125 Year Old Wolf River Apple Tree Still Produces Apples on the Land of the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast

There is so much fun history to uncover when you purchase an 1880 homestead!

One part of the rich history of our land, centers around the historic apple orchards.

The home was built by Charles & Ann Elizabeth Churchill. The Churchill's sold 25 acres of their land to an A.D. Barnes, otherwise known as (Appletree Barnes). He started the orchards and as the story goes, gifted the Churchill family with a Wolf River Apple Tree.

The tree still stands on our property and is over 125 years old. It is a magnificent tree and is photographed often by our guests here at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/.

It is all hollowed out by wind, rain, and storms, with a heavy limb being propped up by a wooded ladder. Remarkably, it is still producing foliage AND apples today! We don't know how long the patriarch of the orchard will grace us with her presence, but we hope for a long time to come.

Not just wonderful to admire and photograph, but this Wolf River tree's apples are still picked and used in making homemade autumn treats.

The Wolf River is a well know cooking apple, notable for its large size. The red blushed fruit with patches of yellow, can weigh up to a pound or more. They are a bit dry, but fairly sweet, and are used mainly for cooking. They are a hardy apple and quite disease resistant. Thank goodness for us! As you can see from this picture, the deer like them too.

When the Pennebecker family purchased the homestead from the Churchill's in the 1920's and the orchards from A.D. Barnes, they operated one of the largest apple orchards in the region.

We have had the wonderful blessing of having many of the Pennebecker family stay with us and provide us stories, history, pictures, and memorabilia. It was fun to have several of them come during apple picking time.

They took some Wolf River's and Macintosh's, and then provided us with some apple inspired family recipes.

These guests, enjoyed apple picking and eating time too!

With our early spring this year, the buds are on the tree. Now, we will hold our breath and see if the blossoms come again this year, followed by a bountiful harvest of beautiful, big and very mature apples! Come visit and enjoy!

Bridal Showers at the Apple Tree Lane B&B in Waupaca, WI

The Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast is so pleased to provide a beautiful yet relaxed venue to hold your bridal shower. Whether outdoor in the garden, on our quaint covered porch, or inside this historic home's Dining Room, Parlor and Orchard Room, it is a unique and memorable setting to consider.




A bridal shower is one of those parties that are fun and practical at the same time. The shower is a wonderful custom where you give gifts to the future married couple that will help them establish a home and life together.




But the underlying reason for a bridal shower is that it is a nice occasion for the close family and friends of the bride to spend relaxed time with her before the big wedding day. It is a time for sharing funny stories, for relatives to give advice to the bride, and for friends to show their support.


The shower should be all about making it unique and special, designed with the bride in mind.

One of our most popular shower is the garden party. Imagine linen on the tables, white wooden chairs and umbrellas, and white roses all within the picketed fenced garden. Take a stroll to our Crystal River frontage too.


Another fun option is to have a tea party in our historic dining room, complete with crystal and brass chandelier and original black marble fireplace. Music, candles, tea, silver and china--what fun!


Whatever your style, casual to elegant or somewhere in between, enjoy our historic homestead. Prices for rental of our venue are as low as $25/hour. Contact us today for more information. Create a truly unique and memorable bridal shower at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/ !

St. Patrick's Day ~ Waupaca, Wisconsin Style

The St. Patrick's Day tradition in Waupaca continues, with the 13th Annual Irish Wake on Saturday, March 17th (don't you love it when St. Patty's Day is on a weekend)! Thanks to the efforts of our Waupaca Community Arts Board, http://www.waupacaarts.org/, you will sure find that a "good time will be had by all".

The fun will begin the evening of Saturday, March 17th (of course) in our wonderful and historic downtown Waupaca. Whether you are all Irish, a wee bit of Irish, or an Irish wanna be, come and enjoy an evening of music, fun, and a wee bit of green beer?!

You may join in the pub crawl at any point in the evening, however, festivities begin at 7pm at Weasels Restaurant, http://www.weaselspizza.com/. Bring your singing voice and musical instrument to play along as the coffin is carried through the streets of Waupaca. Stops will be made at T.W. Martin's Public House, http://www.twmartins.com/, and ends at Simpson's Restaurant, http://www.simpsonswaupaca.com/, with "Baba Ganoosh" performing.

Why not make it a weekend in Waupaca and rid yourselves of any cabin fever? We will help you plan an enjoyable Waupaca day, before you begin your enjoyable Waupaca night! The Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/, is a short 2 miles from downtown, and we even have taxi service available! Don't forget we will serve you a "green" breakfast in the morning!?

Erin Go Bragh!!

A Wisconsin Supper Club ~ An Old Fashion Experience

I remember the first time one of our guests asked us exactly what was a Wisconsin Supper Club? I still smile when I think of our conversation. We were hosting our evening wine/cheese welcome reception and we were asked for some restaurant recommendations. Even though we have been going to them for years, and love this Wisconsin tradition, it was, however, difficult to explain!?

We told them first of all, that, no, it is not a club. Our "Top 10 Descriptions" of a traditional Wisconsin Supper Club went something like this:

1) Most likely, the building and business have been there at least 50 years. 2) The bar area is usually huge, and you most likely will get seated there first. Often, you will be handed a menu, asked to order, and will go to the table when your meal is ready. 3) Usually, the decor includes paneling, somewhere, and a very large framed family photograph of the owners. 4) Most people will order a brandy old-fashioned. We explained that brandy is a big deal in our state! 5) You will often get a relish tray and a basket of crackers promptly put on your table. 6) You will always find a "Fish Fry" on Friday nights. Deep-fried cod is probably the most popular and is usually served with fries, cold-slaw, and a piece of rye bread with butter. 7) Another favorite is large steak dinners, served with onion rings on top. 8) It is hard to not have something with cheddar cheese on it. 9) People are friendly, will use your first name often, and you will feel at home. 10) You will be asked if you would like to order an after dinner ice cream drink and the most popular must be a Grasshopper or a Brandy Alexander!

