InnSpired Dreamer

The importance of connecting...

2010-03-15T12:45:00.005-04:00

I am reading a great book by Roberta Lee, M.D., entitled The Superstress Solution. Why? Because despite how luxurious and flowingly easy we try to make things appear, innkeepers get stressed too, just like many of you are. With the economy still taking its time on its way back to good, the blah weather for the past few months, and a leak in my own bedroom ceiling, the stress level has been steadily increasing and this book has some very good insights nor only for me but for many of you as well.

One of the best parts of this book so far is about human beings need for connection.

It is so important to combating stress in our lives that the good doctor has devoted an entire chapter to the importance of connecting with your fellow man. Technology helps us meet more people and reconnect with old friends (facebook anyone?) but at the same exact time it also has a tendency to impede us from connecting on a more personal and intimate level with those we care about.

Think about when you are walking down the street. Now a days so many people have their ipod plugged into their ears, or their hands-free head sets going as they often loudly, chatter on and on incessantly about stuff that often really doesn't even matter. That is compared to what is shared in a one on one in person conversation. We are social creatures, we humans, and our minds and bodies require to spend time, in person, interacting with others. Hundreds of research studies have shown that not having such meaningful, personal connections cause everything from failure to thrive babies to people more likely to die of heart attacks. Some reports have shown a link between the amount of time it takes folks to heal from an illness to the number of friends they really connect with on a regular basis.

Just when we think we have filled our daily lives to the brim, we often discover that what has filled our days is anything but FULFILLING.

As I start my journey to be less stressed and living a life i will be happier with, I am making it a goal to really connect with more folks i care about. And, I look forward to helping others do the same while they are here in our Bed & Breakfast.

I am so happy that this is a part of what we do here. Yep, there is a heck of a lot of cleaning, cooking and baking, but if it allows people to re-establish connectivity with their partners, spouses, children, grandchildren and friends, then it is all worth it. Its the biggest reason we do what we do.

The good reviews keep coming in!

2010-03-08T10:09:00.004-05:00

Fantastic new TripAdvisor.com Review from a recent guest. Read: “If you're going to visit Baltimore, stay at Scarborough Fair.” http://bsfurl.com/29Lm

Cookies and Biscotti OH MY!

2010-03-04T08:33:00.002-05:00

Well this year was yet another Fantastic Fest-of-All, a highly praised charity event benefiting the Historic Federal Hill Main Street Organization. This organization helps all of us small local businesses do our very best to compete with large franchises, big box stores and multi-million dollar companies. They help the little guy stay in business and therefore help to keep the money spent in local neighborhoods here to encourage expansion of the local economy!

We were asked this year to help create a portion of the dessert buffet. With sponsorship of Shofer's Furniture, we baked nearly 700 pieces of Blueberry White Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti, Cherry Chocolate Almond Biscotti, and Apricot White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Biscotti, Lime Curd and also Blackberry Jam filled White Chocolate Thumbprint cookies, My Great Grandmother's Recipe of Pineapple filled and Cherry Filled Cookies and last but certainly not least, Martha Stewart's recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Cookies.

The music of the event was fantastic, the other food purveyors were awesome, and the fashion show was spectacular. A grand time was had by all and those that bi at both the silent and live auctions walked away with some very nice prizes indeed.

Now to get prepared for spring! I certainly am ready..how about you?

Long time no write...

2010-02-03T10:10:00.002-05:00

I know I have been more than a bit tardy in posting to my blog. It has been a very rough few months.

Our former assistant has left us. Claudette resigned just before the Thanksgiving holiday, leaving us scrambling to find help and coverage for several holiday events, not to mention a new assistant for the long term.

Happily, after a fairly gray period, things are looking so very much brighter. We have found a fantastic assistant who loves to learn, asks plenty of questions, and is excited each and every day she comes to work. She is still learning, but her career here looks very promising indeed.

Not having our normal cook in the kitchen has caused my partner Jeff and I to re-look at everything and we are experimenting much more in the kitchen. We are much more energized now and finding that the B&B feels a lot more like it is ours than as if we are taking care of it for the former owners.

We are creating some fun new marketing, packages, adding itineraries to the website, etc. all to go along with Visit Baltimore's Theme for the 2010 Tourism year: Find Your Happy Place...in Baltimore!

I'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts on this as well. What are some of your happiest of places in our great city?

Looking forward to the Happy!

Holiday Events Full of Fun and Good Will!

2009-11-18T11:03:00.006-05:00

This Autumn I have been helping with a lot of events that will take place in our neighborhood this December. Please check them out below:

Annual Festive Flavors of Federal Hill, Tuesday, December 8, 6 to 10 pm: A boutique, restaurant, and tavern tour through Historically Hip Federal Hill. Groups travel around the neighborhood, stopping at six different popular retail and dining hot spots for food, drink, and fun. Tickets $55, with proceeds going to community revitalization efforts sponsored by Federal Hill Main Street and Federal Hill Business Association. Info and tickets: 410-727-4500, www.historicfederalhill.org

Moonlight Madness Shopping Extravaganza in Historically Hip Federal Hill, Friday, December 11, 8 pm to Midnight, in "Baltimore's Best Shopping Neighborhood" according to Baltimore magazine. Come early, stay late! The evening kicks off at 7 pm with a Tree Lighting ceremony at Federal Hill Park, followed by a holiday sing-along at South Baltimore Recreation Center at Light and Cross Streets, and then on to the shops to find unique and affordable gifts for everyone on your list. Progressive discounts at many stores starting at 8 pm and ending at midnight. Strolling entertainers. Free gift wrapping and holiday treats at Federal Hill Main Street, 42 East Cross Street. Info: 410-727-4500, www.historicfederalhill.org

Yulefest Family Fun in Federal Hill, Saturday, December 12, Noon to 5 pm, Mother's Purple Patio, 1113 South Charles Street. FREE! Visit with Santa (bring your own camera), Games, Moon Bounce, Crafts, Food & Beverages from local establishments. Pet Parade at 2 pm. Drawing for a Federal Hill Shopping Spree! Toys for Tots donation drop-off; please bring a toy to give away. Info: 410-727-4500, www.historicfederalhill.org

Celebrate the Spooky with a Scare-cation!

