Mother's Day Weekend

Day 134 - 78° - Sunny, Hot - Spring Meadows Park - Mother’s Day

Day 133 - 75° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

Day 132 - 68° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

A few days ago I wrote about laughter and how good it is for the body, mind and spirit. 

This weekend, our guests at the Red Cardinal B&B were from Virginia.  Angela and Gerry were in town to visit family.  Angela had one of those contagious laughs that permeated everywhere.  She got up in the morning, coffee in hand, and while walking out to see the chickens, I could hear her talking with Billy and laughing.  While I was preparing breakfast, she was engaged in conversation in the dining room, and something would make her laugh. It wasn’t a silly laugh, but that heartfelt laugh that I love to hear.  

Her whole countenance radiated joy because of her smile and her laughter.  She set the tone for the rest of the day. 

It was a joy-filled Mother’s Day.  My mom was here, and per her request, we had a cookout with Jimmy Buffet playing in the background.  Our friends, Keith, Lisa and Patrick were able to join us for the afternoon.  The conversation was lively, the home cooked food was excellent, the sun was shining, and the temperature was near 80°.   And I got my jogging in as well!

It was a perfect weekend at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We enjoy having guests and sharing our home with family and friends.

So if you are in Carlisle for a visit or an event, make plans to stay at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We can help start you off in a good mood.

Mother's Day Preview

Day 131 - 58° - Partly Cloudy, WINDY - Spring Meadows Park

Day 130 - 68° - Cloudy, Rain - Spring Meadows Park

Day 129 - 66° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

Day 128 - 56° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

My Mother is here for Mother’s Day and we have already begun the trip around Carlisle to celebrate.  We started out in downtown Carlisle.  We stopped at the Bosler Library to get the latest books on tape.  Afterwards, we drove over to the new bakery that opened on Hanover Street. 

The Carlisle Bakery is located on Hanover Street near the intersection of Pomfret Street.  We selected a few tasty looking cinnamon buns and cherry/cheese bow ties.

We wanted to stop at the Farmer’s Market on the Square, which just opened for the season, but we were too early.  The hours were from 3-7 pm.   The Market will be open every Wednesday through December 19th, so we will visit the market at another time.

Instead, we stopped  at the newly opened Spring Garden Greenhouse for some annuals before heading home.

Today we made a trip to Aschcombe’s for the tomato, eggplant and pepper plants.  In this area of the country, this is the time to begin planting assuming the last frost has occurred  Tomorrow we will be heading over to the Garden Gate Farm Stand.  This is the newly opened stand on Trindle Road that is operated by our neighbors. 

There are so many wonderful nurseries and garden centers in the area, so if you are visiting your Mother, you will have not trouble finding a beautiful hanging basket.

My mother likes to be on the go, so I am sure we will shop at Kohl’s (after all we have a 30% coupon) or the Village Artisans Gallery for a Mother’s Day gift.  If the weather is sunny, we might ride out to Meadowbrooke Gourds or the new winery in Duncannon.

There are a lot of events happening around the Valley this weekend, so we are looking forward to getting out and about.

We will be having guests for the weekend at the Red Cardinal B&B, so we decided to eat out on Friday night at Fiddler’s at Mayapple.   

Many of the local restaurants are offering Mother's Day specials, but we have decided to have a cookout and enjoy the warm weather that is being forecasted.

If you are in the area for Mother’s Day and need a place to stay while visiting, give us a call at the Red Cardinal B&B - 717-245-0823.  We will be happy to accommodate you. 

We can help plan a day out with your mom.  Happy Mother's Day.

LAUGHTER

Day 127 - 58° - Cloudy, Cool - Rehoboth, DE

Day 126 - 58° - Cloudy, Cold - Rehoboth, DE

Day 125 -  72° - Sunny - Spring Meadow Park

When is the last time you had a good laugh?  I mean the kind of laugh that you are bent over, tears are running down your face and you are out of breath?  You are laughing so hard and then laugh harder when you realize that what is making you laugh is ridiculous.   

It is wonderful when we can enjoy this kind of laughter with friends.  It makes everyone feel part of something special.  It is great, because even after the funny moment passes, a smile emerges when the incident is recalled.  

Laughter is a gift.  It is something intangible that lifts our spirits, makes us feel good, takes our mind off of pressing issues, and relieves stress. 

Some of the people whom I think have the gift to make people laugh, (including me) are Ellen Degeneres, Joyce Meyers, my pastor, Alan Robinson and my husband, Billy.  

Billy has a vivid imagination and can conjure up some very funny situations.  He has perfect timing when it comes to making a funny remark in a group situation. A comment from him immediately takes people off guard, encourages a spontaneous response, and in turn makes it easier for people to relax, open up and connect with one another.

Billy keeps the mood upbeat for our guests at the Red Cardinal B&B.  Once, when a guest asked him what were the “rules of the house”,  Billy replied, “There is only one rule while you are at the Red Cardinal B&B and that is RELAX!”.

While I cook and Billy serves bneakfast, he keeps the guests engaged, or should I say entertained. So much so, that by the time our guests leave, they feel as if they are departing as friends.

I believe in laughter.  I am delighted when are guests are having a good time.  So when you need a break from your day to day routine, and your spirits need to be lifted, why not start by making a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B.  I am sure we can get you laughing!

A Different Walk

Day 124 - 76° - Sunny - Lerew Road

Day 123 - 58° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

Today I spent time with a friend of mine who was recovering from foot surgery.  She has been in a cast for several weeks and has been getting around with a walker and a wheelchair.  Minka is a very busy and independent individual, but during this time she had to depend on people and limit many activities. It hasn't been easy, but she has a great support system with her family and friends.

I picked up Minka (wheelchair, walker and all ) for lunch and to see the progress on our kitchen.  Minka was the one who had recommended our contractor, so I wanted her to see the transformation.  She was delighted.  We ate in the sunny eating area, while looking out over the fields through the spacious bay window.

Afterwards, I took her in the wheelchair for a walk along Lerew Road.  It was a lovely walk and I found out that the road is flat, so it was an easy walk as well.

Coincidentally, my niece who has a master’s in Occupational Therapy posted an article on Facebook about “Wheelchair for a Day” campaign running throughout the month of May.  It challenges healthy individuals to spend a day in a wheelchair and learn to appreciate the day to day difficulties it presents.

When I spent the time with Minka, it gave me time to observe the challenges of a person in a wheelchair as well as the people who are the caretakers.  It changes the daily operations for everyone involved.  It takes patience because it takes extra time to do everything.  

Fortunately, Minka will be up and about in a few more weeks, but there are many individuals who will not.  Our friends, Lance and Doris, who I talk of often, have a son in a wheelchair. These individuals and families need our support and encouragement.  

