. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce just named this one of the top 10 events for Winter 2010. There’s free music, dog-sledding, snowshoe races and of course, chili. Fast becoming a can’t miss activity for our area, come stay at The Shoreham Inn and enjoy all Addison County has to offer!

The title of this post goes down in history as one of the funniest things to happen here at the Inn. And there have been a lot of funny things here, we’re a funny bunch. But, the above quote was the oh-so eloquent description one of my waitresses gave some customers when they asked for more information about the Tunisian Orange Cake. That’s actually what she said. That’s it. You know what, they ordered it. So, what do I know?

I was thinking of this because today I made a birthday cake for a group coming in tonight and I just thought I’d let anyone know, if you’d like a special occasion dessert while you are dining with us here at The Shoreham Inn, please ask. I need a little notice, and I always love to get some guidance; chocolate or not, is carrot a no-go, maybe fruit is better..we all have our personal favorites. Me, I’m not really a chocolate girl, not that I’d turn it down, but if you were making me a birthday cake, I’d want carrot, or something lemon….or, actually, to be completely honest, I want a little box of macarons, all to myself. But, we’re not here to talk about me. We’re talking cake – I love an excuse to get out the cake stands and do a little something fancy. So, just ask.

Now I’ve got your attention. It’s not just a cheap shot though, we do have skiing discounts available if you stay with us here at The Shoreham Inn. It’s just that we’re not anyone’s first thought when it comes to skiing in Vermont. (Heck, we’re not even, like, 20th) What I do have is discount tickets if you’d like to stay with us and downhill ski at the Middlebury Snowbowl or cross country ski at Rikert Ski Touring Center. Both are located on Rt 125 just outside East Middlebury, about a 25-30 minute drive from Shoreham. So, not ski in-ski out, unless you’re REALLY hardcore. What I can offer is a nice big breakfast to get your day started, clear directions to get to your destination, a recommendation for the Snowbowl chili – delicious,  a fire in the fireplace when you return, and dinner here in the pub before you stumble back up to your cozy bed. We love the Snowbowl, it’s got enough to keep everyone occupied, a great place for beginner skiers, a safe place for kids to ski by themselves – it’s no Killington or Stowe, but it may be just what you’re looking for. And Rikert has fantastic trails, for beginners to advanced skiers. So, think about it, maybe you could come ski at The Shoreham Inn.

OK blog world, I’m making it official. I resolve to write more here in 2010. I’m excited about the new year, I feel full of energy and creativity and new ideas, and that’s  pretty wonderful feeling. And my over-arching resolution is to harness this feeling and put it to use, working towards things that make me and my family happy. Have a very good night and I will talk to you soon.