150 Days...to Summer!

Scarborough Inn - winter

It may look like the heart of winter to you, but to many the countdown to summer has begun! A recent story in the Ocean City PATCH (online local news source) confirms that Summer is ONLY 150 days away. Time to begin planning your vacation getaway to the Jersey Shore!

Of course, for those of us at the Scarborough Inn, that means we need to get through our yearly "To-Do List" of winter projects.  We are making great progress, I'm happy to report.

The exterior of our historic building received a fresh coat of paint on the north and east facades and the fire escape (west) is newly painted as well.  Inside, the main staircase - railings and walls - are painted, too. Our attention now is focused on repainting three guest rooms. New decoration will follow - details later - and all bathroom vanities will be stained to brighten and maintain the natural oak finish.

The gardens have been weeded, trimmed, and fed.  Amazingly, a few roses are stubbornly clinging to their vines, but soon all will be slumbering under a blanket of mulch awaiting the renewal of Spring.

I love to use this time to discover and sample new recipes.  We try to use locally-sourced fruits and vegetables and create dishes that are fresh, simple, and delicious.  Over the years, guests have contributed wonderful recipes, too.  What a scrumptious project!

After the new year, the Availability Calendar will be posted so you can make online RESERVATIONS.  We look forward to welcoming you to our bed & breakfast inn during the 2012 season - now only 150 days away...and counting!

Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Happy New Year!

 

A Family Prayer

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell,  for the love that unites us,  for the peace accorded us this day,  for the hope with which we expect the morrow; for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth.  Amen.


Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

Cookie Swap Party

Ever been to a "Cookie Swap Party"?                                             

The basic idea is that you get together with friends, everyone brings cookies, and you exchange them with each other.  Each participant bakes multiple batches of just one kind of cookie - the number that you need to supply is predetermined by the hostess - and everyone goes home with a variety of treats.  It's also a good idea for the hostess to keep track of which type of cookie each guest will be supplying so you don't all make Chocolate Chip, for example.

It does take a bit of organization, but it's a festive way to celebrate and to share seasonal treats, too.

When I was teaching full time, I would bake the cookies on the weekend prior to the Cookie Swap and prepackage them in plastic bags.  This time of year you can find inexpensive bags festooned with snowflakes, Santa, and the like. Or you could attach seasonal stickers, or tie the little bags with ribbons and artificial holly. The options are endless!

Most times, Holiday Cookie Swaps I've attended have been in the evening and each guest also brought an appetizer.  The hostess provided beverages and an entree.  Seasonal music in the background and her beautifully-decorated home provided the rest of the "magic."

This year, when I decided to host a Holiday Cookie Swap, I discovered that there are many (and I do mean MANY) competing activities from every club, organization, and group imaginable. What to do?  I decided to host a Breakfast-time swap! I have a few recipes on hand (ahem) for breakfast casseroles and decided to make "Hash Brown Breakfast Bake" the centerpiece of the meal. Although the recipe calls for bacon, I determined to cook breakfast meats as a side dish to provide guests with options.  A fresh fruit salad and an assortment of muffins, biscuits, and fruit breads complete the offerings. I decided to have yogurt on hand, too - just in case...  Plus beverages, of course.

With a fairly simple menu we will all have an opportunity to socialize and relax.  At the end of the meal, guests will be given a festive box to fill with the little baggies of cookies to take home. You could also use gift bags or holiday trays for this purpose (check your local dollar store!). Alternately, guests could bring their own trays or baskets and refill them as they depart.

In whatever way you arrange your Holiday Cookie Swap Party, have a wonderful time!

INNsider Tips: Our Scarborough Inn Family Cookbook (available online from the Gift Shop) has wonderful recipes for a Cookie Swap - and for other holiday occasions.  Or visit this Domino Sugar site for inspiration.

Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

"Creamy Cauliflower Soup" inspired by Tyler Florence

Like many good stories about food, this one begins in a Farmer's Market.  We were returning home from visiting family and passed a farm stand loaded with seasonal vegetables - chard, beets, squash, potatoes and yams, onions, and cauliflower.

The cauliflower I selected was beautifully fresh, but huge - about 10-inches in diameter. Since I'm usually cooking for just the two of us this time of year, the size presented a challenge. [I used half as a steamed vegetable with baked ham.] What to do with the bounty?

Happily, that evening I was thumbing through the latest issue of House Beautiful and Tyler Florence featured a recipe for Cauliflower Soup in his column.  According to the story, he created the recipe for unexpected guests using ingredients he had on hand. (Obviously, Tyler has a more interesting pantry than I do, but I decided to use his recipe for inspiration and "wing it!")

First, he browned tiny leaves from Brussels Sprouts in olive oil to use as a garnish (I skipped this step altogether).

Next, he sauteed cauliflower florets and onion slices in olive oil and a little butter for several minutes until just tender; then he added salt and pepper.  I did that, too.