Along the same lines, on May 10th  the “Warrior Ride” comes to Carlisle.  This program uses adaptive hand cycles, trikes, and bicycles to accommodate returning soldiers with various injuries and disabilities.  The public is invited to come out and show support for our military heroes who have made this sacrifice for us.  For more information check out: http://www.lovecarlisle.com/

As Minka pointed out, it is difficult for the person in the wheelchair to ask for help because he/she wants to feel independent and not be a burden.  So if they don’t ask, it doesn’t mean that they can't use some help.  It takes some time on our part to be observant and reach out without being asked.

I must say, there is always something that goes on at the Red Cardinal B&B to get me thinking. 

We have a lovely room on the first floor for guests who have difficulty with stairs. So if you are in the area, we would love to have you as our guests.

Jogging

Day 122 - Sunny - May 1^st - Spring Meadow park

Day 121 - 58° - Sunny - Last Day of April - Spring Meadow Park

Day 120 - 63° - Sunny - Spring Meadow Park

Day 119 - 57° - Cloudy - South Middleton Park

Yesterday I completed 4 months of walking.  Now as I begin my next 4 months, I am going to do some jogging, which is not my favorite exercise.  I could walk for hours, but add jogging and it seems to take the zip out the experience.  However, as I walk with Molly around the park, there are some very fit men and women who pass by with an easy gait.  So here it goes!!

The Red Cardinal B&B is in a perfect location for guests who like to run before breakfast. Lerew Road is a quiet back road with little traffic.  It is a scenic road and our guests enjoy the run.  If the guests run up the road and back, it is about 2 miles.  If the guests want to extend the run to another 4 or 5 miles, they can connect to the park loop at the end of Lerew.

I usually walk (now jog!) at the park because of Molly, my border collie and companion.  I can’t walk Molly along the road as she loves to herd things - cars, chickens, or people.  Whenever a car passes by, the first thing Molly does is assume the crouch position.  She does this with every car. 

Now when I take her to the park, she only does this when she spots another dog.  When she takes her crouch position, she is immovable.  It is a site to behold and very humorous.  However, it does interrupt my pace.  But since I am moving at a leisurely pace, I don’t mind.

Molly is a favorite at the park.  She is also a favorite with the guests at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We have had guests who mentioned that they specifically booked a room with us because of Molly.

So if you like to jog in the morning and you like dogs, then the Red Cardinal B&B would be a great place to stay while you are in the area.

Spring Carlisle Part 2

Day 118 - 55°- Sunny, Windy - Spring Meadows Park

Day 117 - 61°- Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

Day 116 - 61° - Sunny, Breezy - South Middleton Park

Our guests have arrived for the “Spring Carlisle” event this weekend.  One couple is from Massachusetts and the other  from Virginia.  Bradley is restoring a Chevy Impala circa 61-63 and Bill is restoring an Oldsmobile 422.  As I mentioned, this is one of the largest car part shows in the country, so this is the place to find that elusive fender or door or handle.

The weather is going to be cool and some showers tomorrow, but that doesn’t stop the thousands, and I mean thousands of car enthusiasts who converge on the Carlisle Fairgrounds for the weekend.

The car show guests are early risers because they love being at the show when the gates open.  I usually serve breakfast @ 7:00 or 7:30 am.  This weekend is no different.  The breakfast call is for 7 and 8.   Billy will have the coffee going at 5:45 am.

Tomorrow I will serve a fresh fruit cup, then scrambled eggs, home fries with sautéed apples and ham. This will be followed with an apple/cinnamon breakfast cake.  I believe that should hold them over to late afternoon.

I have everything laid out for tomorrow, so it is just a matter of getting up at 6 am and getting in the kitchen.

Of course I am so motivated because the kitchen is just about finished and looking awesome.  Tearing down the wall and adding a bay window has added so much light, I love working in there.

If you are interested in cars then a trip to Carlisle should be on your itinerary and we invite you to come stay at the Red Cardinal B&B.

Spring Carlisle at the Fairgrounds

Day 115 - 51° - Sunny, Cool - South Middleton Park

Day 114 - 42° - Rainy, Cold - Lerew Road

Beginning this weekend, Carlisle becomes a magnet for car lovers.   There are car shows every other weekend through the end of August at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.  These are huge events that attract visitors from all over the country and the world.

This weekend is Spring Carlisle and according to the website :

“As it has since 1977, Spring Carlisle (April 25-29) will jumpstart the Carlisle Events season schedule with its ever-popular swap meet, car corral and a two-day auto auction presented by Auctions America by RM. Spring Carlisle once again puts the focus on a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with unmatched camaraderie by those in attendance and the chance to interact with more than 100,000 like-minded people. “

When Billy and I moved to Carlisle, we had no idea that this popular event happened every summer.   We were interested in seeing what it was about and during our first summer as residents in Carlisle, we attended each event to get the flavor of the show and to see the cars on display.  I was amazed with the number of people and cars and vendors that were part of the weekend.  There were thousands of people at these shows.

Billy usually attends the motorcycle event in July, and now that we opened the Red Cardinal B&B, I enjoy seeing a “mini” show with the parade of cars that park in our driveway.

We have had guests from all Colorado, Texas, California  and Georgia.  Last year we had a couple from Ireland.  They all have a passion for cars, and very specific models at that. 

If you are interested in the different shows, you can check out the events at
http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/

If you come to an event, don’t forget to make a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We are booked with repeat guests for some of the most popular shows, but if we have an opening, we would love to have you as our guest. We have offstreet parking for your car and a great breakfast each morning before you take off to the Fairgrounds.

Reunion

Day 113 - 46° - Rainy, Cold - Lerew Road

Day 112 - 70° - Sunny - Glenn Mills, PA

This weekend was a time of nostalgia.  On Saturday, I attended  a reunion with my grade school classmates.  Yes, grade school!  I went with my best and dearest friend, Sally.  Sally didn't go to the grade school, as she moved into the neighborhood in 9^th grade, but she knew many of the girls since we went on to high school together.

I attended St. Laurence School through grade 8, and went on to Archbishop Prendergast High School (Prendie).  Many of the girls in my 8^th grade class went on to Prendie, so we were together for 12 years.  A couple of us went on to Immaculata College as well.

St. Laurence School was a “neighborhood” school.   There were plenty of kids in the neighborhood because many of us came from large families.  We had siblings in every grade.

In the morning, when I walked to school, I met up with other kids along the way.  Then at noon time, I walked home for lunch. Very few students rode the school bus.  And I can’t think of anyone who had their parent drive them to school.

The reunion was at a local restaurant where we use to frequent as teenagers. 

