Murder Mystery Dinner Train Lodging Package

It's Lights! Camera! Murder!

October 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2012
Come walk the blood red carpet and board the Conway Scenic Railroad

for a tantalizing evening of INTRIGUE, SUSPENSE... and HOMICIDE.

Everyone is "dying" to get an invite to the exclusive, A-list party given by one of Hollywood’s legendary hostesses. You’ve made the cut and your name is on the guest list so you get to wine, dine and schmooze with Hollywood’s elite after their night of accolades at the Academy Awards. The evening will be filled with drama. Careers will be made, secrets revealed and scandals broken. Oh, and a murder will be committed. With a VIP victim, and all the celebrities suspect, you and your fellow guests will be called upon to examine the web of lies and uncover the clues to expose the culprit and "crack" the red carpet caper. Murder Mystery performed by the Arts in Motion Theatre Company.

Murder Mystery Four-Course Dinner Menu ...

Preset: Crudite Platter served at each table
First Course: Lobster Bisque
Second Course: Grilled Seasonal Vegetable Gazpacho with
Avocado Citrus Chantilly and Parmesan Croutons

Entree: Choice of:
Grilled Rib Eye with Balsamic Herb Emulsion
Baked Stuffed Chicken with Prosciutto & Gruyere Cheese
Vegetarian Option: Black Bean Stuffed Portabella Mushroom with Roasted Red Pepper

All entrees served with Manchego Polenta Cake and Seasonal Vvegetable

Desserts: Trays of Mini Desserts served at each table

Murder Mystery Dinner Train Lodging Package includes...

Two nights lodging at the Buttonwood Inn (top ranked in Trip Advisor)
Full gourmet breakfast each morning
Afternoon tea with Paula's baked treats
Two tickets for the Murder Mystery Dinner Train ($100 per person including dinner)
NOTE: these tickets are non-refundable.
Free discount restaurant dining and shopping coupons
Use of our hot tub "under the stars" year-round

Call 1-800-258-2625 for rates reservations.

Buttonwood Inn Video

We had the good fortune recently of working with a videographer from the Conway Daily Sun. she captured the Inn, grounds, and a few of the rooms which were not occupied at the time. Hope you enjoy the show.

Waterfall Photo Workshop Special

Photo Workshop Special

50% off 2nd night's stay for all new reservations for our June 9th Waterfall Photography Workshop. No  combinations. Call for details 1-800-258-2625  or view our package and reserve online:
 
Waterfall Workshop Link

Group Gatherings Mother's Day Weekend

We had several lovely families stay at The Buttonwood Inn this past Mother's Day Weekend.  Our inn is large enough for families and group gatherings because we can seat about a dozen people in our Living Room and in the Mt. Surprise Room.  Our front porch is a popular spot for guests to enjoy their morning coffee or afternoon tea watching the hummingbirds and birds.  We have several double-seat Adirondack chairs on the lawn for those who want solitude just staring at the mountains and forest.  The in-ground heated pool is fun for anyone who likes to swim or float on a tube.  Families with children can play and rejuvenate before heading off for dinner.

The daughter and son-in-law who reside in Boston arranged the Mother's Day weekend for her mother, father, and sister who flew up from Louisiana. It was the perfect getaway because they were able to reconnect and relax at our inn, and yet shop, hike the trails on Bartlett Mountain, and go on a fly fishing excursion.  On the first day of their arrival, they headed downtown to shop in Settlers Green Outlets and local curiosity shops, had dinner at a local restaurant, then came back and relaxed in the hot tub.  The daughter also reserved an hour-long in-room massage for her mother on Mother's Day morning, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  Bill booked a half-day fly fishing excursion for the father and son-in-law with North Country Angler.  They were thrilled to have caught four brook trout (caught and released).  While the men were fishing, the women hiked the Mt. Surprise and Buttonwood Inn Trails to get up to the Bartlett Ledges.  At the end of Mother's Day, the entire family had pizza and watched movies in the Mt. Surprise Room. 

I made a lime cake frosted with lime cream cheese icing for Mother's Day afternoon tea service.  Here's the recipe.

Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Icing



Cake:


Butter, for greasing pan
Flour, for dusting pan


One 3-ounce package lime flavored gelatin
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 large eggs, slightly beaten


Glaze:


1/2 cup lime juice (from 3-4 large limes)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar


Icing:


1/2 cup (1 stick butter), room temperature
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
One 1 pound box confectioners' sugar
Zest of one lime


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and butter and flour a 9”x13” cake pan.


