It Already Feels Like Autumn!

The recent morning temperature was 47 and while cooler temperatures usher in a new season, it is also the beginning of a flurry of fun activities in and around Southern Maryland.

Just this week, we've welcomed visitors from England who traveled here especially to see many of the local sights including the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. This is the only official Naval museum dedicated to telling the scientific and technological story of U.S. Naval Aviation research, development, testing and evaluation.

http://search.visitmaryland.org/visitsearch/vmattraction?attractionNumber=0&attractionID=4730

Information about this and many other sights can be found at Maryland's Tourism Web site:

http://calendar.visitmaryland.org/Views/Events/Events.aspx?page=2&datefrom=20110923&dateto=20111031&region=southern+region

Highlights of upcoming activities include:

Sep 22 - Sep 25, St. Mary's County Fair: Livestock, home arts, flowers, field crops, 4-H and school exhibits, horse pulls, carnival.

Sep 28 - Oct 2, Calvert County Fair: Learn about the rich legacy of rural and agricultural America; exhibits, rides, farm animals.

Oct 1, Maker's Market: Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park & Arts Center: More than a farmers market, it's everything handmade, homemade and homegrown in Maryland!

Oct 1 - 2, Blessing of the Fleet: Arts and crafts, Southern Maryland seafood, continuous music, boat ride to St. Clement's Island to visit Blackistone Lighthouse, children's games and rides, parade, fireworks.

Oct 1 - 2, Riverside Winefest at Sotterly: Wine tastings, live music, exhibits, demonstrations, food and artisan vendors all in a breathtaking setting.

Oct 8, Patuxent River Appreciation Days: Boat rides, music, crafts fair, toy boat building; parade Sunday at 2pm.

Oct 13 - 15, Ghosts of Sotterly Tours: Walking tour featuring recreated legends and history.

Oct 15, Summerseat Annual Quilt Auction: Auction of handmade quilts, variety of patterns and original designs in an 18th-century farm setting.

Oct 15 - 16, Civil War Comes to St. Mary’s: Experience old and new world Civil Wars-American and the English through living history activities.

Oct 15 - 16, St. Mary's County Oyster Festival: The National shucking contest and oyster cook-off; lots of other seafood, exhibits, arts and crafts and live entertainment.

Oct 23, La Plata Fall Festival and Taste of La Plata: Enjoy music, local dance performances and food from local vendors.

Oct 22, Halloween in the Garden: Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park & Arts Center offers safe trick-or-treat for children of all ages; local businesses and outreach programs decorate paved pathways; dress in costume!

On Oct 29, Historic St. Mary's City Grave Matters:  A moonlit glimpse into 17th-century life and death in a fun and possibly haunting event.

These attractions and many more await your visit to Brictoria Cottage.

Happy Trails!

I've recently been enjoying early-morning bike rides on Three Notch Trail.  Most of my previous riding was as a child when I used my bike for exploring all five streets of the small town in which I grew up.  Once I started driving, the adored bike was parked in the shed and never hit the road much after that.

My interest in riding was renewed when St. Mary's County Parks and Recreation opened Three Notch Trail.  The Trail provides a path for experiencing nature and the serenity it can bring.  Although I have ridden the Trail many times, the scenery always seems to change.  Fields of corn and soybeans give way to cool wooded areas and as the seasons change, so does the view.

I'm not alone in my enjoyment, but there is never a sense of being crowded.  The recreational trail was constructed along the 28-mile, County owned railroad right-of-way, which runs south from Hughesville (in Charles County) to Lexington Park (to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station). 

Information about Three Notch Trail
http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate/Threenotchtrail.asp

Information about Charles County trails
http://www.charlescounty.org/pf/parks_rec/parks/trails.jsp

Three Notch Trail is just one of the many ways to enjoy yourself on a visit to Brictoria Cottage at Charlotte Hall.  Remember to bring your bike or your walking shoes.

Just Perfect!



Our first fresh tomatoes!

While preparing fresh fruit for our weekend guests it struck me that there is hardly anything more perfect than sweet summer bounty.  I could not resist tasting the cantaloupe and strawberries I had selected and just washed and sliced.  Their flavor was sublime after a long bike ride on our Three Notch Trail. Additionally, they would be just perfect for a breakfast treat or late night snack.  There is hardly ever any fruit left when visitor's depart for home. I can understand. It is a particular weakness of mine and I love it all...but summer brings out the best...and I just never get tired of the watermelon, cherries, berries and cantaloupe.

