Spring 2005

407 Old Harbor Road
Chatham, MA 02633
800-355-8868 reservations
508-945-4688 phone

Carriage House Inn Decorating Contest!
Next in line for a makeover is room three in our main house, scheduled for a facelift next fall. Currently, the room is wallpapered in pink, purple and green floral with a matching bedspread. We want to give the room a fresh look and need your ideas. Please e-mail or regular mail photos, magazine clippings, general decorating ideas, websites etc. of rooms you like and think would fit well at our inn.

We will be re-wallpapering or painting and refurnishing the room as well as updating the bathroom. We want you to use your imagination, so the only guidelines are to keep in mind that there are slanted ceilings in the room, and we cannot put a Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom. The winner of the contest will receive a free night’s stay in room three when the renovation is complete. Have fun!

Spring is well deserved this year!
Cape Cod hasn’t seen a winter like this past one in quite some time, with some areas of the Cape topping 100 inches of snowfall! While we enjoyed seeing the beach covered in snow, we are ready for warm weather and are eager to get outside and begin spring clean-up!

In addition to outdoor yard work, we have also been gearing up for the busy season and are anticipating another busy summer. Last year, we welcomed many honeymooners, so we designed a package specifically for romance seekers:

Honeymoon Retreat
Whether you are celebrating your first, second, or tenth honeymoon, romance is in the air for your Cape Cod getaway! This package includes four nights lodging, a couples massage, a gift certificate for dinner, roses, champagne, and taxes. For more details, visit the specials page of our website.

Chatham Maritime Festival
On June 18, Chatham will host its third annual Maritime Festival to celebrate the town’s maritime heritage. Throughout the day, sample of all kinds of great local seafood and enjoy fun, maritime-themed events. Last year’s favorites included a Fishing Boat Parade, Fishermen’s Contests, Zany Boat Races, and a big evening block party with hot live music.

New Year’s 2006
in Chatham

As much as we hate to think about next winter already, we got an early start on our annual New Year’s package since it was so popular last year. If you’re interested in ringing in 2006 Cape Cod style, consider booking early as this is a popular weekend and rooms sell out quickly.

This year, our package includes a two or three night stay, a New Year’s Day mimosa brunch, a New Year’s Eve champagne social, chocolates, passes to all of Chatham’s First Night festivities featuring midnight fireworks, and all taxes. For more details, visit the specials page of our website.

 

James Cooks While
Jill Spills the Beans…
Unfortunately (or fortunately as we see it), we had an extremely busy winter and have therefore made little progress on our cookbook, James Cooks While Jill Spills the Beans. As an apology for the delay, here is a freebie recipe which is a favorite among guests:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Makes 3 dozen

Ingredients:
1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter chips
10 chocolate covered peanut butter cups, cut into eighths

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F (175° C).

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, and baking soda; stir into the peanut butter mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter cups. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool for 1 or 2 minutes on sheet before removing, or they will fall apart.


Domestic Tips Corner

If you use softener sheets in the dryer, scrub your lint tray every six months with hot soapy water and brush to remove film that has built up. You can’t see the film, but you’ll double the lifetime of your dryer if you remove it.

Pineapple is a refreshing spring and summer fruit. To select a ripe one, make sure all the “eyes” or the circles on the skin are the same size. Your pineapple should also be firm and not smell too “pineapply” when you smell it from the bottom. It will not ripen any more over time, so eat it soon after you buy it. Color does not matter when selecting a pineapple.

Give your kitchen or bathroom a new spring look: replace boring wood knobs with shiny brass, chrome, or other decorative knobs. They’re inexpensive and easy to replace.

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously- the salt will absorb the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new. Works like a charm!