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!!

Gingerbread Pancakes with Lemon Sauce ~ Delightful Holiday Breakfast

We love to offer our guests at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, the total experience of the holidays to enjoy all the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season! With the house fully decorated (I think it is our most beautiful tree yet!), the Christmas music playing ( a lot of "White Christmas" because I want it to snow?!), and the fire blazing (it is in the single digits this morning!), we created a wonderful "taste" of the season for breakfast too.

Thanks to our recent guests, Tamara & Joe, they shared one of their favorite Christmas time breakfast recipes with us, and we made it today, and have to agree ~~ Delicious!

We didn't think they would mind if we shared it with all of you ~~

Gingerbread Pancakes

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. ginger, 1 egg, 1/4 cup molasses, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 1/4 cups milk, 3 Tbs. oil

Directions: Stir all ingredients together until blended, but lumpy. Drop by 1/4 cup fulls onto lightly greased griddle and cook. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with lemon sauce.

Lemon Sauce

Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar, dash of nutmeg, 4 tsp. cornstarch, 1 cup water, 2 Tbs. butter, 1/2 tsp. lemon zest, 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

Directions: Stir sugar, cornstarch, nutmeg, and water in saucepan. Cook until thickened and bubbly, stirring frequently. Then cook 2 minutes more, stirring. Remove from heat. Add butter, zest and juice. Stir until butter melts. Serve warm over Gingerbread pancakes.

Enjoy and Season's Greetings!

The Art of Being Thankful ~ Post Thanksgiving Reflections

What a wonderful holiday Thanksgiving is. Family, friends, football, feasting... It also causes me to pause and count my many blessings and give thanks. Often times, we hear people say that we should keep Christmas in our hearts all year long. I would suggest the same would be true for Thanksgiving. The art of Thanksgiving is really ThanksLiving. I found a wonderful inspiration by Wilferd A. Peterson that I had to share.

It is thanking God for the gift of life by living it triumphantly.

It is thanking God for your talents and abilities by accepting them as obligations to be invested in for the common good.

It is thanking God for all that men and women have done for you by doing things for others.

It is thanking God for opportunities by accepting them as a challenge to achievement.

It is thanking God for happiness by striving to make others happy.

It is thanking God for beauty by helping to make the world more beautiful.

It is thanking God for inspiration by trying to be an inspiration to others.

It is thanking God for health and strength by the care and reverence you show your body.

It is thanking God for the creative ideas that enrich life by adding your own creative contributions to human progress.

It is thanking God for each new day by living it to its fullest.

It is thanking God by giving hands, arms, legs and voice to your thankful spirit.

It is adding you your prayers of thanksgiving, acts of ThanksLiving.

May we all strive to learn the art of ThanksLiving and keep Thanksgiving in our hearts all year!

Green Bay Packers ~ Lambeau, Legends, Lodging

My husband was born, raised, and has lived in Wisconsin all of his life. The Green Bay Packers, Lambeau, and the Legends, has always been a big part of life here in Wisconsin!



Now, I was born in Illinois, with all my family being avid Bears fans. This has proven to be very interesting! But, yes, I did switch my loyalties, and became a Packer fan in the early 1990's. There is something particularly exciting about the history and tradition of this timeless team. We all so look forward to football season. OK, I still hope the Bears do well (not as well as "us"), but when you are surrounded by the blue & orange at many Illinois family & friend events, you can't help it!?



We love getting to Green Bay. One of our wonderful past B&B guests, has graciously given us tickets to enjoy some Packer games with them in their indoor club seats ~ what a treat! As if that wasn't enough, we spent a great time just exploring Lambeau --Hall of Fame, fan store, memorabilia, music, food and more.

We ensured we stopped at at the establishment owned by Green Bay Packer legend, Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston. He played with the Packers from 1959-1967 and was inducted in 1975. It was our lucky day, Fuzzy was there. We met and talked to him and he even gave Mike his Super Bowl ring to try on---great day!



