WINTER BLUES BREAKER & any excuse for romance!

Winter Blues Breaker & Any excuse for Romance ! 

We could all use a bit of enticement to leave the 'den' during the hibernation season...maybe a little nudge of something to look forward to...so here you go folks!

'THE BLUES BREAKER'-winter enticement pricing!

Reserve any 2 night getaway at The Lazyjack Inn & your second night is 50% off of our low season rate! Choose from either  the East or West Rooms, each with private bath or  step up your escape and reserve either The Garden or Nellie Byrd Suite.  

Call us directly and use Code ' WINTER2018' to secure
your special rate- 1-800-690-5080 .  Pricing valid now thru April 30th, 2018.
excepting February 9th thru February 17th 2018.

Thanks St. Valentine....Any Excuse for Romance!

Reserve any 2 night stay between Friday February 9th & Sunday February 17th and get a little extra love from your Innkeepers-

We've been lucky to host many an anniversary, engagement & honeymoon celebration....and of course, St. Valentines Day.

Arrive to a decadent  sampler of local handmade sweets & Prosecco in your room,  If you are dining out we are happy to assist you with your reservations ahead of time.  

Enjoy the fireplace in our library or if you have reserved one of our Suites, the fireplace and jacuzzi tub in your room!

Reserve your Romantic Getaway now by calling us directly and using 

CODE: LOVE2018.  1-800-690-5080

You will be treated to two of Carols favorite breakfasts during your stay ! 

Morning One

Mimosa

Over-filled Apple Cinnamon Tarts w/ heavy Cream & Berry Reduction

Herbed Eggs on Grilled Portobello-Micro Greens & Balsamic Reduction

Morning Two 

'Champagne' Fruit & Berries on Vanilla Greek Yogurt

Baked Filled French Toast & Bacon Twists

As always, we are proud to serve locally roasted organic fair trade coffee from RISEUP COFFEE ROASTERS and offer a wide selection of teas as well.  Should you have special dietary needs please let us know at the time of your reservation and we will do our best to accomodate you!  

Settle in and Re-Charge

A new year, a time for reflection , a time to catch your breath...The December holiday season is upon us ..a time of celebration for many.Gathering for shared meals, secretly searching for a special gift...the perfect token for each recipient.

The season can bring us the  opportunity to be truly grateful for our friends & family .
It can be a challenging season ....Short days, cold and dark....the warmth of spring seems an awfully long way away.To receive the true gifts of Winter, you need to slow down.....give yourself the gift of regeneration.

Winter is recognizable as a time of relative calm  – a period of  dormancy,  a time when we  quiet ourselves to receive a delicate sort of wisdom that whispers to our heart and soul...

That is, if we’re listening… 

So as you roll through the jubilation of the holiday season and into the dark winter of the new year, remember to give pause, make time to reflect, slow down and rest...enjoy the bliss of dormancy before the dynamic energy of Spring arrives and pushes all of life into a new expression. 

Wishing each of you a genuinely beautiful holiday season, may it be filled with people that you love, opportunities for new friendships and gratitude for the gifts in  your lives.

If a winter retreat fits into your 'winter regeneration' give us a call to find the perfect space here at The Lazyjack Inn.

Warmest Wishes, 

Mike & Carol 

The Wisdom of Folklore, Embracing Transition with Gratitude...

Pondering over coffee this morning, watching the mist hover over the harbor, the stirrings of the community after our biggest 'shin-dig', Tilghman Island Day, where it is possible that folks had a bit too much fine fare and drink..but never too much laughter and good times!

October....on the verge of Novermber, Autumn, it seems to have happened so quickly this year but then again, maybe not....It starts really with the departure of  'our Osprey'.....one of the first signs that the summer season is coming to a close. And then comes the bounty of the next season.

Early each Autumn the Osprey depart for South America....

The air begins to crisp up in the mornings, the leaves slowly change , the Chesapeake Bay cools down and beneath the surface of this immense body of water that we get to call home....there are hundreds of changes taking place...including the movement of the bluecrabs to deeper water.  

