I’ve Discovered a Love, a Passion that May Have Always Been Deep Within Me

In the three years since we have taken over the Mason Cottage Cape May Bed and Breakfast, there have been many changes.  Some very noticeable and some more discrete.  New landscaping, new paint inside and out.  Rooms renovated and updated all the while maintaining the Cape May Victorian feel.  The small touches to the major repairs, this old house is coming alive more and more each day.  She celebrates the love that resides here in her walls, floors, flowers and dirt.  141 years of life and love in this house.

I don’t know what happened here before I moved in, but since March 27, 2009 this house has been my home, my work and my love.  I have worked nearly every day in this kitchen creating cookies, scones, cakes, souffles, frittatas and quiches - new recipes, old recipes...alone with my music or dancing with friends and co-workers.

Cape May Beach Sunset

This kitchen, this house, this town has opened my eyes to so much about me.  Things that were instilled deep within that didn’t have an outlet before.  Maybe a test run here and there or a little dream or desire but never alive and kicking as they are now.

A new passion and love has emerged...photography.   In two years, I managed to free myself of debt, fear, insecurities and 60 pounds of self doubt.  So I decided to celebrate and bought myself my first digital camera. I’ve never taken pictures with a digital camera. My parents bought me my first 35mm point-n-shoot when I graduated from business school and my sister gave me my second camera...one that truly inspired me to take pictures...pictures that spoke to me and not just any old shot.

Cape May Church St. Peter's

To be honest, I didn’t take many pictures with that because I really couldn’t afford the film and the development.  When I did find a reason and a purpose, I would snap away only to be disappointed when I developed them weeks later.  So with my beautiful new camera and my fully charged battery, I set out on a walk around this beautiful town.  I don’t look different from the folks here looking for birds, celebrating time with family and spending a romantic weekend with the person they love.  I only know that when I look through the view finder I see a different world.  The sunsets, the structures, the people, the trees, the art...it all takes on a different feel when you point the camera and push that button.

Boats at Sunset in Cape May New Jersey

I’ve discovered a love, a passion that may have always been deep within me.  I’m slowly unwrapping this gift and cherishing the time with each discovery during the process.  The most amazing part ofmy personal journey is the people around me that love and support it.  From family to friends, employers to strangers, my love is being recognized and enjoyed. Be it my creations in the kitchen or behind the camera, it has always been a personal goal to share them with friends, family and guests. This job...this life has enabled that and today I celebrate the displaying of my work at the Mason Cottage Cape May Bed and Breakfast.  Now after you enjoy the breakfast or tea time treats created in the kitchen, you can view my work from behind the camera that will now adorn the walls of The Mason Cottage Cape NJ May Bed and Breakfast.  I look forward to sharing more and more kitchen creations and captured moments with all of you.

All Photos courtesy of Patti Goyette, Innkeeper at the Mason Cottage Cape May B and B

And the Winner of this Year's Chocolate Championship Tour and Tasting is...

...the Mason Cottage takes 1st place in Cape May's 2011 Victorian Week Chocolate Championship Tour and Tasting.  This is the second year in a row that the Mason Cottage, Cape May Bed and Breakfast has won bragging rights for the "Best Chocolate Creation" during Victorian Week.

 

Chocolate Decadence, 1st Place Winner

The Chocolate Championship Tour and Tasting is one of Cape May's most popular events and took place on Saturday, October 8th from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.  The event is sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) and is offered twice a year, both during the Spring Festival and Victorian Week.  Tourgoers are offered the opportunity to visit several historic Cape May properties to sample and vote for their favorite chocolate creation. 

There were more than 170 tourgoers who came out for this years Victorian Week event. The 2011 competitors, as well as their chocolate creations were, the Mason Cottage Cape May Bed and Breakfast with their Chocolate Decadence, the Puffin (Fudgy Mint Cheesecake Bars), Summer Cottage (Chocolate Covered Strawberries), Henry Sawyer Inn (Chocolate Raspberry Cookies) and the Physick Estate Tea Room with their Flourless Chocolate Torte. 

