Bluebonnets All Around 2010

 Bluebonnets and wildflowers of Brenham!  Bring your camera and 

                       come and see... you will be glad you did!

______________________________________________________

Chocolate Bread Pudding

Here it is!  
Many have been waiting for it...  Chocolate Bread Pudding
as presented by The Brenham House Bed and Breakfast

1 loaf French bread, cut into cubes
6 eggs, beaten
3 1/4 c. milk
1/4 heavy cream
1/4 c. Kahlua
1 T. vanilla
2 tsp. almond extract
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. Hershey's cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
8 oz. chocolate chips, semisweet

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease 13x9 inch baking dish and place the cubed bread evenly.  In a large bowl place the eggs and lightly beat.  Whisk in the milk, cream, Kahlua, vanilla and almond extract and set aside.  In another bowl mix the sugars, cocoa powder, cinnamon.  Then add to the wet ingredients to the dry slowly and whisk until incorporated.  Pour the mixture over the prepared bread and top wit the chocolate chips.   Let soak at least 20 minute or put in the refrigerator and bake off the next morning.

      Serve warm and top with sweet cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce!

Serves 10-12



                        You won't be disappointed!
                     ***************************************

This blog has moved

This blog is now located at http://thebrenhamhouseblog.blogspot.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://thebrenhamhouseblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Spring is Showing It's Face!

Walking through the garden you see the special treasures of Spring!

______________________________________________

Things to do During Antique Festival 2010

Things going on during 42nd Round Top Antique Festival:

Scout the miles and miles of antiques during the day 

then head back to Brenham:

*Shop Downtown Brenham

*Dine in the Restaurants Downtown
Volares will be extending hours: Sun. for lunch and dinner & Mon. for dinner, as well as regular hours
*March 26"Wine Down" at Pleasant Hill Winery- Great wines, music, and relax and watch the sun go down!

Plan a trip down the street to Thyme Day Spa!

*March 25-26 Unity Theatre- Rob Landis in Concert (jazz)
*March 27  Stop by Leftovers Antiques@ 6 P.M. Live music, Food, & Drinks

*March 27 Festival Hill-The UT Symphony Orchestra

*March 27 Chappell Hill- Head for the Hills Bicycle Ride

*March 27-28 Washington on the Brazos- True Texas Women

*April 2 Old Brenham Elementary- Country Music Jamboree

*April 3 Camp for All- Hilltop Bicycle Ride

***********

Church Basement Ladies

What an awesome performance!  I have to say I have never laughed and enjoyed a performance like this in a long time.  Packed crowd at the Dr. W.W. O'Donnell Performing Arts Center, Blinn College.

Will keep you posted on the next events there!

_______

Breakfast View

This is the view out the dining room window!  Beautiful Camellias to look out while having breakfast.

Brenham Washington County

There is so much to do in Washington County!

Make your plans now at The Brenham House!

Bluebonnet Festival

Bluebonnet Festival April 10,11,12th

www.ChappellHillMuseum.org 

Book Now for a wonderful weekend!

250 booths:  Home decor, gardening, artists, crafters, clothing, jewelery, & more.  Museum exhibit of wildflower photos.  Music, great food and beverages.

Country Flavors Festival- April 24, 2010

Downtown Brenham....
         Country Flavors Festival
April 24, 2010    10:00 A.M.- all day


      Free admission / Free parking


All you can eat Blue Bell Ice Cream $6.00
              Free Samples from Chappell Hill Sausage, Brenham Brewery & Bottling Works,
Pleasant Hill Winery, Windy Winery, Briannas dressing, and tasty area foods!
              Car Show, BBQ Cook-Off, Cake Bake -Off, Vendors, Home Decor, Gardening, Arts and Crafts, Clothing, Jewelry and More!


Book your room now!

Head for the Hills-6th Annual Bicycle Ride

Short, Moderate, or Long Ride

3 Challenging Courses:

Fully supported with refreshments and rest stops.  Event T-Shirt with prepaid $25.00 registration received by March 7th.

Register online go to

www.WCRotaryClub.org 

Book your stay with us and we can store your bike for you!