The night turned out to be a great time with lots of smiles and laughter and good memories of “remember when”.  It was “you look great”, “what have you been up to” and “we will have to do this again”.   Everyone was having a wonderful time.  I could tell by the lively chatter and grins from ear to ear.

There were some sad moments also, when I heard about the girls and guys that have died.  It made me realize how quickly time passes by for some of us.

I invited many of the girls to visit Billy and me at the Red Cardinal B&B.   One of the girls mentioned that her brother lives in Pittsburgh, and the Red Cardinal B&B would be a great half way point to meet.  I will be looking forward to her call to make a reservation.

Today, before heading home to Carlisle, I went to the First Communion Mass of my great-nephew, Brian.  The mass was at Sacred Heart Church.  This was another place along the nostalgia trail for me, as this is where I began my teaching career.  I taught 6^th grade math and science.

I’m sure there will be pictures on FB and the internet.  They will be sent out to the classmates who weren’t able to attend.  It would be great if one or two of the girls keeps in touch.

Carlisle is a lovely place to visit and the Red Cardinal B&B is a terrific place to stay. 

If you have a friend that you connected with lately, why not spend some time together.  Start by making a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B.

Yard Sales

Day 111 - 72° - Sunny - Lerew Road

Day 110 - 72° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

Day 109 - 52° - Cool, Showers - South Middleton Park

Day 108 - 64°- Cool - Spring Meadows Park

I enjoy spring.  It is perhaps my favorite season of the year.  I look forward to the bright yellows of forsythia and daffodils that announce the season.  Next come the trees that begin to bud and bloom in a variety of beautiful blues and whites and pinks and greens. 

I begin to plan my garden for the year and plant the early vegetables of cabbage, lettuce, onions, broccoli and spinach.

But one of the most enjoyable parts of springtime is going on the “yard sale” hunt.  Billy and I anxiously await the daily paper as the list of “yards sales” begins. 

Our interest in yard sales began innocently enough.  We were traveling through Vermont and happen to see a “garage sale” sign.  So we decided to follow the sign and see where it might lead.   This particular route was one of the longest roads we traveled for a sale, but it was beautiful.  It took us to an area of Vermont that most likely would have been hidden to a “tourist”.    We were hooked.  Whenever we traveled after that day, we would follow a sign or two and discover some special places.

When we moved to Carlisle, we took the paper each week and our map and ventured out for the “sales”.  This was a perfect way to discover our new surroundings, talk to the "locals" and find a few bargains at the same time.  It was amazing how quickly we got to know the area.

Yard sales in this region usually begin on Thursday and go through Saturday.  There are few sales on Sunday since most people go to church.

We have found some great bargains and managed to find many items for the Red Cardinal B&B.   The fun now is that we get lists from family and friends for items that they need.  And if we aren’t in a hurry, we end up finding everything on the list - dishes, tables, fences, coffee pots, mowers or fountains.  Anything is possible to find if patience is your virtue.

The other enjoyable part of going to the "yard sales" is meeting the people. Billy loves to chat and there is always someone to listen.  Me - I am not a great chatterer.  I like to scan the items and move on, anxiously looking for the next bargain.

As I mentioned, we have learned about the area and we found some beautiful scenic routes.  If you come to Carlisle for a drive or a visit or for biking, make it a point ot stay at the Red Cardinal B&B.  We will help plan a great drive and you might even end up with a great bargain that you can take to "Antiques Road Show".

Happy Hunting.

The Wall is Down

Day 107 - 85°! - Hot - Spring Meadows Park
Day 106 - 73° - Overcast, Humid - Spring Meadows Park
Day 105 - 65° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

It was another busy weekend at the Red Cardinal B&B. Our guests were from Hingham, MA (Red Sox territory). Jack and Lucy were here to visit their daughter who attends Dickinson College. There was a community/college orchestral performance and Isabel played the violin in the orchestra.

During the 3 days they were here, Jack and Lucy left early in the morning and returned late in the evening. They got to see a lot of the area in this short time and ate at several restaurants in downtown Carlisle. Their daughter is a freshman, so we hope to see them over the next 3 years.



We also had family visiting from Connecticut. Dale and Mark came for an overnight and brought some new bedding that I ordered for the guest rooms!

When we said our goodbyes this morning, and the guests left, the contractor came and took the wall down in the kitchen.






What a difference it made. The change was unbelievable. The kitchen was bigger, brighter and even in this very rough stage, Billy and I were excited!



It was the classic - “Why didn’t we do this sooner”! But now that we did it, we can’t wait for the room to be finished.




I guess that’s how it is in life sometimes. It takes a long time to tear some walls down, but when they finally come down, doesn't it feel better? Doesn’t the situation seem brighter, and we say to ourselves - “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

I can’t wait until we have guests at the B&B after the kitchen is complete. It will give an entirely different look to the Red Cardinal when you step through the front door. Of course, the warm, welcoming atmosphere will still be the same.

Kitchen changes

Day 104 - 62° - Sunny, Mild - Spring Meadows Park
Day 103 - 53° - Sunny, Cool - Spring Meadows Park

We are getting a “face lift” at the Red Cardinal B&B. We are extending our kitchen. For those who have been to the B&B, we are moving the wall with the door and window out toward the patio. We will make that an eating area with a bay window to overlook the fields. The floor will be redone and then an island will be added for more “work space”. After all, if I am going to make a strudel some day, I will need the space.

Billy and I are excited about the project. We have an excellent contractor. We expect the project to be completed by the end of the month. I’ll keep you informed.

We are busy this weekend with guests from Massachusetts and a family visit. The weather will be ideal.

Local farm stands and nurseries

Day 102 - 48° - Cloudy, WINDY and HAIL - South Middleton Park
Day 101 - 54° - Overcast - WINDY - Spring Meadows Park
Day 100 - 63° - Cloudy, Breezy - Lerew Road

My dear friend Ann came for an overnight visit on her way back to Cape Cod. Each spring when she visits, Ann comes with pansies in a yellow container. It adds a touch of spring to the house and fond memories.

Ann enjoys flowers and gardening as much as I, so we went on a tour around the area.

The first stop was at the Garden Gate Farm Market. If you are familiar with Dietch’s Farm Stand on Trindle Road, our neighbors have taken the lease and will have the grand opening in a couple of weeks. All the produce will be locally grown and a special addition will be colorful bouquets of cut flowers.

I am so excited about the flowers because at the Red Cardinal B&B we like to have fresh cut flowers in the guest’s room. And I know where I will get them!!!

From the Garden Gate, we headed over to Ashcombe’s Nursery (http://www.ashcombe.com/). I enjoy walking around and looking at the assortment of garden plants, because they have such a wide variety.