2009-09-06T20:22:00.005-04:00

Summer has left us and Autumn is on the horizon. In a few weeks we will start our decorating with pumpkins, straw bales, corn stalks and such. The smell of oranges, cloves cinnamon and apples will waft through the air as we begin serving our mulled cider (with or without the butterscotch schnapps is your choice) and baking gingerbread, our rosemary sweet potato waffles and our pumpkin pancakes. The weather will be turning cooler with a slight breeze in the air making this sweater weather such an enjoyable time to wander through the streets of Baltimore and explore the historic places, building, restaurants and boutiques that make the charmed city so, well ...charming.

Did you go on a short get away this year only to find you could still use some time to recharge you batteries? Are you looking for an escape that will be unique, fun, thrilling and relaxing all at the same time? Well have we got ideas for you! These little chances to commune with the dearly departed, adventures with the undead or journeys into the gruesome deserve a befitting title. Come stay with us for a spell and enjoy your very own Scare-cation!

We have just created a new page on our website dedicated to the, shall we say, more spirited side of Baltimore and other parts of Maryland. Here you can find lists and video clips of haunted houses, historical ghostly places, and professionally created attractions filled with ghastly creatures. This website celebrates even the smaller places rumored to be haunted within our very own neighborhood. To add even more to the phantasmagorical party here, we are holding the Drawing of Dread! The spirits themselves will be providing the tricks and we are providing the treats! Anyone making a reservation occurring in the month of October will have a chance to win some mighty fine treats indeed: passes to the professional haunts of Goatman Hollow or Legends of the Fog, creepy Goatman Hollow tee shirts, Tickets for two to the Baltimore Ghost Tours, and gift cards to the reportedly haunted Ryleigh's Oyster Bar & Restaurant!

We hope you will be able to come enjoy all we have to offer, soul warming breakfasts, excursions to chill you to the bone, and new memories that will warm your heart for a lifetime!

Gluten Free AND Yummy!

2009-07-22T19:15:00.003-04:00

If you have special dietary needs, this should never keep you from enjoying your breakfast while staying with us. Preparing food that everyone can eat and enjoy is not only the right thing to do, it is also what hospitality is about. With this in mind, we are constantly creating new and exciting recipes.

Here is one of the newest creations our fantastic cook and assistant innkeeper, Claudette, has created. Click here to enjoy this tasty alternative to other gluten heavy banana breads.

Top 10 Fun Summer Activities!

2009-06-26T11:21:00.011-04:00

Here is My Personal List of the TOP TEN Most Funnest Summer Activities EVER!

10: Have a Scavenger Hunt! Make one up yourself or come to Baltimore for The Greater Baltimore History Alliance Scavenger Hunt! "Edgar Allan Poe wrote his first horror stories in Baltimore. What was Baltimore like back then? Find out by taking The Edgar Allan Poe Tell-Tale Tour of Baltimore, June 15 through September 30, 2009. Explore Poe’s Baltimore through many of the fascinating museums, attractions and tours brought to you by the Greater Baltimore History Alliance. Collect a Raven Trail Guide stamp from at least five attractions and you could win one of several great prizes." --(www.Baltimoremuseums.org)

9: Meet Edgar: (Sep 21 – Oct 4, 2009 at the Baltimore Theatre Project, 45 West Preston Street) Okay, so this is a LATE Summer Activity, but is is still gonna be exceedingly entertaining! Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. POE IN PERSON Critically acclaimed actor David Keltz presents his one-man show, “POE In Person,” in a two-week residency at Baltimore Theatre Project. Feast your imagination on Poe’s masterpieces with veteran Poe actor David Keltz in his multi-character solo tour de force recreations of Poe’s ingenious tales of humor and horror, his romantic poetry, and his incisive literary criticism. Scheduled performances between September 21 and October 4, 2009 are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $20, seniors and artists are $15, and student tickets are $10.

8: Get Booked!: Another Late Summer (September 25-7) to look forward to is the Baltimore Book Festival at Mount Vernon Place 600 block of North Charles Street. he mid-Atlantic’s premier celebration of the literary arts features well-known authors, local bookstores, publishers, children’s writers, storytellers, author signings, crafts, refreshments and entertainment. The 2009 Baltimore Book Festival will salute Edgar Allan Poe in celebration of his 200th birthday. http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/

7: See a Movie Under the Stars: Go to your favorite drive-in, if you can find one, or come to Federal Hill Park, where every Thursday (July2 -August 13, 6-9 PM) The American Visionary Art Museum hosts the free "Flick from the Hill". With films from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Ghostbusters, how can you go wrong?

6: Have a Star Spangled Weekend: (September 12 & 13) At the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine you can take part in this one of a kind weekend. Event commemorating the writing of the National Anthem, War of 1812 re-enactors, military band concert, musket firing, ship-to-shore "bombardment" and firework show! www.nps.gov

5: Fireworks at the Inner Harbor: Nothing beats the amazing fireworks display as its reflected off the still waters of Baltimore's Inner Harbor! http://promotionandarts.com/

4: Take in a Baseball Game!: You can see the Orioles play at the amazing Camden Yards Stadium through out the summer. Or if you are a Red Sox or Yankees Fan, you can afford to stay at Scarborough Fair Bed 7 Breakfast AND see a game usually cheaper than what is costs for either team on their home turf! Red Sox: are in town June 29, 30 & July, and July 31, August 1 & 2 and the Yankees play August 31 and September 1 & 2.

3: Eat your Heart Out: Baltimore's Summer Restaurant Week is August 7 through 16 This is your oppurtunity to sample some of the work of the nation's most up and coming food artisans ho are lucky enough to call Baltimore home! Special 3 course prix fixe menus for only $30.09 & lunch prix fixe menus for only $20.99 Hot weather and haute cuisine! http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/

2: Become Part of the Invasion: Baltimore's Waterfront Invasions is a special series of exhibitions and events showcasing the Chinasaurs exhibit at the Maryland Science Center and the Jellies exhibit at the National Aquarium. Have Giant fun exploring land and sea. www.baltimore.org.

