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.