We're Cooking Now!

The first edition of the Best Places to Kiss Cookbook is out and our Oregon Coast B&B is featured with our very special Sandlake Country Inn Cookies!

If you've ever stayed with us, you know how wonderful these cookies are. The recipe has been handed down from the original innkeeper, Margo Underwood which she originally titled "sleepy time cookies". They have been served at our Oregon bed and breakfast for 20 years now.

I've been looking at some of the other recipes in the book (I just bought the book a few days ago) and there's some interesting recipes in there. Who knows, maybe I'll try out a few on you!

Of course, we have our own special recipes I've developed over the years, but I just love surfing the internet, tv and books for new, fresh ideas. Usually I will make the recipe once, following the recipe, then watch out! I love putting my own twist on things.

If you're an aspiring innkeeper, be sure to pick up this and other B&B cookbooks to test out the recipes on your family and friends. Or better yet, come on over and I'll make it for you.

Traditions

Now that the elections are over, and winter is fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about Thanksgiving and the holidays. For me, this is always a time to look back, be thankful for where we are and to remember that our historic house and B&B has a lot of memories and traditions.

The Sandlake Country Inn was originally established in this historic farmhouse by Margo & Chuck Underwood in 1989. Margo was quite a visionary. Yes, the inn has changed a bit over the years and updated, but Margo's original vision is still very evident. One of the reasons we have many, many guests who return over and over the past 19 years, is because Sandlake Country Inn is a place where you can come, relive your memories and be comfortable knowing that even though your life is full of stress and hassles, they all disappear once you've come back. Our style is comfortable luxury, not stuffy. This is a place where you can feel comfortable being yourself and enjoy your surroundings. You know what I mean, haven't you ever been to one of those B&Bs where it's so prissy, you're afraid to touch or sit on anything? No fear of that here.

There are a few recipes that have been staples over the years which started with Margo, like our amazing cookies, the baked apple oatmeal and our Hot Apple Cider. I thought I would share one of them with you.

You can make this cider like the recipe says, in a crock pot, but I found that it works just as well in a big pan on the stove if you don't have all day to brew it. Oh, and it makes your whole house smell amazing!!


HOT APPLE CIDER

1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 ½ tsp. Whole Cloves
2 Quarts Apple Cider
2 Cinnamon Sticks
½ tsp. Allspice
1/4 Cup Orange Juice Concentrate

Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cover and simmer on low for 2-4 hours. Strain before serving hot. Serves 8