Benjamin F. Packard House

Garden Update

admin — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:09:36 +0000

The patio garden is done! Amy and her sister who was visiting from Pennsylvania worked hard this past week and got the pots planted, mulch down and the perennials planted that Amy bought at the local garden club sale. Tille and I were not much help but we did keep a close watch to make sure they did a good job. What do you think – do you agree with me that it looks great?

Stepping out to the Patio

The Sound of Dripping Water

Elephant Hosta surrounds the Gargoyle

Shades of Purple and Blue

A Weekend of Quilting

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:28:35 +0000

Working hard in the gorgeous sunshine!

I had the pleasure this weekend of meeting the Canoe City Quilters when they booked a quilting weekend at the B&B. What a fun group of ladies! Aside from the fact the lavished me (and Tille) with attention, they were just fun to hang out with on the patio while they worked on the beautiful quilts they were making. The weather was so cooperative that they spent most of their time outside and the evenings in the common rooms at the neat quilting machines they brought with them. It is quite an operation making a quilt! Lots of time and patience goes into selecting patterns and materials, cutting fabric to size, using the machines and hand sewing. Incredible talent in this group! They also spent some time on Saturday enjoying Mayfair in Bath – visiting yard sales, shopping downtown and enjoying a lovely dinner at Solo Bistro. I look forward to their return next year!

One last picture before departing – Lupi is looking forward to next year.

Lupi watching over the activity on the patio.

So lucky the weather cooperated!

The garden is ready and waiting…

admin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:39:43 +0000

Amy and Mark spent a lot of time this past weekend getting the garden and patio ready for guests and all their hard work paid off. Pots are ready to be planted later in May, some perennials are blooming in the garden beds and the patio is decked out with lights, candles and all the decorations that make this a spectacular outside room. Out front, Amy painted the urns that greet visitors when they arrive and soon will be planting flowers in them to add a pop of color. I love this time of year when everything is growing and greening – now I am just waiting for you!

Perennials in bloom

Bright colored pansies

Pots waiting to be planted

Window “boxes” waiting for flowers

Outdoor storage in the red cupboard

Tulips in full bloom

Freshly painted urns for the front steps

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

admin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:19:11 +0000

Yesterday Amy posted a Facebook picture of a new cookie she baked. As usual with food pictures she had a great response and everyone wants to know the recipe. Of course, she volunteered me to post it in my next blog and gave me a strict deadline that I must post it today. Luckily, I found the link to the website where she got the recipe so less typing for me. As today is a cool, overcast day I say it is the perfect time for a batch of Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies. Happy Baking!

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Why Bath?

admin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:50:21 +0000

Recently some of Mark’s family visited who had never been here before and asked Amy and Mark “Why do people come to visit Bath?” Granted they were visiting in the quiet season on a cold, rainy, overcast April day so maybe Bath’s many charms were not as evident. So for those of you who also ask the question “Why Bath?” let me list you a few reasons to come and visit.

Car Cruise on Front Street during Heritage Days.

A great downtown with unique independent stores for shopping, friendly storekeepers, yummy restaurants all within an easy walk. I don’t have space to name all the individual businesses that make up this great downtown because there are just too many.

A historic district with wonderfully preserved homes from a previous century and a great walking guide to learn all about them.

The Maine Maritime Museum – spend a day exploring Bath’s shipbuilding heritage.

Walking/Hiking trails winding through wooded areas, old cemeteries and past beautiful water vistas.

A short drive to two of the best beaches in Maine, and in my humble opinion, the East Coast.

A year round Farmers’ Market in a historic Freight Shed alongside the building of a replica of Maine’s first ship. What a unique way to spend a Saturday morning.

A 30 minute drive to the top rated public garden in the U.S. – Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. (Survey results from TripAdvisor)

The many independent art galleries and artists’ studios which dot the downtown and surrounding communities just waiting for you to stop in and visit.

