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Fleur Delicious – French Themed Weekend Food

July 11th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

This weekend Eureka Springs celebrated Fleur Delicious, a French themed weekend with a street fair atmosphere where the city and it’s lodging, retail/gift shops, spas, restaurants, bars, galleries and entertainment venues participated.

At 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast we served Crepes with Chive Scrambled Eggs, Smoked Pepper Bacon and Cheese Sauce on one morning, and French Toast a’ la Orange with Sauteed Orange Rum Bananas the other. It was fun experimenting with different things.

It had been a while since I made fresh crepes but after a few practice ones, you can get into a real rhythm swirling the pan to spread the batter.

We’re already thinking about what to do next year.

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Lemon Ricotta Pancake Recipe from our Kitchen

July 10th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

We received the following post on our Facebook Page the other day. “We LOVED our stay at 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast and we can’t wait to come back with the in-laws! If you get a chance sometime I would love the recipe for those Lemon Ricotta Pancakes – my hubbie is already bugging me to make them!

Well Christine, here it is. Enjoy!!

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

—– Pancake Batter —–
1 1/8 cup flour, all-purpose
1 1/2 tablespoon Sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/8 teaspoon baking soda
3/8 teaspoon Salt
—– —–
2 large eggs; separated
1 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cups buttermilk
3/8 cup ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons orange juice
3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
2 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

—– Lemon Sauce —–
3/8 cup Sugar
3 tablespoons Butter
1 1/2 tablespoon water
3/4 large egg yolk
1 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/8 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

— PANCAKE BATTER —
1) Mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2) In a separate bowl mix together the egg yolks, oil, buttermilk, ricotta cheese, orange juice, lemon extract and lemon zest..
3) Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
4) In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until just stiff. Fold the egg whites into the batter until just incorporated. Let set for 10-15 minutes.

— LEMON SAUCE —
1) Combine all sauce ingredients in a medium sized non-reactive pan. Heat over medium heat stirring constantly until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved on medium heat. (Stirring constantly will keep the egg yolk from coagulating).
2) Once the sauce reaches a boil, lower the temperature for one to two minutes. remove from heat and let set,. Keep the sauce warm over a very low flame or put in a pan of simmering water. keeping warm until ready to serve.

— PREPARATION —
1) Heat a thin layer of butter in a large skillet.
2) Ladle the batter into the skillet to form 3-inch cakes (use a 1 oz ladle).
3) Cook until small bubbles form and the edges begin to brown.
4) Turn and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer, until just cooked through.
5) Drizzle each serving with two tablespoons of lemon sauce.

NOTE: To keep the pancakes warm until all are cooked, lay the pancakes out on a towel on a cookie rack in a warming oven (about 200°F)

NOTE: Fresh fruit on top gives a nice contrast to the pancakes. We also use a heated mixed fruit compote on them.

Yield: 4 Servings. This recipe makes about 12 three inch pancakes.

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15 Commandments of Vacation Travel

June 24th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

We have been planning our own vacation and thought these fifteen commandments of vacation travel were worthwhile to pass on to our guests and readers. They were originally published by Sandy Soule, a travel writer and speaker.

We all know people who come back from a vacation feeling on top of the world, and others who seem vaguely disappointed. Here’s how to put yourself in the first category, not the second.

Know yourself. A successful vacation is one that works for the person you are, not the person you think you should be. Acknowledge your own comfort levels. Are independence and flexibility top concerns? Or being structured and secure? How essential are the creature comforts when it comes to sleeping, eating, and bathing? And remember that while your personality doesn’t change, your needs do. The type of vacation you plan for a romantic getaway is totally different from a family reunion.

Know your travel companions. Adjust your plans to accommodate your travel partners. Whether you are traveling with friends, spouse, children, and/or parents, you’ll need to take their age, attention span, agility, and interests into account.

Plan ahead: anticipation is half the fun. Enjoy the planning process. The more you know about an area you’re going to visit, the more fun you’ll have. Check out destination websites; skim a guidebook; read a novel or watch a movie set in the region; talk to friends who have been there recently.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Keep your itinerary in line with the amount of time and money available. Focus on seeing a smaller area well, rather than trying to cover too much ground and seeing nothing but interstate highways. Don’t over-program; allow yourself the luxury of doing nothing.