"When the Monarchs head south, the bluecrabs move to deeper water." (j.fleming)

OysterFest Saturday October 28th, 10AM-4PM

The Oyster Season begins, the days still feel surpringly warm and hint at the past summer but eventurally the local Watermen change thier gear to thermals and Grundens.  The mornings are darker, the sunset comes sooner and then there are  white wisps from the woodstove chimneys and Oyster Chowder on every  menu.  Outdoor dining fire pits , mulled wine and cider, scarves and mittens on the monthly local gallery walks.

Know Good Farm- Local growers of land and sea bounty!

Sometimes life throws change at us like a fast pitch.  We don't have the luxury of gradual adaptation , there is no time to gracefully transition.  For those of us lucky enough to live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Mother Nature affords us with that luxury at the change of each season....and it's good to be reminded of that. 

We invite you to come on over....take in the sights, meander the crisp paths of local conservation spots, indulge in the bounty of the Chesapeake Harvest, meet the growers and the catchers....throw a little 'slow' into your seasonal shift!  

Pickering Creek Audubon Center

Reserve your get-away at The Lazyjack Inn today!

The Comfort Zone of 'rote' and the beauty outside of the box...

While there is certainly much to be said about the discipline and efficiency of routine there is a 'flip side' to that organizational coin.

Dog Days of Summer...gettin' a bad rep!

Summer time on Marylands Eastern Shore....every year as we roll towards the middle of July ...and into August we all respond in seeming shock to the heat ...The infamous HUMIDITY...the arrival of the 'nettles (aka jellies, jellyfish).



It's all the talk around town, on the street, at the market...As if we have never experienced this before....as if it's a new phenomenon. 

We say, BRING IT ON!!!  

 Bring on the most incredible golden pink sunrises!  Bring on that cool brackish water spray up on the bow of the boat, or from your jet ski! 






Bring on the frozen glory of  that ice cream cone at a shady table on the street!  Bring on those spicy steamed crabs and that COLD COLD  beer!  

Bring on those breathtaking hot pink sunsets night after glorious night...the most beautiful of the year!  

Really, these are the days that we wait for all year long, summer on the Eastern Shore...

So Come on Over and celebrate them with us..

The Dog Days of Summer!

It's all about the people

 It's all about the people....have no doubts about this.

Starting the Lazyjack Inn 26 years ago was a 'second go-round' from a career standpoint. Truth be told, it just was one of those things that manifested...Mike 'retired' from the Architectural and Home building industry, we did the dance of huge life transition . We shifted to the Eastern Shore, a place that we had great love for after years of sailing the Chesapeake.  We were just going to sail for a year...or more and then a good friend said  "open a B&B, you're perfect for it"
 

Thus began our time on Tilghman Island, a place like many other small villages, that is really all about the people.  As we 'grew' the Lazyjack Inn (literally, starting with two guest rooms) we quickly realized that our connection to the guests, the opportunity to get these short 2 or 3 days glimpses into the lives of others was  the key to it all....a gift.

Over the years there have been some guests that have become the dearest of friends, some guests who have shared incredible personal stories, passed on powerful words of wisdom (usually without realizing it), and yes, some guests that we didn't quite hit it off with (we are all humans after all!) but even those times offer a lesson and growth!

One of the very best times operating the B&B is that time after the breakfast is served, when we are in the kitchen getting things back in order ....it's the sound of the guests, in dialog, laughing , sharing their stories, finding common interests, or not....that time when we are just observers of what might be a fleeting human connection.  
What happens when the guests leave us?  Have they exchanged numbers? Will they reconnect? Become friends?  Will they talk about each other in the car on the way home...but never see each other again?

So I suppose that this Blog entry is really a little selfish, a conversation with ourselves, a reminder that we are sharing with you....it really is our connection with people that is our purpose here...not just 'here' as in Tilghman Island, but 'HERE' in this world.  
 
It's too terribly easy to get caught up in the hustle, to run through our daily tasks by rote, to miss those moments with the people around us.

So this Father's Day we say Thank you  ...to the hundreds of folks who have stayed here and given us that gift of human connection...

GO BE WITH YOUR PEOPLE, PEOPLE!!

Never a Dull Moment, unless .....

Never a dull moment, unless that's what you're looking for...

Some folks come to the shore for a special event, family wedding , reunion, art festival....Some come to do absolutely nothing, on purpose!

