What a gorgeous weekend it turned out to be for the Croton Clearwater Revival. Some of the guests were here for their ten visit. I enjoyed the music from the back yard of the inn after a refreshing swim.

Isaac Ruven Shapiro

We’ve been selected to become a member of Bedandbreakfast.com’s Diamond Collection!  Today we’re taking photos for our section and we look forward to making new connections with guests who prefer a very special inn.

Also, Cydney, my daughter, gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Isaac Ruven Shapiro, on March 5, 2011!  8 lbs, 20.75 in, head 13.5 in circumference!  A lovely boy and a happy mom and grandma!

Barb & Isaac

Cyd is still handy whilst pregnant!

On the weekend, I had a wonderful, three generation, family taking my inn-keeping course. It was so much fun sharing the many stories of guests who have come and gone.(no names, of course) They learned how much fun and work it is to be an innkeeper. Innkeeping is a generalist’s job in an age of specialists. Most folks who take my class have experience with some aspects of what will be needed to do this and are new at others. Not many are comfortable in the kitchen and at the keyboard. This family has lots of experience and I feel would be good at this job. I’ll be interested to see what steps they take next.

Snow Monday morning reminded me that winter isn’t over yet, but the phone is ringing and all those with cabin fever, who have been afraid to take their cars out of those prized parking spaces in the outer boroughs are finally planning their trips. For the brave ones who have fantasies of a romantic weekend in front of the fire, we just got in the next pallet of firewood. For those not so brave, may I suggest trip insurance. It’s cheap and allows you to cancel without financial repercussions should there be one more storm.

Tom’s been enjoying a week away from the inn, recharging his batteries and he and I will be dreaming of planting pansies by the end of next month.

Our pile of snow at the back of the parking lot has shrunk from 8″ to 4″ and with a day in the 50s today, I hope it will soon be gone!

Barbara, Steve and Clara are coming for President’s Weekend. Barbara’s giving a B&B Class on Saturday. Many of you who know Cyd, Barbara’s daughter who was innkeeper here for a number of years. She’s in her ninth month of pregnancy! All will be here waiting to hear that her baby is born!

Tom

Snowy times at the AHH

Well there’s nothing like an old fashioned winter in the Northeast and this year has proven to be just that. The Farmer’s Almanac was wrong! Holidays at the Inn were festive- adorned with holiday decorations, fireplaces blazing and lots of delicious food. Families reuniting from out of town and visitors from New York City and elsewhere are enjoying the season and the beautiful winter scenery. We all enjoyed watching the “Christmas Blizzard of 2010″ from the coziness of the sun porch-even Max the Golden Retriever !!

Barb & Tom Making Blintzes

Barbara and Tom spent some quality time in the new kitchen refining and inventing new recipes. As Tom has newly discovered the wonders of the Cuisinart, there’s nothing he won’t chop now! Who knew ??

Our weekday business travelers have enjoyed doing their computer work at the Inn until the snowplows work their magic while Tom keeps the coffee flowing.
Kudo’s to the Village for promptly removing the snow- no one has missed an appointment !

Until the Groundhog tells us differently, we will enjoy cozy quarters, warm cookies and friends new and old as we wait out this unusual winter.