_______________________________________________________

Snow in Brenham!

Snow in Brenham!  Large flakes for over 2 hours and still going!

Great play day!

_______________________________________________________

Mark Twain-Unity Theatre

Four shows and you won't want to miss it.  

Professional theatre not community theatre, 

and there is not a bad seat in the house. 

Unity Theatre is located in downtown Brenham.  

Plan now and let us get your tickets for you!  

We are preferred lodging for Unity Theatre.

_______________________________________________________

Festival Hill Guitar Festival 2010

March 6, 2010

A must see and hear!

1:30 P.M. Tony Morris, guitar & Renata Green, flute

4:00 P.M Minneapolis Guitar Quartet

8:00 P.M. Cem Duruoz, guitar

The last Guitar Festival was outstanding and I'm sure this is one we won't want to miss!  We will be glad to secure your tickets.

www.festivalhill.org 

Windy Winery- Chilli Cook-off

February 20th  

Chilli Cook-off at Windy Winery! 

 First place is a case of merlot!

Click here
   www.windywinery.com 

_________________________________________

Afternoon Tea at the Mansion

February 28th:  Afternoon Tea at the Mansion

What a wonderful way to while away the afternoon.  The lovely Giddings-Stone Mansion is the perfect setting for an afternoon tea!  Bring your friends and grab your hats and gloves for this special event presented by the Historical Society.

Click here for ticket information: 

www.giddingsstonemansion.com 

Texas Independence Day 174th Celebration

February 27-28:  Texas Independence Day Celebration

Experience life in the Republic of Texas period.  Costumed re-enactors, period craft demonstrations, military encampments and Texas tunes.  Two days, 10 A.M.-5 P.M. 

Click on this link www.birthplaceoftexas.com 

Fun at Royer's Round Top Cafe

Having fun at Royer's Round Top Cafe! 


 www.Royersroundtopcafe.com  

While you are out shopping and site seeing 

Royer's is a great place to 

eat and have fun!

______________________________________________________

Valentine Celebration at The Brenham House

Book two nights on Valentine's Weekend and receive Chocolate Strawberries for you and your Sweetheart!
_______________________________________________________

Valentine's Day at Volare Italian Restaurant 2010

www.volareitalianrestaurant.com 

Please come by to taste some fantastic wines from Friuli, Italy.
When:  Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 6:00 P.M.
Where:  Volare Italian Restaurant   $2.99/person
              102 Ross St.
              Brenham, Tx.
Who:  Owner & Co-Winemaker
Antipasto will be provided.  Wine available for purchase for exclusive price.  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Sauvignon Blanc, and known for their famous Refosco, Friulano & Pinot Grigio.


_________________________________________________________________________________


Volare Italian Restaurant will be open Sunday, February 14th 2010

Valentine's Day

Lunch 11:00-2:00 and Dinner 5:00-9:30

Celebrate this day with Beef tenderloin topped with tiger shrimp in a creamy Lobster Chardonnay sauce.  Served with Pasta al Pesto

$29.99

regular menu will be available.

Heritage Pieces Quilt Show 2010

_

    Feb. 5-6, 2010  Heritage Pieces Quilt Show


     These are some of the many quilts that caught my eye!  Beautiful quilts and lots of vendors selling quilted crafts, quilt stands, material, patterns, and more. Inside Fireman Training 
Center.   10A.M.- 4P.M.
$5.00 Admission
http://www.friendshipquiltguild.com


_______________________________________________________

Music at The Brenham House

What a wonderful                                                 evening!  

Our guests who perform for variety of venues gave us a wonderful concert!  Mandolin, harmonica and dulcimers filled the house with such a soft sweet music.  It was an awesome experience.

_______________________________________________________

Winter Garden Flowers

Look what is blooming in the gardens at The Brenham House!

Camellias

_______________________________________________________

Jewelry Design Classes by Diane Cook

Saturday February 6, 2010

9:30-5:00 P.M.

Art Guild of Rural Texas

Fayetteville, Texas

presents

Feather You Nest 101

Art classes on jewelry design just for you!

Mixed Media Jewelry Artist- Diane Cook

Sign up now for this class!