I was recently reading "Midwest Living" magazine, and they had an entire article dedicated to the Supper Club. There description was not to far from ours. Thought I would share...We embellished a bit.

Supper Club (SUP-per klub) noun. A social gathering spot where you're served an enormous evening meal, cocktails your grandparents drank, and ice cream drinks spiked with liquor. A family-run restaurant where you're more likely to hear "Mike & Kerri, you're table is ready" than "Thiel, party of two". Portions are large. A Wisconsin establishment and a tradition...

We have many fine traditional Wisconsin Supper Clubs near us at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, www.appletreelanebb.com. Come and enjoy and we will share our favorites.

Time for supper!!!

Valentine Breakfast Recipe from The Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast

We LOVE to serve special Valentine breakfasts to our guests in February!

I recently received a recipe from a friend for "Red Velvet Pancakes" that is delicious. Add blueberries or strawberries and sprinkle chocolate chips around the plate for a particularly festive touch. I want to purchase a heart shaped mold and give that a try next!

Come and reconnect at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/ with your special someone for Valentines day/month and enjoy our complimentary champagne, roses, and chocolates--and a special breakfast!

Enjoy the recipe and tell someone today how important they are to you!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese

1/2 t. vanilla

1/4 cup creme fraiche

1/2 t. lemon zest

2 T. sugar

1 cup flour

1 lg. egg

1 t. baking powder

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 t. baking soda

1/4 cup creme fraiche

1/4 t. salt

1 T. red food coloring

3 T. sugar

1 t. vanilla

2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

3 T. unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. Prepare the mascarpone glaze by whisking together the mascarpone cheese, 1/4 cup creme fraiche, 2 T. sugar, 1/2 t. vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth, set aside.

2. Prepare the pancake mixture, by whisking together the flour, baking powder & soda, salt, 3 T. sugar, and cocoa powder in a bowl, set aside. Beat the egg in a separate bowl with the buttermilk, 1/4 cup creme fraiche, red food coloring, and 1 t. vanilla, until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture until moistened, then add the melted butter, and continue stirring until only small lumps of flour remain. Add a bit more buttermilk, if needed.

3. Heat a lightly oiled griddle. Drop batter by lg. spoonfuls onto griddle (try the heart shaped mold) and cook until done. Drizzle with the mascarpone glaze and garnish with blueberries, strawberries and chocolate chips. Yum!

Happy Valentines Day!

Romantic Valentine Getaway

We all know that Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual holiday held on February 14, celebrating love and affection.

At the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast in Waupaca, WI, www.appletreelanebb.com, the entire month of February is dedicated to celebrating that special person in your life!

Although the giving of candy, flowers, and cards have been the "tradition", I look for opportunities in a busy and sometimes hectic life, to give the gift of SPECIAL TIME spent together.

What better way to celebrate the month of love and affection, then to treat your special someone to a Valentine Getaway sometime in the month of February. We have put together a romantic package and thought of everything to help you create special Valentine memories.

"I Love You Valentine" Package

(Good Entire Month of February)

Choose one of our "Suite" rooms (Double whirlpool, original clawfoot soaking tub, and fireplace rooms available) and you will receive complimentary:

* Bottle of chilled champagne or sparkling cider

* Six beautiful roses in a vase with card

* Small box of chocolates with bow

* Wine and cheese tray welcome

* Full breakfast in the exquisite dining room or in your room.

* Plush robes, TV w/DVD & library of movies, CD alarm clock w/ selection of CD's

* Wireless internet

* Guest refrigerator stocked with beverages and homemade treats on the buffet

* Stay 2-nights and we will add a complimentary $20 dinner coupon to one of our fine area restaurants and a late check-out!

The "I Love You Valentine" Suite Packages begin at $135.00.

(Must mention at time of reservation).

Add an Inn-room massage or any of our other "Enticing Extra's" listed on our "Special" page of our website.

"You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love". ~ Henry Drummond

Tell someone today, how very much you love them! Happy Valentines Day!

Winter Festival ~ Wintervergnugen~ in Waupaca WI ~ January 27-28, 2012

The Winter Festival in Waupaca Wisconsin, know as Wintervergnugen, we be taking place on January 27-28, 2012. It should prove to be a winter wonderful for all! The festivities will take place on Shadow Lake at lower South Park, 5 blocks south of downtown Waupaca and also less than 2 miles from the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, www.appletreelanebb.com




It is just about in the middle of January, that I find myself getting a bit of cabin fever. Yes, I take walks outside, go cross-country skiing when I can, but I usually am looking for an outdoor "adventure" about now.



The schedule of events looks like a ton of fun. An old fashion winter festival of ice sculpting demonstrations, ice bowling, broom ball tournament, snow castle building competition , open skating and much more. For more information, go to: http://www.waupacaareachamber.com/event/winter-festival/

The area has plenty of cross-country ski trails (4 miles of lit and groomed trails too!), sledding, snow shoe, and downhill ski opportunities. When the outdoor fun is over, relax at many of our fine area restaurants and enjoy the specialty shopping. End the evening at the Inn with a fire, whirlpool, and some hot chocolate. Here is to winter...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!