The vegetables were out, but around here it isn’t wise to plant until early May. Ann and I bought a 6 pack of Early Girl Tomatoes anyway and will keep them indoors for a couple of weeks.

There are many favorite garden centers in the area. If you head west of the Red Cardinal B&B, there is Lurgan which is very popular.

Recently, a nursery opened around the corner from the Red Cardinal B&B - Spring Garden Nursery. It is lovely. Even if you don’t buy anything, the view from this Nursery is spectacular.

So if you are in the area, come for a stay at the Red Cardinal B&B. You will enjoy the beautiful flowers in your room. And if you are taking a ride to enjoy the area, you might want to stop in some of the local garden centers! Spring is here.

Easter - A Celebration of Life!!

Day 99 - 61° - Sunny -Easter Sunday - South Middleton Park
Day 98 - 61° - Sunny, breezy - Spring Meadows Park

What a beautiful weekend and a truly blessed Easter. It was a weekend to celebrate the joy of the risen Christ and celebrate the many friends that have become a part of my life.

Yesterday after the guests were gone, the cleaning was done and Billy went off to the blessing of the motorcycles, I went to visit some friends and enjoy the outdoors.

I stopped by to see Jen, an older woman in our bible class. Jen’s husband has Alzeimer’s and Jen is his primary caregiver. She is so strong. I often go to visit Jen to offer her encouragement, but she is there to pat me on the back and send me off with something she just made.

Next on the route was Kim, owner of the Fallen Tree Farm B&B. I love to pop in on Kim. She has the greatest smile and laugh. There is always something interesting going on at her B&B. Kim and Brent were working on an outdoor “dance floor” for their wedding events. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

I continue on to see Minka, another church friend. Minka just had surgery on her foot and will be laid up for several weeks. Minka is another friend who is always in a postive, up beat mood. I am going to take her up on her offer to go walking and blogging. Of course, she will be walking in her wheelchair for a while.

Billy and I finished up on Saturday, with dinner at our neighbor’s house. Deb and Gary were some of the first people we met when we moved to Carlisle. They have always welcomed us into their family. Deb is great to visit because she loves to welcome everyone with a hug.

I finished the day with a few emails to family and friends who do not live in the area, but who are a special part of my life.

Today Billy and I attended church service and afterwards had Scott for breakfast. Scott is a friend who is so reliable and so down to earth. He never seems to be in a hurry and is always interested in what you have to say. Scott is another person who is positive and upbeat.

I managed to take Molly for a long walk before heading off to the Lairds for dinner. I walked along our usual path at the park, but from the opposite direction. I found this lovely wild flower that I believe is a Trout Lily.

I mentioned Lance and Doris in previous blogs. They are always so welcoming to Billy and me. We enjoy so many laughs when we are together. And of course, the dinner was great!

I am truly blessed with these wonderful people in my life. They all have struggles and challenges in their lives, but each one, in their own way, finds a way to celebrate life each and every day. I pray that the dear Lord continues to bless them all.

I am also truly blessed with a great and caring husband who also finds a way to celebrate life everyday. Praise God.

WINERIES

Day 97 - 60° - Sunny, breezy - Carlisle Barracks Golf Course
Day 96 - 63° - Sunny, breezy - Spring Meadows Park

Today our guests, Rudy and Helen left for Austria. They will be returning at the end of June with their 3 children. The family will spend a year in Carlisle while Rudy studies at the Army War College.

They found a house in South Middleton, so we will be “neighbors”. We are delighted. Last evening we celebrated the arrangement with a glass of wine. We were telling them about the many wonderful wineries we have in the area.

Some of the popular wineries are: Hauser Estate Winery (http://www.hauserestate.com/), Reids Orchard and Adams County Winery (http://www.adamscountywinery.com/) in the Gettysburg area.

If you take a scenic ride north there is the Hunter’s Valley Winery which has been around for @ 25 years (http://www.huntersvalleywines.com/), and a new winery Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyard in Duncannon, which we have yet to visit.

On April 28, from noon to 5 pm, Downtown Carlisle is presenting Art, Music and Wine. There will be a wine and food tasing event at particpating downtown businesses along W. Pomfret & S. Hanover Streets. You can purchase a wine glass which will be your pass through the event. Proceeds will benefit the W. Pomfret Street "Going Green” project and the Calrisle Arts Learning Center.

It sounds like a fun time. So call us and book a room. We can even have your glass on hand when you arrive!

If you are visiting the area, be sure to make a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B. We can easily provide a map that will lead you through a wine trail of the area.

April

Day 95 - 73° - Sunny, breezy - Spring Meadows Park
Day 94 - 63° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park
Day 93- 45° - Sunny, windy - Spring Meadows Park
Day 92 - 48° - Sunny, windy - Spring Meadows Park

This is a great time to walk in the park. All the kids are out practicing soccer and baseball. There are groups everywhere kicking the ball, or in the cage swinging at the ball. It is so alive as I make my round.

This has been a busy week thus far. We have guests for the week from Austria. They will be coming back in June for a year, as Rudolf (Rudy) will be an international student at the Army War College. It is our pleasure to give Rudy and Helen some “tips” as they pursue their house hunting and explore the area. The best part is that by the time they return they will know someone in the USA.

This weekend is Easter and we will have family and friends join us for the holiday.

At the end of April, guests will be coming in for Spring Carlisle at Carlisle Fairgrounds. (http://www.carsatcarlisle.com/). This event is the first of the summer car shows in Carlisle and we are already booked for several of them. We are getting excited to see repeat guests and meet new ones.

Check out the visitor’s guide to Carlisle ( http://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/). and book a room at the Red Cardinal B&B. We will look forward to having you as our guest!

Yellow Breeches Creek - Fishing

Day 91 (Last day of March)- 45° - Cloudy, Drizzly - South Middleton Park
Day 90 - 55° - Sunny, Cold - Spring Meadows Park

I have completed 3 months of walking! and feeling great!

Today is the first day of fishing in Southeastern Pennsylvania. This is a big deal around here. Fishermen have been camped out since last night, to be able to make the first cast at 8:00 am. Even though it is cold and damp, they have been out on the Yellow Breeches Creek all day.

The Red Cardinal B&B is surrounded by great fishing spots along the Yellow Breeches as our B&B is but a “stone’s throw” away from some great spots. You can walk out the door, over the foot bridge and cast a line in less than 5 minutes.

The Yellow Breeches Creek originates in South Mountain, in the Michaux State Forest. It then meanders for about 56 miles through the local towns of Walnut Bottom, Huntsdale (site of the fish hatchery), Mount Holly Springs, Boiling Springs, Williams Grove, Lisburn, New Cumberland and empties into the Susquehanna River.

