Family

It’s been a long time since we’ve held one of our family cooking competitions, but the kids decided to resurrect the tradition over our holiday break – and they decided it should be a Christmas Cookie Bake-Off.

The idea is simple: we would each bake our own chosen kind of cookie, and at the end of the day, we’d each sample them all and choose a winner.

The reason for it all is a bit more complex. It’s fun, sure, but it also helps everyone to be independent and competent in the kitchen. Each person has to choose or create a recipe and then execute it, which can be trickier than it sounds. We’re also making memories – there is always a lot of laughter in the kitchen during these events, both during the cooking and the tasting portions. In the midst of this totally nutty year, we need all these things.

We decided that this kind of baking competition needed a different set of rules, so My Big Helper planned them out.

Each person chose their own recipe. I decided to play around with an idea I’d had and combine a few recipes I’d used previously.

I mixed up a simple peanut butter cookie dough and spread it out on parchment paper. Then I topped it with brownie batter and rolled it all up together, cinnamon bun-style. After chilling it, I sliced and baked them.

The cookies baked into ginormous cookies the size of my hands, but I was happy with the overall finished product.

My Big Helper choose a recipe from a favorite cooking blog, and then she added her own twists to it. She made a chocolate sugar cookie and, per the directions, rolled and smooshed it. She loved this part!

My DH loves Oreos, so he decided to make Oreo cheesecake cookies. He found a recipe with only a few ingredients and went to town smashing some of the Oreos he’d received for Christmas (yes, we gift food. We think finding favorite treats in stockings is fun!). His dough came together quickly and he baked them in minutes.

My Little Man was determined to make whoopie pies, a family favorite, even though it was against family rules for this competition (we decided that since we love them so much, they would automatically win, and that wouldn’t be fair). To get around the rule, he baked the cakes, iced them, and decorated each with an “artful swirl of sprinkles” instead of topping them with a second cake. The recipe is tricky to get right, and he’d never made them before. After encountering a few snags, he whipped out some “cookies” that were both huge and uniquely his own.

The uber-organized and Type A Big Helper decided we couldn’t just vote for our favorites – we needed a rubric. She designed a full-color rubric complete with clipart for the scoring portion of the contest.

Since appearance was judged, we each put our cookies on a separate plate and tried to make them look good. This was a bit trickier than it looked for some of us, but it was both fun and funny.

DH’s Oreo cheesecake cookies tasted just like Oreo cheesecake! It was crazy.

My Little Man’s Whoopie Pie cookies (not pictured above) had a slight texture issue but tasted amazing.

My Big Helper got super creative and put peanut butter icing between two of her cookies and then rolled them in potato chip crumbs for crunch and a salty contrast. The finished product was a bit sweet for me, but the cookies themselves are great.

I was quite surprised when my peanut butter-brownie combo cookies won. They decided that the cookie overpowered the brownie a bit, but everyone liked the flavor combination.

Our Christmas Cookie Bake-Off was lots of fun – and the kids decided we need to do it again. We’re hoping to have another cooking competition soon, too – we’ve missed them.

What fun thing did you do as a family this Christmas season?

Former owner Francis Henry once called the Colonial Inn the “battered wife of Hillsborough,” and if you’ve seen it in the past twenty years, you might agree (though that’s tragic in more ways than one). Having been in business back as far as 1838, with evidence taking it back nearly another 100 years, the Inn holds a special place in the heart of Hillsborough, North Carolina.

Since restorations began two years ago, however, the Colonial Inn now glows with new life. Current owner Allied DevCorp and investors have spent $5 million to reinvigorate this historic building – and it shows.

After two full years of extensive restoration, the Colonial Inn is nearly ready to reopen. Allied DevCorp’s General Manager Elise Tyler gave the Time Travelers History Club a tour in advance of that special day – and we were amazed at the transformation of this special place.

Why put such effort into saving what was once such a decrepit building? Tyler puts it thus: “I hope it lives another 200 years. …. We love, just love it.”

We do, too. So here are eight reasons why you need to go see the Colonial Inn for yourself.

For the History Lover:

• The intrinsic historic value. While it’s original construction date has been hotly debated, legend dates it back to 1759, making it one of the oldest buildings in Orange County – and certainly one of the few remaining antebellum inns in North Carolina. It now resides on the National Register of Historic Places and for good reason. During restoration, when parts of the building were repaired for the first time ever, significant architectural details were uncovered, like the huge bark-covered oaken beams that support the ceiling. While it’s special status doesn’t allow these to remain in view right now, how amazing is it to know that these original pieces still exist?
• Stay where the famous once slept. Artifacts from the Inn claim that actor Paul Newman and Colonials Aaron Burr and General Cornwallis all once stayed at the Colonial Inn. Of course, since the opening date is in question, this, too, is the stuff of legend. With Cornwallis known to have traveled through Hillsborough and the recent discovery of those oak beams, though, it could be true. As a fan of colonial history, I say go for the bragging rights. How many people can say they slept where Newman, Burr, and Cornwallis once snored?

