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Friday, October 29, 2010

Another pumpkin recipe!


Pumpkin BREAD this time. Yum.... anything in bread sounds good, right? I was actually thinking more along the lines of a coffee cake for this recipe, but I thought that you may prefer this recipe over the pumpkin soup! (It's easier, too).

Ingredients
First Dough:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp yeast
water

Other Ingredients:
4 cups flour
10 oz. pumpkin, roasted and mashed
7 tbsp water
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 tbsp butter
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp yeast

I'm told you can also add raisins or ginger for more flavor.

Preparation
Prepare the first dough. Add enough water to form a smooth dough, then let stand for 3 hours. Knead the rest of the ingredients into the dough until well-blended, then allow to rest for 40 minutes.
Cut the dough into 2 pieces and shape into loaves as you desire. Allow to rise for another hour, then bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes.

This recipe brought to you from the book "Pizza, bread, and savory tarts."

Fall Cleaning, Part 2!


I couldn't resist-- I have a few more messy jobs for you this fall! (Plus, I have been a bad blogger lately... I forgot to post "The Weekly" last week and have not done anything creative!!)

Whew, now that the weather--mostly the wind!--has calmed down a bit, it is a great time to do a bit of outside work. A lot of these tasks are things I have been doing as I "winterize" this place! We got a bit of a scare this week with the the threat of snow...so I actually had to do all this work in the freezing cold and howling wind. Lucky you.


First-- clean out your shed or garage! You may need to store items for winter, and you need to have a clean space for this. With the shed here at the Inn, it worked best to take everything out, sweep it out, throw old/ruined items away, and leave everything out until your deck/patio items have been placed inside. (step 2 in today's cleaning process :)

Second-- clean off your deck/patio area. Clean your grill WELL for once, and put it in your shed or garage, preferably covered, for the winter. Keeping your grill clean and out of the elements will help it to last longer. Throw out all the old, wintering plants you have been holding on to. Sure, they may still look "ok," but it's fall and "the look" of the season is changing. Clean any glass such as patio tabletops and store inside for the winter. This glass can be stored in the basement, and is best kept in a cardboard sleeve of sorts. Find a box large enough, and tape it together on three sides so there is only space to slip the glass top inside. Be sure to label it as FRAGILE, especially if you keep several other items in your basement! Some patio furniture may not need to be put away for the winter, but any items made of wicker or plastic definitely should be. Though Lanesboro is in "the tropics of Minnesota," it does get cold enough for plastic to crack, and the moisture of snow is hard on wicker. Before putting the wicker items, if any, away, get out your trusty hot glue gun and fix any places where the wicker is unraveling. Remove any chair cushions from outside and seal in large garbage bags, then place them in the shed, garage, basement, or other place where they can avoid damage from moisture. You may need to buy a rust remover to get rid of rust stains on you patio area. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle, or the orange-y stains could turn into bleach spots! Sweep or blow off leaves and other debris.

Third-- Clean out your refrigerator, freezer, and closet. Honestly, not everything lasts forever even if you freeze it. Do you have just a half cup of rhubarb or zucchini left? PROBABLY not going to use it. Frozen fruit? ...how long has it been in there? Hamburger and hotdog buns should also be discarded. Toss any opened packages of frozen meals that you have not used recently-- these tend to get freezer burn. In your fridge, look for these items: expired eggs, expired yogurt, rotten vegetables in the bottom drawers, sweets (you don't NEED to toss these, but as it gets to be winter nearly everyone gains weight) and old leftovers. Leftovers should not be kept for more than a week, so be diligent in eating those up! When everything is out of your fridge and freezer, wipe them out using hot, soapy water. As for your closet, make sure everything fits you. Are there any items you did not wear this summer? Don't make excuses...if you didn't wear it over the course of this past summer's months, you will very likely find no reason to wear it next summer. Throw away all socks and underwear with holes. Get rid of old swimsuits. Place tank tops and shorts in storage or a specific area of your closet and bring out the long sleeved shirts, jackets, gloves, and hats! Make a list of items thrown away that need to be replaced, such as socks, and donate your used clothes to a Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Finally- clean your floors and furniture! For carpet, move all furniture to the kitchen or other large tiled area temporarily. Get out that great vacuum you got for your wedding, or some sort of shampooer and really clean! If shampooing, be sure to allow adequate drying time, and find a few fans to speed the process. Use one of the attachments to go around the edges of each carpeted room-- dust, pieces of food, and other interesting items can accumulate here. Before putting furniture back, remove cushions and vacuum them. Also vacuum the fabrics that are not removable, and the space underneath the cushions. Once the furniture is put back, clean your other flooring! A mixture of Lysol and warm water works great for tile and linoleum, while most wood flooring has specific cleaners you can find anywhere.

