Spring is here according to the calendar but it is very chilly today. Easter is almost 4 weeks away and I’m sure it will be warm and wonderful by then. Sight and Sound Theatre www.sight-sound.com will be doing their Easter Show and if you want to see it I recommend that you get tickets now. We will have all the traditional things like Sun Rise services, churches all prepared for Easter, and Easter Egg Hunts www.kitchenkettle.com plus others. and the Strasburg Train Ride with the Easter Bunny www.strasburgtrainride.com. Lancaster County has so much to do that you can it a busy time or just a quiet time.

When you are planning your trip to Lancaster County one of the great things to experience is The Landis Valley Museum www.landisvalleymuseum.org is not about Amish it is about the early German culture of Lancaster County.

Some special things that they have each year is Mother’s Day weekend the Herb & Garden Faire (May 6&7) and the Columbus Day Weekend Harvest Days (October 8&9). They do offer things all year but those are the 2 biggies. When I went to their site I see they have added some interactive things for you to participate in, they all sound like fun, now how is an innkeeper to find time to do all that “where there is a will there is a way”.

We’ve had a few days of warm weather but the chill is back today. I’ve set my mind on Spring and will not return. When Spring is on my mind so is food, especially the early vegetables asparagus, early onions, dandelion (a spring tonic as my Mother always said, for me not so much). So today I’m going to share a recipe using asparagus.

BAKED ASPARAGUS OMELETT

1 1/2 c. ham cubes                                           1/2 lb. asparagus, steamed

1 sm. can mushrooms                                      1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

pkg. Hollandaise sauce                                   10 eggs

Combine everything except the Hollandaise and the eggs.  Put in an 8×11 baking dish that was sprayed with PAM. Prepare Hollandaise according to the package directions. Beat the eggs. SLOWLY pour the Hollandaise into the eggs while beating them (tempering).  Pour this mixture over the other ingredients and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 35-45 min. (until set) and enjoy a taste of Spring

We celebrated Keith’s birthday by going to American Music Theatre. The show was Cirque Mechanics, humor and tremendous talent all mixed together. We found the seats to be roomy and comfortable, sometimes it seems they are more interested in seats than comfort, not so here.

The shows are always good and many times top name. www.amtshows.com

A friend and I went to Hershey to see what was new (to us). The Hershey Story on Chocolate Ave. was worth the visit.

When I was a kid there was a museum near the park that basically was a Pennsylvania museum and it was wonderful. Well, Hershey has done away with that and done this museum about Milton Hershey. It is good and if you’ve ever done the trolley tour it just enhances it experience. It is amazing what this man has done for one area. If bosses today treated their workers like he did there would great loyality in the work place, as there was then.   www.hersheystory.org

While we were there we treated ourselves to Hot chocolate and mocha at Cafe Zooka. You can have lunch there or just a nice snack.

Last weeks ice storm has badly crippled our willow tree. You can see this tree on some picture that are on the internet. I always felt it gave grace to our farm, but now it must go. The ice broke several large branches and so it would not be as sturdy as it was. I have no idea how long it has been here, but do know it was not here in 1900. It will be like losing a friend.

Here in Lancaster County many lost trees, large branches and the things they fell onto, fortunately this just landed in the driveway so little harm done. We have another large maple that must go and we have stalled on that project also because it gives shade to our patio. This will be the year of trees doing away with 2 and hopefully planting a few.

It has been frosty outside the past several mornings, as I wait for my morning coffee to brew I look out at the meadow and the neighbors yard, they always get frost before we do. The yard is just that much lower than we are, amazing that it actually makes a difference. So I start thinking about Thanksgiving, it is such a time for family, and we have a large family to gather together.  If you are thinking about Thanksgiving too and don’t have that large family or just can’t be with your family we have a Thanksgiving Special that is great. Stay 3 nights at the regular rate and get the 4th night free. We do have restaurants in Lancaster County that serve traditional dinners with reservations, I could help with that, just give a call.

You all know Fall is here when Hershey opens the “Hersheypark in the Dark”. This past weekend was the opening and it runs until October 31. Some of you will view this as an extension of the summer park but I think it is a whole new dimension, with boo-stackular events remember to check our pricing before booking in Hershey. wwwhalloweeninhersehy.com

Fall has come to Lancaster County! October and November in Lancaster County are usually busy and beautiful. The weather is cooler with less humidity and many things to do. This weekend is the Bridge Bust in Columbia www.parivertowns.com. The Amazing Corn Maze at Cherry Crest Farm is open till the end of the month www.cherrycrestadventurefarm.com. Remember our wonderful shopping opportunities at Rockvale and Tangier. I’m hearing guests talk about Christmas gifts they’ve purchased. I always recommend Riehl’s Quilts  www.riehlsamishquilts.com for unique gifts. Come and stay awhile.

The first Saturday of October is always a landmark day. The “old bridge” across the Susquehanna River is closed to car traffic and only people traffic will be found. It is the Columbia Bridge Bust. Vendors with crafts, antiques, food and everything in between is there. Entrance is minimal and you get your workout walking the mile wide bridge looking at all the wonderful stuff.  www.parivertowns.com