1: Join in on the Largest Celebrations of All Things Art: Artscape, (July 17, 18 & 19), the largest free public arts festival in the country, will include a special tribute to Edgar Allan Poe. The outdoor festival features 150+ artists, fashion designers and craftspeople; visual art exhibits on and off-site, including exhibitions, outdoor sculpture, art cars, photography and the Janet & Walter Sondheim Prize; incredible live concerts on four outdoor stages; a full schedule of performing arts including dance, opera, theater, fashion, film, experimental music and performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; family events such as hands-on projects, demonstrations, competitions, children’s entertainers and multiple street theater locations; and a delicious, international menu of food and beverages that is available throughout the festival site. http://www.artscape.org/

Our B&B is a "Dream Home"

2009-06-15T12:08:00.003-04:00

Read this great article about us in the Baltimore Sun's "Dream Home Column" at http://bsfurl.com/8Iw

“Not just for pleasure . . .” Read what this business traveler had to say...

2009-05-17T10:07:00.004-04:00

"I was in Baltimore for business for 4 nights and came across the Scarborough Fair B&B. I am so glad I did. Located in the Federal Hill area, it is an easy walk to Camden Yards and the Convention Center. The area has excellent shops and great restaurants. The breakfasts were great and they had nice touches like cookies, tea, coco, and soft drinks available anytime. They even had fresh fruit available throughout the day. The B&B is an old row house and has all the quirky elements of an old building. Some of the bathrooms are across the hall, but none are shared. The owners are fairly new and I am sure will update as they need, but the inn is clean, the linens are comfortable, and the total experience is great.

If you are tired of the traditional 'hotel experience', stay here. I am sure Scarborough Fair is awesome for those couples too, but it is great for the business traveler as well." --TripAdvisor.com Guest Review

Food Network Knows Our 'Hood has great food!

2009-05-17T09:52:00.005-04:00

Food Network Magazine’s Ultimate Maryland Burger Pick Just Six Blocks Away!
Food network Magazine has named Mother’s Federal Hill Grille’s “Heart Attack On a Plate” as the ultimate burger for the entire state of Maryland,. This sandwich gets its moniker due to the 8 oz beef patty, stuffed with cheddar cheese, being coated in ale batter , then deep fried before having all the fixins’ piled on and then placed on a hearty bun. Just down the street from our front door, Mother’s is not new to receiving recognition for its fantastic food in a relaxed sports pub setting. The restaurant won the 2008 title of “Best Pub Fare” from Baltimore Magazine. So now, not only can you stay in the #1 Rated bed & breakfast by TripAdvisor.com in the state, you can have the stat;es Ultimate Burger all in the same trip!

Helpful Savings!

2009-05-06T13:51:00.005-04:00

To further help you out in this tough economy and with the harrowing feat scheduling a get away can be, we have created the Procrastinator’s Special!

Make a reservation with as little as notice as one to three days and receive a fantastic discount off the total!

But don't wait too long or the room you want most may be gone!

Good Breakfast...

2009-05-06T11:55:00.005-04:00

Today Jeff and I served a meal of our fantastic ebelskiver surrounded by fresh maple sugar whipped cream, ruby red strawberries and bananas. Ebelskiver are Danish pancakes. The batter is cooked into little round balls, usually filled with a jam or fruit, this morning's were filled with a sweet combination of apples and apricots.

Here is a photo of the leftover strawberries and whipped cream that i just could not allow to go to waste. Thus it became the innkeepers breakfast.

Spring Into Summer Travel Special For You!

2009-04-04T13:42:00.005-04:00

Take advantage of our Spring Into Summer Great Travel Value! Stay with us for 3 nights or more now through July 1st, 2009, and receive a $25 gift card for Ryleigh’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant, one of our favorite places to eat, AND a Special Federal Hill Boutiques Shopping Pass that gets you special discounts at select shops in our neighborhood! Just Enter the Promo Code, GREATVALUE, to receive this fantastic offer!

Spring brings changes...

2009-03-24T11:19:00.005-04:00

Spring has sprung and I am excited!

We are about to start using a new email system that will create more dynamic correspondences of newsletters, recipes, specials deals, events and more. If you want to receive the myriad of information we have ready for you, sign up HERE! Trust me, you do not want to miss out!

You can also connect with us via Facebook or Twitter! I LOVE Twitter. We will be offering Twitter and Facebook only specials! The only way to get them is to follow us in these two exciting mediums.

Yesterday I planted some truly beautiful pansies that i purchased while my mom and grandma were here this past weekend. They love to go to Valley View Garden Centers with me to see the wide range of plants and pots etc. They have some of the most beautiful pansies i have ever seen. We chose some in variations of purple and yellow. Some have purple framing the petals with a yellow center, others slowly fade from deep violet to gold in a way that makes them nearly glisten and glow.

I hope you can find something to get excited about in these trying economic times as well! We are all having to tighten our belts a bit, but remember to reward yourself from time to time too. Whether it be a single flower for your desk,(from My Flower Box?) a new candle (From Le Petit Cochon?) to light as you soak in the tub, (maybe with some custom blended sea salts from SoBOtanical?) or a quick weekend get away at your favorite B&B, (Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast, of course!), taking care does not need to be a brutal punishment. Everything in moderation my friends.

Take care and DREAM BIG!

Business Travelers: Top Ten Reasons to Stay at a B&B

2009-03-17T13:00:00.007-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me the huge number of business travelers, convention & conference goers, etc who still only think of Behemoth cold and lonely hotels as where they MUST stay while away from home on business. It is as if they are making the "horrible business trip" into a self fulfilling prophecy by not staying in a B&B, a true home away from home.

Here I have compiled my personal TOP TEN REASONS that Business Travelers should stay at a B&B rather than a Hotel.

10. Make your business trip fun with themed packages of exciting things to explore after your meetings!

9. Hotels often are too sterile where they shouldn't be & not sterile enough where they should be.

8. PERKS INSTEAD OF POINTS! Homemade goodies, comped beverages & more you can have right now during your stay instead of having to rack up points to redeem during some other far off trip.

7. Staying at a Bed & Breakfast makes it easier to connect & network with very interesting people...fellow guests like yourself!

6. When you repeatedly stay at a B&B you & your individual tastes are remembered like when you are staying with a good friend!