I still have the extreme vacuuming and closet cleaning to do... but really this is a great task list that will keep you busy for a while. Just be sure to finish before the snow comes!

Pumpkin Soup!


As it is nearing the end of October, a lot of families are going to find themselves with pumpkins! In the process of carving, some of the pieces can be saved to create great meals and snacks. I know my husband Matt loves baked pumpkin seeds... we may even get a taste of them tonight if guests check in early and we have time for carving! Pumpkin seeds are easy, though. Just put them on a baking sheet, add a little salt, and bake for 10-15 minutes. Pumpkin soup is a bit more difficult...
If you're like me, you have a problem with pureed food. My dad's favorite meal for a while last year was squash soup...which to me looked and tasted just like baby food. Pumpkins in soup do not have to be blended, however. Just cut the pumpkin into chunks as best you can. Here is a recipe for you to try!

Ingredients

4 or more cups pumpkin
1/4 cup lentils
1/4 cup wild rice
1/4 cup barley
1 cup chopped potato
1 chopped carrot
1 chopped onion
1 cup any kind of beans
1/4 cup celery
1 can tomatoes (or 2 fresh chopped)
1/4 cup chicken soup base
1 cup ground pork, chicken, or ham

Boil everything together for 15 minutes...only cook the meat separately. Drain and add the chicken soup base, boil a little while longer. Add salt and pepper to taste!

The Weekly

Brrr...it's getting chilly but there is still plenty to do in Bluff County! Bring your pets and let them loose to enjoy the bike trail; Reno and I certainly have been doing so since there are fewer people out and about on it! Enjoy awesome live theatre at the Commonweal, and beer and wine dinners coming soon at Riverside on the Root and the Old Village Hall. Come to Bluff Country to get away from the city and enjoy a relaxing massage or time spent in a jacuzzi tub in our mini-cappuccino suite. Take a look at our package deals, posted earlier, for a sneak peak of what winter-time could look like for you!

Haunted High Ropes: Prepare to be spooked this Halloween! Join us after dark for a Treetops High Ropes Course event unlike any other! Ghoulishly goofy staff will guide you through our decorated treetops high ropes course and help you celebrate Halloween. Fourth graders to adults are invited to join in the celebration. Families with younger kids are also able to participate with minor restrictions - call for details. Costumes are welcome as long as they do not
interfere with the safety harness or helmet.

Oct 29
6 – 10 pm Eagle Bluff
Environmental
Learning
Center
467-2437 $20


Octoberfest at the Lanesboro Farmers Market: Meet a sheep from Kindred Spirit Farm and watch Stacey spin wool.
• Free hot cider and coffee
• End of season sale prices
• Enter to win a painted pumpkin & more!

Oct 30
9 am – 12 Sylvan Park
Lanesboro


THIS WEEK AT THE COMMONWEAL
THEATRE COMPANY


The Turn of the Screw - In one of the most terrifying ghost stories of all time, a governess alone in the English countryside suspects the children in her care are connected to spirits seen roaming the estate. Is this merely paranoia or does something sinister lurk behind these innocent faces?

Oct 28, 29, 30, Nov 4 at 7:30 pm

Oct 31 at 1:30 pm

Commonweal Theatre---467-2525; tickets $25


Regional: Rosemaling Exhibit by Betty Dowe: On Exhibit Nov 2 – Dec 6
Bluff Country Artists Gallery, Spring Grove
507-498-2787

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Special--This weekend!