Here in South Middleton where the Red Cardinal B&B is located, the Yellow Breeches is a popular spot for fly fishers who flock to the mile-long catch and release section near Boiling Springs. The Yellow Breeches is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The stream has a mix of stocked, wild, and fish that have carried over from the previous season. Brown and brook trout are the most prevalent wild fish in the stream. Rainbows are stocked each year and it is not uncommon to land a 20 inch fish.

It is one of the designated Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers.

The story is, that during the Revolutionary War, when the British soldiers, wearing their white breeches, crossed the creek or washed their breeches in the creek they became stained from the yellow tint of the water. Hence the name, "Yellow Breeches Creek".

So make a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B. You can relax after a great day of fishing and if you are up early, we will prepare “breakfast on the run”.

STRUDEL

Day 89 - 52° - Sunny, windy - Spring Meadow Park
Day 88 - 71° - Sunny - Spring Meadow Park
Day 87 - 52°- Sunny, cold - Lerew Road

Yesterday evening I took my first cooking class at The Kitchen Shoppe in Carlisle. This is an excellent store for kitchen supplies and offers cooking classes year round. This year, the store will be celebrating 38 years! in business.

I took the Strudel Workshop. I am always looking for something new and tasty to bake for breakfast, so I decided a strudel might be good.

There were about 16 people in the class and many of them had taken classes at the Shoppe before last night. My table of 4 women included a caterer and a woman who had a cookie business; the latter drove in from Pittsburgh for this particular class.

This class, as noted in the catalog was back “by popular demand”. The people in the class wanted to learn how to make the dough. The “trick” to a great strudel is in the dough. We were divided into groups of 4 and what we had to do is make a ball of dough, then pound it and roll it and stretch it. This ball of dough to my amazement stretched out the length and width of our table. I couldn’t believe it. Then our group made this delicious apple filling. The other groups made cheese and cherry strudels. I would say if I had to make this alone from start to finish, it would take the better part of a day.

The best part was when we got to sample our work. It was delicious. It was an enjoyable evening and I can't wait to take my next class. Of course, I hope to make a strudel as well.

SUNDAY OPEN HOUSE

Day 86 - 52° - Sunny, WINDY, cold - Spring Meadows Park
Day 85 - 58° - Partly Cloudy, Cooler - Spring Meadows Park

Yesterday, the Red Cardinal B&B hosted an open house/Timbali Crafts Fundraiser. The beautiful tote bags, aprons, placemats & table runners are hand-made by women from Swaziland, Africa. The patterns in the fabric they use are so colorful and each bag has a tag with the woman's name who made it. 100% of the proceeds go to the women. They use the money to buy cinder blocks to build a 10' x 10' structure to live in.

It was a perfect day to have friends drop by, as it was overcast and cool. In between “shopping”, the guests were offered some home baked cookies - oatmeal -raisin, chocolate-chocolate, molasses and a cinnamon coffee cake.

I will have the items here at the Red Cardinal B&B for another week, so give me a call and stop by. Any one of these items would make a perfect gift for someone. I bought a set of the placemats for a wedding gift.

Great and blessed Sunday!

MIGHTY 'MACS

Day 84 - 52° - Rain - Lerew Road
Day 83 - 75° - Sunny - Lerew Road
Day 82 - 70° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

There was a 20° change in temperature today, rainy and cloudy. I was happy to get a lot of yard work done this week and some early vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce and spinach) in the ground. They got a soaking today. Everything is budding and with the temperature change, I pray there isn’t a frost this week.

Last night we watched the movie Mighty ‘Macs. It is the story of a woman’s basketball team from Immaculata College in Pennsylvania. In 1972, they won the first-ever National Women’s College Basketball Championship! The amazing part of the story is that this team, from a catholic college of less than 800 women, beat all odds to win the championship. They had no gym (as the gym burnt down), no uniforms, no team bus, no money. What they had was a dynamic coach who believed in them, and a dedicated group of women who worked hard to make a dream come true.

This movie was a “Rudy” for women type of movie, a real inspiration. The team beat all odds, and went on to win 2 more national titles. This team from Immaculata opened the door to women’s basketball as we know it today, but got left behind when the bigger schools could spend the money and recruit the best women. It is a dream team that only comes along once in a lifetime.

It was fun to watch the movie because I attended Immaculata College for 2 years prior to the Mighty ‘Macs. It was in my sophomore year that the gym burnt down the day of our dance! The scenes of the picturesque campus and the conversations among the women in the movie, brought back memories and an awareness of the cultural “expectations” of women for that time.

We are still attached to Immaculata (now a university and now coed) as my sister was a professor of education for several years. She died @ 14 years ago of cancer and is buried there. My folks celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a mass at Camilla Hall, and many long-time friends from the College attended the event.

Way to go!

First Day of Spring

Day 81 - 64° - Cloudy - Spring Meadows Park
Day 80 - 68° - Cloudy - First Day of Spring - Lerew Road

The first day of spring and Billy was out on the riding mower making the first lawn cut of the season. It is hard to believe that he was cutting grass in March. It looked much neater and just in time as we had guests coming at dinner time last night.

Debra and her daughter, Lillie, were touring colleges, and Dickinson was on their schedule for today. As many of you know, junior and senior year in high school is time to traverse the country looking for the best school and the best match.

They were lovely guests. Billy and Debra chatted about our chickens, because her dad, who lives in Vermont, has chickens as well. He is also a big fan of the Civil War. The 20th Maine, the regiment from Vermont, was led by the famous Joshua Chamberlain. He is one of Billy's favorites.

As we talked, I served them a fresh fruit cup, a broccoli/swiss cheese omelet with sausage and a tasty cinnamon coffee cake.

They were off early, and after a general clean-up, Billy and I were back to work in the yard.

Gifford Pinchot State Park

Day 79 - 63° - Cloudy, Rain Showers - Spring Meadows Park
Day 78 - 73° - Sunny - Gifford Pinchot State Park

Sunday was another beautiful day, so we drove over to Pinchot State Park which is about a 20 minute ride from the Red Cardinal B&B. The park is over 2300 acres and has accommodations for all types of year-round recreation: fishing (ice-fishing), boating (iceboating), camping, horseback riding, swimming (ice skating), hiking and picnicking.


Billy had new line put on his reel, so he went to take a few casts and test the fishing rod before the 2012 season gets into full swing. The 340-acre Pinchot Lake has largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, muskellunge, catfish, carp, walleye, crappie and sunfish. Pinchot Lake is designated a big bass lake.

While he was fishing, I took a short walk on the Lakeside Trail that runs along Pinchot Lake. There are over 20 miles of hiking trails in the park. I covered about a mile.