Live at The Avalon Theater...Jennifer Knapp

For those traveling by boat Talbot County is known for some of the best 'stop-overs' on The Chesapeake.   Back in the day, when our kids were small and we loaded up to sail every weekend, Tilghman Island, Knapps Narrows, St Michael's (for a grocery run!) and Oxford were all well known haunts for us.  Some great memories!



 

St. Michael's Brew Fest 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No matter your intention for your get away....there are endless options of every ilk here in Talbot County...music, festivals, farmers markets, lighthouse's, sailing, kayaks, biking, SUP....and OH the food!!!!!

Plein Aire Concert Series Easton

What you do and what pace you choose to do it are all up to you
Whether wandering the back streets of the historic district, people watching at one of the outdoor waterfront restaurants, poking around in the boutiques, or paddling the creeks and shorelines...you'll be making memories of your own to look back on over the years!  Let us know how we can help you with your plan...and enjoy your time here in Talbot County!

 

Some times you just need a rain day

The yard work needs attention, the deck needs staining, your cousin has an outdoor wedding or you planned  a 'get- away' to stroll the streets of St. Michael's .....but mother nature has a different plan in store.

RAIN DAY!

Buck up!  You can either make the most of it ...pull those weeds while it's wet, buy some crazy colored umbrella's for that wedding...or new galoshes for your small town explorations...or 'flip it around', maybe today is the day that you write those letters that you've been putting off, dig into that book that's been on your nightstand for 3 months

 

 The sun will come out eventually, 

in the meantime it's ok to roll with the rain

Stopped in Time

Carols Apple Tarts

 

 Stopping Time....

It's a tricky business this thing called 'time'.
We want more, we struggle to 'manage' what we have, on Monday we wish it was Friday...but then what happens to the days in between?  Balance.

Coming Soon to the garden

Hundreds of research projects have been done to confirm what we have known all along.  
You've got to stop and 'smell the roses'.
Take a walk, visit friends, go to the woods, pack up your rod and creel, learn a language, take an art class, a yoga class....LAUGH, a lot!  
What's the point of sticking around if you spend every moment wishing for the next one.

Time...it really is yours for the taking!

Happy Easter & Spring,
Carol

The Shift to Spring

 
 Winter Camelia's & Spring Daffodils










Last night was a big one for our local high school students, the Senior Prom.  A fairly significant event for most High School seniors, the beginning of their final weeks of classes, exams and preparation for graduation ceremonies.  For those of us whose High School Days are a long ago memory, there is still significance in these spring 'rites of passage'.  Yet another harbinger of the change of seasons and the promise of what is to come here on the shore as we move towards the summer season.
This past week also marked the official close of The Oyster Harvest for the year.....the local watermen have already been working diligently to get the work boats ready for the spring crabbing season.  Restaurants that took a break for winter repairs (and much needed holiday by their staff!) are preparing to re-open.  
Chatter of upcoming spring and summer events is heavy, St. Michael's Wine Festival, 'Brew Fest' a fairly new event spot lighting our local micro brewery and many from around the region, The start of the Log Canoe racing season, St. Michael's Running Festival....the list goes on.

We will be sure to share details and web site links for the upcoming events for our readers to follow...be sure to check in with us for reservations for these events as they tend to go quickly!

Until then we wish each of you an amazing transition into spring!

Un-twisting into Spring

Mother Nature has had us up and down and all sideways and twisty for the past few months.  Not certain that we could really call it a 'winter' here on the Eastern Shore of Maryland...it was almost winter a few times.

But now.....on this morning it really, finally feels like SPRING!

Glorious sunshine, window open weather!

Boats on Trailers, kayaks and Paddle boards on roof racks....outdoor cafes setting up all of the tables.

Don't misunderstand...we appreciate the little bit of downtime that comes with the off season but THIS is what we wait every year from the time that it all slows down!

It's going to be a fantastic year at the Inn!  Come and join us!

Chesapeake Winter Beauty

We are looking at Daffodils 8" out of the ground and budded up - time has flown and we are looking at an early Spring. The winter pruning  is complete and there is about a days work of chipping and shredding to add to the compost piles. Carol and I are excited about another year of meeting new guests and welcoming returning friends at the Lazyjack.

The TWM's annual Spring event Splendor in the Glass is scheduled for April 13th and is looking to be as exciting as ever. The release of the Growing Up on Tilghman cd sequal is scheduled for early Spring also.

