Wisconsin innkeepers really can’t help themselves when it comes to a good fall recipe to "cozy up" in the kitchen with on a crisp autumn morning. So it seemed only right to dedicate a story to a few fall recipe favorites that are sure to warm up any chilly morning.

Deep Dish Apple Berry Pancake

Recipe by Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn, Belleville

Ingredients:

1 stick butter
6 extra large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon maple extract
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon cinnamon, divided
1/8 teaspoon plus 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, divided
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 large apples, sliced
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup each of whole cranberries, blackberries, and raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or shortening. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch chunks and place in the bottom of the dish. Place the dish in the oven 5-7 minutes, or just until the butter begins to sizzle, but no longer. While the butter is melting, layer the eggs, milk, vanilla, maple extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, flour, sugar and salt into a blender. Blend until well mixed, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and fill with the apple slices. Sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon and nutmeg, the allspice, and pumpkin pie spice. Bake 8 minutes to slightly soften the apples. Remove the dish from the oven and top with the berries and pecans. Pour the batter from the blender over the top and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake 20 minutes (do not open the oven door) then remove and allow to set for 5 minutes before cutting into desired sizes. Garnish with powdered sugar, whipped cream, fresh berries, and cinnamon or mint leaf. Grate fresh nutmeg on top and serve with sausage.

Dreams Sausage Strata

Recipe by Dreams of Yesteryear, Stevens Point

Ingredients:

12 slices white bread, crusts removed
3/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1 pound Italian sausage, browned
8 large eggs
3 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard

Grease or spray a 9x12-inch cake pan. Line the bottom of the sish with bread. Sprinkle the cheese then the sausage over the top. In a large bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and spices. Pour the mixture over the bread, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

The following morning: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake 45 minutes.

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Valentines Day is quickly approaching, do you know what you are giving to that someone special in your life? Consider the gift of an experience! There is nothing more special than time spent together ~ A romantic night or two at a B&B! Don't forget to look at the B&B's specials, packages, and add-ons for that extra special touch.

Dreams of Yesteryear - Stevens Point

 

Come stay in the kind of place Victorian dreams are made of! This beautiful bed and breakfast treats guests to the best of modern day luxury, while surrounded by the charms of yesteryear.

 

 

 

Sheer Memories B&B - Muscoda

 

Overlook the beautiful valley of the Lower Wisconsin River when you stay at Sheer Memories. Here, the innkeeper loves to create a unique experience for that special occasion.

 

 

 

Red Forest B&B - Two Rivers

 

Enter into their world of sparkling stained glass, family heirlooms, private and comfortable guestrooms, a cozy fireplace to curl up to, and home-cooked goodness in every breakfast. Perfect for a cozy Valentine getaway!

 

 

 

Albany House - Albany

 

Three acres of grounds, art, antiques, and a distinctive decorating style make this popular couples' getaway a perennial favorite of the discerning traveler. The small-town ambiance of the area is just right for getting away from it all.

 

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  [caption id="attachment_1987" align="aligncenter" width="441"] Cranberry Bog[/caption] Fall and food are the perfect pairing in Wisconsin. Plan your getaway around the state’s various food “capitals”, and be sure to enjoy a mouthwatering homemade breakfast at your favorite B&B too. [caption id="attachment_1889" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dreams of Yesteryear in Stevens Point, WI[/caption] When talking about food capitals this time of year, we have to kick it off with cranberries. Wisconsin produces more of this tart fruit than any other state. There is even a designated “Cranberry Highway,” a self-guided drive that stretches for nearly 50 miles along century-old cranberry beds from Wisconsin Rapids to Warrens, and between Pittsville and Nekoosa. Stay at Dreams of Yesteryear in Stevens Point where excellent restaurants, quaint downtown shops, a fabulous brewery tour, a picnic by the river, museums and more await you within easy walking distance. You can also visit Tuft’s Mansion in Neillsville where the area offers numerous opportunities for a unique vacation experience such as many craft and antique shops. [caption id="attachment_841" align="alignright" width="237"] Stewart Inn in Wausau, WI[/caption] The soil and climate in central Wisconsin, more specifically Wausau, makes it one of the best places in the world to produce ginseng. In fact, 95% of the ginseng in the U.S. is grown here. This root must grow for four years before it can be harvested. Don’t wait that long to visit Stewart Inn, a beautiful Arts & Crafts mansion in downtown Wausau serving both a nightly wine and cheese reception and a gourmet breakfast.   In Bayfield, cool temperatures and moist air, courtesy of Lake Superior, make it prime apple growing country. After picking apples, and squash and pumpkins too, put your feet up at eco-friendly Pinehurst Inn B&B where you’re surrounded by pine trees and gardens, and romantic Old Rittenhouse Inn where the the fall colors are best viewed right from the expansive front porch. [caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignleft" width="224"] Cherry Tree[/caption] Cooler spring months and a unique soil composition on the Door County peninsula provide just the right growing conditions for cherries. At this time of year, dried cherries are a real treat. Similarly, it’s a treat to stay at any of the 10 inns there, including White Lace Inn, Scofield House B&B, Inn at Cedar Crossing, Garden Gate B&B, White Gull Inn, Inn at Windmill Farm, Eagle Harbor Inn, Blacksmith Inn on the Shore, Bay Point Inn, and Juniper Inn.     [caption id="attachment_1994" align="alignright" width="239"] Christmas House B&B in Racine, WI[/caption] Racine is “America’s Kringle Capital.” Not familiar with Kringles? They’re the distinctive oval-shaped flaky pastry treat brought to Wisconsin by Danish immigrants in the mid-19^th century. Make the Christmas House B&B, a historic downtown landmark, your home away from home while there. Sheboygan has been called the “Bratwurst Capital of the World.” Be sure to nosh on a sausage or two while visiting the area, with Tauscheck’s B&B in nearby Plymouth serving as your host. Monroe is the “Swiss Cheese Capital of the U.S.,” and you can have your cheese and eat it too at the nearby Albany House in Albany, a circa 1908 country house in the heart of the Swiss and Amish communities in the region. [caption id="attachment_782" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Albany House in Albany, WI[/caption] Finally, if you are a fan of horseradish, then head to Eau Claire, where Silver Spring farms has been growing the hot and spicy condiment ingredient since 1929. Then cool your heels at Inn On Lake Wissota in neighboring Chippewa Falls. [caption id="attachment_1995" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Inn On Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls, WI[/caption]