5. Just like You & Your home, everything in a B&B is unique. You deserve a unique experience in travel. You should be able to choose a room that fits your personality, not be forced to stay in a cookie cutter box with photo copied artwork and soulless furniture and fabrics. In a hotel room, unless you are looking out the window, you could never tell f you are in Bangkok or L.A., Seattle or Baltimore. In a Bed & , you know exactly where you are, in YOUR ROOM!

4. Get flexible check-ins and check-outs with B&Bs - No more dragging luggage to your last meeting!

3. Did you know that most B&Bs will gladly meet your dietary needs. Vegan, No Problem, hate eggs? Got it. Get food You WANT to eat!

2. Wifi is normally included in rate when you stay. Why pay extra for work you have to do anyway?

1. AND BEST OF ALL, Homemade fresh breakfast is INCLUDED in the rate. Start your day off right with a full meal that satisfies your tummy and your schedule.

There you have it. Now where will you be staying when you travel next on business? If coming to Baltimore, stay with us, of course. If traveling somewhere else, try bedandbreakfast.com or charmingcountryinns.com, bnbfinder.com, iloveinns.com, or the illustrious SelectRegistry.com or look up B&Bs on TripAdvisor.com, (where we are currently rated # 1 in Baltimore AND the entire State of Maryland.)

Thanks for reading and happy traveling :)

Number One in the State

2009-03-11T10:26:00.009-04:00

I write this post filled with pride and joy!

Not only has our local neighborhood won the distinction of "Best American Main Streets" (http://tinyurl.com/devn2f), we personally were notified via Twitter (http://twitter.com/BaltimoreBn B) that TripAdvisor.com has us ranked as the #1 Bed & Breakfast in the entire State of Maryland!!!! These two distinctions combined with our unique boutiques winning the title of "Best New Shopping District" from Baltimore Magazine for 2008 means we have one very happening, chic and wonderful community here! No wonder our neighbourhood's slogan is "Historically Hip Federal Hill". If you haven't noticed, we have got it going on in Federal Hill!

By the way, these awesome sticky buns were made by me and not Claudette for once! They were inspired by the Barefoot Contessa's recipe that i developed into my own version of Cranberry Orange Pecan Sticky buns. And boy are they awesome. the orange and cranberry literally dance on your tongue, giving that hint of citrus sharpness mixed with the earthy sweetness of the pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon that, quite simply, ROCKS! Look for the recipe in our Spring Newsletter :)

UPDATE!

2009-02-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

Baseball season is almost here!!! Have you made your plans to see you favorite teams play our hometown Baltimore Orioles? The most popular games are those when the Red Sox and Yankees come to town. We still have a availability so make your reservations now while you can! (Red Sox: June 29th, 30th, July 1st, 31st, August 1st, 2nd, September 18th, 19th, 20th New York Yankees: April 6th (Opening Day!), 8th, 9th, May 8th, 9th, 10th, August 31st, September 1st, 2nd) Now is the best time to make your reservations to ensure you get the room you most desire.

Well we are not going to Atlanta to the PAII Bed & Breakfast Conference as we had hoped. We were really looking forward to not only the trip and chance to visit a beautiful city, but at also gaining some new insights from the innkeepeeping industry. There is always next year. Our assistant Claudette is going and will be bringing tons of new information back with her I am sure.

If you are on Twitter, check us out: @BaltimoreBnb
We are also on Facebook under Scarborough Fair Bed and Breakfast!

Check us out on Facebook!

2009-02-13T14:59:00.003-05:00

We now have a presence on facebook!

Look for Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast's page, Barry Werner's page and one developed for Federal Hill Businesses and Their Owners. PLEASE join us on this new social media!

Working for the good of the 'hood!

2009-02-13T14:52:00.002-05:00

Last night, Barry and Jeff went to the kick off event held my Spirit Magazine, the one found in the seats on Southwest Airlines. The party was to celebrate the start of work on a 24-36 page edition focused on Baltimore. Barry will be working with Federal hill Main Street, Federal Hill Business Association and the Federal Hill Hospitality Association to try to gain as much exposure for the Federal Hill community as possible. The estimated reach of this magazine's edition is around 3 million people.

President of the Federal Hill Business Association, (Barry is one of the vice presidents), Sonny Morstein was there with his beautiful wife Randi. Though the event was a bit crowded, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet some great people that seem to be willing to help the Federal Hill Neighborhood get the recognition of greatness that is justly deserves.

Main Street, Federal Hill Business Association & The Federal Hill Hospitality have agreed to pull together to work on Crime, beautification, fund raising and advertising/PR projects in the upcoming year. United we have many more resources and can accomplish a great deal more compared to each organization acting as an island unto itself. We all share in this great neighborhoods future so we are all sharing in the work to get to the next level!

In a world that is as scary, rough, and sad as ours can be, shouldn't we do all we can to promote love. Love should never be thrown asunder!

2009-02-11T22:33:00.004-05:00

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Everything and Everyone has value. We just have to be wise enough to recognize this truth. That is when real magic happens!

2009-02-09T17:52:00.001-05:00

watch more at aniBoom

Takes a bit to upload..I Love this video..and well, I will never look at doing all of our laundry here at the B&B in quite the same way ever again..

2009-01-28T17:29:00.003-05:00

When is Spring Getting Here...

2009-01-24T12:40:00.005-05:00

Yesterday's weather of a sunny 53 degrees certainly spoiled me. I am all ready to get started with planting new flowers in the urns that stand guard on each side of our main entrance.

This morning I got to sleep in since Claudette had the help of an aspiring innkeeper (Elly is her name). They served a extra yummy Tomato & Zucchini Frittata, as pictured here. When the guests were done you could have sworn they licked the plates clean. And that is not even counting the gobs of pastry everyone enjoyed :)

Today's agenda is creating the new Spring Newsletter. Our newsletters are filled with coming events and attractions, recipes, news, and other special tidbits. You can receive it by emailing us your request to be added to our email listing.

Please sign up to get all of my latest Blog posts or as a fan!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Can you feel it?

2009-01-19T17:52:00.005-05:00

Its been snowy most of the day. But even the cold cannot put a damper on the huge amount of excitement in the B&B today!