Maine State Music Theater, Bath’s Gazebo Concerts, Bath Heritage Days, SPI’s House and Garden Tour, Chocolate Church performances, Blarney Days, Mayfair, Bowdoin College museums, lectures and performances just to name a few of the great events that happen in Bath and the midcoast area.

I am only hitting the top of the iceberg on this – why do you visit Bath? Drop me a line and keep the list growing!

Coming out of Hibernation

admin — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:49:21 +0000

Spring has finally arrived and it was quite a long winter here in Maine. I spent most of that time hibernating in our living quarters and watching the world go by from my window perch. But now the sun is out, temperatures are rising and I am enjoying hanging out on the patio in the sun! I have noticed a lot is coming to life – flowers, trees getting ready to bloom and, of course, Tille is high energy – running around on the patio, digging holes in Amy’s garden (I am sure she will put a stop to this soon) and generally just getting into trouble. She can have all the energy and vigor – I prefer waking up in a lazy fashion from the long, cold winter. Here are some of the things we spied coming out of hibernation with us!

Tille smiling for the camera

The buds on the Magnolia Tree are getting ready to bloom.

Crocuses in full bloom.

Yellow Crocuses

The sun feels so good.

Tille stood still long enough for a picture.

Practicing posing for pictures.

Daffodils emerging out front.

I love laying in the sun.

Anticipating Spring

admin — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:40:11 +0000

Despite the snow outside, Amy has been busy decorating with some signs of Spring. This is the time of year for a little green to brighten up the common rooms and turn our thoughts to the impending Spring.

The sun shines in on the stick table runner and spring decorations.

Soft green orbs add texture to the mantle decoration

Tiered compotes are the perfect nesting place for some green orbs.

Green glass and old picture frames on the mantle

The Glorious Winter

admin — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:09:16 +0000

I love winter! Granted I have lots of hair to keep me warm when it is cold outside but there are a lot of other great things about this wonderful season. Now that it is January you can already notice that the days are growing longer. The skies at sunset are spectacular and I like to watch the sun slowly set and the sky turn pink from my seat on the patio. The blue sky and sunshine (which is in abundance here in Maine in the winter) shine brighter than ever and even if it is only in the teens it still makes for a beautiful day. Inside the B&B we have warm fires in the fireplace and the smell of wood burning calls to you to pull up a chair and a good book for a quiet afternoon. Amy is baking and experimenting with new recipes so there is always something good to eat. Downtown Bath is still vibrant and bustling and the social season kicks into high gear this time of year. All the great nonprofits we have in town are planning wonderful fundraisers like the upcoming Blarney Ball and So You Think You Know Bath, plus the stores and art galleries are holding classes for people to enjoy and learn something new in this New Year. Best of all, Tille and I are practicing our greeting skills and I am teaching Tille all the manners needed to be the best Bed and Breakfast dog! So don’t put off a visit just because it is winter – it really is a glorious time of the year!

Tille loves to play in the snow

I love hanging out on the patio in the winter

My Christmas Pictures

admin — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 13:45:54 +0000

Please check out my Christmas pictures – I posted them to our B&B Facebook page.

Honey Cake Recipe

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:38:22 +0000

Amy has quite a few request for the Honey Cake recipe after she posted some pictures of her holiday baking so I thought I would send it along since she is still busy with last minute Christmas details and getting ready for guests.

Honey Cake

3 C flour

3 t baking powder

1 t salt

1 C sugar

1 t ground ginger

1 t ground cinnamon

1 t baking soda

1 t vanilla

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 C honey

1 C canola oil

Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease loaf tin and line the base with parchment paper. (I used small tins to make 4 loaves or you can use one 9 x 3 ½ c 4 inch one.)

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, make a well in the center and add all the remaining ingredients. Pour 1 C hot water, stir thoroughly to mix, then beat until smooth.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf pan(s) and lightly tap the tin on the counter to remove air bubbles. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes if using one large loaf pan, less time if making smaller loaves. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the cake starts to brown too much cover loosely with foil. Leave to cool in the pan about 20 minutes before removing. Cool cake completely on wire rack.

Recipe from The Essential Christmas Cookbook