Since opening the Apple Tree Lane Bed and Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/ in Waupaca, five years ago, it is now an easy hour drive to Green Bay to enjoy a game. We are happy to travel Hwy 54 west out of Green Bay right into Waupaca in less than an hour--and we do not have to deal with the traffic, congestion, and construction of the Hwy 41 north/south road. If your plans take you to a Packer game, consider staying at the Inn on your way up or back! GO PACKERS!

Shopping and Antiquing Waupaca Wisconsin

Our guests at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast in quaint Waupaca, Wisconsin really do rave about the shopping choices and experiences of our area. This is especially true during the holiday season!

You will find hidden gems both in our historic downtown and in the chain 'o lakes, King area of Waupaca, as well as areas in between.

I admit, that I used to be a mall shopper. I so much more enjoy the experience of finding one of a kind items, great and friendly customer service, little traffic and no stress.

During the holidays, come for Waupaca's "Classic Christmas". It takes place the last two weekends of November (coinciding with the start of the hunting season otherwise affectionately known as "Hunters Widow Weekend") and the first weekend of December.

You will not only find unique gifts for that hard to find person, but you will often receive complimentary gift wrapping, discounts, in-store coupons, hot chocolate, homemade cookies and treats, free samples, prizes and more. Add festive music and decorations as well as great customer service and you have a true holiday shopping experience.


There are great places to lunch and evening entertainment at many of our local establishments. So much merriment that you should plan to stay the night at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/. We have special guest suite pricing through December 31st too. We will then provide you with shopping maps and Inn-sider recommendations for a great getaway!

Spooktacular Halloween

FALL in love with Waupaca, especially during Halloween time! A Waupaca Halloween tradition for more than 12 years, is the must see carved pumpkin display (or should we say--work of art display). Located just a few miles from the Inn, this is a magnificent event, especially at night. This year's creations feature a fish aquarium and a multi-pumpkin dragon, to name just a few. This "event" is unlike anything we have seen--really, it is that good!

Pick a pumpkin, have fun at the corn maze, take a free weekend hayride, and get your fall decorations at at Turner's Fresh Market, http://www.turnersfreshmarket.com/

Just down the road from Turner's, is Hartman Creek State Park. Enjoy the natural beauty of this wonderful state park, while you hike (or perhaps horseback ride) on their many trails. My personal favorite is the walk around Allen Lake, (with my carmel apple!). Autumn is my favorite time of year at the park!

I love to stop at Kingberry Farm and the Raspberry Connection, http://www.kingberryfarm.com/ . Lots of great garden vegies, pumpkins, old-fashion, hard to find apples varieties and inspirational gifts are just a few of the reasons to stop at this farm market.

When all of the autumn touring is done, return to the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, http://www.appletreelanebb.com/, for a hot apple cider, homemade treats, and a cozy fire, before your restful night stay at the Inn. See you soon and Happy Halloween!

Baking Apple Treats at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast

We are happy to share this wonderful recipe of Caramel Apple Bars! Autumn is a special time at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast in beautiful Waupaca, WI. We harvest our own apples and love making special treats for our guests.

Caramel Apple Bars

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup softened butter

1/4 cup solid shortening

1 3/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1/2 t baking soda

1 t salt

4 cups apples of choice - peeled, cored and coarsely chopped

3 T flour

1 t pure vanilla extract

1 14-oz bag caramels, melted

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix sugar, butter and shortening until blended. Stir in 1 3/4 cups flour, oatmeal, soda and salt. Reserve 2 cups mixture; set aside. Press remaining mixture into an ungreased 13.9-inch baking pan.

Mix apples, 3 T flour and vanilla; spoon over crumbly mixture. Pour melted caramels over apples. Sprinkle with reserved mixture; press down lightly. Bake 25-30 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned. Cool slightly, then cut into bars. Refrigerate leftovers. Enjoy!

Welcome Autumn!