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Bed and Breakfast, Madison CT - the Perfect Place to Escape To
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| Some Things to Look Forward to:
| *Enchanted April
*Wine Dinner - April 24, 2009
*4th of July Celebrations - Happy Birthday America!
*Life's a Beach ...
*Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair, Saturday, August 29, 2009 |
| Plan Your Vacation |
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How far ahead do you plan your vacations? I remember from my years in corporate life that we would have been asked, and required, to submit our vacation requests for the year by now. Many would know their dates right away. Plans and reservations had already been made, and, regardless of any other factors, those whose plans were in place always had the first choice of dates. All others' vacation dates had to fit around them.
So, have you set your vacation plans yet? Need some ideas? First, plan to come to Madison, to explore and enjoy the heart of the Connecticut shoreline, and plan to stay with us. Our Events and Ideas page and our Area Attractions and Activities page on our web site are chock full of things to see and do. Check online, email us or call to make your reservations so that you'll have your first choice of dates and guestrooms. |
| From Our Kitchen |
BANANA MACADAMIA CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
2 C. All Purpose Unbleached Flour, unsifted
2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 Large Ripe Bananas, Mashed
1/2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
1/3 C. Unsalted Butter, melted
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/4 C. Buttermilk
1 C. Raw Macadamia Nuts, Chopped
1/2 C. Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bits
Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Line all sections of a 12-cup muffin pan with muffin papers.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour and baking soda. Mix well with a whisk.
In a separate bowl, combine bananas, sugar, eggs, melted butter, vanilla and buttermilk.
Fold fruit mixture into dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Batter will be very thick. That's OK. Fold in chopped macadamia nuts and mini chocolate bits.
Divide evenly among 12 muffin sections in your prepared muffin pan.
Bake 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Keep extras in an airtight container.
Makes 12 regular homemade-sized muffins. |
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| Tidewater Inn Gift Certificates |
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When you're searching for just the right gift, Tidewater Inn Gift Certificates are a fabulous holiday or special occasion gift idea! Reward your loved ones or friends with the renowned comfort and pleasures of a Tidewater Inn getaway. When you give a gift certificate to the Tidewater Inn, you give an experience! Consider our canopy or four poster beds, our toasty fireplaces, our plush towels and spa amenities, our intimate cottage with its deluxe Jacuzzi and our delicious full breakfasts. Tidewater Inn gift certificates will provide someone special with an unforgettable escape!
We accept all major credit cards and our gift certificate package includes a colorful card with pictures and details about the Tidewater Inn, and specials, package offerings, rate schedules as well as other goodies.
Call or email today to order your Tidewater Inn Gift Certificate. 203-245-8457. |
| Graduation Weekend ... There's Room at the Inn |
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Hey there Yale and Quinnipiac Parents - Book now for the 2009 graduation weekend. Give us a call, send an email or check availability online. |
| Tidewater Inn Special Events: |
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*Wine Dinner - April 24, 2009
*Knitter's Weekend - Autumn 2009
*Good Intentions Getaway - January 2010
*Chocolate to the Rescue Escape - January 2010 |
| What Our Guests Have to Say: |
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A wonderful experience where one can step back in time to a more gracious, more charming era many often long for. Thank you for your exceptional hospitality. The amenities you offer are short of nothing and rival even the most reputable internationally reknown hotels. (H&I, NY)
Winter in New England, it snowed while we were here - a true Rockwell/Currier & Ives sight to behold! Victoria is the most gracious, considerate & thoughtful host, an exquisite Innkeeper. She created a beautiful home with such style, no detail missed, a warm comfortable atmosphere full of class. The food, oh my how decadently delicious. What a delightful weekend. We'll be back. (D&A) | |
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Glad Tidings February 2009, Vol.2, No.2 |
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February is for Sweethearts
It's February, and we've been living in a "marshmallow world," as the song goes. It's my fourth winter here on the shore, and for the past three winters I remember seeing our lawn much more than seeing a field of snow. The snow would come, as would the ice. The sun would follow and melt it all away. The cycle would begin again, but many days would pass before we would see snow again. Not this winter. Everywhere I've looked it's been marshmallow white for weeks and weeks ... until now. These past two weeks have had Spring-like days in them. Just a taste of what's to come. And it's been glorious walk-around weather.
