Bill and I are very excited to have pulled off a sit-down, multi-course breakfast for 20 on October 2.  Yes, twenty!  Bill and I zigged and zagged together so effortlessly, one might think we had actually done this before.  Fred and Ginger.  In fact, serving breakfast to four guests has often been more stressful for us.

The tables were elgantly set and candle-lit.  Everything from the mimosas to the main course flowed seamlessly.  Guests arrived greeted by an assortment of homemade cakes and, what I like to call, my armadillo-like melon centerpiece (see photo).  Everyone mingled around the rooms on the main floor.  Then, at the signal from the groom, they moved into the dining room to the sit-down part:  panna cotta with plump raspberries, and, then the main course of upside-down apple French toast with Grand Marnier topping.

However, by far, the best part of the day occurred much later as we both enjoyed a good snore on the porch…

The Borland House Bed & Breakfast has THE best location imaginable.  Who cares about an ocean view or a sighting of the Eiffel Tower.  We are sandwiched between a chocolate shop and Bellabella Organic Spa.  Can’t beat that!  What could be better than spending the afternoon getting rubbed and exfoliated, then, heading right over to the Village Sampler for a healthy dose of chocolate truffles?

With pleasure, we extend a warm welcome to our next door neighbor. Bellabella Organic Spa is a full-service spa that our guests can now enjoy when they stay here.  In fact, from the Borland House you can just pad over there in your bathrobe and slippers if you wish.

But, as a responsible innkeeper, I have an obligation.  How can I recommend this to others unless, well, unless I put on my bunny rabbit slippers, do some first-hand research and shuffle over there right now…?

The Palumbo family, with their daughter Tracy as the current owner, has operated Richard’s Dairy Shed for half a century. Every April we know it’s spring when the line starts forming at Richard’s and doesn’t end until they close in October!  Their “small” cones are huge.  Their home-made ice-cream is incredible.  Bill’s favorite is their black raspberry.  I prefer the Oreo cookie with chocolate sprinkles.  We often skip dinner and just head to Richard’s during the summer. But, one of the best things about Richard’s is Tracy.  She brightens our day with her beautiful smile and endless energy.

You see, I have always poo-pooed the “country club lifestyle” complete with collared shirts, madras bermuda shorts, and grown-up women named Bunny.  But, this summer I decided to step out of my comfort zone and step onto Winding Hills Golf Course, 2 miles from the Borland House.  My husband Bill, an avid golfer, was thrilled that I was willing to shed decades of bias and give it a try. For my debut, my goal was to be invisible and blend into the landscape.  So, a 10 PM tee-time seemed ideal to me.  However, Bill prudently suggested that we play when the course was actually open. So, we headed to the first tee around 1:00 PM after the die-hards and before the leagues started.

Winding Hills is a pristine executive course with a mixture of par 3 and par 4 holes–just the right distance.  The rolling hills are landscaped with native plants and magnificent stone walls.  For two hours I thought only of that next shot.  Not once did I think about the sheets I needed to iron or the cookies I needed to bake or the paperwork I needed to catch up on. 

Finally, I get it.  Golf is total escape, total relaxation.

The next time we go out I’m going to hit the ball over, not around, the pond.  And, I don’t care if it takes me 2 dozen shots to do it.  I don’t care how many foursomes are muttering obscenities waiting behind me!  I don’t care if I lose every single ball in my bag and…!

Last week the sky was crystal clear, stars were plentiful.  Our guests arrived here for a very specific reason.  No, it was not our great breakfasts or wonderful Hudson Valley attractions that drew them here.  It was the mysteries of outer space that brought our guests to the Borland House to search for UFO’s.   They planned to drive ten minutes to a nearby area that has had many credible and confirmed UFO sightings.  Their enthusiasm and passion were,truly, infectious. Under cloak of darkness our guests stole into the night fully prepared to fend off anything from ticks to E.T.s.  Bill and I loved hearing their stories, complete with compelling evidence.  Alas, no sightings were discovered that night.  But since last week, Bill and I have found ourselves heading to the darkness of the backyard with a blanket and spending hours looking up at the sky in hopes of a sighting.  Who knows, the “visitors” might need a place to stay for the night!

Molten Lava Cookies:

1 cup butter softened, 2 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup. cocoa powder, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 cup or more Ghiradelli chocolate chips and Ghiradelli white chocolate chips mixed together, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla.

1.  Preheat oven to 350.  Cream butter and sugar.  Add cocoa, eggs, vanilla. Mix until combined.

2.  Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.  Gradually add to butter mixture until blended.

3.  Take small amount of dough and about 6-8 chips.  Roll into a ball so the chips are mostly on the inside.

4.  Bake on buttered or sprayed cookie sheet for 7-8 min. (Be sure not to overbake)

Our overnight guests all participated in the dinner. It was, definitely, a treat to go from dinner to bed without having to navigate home.  We look forward to a repeat performance in the future.

The Borland House B&B lets you escape the wretchedness of winter and, yes, even enjoy it! 

1.  Come to this pristine historic Village and walk only 1 block to restaurants without risk of frost-bite.

2.  Treat yourself to an in-room massage. 

3.  Sip wine in the candle-lit parlor while an avalanche of snow descends outside.

4.  This is the time of year that you are most likely to secure a reservation at the Back Yard Bistro, a 7-table restaurant less than 2 miles away.  Even sleet won’t have to keep you from getting there.

5.  The more snow, the better!  Go snow-tubing, just 5 minutes away. 

6.  Best of all, you and your partner can be together and actually enjoy eachother once again.

2.  Before you head upstairs to your room, grab one of our DVD’s to take with you.  Then, turn on the remote firplace, burrow under the comforter and let the week’s stress melt away…

3.  The aroma of French roast coffee will lure you downstairs the next morning.  Enjoy a candle-lit, multi-course breakfast before heading out for the day.

4.  A crisp, sunny winter day might take you on a 30 minute drive to the Walkway Over the Hudson.  You’ll traverse a 1-mile long restored railroad trestle bridge.  Great 360 degree views.

5.  Next, head to the artsy village of New Paltz for lunch and a walk around, checking out the local boutiques and antique shops.

6.  On your way back to the Borland House stop at Whitecliff or Robibero Winery for a tasting (their whites are excellent, by the way!). 

7.  Now, for the best part: an amazing in-room massage upon your return.  Our massage therapist gives a full hour, deep massage that will leave you feeling like Silly Putty.

8.  At 7:00, come to the parlor to share a glass of wine before heading out to another local restaurant — on foot.

9.  After Sunday breakfast, relax with the NY Times and, then, visit the Village boutiques and antique shops.  Don’t miss the clothing boutique around the corner.  It looks like the costume room right out of “Mad Men”.  And be sure to visit Blue Shutter Antiques, located right here at the Borland House.

10.  Stop at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets on your way home.  Winter is the best time to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the good deals.