FREE (or dirt cheap) Vacation Ideas - Part 3. Visit the Grand View Winery

It's Freebie Friday again! Folks are starting to catch on to the fact that you can enjoy great getaway days up here in "North Country" and not spend the bucks!

Our Free vacation activity for the week is... a delicious visit to the Grand View Winery. Take a glorious countryside drive to this wonderful winery in East Calais, VT. (just 30 minutes from Rabbit Hill Inn) Here you will be welcomed by some very friendly folks, taste some lovely and very unique wines.

Besides all that, you'll be blown away by glorious view of the Northeast Kingdom. They don't call it "Grand View" Winery for nothing. Wander through the gardens and soak in the tranquility. It's a perfect place for a picnic. You'll want your camera, for sure. Your cost for this memorable experience - $0

Donut Muffin Recipe - Everyone's asking, so here it is! Warning - they are addictive!

Rabbit Hill Inn Donut Muffin Recipe

yield 24 muffins

Dry Ingredients mixed in bowl:
4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg

Wet ingredients in separate bowl:
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups sour cream
2 tsp vanilla

Topping mix in separate bowl:
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon

1/2 cup melted butter in separate bowl

Method:

• Wisk dry ingredients together in bowl


• Wisk wet ingredients together in separate bowl


• Gently fold wet & dry mixtures together with spatula until just combined


• Spray muffin tins with cooking spray


• Preheat oven to 350 degrees


• Wisk Using your hands, scoop out batter and fill each muffin to top.


• Bake 15-20 minutes (test for doneness


• While muffins are baking, stir together the topping ingredients. Set aside.


• When muffins are cool enough to handle, take each muffin and dip tops into melted butter,


• Dip into cinnamon/sugar mixture. Coat tops generously. Let sit for a few minutes.


• Now they're ready to enjoy!

FREE (or dirt cheap) Summer Vacation Ideas ~ Franconia Notch State Park

Looking for some great summer getaway ideas? Don't want to travel too far or spend too much? Keep your eye on this blog for great (and cheap) travel tips to make your New England vacation fun-filled. Here's tip #1 -

Franconia Notch State Park - it's loaded with summer fun!

• Miles & miles of hiking trails (from easy to exhilarating) - $0



• Great Bike Path (both paved and packed dirt) - $0



• Explore the Flume Gorge & waterfalls - $13 See Video



• Hike the waterfall trails of the Basin - $0 See Video



• Ride the Tram to the summit of Cannon Mountain - $13. See Video



• Covered bridges - $0



• Relax & swim at Echo Lake Beach - $4



• Rent kayaks or canoes and paddle the day away - $10 per hour



• Fly Fishing in Profile Lake - just the state license fee $10

Franconia Notch State Park is just 20 minutes away from Rabbit Hill Inn. Check out the Park Packages now available.

Twitter doors are open at Rabbit Hill Inn. Come on in!

Now you can chat with Rabbit Hill Inn on TWITTER. Chances are, that if you are reading our blog, you are probably turned on to Twitter. So come on board and join us on Twitter. It's a great way for us to stay in touch. You'll always be the first to know what's going on here! And watch for occasional special offers exclusive to our Tweeple.

Our Twitter address is http://twitter.com/rabbithillinn.

See you there.

Vermont Locavore Chef goes "Farm Fresh" All The Way

Chef Matt is a dedicated locavore ~ a true "Pasture To Plate" chef.

Starting from our own gardens and greenhouse, more than 90% of all foods served at Rabbit Hill Inn come from a 60 mile radius of the Inn. This includes dairy, produce, herbs, poultry, and meats. Seafood is premium catch from Browne Trading on the coast of Maine.

Vermont's Northeast Kingdom is mostly unspoiled countryside, rich with farmers who proudly provide us with endless varieties of everything. Chef Matt visits select farms and farmers markets daily for product harvested just a few hours before. Our farmers are always at the kitchen door delivering the "best of the day". As a result, our Four Diamond cuisine is truly extraordinary. Menus revolve around the farmers offerings.

During your next visit, join Chef Matt at the Farmers Market and learn how to be a locavore shopper. Or, if you prefer, visit one of our local farmers. We guarantee, you'll be taking a taste of Vermont back home with you. Some plan in advance and take coolers. And don't forget the locally roasted coffees, artisan cheeses, chocolates, jarred and canned treats, flowers, plants, and fine crafts. It's all here. It's all delicious. Be sure to meet Jill from Gourmet Gardens ->

Maybe this is why Vermont is one of the TOP 3 HEALTHIEST STATES IN THE USA! Not that we're bragging. So when you come to visit...bring your appetite. You DON'T want to miss this.

Watch Rabbit Hill Inn on Wheel of Fortune!

Vermont's Rabbit Hill Inn is going to be a prize on "The Wheel"! How cool is that? Watch Wheel of Fortune on Tuesday, March 24th to see if someone wins a 6 night getaway to this luxurious Four Diamond inn. Although the show has already been taped, it's a big secret whether or not someone has won the prize. Wheel of Fortune airs in 28 countries to some 44 million viewers. We think this is great exposure for the Northeast Kingdom, the real Vermont! Through BedandBreakfast.com, who covers airfare and rental car, Rabbit Hill was selected as the quintessential New England getaway for quiet romance, elegant and sophisticated dining, great outdoor activities, and nature's peace. We are thrilled and we hope you'll watch!