10% - 25% Off for "Holidays in Highlands"

Highlands is open and alive with events for the holidays! Thanksgiving weekend kicks off "Holidays in Highlands" with fabulous feasts at many restaurants (you'll never want to cook turkey again), amazing sales at the shops the next day, and the "Old-Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting" on Sat Nov 28.

In fact, so much is going on that a calendar of events has been created at www.holidaysinhighlands.com for your convenience. Highlighted by the "Old Mountain Christmas Parade" on Sat Dec 5 at 11am, there are classes, wine-tastings, demonstrations, movies, plays and concerts for the whole family. This year's beautiful "Christmas Showhouse" is one block from the Inn, and on Sat Dec 12, you can sample holiday treats and receive a free cookbook of holiday recipes from locals inns and restaurants on the "Highlands Holiday Cookbook Tour of Inns" from 1-6pm.

Expect happy smiles like this one when you choose a date and enjoy these special DISCOUNTS FOR NOV & DEC: 10% OFF ON TWO NIGHTS, 15% OFF ON THREE, AND 25% OFF ON FOUR (applies to all reservations made after Nov 15). Whatever you do this holiday season, we wish you a joyous and peaceful ending to 2009 and a bright start to the New Year. Come see us in the mountains! Toll-Free (866) 526-2060

FALL-OF-A-SUDDEN!

Fall arrived this week to our yard as you can see in these beautiful blue-sky photos just taken today. Become a Leaf-Looker this month and enjoy the best of Highlands' activities including craft fairs, music, theater, and of course fine dining, boutiques, and our fabulous new arts center, The Bascom (more on that to come in a another post). We have limited availability on the last two October weekends so call now or think about a mid-week trip to avoid the Saturday shopping crowds.

If you can't make it in October, consider the Highlands Culinary Weekend Nov 12 - 15, for which we are offering discounts as mentioned in the August post describing this delicious event (10% on two nights, 15% on three, 25% on four). The same discounts will apply to Nov 19 - 22 as well as our usual second-night-half-price if you arrive on a Monday or Tuesday (any month except October). We want to see YOU this FALL at COLONIAL PINES INN! (866) 526-2060 Toll Free

Flags, Flowers, and Free Nights in July!

Happy Fourth of July! We've flown a large flag between our columns for 25 years, but today it seems especially beautiful rustled by a slight breeze with the sun coming through the leaves on this cool 52 degree morning. Avoid the weekend crowds and join us on a Monday in July for a four night stay and one night is FREE! This cannot be combined with other offers and does not apply to rooms already booked. July is a great month for hiking and viewing the native rhododendron which is profuse this year and usually lasts several weeks. Enjoy these beautiful photos of native rhododendron and mountain laurel blooming next to the Inn, or better yet, come see for yourself! Email us at sleeptight@colonialpinesinn.com or call (828) 526-2060 for availability.

NATIVE RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron maximum)

Blooms late June - July in Highlands with evergreen leaves 4-10"long and large clusters of pale pink or white flowers that are 1-1/2" or more across.


MOUNTAIN LAUREL (Kalmia latifolia)
Blooms late May - June in Highlands with evergreen leaves 2-3" long and 1/2" bell-like petals in white to pink.

The Innkeepers' Tour Cookbook

I recently enjoyed designing a postcard cookbook (similar to our own) for the 2009 Innkeepers' Tour held on June 25. Over 140 postcard-size photo albums were given out free of charge along with directions to each participating Inn. Tour guests enjoyed refreshments and picked up a recipe card at every stop, resulting in a souvenir cookbook. We served Apple-Oatmeal Bread, Cheesy-Chive Ham Muffins and Minted-Lime Fresh Fruit and gave out recipes for the bread & muffins. The cookbook was such a success that we are ordering extra copies to sell alongside our own postcard cookbook, "Best Breakfast Recipes from Colonial Pines Inn." If you are interested in purchasing either one, email us. They make wonderful gifts and are $12 plus shipping. Watch for this next year, too. Could be the start of a tradition... sleeptight@colonialpinesinn.com

Blooming Discount: 25% Off Through June 30

Mention this Blooming Discount to receive 25% off on your stay of two nights or more through June 30. Applies to Miss Rebecca's Cottage, too! Not applicable to rooms already booked. Call (828) 526-2060 or email sleeptight@colonialpinesinn.com for availability.

This year's rainy Spring has produced a multitude of blossoms on our Flame Azalea. A native shrub, this Rhododendron calendulaceum is about 8' tall and 8' wide and has brilliant flowers of varying shades of yellow & orange - a spectacular display from the dining room window.

Another huge color show comes to you courtesy of large stands of purple hybrid rhododendron growing on the North side of the Inn building (and all over town). The Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and the huge native Rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) will be out soon and we'll post photos for all of you who've asked about the difference, so stay tuned. Highlands has never looked more lush and beautiful. Come take it all "Inn!"