We are filled with people who have traveled to see tomorrow's historic inauguration. We have a couple that have journeyed all the way from Australia, using their one week's worth of paid vacation a year to stay with us and see President-elect Obama become President Obama. They spent over 5 hours on Google looking for accommodations are are thrilled to have found us.

This is just one of the many stories our guests have shared with us.

We are awaiting the arrival of 2 business men from the UK who were traveling on business and have decided to take the time to be witness to history in the making as well.

MSNBC has been showing the huge multitudes of people already gathering on the Washington Mall...and i admit i am both not surprised and at the same time amazed.

I love the energy of hopeful optimism that is in the air...Jeff and I felt it when we were present at the War Memorial downtown to see and here soon to be President Obama speak on a stop on this way to DC. And now, we are absolutely thrilled to have this same positive emotion and energy flowing through our own home due to the many guests who are staying with us to share in this event.

I hope this post finds you in good spirits and that no matter what your political affiliation, you too are looking forward to 2009 as a new beginning on many levels and that together, person to person, human being to human being, brought together out of common decency, respect and love for our fellow man, we can work together to build the great and bright future that is meant to be not just for our country, but for the betterment of the entire world.

And when you need a small break from this energizing and tireless work, you choose to stay with us to unwind and relax! LOL...hows that for a little plug?

Seriously though...i hope that you can feel the love and excitement too.

We are all blessed in our own way...celebrate it! Live your dreams now more than ever! And most importantly, help and support others, your friends, families, loved ones, neighbors... to do the same!

Out of touch no longer...

2009-01-18T13:43:00.013-05:00

Things here have been crazed….We had the highest occupancy on record for December, were deeply involved with Yulefest, were one of the stops on Festive Flavors food and Business Tour, Supported Federal Hill Main Street with all of its Holiday Happenings and started the remodel of the Curran Room into the Edgar Allan Poe Suite. I was also interviewed on smallbusinesspodcast.com on how to best utilize TripAdvosor.com for your business. Since we are #1 on TiripAdvisor.com for the whole city, it was an easy and fun interview. That was just the month of December!

Another exciting piece of news is being listed as one of the best accommodations for single women travelers in the Irish Times newspaper. It is a long and very informative article, you can find us in the paragraph about fave places to stay by the lovely lady contributors.

Getting the E.A. Poe Suite finished for guest this past weekend was a bit hectic…soooo much stuff to organize and make flow appropriately, you know us...all of those tiny details had to be perfect. But at last it is done! Thankfully it has turned out better than either Jeff or I could have imagined. The fabrics, bed, select comfort sleep number king sized bed, over scaled mantle, seating area, the list goes on and on of the many things i love about this room. We have been listed in the b paper as one of the best places to celebrate Edgar Allan Poe because of our fantastic new Suite!

Now gearing up for the inauguration, which should be interesting indeed.

Had a last minute cancellation for the inauguration. So had to scramble to find someone to fill it…nearly everyone had given up hope of finding accommodations or had already made other plans...but thankfully and with some help of an inn in DC we did fill it back up. So we are now full from tonight through Tuesday.

We did carve out some time to stand in the cold for a while to see President-elect Obama downtown yesterday. It was very exciting! And the positive energy of hope and excitement for the future was palpable.

Speaking of exciting events, you should check out our new Things To Do page on our website. It now has a calendar listing many of the exciting events occurring throughout the year in the Charm City. You can even select events to show up according to your own unique interests: Performing Arts, Festivals, Museums and/or Sports and Recreation!

We still have many rooms available for February, so if you are looking for a get away before the rates increase in the Spring, now is a great time! February is the month for romance anyway and there is little more romantic than a stay at Scarborough Fair.

I will write more soon!

A Time of Change...

2008-11-07T10:18:00.006-05:00

What a year 2009 going to be...

As i sit here typing...drinking my fantastic coffee, freshly roasted right down the street, filled to the brim with tiramisu flavored creamer, I am astonished at what the next year holds not just for me, but for all of us. And that is considering what I do know about...let alone what surprises may be in store.

For example, we have been inundated with calls about availability, and thankfully, also reservations for President-elect Obama's Inauguration in January. Apparently the city of Washington, DC has had its accommodations sold out way before the election even took place in anticipation of this historic event. Now every place from Richmond to Baltimore is filling up, and fast!

The inauguration takes place the day after Martin Luther King Day. As they say, timing is everything...how befitting and well, down to my very core i am thrilled that our country seems to be on the right track again by showing we are not as backward as many thought and are ready for an African American to lead us.

This will be a busy time here in Baltimore, for the weekend just prior to the presidential inauguration is the beginning of Nevermore 2009, the year long amazing celebration of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday. Our new Edgar Allan Poe Suite will be open by then, with the new Select Comfort Mattress and velvet covered headboard in place, the new mammoth fireplace mantle installed, the plush seating area at the ready...I may just end up having guest use our own bedroom and take this one for myself! (I am joking, of course...) We are even developing a very special package in tribute to E A Poe.

New president, new room, new year. So much to look forward to!

Take care of yourself and have a fantastic day!

VOTE!!!

2008-11-04T08:21:00.005-05:00

Today is election day...go out and vote!

I can barely believe that October is gone away and November is well underway.

Things have been so busy here. We have been filled to the gills with guests, helping to organize Federal Hill's Second Annual Yulefest, and most importantly, getting things started on the transformation of the Curran Room to the Edgar Allan Poe Suite! This room is a modern interpretation of the life and works of the Gothfather himself and will be decorated in shades of lavenders, purples and grays with new furnishings, bedding, Select Comfort King sized bed and so much more!

This upcoming January marks the start of a year long celebration city-wide of the 200th Anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday! For the latest info on this fantastic and fun celebration, go to www.nevermore2009.com.

Have a great day!

Fall is just around the corner...

2008-09-17T10:43:00.003-04:00

...and the neighborhood is already buzzing about all the fun events coming up.

The biggest is a weekend jam-packed full of fun and entertainment. On Saturday, October 18th not only is there the Annual Open Studio Tour for artists through out the city, Just out our front door and down the street you will find the Fall Bootique Sidewalk Sale as well as the Historic Federal Hill Wine Festival. All this going on in one weekend not to mention the many things to do and see everyday in Baltimore, this is a great time to come visit!

Back again...