Yet, it's February. The calendar says so. Winter is moving along toward Spring, and Valentine's Day has come and gone. This is the month that we celebrate our sweethearts. Whether you've been celebrating with roses and bubbly or with old fashioned "conversation hearts," may your February be sweet.
Don't have a sweetheart to celebrate with this year? Not to worry. Take your hugs and smiles and share them with someone you know who'll be blessed that you did. You'll be doubly blessed in return. |
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The Romance of Groundhog Day
Long before February comes most of us are at least aware of, if not thinking about, Valentine's Day - a Day to celebrate our sweetheart relationships. We all know, February is all about sweethearts, and we focus on February 14th as The Day. For those who did not have a sweetheart to celebrate this year, smile, and take a lesson from the groundhog. It all begins with Groundhog Day ... I read in a newspaper article earlier this month that when groundhogs take a break from their winter hibernation, it's not to satisfy our yearning for assurance of an early Spring. It's all about finding a sweetheart according to Penn State biologist Stam Zervanos. Once he's found her, the furry fella returns to his burrow to hibernate again until it's time to wakeup fully for Spring and to go about spending quality time with the sweetheart that he courted weeks before. So, will the groundhog now become the romantic Valentine's Day stuffed animal gift of choice? Will Groundhog Day take on a whole new meaning for the singletons of the world? Step aside teddy bears and bunnies, you've got competition now. It's February. Attention all single men. Ready. Set. Seek! ... and all you single women out there, be sure to put out the welcome mat. |
Wine Dinner
The Madison Wine Shop, Elizabeth's Café, the Madison Cheese Shop and the Tidewater Inn have joined their talents to create a wine tasting adventure for your palate. Six specially selected wines will be presented by Rick from the Madison Wine Shop and will be paired with six specially prepared tasting courses, offered together as a Wine Dinner Escape package on Friday, April 24, 2009. This special wine dinner is only available as the overnight package, and seating is limited to 16 guests. Please email or call us directly to reserve your place. |
How Cute Can a Seal Be?
For bird, animal and nature lovers the CT shoreline never disappoints. No matter what the season, there are interesting flora and fauna, fish and fowl to behold and observe and be entertained by. This time of year it is the Seals that come to Long Island Sound beginning in December of each year. On weekends in March the Sea Mist departs from the Branford town dock for a one and one half hour cruise near the Thimble Islands to come up close and personal to the visiting seal population. We've taken care of the details for you, including lunch, cruise and other goodies, in our Seal Watch Escape. |
"What's on Stage"
Highlighting Regional Theater
It's not just for Summer. For those of us who enjoy live theater, we have much to choose from here in the heart of the Connecticut shoreline. Madison is central to the New Haven, CT shoreline and CT River towns' venues, and their calendars overlap, so there's nearly always a production going on somewhere, and we can count on the Schubert Theater in New Haven to bring in music and dance, in addition to touring theater, for our entertainment pleasure. Here are links to many of the current seasons' offerings. Plan a getaway to include a show and we'd be delighted to order your tickets and to create a special package for you to include dinner. While you're here, stop by the Madison Historical Society and pick up a booklet all about "Madison's Unique Contribution to Summer Theater in America."