After finishing that, and before I began baking the cinnamon streusel bread (also for our soon-to-arrive guests), I remembered that I had set the sprinkler to water our tomatoes and it probably needed moving.  Then it hit me that there is nothing quite so wonderful as the season's first, fresh, real tomato.  Our plants are just now bearing fruit as we got them in late....but they are full of pale green tomatoes and this morning I noticed several had ripened overnight.  So before I picked them for tonight's salad, I wanted to preserve their delicious memory.  I will serve them with fresh basil sprinkled on top.  Elegant and lucious in their simplicity.

Summer guests get to enjoy the best our area has to offer...both the fresh fruit and breads that I prepare and the wonderful cut flowers that fill the local Amish market. Sunflowers are often my flower of choice for the cottage or a lovely mixed bouquet in a Mason jar.  Sweet, juicy fruits and berries....just-baked cinnamon or fruit-filled breads....fresh-cut flowers...all are waiting for you when you come stay with us at Brictoria cottage.

We can promise your visit will be just perfect.

The sounds of summer

Cooper practicing the fine art of doing nothing

Summer, in all its steamy, sizzling glory has finally arrived. Last night's thunderstorms added to the warm morning fog that circulates among the trees as the sunlight streams through the leaves. Today's temperature hovered near triple digits. Although memories of ice and snow are distant, I remind myself of the winter days when I was struggling to chip ice from the sidewalk and my mind turned to precisely the kind of day we are now experiencing.

My cats have the right idea for enjoying such days. They stretch out on the porch and soak in the sun's warmth. As it gets hotter, they simply move less and finally slip into a lazy nap. Rather than struggling against what is, they just give into the fact it's easier to sit and do nothing. Given the choice of coming into the cool house and staying outside in the steam heat, they choose the latter. Every day in the summer is a good cat day because, they just lounge around waiting for the sun to go down...listening to the sounds of summer.

People who have never lived in the woods are often surprised by the noises we are accustomed to.....During the day, the birds cause a ruckus making you wonder just what is going on at the feeders. Normally, it's because a squirrel is hanging upside down trying to steal the sunflower seeds. Late afternoon and evening bring the loud humming of the cicadas and bird songs drifing softly as they settle in for the night....then the crickets, frogs...and other nature sounds join the symphony that entertains us until we finally succumb to our sleepiness and turn the night watch over to our cats.

All of this is offered free of charge. We look forward to sharing the sounds of summer with you very soon.

Special 3 for 2 Summer Offer

Although many of us take vacations throughout the year, some people feel that summertime is really vacation time. That is why we are offering a 3 for 2 weekday booking from now until Labor Day. Book any 3 days Monday through Thursday and you only pay for a two-day visit.

It's a great way to create a special "staycation" if you live in our area....or to take a short break traveling during the week. We love it when visitors request longer stays as it gives us an opportunity to get to know them and offer little touches that an overnight visitor might not have time to enjoy.

The garden area is perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and watching the fireflies blinking in the woods. We often take in their nightly show as do our kitty cats who love sitting on the swings with us!

We hope you will come share the summer at Brictoria Cottage and consider our 3 for 2 offer in the very near future. Bookings are subject to availability, of course, so call early and make your reservations.

Summer is beautiful at Brictoria Cottage!

Marty was here!

Another adorable pup recently visited Brictoria Cottage. Marty is the curly-haired companion of Scott and Michelle, who brought him along to enjoy the countryside.  His sweet personality won the "he can stay" approval of our five-member cat committee.  Marty spent the day traveling the back roads of Southern Maryland and even attended the Potomac Speedway Demolition Derby.  It was a long, long day and we know everyone slept soundly that night. As pet owners, we appreciate that people want to bring their furry friends when traveling rather than putting them in a kennel.  All our approved pet visitors have had impeccable manners, and we could not even tell they had been here!

Which brings me to another subject....cleanliness of our cottage.  Last week, we got a call for a another booking that included a pet.  However, the caller was concerned about our cleanliness based on her experience staying at another place that had welcomed pets.  It had been “stinky” she said!  We agree, that is not good.  However, she needn't have worried because we are vigilant about cleaning the cottage when guests leave.  Having stayed at less-than-spotless places in our travels, (one place had toothpaste stuck on the wall!) cleanliness is something we pride ourselves on. 

In addition, as Members of the Maryland Bed and Breakfast Association, Brictoria has been inspected and passed the rigorous process for getting their stamp of approval before opening our doors as a B&B.

We hope you remember us when traveling to our area with your pet.  However, non-pet owners can rest assured Brictoria will never go to the dogs (or cats!).

