Snowmageddon I/II Update from Shepherdstown, WV

Here's an update on the aftermath of Snowmageddon I & II here in Shepherdstown. The main streets have been plowed and the sidewalks are generally passable although you'll want to wear boots - some corners are tricky due to exuberant snowplows and watch out for falling ice and snow. There is even some parking on German Street - the town worked diligently all day Wednesday and they did an admirable job. Some shops and restaurants are open today (Thursday) - we expect all of them to be open for the weekend, as well as the Opera House for movies.

The Inn has a plowed parking lot and a shoveled sidewalk. We are open for business and we have rooms available due to some cancellations. If you are brave enough to come out, we and our business colleagues in town will welcome you!! It's been a tough February. To that end, we are offering a Snowmaggedon Special - $25 off a one-night stay and $50 off a two-night stay this weekend only (Feb. 12 - 14). Aren't you really ready to get out of the house?

Photos just after the first storm: quite the winter wonderland. We haven't seen snow like this since we left Syracuse, NY.


Jeanne & Jim at the
Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B in Shepherdstown, WV

More Thoughts before Valentine's Day

Have you ever heard of the 3/50 project? It's a project started to raise awareness of the independently owned businesses - 'saving the bricks and mortars our nation is built on.' The website describes how you can save your local economy...three stores at a time.

It's a simple concept really. Choose three independently owned businesses, the ones you'd miss most if they were gone. Stop by, say hello, pick up a little something for yourself or someone else.

If just half of the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in these independent businesses (a total of $50, not $50 in each store), more than $42.6 billion in revenue would be generated. For every $50 spent in independently owned stores, $34 returns to the community. Compare that to only $21.50 returning to the community at a national chain, or $0 from an online purchase.

Here's how you could shop in Shepherdstown for Valentine's Day:
- Buy 1/2 lb. Shepherdstown Blend coffee at the German Street Coffee & Candlery, plus some romantic scented candles for the evening. How about a nice bottle of wine or some gourmet cheese and crackers to go with?
- Make a reservation at Stone Soup Bistro for dinner. Not only are they an independent business, they get their menu ingredients locally as well.
- Pick up a book of poetry at the Four Seasons Book Store and a charming card to go with it.
- DeFluri's chocolates (made locally in Martinsburg), along with wine and craft beers, are available at Gourmet Grapes and Grains.
- A beautiful custom-made necklace from Plum stamped with a monogram and a heart is the perfect unique gift.
- Stop by Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery for a beautiful hand-thrown vase for your Valentine's Day flowers.

There are a million more ideas within our three little blocks of shops in Sheherdstown. Every store on German Street and Princess Street is independently-owned. Most of the restaurants and two of the lodging options are as well. Make this your year to embrace the 3/50 project whenever you shop. We small business owners will be glad you did!

Jeanne & Jim at the
Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B in Shepherdstown, WV

Thoughts before Valentine's Day

I recently enjoyed a blog post by my good friend Monica at the White Cedar Inn in Freeport, ME about the lost art of conversation. The takeaway of her post, and I will quote her, is 'please promise yourself you'll spend more real time with the people you love and less time with the people you're just infatuated with.'

By now, there's no one that hasn't seen two people dining at a restaurant, each texting away on their cellphone to someone else and ignoring the person sitting with across the table. And really, who needs to know a friend's Facebook/Twitter status of what they have for breakfast or that they are standing at the checkout line at the Food Lion? And right this minute?

This week we will be spending a bit of time away from the Inn traveling - to see a new grandson, to conduct some business, to finally meet Monica in person (the internet isn't evil in and of itself - without it I wouldn't know all these wonderful innkeepers) and to celebrate my birthday with an overnight at the Beechmont Inn and a meal at the Sheppard Mansion which I have been dying to try since reading a local food writer's account of spending the day there. We'll have to take the cell phone and laptop, but I will put them aside on Thursday to wallow in a vacation day with my incredible husband without any electronic interruptions. Isn't that the best way to spend a day?

Jeanne at the
Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B in Shepherdstown, WV

Valentine's Day - our special bonus for you!

Here's the simplest solution to the stress of Valentine's Day. Make plans for a getaway to the Thomas Shepherd Inn for the weekend - park your car and stroll the historic town or relax in front of our lving room fireplace. Walk to one of several restaurants (we'll help you with recommendation and reservations if you book soon) in the evening with your sweetheart or enjoy a night at the Opera House movie theater featuring indie movies and popcorn with real butter.

With a two-night stay in any of our rooms this holiday weekend, you'll enjoy a complimentary cheese and fruit plate, with chocolate-covered strawberries and a rosebud to mark the occasion. The items in the package - repro vintage tin tray, heart-shaped napkin rings, rose and bud vase - are yours to take home as mementos. Always included in your stay at the Inn are comfy microfiber robes in your room, a delicous homemade breakfast to start your morning, and afternoon snacks and cookies at our always-available hot beverage sideboard. To up the ante, add one of our special occasion packages with gourmet locally-made chocolates, a bouquet of seasonal flowers and a chilled sparkling beverage with champagne flutes. Check our specials page for this and other options.

Jeanne & Jim at the
Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B in Shepherdstown, WV

What's for Dinner (plus our winter special) in Shepherdstown

First, let me apologize for the obvious - I'm a bad innkeeper for not posting in awhile. I can only say that the last few months got away from us, as we did (and are still doing) some family visits, conferences, and maybe a little teeny bit of vacation while it's been quiet in December and January. I will be better in 2010.

Next - just a little bit of advertising. We have a winter special on our rooms through the next few weeks, until February 11th. $25 off the room rate for any room, any night and no two-night minimum stay on Saturdays. Check back in this space for our Valentine's weekend special which I will post soon.

Last but not least - my main reason for posting was to share a recipe. Not a breakfast recipe, but an easy and comforting winter dinner recipe. It's only relation to breakfast is that you should get it started in the crockpot after breakfast so it's ready at dinner time. I used a pork shoulder, but you could also use a pork butt or a chuck roast.

2 lb. pork shoulder
1 small shallot or onion
1 can diced tomatoes with chiles (mild or jalapeno, depending on your heat preference)
5 tomatilloes, papery skins removed, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. sage
1 tsp. Mexican seasoning
1/2 Tbl. oregano
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Trim the visible fat from the meat and stick it in the crockpot. Add shallot/onion, then tomatilloes, then tomatoes with chiles. Add spices. Stir it around a little to distribute the spices around the meat. Add chopped cilantro on top. Cover and cook on low heat for about 8 hours. We had this for dinner with multi-grain tortillas, shredded cheese and sliced avocado. You could add other fixings like salsa, shredded lettuce or rice for a more substantial meal. As prepared this had just a little spice - good for me - and Jim added hot sauce to his because he likes to sweat while he's eating Chile Verde. The recipe was adapted from Make it Fast, Make it Slow by Stephanie O'Dea. I should note that this chile verde is not as green as some, because we used red tomatoes in addition to the tomatilloes.

Hope you enjoy it - it's perfect for a cold winter evening, when there's snow on the ground!


Jeanne & Jim at the
Thomas Shepherd Inn B&B in Shepherdstown, WV