Starting this weekend-- Don't worry booking two nights in a row, or even paying full price! Feel free to book Friday or Saturday nights individually for just a one night stay, and subtract $35 off of the regular price for October! You pay $70 instead of $95...last chance for a fall visit!

Friday, October 15, 2010

The Weekly

A bit light on activities this weekend, but who needs them all when the weather is this great?? The few events will fill in your biking breaks and evenings perfectly.


Meet the Author!  Join the Commonweal Theatre for a wine and cheese reception to celebrate the release of company member Scott Dixon's new book, Beyond Midnight.  Copies are available for purchase at the theatre. 
Oct 16
3 pm
Commonweal Events Hall


Live Music! Triple billing: "Molly Maher and her Disbelievers" AND "Randy Weeks" AND "Erik Koskinen Band": Lanesboro Arts Center presents "Music on the Slant" - a night of live music upstairs at the Legion featuring three bands! These guys are good! Music has been called "Lucinda Williams meets Bonnie Raitt." Cash bar. Sponsored by Slant Avenue Mercantile.
Oct 16
7:30 pm
American Legion Lanesboro
467-2446
$5


St. Patricks Church Fall Fest: Bake Sale, Theme Baskets via Silent Auction, Treasure Shoppe, Raffle Ticket and Lunch which begins at 11:00 am. Meatloaf, party potatoes, corn, broccoli grape salad, warm crusty buns, pickles, apple pie squares with ice cream, coffee and milk.
Oct 17
9 am – 1:30 pm
St. Patricks Church Hall


Commonweal Presents: Lessons from Cancer College - What happens when a middle-aged college professor finds herself enrolled in a nine-month course of treatment for breast cancer? This one-woman show explores the anxiety and questions that emerge when the teacher becomes the student--of a disease, of a battery of treatments, and of her own changing body. Assuming it will be a manageable task to continue teaching through cancer, she’s is surprised--and ultimately healed--by the revelation that somehow cancer is teaching through her. Kristen Underwood performs this original adaptation that resonates with power and humor.
Oct 19 & 20
7:30 pm

Commonweal Theatre
467-2525
$15


THIS WEEK AT THE COMMONWEAL THEATRE COMPANY
Enchanted April – a renewal of hope and love await four women from different walks of life when a shared vacation to a secluded Italian villa transforms these strangers into friends. This romantic comedy, set in the 1920’s, breathes new life into the most stifled of souls.


The Turn of the Screw - In one of the most terrifying ghost stories of all time, a governess alone in the English countryside suspects the children in her care are connected to spirits seen roaming the estate. Is this merely paranoia or does something sinister lurk behind these innocent faces?

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Month in Review--September


Here's what our guests had to say this past month...

"We had a fantastic weekend. The room, hospitality, an food at the Coffee Street Inn were perfect--comfortable, quiet, and relaxing. And it is so convenient to everywhere we wanted to go. We came for the biking (which we enjoyed greatly), but also took in the Commonweal Theatre, kayaking, and lots of good food. We'll definitely be back to this great little town and the Coffee Street Inn, thanks so much!" --A couple from Maple Grove, MN, in our Java room 9/6/10

"We really enjoyed our stay at Coffee Street Inn. Lanesboro is such a pretty own. We love kayaking on the Root [river] ad biking to the other towns. Pizza at Rhino's was delicious! We look forward to coming back; friendly town and friendly employees at Coffee Street Inn. We also loved the patio and deck! Thank you!" --A couple from Atkins, IA in our Java room 9/14

"We had a very nice stay. First time in Bluff Country where I didn't camp and I am hooked on staying in a very comfortable, quaint Inn. Biked 30 miles at a comfortable pace, had a nice dinner by the river and the breakfast cart with coffee was a nice surprise. What a great time in Lanesboro...we will hopefully be back to cross country ski!" --A couple from Madison Lake, MN in our Mocha room 9/5