2008-08-15T17:08:00.004-04:00

After taking a bit of a hiatus from blogging, I am now back. The last few months have been ludicrously busy. Despite the rise in gas prices over the summer, it appears that many of you are still traveling. Good thing too, since a recent New York Times article said that vacationing is medically good for you and helps your overall health. We all need a bit or relaxation and to treat ourselves to some time to have fun.

Thankfully many of you understand this and have been traveling no matter what because you agree with me...you are worth it. You have earned some well deserved rest and some time to explore, recharge your batteries and and forget the trials and tribulations of every day life.

Here you can see just how busy we have been. This is a photo of slices of champagne strawberry and cream cheese stuffed bread awaiting their egg, cinnamon and cardamom bath before becoming french toast. I know, very low carb...LOL. All of those slices were made for just one breakfast. I admit it, I had a slice myself and it was mighty tasty.

We just updated our fall events schedule..check it out and plan a getaway for one of my favorite times of year.

Hope all is well with each and every one of you.

Busy, Busy, Busy....

2008-06-30T17:24:00.006-04:00

I don’t know about you, but lately I have been feeling stressed. The economy is spiraling out of control, gas prices keep rising, I have meeting after meeting to attend and barely a moment to sit and unwind. Despite the soft economy, people are still traveling and staying at our B&B. It just seems that many people are now discovering how much fun and adventure can be found in their own backyards. Rather than spending half of their vacation budget on gasoline or airline tickets and half of their vacation time stuck in traffic or in lines at the airport, they are traveling a few miles and enjoying different parts of their own neck of the woods.

We have been hosting several couples from the suburbs that needed a get a way and realized they were like those that live right outside of Disney World but never go inside. Baltimore City has so very much to offer and with the abundance of bed & breakfasts in our city, you can feel pampered and indulged, without as much of a wallet-ache. Another great thing about local travel is that you are literally buying local during your entire vacation. I know my partner Jeff and I are hoping to do a mini vacation close to home sometime this year. Maybe we can carve out a week between our meetings and many, many guests.

There I go again…getting caught back up in all that is before me. Its hard though....

We had the first Business Book Club and it was great! There were 9 other business owners in attendance and we had a fantastic time sharing ideas, learning, sipping some wine, eating some cheese and crackers and the English Summer Berry Pudding I made. We have a lot in the works just from our very first get-together. I am so excited.

Later in the week I attended the Maryland Bed & breakfast Association's monthly meeting in Easton, MD. It was again a great meeting with a number of ideas shared and ground work laid out for the exciting future of B&Bs in our state.

Today I had a meeting to attend dealing with the hybrid shuttle bus plans within the city. Tomorrow my friend Theresa of SoBotanical, www.sobotanical.com, and I are getting started on the plans for a neighborhood inspired podcast to be recorded on Monday.

As I said..busy, busy, busy. I need to relax more....

A great way to relax is to cook or bake and then enjoy the fruits of your labor of love. And nothing says comfort to me quite like a biscuit. But if you are feeling like being a little more adventurous than your standard buttermilk brand, have I got a biscuit for you. Our Sweet Potato Biscuits are very unique. They are a bit denser and more cake like than your traditional biscuit. They have a soft sweetness that is punctuated with bits of rosemary that add a bit of unexpected sharp freshness.

(Find the recipe here: www.scarboroughfairbandb.com/fromthekitchen.htm.)

If you do not have the opportunity to get away this summer or if you need a brief reprieve from your hectic schedule, I think you will find the recipe and biscuit will easily do the trick. The relaxed repetition found in the movements of stirring, chopping and other parts of cooking and baking have been shown to induce a meditative state that helps you de-stress while still getting something done. Wouldn’t it be great if the ritual of crafting wonderful foods is brought back and we all make the time to relax and unwind over a bowl of something just waiting to be turned and combined into something even better than the sum of its parts? Relax and enjoy these blissful little bites.

I hope to write a bit more consistently in the near future. Perhaps that will be another new way to de-stress. Hope you are continuing to live your bliss!

Summer is here...

2008-06-12T19:30:00.004-04:00

and after several days of searing heat and high humidity, today cooled down a bit and was actually very comfortable. The Summer heat gave my assistant Claudette, and I a chance to experiment with some different teas and lemonades. We made are almost famous Strawberry Basil Lemonade for our guests one afternoon. Another day she made a combination of Fresh nectarines, ginger, rosemary and iced tea that was so refreshing that we ended up serving what seemed like gallons of it. Today we have cranberry peach iced tea.

I decided to use these flavorful summer time drinks as inspiration for the my article for the SoBo Voice Magazine. If any of you would like a copy of the article, which includes a recipe for the Strawberry Basil Lemonade, please let me know and I will email it to you.

I don't know if you noticed, but we have a brand new website! We launched it a few days ago and we already have people cooing about how nice it is. I myself love the colors, graphics and content. I hope you will as well. Go to www.scarboroughfairbandb.com right now and check it out. And then come back here and let me know what you think!

I am getting very excited about our Business Owners Book Club that will meet for the first time in only 12 days. We will be discussing the book, Guerrilla Marketing, 4th Edition. As part of the discussion we are going to be swapping marketing ideas and plans for our own businesses and ways to better market all of Federal Hill.

It looks like the Vintage Warehouse Clothing Store will be opening for business any day now. I peaked in their windows the other day id the selection of clothing for both men and women looks fund and fashionable.

Federal Hill Main Street held their Jazz and Blues Festival last Sunday and it went very well. Turn out was a bit down due to the oppressive heat, but everyone seemed to be having a great time and the music was terrific. Jane Seebold, Federal Hill Main Street's new Executive Director, is doing an excellent job. This was her first major festival to help organize and you would have sworn she had been doing this job all of her life!

The businesses of Federal Hill and myself are gearing up for the 4th of July weekend. Not only will there be our annual neighborhood parade with fie and drum corps and children on their decorated bicycles and wagons, but fireworks from the Inner Harbor and Fort McHenry. Saturday, July 5th from 10 AM to 5 PM is also our Neighborhood Sidewalk Sale. This year should be even better than last year with many more businesses participation and tons of deals...as Jane put it..."Summer time and the shopping is easy!" I hope you will come by and show our boutiques, pubs, restaurants, and other businesses some love on that day, and the through out the rest of the year too.