Goodspeed Opera House (Musicals)
Coming Soon - the KATE - the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, Old Saybrook (Countdown to Opening Night is at 131 days as of February 22, 2009) How exciting is that! |
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Mad About Madison
There's something special about this small shoreline town. Everyone who's ever come knows what we mean. It's an atmosphere of welcome. Every corner, from the charming center of town with its unique shops and traditional New England town green, to the wonderful beaches, invites you to stay and enjoy. If you've never come, or if you've only briefly passed through on the way to somewhere, anywhere, else, it's time you came and got acquainted with this little bit of quintessential New England shoreline. We've made it easy for you to come and explore with our " Mad About Madison" escape package, or come and stay awhile and create your own experience. Either way, you'll be delighted, and you'll be sure to return again and again. |
| More Mid-Winter Getaways |
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More Winter Warmers
In this deep part of mid-winter many of us take time to indulge ourselves, doing things we may not make time to do at other times. It's an opportunity to pursue special interests that are dear to us. We take hobby-related classes, enjoy pampered pleasures, read books, plan future travels, or perhaps work on or reset personal goals.
For many of us it's still a snuggle-by-the-fireside time of year. Add a glass of wine, a cup of cappuccino or your favorite mug of tea or hot chocolate; mix together with good conversation with a special friend, or time to indulge in a really good book ... mmm. Our Bookworm's Escape package is tailor-made for you.
This is a great time of year to come away for Girlfriends' Getaways, with your best friends, sisters, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, and cousins. Whether it's just the two of you, or a small reunion of family or friends, it's a special time to refresh, renew and catch up without the distractions of home. Indulge in pampered pleasures at a nearby spa, go "antiqueing" to find treasures, visit museums, browse for hours in independent bookstores, find new yarns at local specialty wool and knitting shops, explore local art galleries, shop for bargains, take a cooking class ... so many ways to spend time with your special friends and family. We'll be happy to help you to plan your unique made-for-you getaway.
Foodies, come to the shoreline to take an interesting cooking class or two at Cooks Kitchen in Guilford (formerly of Madison). Classes are held Monday and Tuesday evenings and Wednesday daytimes, with special events on some weekends. Make it an overnight event with our Culinary Enthusiast's Escape package.
... choose your Winter getaway escape and come ... We look forward to welcoming you. |
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The Shoreline Dining Scene
Sunday BrunchIn a recent conversation with some dear friends someone brought up the topic of brunch and how they preferred to go out for a brunch with menu choices, rather than to a bountiful buffet, and so, they personally avoided restaurant brunches. All of the well known brunches that we could name in their part of the state are indeed bountiful buffets, and very good ones too. Oh, but here on the shoreline, I offered, we have wonderful restaurants that serve brunch not as a buffet, but from a specially planned menu. I began to name a few: Elizabeth's Cafe, Friends & Co, The Stone House, Whitfields's, Aspen, Savvy Tea Gourmet. And, for those who prefer all the choices and bounty of a gourmet brunch buffet, we have Water's Edge Resort and Cuckoo's Nest, for starters. Now why, you wonder, would I be talking about brunch when we serve a bountiful breakfast to our overnight guests here at the Inn? All serve until at least 2:00 in the afternoon, and some even later. You can enjoy our full breakfast here to start your day and have all these wonderful choices for later when you want to meet up with local friends or you're ready for a late lunch but are still in that lovely lazy Sunday morning frame of mind ... Trying them all will keep you busy for more than a month of Sundays ... have fun and enjoy. ... and a new BYOB BistroA quick look at the Savvy Tea Gourmet's Events calendar and you'll see that Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are Bistro nights. A prix fixe three-course meal includes choices of entrée and teas, and you are welcome to bring your own wine to enjoy. |
Treasure Hunting
Antiques and Collectibles
From Branford East to Old Saybrook, over the Connecticut River to Old Lyme, and up both banks of the Connecticut River to East Haddam and beyond it's the shoreline and river towns antique hunter's paradise. So many dealers, so many shops, so little time ... well, not so little time, really, for we can come back again and again and continue to make new discoveries. It's a treasure hunt, to be sure, and when we come upon a "find," oh, what joy.