In a large mixing bowl, mix the gelatin, granulated sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Stir to mix well. Add the oil, orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla, and eggs. Mix until well combined. Pour the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness inserting a toothpick. Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes.


For the glaze: While the cake is still hot, mix the lime juice and confectioners' sugar together well. Pierce the cake with a skewer to allow the glaze to soak in better and pour it over the cake. Allow cake to cool completely as you prepare the icing.


For the icing: Cream the butter and cream cheese. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until mixture is smooth and easy to spread. Add the lime zest until combined. Spread the icing on the top and sides of the cake.

Scaling Bartlett Mountain

When my soul yearns for the peace and beauty of nature, I head out the back door of The Buttonwood Inn and hike the trails with our two dogs, Britt and Clyde.  There are two trails, the Mt. Surprise Trail or the Buttonwood Trail, that you can take to get up to the Bartlett Mountain Ledges, which is about a 35-45 minute hike.  These are the rock outcroppings that are visible from the back of the inn, particularly in the field.  We suggest that our guests bring a camera to photograph the views of the valley, Moat Mountains, Cathedral Ledge, and The Presidentials off in the distance.  

Our neighbors who maintain the trails also remarked in yellow the Bartlett Moutain trail from the Ledges to the summit.  This piqued my interest in reaching the summit, so one afternoon I took Britt with me to check out this new trail.  After reaching the Bartlett Ledges, I immediately headed up the mountain along a scenic switchback trail.  We crossed over a few smaller rock outcroppings stopping to take in the views of Cranmore and Black Cap Mountains.  But we had to stop after a half hour and head back because it was hot and I didn't bring water. 

Several weeks later, my neighbor (a different one) mentioned that he made it to the summit and that it was another hour to the summit from the Ledges.  When he reached  the summit, he was disappointed that the trees blocked any view of the surrounding mountains and valley.  He said the best view on Bartlett Mountain was at the Ledges.

However, he did see faded white markers for a old trail that was bushwacked years ago leading from the Bartlett summit along the ridgeline to Mt. Kearsarge North.  The summit of Mt. Kearsarge is mostly a granite cap with a fire tower on it that you can climb to take in a glorious 360-degree view which rivals some of the 4,000 footers.

If this old trail is remarked and cleared, a loop trail will be created from the back door of The Buttonwood Inn to the trailhead for Mt. Kearsarge North on Hurricane Mountain Road--just 10 minutes from the front door our inn. Bartlett Mountain is the shoulder of Mt. Kearsarge North and reconnecting this trail would provide a full-day of adventure for hikers who enjoy nature at its best.

If you enjoy hiking, stay with us and reserve on-line or call 1-800-258-2625.

Hiking in the Mount Washington Valley



Mount Washington viewed from Intervale Scenic Vista in North Conway, New Hampshire

 Did you know that one of the top hiking areas in the United States is in New Hampshire? The Presidential Range of mountains, which includes Mount Washington, is part of the Appalachian trail system which starts in Georgia and ends in Maine. The views from route 16, which runs along the east side of  The Presidential Range, or route 302, which traverses the western side are great jump-off points for a variety of well maintained trails.



Arethusa Falls



One of the favorites, accessed from route 302, is the Arethusa Falls trail system which can be hiked year round. It is really a complex of multiple trails often referred to as Arethusa Falls Trail, Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, and the Frankenstein Cliff Trail system. The trail head parking area is located only minutes from the Buttonwood Inn and is well worth the trip. The difficulty rating for this hike is "moderate". Many of our guests have completed the hike and felt well rewarded for the time spent along the trails and at the waterfalls and scenic vistas.




Diana's Baths - waterfalls

 A second favorite , which includes another set of beautiful waterfalls , begins just off River Road In North Conway and ambles past Diana's Baths. Click on this link to see a video of Diana's Baths. the hike to the Bath's is considered easy but for the more adventurous, you can continue past the Baths for the North Moat, Red Ridge, and Diana's Baths Loop.  The full loop has a rating of difficult and features summit panoramic views, ledges,  and rock scrambles.



There is one trail system that we have been getting a lot of positive feedback about. It is the set of trails from the back of our Inn that wind their way up to the ledges and ridges on Bartlett Mountain. Our guests this past weekend loved the views and solitude so much that they actually did the hike twice during their stay. Listening to them describe the outstanding views of the Presidentials and the Moats made us want to finish the clean up and get back on the trail as soon as possible.

