Road Trip! Napa Valley....

My new home in Napa

Let's start off by squashing any rumors about Fig Street Inn closing, selling, or slowing down. Nope, nope, and nope. We are absolutely open for business with the same great accommodations, service, hospitality, amenities, attention to details, and breakfasts. Have you read about our muffins?

Greg is operating the inn solo this winter while I work at an inn in Napa Valley. This was all very last minute but it's a great opportunity. A fellow innkeeper was in need of a nighttime innkeeper to fill in while they look for a permanent employee. Greg and I thought why not one of us. It is our slower season, and if one of us can't run this inn by ourselves after 11+ years of doing this, then we have bigger issues. 

An email to my future "boss" turned into some great conversations about what I would be doing, and within days I was off to Napa Valley (via Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco - it is not easy to get in and out of my neck of the woods by plane). 

So as of this week, I am the night innkeeper at Old World Inn in Napa. It is a 35-room property with 3 buildings and 2 multi-room cottages. I am very excited to learn about how larger properties operate and manage that many guests. 

And I'm even more excited to be in such a beautiful area at holiday time. I get one day off each week and I'm hoping for some adventures and exploring, but I just might want to take time to catch up on sleep from being on overnight duty. 

For the next few months our blog will be a mix of Cape Charles, Virginia and Napa, California. Depending on which ocean you live on, come visit one of us and enjoy a spectacular getaway.

A Beautiful Meal

We don't consider ourselves foodies, but we love food, and we finally got to Hook-U-Up Gourmet for a bistro dinner. They have been doing them for over a year now and our guests have told us over and over how amazing the food is. So we made a dinner date with fellow innkeepers Carol & Bruce Evans from Cape Charles House Bed & Breakfast. Little did we know it was their first time too, so that made it even more of a treat.

Chef Tim Brown owns Hook-U-Up and about a year ago, he introduced Bistro Dinners. He started off with wine dinners once a month which would sell out as soon as the dates were announced. He did these in the off-season because restaurant choices can be limited, and he decided to do them mid-week when people are looking for an excuse to get out of the house.

These dinners became so popular, they are now offered every Tuesday through Friday, and trust me when I say you have to have a reservation - no matter the day of week or time of year. And these dinners are reason enough to visit Cape Charles mid-week.

Chef Tim has just announced some additional special events for this year: 

Saturday, November 28 - Bistro Dinner

Saturday, December 5 - Wine Dinner

Thursday, December 31 - New Year's Eve Celebration

Make your reservation by calling 757-331-2275.  

May the Force B&B With You!

Have you seen them? Because we haven't, and the likelihood is somewhere in the range of slim to none. We have one grocery store here and so far, nada.

Star Wars partnered with Coffee-Mate for a line of coffee creamers. They've pretty much partnered with everyone, so why not coffee creamers. Because when you think of Darth Vader, a great cup of coffee with a hint of espresso chocolate comes to mind, doesn't it?

So here's the mission, bring us one bottle of a Star Wars coffee creamer and we'll take 10% off your stay. We don't care what flavor - it just has to be unopened and unexpired. And, no you don't get 10% for each bottle you bring, but if you wanted to bring more than one flavor, we would not turn it away. That would just be rude.

If you have a favorite flavor, or character, or just like getting a discount on your b&b stay, pick one up:

• Darth Vader — Espresso Chocolate
• C3PO — Hazelnut
• Chewbacca — Spiced Latte
• R2D2  — French Vanilla
• Boba Fett — Italian Sweet Cream

Seriously - one bottle, 10% off - it's that simple. We've got the great coffee and now it just needs some force.

Buckingham Palace Scones

Chocolate Chip Scones at Fig Street Inn

We've become known for our muffins (okay, Greg's muffins) but when we first started, we served scones. Every once in awhile we'll still make them, and the reviews on those are really good too.

Why are they called Buckingham Palace Scones? Greg got this recipe many years ago from a woman he worked with who was from England. She had a relative who worked for the Queen and said these were the same scones she served the royal family. So that's our story and we're sticking to it.

Scones

3/4 c. butter
3 1/2 c. flour
pinch salt
1T baking powder
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. raisins*
1 egg
1/2 c. milk

Blueberry & Apple Cinnamon Scones

Cut together butter, flour, salt & baking powder. Add sugar & raisins and mix. Add egg and milk. Add a little more milk if mix is too dry. Dough should be smooth. Roll out to 1/2 inch thick and cut into triangle shapes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until bottoms are lightly colored.

*use chocolate chips, dried cranberries, apple chunks, blueberries for other flavors

We scoop them rather than do the traditional roll and cut. If you use heavy cream instead of milk, they are even more decadent.

Art Rocks the Inns - once again!

This Sunday, August 9th from 1-4 pm, the bed & breakfasts of Cape Charles will be rocking with "Art Rocks the Inns". The five b&bs will each host local artists on their front porches from all different mediums - pottery, photography, fiber, pencil, watercolors, paint, wood, food, and more.

