Upcoming Events

A lot has happened since I last found a moment to post! Things have really kicked into high gear around here seemingly overnight. This last weekend we had a bridal shower, a wedding, and a reception AND an after-party -- all in 1 day! Nearly every weekend in April and May are booked with something exciting, and we are working on plans to make June and July just as busy!

There are some big BIG upcoming events around here that you might be interested in hearing about! This coming weekend, we will be hosting a film crew for the show "Savor Indiana," here to film special locations in Noble county. And we are the featured B&B!! We are SOO EXCITED about this! They will travel around Noble county and feature many area attractions and restaurants, and then it will be broadcast on WANE in northern Indiana sometime in May. Hopefully I will get a copy of the interviews and scenes they film with us, and be able to post it so you can check it out if you miss the TV spot. Props to John Bry, our CVB director, for making this happen!! So excited!!

The next big BIG event on the calendar is the Noble County Open House weekend- May 1 and 2. This is a county-wide event, with nearly all venues being open to the public FOR FREE, offering tours, food, door prizes, raffles, and much more! This is a "stay-cation" kind of weekend- travel around Noble county and visit all the historic and beautiful locations, and all on 1 tank of gas or less! Of the 4 B&B's in the area, I know both ours and others will be offering discounts and coupons, so staying over a night and enjoying a relaxing weekend might be worth it! I am also working on a blog for this event, so stay tuned and I'll have a link for you with more information. This is hopefully going to be an annual event, where we can showcase all the wonderful things there are to do and see in Noble county, so mark your calendars!

I hope your spring is turning out to be something beautiful- ours certainly is, with gorgeous weather and early bloomers, and plenty to do! Take a break and come out to visit us soon!

Spring Fever!!

Well, with the weather the way it has been, I think I am getting spoiled. The sun out and bright every day in a cloudless sky, no wind, and warmer than average temps. *sigh* I hope it sticks around, but this certainly isn't the six more weeks of winter we thought we were getting!!


Either way, all this warm weather has me in Spring Fever...I am having to resist these very strong urges to head outside and start digging up the garden!! I want to plant and weed and be outside again...oh I can't wait for it to warm up!! I guess this is why they call it "Spring Fever"?



I'm in a frenzy thinking about all the tomatoes I'm going to need this summer, and the cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, chives, parsley, cherries, and oh! the blackberries! We always have such amazing blackberries. I'm thinking about trying carrots this year, as well as broccoli. We use every fresh veggie and fruit that we grow in our kitchen at the Inn, and carrots and broccoli mioght be really nice to have. So when you come in and have some of our fresh homemade scones, and we tell you that you can have some of my Nana's fresh blackberry jam with it- DON'T TURN IT DOWN!! Nana makes the best jam, and she comes over every summer and helps us can a whole mess of it, so we can use it here in our kitchen. It always goes way too fast, though, so if you hear me say the blackberries are in, you better head over this way!!

The girls last summer, picking the red raspberries from the garden. They picked 5 buckets!!

I'm also exploring new recipes to use that will incorporate all of our fresh homegrown produce, so be sure to ask if it isn't posted- what's fresh today? Every one of our sandwiches always has our fresh produce on it- tomatoes, cucumbers, or peppers, and if we get some better turn out than last year, onions. We use some of our own lettuce in the salads (though we haven't been able to grow enough to keep up, so we use organics in the area). And our soups, too, have our own veggies in them. It's such a great feeling, knowing that we made that- from seed to soup! Ahh! I'm getting all carried away again!


Since we can't head out of doors for much right now, I think we are going to focus on the indoors. Starting today, we are pulling out the spring decor!! (We even bought some green mints, just to be festive!) Cleaning and redecorating a little should help with the need to bring out change. We'll probably work on the gift shop a little, too, so you might want to check that out next time you come around. Hope to see you soon! It's a beautiful day for a drive- so come on over!

Where is SPRING?!?!

It's about this time of year when I become restless. The holidays are behind us. The weather is in a stallwart. The groundhog saw his shadow. And I'm stuck inside, trapped by the cold, the slush, and the gray. Time for a change!! I need something to keep my attention away from the bismal view out the window and keep me motivated. Don't we all?

This year, my friend and I have entered into an unspoken, good-natured "cake competition." We are both amatures, with a few cakes under our belts, wanting to practice our skills, and so we have been jumping at the chance to make a cake for anyone and anything. My most recent entry was the Fish Cake, made for my avid icefishing husband's birthday. I thought it turned out pretty good, but there is still alot I would change about it.

Just this Sunday, my friend made a darling cake for a baby shower, in which she modeled a baby from gum paste. She just upped the ante again! Always keeping me on my toes... So now I have something new to try, and with my brother's birthday just around the corner, looks like I've found my chance! So, now I just need to come up with a good design for a cake for a 20 year old guy. Any suggestions? He loves video games (natch) and works in fast food, is in college, and is musically inclined. Give me your ideas!

Last month, I made a castle cake for our daughter's 4th birthday, and that, too turned out quite well. I think it would also be wonderful as an enchanted wedding cake, or a fairytale wedding cake. I had an idea to create a "pumpkin carriage" from a cake mould I have that is shaped like a pumpkin, which we used this past fall for a wedding. But I ran out of time, and couldn't figure out how to engineer wheels for the carriage. I would love to figure it out, though, so if you want a castle cake, and a carriage, I would love to make you one!!

But even as I speak about having all this time to kill, the phone is ringing, and we are starting to fill our spring and summer calendar quite rapidly. We already have two weddings and three rehearsal dinners, as well as a Brownie troup graduation, and a bridal shower, and a few other small parties...all just in May. Oh, boy!! I'm actually looking forward to it. The weather will be warm, the flowers will be blooming, and making the menus and the cakes and the decor for all these parties just sounds so wonderful right now!! Oh, Spring, where are you?! I'm ready to get cracking!!

