Huckleberry Banana Bread

Huckleberry Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 to 4 very ripe bananas, sliced
1 cup walnuts (optional)
1 cup huckleberries, rinsed and drained (you may substitute with blueberries)

Cream together, butter, sugar and eggs. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to creamed mixture. Mix well. Beat 200 strokes. Fold in sliced bananas and huckleberries. Bake in a greased and floured mini loaf pans at 350º for 45 minutes to an hour.

Adopt-A-Highway Program

Trinidad Bay Bed & Breakfast been a part of the Adopt-A-Highway program since April 2006. The adopted area is about 3 miles north of the B & B on HWY 101 just before Patrick's Point State Park. The weather has been very nice and I figured that I needed to get out there and clean the highway before the B & B gets too busy. I walked the two mile stretch of the highway and only picked up one full bag of trash and one bag of recyclables! This is a big improvement from the last time I went out and picked up about 6 bags of trash. I just love being out there doing this for the community. Cal Trans provides me with all the tools needed for the job. This includes a hardhat, trash grabber, trash bags, yellow vest and bags for recycling. Businesses or individuals may adopt a stretch of highway. All one needs to do it check out the Adopt-A-Highway website to apply.

Flowers are Blooming at the Trinidad Bay B & B!

Cherry Almond Scones

Here is a new recipe a Trinidad neighbor shared with me and it has been a big hit.

Cherry Almond Scones

For the scones:
3/4 cup dried cherries
1 cup boiling water
1 egg
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup almonds, chopped

For the cherry butter:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup cherry preserves

To start: Preheat the oven to 400˚. Grease a baking sheet or cover baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Put the dried cherries into the boiling water; set aside.

Prepare the scones: In a large bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk, vanilla and almond extracts; set aside. In a food processor, blend the flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. (You can also just use a simple hand held pastry blender to do this if you don't have a food processor). Drain the cherries and stir into the egg mixture. Add the crumb mixture to the egg mixture and stir until blended. Stir in the almonds. Drop the dough by heaping tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Serve warm with cherry butter.

Make the cherry butter: In a medium bowl, combine the butter and preserves. Stir until blended.

Yield: 24 scones

Trinity Alps Guest Room - Remodeled

The Trinity Alps Room is Ready for the Season!

The old wallpaper has been stripped, and the plastic mini blinds are history. New curtains and new freshly painted colors - check it out ...

Tu Tu' Tun and Bandon-By-The-Sea, OR

I'm gathering my thoughts and pictures from my recent weekend up north. I'm excited to report that we have a very special, even luxurious place, a few beautiful hours north - the Tu Tu Tun Lodge [link].

Trinity Alps Guest Room - Remodeling

We are at it ... again!

Things are sadly so slow here in the winter, that even though we can't afford it, we take rooms off the market for remodeling projects. This year, our Trinity Alps Guest Room gets some special attention.

When I remodeled the entire B&B a few years ago, Trinity Alps stayed open the longest and got less attention in the wall-paper/paint removal department. All rooms got new furniture, plush king beds, Restoration Hardware linens, and fixtures, but Trinity Alps just got a quick coat of paint - gotta pay the bills. We recently got a less than stellar review (!) for our Trinity Alps Room. I'm glad we were already addressing their concerns, even before they got back to Germany. Though I can't figure out how to cram a jacuzzi tub into that little bathroom over the garage, and can't afford to add a fireplace this year, it will be a nice remodel.

Jason has been busy scraping this past week, and will start painting next week. We'll post some before and after pics here for those of you that like projects like this.

Here are a few (pre-remodel) reviews from the Trinity Alps Guest Room Journal:

Not Having to Answer the Bell All the Time

May '06

"Sometimes work is being like a boxer, taking a beating round after round, and yet having to keep answering the bell to go out for another round. I love hearing the bell in the bay, a very different kind of bell. Nothing to answer, just something to be with." 