Write more soon! Hope you are having a great week!

Have not written for a while....

2008-06-01T12:09:00.004-04:00

...Because we have been so busy. Part of having a B&B is that it is so easy to lose track of time and what day of the week it is. There is no such thing as a weekend. For most people, this is when you have your days off. For us, this is our busiest time. And if you are lucky enough to be a very successful B&B and have a higher than normal occupancy rate, you are busy on the weekdays as well. So these past 2 weeks I have been off by more than a few days. But now I think I am finally back on track.

Today is Sunday, or is it Monday...No, it IS Sunday. Many of our fantastic Boston Red Sox fans have left us, with just a few staying on for one more game. It was so great to have the whole B&B full and the dining room filled with lively conversation and hearty laughter as the sounds of ambient jazz and smells of blueberry johnny cakes wafted through the air...(sigh...)

I put out some wonderful wine from Basignani and extra cookies yesterday afternoon, especially since the downpour drove all of our guests back to us. The cookies were quickly gobbled up as was the wonderfully sweet Riesling. Why have milk with you cookies when you can have great wine?

We are nearly ready to launch our new website. I am sooooo very excited. Not just for the normal reasons, that it will be easier to navigate, make reservations, have broader and more content, that is all a given. No, what is making me so excited is that I believe this new website is finally a personal representation of who we are as innkeepers and business owners. The colors are more modern and fun, there are more photos, the layout is a bit more hip...it is just like the web developers reached into my brain and pulled out what we truly offer in both the physical and emotional side of things and made this amorphous bundle of thoughts and ideas into a fantastic thing you can actually not just see, but use and enjoy.

That is, after all what we are all about, an enriching and enjoyable experience that not only works due to the physical elements we offer, (great location within walking distance to nearly everything, comfortable beds, towels and other awesome amenities), but also the emotional elements of fun, relaxing serenity in a beautiful and smart neighborhood in the middle of the city.

I have been working on plans for our 2nd Annual Yulefest with my co-chair Liz Perkins. This is a holiday celebration held Thanksgiving Weekend and hosted by the many merchants in our community for all to enjoy. We have quite a few surprises in the works this year, and cannot share them yet. But I can tell you that the theme has been chosen. This year it is "It's a Wonderful Life in Federal Hill..." I will keep you posted on how our many fun ideas are progressing. I promise you that this is an event you will not want to miss!

Speaking of events, do not forget about the 2nd Annual Federal Hill Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 5th from 10 AM to 5 PM. Summertime Fun & Bargains… We will have dozens of great deals, discounts and giveaways from some of the finest shops in the neighborhood…right out on the sidewalk. There will even be refreshing summery treats from area restaurants. Mark your calendar and don’t miss out on the fun.

Have a great week everyone!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

2008-05-22T15:59:00.007-04:00

What a gorgeous day here in federal Hill, even if the wind tries to send you sailing down the street at times.

We just had a pair of wonderful guests from Holland stay with us. They were a referral from the visitor's center. They were so charming and fun to visit with.

Speaking of the visitor's center, Jane Seebold, the new Executive Director of Federal Hill Main Street, and I walked to the visitor's center at the Inner Harbor to show her how welcoming they are and how willing to help the tourists realize they should climb the hill and explore our neighborhood. She was truly inspired with new ideas and ways to help all of us business owners get more tourists through our doors and discover what many of us already know, that Federal Hill is one of the best hidden gems in the whole city. It is funny to say hidden, considering that we are right in the back yard, so to speak, of the Inner Harbor itself.

While I am on the topic of boutiques and Federal Hill businesses, let me digress a moment to remind everyone that tomorrow night is SPRING FEVER! This is when many of the stores stay open later than normal, from 8 PM to midnight, and offer progressive discounts all night long. With summer weddings going on, birthdays happening summer parties/barbecues requiring hostess gifts and Father's Day coming up, what better time to stock up on all your summer needs while there is a sale-a-bration going on right down the street?

I am almost set for the business book club i am trying to get off the ground. Andrew, the very nice owner of the Book Escape on Light Street, is offering us a discount on the books we will be using for our get-togethers. I believe we will be meeting in the offices of Federal Hill Main Street and we have over a dozen business owners who are going to gather together to discuss, learn, share and help create and build an amazing future for both their own businesses and also for Federal Hill as a whole!

This is such an exciting time here in our little community...we have had so many new places open in just the past year...Whimsy/Reason, The Funky Beehive, Babe, Doggie Style, Juniors Wine Bar, Flipside, Sign-a-rama, and there are quite a few more slated to either get construction started or be opening within the next year. There will soon be no reason to visit anywhere else to dine, shop, or relax.

I have a favor to ask of the locals...a personal goal of mine is to start collecting any ghost or haunting stories from here in the neighborhood. I am not talking about silly things, but serious tales of personal experiences dealing with the unexplained. The folks that have created the walking ghost tours in both Fells Point and in Mount Vernon would love to do so in our neighborhood too. Wouldn't that be a hoot! So if there is anyone willing to help me out on this one, please let me know.

Have a great day and a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!

Grapes are good, but wine is fantastic...

2008-05-19T09:23:00.007-04:00

Over the weekend we stole some time away from the B&B to go to Wine in the Woods, a great wine festival held at Merriweather in Columbia, MD. It was a perfect spring day, a slight breeze wafting through the trees heavy with bright green foliage and plenty of wine to try out.

While enjoying the day, we met the owner of the Basignani winery and are looking forward to developing special packages, including wine tours and tastings with them in the near future. We bought a few bottles of their wonderful Riesling and Vidal and cannot wait to share some glasses of it with our guests.

Today starts the week with lots of projects. Friends and I are looking into have a website for the Federal Hill business community created so that tourists and locals alike can learn more about what events are planned, what sales and promotions boutiques and taverns are offering, and much, much more. I am also starting work on our summer newsletter to keep all of those interested in what is happening here around the B&B as well as the neighborhood and city as a whole.

Late this afternoon I just might have to crack open one of those bottles we bought as a reward to myself if i get these projects well under way. It will be a great day for a bit of wine on our bricked mini courtyard. The sun is bright and the temperature is perfect for vino sipping while i watch the people and cars go by. Always good to have something simple but sweet to look forward to.