Go to her website by clicking here

www.rosajosies.com 

You won't be disappointed!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Valentine Celebration

Make your reservations now for your special Valentine!

  We can make you look good by having a flower bouquet waiting 

in your room and reservations for dinner at Volares, with a complimentary 
glass of wine for each person.

What a great way to unwind and enjoy each others company by spending the night with 
us at The Brenham House!  

What an impressive evening.  The next morning awake to the great smells coming from the kitchen.  Yes, an elegant breakfast prepared just
 for our guests!

Now Open- Robin's Nest

How would you like to spend a couple of nights in the ROBIN'S NEST?

We have just opened another room in our home for guests to enjoy.

Located at the top of the stairs this room has a wonderful queen bed.  A private bath with a shower, is attached to this room.  Two comfortable chairs to relax in and watch your flat screened TV/DVD player.  The room has windows that are up in the tree tops.  Check it our and you can book it now!  

__________________________________________________________________________________

Concert Series- Unity Theatre

January 16, Saturday 8:00 P.M.

Click here:
http://www.unitybrenham.org/SpecialEvents-RickRowley.htm

Unity Theatre

 presents

Rick Rowley-Concert Series

Chopin to Show Tunes

Winter Antiques Shows 2010

Looking for something to do inside?   ....Br-r-r-r!

Winter Antique Festival

January 8-10

 Sat. 9-5 and Sun. 10-4 

Knights of Columbus Hall

2804 Gun and Rod Road

Brenham, Texas

January 16-17

Winter Antique Show 

at the Big Red Barn

in Round Top, Texas

We have rooms available at The Brenham House so book your rooms now for two great events!

_______________________________________________________

Roses from our Garden

Sending you roses from our garden!

This is one of our climbers from The Antique Rose Emporium

The weather has been great so come on and see what Brenham has to offer.  

Book your rooms and plan your getaway now!

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Nov. 26, 2009  Thanksgiving Day 

Book two nights with us and overlap Thanksgiving Day and as a gift for you we will serve you a Thanksgiving Dinner at 5:00 P.M.  
Two Nights, Two Breakfasts, and Thanksgiving Dinner!

No shopping, no prepping, no cooking, and you sit back while we do all of the dishes!

BOOK NOW!

__________________________________________________________________________________

Cherry Almond Cheese Trifle

Cherry Almond Cheese Trifle

1 8 oz. block of cream cheese

1 -14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 -12 oz. container whipped topping

1/2 almond extract

1 -21 oz. prepared angel food cake

2 -21 oz. cans cherry pie filling

sliced almonds for garnish

In medium bowl combine softened cream cheese and condensed milk at medium speed until smooth.  Stir in half of the whipped topping and almond extract.  Tear 1/2 angel food cake into cubes and line the bottom of your trifle bowl.  Spoon 1/2 half of the cheese mixture over the cake.  Then layer on can of the cherry pie filling.  Repeat all three layers and top with remaining whipped topping and garnish with the sliced almonds!  Serves 15

__________________________________________________________________________________

What's coming up!

Not to get ahead of myself, but just to let you know...

November 21-22, 2009

Trunk Show and Home Tour by the Heritage Society of Washington Co. 

The Giddings-Stone Mansion at 2203 Century Circle in Brenham 

Trunk Show is 11- 5 P.M.  Home Tour is 1-4 P.M.

Admission $10.00 per person for the tour of 7 historical homes decorated for Christmas and the trunk show.  This year there will be Antique Fair on the grounds of the Mansion.

Come back to the Mansion from 5-6 P.M. for wine and cheese and door prizes!

________________________________________

Thanksgiving Nov. 26, 2009

If you book two nights at Thanksgiving, overlapping Thanksgiving Day, as a treat from us, we will also provide our guests with a 5:00P.M. Thanksgiving Meal for you at the regular two night room rate!  Book Now!

________________________________________

Christmas Stroll Weekend Dec. 4-5

Wrap up your Christmas at The Brenham House!

 40 shops in the decorated downtown to stroll through and dine on the square.  Five of Brenham's Bed and Breakfasts who are members of the Texas Bed and Breakfast Association will provide free gift wrapping for their guests who make purchases here.

