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.