"On a cooler and rainy weekend Lanesboro's Coffee Street Inn was a lovely retreat. We enjoyed our time here!" --A couple from Minnetonka, MN in our Java room 9/26

"We loved our visit here so much! The room was clean and roomy. We very much appreciated being able to keep our dog with us during our stay. We loved to 7:30 breakfast each day and the awesome deck! We will certainly try to come back soon." A couple in our Double Espresso room 9/6

"We had such a nice visit to Lanesboro. WE have come to Lanesboro before, but we have always camped here. This was much more comfortable (though I was on the air mattress). Grandma and Grandpa were here, and we certainly enjoyed your place!" --A family (parents, grandparents, daughter, and a dog!) in our Double Espresso room 9/26

"Lotsa fun!" --A family coming together in our Cappuccino Suite from New Mexico and South Dakota

The Weekly

What a beautiful weekend in southern Minnesota! Following flood waters, the trees have begun to change colors making the hills around Lanesboro breathtaking! It's also a great weekend for me to have off... I am so grateful for the break. It's been a long past 5 weeks since Labor Day Weekend...our dog even acts like he needs a vacation ('cus being a dog is SO hard...) Matt and I will be camping at White Water State Park! The weather should be perfect for hiking, sleeping, (cold nights camping are the BEST, as long as you bring plenty of blankets and hot chocolate!) reading my accounting textbook, (not looking forward to that as much) watching movies, cooking great breakfasts, and just relaxing! October is a busy month...

Lanesboro Harvest Moon
Oct 8 – 10
Lanesboro

***10% off at Potiche Pottery Oct 8 from 4-7pm Pumpkin Carving Contest at Potiche, judging is Oct 9. Create a spooky pottery plate Oct 10 from 1-3pm...only $12!!
***Lanesboro Farmer's Market Oct 9, 9am-noon
***Wine Taste Testing at Scenic Valley Winery Oct 9, 10am-8:30pm and Oct 10, noon-5pm
***Fall Festival Dinner--Oct 10 from 11:30am-1:30pm. Roast beef sandwiches, mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, and apple crisp. Adults-- $8.00, children ages 5-12-- $5.00, under 5--free!
***Lanesboro horse-drawn wagon rides; Oct 9 from noon-4pm. $5, starting point at Sylvan Park
***Lanesboro trolley tour; Oct 9 at 1pm
***Eagle Bluff-- adult outdoor seminar, Oct 9 from 3-5pm. $10. There will also be a benefit banquet at 5pm.
***Lanesboro Arts Center; "Sculptures from the Forest" by Paul Lambrecht
***5th Anniversary of an exquisite drag review--Oct 9, 6:30 at the Lanesboro Community Center
***Harvest Day at Historic Forestville; Oct 9 from 11am-4pm. Only $6 to learn about harvesting corn, quilting, cider pressing, and seed threshing. Try your hand at rolling out pie crusts, peeling apples, and tasting the end result!
***Curtis Ingvoldstad, chain saw artist at Windy Mesa Oct 9 and 10

Legion Fish Fry
Oct 9
5 pm until Gone
American Legion Lanesboro

The Last American Hitchhiker:
Join us for a night of weird, wild, and wonderful stories from Mark Kneeskern, as he reads from his book, "The Last AMERICAN Hicth Hiker" The festivities begin with refreshments at 5:30 pm and reading and questions from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Hope you can attend.
Oct 13
5:30 – 7 pm
Lanesboro Local

THIS WEEK AT THE COMMONWEAL THEATRE COMPANY
Enchanted April – a renewal of hope and love await four women from different walks of life when a shared vacation to a secluded Italian villa transforms these strangers into friends. This romantic comedy, set in the 1920’s, breathes new life into the most stifled of souls.

The Turn of the Screw - In one of the most terrifying ghost stories of all time, a governess alone in the English countryside suspects the children in her care are connected to spirits seen roaming the estate. Is this merely paranoia or does something sinister lurk ...