Avoid one-night stands. Plan to stay a minimum of two nights everywhere you go. A vacation made up of one-nighters is a prescription for exhaustion. You will sleep poorly, spend most of your time packing/unpacking and in transit, and will get only the smallest glimpse of the place you’re visiting.

Travel off-season. Unless your vacation dates are dictated by the school calendar, off-season travel offers many advantages: fewer crowds, greater flexibility, reduced costs, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Learn to pick the best dates for off-season travel; typically these are the weeks just before and after seasonal rates change.

Book well ahead for peak season travel. If you must travel during peak periods to popular destinations, make reservations well in advance for the key sites to avoid aggravation, extra phone calls, and additional driving time.

Take the road less traveled. Get off the beaten path and leave the crowds behind. Instead of booking a room in the heart of the action, find a quiet getaway tucked in the hills or in a neighboring village.

Ditch the car. You’ll need a car to get most destinations, but once you’re there, get out and walk. You’ll see more, learn more, experience more at every level, while avoiding crowds at even the most popular destinations.

Hang loose. The unexpected is inevitable. When your plans go astray (and they will), relax and let serendipity surprise you. And keep your sense of humor in good working order. If possible, travel without reservations or a set itinerary.

Carpe diem–seize the day. Don’t be afraid to follow your impulses. If a special souvenir catches your eye, buy it; don’t wait to see if you’ll find it again later. If a hiking trail looks too inviting to pass up, don’t; that museum or outlet mall will wait for a rainy day.

Don’t suffer in silence. When things go wrong–an incompetent guide, car troubles, a noisy room–speak up. Politely but firmly express your concern then and there; get your room changed, ask for a refund or discount, whatever. Most people in the travel business would rather have you go away happy than to leave grumbling.

Remember–being there is more than seeing there. People travel to see the sights–museums and mountains, shops and scenery–but it is making new friends that can make a trip memorable. Leave a door open to the people-to-people experiences that enrich travel immeasurably.

Don’t leave home to find home. The quickest way to take the wind out of the sails of your trip is to compare things to the way they are at home. Enjoy different styles and cultures for what they are and avoid comparisons and snap judgments.

Give yourself permission to disregard all of the above. Nothing is immutable. If you find a pattern that works for you, enjoy it!

Richard and Jan…….5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast

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Give a little, get a lot

June 12th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

How can you indulge in a little pampering and at the same time do something to help others? We have a suggestion, and a request. From July 18, 2011 to August 31, 2011, book two midweek nights (Sunday to Thursday) at 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast and only pay for one night. The catch? We ask that you also write a check for at least $35 to our local non-profit free health clinic.

The ‘Bed and Breakfast Inns of Eureka Springs’, of which 5 Ojo Inn B&B is a member, is supporting ECHO with this special deal. ECHO is a free medical clinic here in Eureka Springs for uninsured, low income individuals. It is staffed and supported by the local community who all work for free and has been featured on the Oprah show as well as on ABC.

This is a great way to get some pampering for yourself and help others at the same time. Remember to book early as there is limited availability.

Posted in Charity, Specials | Comments Off

Skunkworks in Eureka Springs?

June 8th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

Vinnie, our new maintenance guy, showed up at our personal residence yesterday to do some work. He was delayed a couples of day getting here and to explain why brought with him the reason for his delay. As the dogs and I stood on the porch talking to Vinnie (the dogs didn’t actually talk, they begged for scratches on the head) Jan walked outside. She was startled a bit because there stood Chester, our Shih Tzu, nose to nose with Flower. You see, Flower is a skunk. Flower was confused and luckily descented (I think desmelled or deodorized is better). Confused because she thinks she’s a cat. Needless to say, everyone left as friends, but Flower won’t be coming to work with Vinnie at the Inn anymore. Descented or not, it makes me nervous…

Posted in Humor, Pets | Comments Off

Eureka Springs Walk-In Movie Theater

May 23rd, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

The scene. You walk into Basin Park with your lawn chair looking for the perfect place in this unique outdoor theater. After finding your spot you make your way to the concession stand to get some hot popcorn, your favorite candy and a couple of tall cool drinks. Settling down into your chairs you wait for the sun to go down a little more and then laugh the night away watching a great movie. Afterward you head back to the bed and breakfast with great memories for a sound nights sleep.