Spring fever abounds and there were fishermen on the shore as well as in their boats.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/giffordpinchot/index.htm

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

77 - 73° - Sunny - Beautiful St. Patrick’s Day - Spring Meadows Park
76- 68° - Overcast - Spring Meadows Park

Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

It was a sunny, warm day today. I was outside most of the day, doing yard work and starting in on spring clean-up. The jonquils and crocuses are up, the forsythia is starting to bloom and the perennials are popping out of the ground. It is a pleasant change to spend more time outdoors than behind the computer. I also brought some early vegetables and pansies from Ashcombe's that I can't wait to plant.

Since we had guests this weekend, Billy and I didn’t venture out for our annual St. Patrick’s Day toast. In the past, we have celebrated at Coakley’s Restaurant and Pub in New Cumberland, O’Rorke’s Eatery in Gettysburg or Market Cross Pub in Carlisle. All of them have excellent fare. Coakley’s, the most authentic Irish Pub, has Irish music as well. However, none of them compare to Liam Maguire’s, our favorite Irish Pub in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

I prepared an Irish meal of corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes. I decided to cook the meal in a crock pot which usually makes the meat tender. The recipe called for a brine of apple cider, brown sugar, cloves, mustard and a dash of pickling spice in which to cook the ingredients. It was delicious. I also made Irish Soda Muffins. It was a new recipe for me and they were tasty. Billy added to the evening meal with his selection of Irish tunes.

I can use the leftovers tomorrow for breakfast and make Corned Beef Hash and eggs.

DISC GOLF

75 - 71° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park
74 - 71° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

A few months ago there was an article in the Sentinel that an 9 hole, medium disc golf course was going to be set up at South Middleton Park. Last week when I was walking along the path, I noticed these metal poles with baskets along the path, and areas that were marked with red flags. I assumed they had something to do with disc golf.

Sure enough, today as I was walking along the path at the park, there were three men tossing Frisbees into the basket. I spoke with one of the men and he gave me a brief overview of the course that was here and the principals of the game. He was carrying a bag that looked like a camera bag, and in it were at least a dozen Frisbees. They were about the same size, but different widths and he described them in golf terms - putters, drivers, etc. The poles are the “targets” and the red flags are the tee “pads”. He said that it is played much like golf.

The game has been around since the late '60s and is gaining in popularity. If you are an avid “golfer” you might want to try out the course. The Red Cardinal B&B is very close. Why not be our guest and get out and play.

Support the American Red Cross

Day 73 - 71 - Sunny and gorgeous - Spring Meadows Park

Members of the Cumberland Valley Bed and Breakfast Association will celebrate National Red Cross Month, by making a donation to the Red Cross. The Red Cardinal B&B is part of this Association.


Any time during the month of March that a guest makes a reservation and stays at one of our lodgings, the innkeeper will make a donation of $10. In addition, if the guest makes a contribution to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, their host will give them a gift to show their appreciation.

We understand that beyond blood drives, the American Red Cross offers disaster relief in local communities as well as communities across the country. In addition they offer educational opportunities, support for military families, as well as international relief.

The demand for services from the American Red Cross has definitely increased in the past 4 or 5 years, and the Cumberland Valley Bed and Breakfast Association wants to donate to this worthy organization.

The Cumberland Valley Bed and Breakfast Association has partnered with other organizations in the past, such as Project Share, our local food pantry and PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) to support worthwhile projects.

The Cumberland Valley Bed & Breakfast Association is made up of a variety of lodging opportunities. They range from Victorian homes to country manors and rural farmhouses. Each one is unique, but the common thread that runs throughout this group of innkeepers is hospitality and warmth.

Book a room today at the Red Cardinal B&B @ http://www.redcardinalbedandbreakfast.com/ and make a donation at the American Red Cross http://www.redcrosscv.org/ .

St. Patrick's Day

71 - 62° - Sunny and warm - Spring Meadows Park
70 - 45° - Sunny and colder - Spring Meadows Park
69- 50° - WINDY and cold - Spring Meadows Park

Saturday we celebrated my dad’s 92nd birthday at Fiddler’s Restaurant in Mayapple. This is a great local restaurant. The meals were tasty and the waiter served a delicious piece of chocolate, chocolate cake with a candle for dessert and sang “Happy Birthday”. Oftentimes, we recommend Fiddler’s to our guests.

My dad has lived through 16 Presidents! the Great Depression, and WWII. He danced to the music of Frank Sinatra and the Big Bands of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey. He talked into a telephone and the operator talked back. Now he talks into the phone and the phone talks back. He watched TV when there was 3 channels, now there are 803! He is an example of "living" history.

Today we got in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day. We attended a Celtic concert at the First Lutheran Church in Carlisle. The Fine Arts at First hosted Cormorant’s Fancy, a talented group of 5 musicians who perform a variety of Irish and Scottish traditional folk music. I thoroughly enjoyed the harmony of the tinwhiste, fiddle, concertina and bodharan; instruments that I don’t hear too often. Cormorant’s Fancy performs locally and their schedule is available on http://www.cormorantsfancy.com/

I will be getting out my Irish recipes this week - Irish Soda Bread, Corn Beef and Cabbage, Shepherd’s pie and my great-grandmother’s rice pudding.

If you are in the area this weekend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, consider a stay at the Red Cardinal B&B.

SCONES

Day 68 - 67° - Cloudy (sun just went in) - Spring Meadows Park
Day 67 - 61° - Sunny, slightly windy - Spring Meadows Park

What is a scone? It is a light, biscuit like quick bread made of oatmeal, wheat flour, barley meal, or the like. The key word is light and cold butter is key. The butter can come right out of the fridge and mixed with the batter, but in the workshop I attended at the Mid-Atlantic Bed and Breakfast conference, Debbie Anderson used “frozen” butter which she shaved ahead of time.

I copied this paragraph from Debbie' site to explain the cold butter theory : to paraphrase Lauren Chattman (The Baking Answers Book)--the point in using chilled butter is so that it doesn't melt during dough assembly. What you want is for the butter to melt in the oven--freeing up space and creating minute steam pockets of expanding gases which aid in the rise of the dough. If the butter melts before you get to the dough to the oven, you lose those pockets of gas expanding, leaving you with a denser baked product.

Who would believe it is this scientific to make a delicious scone. If not, the scone will easily become a stone.

Debbie's business is Victorian House Scones. She sells mixes that have been perfected over the years, and some innkeepers in the workshop say the mixes are fabulous. Here is the site if you are interested: http://www.victorianhousescones.com/

I'll let you know how my first batch of scones turns out.

