Hot Chocolate Mix recipe at the Parish House Inn

 Yes...it still looks like winter here.  Unfortunately the back parking area has become a sheet of ice, so getting a car out is a challenge.  But...the good news is that February is almost over.  I am looking forward to March and hopefully warmer temperatures.
In the meantime, there is always something to do inside.  This recipe for a hot chocolate mix will warm you up and even help you sleep.  I hope you enjoy it. This makes a huge amount, so it is great for gift-giving as well.  Be sure to add the recipe!

               HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

1 8 quart box powdered milk
1 6 ounce jar non dairy coffee creamer
1 2 pound box Quik (chocolate drink mix)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Store in a tightly covered container.  To serve, add boiling water to 2 - 4 teaspoons of the mix.  Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Valentine's Day Ideas from the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast

Valentines Day celebration

Valentine's Day 

..it brings out the romance in all of us, doesn't it?  The grocery stores, candy shops, florists, jewelry stores and others are all out there with suggestions for you.  
Over the years we have had many couples spend their Valentine's Day in one of our guestrooms.  We always supply the chocolate dipped strawberries and sparking non-alcoholic beverages.  Of course we can always add additional items like roses and chocolates if desired.   We can make dinner reservations and always reccomend near-by Haab's for a quiet, romantic location.
Or maybe you just want to order a pizza and stay in your room to watch a movie from our DVD collection. We can arrange that as well. 
After a restful night's sleep, our special breakfast of heart shaped pancakes and bacon, coffee and fruit will be waiting for you. 
Can't get away right now? A gift certificate from the Parish House Inn will work.  You and your sweetheart can book your stay for a more convenient time.
Just call 734-480-4800 or book your room from our website  www.parishhouseinn.com

Roadshow Visits Ypsilanti Automotive heritage Collection Museum

Motor Cities logo

Automotive heritage Collection Building

Front Doors

 YPSILANTI 
 AUTOMOTIVE
HERITAGE
 COLLECTION 
MUSEUM



 100 East cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

(734) 482-5200 
www.ypsiautoheritage.org
Hours: Tues-Sun 1 - 4PM
Admission; $5 adults

                                                                               Antiques Roadshow, from Detroit

 When: February 3
Where: PBS
Time: 8 PM

The Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection is a popular place for automobile enthusiasts of all ages. So when the  PBS series Antiques Roadshow visited Detroit last summer, they wondered what might be interesting to their viewers in the larger Southeast Michigan area. The Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection received a call from a representative of the show last April and requested information about the museum, which was sent to them.  The Roadshow then made arrangements to visit the museum and requested an old Hudson for their use.  Jack Miller arranged for  Doug Edds allow the use of  his 1953 Hudson for the visit.  When the crew from the Roadshow arrived, they set up cameras inside and outside of the car where Mark L. Walberg, the star, was recorded driving through Depot Town, down East cross Street and through Riverside Park.  On another day, Mark L. Walberg arrived with Noel Barrett, the Roadshow toy expert and the focused on all the models on display.  This visit from the Roadshow will add yet  another feather in the cap of the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection Museum, and the city of Ypsilanti.

Ann Arbor Folk Festival At Hill Auditorium

 ANN ARBOR FOLK FESTIVAL

When; Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1
 6:30 p.m. each night
Where; Hill Auditorium, 825 North University
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
latitude;  42.2783576
longitude; -83.7380966
Call 734-763-TKTS
http://www.findyourfolk.org

The Folk Festival will celebrate its 37th year with a selection of the world’s finest traditional and contemporary performers.  Each night includes a blend of well-known and up-and-coming artists, providing you with an opportunity to hear artists you know and love while discovering great new talent. Some performers who were onstage in years past include John Prine, Leon Redbone, Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett to name a few, so you never know who may be the new rising star at this years festival.