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For just about every traveler to Wisconsin, the state’s name is synonymous with beer, brats and cheese. Let’s focus on the beer part, shall we, with a look at anniversaries at two breweries paired with nearby B&Bs.

  [gallery ids="1876,1648,1877"] Just about every city, town and village in Wisconsin has at least one of the following: a historic brewery, a new microbrewery, historic taverns, beer festival, or all of the above. Some major anniversaries this year point to the state’s proud brewing heritage. [caption id="attachment_1889" align="alignleft" width="400"] Dreams of Yesteryear[/caption] In Stevens Point, the Stevens Point Brewery turns 160, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the country.  It even provided beer to Civil War soldiers and survived prohibition by brewing soda. After your brewery tour, stay at Dreams of Yesteryear located in the historic downtown district. Tip: Each room has a binder-full of stories about the house as researched by a local historian.           The youngster by 10 years, the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, is the big 1-5-0 this year. To mark their sesquicentennial they’ve  collaborated with Hofbräuhaus Munchen to brew a special anniversary lager. [caption id="attachment_1890" align="alignright" width="300"] Overlooking Lake Wissota from Pleasant View Bed & Breakfast[/caption] Both breweries are using the same recipe with hops from Germany & malt from Wisconsin.  Spend the night at the Pleasant View Bed & Breakfast on the shores of Lake Wissota where you may want to enjoy a Leinie’s as you watch the sun set.           A few more brew favorites: [caption id="attachment_1891" align="alignleft" width="450"] Artha Sustainable Living Center[/caption]

• In Amherst, Central Waters Brewing Co. is known not only for its artisan beer, but for being one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the nation. Which makes a stay at the nearby Artha Sustainable Living Center a perfect pairing, given this B&B is a sustainable oasis set on a lush 55-acre plot.

The innkeepers at Canyon Road Inn in Turtle Lake shared their favorite microbrewery finds in the area – Valkyrie Brewing Company in Dallas (Dallas, Wisconsin, that is), a small family owned and operated brewery where the beers are cold fermented and aged to cut back on fusel alcohols (the stuff that gives you headaches); and Barley John’s Brewery in New Richmond, where the spring Maibock has just been released. It’s an especially nice accompaniment to their “Nibbles and Dips” food menu. Hike the wooded trails on the inn’s property so you can enjoy these brews guilt-free.     This is just a sample of the many Wisconsin breweries that have either popped up recently or have been around for generations. They have an impact on their local economy, providing jobs, and many of them use local ingredients, giving other businesses in the community an opportunity to share in the wealth of the craft brewery boom.  All of these breweries attract tourists, especially those who are interested in experiencing the local community.  These breweries offer people a chance to visit the brewery, and get to know the folks who run it.  Incorporating your brewery tour with a WBBA Inn is a great way to immerse yourself into a community, giving yourself a chance to live like a local, eat local cuisine, and drink local beer. As always, all WBBA members are licensed, inspected and insured.  So rest assured, you will get a good night's sleep when you stay at a WBBA B&B, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning.

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Wisconsin has major travel news this year. The U.S. Open comes to the state for the first time in the tournament’s history, to a public course, no less. Natural Twosome – Golf and B&Bs The 117^th U.S. Open is being played at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, marking the first time the storied event has ever been staged in the state. Plus it’s only the sixth time it’s being played at a public course. We put together a list of the Top 10 Wisconsin public golf courses (and the B&Bs nearby, naturally) to help you tee up your golf getaway bucket list.