Come relax with us in Charlotte Hall

Even though it is not yet summer, we have already had several hot days; however, today was beautiful with the perfect balance of sun and a steady breeze.  The weekend promises more of the same.  Guests to Brictoria Cottage can choose to enjoy sunny afternoons at the double-swing pergola or spend balmy nights by candlelight on the patio.

We frequently have our own happy hour and love it when our guests join us for a glass of wine before setting off for the evening.  One couple recently commented that when they arrived home from dinner, they were delighted to find
candles lighting the way to the cottage and music softly playing.  We hope guests enjoy the small touches we provide because we strive to make our surroundings magical after dark.  Ideally, guests will feel relaxed and at home and able to forget the world outside for awhile. 

In addition to making the grounds inviting, we have also added a beautiful king-size poster bed to the master bedroom.   All the better to spend mornings sleeping in, or relaxing before beginning the day's events.  I love white sheets in the summer and the cool softness of clean linens helps me sleep better and makes me want to linger before getting out of bed.  We encourage our guests to be lazy when they are here and hope this provides a little incentive to do so.

You don't have to wait to celebrate a special event to spend time at Brictoria Cottage.  With summer just around the corner, come relax with us in Charlotte Hall.

Celebrity sighting at Brictoria Cottage!

A special guest joined us at Brictoria Cottage this weekend.  Bella (pictured below) was recovering from oral surgery and arrived with her pet parents for a weekend stay.  One of the special features we offer is welcoming pets after a consultation with our five-member cat committee since they have the last word on who visits.  They only request that guest doggies stay leashed and behave.  Bella was the perfect princess and owners Jim and Sharon were also wonderful guests.  Remember us when booking a getaway that might include your pet...call us today for a special discount this coming weekend and remember your pet!

Spring Forward!

With the time change this weekend and the warmer weather, Spring cannot be far behind!  The changing season marks the beginning of longer days....and more time to have fun!  Mention any of these events and receive a 10 percent discount on a two night stay at Brictoria Cottage.

Let someone else do the cooking! VFW 8810 will hold a steak dinner tomorrow, March 11, at the post, 2310 Old Washington Road, Waldorf. Call (301) 645-6331.

St. Mary’s Ryken High School will stage “Once Upon a Mattress” March 11-13 at Romuald Hall Theater, 22600 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown. Email tessa.silvestro@smrhs.org for more information.

Bel Alton Community Development Center will host the Allen Touche Stewart Jazz Ensemble on March 11 at Miss Motley’s Café, 9501 Crain Highway. Miss Motley’s has created a big buzz for some of the best southern style cooking and soul food in the area...don’t miss it! Call (301) 392-9794.

Who doesn’t like pasta? Ironsides Volunteer Rescue Squad will hold a spaghetti dinner March 12 at the squadhouse, 6120 Port Tobacco Road. Call (301) 246-9090.

The Capitol Steps, a Political Comedy Troupe, performs at Leonardtown High School Saturday, March 12. For tickets and information, call (301) 863-9535. Proceeds benefit Three Oaks Center for homeless individuals and families.

Mattawoman Creek Art Center holds a winter multimedia member exhibit through March 20 at the Center. Deep in the woods, this is the perfect quiet stop to make for a relaxing day. Call (301) 743-5159 or check www.mattawomanart.org for more information.

Spring is Trying!

Judging by today's weather, Spring is not far away...perfect for sightseeing and enjoying some local delights.

On Saturday, March 5, the Charles County chapter of the American Antique Arts Association holds its 33rd annual Collector's Market and sale at the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, 911 Washington Avenue, La Plata. Browse and buy everything from thimbles to Wedgwood plates, dolls, pottery, figurines and almost anything people collect...and people do collect everything! For more information call (301) 934-8639.

Charity dinners are popular all year long in this area...and who doesn't like steak and shrimp? On Friday, March 4, American Legion Post 293, 2400 Old Washington Road, Waldorf (301) 932-5071) and Post 82 at 6330 Crain Hwy., La Plata (301) 934-8221 are offering surf and turf.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Piney Parish, 4535 Piney Church Road, Waldorf, holds a pancake supper on March 8 (301) 645-5000 or go to www.pineyparish.org. Also on March 8, the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, 3245 Old Washington Road, holds a Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner (301) 266-6509. These dinners are generous and good and help support local organizations.

For you birders, the Southern Maryland Audubon Society sponsors a field trip on March 5 to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station to observe late winter land birds. Email dean-newman@verizon.net for more info.