If you've been to +Fig Street Inn, you know we have a large wrap-around porch and big yard. So we've expanded this year, with some of your favorite artists returning, as well as new additions:

Background Focus Photography

Background Focus Photography - Brand new to the art show circuit is Sharon Silvey. We've watched Sharon share her love of photography on Facebook for awhile and she has an amazing eye. This is her first time showing her work publicly, and we are sure you will find her work just as stunning as we do. She takes a lot of nature images and we can't decide if her dragonfly or water pictures are our favorites.

Cape Charles Confectionery - food is art! Jean Wilson has a home-based bakery here in Cape Charles and offers cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweet treats by pre-order. She'll be selling her beautifully decorated sugar cookies, and you can talk with Jean about how you can order year-round from her menu, or if you prefer something custom, she can do that too. Throughout the year, and usually around holidays, you can purchase her cookies at Gull Hummock Gourmet Market.

Hula Hooping on the Bay (literally)

Hula Hooping on the Bay - We discovered Jennifer's talents when she was a guest at our inn. She was hula hooping in our yard and of course we had to ask. She makes hula hoops using recycled materials, and they come in all sizes, so no matter your size, she has a hoop for you. It's fantastic exercise and even if you don't want to hoop, stop by to watch. She is fantastic! 

Christine Nichols - Christine comes to Art Rocks the Inns via gallery209. Sandy (the owner) mentioned that Christine would be another great addition one day when we were in her shop. She showed us some of her pencil drawings of the Eastern Shore, and we think you will enjoy them too.

Ten Good Sheep

Ten Good Sheep - Karyn and Mark Belknap will be back again this year with their countless handmade items of natural fiber. They'll have felted soap, ornaments, bracelet cuffs, greeting cards, and their famous Muttmellows loved by every dog who is lucky enough to have one. Karyn also makes gorgeous custom winter hats and this is the perfect time to place your order for the holidays.

Red Dog Decoys - Mark Belknap will multi-task and will have his hand carved decoys. Last year, he was working on one while he was here, so we're hoping we just might see another piece of art come to life.

The other four properties also hosting artists are +Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles, Cape Charles House, Chesapeake Bay View, and Sea Gate. So come to Cape Charles and soak in some art!

Get Thee to Virginia

There is no better time to get yourself to Virginia - specifically Cape Charles - and you will want to do it before Labor Day. We're giving away a Go Virginia Getaways Wine Country Getaway Pass (value $59) with your 2-night stay at Fig Street Inn. Check-in Sunday through Wednesday by September 2 and we'll give you a 2015 card that you can use during your visit to Cape Charles for the following discounts:

• Get 15% off wine at The Shanty
• Take $10 off wearable art at Moonrise Jewelry
• Take $10 off a Heavenly Massage or Amazing Facial at Breezes Day Spa 

The card is valid until the end of the year and offers over 200 discounts and specials at restaurants, events, activities, and shops throughout the state, as well as exclusive online only deals.

Better yet, use your card for $50 off your next 2-night stay at our inn. So come explore and discover Cape Charles. We are sure you will fall in love and will want to plan your return trip and use your card for next visit to Fig Street Inn.

When you book online, you'll see the Getaway Pass package. Select that option and we'll have your card ready for you at check-in.

A Virginia is for Lovers Story...Cape Charles style

If you follow us on social media, you know we're a little obsessed with LOVE. Okay, we're a lot obsessed! LOVE are the art installations you'll see throughout Virginia to promote tourism and the "Virginia is for Lovers" brand. There are over 30 LOVE signs around the state and people "love" to visit and take pictures with them.

Each sign is unique and reflects the culture and history of its location. Ever since I learned about them, I thought we needed one in Cape Charles. Can't explain it. Don't know why, but it was really important to me that Cape Charles have one. 

Things always work out the way they are meant to, and I am grateful for everyone who said "no" because that brought me to the right team to bring LOVE to town. The Cape Charles Business Association was the one to say "yes" and instantly Miriam Elton from brown dog ice cream and Sandy McFall from gallery209 volunteered to help in the efforts. Miriam knows a lot about design and the right materials to use to weather any storm. Sandy is the artist so she knew what materials and colors would look good and complement one another. My role was to work with Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) to ensure we met their requirements, help with funding, and organize events to raise money and promote LOVE. 

We collaborated with Jen Lewis and Pete Leontieff of the Town of Cape Charles. The Town provided a permanent location (at the corner of Bay and Mason Avenues) and connected us with people who could actually build this thing. Together, we all came up with a design that is truly one-of-a-kind and perfectly represents Cape Charles and the Eastern Shore of Virginia. 

The entire sculpture is made of fiberglass which is perfect for our boating community. And then each letter incorporates materials to symbolize our area:

L - has beach glass and shells for our bayside location

O - is a tractor tire for our agricultural history

V - is made from kayaks to symbolize all the water sports and activities in our area

E - is made with crabpots for our aqua culture and watermen

LOVE is here to stay and be enjoyed by all. Come to the corner of Bay & Mason and take your picture. Post it out with #loveva and #capecharles to spread some LOVE far and wide from Cape Charles!