Come and visit when the time is right for you!!

Winter is here at the Lazyjack Inn

We are sporting a redecorated library that is really comfortable for our guests. Mike has been creating some very interesting wooden bowls from special wood that was destined for the landfill or the chipper. He will make a few of them available for others at pretty reasonable price for a one of a kind creation.
We have some very special packages and prices for our guests. Would love to see some of you this winter. It is really peaceful here.

The Summer season begins

Memorial Day 2010.....seems like we waited forever for this one to arrive...but it was surely worth the wait! Mother Nature gave us some fabulous summer weather to share with the weekends guests...and as always it was a real privilege to offer people the perfect space to unwind and really enjoy their weekend escape.

I was happy to serve my favorite Mint Pancakes with Rasberry Sauce as it had been a good bit since i had shared that treat with our guests! I am happy to report that all of the plates came back clean!!!

We had a full three day weekend and the chance to meet new friends...it is our sincere hope that they have journeyed home safely , well rested and with great memories of their time on Tilghman Island and The Lazyjack Inn.

What's to do on The Eastern Shore

Looking out the window this morning, the wind shoving across the river, rain clouds and wet everywhere , it would be hard to tell that it's May if it weren't for the lush green and the recently returned Osprey happily riding the air currents in search of materials fo this years nests...

Spring is really here ....boats of all sorts have been returned to the water, outdoor cafe's and restaurants once again sport street side tables and umbrellas, cyclists and kayak enthusiasts can be seen arriving with vehicles loaded down with gear.

Talbot County and nearby Dorchester County have put together a wide array of fantastic outdoor events for locals and visitors to take part in ...

Here is a small sampling of what awaits you in the month of May:

Tilghman Island comes to life in the spring with the onset of the crabbing season and the beginning of sport fishing.
Visit The Tilghman Island Inn on Sunday, May 10th for a fabulous Mothers Day brunch then head over for a real preview of summer at The Bay Hundred Restaurant where the first luau of summer will take place from 1pm till...



St Michaels as always offers a terrific variety of small shops, art gallerys and museums all located on the main thorough fare through town.
Never miss a chance to visit the St. Michaels Maritime Museum when you come t the eastern shore as the exhibits are updated regularly.

Stop into the Eastern Shore Brewing Company to what the latest creation is ...and enjoy live music every Thursday evening from 6pm-8pm and The St. Michaels Winery just round the corner is also a fun stop...they will be offering special wine prices May 9th for Mothers Day .


Take a trip on the Oxford Bellvue Ferry, take in the beauty of Oxford architecture, and enjoy the best ice cream by far on the entire shore at The Oxford Creamery.

The beauty of historic Easton and it's growing arts community is not to be missed. Spend the sunny hours taking in the gallerys and museums and then turn to 'Coffee CAt' (formerly ' Coffee East') and The Historic Avalon Theater for incredible live music every weekend. Both of these venues ntw being booked by Mangold entertainment and the performers are top notch.

This coming weekend weekend in Cambridge features a Blues and jazz fest free of charge.


We will continue to post new events for the month as they become available....

plenty to do ...or do nothing at all....it's your getaway ..just a short drive ....

Call us for your reservation at The Lazyjack !

Warm up!!!! Artisan Bread Recipe to Share

There is just something fantastic about the aroma of freshly baked bread on a cold winters day...

Here at The Lazyjack Inn we have quite a penchant for baking...we have a lot of fun trying out new recipes...some make it to the guest table and some do not..but we have a great time experimenting!

This is a terrific recipe that was recently shared and we would love to pass onto you.

We have added this one to our list of favorite breads!

SIMPLE CRUSTY BREAD

Time to prep: About 45 minutes plus @ 3 hours resting and raise

Yield: 4 rounded loaves

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 tblspns yeast

1 1/2 tblspns kosher salt

6 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour (plus some for dusting )

cornmeal

water

DIRECTIONS:

1. In large bowl or platic container, mix yeast and salt into 3 cups lukewarm water(about 100 degrees). Stir in flour, mising until there are no dry patches. Dough will be quite loose(almost like a batter bread). cover, but not with an airtight lid. Let dough rise at room tempertaure for 2 hours (2 hours seems to be just about right...any longer than 3 brings on falling).