I almost wish I was sticking around this weekend! The fish fry sounds great, as do the beef and mashed potatoes on Sunday afternoon! I would love to go wine tasting, and the chain saw artist is sure to be interesting. Come to Lanesboro and try out your crafting skills at Potiche, your harvest-time skills in Historic Forestville, and your shopping skills as many of the shops downtown are coming out with great deals!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Fall Cleaning, Part 1


Alright, it's been awhile since I did a cleaning post, and now the change of seasons has prompted me to write again. There are so many things in a typical home that do not get cleaned or thought about on a regular basis...they may get lost in the hustle and bustle for many years before being noticed, at which point they are often disgustingly dirty and even unsanitary. These things, of course, are the things we specifically watch for at Coffee Street Inn. We are constantly getting positive feedback about how clean the guest rooms are. That said, here are a few things to check during your fall cleaning!

First-- get rid of some of the clutter. Is your filing cabinet so full you can't get new files in (or old ones out)? Box up your files by year, leaving only one past year and the current/coming year available to you in the cabinet. Next, go through all of your excess bedding. This is something I did recently here, and found a lot of old and unusable items. Easiest to throw were the pillows. Pillows should not be stained, and should be evenly stuffed if you plan to use them. Your hand should not be able to poke through easily! Many pillows in people's homes are too flat for use. Next, go through your extra sheet sets. Do you have a room you are currently using them for as an extra? Do they have strong patterns? Are they complete sets? If matching doesn't matter too much to you, don't worry about these things. However, my guests care about sheets matching! A few sets were missing a pillowcase, had stains I could not remove, and were heavily patterned but did not match any room comforters. Comforters and blankets can also be counted to determine their relevance....after all, you only need so many! Thrift stores are grateful to have your excess in this area, especially around this time of year.

Next-- toss out any of your potted plants that are not perennials. Chances are (especially if you live in the midwest!) that your plants have been brown and dead for a week or so, yet they are sill sitting or hanging in places of honor outside your house. I know they were expensive, but there's nothing you can do-- toss them in the trash or haul them to your local dump. The pots and dirt, however, may be useful for next season.

Finally--get down to business and bust that dust! Pull your microwave out from its usual place and thoroughly clean behind it...then clean inside your microwave. If you have an oven with a drawer underneath for holding pans, take that out completely. Wash inside of in, and be sure to clean the floor where the drawer rests. Dry food, dust, toys, and pet hair collect here very quickly! This is also not a bad time to run the self-clean on your oven. This usually takes a few hours and tends to heat up the house, so choose a cold day and turn off your house heat! Turning off the heat also gives you an excellent opportunity to change your furnace filter. If your furnace filter is hidden behind clouds of cobwebs and you have been reading this blog, you know what to do! Three more areas left to dust before we're finished with part one of this season's cleaning. Dust your ceiling fans! During the summer, the fans are spinning constantly and no one even looks up at them. When you turn them off, however, dust can be seen clinging to the top and sides of the blades. Next, dust all your lamps. Not only do the bases of each lamp get covered in dust, but so do the lightbulbs! Depending on the type of lampshade you have, that could also be washed or dusted. To finish, dust your blinds. This was a weekly chore on my task list as a child, and it seemed to take forever! (Thank you, large picture window at the front of my house). Then my dad would come home to inspect them... :S When cleaning the blinds, flip them downwards so that the curve of the blinds is facing you. Window treatments may be taken down and washed while you do this (yes, they get dusty too!!) Grab a microfiber cloth or any old dust cloth, some Lysol or dusting spray, and get to work.

Hopefully this helps you in some of your fall cleaning! Let me know how it goes, or feel free to share your own tips in response to this post. Ladies, make sure your hubby helps you with some of this! It's actually great for bonding (with you getting to check his work for thoroughness and all ;), and is a good example to the kids if you have them.

Hot Deals and Winter Packages! (Finally... :)


Breezy October Specials!!

In-room breakfast Sunday-Wednesday nights, in any room!

Also...