March Maple Madness Event and Recipe

Bill continues to tap our maple trees boiling down the sap into maple syrup.  When he taps 20 gallons, the process will be finished obtaining two quarts of dark amber maple syrup.  We, of course, think it's Grade A because it's sweet, thick and delicious!  It will not be ready for me to use in my Maple Cheesecake as a treat for participants in the March Maple Madness event tomorrow (3/24) from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.  I'll use the award-winning maple syrup we purchase from Fullers Sugarhouse in Lancaster, NH.

If you would still like to come up to The Buttonwood Inn for the March Maple Madness event, reserve on-line today or call us at 1-800-258-2625.

If you cannot come for the event, think of us if you make this Maple Cheesecake recipe:

Maple Cheesecake



For crust:

24 5” x 2-1/2” graham crackers
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
½ cup pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)

For filling:


4 8-oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup pure maple syrup
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
½ cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Make crust:


In a food processor, finely grind graham crackers. Add melted butter and maple syrup just until combined. Press evenly into bottom and up side of a 10-inch spring form pan. Wrap bottom and side of pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil to avoid leakage.


Make filling:


In bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese on low speed, scraping down side of bowl occasionally, until smooth. Add syrup and eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla and heavy cream and beat until just combined.


Pour filling into crust and bake in middle of oven 1 hour (cake will not be set in center but will set as it chills). Cool cake in pan on a rack. Chill cake, covered, at least 8 hours or overnight. Remove side of pan. Serve cheesecake in wedges, drizzled with maple syrup.

Northern Lights at the Buttonwood Inn?

Michigan Tech Photo

Most of us have heard of the northern lights, but did you know that recent sunspot activity  may promise some of the best lights in a long while? Scientists have tried a number of different methods for predicting when sunspots will occur and to what degree. Suffice it to say that although prediction has improved since the days of Galileo who, in 1612 during the summer months, made a series of sunspot observations, predictions are not always "spot on". After more than a decade of relative calm, the sun is said to be set for an active period with this week's past activity making all the headlines..



NASA Photo



We plan on taking some "night" trips to the "notches" just north of us to see what we can see. One of them, Crawford Notch, offers some great vantage points for viewing the Northern skies, not to mention beautiful mountains and forests. The other is the Pinkham Notch area. Imagine hiking to the top of Mt. Washington and taking in the view from there.  

Pinkham Notch Blog Photo

There is no shortage of wonderful viewing locations and we hope to be able to share some of our own images with you soon. Happy exploring from the Buttonwood Inn on Mt. Surprise!

Maple Syrup time at the Buttonwood Inn on Mt. Surprise

The homemade taps are up on the trees and the sap is flowing really well today. For those who have never tried this, as was the case with me until just last year, it is really simple and the reward of fresh, dark, sweet maple syrup, that you can say you made, is just great. Here is a great website for learning how to do it your self: Make your own Maple Syrup 





Simple tap setup



 This picture is an example of how you can use everyday things from around the house to tap, collect, and make your own syrup. Of course, you can always buy the Starter Kits on line. They are relatively inexpensive when you consider how much fun you will have, and the fact that the syrup you are producing is quite expensive if you were to buy "pure" malple syrup at your local grocery store. The process is simple and the tree does most of the work. I even made the "Spiles" which are the metal tubes inserted into the 2 inch deep holes drilled into the tree at a slight upward angle. As for boiling the sap down, the quoted ratio is 40 to 1. That is, for every 40 gallons you boil down you end up with 1 gallon of sap. I usually shoot for a couple of quarts. The sap looks and flows like water initially and don't worry, the trees produce an abundance of sap and as long as you don't place more than one tap for every 10 inches of tree diameter you will be OK and the tree won't notice either.



Boiling off the first sap of the season





If you really get into it, and decide to produce gallons of syrup, then you might want to consider boiling it down the old fashioned way which is done outside or in a "sugar shack" using a wood fire. There is something to be said for "getting back to nature"!

I think I may switch to a gluten-free diet...

Because the food is equally as delicious as the wheat-based products.  I've adapted my breakfast and afternoon baked treat recipes providing a gluten-free version of what the guest's traveling partner is served.  Over the past year and a half, we've increasingly catered to our guests who require gluten-free due to their Celiacs disease.  Consequently, I refer to the cookbook, The Gluten-free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy by Bette Hagman, to mix various gluten-free flours making pancakes, waffles, quick bread, cookies, and brownies.

This morning, for example, I served blintzes filled with lemon ricotta topped with warm strawberry sauce.  I made a separate crepe batter substituting gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour.  It's a little extra work to prepare gluten-free products, but the gratification our guests express to us makes it all worthwhile. 