Patti and Kim showing off their creation

This competition was a great way for the Mason Cottage to kick off their First Friday's Wine and Chocolate Reception which is offered from 7:00 - 8:00 PM (October - March) in the parlor of the inn.  This reception is in addition to their regular Chocolate Decadance Tea Time.  So if you are a serious chocoholic and you are looking to get away for a few days, the Mason Cottage, Cape May Bed and Breakfast is a definite must try.  For more information on the Mason Cottage, Cape May Bed and Breakfast, please call 609.884.3358 or visit us at www.themasoncottage.com

Mason Cottage's Chocolate Decadence
A dark, milk and white chocolate layered mousse with a caramel whipped cream

8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped finely
8 ounces milk chocolate, chopped finely
8 ounces white chocolate chopped finely

3 tablespoons Grand Marnier (optional)

1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
10 large egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups half & half
3 and 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream

*  You will also need a piping bag 

Combine 1/2 cup water and gelatin in small bowl. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes.

Place each chocolate in 3 separate medium bowls along with a separate spatula for each bowl.

Beat yolks and sugar in large bowl until mixture is pale yellow and very thick, about 5 minutes. 

Bring half and half just to a simmer in heavy large saucepan. Gradually whisk hot half & half into beaten egg mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 3 minutes (do not boil). Remove custard from heat. Add softened gelatin; stir until gelatin dissolves. Strain mixture into large glass measuring cup. Immediately pour 1/3 of hot custard over each. Stir each chocolate with separate spoon until melted and smooth. Add Grand Marnier to white chocolate mixture.   

If mixture cools before chocolate is completely melted, set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir just until chocolate melts. Cool chocolate mixtures to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

Beat cream in large bowl until stiff peaks form. Divide whipped cream equally among 3 bowls of chocolate. Gently fold whipped cream into chocolate in each bowl.

Pipe bittersweet chocolate mixture into clear long stemmed glass (like a champagne glass). Freeze until firm, about 12-15 minutes. Pipe milk chocolate mixture over bittersweet chocolate layer. Freeze until firm, about 12-15 minutes. Pipe white chocolate mixture over milk chocolate mixture. Freeze until firm, about 12-15 minutes. Cover with plastic and store in refrigerator until ready to serve. 

When ready to serve, top each glass with Caramel Whipped Cream:  1.5 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 4 tbsp Godiva caramel liquor (optional).  Combine all in a medium bowl and mix until stiff peaks are formed.

1st Friday Wine & Chocolate Reception

The Mason Cottage, a Cape May NJ Bed & Breakfast offers Guests a 1st Friday Wine & Chocolate Reception

The Mason Cottage, Cape May Bed and Breakfast is offering their guests a 1st Friday Wine & Chocolate Reception from 7:00 - 8:00 PM in the inn's parlor.  This special reception is available to all guests of the inn on the first Friday of the month (October through March) and is included in the room rate.  Guests can relax by the fire, listen to jazz, all while enjoying an array of chocolate indulgences, such as:

• ChocoVine, a French Cabernet wine subtly combined with rich dark chocolate from Holland
• Chocolate beer and/or a variety of chocolate liquors
• An assortment of chocolate covered truffles, caramels and cordials
• Hand-dipped chocolate cookies, pretzels, dried fruits and nuts
• Chocolate covered strawberries
• An assortment of fresh Chocolate homemade baked goods
• And lets not forget, the hot chocolate, chocolate flavored coffees and a selection of chocolate teas

The 1st Friday Wine & Chocolate Reception is in addition to the inns afternoon tea offered from 3:00 - 4:00 PM.  Plus, if you haven't had your chocolate fix by the end of your stay, the inn has thought of that as well.  Each guest will leave with a special Mason Cottage chocolate treat to take home with them. 

The Mason Cottage's Wine and Chocolate Reception occurs on the following 1st Fridays:  10/7/11,  11/4/11,  12/2/11,  1/6/12,  2/3/12 & 3/2/12.  For more information, please go to  www.TheMasonCottage.com

To All Our Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Guests

By Patti Goyette, Innkeeper of the Mason Cottage, a Cape May Bed and Breakfast

If you know me, then you know I love food - Not just to eat, but to cook, bake, prepare, plan, read and discuss!  So, when a guest of our Cape May B&B checks in and express that they have a dietary restriction or food allergy, my heart goes out to them.  Not because they have this restriction, but because it may make the food world not such a fun place for them (at least this was my opinion before I started this project). 

THE PROJECT:  Try living one week each as a Vegetarian, a Vegan, and Gluten Free.   