There are several different types of shops, and each offers its unique seek-and-find experience. For starters, there are the thrift shops. I can count at least half a dozen along this stretch of shoreline. When you buy here you'll also be helping a local charitable organization such as SARAH (SARAH's Cupboard, Branford) or the ABC (A Better Chance) programs (ACT II, Madison and Hole in the Wall, Guilford). Then there are the consignment shops. Proprietors here are very choosy about what they'll accept. They know their clientele, and each shop has its own character of what furnishings and bric a brac they'll offer. Three of my favorites are Treasures, in Old Lyme, and On Consignment and The Madison Stock Exchange, both in Madison. The thrift shops are a "don't miss," as are the consignment shops, for unexpected treasures. Donations and consignments come in to these shops daily. What fun!
Multi-dealer antiques and collectibles shops can keep you busy browsing for hours and hours. Each display case or nook belongs to a separate dealer, and each dealer sets their own prices. Here you may possibly find more than one of any item, and each priced differently from one dealer to another. Some favorites are the Clinton Antiques Center and Blueberry Hill in Old Saybrook. Take time to look in every corner.
Single-dealer and high-end antiques shops are often a reflection of the period or style interests of the owners. You'll find older, more rare, and more expensive items in these shops, and oh what beauties they are. The owners are often quite willing to talk about their favorite subjects - their antiques. Many lovely things to look at here, and much to learn if you have time to chat. Shoreline Antiques in Westbrook and Old Saybrook Antiques and Luxe in Old Saybrook are a few favorites, but don't stop there. There are so many others, and all of them great for treasure hunting.
For some of us, the best treasure hunting happens at the various antiques shows that abound in this area year round. The Guilford Antiques Show was just this past weekend, and the date for the Madison Historical Society Antiques Show on the Madison Green is August 29, 2009. We'll include the dates of others in future newsletters as we find out about them. From town green to town green along the shoreline there's bound to be an antiques show somewhere every few weeks once the weather warms up.
Happy Hunting! |
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MDA Lockup
Help, folks, help! I've been hereby summoned to appear before the MDA Court Judge to be arraigned on charges of generosity and for helping "Jerry's Kids." My "jail sentence" for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Shoreline Lock Up, is noon on March 25, 2009, and between now and then I've got to raise my bail, which has been set at $2,600. Jerry's kids are counting on me, so I'm counting on you. For more info please click here, and Help! |
Thank You ...
When just the words are not enough ...
We appreciate your loyalty. For our returning guests, for each ten nights that you stay with us (either in separate accumulated visits or at once), going forward from January 1, 2009, we'll say "Thank You" with a Tidewater Inn Gift Certificate for the value of a one night stay (average of the 10 nights that you have stayed with us) ... so your 11th night could be free! This thank you is for both business and pleasure travelers. The value of your gift certificate will be based on the value of the 10 nights that you have stayed with us to earn the gift certificate.
We value your referrals. You are our best source of advertising. To thank you, for each new guest that you refer to us we will credit your loyalty account with "referral points" equivalent to 10% of their first completed booking with us. At the end of the year we'll issue a Tidewater Inn gift certificate to you for the accumulated value of all of your referrals points. Be sure that your friends mention your referral when they make their reservation. So, don't keep us a secret. Spread the word! ... and THANK YOU! | |
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I and the staff really enjoy bringing you all the latest at the Tidewater Inn and in and about Madison. We hope we get to see you again at our front door very soon. As always, we hope for you the very best of blessings and serendipities and sincerely thank you for your referrals, support and patronage.
We are waiting to welcome you!
949 Boston Post Road, Madison CT 06443
203-245-8457 |
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Sweet
Treats! |
Special Offer to our First Time Guests: Chocolate-covered Strawberries with any 1-night stay or a Bottle of Bubbly with any two-night stay. Excludes Business Travel, Holidays, Specials, Escapes Packages and Special Occasion Room Blocks.
Type in "Sweet Treats" and your choice of "strawberries" or "bubbly" in the Notes or Comments Block for Online Reservations or mention "Sweet Treats" and your choice when making your reservation by phone or email.
This coupon offer is for you, our newsletter contacts, and is fully transferable. Please feel free to share this offer with friends and family. |
| Offer Expires: December 31, 2009 | |
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