March Winter Morning 2012

Well March has started out as a snowfilled month with two substantial snowfalls already and it is only the 3rd of the month.  This morning's view from the Inn's dining room was nothing less than magical (if I do say so myself). I could not resist snapping a few pictures of the unusual icicle formation on one of the bird feeders our guests can see as they enjoy one of Paula's tantalizing breakfasts.

 It looks like an icy little birdcage prison according to our guests this morning. Fortunately, the other birdfeeders were clear for the group of Dark-eyed Juncos . A whole group of them left tiny little 'footprints' in the snow on the front porch. It looks as if a miniature ballet took place while everyone was asleep.

From time to time, if we are lucky, we will see a Barred Owl fly from tree stand to tree stand behind the Inn and the sight is breathtaking, especially when snow is falling. The Barred Owl is familiar for its distinctive "who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all" hooting. Check out this YouTube video:

Winter certainly brings some amazing things and as we approach Spring at the Buttonwood Inn on the top of Mount Surprise, we'll be looking forward to seeing a whole host of local hawks, deer, moose, bear, not to mention the migratory hummingbirds that love our homemade hummingbird nectar. 

Buttonwood Inn Astronomy Update

Although the nights recently have been cloud covered and full of snow (no complaints of course), about two weeks ago, on a Thursday night, I pointed the Inn's telescope toward the Constellation Orion, specifically looking for the Orion Nebula.


Meade 10 Inch

 I am really new to the whole digital image thing but I have always wanted to try my luck at taking pictures with a decent single lens reflex camera hooked directly to the telescope's viewfinder which is called prime focus coupling.

With today's cameras you can fairly easily see the image of the object you are trying to photograph directly in the eyepiece of the camera, or, in the case of some digital cameras with LCD screens, you can view the image directly on the screen and make some adjustments and view the "live" image before taking the actual photograph.

There are other methods, such as using the telescope's eyepiece as you would normally view the night sky and then, using a special mount, attaching the camera with it's lens so that you focus on the image in the eyepiece. Here is an example of that type of device.

When all is said and done, there are certainly other factors affecting the final image, some camera related, and others telescope related, which we I hope to discuss in future blogs. For the time being, here is a quick single image shot I took on that Thursday night two weeks ago and although it is certainly not a "Hubble telescope" quality image I was still excited about the fact that it worked. Hope you enjoy it.

Orion Nebula Canon T3i Prime Focus Meade LXD 10 inch

North Conway Named 1 of 25 World's Best Ski Towns by National Geographic

Folks in the Northeast U.S. do not have to travel far to stay and ski in 1 of 25 world's best ski towns recently named by National Geographic.  They can visit North Conway, NH in the heart of The Presidential Range of the White Mountains.  Mt. Washington is the highest peak at 6,288 feet on the East Coast.  There are seven alpine ski mountains in Mt. Washington Valley and six cross-country ski trails all within a half-hour of North Conway.  The first purpose-cut ski runs and ski schools in North America were established here in the 1930s.

Cranmore Mountain Resort located just outside of the village attracts families because of its excellent ski school.  It also has non-skiing attractions like snow tubing, a mountain coaster, climbing walls, and indoor tennis.

We're hoping that March will go out like a LION with more snow accumulation for skiing and snowshoeing opportunities for everyone. 

The Buttonwood Inn has a lot to offer everyone and we're just 5 mintues from the village.  We also have access to snowshoe trails out our back door.

We also have discounted ski tickets for our guests.  So check out our ski packages and book on-line or call us at 1-800-258-2625 today!

Mt. Pierce--An Accessible Winter Climb to the Summit

North Conway's local hiking expert, Ed Parsons, recently wrote in The Conway Daily Sun that Mt. Pierce is a good hike for your first time in reaching the summit of one of The Presidentials.  Most hikers don't climb the 4,000 footers in the winter, except for the extreme hikers, because of the bitter cold winds and sometimes harsh weather conditions.

Mt. Pierce is doable in the winter if you choose a clear, sunny day and start out in the morning.  A moderate 3.2 mile trail is accessible from Crawford Path across from the Appalachian Mountain Center on Route 302.  After passing the trail into the Mitzpah Hut, you leave the forested path to walk about a tenth of a mile to the summit of Mt. Pierce.  Here you have an astounding view of Mt. Washington from this southerly Presidential Peak.

Full House for the Chocolate Festival!