2. At this point you can shape your bread and bake OR refrigerate, covred, for as long as two weeks.

3. When ready to bake, sprinkle a little flour on the dough and cut off a grapefruit-size piece with a serrated knife. Turn dough in hands to lightly stretch surface, creating a rounded top and lumpy bottom. Put dough on pizza peel sprinkled with corn meal (any wooden cutting board or the bottom of a cast iron skillet will work fine). Let dough rest here for 40 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.

4.Place broiler pan in bottom of oven to warm (this will be filled with water when bread goes into oven). Place your baking stone (pizza stone or heavy cookie sheet)on middle rack and turnover to 450 degrees; heat stone at that temp. for 20 minutes.

5. When bread has risen dust with flour, slash top with serrated or very sharp knife three times. Carefully slide onto heated stone ( this move is why the dusting of cornmeal is so important in step three!). Pour one cup of water into broiler pan and shut overn quickly to trap steam. (the steam is what will give you your fantastic crusty bread!) Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool completely.

We hope that you have fun with this one!

Carol

Taken from The New York Times November 21, 2007

(adapted from 'artisan bread in five minutes a day" by jeff hertzberg and Zoe Francois (Thomas Dunne Books , 2007)

Gift Certificates at fantastic rates for Winter Escapes

Consider a gift certificate for a Winter Getaway to Marylands Eastern Shore.



With choices of rooms and suites and length of stay you can customize your Gift to best suit your needs...make your next birthday, anniversary or the upcoming valentines celebration one to remember.





For a limited time we are pleased to offer Lazyjack Inn on Dogwood Harbor gift certificates at our special winter rates.


Gift Certificates are custom made for each client and can be sent by post or emailed for faster service. Gift certificates purchased on this offer must be used by April 15th 2009.

For more information on the super winter discounts for these Gift Certificates please contact us by telephone: 1-800-690-5080 or by email: info@lazyjackinn.com

Just tell us that you saw this offer on the Blog!

Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Carol

Tilghman Island featured in OutLook by the Bay Magazine

We were thrilled to receive notification of a new article featuring Tilghman Island as a winter getaway destination.

Outlook by the Bay, a publication "for the Bay Boomer and Savvy Senior" has published a two page article in the Winter 2009 edition.

"A Chesapeake Bay Island, even one with a drawbridge to the mainland, may seem and unlikely destination for a winter vacation or weekend , but plenty of people have discovered that much of what draws visitors to Tilghman Island in warm weather is still there when the temperatures drop."

The article features some beautiful winter photos of the island and the surrounding area as well as interviews with folks who have become 'winter regulars' on the island.

A complimentary copy of this publication can be obtained by contacting them at

http://www.outlookbythebay.com/

It is always such a pleasure to know that so many others find Tilghman Island as special as we do!

Carol

Winter Blues Breaker in Full Swing

Winter Hols are over....we have successfully passed the shortest day of the year and now we look towards the arrival of spring...but in the mean time there are 3 months to live....

Just because it's winter doesn't mean that you have to spend it waiting...some folks relish winter as a 'down time', the gardeners take this time to plan new designs and pore over seed and nursery catalogs, some folks flourish on outdoor winter sports, others take on big home projects without the lure of the warm outdoors to distract them...

Whatever your winter M.O. is we would like to suggest that you do allow for a tiny bit of that hibernation...right here at The Lazyjack Inn.

The Blues Breaker Package

Our most popular winter package.Revive your spirits during this winter retreat with a two night stay in one of our beautiful rooms or luxurious premier suites.

*Fireplace and elegant private bath with Jacuzzi and shower*

*Comforting afternoon refreshments by the library fire

*Fruit & Cheese tray and fresh flowers in your suite

Reservation and dining recommendations provided

*Evening turn down with chocolate and sparkling water

*A hearty blues breaking gourmet breakfast each morning

Blues gladly broken from January, 2009 - April 15, 2009

Mid week and weekend accommodations available

Rates for two nights BLUE BREAKER PACKAGE $330 - $407 + tax.

Limited time only provide the following blog code when you call to reserve

and receive even further discount on your winter stay!

BLOGSUPERSPECIAL2009

Join us for A week of incredible art at The Plein Air Festival of Easton, summer 2009