Fall In Love....

...with the REAL Highlands! Before there were fancy hotels, fine dining, boutique shopping, spas, and a multitude of special events, there were still plenty of reasons to fall in love with Highlands. Pristine mountain air and a natural setting like the one shown above will take your breath away and calm your soul for a weekend, a season, or a lifetime.

Give your wallet a break, too, when you take advantage of "Second Night Half Price" by arriving on Monday or Tuesday, excluding holidays and October. This offer does not apply to The Bargain Basement, which is always discounted to $90 per night.

The amazing spot pictured above is right in town at Highlands Nature Center (across from Miss Rebecca's Cottage, our three bedroom rental house) and is one of many special locations throughout our beautiful mountain area. Come to Highlands and find your favorite place for relaxing and renewing - compliments of Mother Nature!

Cabin Fever, Kitchen Ceiling & Everything Cookies!

Ever wonder what Innkeepers do in the off-season? You can see from the previously posted snow photos that we spent a lot of time indoors this winter, resulting in a new kitchen ceiling! The lighting alone makes a huge difference and it's nice to have the old acoustical tile gone, new trim around the cabinet tops, and a higher ceiling that follows the line of the porch roof. Come see it when you're here! It's giving us a "lift" and inspiring new recipes like this chewy & delicious cookie made with whole wheat flour:

EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN CEILING COOKIES

2 sticks butter, softened

1 c. dk. brown sugar

1/2 c. granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 c. whole wheat flour

2 c. old fashioned oats

1/2 tsp soda

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cups coconut

12 oz. dark chocolate chips

1 c. sliced almonds

8 oz toffee bits

1 c. craisins

1 1/2 tsp vanilla ext.

1 1/2 tsp almond ext.

Preheat overn to 350. Cream butter & sugar. Add eggs & beat well. Add all other ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake about 10-11 minutes until slightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute. Makes about 8 dozen. Batter can be made in advance and refrigerated or frozen until needed.

WE'RE BAKING THEM THIS WEEKEND - COME HELP YOURSELF!

A Snowy Miss Rebecca's Cottage

We recently returned from a Caribbean vacation to a winter wonderland and the snowiest season in many years! Experience YOUR perfect winter getaway at Miss Rebecca's Cottage where you'll have plenty of space and privacy to cozy up by your own fireside. Miss Rebecca's is open all year and is appropriate for couples or families. CALL FOR A SPECIAL OFF-SEASON QUOTE OR LAST MINUTE DISCOUNT! Secluded in -town next to Sunset Rocks Trail just outside the business district, it's an easy walk to shopping & dining. See interior photos at www.colonialpinesinn.com/rebecca.html

Innsitters Diane & Bob from Destin FL snapped these photos - the prettiest I've seen of snow with Carolina blue skies. Here's the Episcopal Church on Main Street - 1/3 mile from Miss Rebecca's and 1/2 mile from the Inn.

The Museum of American Cut Glass is in a picturesque log cabin around the corner from the Inn on Chestnut Street. Call us at 828.526.2060 or 866.526.2060 (toll-free) or email sleeptight@colonialpinesinn.com

Snowy Specials for 2010

We're off to a snowy start this New Year and there's plenty of fun for everyone whether it's relaxing by our warm, cozy fireside with a glass of sherry, sliding lickety-split down a snow tubing run, or viewing the enormous icicles hanging from waterfalls and growing out of cracks in the granite cliffs. It's a sight to see and in addition, Harris Lake has frozen solid for the first time in a decade - so bring your ice skates for a true Currier & Ives experience!
Second-Night-Half-Price rates are in effect through April and that means Colonial Pines continues to be the best bargain in town with hearty breakfasts to get you going and hot chocolate, tea & cookies to warm you up when you return. We'd love to have you as our guests! Call us toll-free at (866) 526-2060.

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