It Goes With You

May '06

"I have waited 28 years to stay in this place. I fell completely in love with Trinidad and with this house as a young, impressionable college student. How is it possible that I am here now as a 50 year old with my own college age daughter? How wonderful to be able to share this dream with her. This is not a place you can leave behind. It goes with you, it becomes a part of you forever." -Huntsville, UT

My Husband's (Then Boyfriend's) Birthday Present '98

June '06

"Since then we have tried to come here every year, and we always stay in the same room (Trinity Alps). We love Northern California, Trinidad, this house, and this room. The owners of this place have changed twice since we came here, this place is a bit more modern and less country, and it's still as charming, lovely and beautiful as ever." -Pacifica, CA

Trinidad Bay Will Beckon Us Back

June '06

"This place has all the weary traveler could long for ... The charm of the Trinity Room - The incomparable view and melody of the bell. Treats and treasures are just around the corner. A delightful breakfast to nourish body and soul in the morning." -Grass Valley, CA

Excellent in Every Way

July '06

"I love the style and comfort of the Trinity Alps Suite and have thoroughly enjoyed the delicious breakfasts -- what a way to start the day! I wish you well for the future -- by all accounts you deserve to continue to be hugely successful." -Yorkshire, England

Most Comfortable Bed Ever

August '06

"Great room with a beautiful view! ... P.S. The bed is a Simmons 'World Class' and I'm going to get one when I get home!" -San Clemente, CA

iPod Charger a Nice Bonus!

September '06

"The sounds of the ocean, birds & bell with the cool air were soothing after a long day of driving. The room had nice touches & details. The artwork was a great combination -- from your hike into the Trinity Alps." -Grants Pass, OR

An Awesome Time

October '06

"Breakfast was a highlight of each day as was meeting and talking with the guests. You can be proud of all that you have done here." -Manhattan Beach, CA

Returning for Anniversaries!

October '06

"Today we were married on Wedding Rock. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the scenery breathtaking! We drove for 4 days to get here and it couldn't have been more worthwhile! I will always remember the sounds of the waves and the bell in the bay!" -Alberta, Canada

A Jewel of a Town

December '06

"Were we (my wife and I) lucky to find such an amazing B&B or what? Our room's decor was great! Much more modern than your typical Victorian B&B ... May your stay be as restful & memorable as ours!" -Orange, CA

Perfection & Beauty

February '07

"James and Loraine [...] were madly, deeply, and insanely in love in this room ... Thank you"

Fine Simplicity, Luxurious Comfort, Brilliantly Thoughtful

March '07

"A taste of Heaven if there ever was one ... 'Old Home' ( aka Indian Beach [242 steps away]) Beach was our favorite jont [jaunt?] ... Don't miss 'Catch Cafe', 'Beach Comber Cafe', and the 'Trinidad Trading Company'. There's so much to savor & enjoy right here in Trinidad without stepping foot into the car. It's quite an extraordinary gift to slow down and walk everywhere, & to simply rest in this elegant room." -Seattle, WA

Blessed

April '07

We feel blessed that our Lord led us here - a wonderful quiet place an absolutely beautiful view! We love the layout of the room, and it is so clean! We plan to return and to recommend this place to our friends." -Lincoln, CA

Wonderful Special Place

August '07

"Too bad we could only stay one night. This is such a great place to stay. Wonderful room. Great view. Super breakfast." -Santa Cruz, CA

Wish We Could Stay Longer

August '07

"One of the most charming places we stayed. Look forward to stopping by in the future." -Buenos Aires, Argentina via Jacksonville, FL

What An Ugly Weather

January '08

What a spectaculous (sic) view. The 'pacifico' at Trinidad in the trinity-room! What an ugly weather - raining over days - stormy winds and in the last night it snows into the ocean. And what a beautiful time these three days are with the ocean with the redwoods with the sleeping buddha on the beach. Thanks the univers (sic) Thank you for the beautiful breakfast Thanks to this beautiful house & place." -Zurich, Switzerland

Luck ... Destiny - Everything Perfect

June '08

"With no set plans just our spirit of adventure this was one of the most restful & beautiful stops we made along the way. Sometimes it pays to be like the water that flows around the rocks in the sea ... you never know what you'll caress ... Thank you for everything & for living out your dreams so that others may enjoy theirs ... until next time." -Connecticut

It's so touching to read these entries over the years.

If I ever feel unappreciated in my town, or a bit blue, I just head to one of my rooms and read a little.

Can't feel blue long with all these wonderfully warm words, left by such kind people, staying in my little Trinity Alps Guest Room over the garage, in this charming 50's Cape Cod Home, on the bluff overlooking the Bay, in my favorite place on earth - Trinidad! 

Thanks for staying with us. -Mike Morgan, Owner