Spring brings so many new things...

2008-05-16T12:42:00.007-04:00

Spring has certainly sprung here in Federal Hill.

Its warm and rainy, making the trees and plant so green it almost hurts your eyes. Flowers are blooming and neighborhood events are about to get starting.

In Baltimore, the running of the Preakness seems to be the final shout out that Spring has arrived and is here to stay, least until it is overtaken by the heat and humidity of Summer. We are filled to the gills with guests this weekend for the annual race.

We have a lot of other Spring time events going on around here as well.

Friday, May 23rd brings us Spring Fever. This night of fun and shopping has many of the boutiques and shops open until midnight with progressive discounts starting at 8 PM and running until midnight. Many of them offer refreshments as well.

Speaking of shopping, a brand new boutique has opened and miracle of miracles, they sell BOTH MEN'S AND WOMEN'S clothing, as well as home and fashion accessories. The boutique is called Whimsy/Reason and it one of the best looking shops I have ever been in. Their selection of goods is fun and the mother/daughter team that owns it are gracious and wonderfully friendly!

Other new things are coming down the pike as well. We are hoping to have a new website up and running, hopefully by June first. All of the elements that make our current website so easy to use will still be their, plus a lot more content and the overall look and feel will be much more fun and unique, just like us.

Hope you are having a great day. Mine just keeps getting better...our assistant Claudette just took some chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. Guess i had better do my innkeeperly duty and taste a few to ensure they are fit for the guests. :)

Sunshine makes me happy...

2008-05-13T12:43:00.007-04:00

The sun has finally returned today and to say I am glad to see it would be an understatement.

Our wedding guests all packed up and went back home yesterday, just in time for our new guests to come through the door. One nice woman is here for a conference and a couple from London are taking a couple of days to explore our great city.

And today, we prepare for the influx of Red Sox fans. We are sold out most of this week which makes both me and my wallet a bit happier as well. But there is so much more to happiness that all of this. I am also happy that it is my partner Jeff's birthday today, but i am digressing.

The more I think about being happy, the more I have come to realize that happiness is a constant state of mind rather than an accumulation of things and events. We can either choose to be happy with where we are and what we have or play a victim of circumstance and look for someone to pin our displeasure onto. True, factors might not be the best for many of us right now, but look at what we do have that so many others do not and that we can make changes to make our life, at least some part of it, that much better.

What have you done lately to make your outlook a little brighter?

When did you last help someone else because you wanted to rather than feeling obligated to do so?

When did you last do something nice for yourself even if it is as small as stopping in the middle of your crazed and chaotic day for a true coffee break, where you leave you workspace, sip a cafe au lait or chai tea and just breathed deeply and alowed yourself to experience true joy?

Try it right now. Take a deep breath as you slowly count to ten, hold it for three seconds, then slowly let the air out counting from ten on down. As you do so, think of a a truly happy moment in your life, maybe getting your first puppy, or your wedding day, whatever it may be...now picture every detail of it, how did the air smell, how did the light reflect on things, so on and so forth...anchor yourself there and just luxuriate in that heady light feeling of bliss.

It is hard to be this thoroughly happy everyday, but think now about one or two things you could do, however slight, that would make you a happier person and write it down on paper as a promise to yourself that you will do it. (Putting things on paper has been scientifically shown to increase your commitment to whatever is written.) It could be a weekend get-a-away or to buy yourself flowers once a week, maybe you would like a different hair style or an extra fifteen minutes to just lay in bed after the alarm goes off.

Now enjoy the rest of your day and smile and follow through with your personal promise. If you cannot keep promises you make to yourself, you cannot be happy when making promises to anyone else.

Strive for happiness.

To me, unselfish happiness is what life is all about.

I wish everyone could love their job as much as I do...

2008-05-11T09:37:00.008-04:00

I love the smell of freshly roasted coffee brewing and blueberry multi-grain pancakes. This is what greeted me this morning as I made my way down the stairs to help our assistant innkeeper, Claudette, with breakfast service.

I have a house jam-packed full of people for a wedding later today. It is great and very sentimental to have all of them here, especially since this is the first time the mother of the crew has had all of her children with her on Mother's Day for probably over 15 years.

We passed out gifts to the mother's over breakfast...great little sets from my friend Theresa at SoBotanical on S. Charles Street. They were all wrapped up in bright green tissue and tied off with elegant brown ribbons.

As I type this post, the dining room is filled with laughter and the bride's siblings giving here marital advice to take with her as she starts her new role as wife later this afternoon.

A house full of happiness for a family full of love. What could be better? I am so glad i pursued my dream of having a B&B. It has been filled with trial and overwhelming moments, but has given me so much joy and emotional rewards beyond belief. Living your dreams takes a lot of work, but it is always worth the extra effort.

It has been soooo busy...

2008-05-10T11:10:00.007-04:00

Hello everyone.

It has been so busy around here this past week. Actually it hasn't seemed to let up much since we got back from Anaheim, CA, where we attneded the Professional Association of Inkeepers International Conference.

We had a lot of fun meeting fellow innkeepers and learning how to be even better at what we do. We even carved out some time to visit with Mickey and his crew. One of the big highlights was learing that we were accepted as members in Select Registry. This is an organization that represents the top 4oo or so very best bed & breakfasts in all of North America. Not only were we accepted, we are the FIRST and ONLY B&B to be selected in the city of Baltimore! It was my goal when we became the owners of our inn to become a member within three years, and we did it in 9 months! Yay for us!

We had plenty of preparations to do for the Women's Board of the Johns Hopkins Hospital's Great Taste '08. the subtitle was Luxury Living & Hidden Treasures, A Tour of Homes in Baltimor's Inner Harbor, Federal Hill & Otterbein.

We were very happy and proud to be a part of this fun event on Thursday, though having between 250 and 300 women tour our place and nibble on cookies and sip on our strawberry basil lemonade was a bit overwhelming. Many of these fine women took a copy of the Select Registry Guide Book with them as our gift.

This weekend we are thrilled to be hosting the entire inn full of family members of a beautiful couple who are exchaning their wedding vows on Sunday.

Thanks for reading my first post and thanks to all of the women (and a few gentlemen) that attended the home tour!