Friday night, Dec 4 guests can watch Christmas movies outdoors on the square from the comfort of their own lawn chairs and carriage rides will be available.

Saturday evening events include:  a Parade of Lights and shopping until 8:00 P.M.  Unity Theatre presents It's a Wonderful Life:  A live Radio Play on Thursday-Sunday

______________________________________

Dec 12-13 is the annual Chappell Hill Holiday Home Tour of Country Homes, Dec 12-13.  Unity Theatre presents It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. Thursday-Sunday  

Get in the Spirit of the Holidays!

Book your rooms now or call for more information!

979 251-9947

  

Unity Theatre presents, The Matchmaker

www.UnityBrenham.org      Located in the Historic District Brenham is ...

The Unity Theatre

and now showing is .....

The Matchmaker 

By Thornton Wilder

A delicious and dizzy comedy that embodies the American spirit of optimism and adventure.  By the author of Our Town, it's the story of one exasperating woman and of one glorious day in New York, full of shenanigans, a stuffed whale, and pudding.

Oct. 8-25, 2009

3 weeks, 12 shows

Not a bad seat in the house!

Book your room now and we will be glad to secure 

your tickets for you!

_______________________________________________________

Scarecrow Festival '09

 

Scarecrow Festival - Oct.10-11th
Chappell Hill, Texas


It is a wonderful event located in the Historic Downtown Chappell Hill. It will be covered with scarecrow and pumpkin patches.  Live music, food vendors, crafts and collectibles.  Celebrating the Harvest Season is a wonderful way to get into the Fall Season!  As you drive all over Washington County you will see scarecrow exhibits.  It is free to get in and it is family friendly.  Sat. 10-6 P.M. and Sun. noon-5 P.M. http://www.chappellhillmuseum.org 

A Successful Fall Antique Festival at Round Top '09

      It was really a very fun Fall Antique Festival!  We made a lot of new friends.  There was a lot of strategy planning at the breakfast table!  It was awesome.  We had a couple from England, Florida, Shreveport, Louisiana and Missouri.  Of course, they came from Dallas, Flower Mound, McKinney, Houston, and Austin!  What fun it was.  Phil and Teresa seriously shopped for 5 days and with great success!  Here they are with the hardest part of loading up the van to head back to Missouri!  Thank you all for coming and staying with us and we hope you will come back to see us soon!  

Published Recipe from The Brenham House of 1990

     As I was thumbing through my rather large collection of cookbooks, I found this recipe from The Brenham House Bed and Breakfast, when the Phillips owned and operated it.   The Phillips purchased the home in 1990.  The 1920's home, on Clinton Street,  had already been renovated for a BnB and in 1989 was DBA as The Brenham House Bed and Breakfast.  How delighted I was to find out a little bit of the history and a bonus .... a wonderful recipe which we have incorporated into our collection that we use here at The Brenham House today.  Megetas is the name of the recipe.  Their son in law's family was from Mexico and this is how they came by the recipe.  Many of you may know it as Migas.  It all depends on which part of Mexico you are in.

Megetas

1/3 c. chopped onion

2 small garlic cloves, minced

8-10 small corn tortillas, torn into tint pieces

6-8 eggs, beaten

1- 7 oz jar of Herdez Mexican red picante sauce 

1-2 c. grated cheddar cheese

Also:  butter, vegetable oil, salt and pepper, optional ingredients:  sausage, diced potato, cherry tomatoes.

In a large skillet, melt a little butter and oil.  Saute onion and garlic ( opt. potatoes).  As the mixture cooks, stir in torn tortillas.  Add oil as needed to keep from burning.  Fry until the tortilla pieces are crisp.  (Add optional cooked sausage).  Stir in the beaten eggs, picante sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.  Cook over low heat as a scrambled egg dish.  Stir in cheese at the last minute.  Serve after cheese is melted.  ( I top my egg mixture with the cheese and place skillet under broiler until melted and serve.  It is less messy for me, and then top it off with picante sauce or sliced cherry tomatoes!

It is a wonderful Saturday morning breakfast or evening meal and the house smell so good while you are preparing the dish!