Tyler tied herbs in cheesecloth and added that, plus whole milk, to the vegetables and simmered the mixture until the cauliflower was soft. I didn't have cheesecloth, so I added about 5 sprigs of thyme and two bay Leaves with 21/2 cups of 1% milk (no whole milk, either) until it was fork-tender. I removed the bay leaves and thyme twigs, but left the tiny, cooked herb leaves for added flavor.

The mixture was to be transferred to a blender and mixed until completely smooth. Then tasted for seasonings and served immediately with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice - about 1 tablespoon. The soup is meant to be presented in espresso cups garnished with the aforementioned crispy Brussels Sprout leaves, a tiny bit of salmon roe, and a drop or two of extra-virgin olive oil. The picture of the completed recipe looked lovely!

Lacking many of the above, however, I transferred the Cauliflower Soup to a ceramic pot and put it into the fridge to allow the flavors to blend (that's my story & I'm sticking to it!).

Later, I reheated the soup on low heat and having acquired a little half-and-half, added some for richness with the tablespoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and some freshly-ground sea salt and pepper. I presented it in rustic, small, black pottery bowls garnished with droplets of olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh thyme leaves. Delicious! And that's the point, isn't it?

I really admire Tyler Florence and appreciate his enthusiastic, yet approachable, attitude to food, so I hope I did him proud!  Find more of Tyler Florence's RECIPES here.


Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

Special Events - Live Theater at the "Jersey Shore"

Theater-lovers, plan your vacation getaway at the Scarborough Inn around this great selection of live theater performances  - right here in Ocean City.....or in the surrounding area.

Explore these options:

Surflight Theater, Beach Haven, NJ - 2012 Mainstage Schedule -

Cape May Stage, Cape May City, NJ - 2012 Schedule (coming soon)

Ocean City Repertory Theater - OCREP - 813 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ

Greater Ocean City Theater Company -  OCTC - 800 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ

INNsider Tip: Check the websites (above) for an updated listing of performances or visit the Scarborough Inn website for a sampling of activities - of all types - and for other live performance or concert opportunities and venues.

Also, remember we're always happy to help with directions to local or area locations for special events and attractions, just ask!


Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

Wanamaker's Department Store & Christmas Memories

John Wanamaker's "Crystal Tea Room"

John Wanamaker's Department Store (now Macy's) in Philadelphia, PA, is part of very precious memories from my childhood.  It's Crystal Tea Room was our destination for special occasions with my mother, my sister, and myself.  At that time (yes, back in the day) we dressed up to go into the city. That meant Sunday-best dresses and shoes and our best party manners.

Like all good memories, these are gilded with warm emotions, slightly hazy details, and maybe some longing. Hardly anybody gets "dressed up" anymore - no matter the occasion, or the specialness of the event or location.

The Crystal Tea Room was an opulent and impressive room to a child - with warm dark wood paneling, linen tableclothes and napkins, china place settings, the soft murmur of conversation accompanied by the musical clink of dishes. And of course,  those enormous sparkling crystal chandeliers!

We had tea or lunch, visited Santa and the toy department, and always watched the holiday show from the grand rotunda on the main floor. It included a light show narrated by John Facenda and a musical concert performed on the Wanamaker organ accompanied by dancing fountains that moved in time to the Christmas Carols being played. Magical!

Today, we take our children and grandchildren to Philadelphia to see a shortened version of the Christmas Spectacular and to enjoy a visit to the huge train display in Reading Terminal. We end the day in the Italian Market busily gathering special foods for a traditional feast and have dinner at a neighborhood restaurant.

John Wanamaker is considered a visionary by many who strive to protect and share his legacy.  The opulent department store he created is a precious part of my childhood memories...and, no doubt, part of the fond recollections of many others. I hope our grandchildren have similarily warm recollections of our annual Christmas trip to Philly.


Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

70th Anniversary - PEARL HARBOR DAY

Remembering the 70th. Anniversary of PEARL HARBOR DAY 

and the bravery and sacrifices of the United States Military and their family members.

Wounded Wear

National Park Service

This Day in History

OCNJ Word War II Hero


Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast

Great Gifts for Travelers!

These "Great Gifts for Travelers" have two advantages (besides being "great gifts," of course)  #1 - they are unique, meaning not necessarily needed and #2 - they can be purchased online while you are comfortably ensconced in a comfy chair, sipping your favorite seasonal libation. Ahhhh, the perfect way to shop for the holidays!

So, here is a short list of suggestions for "Great Gifts for Travelers" -

Universal Solar Charger - for the person who can't leave home without multiple gadgets!

Flexible Camera Tripod - for amazing photos from incredible angles & locations!

Foldable Ballet Flats - great style and great comfort!

Travel-friendly Scrabble - featuring snap-in tiles and a zippered case - neat!

Scarborough Inn Gift Certificates - give the gift of travel to our Ocean City, NJ bed & breakfast with a visit to our online Gift Shop!


INNsider Tip: With appreciation to the Independent Traveler blog for some of these gift suggestions and for helpful travel information, too.

Carol & Gus, Innkeepers
Scarborough Inn
an Ocean City NJ Bed and Breakfast