Jake

Jake was 14 years old.  Maryalice bought him as a young dog.  He has been part of my life for almost eight years.  He followed me everywhere.  Maryalice had him "put down" Friday.  I did not agree, but it was time.  He constantly fell when walking - and would look up and wonder why.  He could not hear.  He had to be helped outside.   And, he has left a tremendous void in our home.   Barbara, a recent guest at the Legacy, put it best this morning:  " Loosing a pet is like loosing a family member.  Labs are such wonderful dogs.   The wonderful thing about a dog is they never judge us they just love us.   They accept us for who we are, they are happy with a pat on the head and they are just happy to be with us.   People can learn a lot from a dog!"   Thank you Barbara. 

Chateau Lafayette Reneau

Have been getting the Legacy ready for the winter.  Gardens pulled, leaves racked, lawn mowed (for the last time), porch away, .........  and Maryalice is beginning a new job at Chateau Lafayette Reneau.  CLR is one of the top wineries on the Lake and in the Finger Lakes.  She will be working in their office, pouring wine on the weekends, and probaby doing some off premise tastings.  She is pretty excited about being associated with such a well-known winery.  I have known their wine maker, Tim Miller, for years.  He has been called a genius.  They are a MUST STOP for dry wine drinkers.  Their tasting experience is the most unique on Seneca Lake.  For $5, you get to taste all 15 or their wines (except the reserve cab). 
      Take advantage of our Fall Packages.  November is the perfect time to come to Rosemary's Legacy.  The rates are lower, the fireplace is available, and the menu is superb.  Call us.

Last Night

Table for Two served another dinner at Magnolia Place in Hector last night to a lovely couple from Delaware.  I do believe that Bill and Darlene were our first customers (from either the Legacy or Table for Two) from the state of Delaware.  I made them Tiramisu - hear that Brenda and Steve from New Hampshire.  They loved it - Bill had seconds.  Locally, Sal, the founding father of the Jerlando's pizza chain in our area, opened a pub in downtown Montour Falls yesterday.  They have a full service bar with area wines and an impressive beer list, AND a wonderful menu including appetizers, great burgers, and freshly cut char-grilled steaks.  This is a great new place to send our guests at the Legacy who simply want to walk to dinner.
More on Sal's later.

Readerless

I am wondering the worth of writing a blog that no one reads, but wait - perhaps someone is reading them, just not commenting on them.  Quiet week at the Legacy.  Had a nice couple from Rochester take the house on Sunday and Monday.  Rick and Amy brought their bikes and used the Catherine Valley Trail.  They sampled Jerlando's and just enjoyed their time away and the house.  Have a couple from Columbus, Ohio coming in this weekend.  They have booked the "Romancing the Falls" Package which includes wine and cheese on arrival, two breakfasts and a gourmet dinner.  Darlene chose Sauteed Scallops in white wine reduction, Pear & Pecan Salad, Delmonicos with seasoned potato wedges and grilled asparagus, and (geting the new torch out for) Creme Brule for their dinner.  Table for Two had a dinner at Mag Place last night.  I had a flat tire on the way there, and a nice gentleman helped me put the spare on.  We both got a bit dirty, and he turned out to be the gentleman that I served for diner - along with his lovely wife, of course.  Jody is a 1971 graduate of West Point - which means he went to school with my good friend, Tim Anderson. 

October 7

Was it the last Blog that was named, "Busy?"   Well it has gotten worse - or better if you are in the business of being busy and making money.  Did a Table for Two Dinner on Tuesday at Magnolia Place - 4 great people from the mid-west.  Tonight, Table for Two is taking part in the first "Taste of the Finger Lakes" gala at the Community Center.  I have an old student of mine, from Atlanta, driving through and spending the night.  Will have so little time to spend with him.  Tomorrow is prep day.  Have a dinner tomorrow night at Mag Place and Saturday in Ovid.  Also working at Arcadian Winery on Saturday.  Checking in two couples on Saturday at the Legacy, from Long Island and fixing them breakfast on Sunday.  It is a very busy time for us - and very exciting.

Busy

It is Wednesday, September 29.  Yesterday was a very busy day.  I had a Tourism Committee meeting in the morning at Classic Chef's and chaired my first Membership Committee meeting for the FLTA (http://www.fingerlakes.org/) in the early afternoon.  In the evening, Table for Two traveled to Magnolia Place to feed Maureen and Ron.  Ron has been serving our country since May in Afghanistan.  He is a lifetime soldier and police officer and told me that he is their to teach our young soldiers how to stay alive.  He has to return after a short vacation with his wife, Maureen.  Maureen planned the meal over a month ago - and by examining their plates, after each course, I would say that the meal went quite well.  They started with chilled Rosemary Shrimp, sauce louis; Pear & Pecan Salad; Cantaloupe Sorbet; Short Ribs Provencale with grilled asparagus hollandaise;  and finished with the first Creme Brule ever created by Table for Two.  They are a great couple and we all had a good time. 
     This morning I said good bye to Terry and Betty from Baton Rouge.  They have been at the Legacy for 4 days while touring the Finger Lakes.  They drove around Seneca, hitting the many wineries, spent a day in Aurora, and yesterday visited Corning and Hammondsport.  Betty wrote in our guest book:  We enjoyed very much the Finger Lakes Region;  one of the most beautiful areas we have ever experienced.  Our stay was was even more memorable having been in your family home.  Rosemary's Legacy was truly a home away from home.  Thank you especially for guiding us in our sightseeing and dining.  We will remember this experience the rest of our lives! 
     Just 4 more great people that I have been able to meet this summer.