• Bask in the architectural detail. Not only was great care taken to preserve the building at large, but there are myriads of small details that were repaired and restored. Five spindles in the main staircase were created to match the originals exactly. Reclaimed wood was used throughout the restoration, and a carving team created the outside of the beautiful bar by hand. “The Colonial Inn North Star,” a pattern of diamond-like shapes, is repeated throughout the space, in ways both big and small. This creates a cohesive, organized look that screams both history and comfort.

• Taste the history. The Inn won’t have an on-site restaurant open around the clock, at least not at first, but it will be open in a limited capacity with a menu full of dishes inspired by dishes made famous in the Inn decades ago. They plan to features upscale Southern dishes like fried chicken, dumplings, and cornbread, and it sounds pretty amazing.

For the Savvy Traveler:

• Be Pampered by Luxury. It might seem that a building as old as the Colonial Inn wouldn’t be able to accommodate modern, luxuries fixtures and amenities, but nothing could be further from the truth. While the size of the rooms and beds do vary a bit, especially in the historic part of the Inn, every care has been taken to provide updated, comfortable spaces. The rooms all have bathrooms with fixtures as seen in the picture above, and they’re absolutely gorgeous. Each room also features independent temperature controls and specially-ordered mattresses so that you can choose a firm or soft one.

• Be Treated To Hospitality. There are many beautiful spaces at the Colonial Inn, but they’re not only pretty – they’re functional in great ways, too. The patio above connects the historic Inn on the left with the new building on the right. The patio is located just off the main event space, which features gorgeous floors, glittering chandeliers, and symmetrical historic double fireplaces; but a wall of windows opens onto this patio, flooding the space with sunlight during our morning visit. While the Inn was still under construction during our visit, it was clear to see that both the event space and this patio, which could serve as a reception area for a wedding or party, will be beautiful. Can’t you just picture pots of flowers filling the space with color? The Inn will also feature a small bites-style menu, featuring fair trade coffee, pastries, and more. People are invited to take their treats to these spaces or even the second story porch, which looks out over King Street. With its ceiling fans and bistro furniture, it will be another great place to sit and relax.
• Make Memories as a Family. While many specialty inns cater to adults only, the Colonial Inn has special plans in place for families. They’re creating a scavenger hunt in the public areas for children, and there will even be special prizes! I really love the thought and care that’s been put into this. How much fun will this be?

• Feast Your Eyes on Unique Art. The Colonial Inn is full of art created by local artists. The rooms aren’t stocked with the same prints in room after room; instead, the art is all original. It is available for purchase, so if you like it, you can take it home gallery-style, with the full price going straight back to the artist. This is just one of the ways that the Colonial Inn is supporting the local community – and making your stay more colorful, as well.

I wish that I could show you more pictures of just how beautiful the Colonial Inn will be, but you’ll just have to swing by and check it out for yourself – and soon that will be possible. Tyler expects the grand opening to happen in November, so stay tuned to be the first to know all the details.

What do you look for in lodging when you travel? I’d love to know! Share in the comments below – and if any of The Colonial Inn’s features stand out to you, let me know which ones!

When I was a kid, I watched the Smurfs every Saturday morning.

I loved the Smurfs.  They were friendly, funny little creatures who loved being together and were always seeing the good in life.  I had all the Smurf gear, too – an alarm clock, bank, and more, and I took it all to Smurf Day at school, where we even ate Smurf cereal for breakfast.

Obviously lots of other kids loved them, but we weren’t the only ones.  Sometimes my dad would watch with me, too, and I loved those times.  Often, after the Smurfs, we’d head out to roller skate or to the farm to spend time with family, but somehow we managed to catch the Smurfs first.

That’s why I was so excited to hear that there’s a new Smurf movie coming out on April 7, called Smurfs:  The Lost Village.  The trailer is funny, and it puts some twists into the Smurf story.  The animation looks beautiful, too.  You can watch the trailer here.

Another thing that has me super excited about this new Smurf adventure, though, is the faith-based discussion guide that you can download here.  It’s set up almost like a devotional, with scripture, a short lesson, and questions for discussion, and I like that a regular, secular movie is being examined this way. 

So, who’s up for seeing Smurfs:  The Lost Village?

Enter to win your own tickets to see Smurfs:  The Lost Village here!

