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....