THE RULES: 
Rule #1 - For three weeks, plan a breakfast menu each day and serve at least one item to non-informed guests:  Week 1 was a vegetarian item each morning, Week 2 was a vegan item each morning and Week 3 was a gluten-free item each morning.

Rule #2 - Go out to eat in the many Cape May restaurants and journal about my experiences, again week 1 as a vegetarian, week 2 as a vegan and week 3 as gluten-free.  (What I probably should have done was spread this journey out, but in 21 days, I decided to mess with my digestive system as much as possible!)  That said, I do not recommend this challenge, but I do recommend your own diet challenge.  Why?  Because I learned even more about food and loved every minute of it!  Ok, there were a few minutes in there that I didn’t love, but I adjusted. 

Vegetarian Breakfast Pizza

MY VEGETARIAN WEEK:  Starting out Vegetarian was not particularly difficult for me.  I enjoyed my own Cheese and Onion Quiches for breakfast, my favorite pasta dishes for dinner and of course, no challenge in the snack world!  Love Doritos!!  I discovered that any restaurant in town will be able to accommodate the Vegetarian and that there is one place in town that has the best Veggie Burger in the world!  On a side note, this burger is not acceptable on the Vegan plan as cheese and egg whites were used to make the patties.  I’ve also discovered if a bar is what you are looking for and you would like to indulge in a snack, Fried Broccoli is quite tasty, but I can't say it wasn’t fried in the same oil as that guys burger over there was.  So, if you are sensitive to that extreme, you may want to double check with your server or bartender.    

MY VEGAN WEEK:  Week 2 was a bit more of a challenge!  To be honest, I’m very unfamiliar with the Vegan world.  I’ve only had a few guests stay with me that are vegan and through discussions and trials, I discovered just how deep this lifestyle goes.  With that said, this was a fun and educational week.  However, halfway through, I must admit, I cheated.  Please don’t be disappointed in me, but it was a free dinner at the Lobster House and that doesn’t come along often when all of the factors (stars) align…free dinner, free ride, fresh seafood and well, did I mention it was free?  Ok, so I cheated.  I’m over it.  I discovered so many new foods that I truly love!  Tofu for one and Almond milk for another!  I started out with familiar things, like my loved Steel Cut Oats for breakfast and pesto pastas along with salads, sans the cheese and creamy dressings.  I also discovered a roasted veggie pizza that was AMAZING!  I also managed to wow the guests at Tea-Time with vegan cupcakes!

Gluten-Free Cake with Chocolate Frosting

MY GLUTEN-FREE Week:  Gluten Free (GF) was not as difficult as I would have first thought.  Aside from my system trying to get used to meat and cheese again, the GF pizza I made along with the French toast with GF bread and the Mediterranean breakfast sandwich were out of this world.  I also discovered that several restaurants in town have complete GF menus out for guests.  I for one was absolutely thrilled by this!  In addition, I've discovered many recipes for GF baked goods and I must say, the cake mixes were some of the best mixes I’ve ever used.  And if you know me, I am not in favor of baking anything that starts out from a mix!  The 12 people at tea-time certainly agreed that the yellow cake with chocolate frosting was delish! 

So there you have it, my 21 day project in a nutshell.  We would like our guests to know that not only are we happy to accommodate you for breakfast and tea-time, we are thrilled to suggest wonderful Cape May restaurants to eat.  We will call and speak directly to the chef and make reservations for you!  I recommend letting us know you are coming in advance and what your restriction is because we love to be prepared!  

Now, let me conclude by saying that this project started as a way to increase our knowledge about these “diet lifestyles”.  We love our guests here at the Mason Cottage Cape May Bed and Breakfast and if there is any way we can make their overall guest experience that much better on their visit to Cape May, we are going to do it!  However, I learned something much more – that even though you have diet restrictions or food allergies, the food world can be fun for ANYONE!  Now, when someone shares their ‘restriction’ with me, I get excited to talk about restaurants they should try during their stay and recipes I’ve come up with!

Please check out some of our favorite restaurants in Cape May that will cater to our Vegetarians, Vegans and Gluten-Free friends.

