Tourism Gets A Boost in the Empire Prairie AND a Recipe for Strawberry Coffee Cake

I attended the ribbon cutting in Lodi on Monday morning for the Wisconsin Scenic Byway. I met some very nice people and of course distributed literature for the Bed & Breakfast. I had the option to continue on to Prairie du Chien, but my schedule was full. The speaker mentioned the "Travel Green Wisconsin" program. I was certified last year. I have brochures for the Lower Wisconsin River Road tour and can mail them to anyone interested.

The Networking group that I hosted earlier this month met in Poynette at the beautiful Victorian home of the owner of The Capri Gallery. I believe we all departed with lots of new sources and ideas to build our businesses. There will be meetings through the summer months.

I have a strawberry theme in my large 50's kitchen. The following recipe has had good reviews from my guests:

STRAWBERRY COFFEE CAKE

1/4 C vegetable oil
1 C sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 pt fresh strawberries, mashed
3 C self rising flour
1/2 t salt
3 T milk
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t lemon flavoring
1/4 C granulated sugar
pecans, opt.

Beat vegetable oil and sugar together. Add eggs and strawberries and beat well. Add flour and salt to mixture with milk and lemon. Beat well and stir in the pecans. Line muffins tins with paper cups and fill each 2/3 full. Before baking, sprinkle with large crystal sugar. Bake in a 350 deg. oven approx. 20 minutes.

Update!

With the weather getting a little warmer, I have been spending my time working on the B & B gardens. I can't wait to see the tulips in bloom.

Last Wednesday the Poynette Press and the Deforest Times featured my B & B in a very nice article. The local general public was unaware of what I have to offer. I have received many delightful calls. You can read the article at http://www.deforesttimes.com/ .

I begin MATC classes this month to learn Adobe Photo Shop. I would like to provide a photo record for my guests of the special events that are held at the B & B.

State Highway 60 from Lodi to Prairie du Chien has been designated as a Scenic Byway. On Monday, April 27 there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8:00. As I am a new member of the Lodi Chamber, I will be attending. Arlington is just 15 miles from Lodi on Highway 60 and hopefully a restful beginning to a lovely trip to Praire du Chien.

Also as a member of Poynette Chamber, I will be hosting the May meeting. I enjoy networking and meeting new people.

I have been going through the many 1950 cookbooks I have collected on my constant quest for 50's memorabilia. I will pass some on to you in the coming months

Some History Behind Prairie Splendor Farm Bed and Breakfast

The Currie family home, built in 1892, became rental property after my husbands parents passed. I decided to restore the home three years ago and open a bed & breakfast to provide income after I retired. I chose a 1950's theme because the home was remodeled in 1948. This was an era of innovation, promise, and family values. All of the guests comment on the decor that invokes memories of grandmas house or the home they grew up in. It is a themed bed & breakfast and each bedroom contains memorabilia of cars, clothing, music and cinema stars. Every book and magazine was published in the 1950's. The stove and refrigerator are vintage 1950 and work beautifully.

With help from so many people and many meetings, licences, permits, inspections, it is now a reality and ready for my guests to enjoy. Finding my treasures was the best part. Antique malls in a three state radius, flea markets, garage sales and Goodwill is where I found all the furnishings.

Now I am retired and have time to really enjoy the fruits of my labors. Advertising is now the biggest hurtle to promote my unique getaway.
Joining local Chambers and networking with the local businesses has been more rewarding than I anticipated. I now have the tools to direct my guests to any service that they require.

I have many more goals and I will post them soon.

My FIRST BLOG!

Hello everyone! I have done it! I have started a blog for my Bed and Breakfast!

I invited a fellow neighbor and blogger, Kim Lapacek, to help me get this started. Please bare with me as I learn the ins and outs of blogging but I hope to be sharing some fun little stories with you soon!