The Butttonwood Inn was full this weekend mainly for the Chocolate Festival and snowshoers.  The rest of our guests had fun on the slopes downhill skiing.  In fact, we had a group stay with us for the full week.  At the end of their adventurous skiing or snowshoeing activities, they enjoyed our hot tub to recuperate and relax their muscles.

Getting back to the Chocolate Festival, many local businesses participated giving out their special chocolate treats to cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and folks who traveled by car.  Check out our Chocolate Festival package and you can reserve with us any time or call 1-800-258-2625 for this special fun-filled event.

Here's the recipe for our Diner Brownies, which I could not stop tasting to ensure their quality (a chef's guilty pleasure).

Diner Brownies

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
2-1/2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup water
6 ounces chopped unsweetened chocolate
5 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9" by 13" baking pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder and set aside.  In a saucepan, bring the butter, brown sugar, and water to a simmer.  Off the heat, whisk in the chopped unsweetened chocolate until dissolved and well combined; cool slightly.  Whisk in eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla.  Stir in the flour mixture.  Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Frosting:

1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat all ingredients together for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.  Then frost slightly cooled brownies.  The warmth from the brownies will melt the frosting slightly and coat it to a glossy finish.  Let cool completely before serving.

NOTE:  To make a gluten-free version, just substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour for the all-purpose flour.

Mount Willard Trail from The Buttonwood Inn on Mount Surprise

Weather is perfect this morning as our guests stir from their slumber. Coffee and tea are served and the oven and stove are fired up as Paula prepares another memorable breakfast.

The snowfall which started last night continues as we look to be headed towards at least another 8 inches. The trails out back of the Inn will be in great shape for snowshoeing and the local cross-country trails are all groomed and ready to go.

The photo above is from two of our guests who snowshoed up Mount Willard after I had suggested it to them during breakfast. They were definitely happy to have been able to see the beautiful panoramic views especially looking south straight down the Valley towards the towns of Bartlett, Glen, and North Conway.

What’s in the Mount Willard Area: 
•Crawford Notch, one of the best examples of a glacially carved U-shaped valley anywhere in the world
•Evidence of rock slides on Mount Webster and Mount Willey
•Peregrine falcons occasionally nest in the area


The trailhead for Mount Willard is located at the Gateway of Crawford Notch behind the Crawford Depot Information Center off US 302.

•From the Jackson-North Conway area, follow US 302 west at Glen where it splits from NH 16. US 302 passes through Bartlett, then heads north through Crawford Notch. At the top of the Notch, roughly 20 miles from the junction of NH 16 and US 302, the road goes through a narrow pass between two cliffs. The parking area for Crawford Depot, is a few hundred yards up the road on the left.

•From Twin Mountain, take US 302 east. Crawford Depot is on the right just beyond the turnoff for the AMC’s Highland Center, about eight miles south of the junction of US 302 and US 3.


Happy Trails!

Valentine's Yuuuummmy Dessert Recipe!

This Valentine's weekend, I'll be serving our guests red velvet cake.  It's a popular dessert and shows up in many bakeries and restaurants.   Here's a recipe to make for your sweetie this Valentine's Day.

Oh, and if you haven't booked your Valentine's Lover Package yet, check out our special and call us at 1-800-258-2625 or reserve on-line today!

Red Velvet-Cherry Cake Roll

Cake:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups cherry-flavored cola
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon red food coloring
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Filling:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups cold heavy cream
2 teaspoons almond extract
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Butter an 11" x 17" rimmed baking sheet and line with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour.

Bring the cola to a simmer in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 to 12 minutes.  Let cool.

Whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.  In a separate large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, almond and vanilla extracts, and the cola syrup.  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.  Spread the batter on the prepared baking sheet.  Bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. 

Dust a clean kitchen towel, not terry cloth, with confectioners' sugar.  Invert the cake onto the towel and peel off the parchment.  Trim the cake edges.  Begin rolling the short end of the cake around the towel and let cool completely on a rack.

In a large bowl, make the filling by whisking the cream cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and the almond extract until well combined.  In a stand mixer, whisk the remaining 1 cup of cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form.  Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.  Chill until ready to use.

Unroll the cooled cake and spread the filling on it.  Gently reroll the cake and transfer it to a platter.  Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Valentine's Lover Package Special Deal!

Treat your sweetie to our Valentine's Lover Package from February 10-14.  Book a 2-night stay or longer and receive a complimentary bottle of bubbly and New Hampshire made chocolates!

Call us at 1-800-258-2625 or reserve on-line today.

If you can't join us this holiday, check out our recipe for Red Velvet Cake Roll.