On another note about spring, this spring and summer we are going to be trying something new that I definitely think will be worth checking out. If you have ever visited us here at the Kimmell House Inn, either for our Bed and Breakfast, or for a meal in our restaurant, Bistro in the Country, you know generally what our menu is like: cafe fare, soups, salads, sandwiches- all homemade, and in the warm months, generally homegrown. This year, we are going to try a new menu item at least once a month. It will be a special item, maybe a new salad, or a new sandwich, or maybe something entirely different, unlike anything we normally serve. We are going to try and keep this going all summer, and we want your feedback on it. If it's really good, we might keep it around. Our desserts will continue to be specials daily, usually subject to our whimsy and mood and what we think sounds good today (I'm thinkin' some more Peanut Butter Pie sounds good right about now...) so always ask about that. And did you know? If you call us a few days before you head in here, and you know there's something special for dessert you want, you can just tell us- we'll make sure to have it fresh and ready for you. We love doing that! If you just love the Cinnamon Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce, well, by all means- tell us!! When you are here, we will make sure to have a piece (or maybe the whole pan) warm and ready for you!! There's nothing we like more than knowing someone really enjoys our cooking.

Spring is just around the corner (hopefully), and you should make sure to stop on in. Check out the latest cake I'm working on, and sample some of the new menu ideas we're creating!! Keep me busy so I can make it until warmer weather (finally) gets here!! :)

Valentines Dinner Special

Can't get away over night this year? Well, you can still enjoy all the quiet and romance our inn has to offer, without an overnight stay! Our restaurant is offering a delicious three course candlelight dinner on Saturday February 13th.

The menu? Start with our signature Tomato Bisque or a Winter Citrus Salad, accompanied by warm artisan breads. For your main course, choose from classic Chicken Cordon Bleu, or our very own savory Beef Roulade- a tender, thinly sliced roast, rolled around homemade stuffing, and baked with a red wine sauce. Choose from rice pilaf, whipped potatos and steamed fresh veggies for your side. And for dessert- chocolate of course!! A rich, delicious Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, a thick and creamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie, or our classic Macintosh Apple Cobbler.

Call for reservations- we are a small inn with limited seating,

and we are filling up quickly!

260-635-2193

Already have plans for dinner? Then surprise her again with a delicious, elegant B&B Valentine's brunch the next morning! This year we are trying something new with our Valentine's Brunch. On Sunday February 14th, from 11 am to 2 pm, you can enjoy the kind of breakfast our overnight guests are priviledged to, even if you didn't stay over! Belgian waffles, stuffed french toast, and delicious gourmet quiches, our amazing homemade cinnamon rolls and scones, and fresh delicious fruits.

But call quickly- reservations are required,

and we have limited space.

We are filling up quickly!

260-635-2193

Valentines Day!

Guess what is just around the corner? Oh, that special day of lovers, a day just for you to tell that someone in your life just how you feel! You know every girl secretly dreams of gorgeous red roses, melt-in-your mouth chocolate delicacies, and new baubles that sparkle and shine.

Come on, guys, we aren't that hard to figure out!!

But do you know what it is about all these things that a girl loves? Not just the chocolates or the flowers or jewels themselves. Sure, those things are neat. Everybody likes receiving them. But it's the message they convey that makes us girls swoon. It's knowing that you care. It is actually, the thought that counts. When you shower your loved one with these traditional gifts, think of that. What are you telling them- what is your goal in giving these gifts? You want to tell them how much you love them. So the quality matters- the quality of your time spent together.

Make it memorable!

Though this year you might find your budget is smaller than the last, don't fret. Just remember the rule: quality over quantity. A single gorgeous red rose, presented with a tender kiss and a heartfelt "I love you" certainly makes my heart swell. The moments I remember with the most love didn't cost a dime. They were moments of warm security, with our hands locked together; moments when I caught my husband's eyes and those silly butterflies found their way up into my stomach. I will remember the love and desire in those gorgeous baby blues forever.

So what are you planning for Valentine's Day this year? It doesn't need to be Paris, or Rome, or even further than one tank of gas can take you. Especially if this year you can't get away for more than one or two nights. We have four elegant, romantic and cozy rooms where you and your sweetie can tuck away and spend a quiet, relaxing weekend. You can also request flowers in your room upon arrival, or schedule an in-room couple's massage from a wonderful massage therapist, and even enjoy a gourmet Valentine's dinner in our restaurant. The planning is easy- just go to our website http://www.kimmellhouseinn.com/ and pick the room you love, plus all the little extras that will make your stay a memorable one.

But hurry! We are getting booked up quickly!

And don't forget- staying in a Bed and Breakfast has wonderful advantages. The amenities are terrific! Snacks, desserts, and beverages every night, waiting for you in your room. A free DVD library, with flat screen TVs in every room. Our inn is tucked away in the country- so no hustle and bustle, just quiet. Some rooms have jacuzzi tubs, and for even more privacy,

check out the Summer Kitchen Cottage.

Whatever you plan for your sweetie this year, make sure it is memorable; heartfelt, loving, and thoughtful. No matter what you have in store for her, if it's all of that, it will be terrific!

Welcome- and Happy New Year!!

The new year is here, and with each new year comes those traditional resolutions. Some make grand goals of changing all those bad habits, others simply strive to make this year a little better than the last. One of ours? To create a place where we can share our recipes, events, and favorite things with you- our restaurant patrons and B&B guests. We're just getting started- but here it is!! The Bistro in the Country Blog. It's still under construction, but check it out!! We hope that you check back often to catch up on the news out here in our little neck of the woods.