Bed and Breakfast

For several years now, we've been coming out to the Cape a day early to avoid the bridge traffic and to have plenty of time to meander through the little shops and restaurants we find along the way from Sandwich to Ptown. We have stayed at different motels with cute names like : Shady Nook, Country Acres, The Earl of Sandwich, until we discovered the Windfall House, a comfy little B&B which we fell in love with. We stayed there for that one extra night, three years in a row until the owners decided to keep their home private and no longer run it as an Inn. I cannot emphasize enough our disappointment in hearing this news. We did happen to get a wonderful recipe for their Pear Muffins though ...which brings back warm memories of our stays there. Captain Chipman, our current B&B was recommended by those previous Innkeepers; This will be our second year at this B&B which we are very much looking forward to.

To my surprise the stars aligned and brought me to the Cape- two days early! This definitely works for me. Rick got up this morning and asked me if are we packed and ready to go? I said "yes, we are". He told me he took the day off and we can leave early if I want to. "Excuse me", I said..."I am ready now..." And he said.."then we are leaving". I'm thrilled at this news. A few stops before we head out but we are Cape bound ... today! Having left so quickly, we hadn't eaten and we decide to stop a few times along the way to have some breakfast and to stretch our legs. Not sure where we are staying, but once again, Rick assures me not to worry. I'm not so sure but....I'll sleep in the car if I have to or on the beach. We start the search for a room for the night once we arrive in Sandwich...I need to know where I'm hanging my hat before the fun begins. First stop...Shady Nook. As luck would have it for my Irishman, someone had a problem and cancelled for the night and according to Rick we became the heroes by taking the room. Somehow, this good luck happens only to him. If it were my luck..I would probably have been running to 15 places before I found a room for the night. So now, its official..I'm on vacation......let the good times roll! We decide to stop and smell the hydraengas in Sandwich and browse around the town we usually just drive through. Interesting little shops and some finds to be had in the Village Center and a wonderful dinner in a renovated church called the Belfry Inne and Bistro, heavenly rooms, divine cuisine and sinful libations. The confessional is the wine closet behind the bar. Details of the old church remain like the stained glass windows, lighting fixtures, remnants of the Stations of the Cross still in tact......nailed, crucified and consoled... and bathrooms marked Adam and Eve. Beautiful Gardens surround the church with outdoor dining in the center of it all. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. A truly unique experience. Of course, by this time, a cocktail is in order and I decide on a cucumber martini which is cucumber vodka, muddled cucumber, sugar, a little mint ...yum. Dinner is an antipasti..delicious salami, cheese, roasted peppers, caponata, and olives followed by a Flat Iron Steak with Foie Gras Butter, Truffle Sea Salt Rosemary Fries and a Grilled Swordfish with Fingerling Potatoes and a Salsa Verde made with capers....so fresh, so delicious. We finish with a Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with homemade vanilla ice cream ...and coffee. My dinner companion is a very funny guy ...we enjoyed a few laughs tonight ....it was a nice night to relax and spend some quality time which we rarely have time for. So great to get away from it all.

If you are in Sandwich and looking for something different, my suggestion is to try the Belfry Inne and Bistro...you are in for a wonderful experience.
www.belfryinn.com

Tomorrow we meet up with our friends at the Captain Chipman B & B. Looking so forward to seeing everyone and to more laughs and a great week ahead.

Oh...and here is that recipe for those muffins that I mentioned earlier:

PEAR MUFFINS

1 c Pear (shredded and squeezed dry)
(Or Apple, Banana, Carrot, Zucchini)

Then...

3/4 c total of the following in any combination

Walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, dried cranberries, apricots, cherries, raisins, currents, figs, dates, rolled oats, chocolate chips, shredded coconut...( no more than 1 3/4 c total-shredded fruit and nuts/or raisins, dates, etc. combined.)

Batter mixture:

1 3/4 c flour
1 t baking powder
1 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1 c sugar

Combine above ingredients

In another bowl, whisk:

2 eggs
1/2 c cooled melted butter (or veg oil)
1/2 c plain yogurt or sour cream
1 t vanilla
1 t citrus zest (optional)
Stir in fruit then fold into dry until just combined

Bake 350 for 25 minutes

They are delicious. May they warm your heart and your home....Enjoy!