Spring in the Berkshires

I know I've been gabbing a lot about summer coming up, but truthfully I'm getting way ahead of myself. It's still spring! Why jump ahead when there are all kinds of lovely springy things around me to enjoy?

While pondering on this fact, I was browsing the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary website and I noticed that they're hosting the sanctuary's 80th Anniversary celebration on June 6th. My first thought was, "Holy Tulips! That sanctuary has been around for 80 years!?" Then I continued reading and realized what a great event it is.

The celebration (which is FREE!) will feature musicians, food, native plants for sale (Scarlet Bee Balm, anyone?), live birds of prey, and guided walks. The 1,314 acre sanctuary also offers picnicing, which makes me start dreaming of fancy cheeses, fresh baked breads, wine, and picnic blankets. Mmmm!

That same weekend Hilltop Orchards is hosting their 7th Annual Apple Blossom Bash. There will be hors d'oeuvres, live music, hiking, wine tastings, and as the name implies, the apple trees will be in full bloom.

Very much like this.

Forgive me for being a silly romantic, but how sweet would it be to have a wedding proposal on a sunny spring day in the middle of an apple orchard in full bloom? It's no wonder so many people get married in June, Mother Nature sets the romance up for them!

If you'd like more information on Pleasant Valley's 80th Anniversary bash, give them a call at (413) 637-0320. And for more information on the Apple Blossom Bash, feel free to call us at the Inn [(413)637-0193] or at Hilltop Orchards at (800)833-6274.

Hope to see you this spring!

With Love,
~Brande N.

Maple-y Breakfast Goodies

Dan and I spent the last few days brainstorming breakfast ideas for Maple Syrup Weekend. We came up with (and taste tested--yum!) the following recipes:

On our Buffet:
-Homemade Maple-Walnut Granola with Dried Apple and Nutmeg
-Maple Pecan Cream Cheese

To Order:
-Buttermilk Pancake with Almonds and Vanilla-Orange Maple Syrup
-Maple-Sweetened Organic Yogurt Parfait with Fresh Apple and Granola (in a wine glass)

In our Guest Pantry:
-Hot Mulled Apple Cider with a touch of Maple

And we will, of course, be serving our full breakfast menu as well. If maple syrup isn't your thing, fear not! We've got plenty of other delicious entrees for you.


There are also some neat events going on in The Berkshires that weekend.

-The Clark Museum in Williamstown, MA will be hosting a space-themed dance party, complete with professional hula-hooping lessons.

-The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield is hosting a multi-instrumental Celtic music and dance show.

-The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington will be showing the Met Opera's Madame Butterfly in HD.

-And none other than The Harlem Globetrotters will be at the Boys' and Girls' Club in Pittsfield.


You know why I keep falling in love with The Berkshires? Because it's just so darn eclectic! Short of going to a big city, where else would I find all of this with a 40-minute drive? Especially in March!

I must say, this is a good place to be.

With Love,
~Brande N.

Hilltop Orchards on MSNBC

Last year, Hilltop Orchards was featured on an MSNBC segment about fall mini-vacations. Due to the lack of speakers on my computer, I hadn't had a chance to watch the video until just now. There's some really beautiful photography and it does a great job of detailing some of the activities available at the orchard. And while there are no apples to pick this time of year there is cross-country skiing and showshoeing with rentals available on site.

Check it out!

On a side note: The segment didn't mention it but Furnace Brook Winery is also a part of Hilltop Orchards and is located in the same building. A few of the wines are gold medal winners at the Big E Regional competition so it's certainly worth heading up there to check it out. (I personally recommend the Johnny Mash, delicious!) And if you're an inn guest the wine-tasting and skiing/snowshoeing is free!

What better way to kill winter ennui than with wine?

With Love,
~Brande N.