Vegan/Vegetarian:  Lucky Bones, Merion Inn, Bella Vida, Higher Grounds (serves many vegan breakfast & lunch specialties), Sean’s, Georges and Gecko’s

Gluten Free:  Lucky Bones, Alethea’s, Bella Vida, Sean’s, Gecko’s and George’s

A Victorian Christmas in Cape May

Christmas time in Cape May is our most favorite time of the year at the Mason Cottage.  As such, we love to go all out with our holiday decorations (it doesn't hurt that my sister, Carrie Campbell, is a renowned garden designer in Bucks County, PA who also specializes in holiday exterior decorations for her clients).  

This year we started our Christmas decorating on Sunday, November 28th (this may seem early to some, but in Cape May this is actually considered late).  Since we chose to use all real greenery, we were limited to how early we could put up the tree, garlands and greenery.  All of the outside and inside garland (on the banisters, fireplace, above the doors and mirrors) was a beautiful Western Red Cedar.  Plush red velvet bows were lovingly place on wreaths, fencing, as well as the Mason Cottage sign.

The Mason Cottage tree of choice is a Leyland Cyprus.   We chose the Leyland Cyprus for its beautiful lacy greenery, as well as the fact that it stays green and fresh for a very long time.  Since we were decorating so early this was a major requirement (the 1st day we put the tree up, it drank 2 gallons of water).  These trees grow very quickly in the fields so its not unusual to find trees that are 12+ feet tall.  The theme of this years tree was Au Natural.  Most of the ornaments are made from objects of nature that were collected on our many nature walks or from the walks along the beach. 

Our little angel ornaments were all tediously made by hand, all from objects of nature.  If you can find them on the tree,  turn them over, you will find their name on the back of each one - Cloe, Froe, Zoey, Maura & Laura (pictured here to the left is Zoey.)  The wings on the angel are  made from shells that are actually called "Angel Wing's".  The dress is made from dried  Coxcomb Celosia and Maiden Grass plumes, the head is a Shark-eye shell and the hands are Cats-Paw shells. The hair was made from real wool gathered from the lambs on our friends family farm.

Among the many other ornaments you can find on the tree are real finch and robin bird nests, sand dollars, starfish, dried hydrangea, grass seed heads, pine cone and shell pomander balls.  Each ornament that graces this tree has its own special story - each made by hand.

Each year Cape May's Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC, for short) offers their Cape May Candlelight House Tours.  This year the tours fall on Saturdays, December 4th, 11th & 18th from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.  These tours present a wonderful opportunity to peek inside many of the Cape May Bed & Breakfast.   We are very excited that the Mason Cottage will be one of the featured inns on tour during this years 2010 tour.   

If you would like more information on the Mason Cottage, a Cape May NJ Bed and Breakfast, please visit us at www.themasoncottage.com

Top 10 Things to do in Cape May this Fall

If you've been to Cape May, New Jersey before, than lucky you (you can understand my enthusiasm when I speak of this little gem of a town).  If not, and your thinking about a little getaway, then why not check out all this town has to offer (I promise you will not be disappointed).  So, on to my Top 10 list of things to do this fall in Cape May:

10. New Jersey Audubon Weekend (October 28th - 31st)
This is one of the biggest birding events on the East Coast - http://www.birdcapemay.org/autumn.shtml "If birds are good judges of excellent climate, Cape May has the finest climate in the United States, for it has the greatest variety of birds."  – Alexander Wilson

9.  Dinner at George's
OK, this really isn't an event, but it is worthy to make the list in my opinion.  If you are into really great food in a casual atmosphere, than this is the place for you.  It's a BYOB and the prices won't break the bank either.  Keep a look out for them on the Food Networks "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" where they were recently featured with Guy Fieri.  

8.  Shopping along Washington Street Mall
The fall is the best time to go shopping in Cape May, Why you ask?  Well a lot of shops close down for two months in the winter and they need to sell their inventory to make room for next years stock.  You can find great sales in almost every shop.  My personal favorites are Caroline's Boutique, Bath Time and Good Scents. 

7.  Physick Estate Tree-lighting and Open House (November 20th at 7:00 PM)
This is the kick-off to the holiday season in Cape May - a jump start to getting people into the Christmas spirit. 