Mid-Atlantic B&B Conference - Williamsburg, VA

Day 66 - 44° - Sunny, slightly windy - Spring Meadows Park
Day 65 - 42° - Cloudy, drizzly - Historic Williamsburg, VA
Day 64 - 44° - Rainy, damp - Historic Williamsburg, VA
Day 63 - 55° - Heavy rains, clearing, overcast - Historic Williamsburg, VA
Day 62 - 55° - Rain, cloudy - Historic Williamsburg, VA
Day 61 - 54° - Partly sunny, - Spring Meadows Park

This week Billy and I drove to Williamsburg, VA for a combination business/vacation trip. Over the weekend, we spent time in Historic Williamsburg with our dear friends, Dennis and Grace. They are frequent visitors to this lovely area, and were excellent guides as we walked the streets of the village. It was rainy and overcast for most of the time, but we enjoyed the opportunity to “step back” in time to the mid-late 1700’s. A highlight of our time together was dinner at the King’s Arms Tavern.

After their departure, I spent the next 2 days at the Mid-Atlantic Bed & Breakfast Conference and Billy used the time to find the Harley-Davidson store and explore Yorktown and the surrounding area.

The conference was an excellent opportunity to spend time with other innkeepers and share “trade” secrets.


Most of the workshops that I attended had to deal with the internet. First, there were several speakers on Google and how it controls the hierarchy of listings, and how the criteria for being “found” is always changing. The other workshops were on social media - facebook, twitter, blog and now pinterest! The intricacies of how it all works and what has to be done to keep a presence on the internet are mind-boggling. It is interesting, but mind-boggling.

To give myself a delightful break, I attended a workshop on The Art of Sconemaking. There is a secret to making a perfect scone. It is all in the COLD butter! This was a great workshop as I got to taste the blueberry scones! I am anxious to making scones for my guests.

I’ll be writing more about the ideas that came out of the conference, but in the meantime if you have a good scone recipe, send it along to me. Thanks.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Day 60 - 38° - rainy, damp - Spring Meadows Park

I love to hear the sounds around me as I walk, so I don’t have an ipod. Besides, if I had music playing in my ear, how could I possibly think about my blog.

Today was rainy and damp. It took some motivation to get out there with my umbrella and boots. So I imagined myself as part of the cast of Glee when they did their rendition of Singing in the Rain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyR0J8bgmgo and off I went.

I must say, it was a great walk (except that Molly got wet and muddy!). When I walk in the rain, I love to listen to the different sounds that the rain makes; the drizzling on my umbrella, the splashing around my feet as I walk through puddles, the drip, drip of rain falling on the tress, the spraying sound the cars make on wet streets and the rushing water in the creek. It is a beautiful mix of sounds. And most often, I am out there alone with nature surrounding me.

What do I suggest to the guests when it rains during their stay at the Red Cardinal B&B? In the warmer weather, I invite them to sit on the front porch and relax with a book or their kindle and enjoy some homemade refreshments. If they want to go out, I tailor their trip to suit their interests - antique stores, wineries, museums, shopping for something unique, or best of all I suggest they take a ride around the area. I tell them that you never know where you will see a rainbow!

Market Cross Pub

Day 59 - 52° - Sunny, mild Thornwald Park
Day 58 - 52° - Sunny, mild Spring Meadows Park

I was running a few errands in Carlisle today and decided to go over to Thornwald Park and see if there was a trail around the park. There is a short loop, and a few people were using the trail as it was a lovely day for a walk.

There is an amphitheater at the park and during the summer the Carlisle Parks and Recreation hosts a number of free concerts. We have attended a few over the years and have thoroughly enjoyed the outdoor setting and the variety of music.

I was getting a quick walk today as Billy and I wanted to get to the movies and see some of the Oscar Nominees. We saw Hugo and War Horse, and wanted to see The Artist or Moneyball, but they weren’t playing in the local theater. So we decided to go downtown to the Market Cross Pub.

The Market Cross Pub is one of our favorite downtown restaurants. We haven’t been there in a while, and Billy was looking forward to having some of their chicken wings.

When we arrived, we were surprised that there was a waiting list. What could possibly be happening at the Pub on a Tuesday? As it turns out, on every other Tuesday, the Pub has a “glass night”. A customer orders the "beer of the night" that has its logo on the glass. The customer keeps the glass after having the drink. I was surprised that so many people wanted a beer glass!

The couple ahead of us explained “glass night”, and when their table was called, they invited us to join them. They were only going to have the beer and get the glass. We had a lively conversation with “Ziggy” and Kristen. Billy had chicken wings, and I had a cranberry pecan chicken salad. It turned out to be a fun time.

The Market Cross Pub has an extensive assortment of beers, including their own which they brew on the premises. You can check out the pub at http://www.marketcrosspub.com/.

CHEERS!

Carlisle Expo Center

Day 57 - 42° - Sunny, mild - Spring Meadows Park
Day 56 - 35° - WINDY, sunny - Spring Meadows Park
Day 55 - 38° - rainy - Spring Meadows Park

Walking in the past few days has been wonderful. The weather has been so mild, except for Saturday when the winds were howling. Even Molly, my border collie, was reluctant to go out on Saturday.

We had a lovely couple as our guests this weekend. Makar and Vanessa came from New York to attend the Big East Racers Expo. This event was all about GoKarts. This is what I find so interesting about operating our B&B. I have guests with interests that are vaguely familiar to me and I get to learn about their “fun” times and hobbies.

The event was being held for the first time at the Carlisle Expo Center. The center is located near the Carlisle Fairgrounds and most often has activities related to the car shows. I decided to look up the website (www.carlisleexpocenter.com) and see what other events were happening. I found the following:

The Eagle Arms Gun Show is being held this weekend (March 3 &4), the Eastern National Antique Show and Sales on May 4-5 & Nov 16-17 (www.easternnationalshows.com); the 3rd annual Celebrate the Book Festival on October 20, and the Fall into Fine Crafts will be on October 27-28 www.ybcrafts.org

There is always something to do in and around Carlisle. Make a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B and Billy and I will be more than happy to plan a day that suits your interests.

Celebration of Life

Day 54 - 55° - Sunny, Beautiful, Spring Meadows Park
Day 53 - 52° - Sunny, Spring Meadows Park
Day 52 - 44° - Sunny, Nashua NH
Day 51 - 42° - Cloudy, Nashua NH
Day 50 - 48° - Sunny - Spring Meadows Park

This week, I traveled with a friend of mine to Nashua, NH. We were attending a memorial service for Jenny’s, son-in-law. During the past few days I had the time to reflect on this trip and many tangential thoughts popped into my head.

First, I had a wonderful trip with Jenny. It was time to be with a friend and enjoy each other’s company. The conversation during the 8 hour trip went on at length, and we talked a lot about Michael, her son-in-law. This 3 day trip made me realize the importance of friends and the need, especially in difficult times, of companionship.