There are more than 500 public golf courses in Wisconsin. Multiple PGA and LPGA tournaments have been contested at public courses at Kohler. Plus, the U.S. Open comes to Erin Hills in Wisconsin, the first time this storied event has ever been staged in the state and only the sixth time at a public course. And this just in: Wisconsin is ranked the #1 golf destination for 2017 by GolfAdvisor.com! So, if there was ever a year to celebrate golf, this is it, which is why the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association put together its own list of top public courses based on travel habits at its member inns. While Erin Hills is closed until after the U.S. Open, there are plenty of top-notch golf getaways for those eager to tee up their summer travel schedule. Top 10 Contenders for Best Golf/B&B Getaways

1. Whistling Straits, Sheboygan: This course will be hosting the 2020 Ryder Cup. Stay at Lake Orchard Farm Retreat on the shores of Lake Michigan, a sixth generation farm with its own on-site nine-hole golf course and clubhouse. [caption id="attachment_1757" align="alignnone" width="300"] Lake Orchard Farm Retreat Guest room[/caption]
2. Blackwolf Run, Kohler: Spend the night at the nearby Jay Lee Inn in Elklhart Lake, an elegant 1902 Victorian Federal house with views to the lake. There’s also Tauschek’s B&B in Plymouth, a log home with rustic charm and modern amenities. [caption id="attachment_1758" align="alignright" width="300"] Tauschek' Bed & Breakfast[/caption]
3. University Ridge, Madison: The three inns in Madison each have their own unique personality, much like the city itself. There’s The Buckingham Inn near Camp Randall Stadium with red naturally a favorite accent color, Hotel Ruby Marie where you can enjoy the bustle of the Capitol Square, and The Livingston Inn Gothic Revival mansion with lakefront access to Lake Mendota.
4. Lawsonia, Green Lake: Take your pick of four B&Bs in the resort community of Green Lake – Miller’s Daughter B&B where complimentary wine is served daily, McConnell Inn where breakfast is prepared by their pastry chef, the lakefront Angel Inn with parking for your boat, or Greenway House where guests can enjoy breakfast on the wraparound porch.
5. SentryWorld, Stevens Point: After a day on the course, spend the night at Dreams of Yesteryear, an architectural gem in Stevens Point’s historic downtown district, and wake up to a full gourmet breakfast before heading back to the course for another round of golf.
6. The Bull, Sheboygan Falls: Choose a two-story suite at the Rochester Inn or, if traveling with your golf buddies, reserve The Fringe Country Inn and gather in the spacious common room. Both are right in Sheboygan Falls.
7. Horseshoe Bay, Egg Harbor: There are lots of charming B&Bs up and down the Door County peninsula. [caption id="attachment_1759" align="alignnone" width="300"] Bay Point Inn[/caption] In the same community as the course is Bay Point Inn, patterned after a European vacation villa.
8. Washington County, Hartford: The Westphal Mansion Inn, an English Tudor mansion in downtown Hartford, is a local historic landmark with plenty of old world style. [caption id="attachment_1763" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Westphal Mansion guest room[/caption]
9. The Bog, Saukville: A short drive will get you to Hidden Serenity B&B in West Bend, a spacious inn next to a wildlife sanctuary where there’s also a tennis court if you also like to swing a racquet.
10. Geneva National, Lake Geneva: This is the site of the 2017 Legends LPGA. If you typically travel with a group of golfer friends, reserve the entire home known as At The Lake House B&B. [caption id="attachment_1760" align="alignright" width="300"] Lazy Cloud Bed & Breakfast, Lake Geneva WI[/caption] Lazy Cloud B&B bills itself as a place for romantics so if you golf with your significant other, give this inn a try. Both are in Lake Geneva.

Bonus Recommendations: There are two other public courses in the state designed by the same duo who designed Erin Hills - Wild Rock in Wisconsin Dells and Troy Burne in Hudson. In Wisconsin Dells, retreat to Bowman’s Oak Hill B&B with its park-like setting where breakfast is served on the large deck. In Hudson, Phipps Inn is located in a historic district making it a short walk to downtown restaurants. Look Forward To: Sand Valley Golf Resort in Nekoosa is set to open in May, and is already getting lots of advance accolades. Less than an hour from the course is Artha Sustainable Living Center in Amherst, an eco-friendly inn set on a 55-acre plot with lots of greens, as in green fields and woodlands. Also just under an hour’s drive is Riverview B&B in Neshkoro, located on the White River, so bring your kayak along with your clubs. When Erin Hills Reopens to the Public: If you’ll be golfing Erin Hills after the U.S. Open, consider a stay at Inn at Pine Terrace in nearby Oconomowoc. The design of this historic mansion was modeled after a nobleman’s castle near Vienna, making it a fitting spot to spend the night when golfing one of the crown jewels of Wisconsin. Just as each golf course is unique and has it's own personality, so do the B&B's in the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association.  A great reason to plan a B&B getaway, where innkeepers are your ultimate concierge to all things local.  Another important item to point out, WBBA members are licensed, inspected and insured.  So rest assured, you will get a good night's sleep when you stay at a WBBA B&B, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning.  Are you ready to Seek the Unique?