Free "date night" supply: popcorn, pop, and DVD player included for one night! (supplies limited)
______________________________________________________________________
Winter Packages!
offered November through March

Romance and Relaxation Package
--One of our single rooms with a private bath (Latte, Java, or Mocha) plus...
--One voucher for a carriage ride for two through Tours and Treasures
--One dinner voucher for Riverside on the Root, Old Village Hall, or Kari's Scandinavian Restaurant
--One circulatory massage voucher for Prana Massage
--Wine and two signature wine glasses from Scenic Valley Winery, delivered to your room
--$240 total...all arrangements and appointments will be set for you

Ladies Getaway Package
--Our Double Espresso room plus...
--One breakfast or lunch voucher for Pedal Pushers Cafe or The Pastry Shoppe
--One drink and appetizer voucher for the Dirty Martini Lounge, located in Riverside on the Root
--One crafting voucher for Potiche Pottery and Gifts
--Two circulatory massage vouchers for Prana Massage
--$280 total...all arrangements and appointments will be set for you


I'm pretty excited about these packages... rates will change a bit based on whether your reservation date is in mid-season or off-season. Ladies, grab your guy or a girl friend and come out to Coffee Street Inn this winter!

Friday, October 1, 2010

The Weekly

20 Year Customer Appreciation Weekend: Root River Saloon Est. Oct 1, 1990 Celebrating 20 years in Business! Off Sale Special 18 Pack Bush Lite $12.95 tax included 50c Mich Golden Lite 16 oz. Taps All Weekend Fri staring at 5 pm: Free hors d'oeuvres, 2 for 1 All Nite, Karaoke Joe 8:30 pm Saturday: $1.00 Beers All Day Food, Drink Specials, Door Prizes, Bean Bags Todd Runner Express 7:00 pm Sunday: Bloody Mary Specials, Free Dogs & Brats
Oct 1 – 3

Root River Saloon
467-3355


Cookie Walk: Sponsored by the Bethlehem Lutheran Church-homemade cookies are sold until gone! Mix and Match.
Oct 2
10 am till gone
Sons of Norway Hall
467-3344
$5 per pound


Root River Trail Interpretive Bike Ride: Informative bike ride from Lanesboro to Preston! Look at how the natural resources affected how the Root River valley was developed, also significant cultural features. Meet Bob at the Lanesboro Visitor center at 1 pm.
Oct 2
1 pm
Lanesboro Visitor Center


Incognito Headlines Raise the Roof Fundraiser: Habitat for Humanity. Incognito, the popular band based in Rochester, will be playing for your dancing and listening pleasure. Food and beverages will be available beginning at 5 pm. The Fillmore County Pork Producers and Fillmore County Cattlemen will be selling their famous sandwiches. The Fillmore County Dairy Producers and Preston Servicemen’s Club will have beverages available for your enjoyment. This fundraiser is also the culmination of the summer long sale of raffle tickets for Habitat’s log playhouse. Raffle tickets are still available and you can see the playhouse at Preston Lumber in Preston. Tickets are $5. In addition to announcing the winner, there will be live and silent auctions with many valuable items upon which you can bid. All proceeds go to support Habitat for Humanity. Tickets for the dance are $10 and are available at most of the banks in Fillmore County as well as at Harmony, Preston, and Rushford Foods.
Oct 2
7 – 10 pm
Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Preston, MN
765-3823
$10


Ham and Meatball Dinner
Oct 3
10 am – 6 pm
Union Prairie Lutheran Church


Commonweal Presents: Passions of the HausFrau - A one-woman show about the hilarious misadventures of a mom who discovers that the roller coaster ride of raising young kids is actually the path to creating her own masterpiece.
Oct 5 & 6
7:30 pm
Commonweal Theater Company
467-2525
$15


THIS WEEK AT THE COMMONWEAL THEATRE COMPANY
Enchanted April – a renewal of hope and love await four women from different walks of life when a shared vacation to a secluded Italian villa transforms these strangers into friends. This romantic comedy, set in the 1920’s, breathes new life into the most stifled of souls.


The Turn of the Screw - In one of the most terrifying ghost stories of all time, a governess alone in the English countryside suspects the children in her care are connected to spirits seen roaming the estate. Is this merely paranoia or does something sinister lurk behind these innocent faces?