Make it a weekend getaway with a stay at the Parish House Inn bed and breakfast, located  in Historic Ypsilanti...less than 20 minutes away.  You can book your room online.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2014
IRON AND WINE
NEKO CASE
JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE
WILLIE NILE
PEARL AND THE BEARD
THAO FROM THE GET DOWN STAY DOWN
THE APPLESEED COLLECTIVE 
SETH WALKER, MC

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2014

PATTY GRIFFIN

INGRID MICHAELSON

JEFF DANIELS

BIG SANDY AND HIS FLY-RITE BOYS

JOHNNYSWIM

PIGPEN THEATRE CO.

THE CRANE WIVES

SETH WALKER, MC 

**program subject to change**

Restaurant Week in Ann Arbor

It's that time of year once again...January 12 -17, the much anticipated Ann Arbor Restaurant Week event.  Here is what you can expect;

Lunch is a $15 menu of special restaurant week items. It is an open format offering restaurants the opportunity to create one, two or three courses designed to please your palate and your pocketbook. Many offering two for one pricing.
 
Dinner is a $28 fixed price three course menu, most restaurants offering a choice of menu items for each course. A limited number of restaurants will be offering two for one pricing.

For a list pf participating restaurants go to www.restaurantweek.com

You can make a nice getaway with a stay at the Parish House Inn  bed and breakfast. Check it out online.

Tomato Soup Recipe from the Parish House Inn

A view of the snow covered tree from room3.

Happy New Year...well at least it is getting off to an historic start weather wise on our area.  Record low temperatures and lots of snow have added up to a beautiful but difficult beginning to 2014.  I stocked up on supplies and so have not had to be out in this weather at all.  I have had few guests, so it has allowed me time to put away all the Christmas decorations, do some housecleaning and get to the end of the year financial records.   This is also a good time of year to have some healthy food on hand, especially soups, so I will share my  tomato soup recipe.
It is just delicious when paired with  a grilled cheese sandwich.

PARISH HOUSE INN TOMATO SOUP

3 ( 14.5 OUNCE) CANS DICED TOMATOES

3 CUPS CHICKEN BROTH

2 BAY LEAVES

2 TABLESPOONS BUTTER

1 ONION MINCED

1 TABLESPOON BROWN SUGAR

1 TABLESPOON TOMATO PASTE

SALT AND PEPPER

2 TABLESPOONS ALL PURPOSE FLOUR

½ CUP HEAVY CREAM

PINCH CAYENNE

2 TEASPOONS SHERRY OR OTHER HERBS

PESTO AS A GARNISH

1. HEAT BROTH MIXTURE; DRAIN TOMATOES, RESERVING JUICE. ADD BROTH TO RESERVED TOMATO JUICE TO MEASURE 5 SUPS(IF NECESSARY ADD WATER). ADD BAY LEAVES AND BRING BROTH TO BOIL, COVERED IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN AND SET ASIDE

2. SAUTE TOMATO MIXTURE; MEANWHILE, MELT BUTTER IN A LARGE DUTCH OVEN OVER HIGH HEAT. ADD DRAINED TOMATOES, ONIONS, BROWN SUGAR, TOMATO PASTE AND ½ TEASPOON SALT, AND COOK UNTIL TOMATOES ARE DRY AND BEGINNING TO BROWN, 11-13 MINUTES. STIR IN FLOUR AND COOK 1 MINUTE.

3.ADD BROTH MIXTURE. SLOWLY ADD BROTH MIXTURE TO TOMATOES. BRING TO A SIMMER AND COOK FOR 5 MINUTES. REMOVE BAY LEAVES

4. PUREE, FINISH AND SEASON; PUREE SOUP IN BATCHES IN BLENDER OR SUBMERSIBLE BLENDER, UNTIL SMOOTH. RETURN TO POT AND STIR IN CREAM, SHERRY.  STIR IN A SMALL AMOUNT OF  PESTO INTO THE EACH BOWL OF SOUP AS A GARNISH . SEASON TO TASTE AND SERVE.

THIS FREEZES WELL...ENJOY.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE PARISH HOUSE INN

The Christmas tree on the landing to the top floor.

The Christmas tree and snowman  at the back entrance.

H

A

P

P

Y

The Christmas tree on the wall in the kitchen

The 7 foot Christmas tree in the den

H

O

L

 D

A

Y

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

from the PARISH HOUSE INN bed and breakfast