Apple Oatmeal Bread Recipe

Our beautiful blooming apple tree announces a new May Special: stay anytime through May 31 (excluding Memorial Weekend) and your second night is HALF PRICE, or your third night is FREE. Join us to experience spring all over again here in the mountains! Does not apply to rooms already booked. (828) 526-2060 or (866) 526-2060 Toll-Free www.colonialpinesinn.com

This tree provided apples for our most requested recipe this past season:

APPLE OATMEAL BREAD

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups canola oil

1 lb dark brown sugar

4 cups cored, grated apples, including peel

2 Tbsp vanilla

1 Tbsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp cloves

3 cups whole wheat flour

3 cups 1-min oatmeal

(not instant)

2 cups raisins or craisins

Mix eggs, oil, & sugar in large bowl. Add apples & vanilla. Combine soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves & flour. Add to first mixture along with oatmeal & raisins. Mix well and pour into 4 (4X8) greased & floured loaf pans, or 3 (5X9) pans. Bake at 350 for 45 min or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes then turn out onto wire rack. Cool completely. Optional: Glaze with mixture of 1/4 cup orange or passion fruit juice with 1 cup sugar. Freezes well.

The Bargain Basement - What?!

Growing up in Atlanta, the best spot for a deal was the "Bargain Basement" in Rich's downtown store. Located literally under the street beneath the bridge which connected two parts of the store, it was a true jumble sale in a era when merchandise in the store was not always on sale like it is now.

"Where is The Bargain Basement Room?" you ask. Well, it's not really a basement. It's located on the ground floor of our guest house building adjacent to the Inn, underneath The Guest House Apartment (a two bedroom, one bath efficiency with deck).

"Does it have windows?" Yes, in fact, it has three: two in the bedroom and one in the bath. They are small and the ceilings are slightly lower than normal. But the room is cute & comfortable, and has a private bath with the world's smallest shower (think cruise ship).

"Why is it so cheap?" Long ago, we decided to keep one room at an affordable rate as our gift to those who want to enjoy Highlands on a budget. It's not for everyone, but if you're looking for a deal on a room with a great breakfast and afternoon refreshments, this is it! www.colonialpinesinn.com

Weddings at the Inn

Do you dream of violins playing as you descend a grand staircase in heirloom lace to a roomful of adoring friends & relatives? If so, Colonial Pines is not the place for your wedding!!! However, a surprising number of couples have chosen to have small, impromptu ceremonies here and put the big bucks needed for the aforementioned event toward graduate school, paying down their mortgage, or beefing up their 401K. Not a bad idea in this economy! One such couple is Laurie & Ernie Prodromides of Greenville, SC whose plans for marrying near a waterfall were foiled by a rainy, foggy mountain day. Instead, a crackling fire provided a perfect setting for the vows and the fog made for some nice photos afterward on the porch.

So call the magistrate, bring along a CD of your special song, and make a reservation here (there are no other charges). Ask a couple of friends to join you, or we can be your witnesses while we snap a few pictures. If there are other guests around, they will be caught up in the moment, too. I guarantee you that Laurie was as happy as any bride in a long white gown! www.colonialpinesinn.com

A Fresh Batch of Strawberry-Jalapeno Preserves!

The rain this weekend prompted me to get back into jelly-making. Strawberries are beautiful right now and - voila!- a fresh batch of Strawberry-Japapeno Preserves. Very hot. Not something to put on your kids' PB&Js, but we like it with whole wheat crackers & natural peanut butter. It's traditional with the cooling effect of cream cheese & crackers and also good on chicken, pork or turkey.

Homegrown Black Currant and Homegrown Blueberry (from Chris' garden) are some other flavors available from our "Piano Top Gift Shop" along with our cookbook made from postcards, Best Breakfast Recipes from Colonial Pines Inn.

We also sell Colonial Pines T-shirts & note cards, and things that some of our guests produce like handmade soaps from Barbara Bars and Sentire, and CDs by Atlanta pianist Carol Albert. Come have a look!www.colonialpinesinn.com

Must-Do Hike to Sunset Rocks & Sunrise Rocks

SUNSET ROCKS is a short popular hike right here in town to a magnificent overview of Highlands as it is nestled in the mountains. You can drive to a parking area on Main Street and take the 15 minute walk to the top, but we prefer to start off from the Inn. Ask us for a map showing a shortcut through the Nature Center to the beginning of the trail. (Our 3-bedroom vacation rental, Miss Rebecca's Cottage, is adjacent to this trail.)

SUNRISE ROCKS can be found by going left at the clearing at the top of the Sunset trail. You will enjoy an intimate but sweeping view of Horse Cove Valley and Black Rock Mountain. There is also a very interesting view of Whiteside Mountain (which looks like the head and shoulders of a gorilla) from a slightly different angle not shown in this photo. order a picnic lunch from Fressers Express or Mountain Fresh Deli and we will lend you a backpack! www.colonialpinesinn.com

Snow Tubing at Scaly Mountain

A blue-sky winter day is perfect for snow tubing at Scaly Mountain, about 15 minutes from the Inn. An exciting advanced slope and a more gentle slope for younger kids make this fun for all ages. Bring waterproof clothing and sun screen for this reasonably priced winter entertainment. A good BBQ restaurant is on site and you should call ahead to check on the conditions. (828) 526-3737.

They're usually able to make snow December through March which coincides with our discounted winter rates!!! Check out our Miss Rebecca's Cottage which can sleep up to six, or take B&B rooms and see the Inn all decorated for Christmas! www.colonialpinesinn.com