THANK YOU!   THANK YOU!!  THANK YOU!!!

Ok, so I would like all my former and future guests to know just how much I love having them come to Buffalo Tavern Bed and Breakfast!  I especially like it when I get the chance to sit and talk with my guests at breakfast and when they tell me how much they love it here!  Here's the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZqVaE-P9W8

Buffalo Tavern Bed and Breakfast is getting some upgrades in the rooms and elsewhere on the property!  The Flapper's Room will still maintain the name but will have the addition of The Victorian Garden (Wait till you see the lattice work on the ceiling!).  The Madam's Room will now be enhanced with the addition of many Norman Rockwell pictures featuring couples and love!  You will want to take a look at the new moulding on the wall too.    
     There will be more to come with pictures included!  I am very excited about all the changes and I know my guests will love it too!  Come stay at Buffalo Tavern!  Doc, Innkeeper

We Are Honored!

Buffalo Tavern Bed and Breakfast has been awarded the People's Choice for the Best of Ashe County for 2014 from the Mountain Times! We are very proud of our accomplishment for the 5th year in a row. Thanks to all who voted for us!

Don't think that just because it's winter that we are not open!  We are open!  Check out our rates and plan a great weekend in the mountains...a well-served time to enjoy the peace of our

little corner of North Carolina!!!  Doc's waiting for you!

Where Else But in Ashe County?

I just had to share this with you. 

The other day I had to go shopping for food for guests.  I chose Ingles Supermarket.  They had a great selection, good service, clean store, etc.etc.  They remind me of Publix Supermarkets where "shopping is a pleasure" and I agree. 

As I am driving in the parking lot of Ingles, what do I see?  Well partner, I see the Store Manager, Mark, pushing a cart and helping a customer with her groceries to her car.  I was impressed. Very.

Where else but in Ashe County would you see a manager helping a customer with groceries?  That's the spirit of Ashe County.

Ah, Ashe County....the Coolest Corner of North Carolina.  Come visit us or visit us again and see for yourself..

Ok.  So I like coffee and I try to make it so that my guests really like it.  My big secret (Which really shouldn't be a secret at all!) is whole bean!  Yep, no already-ground coffee for me OR my guests.  I have found that the "revised" Eight O'Clock brand to be excellent (BTW, as a kid I used to see that brand at our local A&P Store and we had to grind it then.).  They now have it in bright red bags and have different varieties.  I have been using "Central Highlands" recently.  It's not expensive at all.

Here's what I have noticed.  The coffee beans are shiny.  Yep, shiny.  That means that they are moist and not dried out.  How do I know that?  Well, I look AND when I grind them the coffee sticks to the sides and bottom of the grinder.  I have to "bang" it out. That little bit of moisture gives it a little bit of sticking power.  Dry coffee flows like sand.  Not this coffee!

Having said this, I just love good coffee.  I have enjoyed it so much that all the left overs (if there are any) I drink.  Cold.  Ice coffee is my very favorite way to use it.  The folks who work with me know to never pour any left overs out.  Cold coffee is mine! 

Anyway.  Now you know what I have observed in a very non-scientific way.  But then again, I guess it just may be my science.  Whatever...the coffee tastes good!

Enjoy your cup(s) when you stay at Buffalo Tavern.

Need I say anymore! 

GIVING AWAY "SECRETS"?

I know I am supposed to probably not share a special recipe with anyone.  But alas, I guess that's not my style and this recipe is in my cookbook besides.  So here is one of my most favorite dishes that I make for my guests.  It's easy to make, easy to serve, and very easy to add your own ideas too.

Shhhh.....I call it Bacon Pie

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray two 9 inch pans or glass pie plates with non-stick spray.

In a bowl, break 12 eggs and scramble, add 1 regular can of evaporated milk,  2 packages of real bacon bits (from the salad section of the store), and 2 cups of mild cheddar cheese, shredded (or your favorite).  Mix well and divide evenly between the two pans.  Bake for 40-45 minutes. Slice each pie into quarters.  Serve hot with fruit.  Delicious!

You can add your own ideas....add some fresh basil, tomato, zucchini.  The recipe is so easy and lends itself to creativity.

Enjoy!

The secret's out......

Here is a great video about West Jefferson done by the DOT and now on WBTV's  (Charlotte) web site too!  Take a look at it. 

 

http://southcharlotte.wbtv.com/news/business/118202-transportation-investments-transform-economy-small-mountain-town

 

If you want to know what's happening in Ashe County, go to www.thecoolestcorner.com.  It's all there for you!  Come see us!  Doc

BREAKFAST ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING IN THE MOUNTAINS!

I thought it would be fun to let you know what I am making for my guests this morning for their breakfast:  Warm and toasty peach French toast (covered in peaches, that is), shirried eggs in a cup, and sausage (served on the side for anyone who would like).  I will also have orange juice, coffee and tea (which I  put out in the parlor earlier this morning and will bring to the table at 9).  I will garnish the plate with some strawberries and some home-grown parsley (yep, from my garden).  My guests don't leave the table hungry!

"The Town (West Jefferson) just received official notification of its winning an award in the Design category from Small Town Main Street (Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division." (City Hall)

If you haven't been to Ashe County and West Jefferson (plus all our other fine towns and hamlets), you need to make the trip.  And specially take note of how West Jefferson has changed!