Saturday

Rosemary's Legacy and Table for Two had a busy day yesterday.  The senior staff at nearby Schuyler Hospital held an all-day meeting at Rosemary's Legacy.  Table for Two prepared their lunch, served in The Legacy's elegant dining room.  Cream of Asparagus Soup, Pear & Pecan Salad, Zucchini and Fried Pepper Casserole with grilled chicken, and Chocolate Crepes with raspberry compote for dessert.  After cleaning the house, Table for Two readied for an evening dinner at Magnolia Place in Hector.  Bob and Bonnie, from Cleveland, were in the Finger Lakes (for the first time) celebrating their anniversary.  They had grilled, chilled Rosemary Shrimp with sauce louis, (also) Pear & Pecan Salad (very popular this time of year), Cantaloupe Sorbet, Fire Grilled Tenderloin paired with Mustard Encrusted Pacific Coho Salmon (garlic mashed and grilled asparagus), and Chocolate Cream Crepes for dessert.  It was a good day.
          Today, we have a couple checking in from Baton Rouge for a three day stay.  ... and although a little too late, the Red Sox beat the Yankess last night.  One could only imagine where the Sox might be if the top four hitters in their line-up were not all done for the year.....

Autumn, the real Day One

My wife, Maryalice, has been after me for the last two years to create a winter package that includes skiing.  Greek Peak is the closest downhill area - about an hour away - BUT, we do have several cross country skiing venues in (almost) our own backyard.  Maryalice just handed me - "her" winter package.  I will work on the pricing and post it to our Package Page in a day or two.  As with all of our packages, and as artfully stated by my wife, our packages include welcome wine and cheese (artisinal???), breakfast each morning, and one gourmet dinner (which includes that "patina of  glowing silver"), she assured me that "patina" was not a new course to be consumed with the silver.   What follows then, is not a new novel, but the beginnings of a new package, authored by Maryalice, for Rosemary's Legacy:

Close your eyes, relax, breath deep and imagine this:

Crystalline, snow-swept landscapes, the echoing silence of a winter woodland encapsulated in gleaming ice, the crunch of your skies over pristine pastures and trails, the crisp clean-scented air, all of this can be yours as part of Rosemary’s Legacy Winter Warmth Weekend.  Enjoy cross country skiing or snowshoeing on any of the Finger Lakes National Forest’s trails (www.fs.fed.us/r9/gmfl ) or along the Scenic Catherine Valley Trail (www.catharinevalleytrail.org), which passes right in front of The Legacy.

Begin your weekend (or mid-week stay, for that matter), with an inviting array of local artisinal cheeses, accompanied by fruit in season and a bottle of local wine.  Relax in the beauty of Rosemary’s Legacy’s many cozy nooks and crannies, or in front of the crackling hearth.

Awaken to one of John’s sumptuous breakfasts, and then hit the trail(s) for your day in the sun and the snow.  Irish or Mexican coffee, or hot cocoa, or hot mulled cider (perhaps with a splash of caramel vodka?!) awaits you upon your return.  Warm yourselves in front of the fire, sipping your toddies and recounting your adventures.  Dinner for two (or four) will be provided by Table for Two catering, right in the warmth and comfort of the Legacy’s beautifully appointed dining room.  Gleaming crystal, the patina of glowing silver, gorgeous heirloom china, golden candlelight, and beautiful fresh flowers all compliment the elegantly set table.  A five-course meal of your choosing (previously discussed with Chef Johnnay) awaits, professionally prepared and served, with your every whim indulged.

This package’s pricing can be modified to include other services, such as massage, private limo for wine tasting on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, or other special services upon request and availability.

Autumn

Autumn has arrived in the Finger Lakes and at Rosemary's Legacy.  This is my first (ever) blog.  I will be telliing you  about the happenings at both Rosemary's Legacy and at Table for Two.  The pool at the Legacy has been closed until June, 2011.  Autumn decorations are out at the Legacy.  Table for Two will be doing double duty this Friday.  The Schuyler Hospital management staff will be renting the house from 10 to 2.  Table for Two will be preparing lunch for the group of 8.  In the evening, I will go going to Magnolia Place in Hector to prepare dinner for a couple celebrating their anniversary.  In the coming days and months, I will keep you posted (blogged) about what we are doing.  Thanks for reading....