6.  Cape May Jazz Festival (November 12th - 14th)
This event happens twice a year in Cape May, once in the spring and again in the Fall.  If you are into good music than this is a definite do-not-miss event.  http://www.capemayjazz.com/festival.cfm

5.  Cape May New Jersey Film Festival (October 19th - 21st)
"The Cape May NJ State Film Festival is New Jersey’s premiere weekend film festival dedicated exclusively to the support and presentation of creative, challenging, groundbreaking, film/video works by New Jersey filmmakers.  During this four-day period, festival goers have the opportunity to celebrate the best New Jersey films and filmmakers, screening a full day of shorts, numerous features, retrospectives, special events. Along the way, attendees have the pleasure unique to film festivals of meeting face-to-face with the directors, actors, producers, screenwriters, and composers who are the makers of these films."

4.  Food & Wine Festival (September 18th - 26th)
Foodies and oenophile's will delight in this week long festival.  Indulge in great food, fine wine, and all types of culinary creations during the 14th Cape May Food & Wine Festival 

3.  Christmas Candlelight House Tours (December 4th, 11th and 18th)
Since Winter does not officially begin until December 21st, this event makes my fall top 10 list!  Christmas is such an amazing time in Cape May.  It's something short of magical to see all the homes and Cape May Bed and Breakfasts decked out with the lights, garlands and Victorian splendor.  The Mason Cottage Bed and Breakfast will be one of the featured inn on tour this year (December 4th and 18th).

2.  Cape May's Victorian Week 2010 (October 8th - 17th)
So much to do and see in Cape May during this week long celebration (Please see my earlier post for more on this event).  One of the events especially near and dear to me, the Chocolate Championship Tour and Tasting is happening during Victorian Week on October 9th.  If you like Chocolate, then this is a tour for you!  Last season, we were the 1st Runner Up with our "Pounds of Chocolate".   Will our "Everything, but the Kitchen Sink Brownies" take the win??  I hope!  If it does, check back for the recipe!

And the #1 thing to do in Cape May, New Jersey is:

Relax on the beach, listen to the surf and do nothing. 
Hectic times call for drastic measures my friends!

If you are interested in learing more about us, you can visit us at www.TheMasonCottage.com

Cape May Victorian Week 2010

One of the many great things about Cape May, New Jersey is that this is a year-round beach town. Unlike many other New Jersey shore towns, Cape May offers visitors a variety of activities, fairs, and festivals to enjoy throughout the year. Come October, while our neighboring shore towns start to wind down, Cape May continues to charm visitors with its most well-known festival, Cape May Victorian Week (rated a “Top 100 Event in North America”).

Cape May Victorian Week is a time to celebrate what makes this seaside retreat so special – its history. Learn to dance as they did back in the Victorian era by attending one of the vintage dance workshops offered throughout the week. You may also be interested in one of the guided walking tours or trolley tours where you will learn about the history of the town, the people (and the ghosts) and the many historic buildings and B&B’s that date back to the late 1800’s.

Visitors to Cape May have always been intrigued by the many Victorian bed and breakfasts nestled throughout the town (rated “One of the country’s Top Ten Bed & Breakfast Towns” by Coastal Living). Before having the opportunity to own one of these spectacular painted ladies, I was one of those personally captivated. I remember walking down the quaint little streets in Cape May, seeing people on the verandas enjoying their afternoon tea and even getting the opportunity to glance inside one of the inns when a guest was coming out the front door. Now as an owner, I experience peoples curiously first hand. I can’t tell you how many people have come up to the Mason Cottage front door and asked for a tour. I can see the excitement in their eyes as they say “Can we have a tour of your inn”? And then I see it quickly fade when I say “I’m sorry, but we have guests staying in our rooms, so I won’t be able to show you”. But alas there is good news; the Mason Cottage will be one of the inns on tour during this year’s Cape May Victorian Week. There are a variety of Cape May B&B tours being offered during Victorian Week through Cape May’s MAC (Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities). The inn tours include the Victorian Week Sampler Tour, Cape May Homes & Collections Tour, Chocolate Championship Tour & Tasting and the INNteriors Tour & Tea.

Come check out the Mason Cottage and enjoy the many other activities in Cape May such as murder mysteries, food and wine events, ghost tours and the East Lynn Theater just to name a few.

Cape May Victorian Week 2010 starts October 8th and runs through October 14th. For accommodations at our Cape May NJ Bed and Breakfast, please visit us at www.themasoncottage.com