The event is Eureka Springs Sunday Movies in the Park Summer Season. There will be six weeks of movies starting June 5th. The movies are free and prizes will be given out at each movie. Movie goers can pick up entry tickets from as many participating business locations as they can giving themselves an even greater chance of winning a prize.

And here is the just released movie schedule. . . .

June 5: Despicable Me is an animated feature with Steve Carrell as Gru – very cute, very funny. Gru will capture your heart, just as the three sisters capture his. Animated Family Film PG

June 12: Defending Your Life : Albert Brooks wrote, directed, and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. Fantasy, Science Fiction, Comedy PG

June 19: Meet Me in St. Louis – this Judy Garland classic will get you singing in your seats! G

June 26: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Steve Martin and Michael Caine take over the roles originally played by Marlon Brando and David Niven: two international con artists, plying their trade on gullible wealthy women up and down the Riviera. PG

July 3: Yankee Doodle Dandy - you don’t get more patriotic then this musical classic. Dandy has song, dance, pathos, pageantry, uproarious comedy, and, best of all, James Cagney at his Oscar-winning best. G

July 10: Casablanca – this classic film will have you swooning and cheering, just in time to close out the Fleur Delicious French Themed festival. PG

5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, AR

Posted in Attractions, Outdoor | Comments Off

The Wacky World of Eureka Springs Parades

May 15th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

An attempted humorous look at the recent 2011 Artrageous Parade in Eureka Springs. It was another great parade with artistic and fun costumes and floats. There’s much more to come in the month of May for the Mayfest of the Arts.

Oops, what part of the visible light spectrum did Professor Dumbledore said this magic wand would make us?

Ready for the Eureka Springs white water canals.

I told you to duck when that lady waved her wand!!

Big and beautiful, we were conceived in a stained glass factory next to the Caterpillar Tractor plant.

Puff the Magic Dragon…not sure who was puffing what!!

Kids of the Soggy Bottom Boys.

This is what you look like when you blow your brains out.

“As mayor of this city I’ll make sure there are two boxes of Frosted Flakes on every table.”

Posted in Art, Humor, Parade | Comments Off

What type of coffee do you like?

April 30th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

We wanted a new experience in coffee for our guests so we have begun putting Keurig Gourmet Coffee Brewers in our rooms. We installed the first four recently and so far our guests seem to love the brewers and the coffee they make.

But, there are over 200 kinds of coffee, tea and hot chocolate we can get. Wow, how is one supposed to try them all. We’d be bouncing off the walls if we did.

So, help us out! What are your tastes like? Do you like mild or strong brew coffee? Is tea your fav and if so, what kind? Do you like any particular flavored coffee? Let us know your opinions. Thanks!!

From Keurig’s website: “We believe that coffee should always be served fresh, just like a gourmet coffee house, wherever you are. Period.” Perhaps we’ll have our own little personal coffee house at 5 Ojo Inn Bed and Breakfast in Eureka Springs, AR.

Posted in Food | 1 Comment »

Arkansas Chainsaw Wood Massacre

April 22nd, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

Let the chips fly!! Last weekend we attended Carving in the Ozarks here in Eureka Springs, AR. Each carver spent two days of furious cutting with super sharp chainsaws, some of them with very pointy ends. Were they actually carving, or practicing for a slasher movie?

When we arrived it appeared they had contained the carvers in their own cages. We were told, no, that’s a net around their area to keep the chips from piercing the observers. Maybe, but we felt safer with them behind what we continued to imagine as steel mesh.

Late Saturday we went back to attend the auction, hoping to buy one of the creations for our bed and breakfast inn.

We didn’t get what we wanted, but if you are in the market for some good prices on benches, bears, figures or whatever else they make out of wood, you need to attend this event next year.

Here’s a couple of other pictures of the show.

It was just fun watching the carvers deftly use their chainsaws. Hope you get a chance to see them one day.

Posted in Art, Attractions, Festival, Outdoor | Comments Off

Feel the beat in Eureka Springs

April 13th, 2011 by Richard Grinnell

Lots of fun things to do here in Eureka Springs. We like to walk to Basin Park once a month when they have ‘Drumming in the Park’. It’s like an impromptu jam session with all kinds of drums. In general they are all beating to the same rhythm, although once in a while you hear a lone drummer lost to the world beating to a different beat. There is no rehearsal, no scripted music, just doing your own thing. Really fun. Watch the video below and you’ll get an idea of what we mean.