Parish House Inn Getting ready for Summer Visitors

Front porch and steps

 We are getting a head start on maintenance this year, in preparation for our summer visitors.

 Repairs are being done this week to the exterior of the Parish House Inn. The photo on the left shows the condition of the front porch and steps. Even though the mailman is the only one using those steps right now, or sees the floor of the porch, they have to be fixed.  The front of the house really gets the weather and causes the wood to decay.

Side View

 The photo on the right shows the patchwork of primer on the house getting ready for paint.  Twenty-one  windows will be repainted with the burgundy color and the light color on the trim will be also be painted.

There  is other work being done this week to get everything up to par.  Thanks to Dave Friedrichs of  Homeland Builders of Michigan for coordinating everything and scheduling the work in a timely manner.

Chris Mason
Innkeeper

May on the Patio at the Parish House Inn

Glider for 2

Tulips and Daffodils  surround the patio.

 May has arrived and the patio at the Parish House Inn is finally open!  It is surrounded by tulips and daffodils this time of year. With warmer temperatures and longer days, it is the perfect place to read your book and  relax with your favorite beverage.  Graduations, car shows, and conferences give guests an opportunity to travel to the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti  area to visit family and friends.  You can book your room right on line...or pick up the phone and call me. I am always happy to help you with your questions, concerns and plans. Happy Spring!

The Patio by the Huron River

Innkeeper Visit to Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford

Innkeeper and Granddaughter

 Last week my daughter, Martha, and Grandaughter, Mary, and I went to Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.They were visiting for a few days from their home in Maine.It was just the second day that it was open for the season  and it was a bit chilly.  However we were able to see and do it all.  The top photo shows My Grandaughter Mary with me in front of the sign for the Martha-Mary Chapel.  Appropriate to do, given their names, of course. The Village is broken up into several areas so that the various houses and attractions are grouped together over the large property. Fortunately there are interesting modes of transportation to help you move from one place to another.  We rode on them all; horse drawn conveyance, old cars, and the train.  We had lunch in a cafeteria but the Eagle Tavern is also a great place to eat.  We moved over to the craft area and saw glass blowing, the pottery shop, tin shop , weaving shop etc.  where there are actual people working and can explain how to do each craft. 

The Henry Ford includes the Museum, Greenfield Village and the IMAX theater and is only a thirty minute drive from the Parish House Inn.  Go to  www.thehenryford.com  and check it out.

Chris Mason, Innkeeper

The Weaving Shop

Kilns in front of the Pottery Shop

The Tin Shop

Ann Arbor Antiques Market Opens

Ann Arbor Antiques Market

Location Map

The highly anticipated Ann Arbor Antiques Market begins the new season this year  April 20 and 21 at the Saline Fairgrounds, from 8AM to 4PM, Saturday and 10AM to 4PM Sunday. 

 The featured Guest at the April market is Cari Cucksey from HGTV's show  "Cash and Cari". 

 So why not make plans for Springtime  weekend getaway and explore the market?


 Book your room at  the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast for the special rate of $99 per night for a 2 night stay plus tax. 

 The Saline fairgrounds is an easy 15  minute drive away where you can have  a good nights rest plus a hearty breakfast in the morning.  There are several good restaurants a block or two away in downtown Ypsilanti, as well as interesting shops to explore.



Chris Mason
Innkeeper
Parish House Inn

Ducks on the Huron River in Ypsilanti

The ladies  are under cover.

The male is looking for the ladies.

He has found some of the ladies.

 While enjoying a beautiful Spring Saturday working in the back yard garden,  the sounds of ducks clucking to each other rose from the Huron River.  When I went to the edge of the yard and looked down at the river, I saw about ten female ducks.  They were just having a good time with each other, as we women do, preening and interacting with each other.
I then spotted a lone male duck a few feet away checking them out. He moved closer to the group, but  the ladies paid no attention to him.  He finally gave up and swam away...not his day!  

There is a two person swing at the edge of the back yard where there is a great view of all the action on the Huron River below. I can't wait for the grass, flowers trees and shrubs turn green again.  However, some of the crocus are now blooming...as is shown in the photo below.

Crocus blooming March 30,2013

Plan your Spring and summer getaway now so you can also enjoy the view!

Chris Mason
Innkeeper

The Color Run Event May 11 near Parish House Inn

Guest room 5

WE HAVE YOUR COLOR!

The Parish House Inn is painted a dusty rose color .....

Choose Guest Room 5 if yellow is your favorite color..

Guest Room 4 is purple...Guest Rooms 7 and 8 have blue tones...Guest Room 3 is a soft cream. All guest rooms have private baths, TV/DVD players, telephones, free wifi and robes. Enjoy a hearty breakfast and our bottomless cookies jar, popcorn, tea, and use of the video library. Oh yes...did I mention that The Parish House Inn is located 2 blocks from Riverside park and Downtown restaurants and just a 10 minute walk to Depot Town? Plus we have plenty of parking, so you can walk to everything. Make it a weekend and book the room with your favorite Color right on line.

Parish House Inn Spinach Quiche recipe

 

I like to serve this Spinach Quiche with my Michigan Baked Oatmeal, fresh fruit and scones.  Home fried potatoes would also be nice along with fresh tomatoes or a salsa. These two dishes can be baked in the oven at the same time and served when done, or cooled covered, refrigerated and then reheated the next day.  Either way is delicious.  I will share my secret ingredient with you as well...herbed goat cheese...it just adds a nice kick to the mixture.  So enjoy!

SPINACH QUICHE

1 -  9 inch pie crust
1 10 ounce of frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1  1/2 cups grated cheese (I use a mixture of Swiss and Gruyere)
1/3 cup herbed Goat cheese
4 large eggs
4 cups half and half
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Freshly grated nutmeg, just a few scrapes
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400o.  Place pie crust in a quiche pan or 9 inch pie pan and trim edges. (You can blind bake the crust if you like at this point) see note below.

Place the Swiss and Gruyere cheese, the drained spinach (separate the pieces) and chives in the quiche pan, and distribute evenly in the pan.

In a blender mix the eggs, the cream,  the goat cheese, salt , pepper and grated nutmeg until smooth.

Put the  quiche pan on a cookie sheet and pour some of  the liquid ingredients into the pan and let it sit for a few seconds to settle.  Place the cookie sheet with the quiche on it into the oven and pour the remaining liquid into the quiche. Carefully slide the pan into the oven. 

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until it is puffy and a metal knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to settle.  

Note: Blind baking means that you place a sheet of parchment paper in the pie pan and fill it with raw beans to weigh down the crust.  Then bake it for 10 - 15 minutes until just set and edges are lightly brown.  This will help to keep the crust from getting soggy.  Remove the parchment paper and beans and let cool  before adding the other ingredients.