Second, there was Michael, Jenny’s son-in-law. Michael was 54 and died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. I didn’t know Michael, but I learned about him during the “Celebration of Life” service that was held at his church. Michael was a man of honor, integrity and a Christian. The church was filled with people from all walks of life who were touched by this one person.

I thought about the wonderful guests whom we have had at the Red Cardinal B&B. I wondered how these doctors, professors, authors, missionaries, architects might have touched the people in their lives.

Third, I thought about our accommodations. We booked a hotel room in Nashua. It was a ‘typical” room - clean and comfortable with a non-descript view from the window. The amenities were minimal and no complimentary breakfast was included. I thought about this lodging in contrast to a stay at the Red Cardinal B&B. When our guests arrive, they are warmly greeted by Billy and me, and offered a beverage and/or a homemade treat. The setting is more like home as the rooms are individually decorated and the views from the windows are more scenic. In the morning a hot cup of coffee is waiting and a hearty breakfast.

It was a whirlwind trip. I am glad that I went to support Jenny, but I happy to be home at the Red Cardinal B&B. Now it is time to get ready for guests who will arrive tomorrow.

DANCING

Day 49 - 44° - cloudy, windy - Spring Meadows Park
Day 48 - 40°- sunny, mild - Spring Meadows Park
Day 47 - 32° - cloudy, windy - East Hartford, CT
Day 46 - 40° - cloudy - Spring Meadows Park

Dancing is such a fun and healthy way to spend time together or with friends. If I could, I would dance every day of the week. I love ballroom dancing and have taken workshops over the years for a variety of dances. I never get tired of learning new steps.

Since I was young, I have danced at home with my sisters, with friends at high school and college “mixers”, at parties and weddings. My husband has been seen dancing in the aisles of the local food store. We danced on the altar at our wedding. Dancing is a part of our lives. It is so creative and lots of fun.

When we moved to Carlisle, we found dancing a great way to meet new people, to spend time with one another, and to socialize. The best part of dancing is that you can dance at any level from beginner to advanced and enjoy yourself to the fullest. In many dancing situations, other dancers are more than happy to help you with a new step.

We are very fortunate to have many dance opportunities in and around the Cumberland Valley. Ballroom Dancing appears to be very popular in this area.

There is the GREEN DOOR (http://www.centralpaswingdance.org/) where the Central PA Swing Dance Club meets every Tuesday and Saturday. It is a great place for young adults to get a lesson and practice some moves. It is open to the public.

The Carlisle Parks and Recreation Dept has dance lessons and a dance the second Saturday of the month. (http://www.carlislepa.org/)

There is Always Time for Dance in Camp Hill (http://www.atfdance.com/)

How about Agape in York (http://danceatagape.com/)

Frank Hancock is a local dance instructor who makes ballroom dancing instruction simple and fun. He has taught many, many couples in the area to dance. (http://hancockdance.com/)

I have a network of friends who keep me posted on dance events from Lebanon, Harrisburg, York, Waynesboro, and DC. There is no shortage of places to dance.

If you would like to get your feet wet, we can give you a basic lesson at the Red Cardinal B&B. When you make a reservation, tell us that you would like a lesson. We would be more than happy to oblige!!

LET’S DANCE!!! Can’t you just picture yourself now in Dirty Dancing or Grease or Flashdance or in Michael Jackson’s Thriller!!

LOVE is not for the faint of heart

Day 45 - 51° - Sunny, Mild - Immaculata University
Day 44 - 38° - Cloudy, Damp - Lerew Road

Today is Valentine’s Day and thoughts of love abound. We are delighted to have guests throughout the month who will celebrate the holiday with us.

Today on my walk, I was thinking about “true” love. I spent the day with my parents who recently celebrated their 70th anniversary, and the passage from 1Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 came to my mind.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance….Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love.

Love never gives up, never loses faith. “True” love is hard work. It is not for the faint of heart. Love has many days of ups and downs, moments of joy and sorrow, but in the end, through perseverance, this is the love that endures.

I am blessed with many people in my life who exemplify the meaning of “true love”. There are my dear friends and family members who have celebrated over 30 & 40 years of marriage, and continue to enjoy life and each other.

There are the innkeepers in my B&B Association who open their doors every day to new people with warmth and a hearty welcome.

There are the guests that Billy and I have had the pleasure to host at the Red Cardinal B&B. Guests who come as strangers, but often leave as friends.

There are my siblings who go out of their way to help others.

There are women like Rose, who passed away this week, who give every bit of themselves to family and friends.

There are my SIL and best friends who have walked with me a long, long way and kept on singing as we walked.

There is my husband, Billy, whom I love very much.

And there is Jesus, the best example of “true” love.

Happy Valentine’s Day to the real lovers of this world.

CELEBRATION

Day 43 - 28° - Sunny, cold, very windy - Spring Meadows Park
Day 42 - 28° - Cloud, very cold - Lerew Road
Day 41 - 38° - Cloudy, cold - Spring Meadows Park
Day 40 - 32° - Snow on the ground, sunny, cold - Spring Meadows Park

This was another weekend of celebration with guests and friends. We celebrated Valentine’s Day, 2 birthdays and an anniversary.

We were delighted to have as our guests this weekend, Arlene and Darren from Pottstown, PA. Darren planned a special weekend for Arlene, and I am happy to say that Carlisle had some great places so he could spoil his lovely wife. She was treated to a massage at Body & Sole, dinner at Rillo’s and Aya Japanese Steak House and a late night movie. In between the busy schedule, we gave them a swing dance lesson and hope they could use it in the future.

Darren made me aware of Arlene’s acid/gluten free diet, so I tailored the breakfasts to suit her dietary restrictions. Arlene and I had an interesting conversation about the hidden ingredients in food that affect many people. I took the opportunity to explore some new (to me) aisles in the local grocery store.

I was able to add poached pears with blueberry sauce, tapioca pudding, spice cake and sweet potato cakes to the basic country breakfast of eggs and "turkey" ham. I used tapioca flour instead of white flour and a lot of spices. I hope Arlene enjoyed the breakfast as much as I enjoyed preparing it.

They are avid photographers and though the weather wasn’t entirely conducive to great pictures, they did find a few subjects of interest around the B&B. Molly, of course, is everyone’s favorite. I look forward to seeing some of the photos on FB.

After breakfast, Billy and I said good-bye to Arlene and Darren and readied ourselves for a Sunday afternoon with friends. Our dear friends, Doris and Lance were celebrating their 40th anniversary, Doris and Bob, her brother-in-law, were celebrating a birthday and we all celebrated an early Valentine’s Day.

It was a great way to spend a cold and windy February weekend.

February isn't over yet, so why not make a reservation at the Red Cardinal B&B for the special person in your life. It is a simple way to say "I love you".