FIREPLACE SEASON

The weather is definately turning cooler!  The trees are colorful, but beginning to show signs of winter.  The air is fresh and clean.  It's a beautiful place to be, any season of the year.  Buffalo Tavern Bed and Breakfast is open year round and has special "Fireplace" rates beginning November 1.  Make your plans to visit soon.  I look forward to seeing you.  Doc

I DIDN'T LEAVE THE PLANET!  I AM BACK!!

   I just returned last Thusday from a great "bucket list" vacation and didn't do any blogging while gone.  But, it is sure to start again shortly and I will be sharing some of my adventures with you.  Stay tuned and thanks for checking out my blog!

TREASURES IN ASHE COUNTY:  THE CHURCHES OF THE FRESCOES

If you didn't know about them already, Ashe County has the honor to have two Churches of the Frescoes, St. Marys in West Jefferson and Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs.  Frescoes are painted in each church and are stunning examples of the work of artist Ben Long.  The paintings are unique in how they are applied into the wall and not just applied to the wall.  One can easily go to St. Marys and sit for an hour gazing at the Frescoe of Jesus on the cross.  Or head to Glendale Springs and enjoy sitting in the old, quaint church and view The Last Supper.  Here's a link for you.  Don't miss the Frescoes when you come to Ashe County, another "cool" thing to do!    www.ashefrescoes.org  

It's Cool Outside!

I woke up this morning to a breeze and some temperatures I haven't seen in a few months.  I think. I am sure that it is THAT much cooler, it just seems that way.  It also is much less humid this morning here in our mountains.  Probably, it's nature's way of telling us that the fall will shortly be upon us and, go ahead, drag out those sweaters!

We have some fantastic seasons here ...dare I say it... The Coolest Corner of North Carolina.  Fall is stunningly beautiful, crisp, clear, and cool.  It just might be out best season (well, that's subject to opinion, I guess).  The winter is fickled, it seems.  Sometimes it snows like we are in the Himalayas and then sometimes, there may be nothing of the white stuff.  It's cold, to be sure.  But here at Buffalo Tavern, we do have the heat on and the fireplaces ready.  Spring is delightful. The world of Ashe County in the High Country comes alive again with flowers and green grass.  And summer is generally warm, but, for the most part not hot.  It's a great growing season for plants and vegetables (I will tell you a bit about my first raised-bed garden that I had this year in a later post.). 

I hope you have a great weekend.  It supposed to be spectacular here this weekend!  Some of you may be sharing your weekend with me at Buffalo Tavern!

9-11

Today, we remember those who lost their lives on September 11 in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.  Our world changed on that day, forever.  As a nation, let us never forget.

Ashe County is Becoming Vibrant! 

If you haven't had the chance to visit Ashe County recently and/or haven't traveled through the downtown of West Jefferson, you are in for a surprise!  It's coming alive!

Shops are staying open more.  The four-way stops are slowing traffic.  It's becoming very pedestrian friendly.  New stores are popping up.  New restaurants are attracting diners and doing a great job at it.  People are sitting on the benches and just relaxing, enjoying our cool mountain air. The feel of the area is so different than when I came here seven years ago to reopen Buffalo Tavern.  My guests are impressed with what they are seeing.

Ashe County is truly becoming the coolest corner of our state!  If you want to see what's happening, just go to www.thecoolestcorner.com and it's right there. 

Welcome!

WHILE COOKING FOR MY GUESTS...

In between flipping pancakes, making a new pot of coffee, and chopping up fruit, I sometimes have a moment to watch a You Tube video for fun.  You know the old saying about "a watched pot never boils"...well, I don't want to be watching the food cook, so I take a moment to laugh.  Here's a new favorite of mine!  Enjoy...  Doc       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVTONgqCtAM

It's Becoming a Landmark in Ashe County!

This morning I had some free time (I get that now and then!), so I decided that I could get a haircut, stop at the printers for some new business cards, go to the bank, and then stop over at our own West Jefferson Coffee House on the Backstreet in West Jefferson for an iced latte.  Julie is the owner, the coffee maker, the sandwich maker, the table washer, the cashier....well, you get the point.  (Oh, I forgot to say that she knew what I wanted without me saying a thing!) She's also someone who has and continues to build a solid business with a friendly and extremely comfortable atmosphere.

When you walk in to the Coffee House you immediately notice a number of soft, comfortable sofas arranged in a pattern like someone's home.  There are some tables for two, four, and even a larger one for a small group of 8 or so.  It's a homey atmosphere, full of beautiful paintings (which I think just might be for sale!) and full of the aromas of fresh ground coffee.  When you walk in the door, Julie probably will welcome you with a hearty greeting.

The West Jefferson Coffee House exhibits a bit of Ashe County's county flair.  There many times are lots of locals and regulars "hanging out". Some come in every day for their coffee and a danish or homemade pumpkin chocolate scone.  And the tourists and part timers are welcome just as much.  It's a bit of Ashe County that you don't want to miss when you come to our little corner of North Carolina.

When you do stop in, tell Julie that Doc sent you.  Because I do believe that this West Jefferson Coffee house, tucked on the Backstreet, is becoming a go-to landmark in Ashe County.  You should stop in to experience it.    Cheers!   Doc