Legacies have come up in conversation a lot lately.  It seems that most people consider a legacy to be money – a sum of money, preferably a sizeable sum – that one bequeaths to another upon death.

That is a type of legacy.  It’s a concrete legacy with a beginning, ending, and with concrete purpose or abilities here on earth.

But that’s where it ends.

That kind of cash legacy can only take you so far.

It might pay off debt, provide for housing, education, or temporary security, but sooner or later it comes to an end.

It can only do so much.

There’s another kind of legacy, however, that lasts indefinitely.

It has a clear beginning but no definite end.  Sometimes it can be traced through time, history, and events, but at others the origins are lost.  The beginning becomes murky with time but the meaning lives on.

That’s the kind of legacy I’m contemplating this month.

I’ve been blessed to have been left several of those legacies, and while the one of which I speak began being handed to me several decades ago, the passing of that baton ended this week.

As I sit here, hours from where the business of death is being handled, I’m remembering many aspects of that legacy.

Where caring and love were shown in many ways, like in the mailing of colorful office supplies to a wanna-be elementary-aged writer.

Where antique mystery books were shipped off to be read, treasured, and discussed.

Where peas were taught to be cooked and dish-washing was praised and books were shared lavishly because such enjoyment can be found within well-written pages.

Where complaining has no purpose but finding the silver lining is a task worth doing.

Where food well-prepared is a service of love, and eating lettuce leaves in the kitchen center under duress is, too, because nobody wants to get rickets.

Where driving all over New England is a smart idea because there’s great stuff to be seen and learned in these places, even at the small Scituate lighthouse because Abby kept the lighthouse burning and you read about it in school in fourth grade.  That the expense of nice hotels, trolley cars around Boston, and extra books are worth it because “I don’t get to see you that much and I like doing these with you.  It’s okay!”

Where a day trip to Plimoth Plantation sparks deep realizations about what it really must have felt like to survive such harsh conditions and changes the kind of teacher you become.  Where no matter how many ways someone tries to ask about bathroom habits in Plimoth Colony, the living historians’ eyes sparkle and they repeat that they don’t understand in deep Elizabethan accents.  When you understand that even older people don’t have all the answers – but that there’s an adventure of learning out there if you’ll only go look for it.

Where soap well made, purchased as a gift, deep pink and fragrant, at Fort Number Four’s gift shop sparks a life-long fascination with saponification.  From all-glycerin to all-natural oils,  no soaps are purchased in this house now – and I remember that pink bar of soap every day and the person who stayed with me while I wandered the shop and smelled every one.

Where you learn at least a modicum of patience because other people have weird likes, too, and drag you through all the fancy herb gardens at all of those great living history places – Fort Number Four, Plimoth Plantation, and Sturbridge Village, and then walk through those gardens, identifying the plants, asking about unknown ones, and telling stories about grandmothers gone before and their herb gardens.  Where thinking that all those acres of smelly plants was rather annoying until you realize just how many cool things can be done with those plants and you begin to plant your own, scattered around the yard, and start researching how to dry and cure and use them.

Where physical exercise is important and good health is something to work for.  Where pedaling for all you’re worth to keep up with the nana and her best friend is a goal worth having because those ‘older’ ladies are cool and super hard to catch on hilly bike rides.  Where all-natural food is something holy and organic milk worth the extra expense “because Dr. Aurand said to buy that organic even if that’s the only organic purchase you make.”

Because education is always a subject of interest and it’s always worth research and involvement.  Because no matter how serious the personal circumstances, the education of young minds is always worth inquiry, and there’s always a great trip nearby where learning can happen and be enjoyed.  Because even from a day’s drive away there are souvenirs, CDs, movies, books, and newspaper clippings that could add to young learning and are worth packaging up and randomly shipping through the mail to include in a given unit.

Because there’s all of this and so much more.

That’s the kind of legacy that’s important to me.  When you realize that your son eats tomatoes like apples and applauds you for making a big salad for dinner and you know that rickets will never be in his future.  When your daughter catches a horribly uncomfortable childhood disease and  never once complains and you realize that she’s just admiring the large, itchy spots that come with the territory – and enjoying the time reading with you.  You know she’ll always find something to be happy about.  When reading lunches on a New Hampshire porch over turkey sandwiches and Ruffles become Southern reading breakfasts and lunches and “Oh, Mommy, can’t I read that book while we eat dinner?  It’s so good!” and you know that reading and learning will always be an important part of their lives.

That’s a legacy worth leaving.  It started long ago but isn’t anywhere near ending.  That legacy is alive and well and continues to grow.

Nana, we love you and will always miss you, but we’ll never forget you.