Clean and Green with CitraSolv

Here at the Greenville Arms, we believe in eco-responsibility and are always on the look out for ways to be ever "greener" in Greenville! We already recycle, reuse and re-purpose wherever we can. (If you ever look on the back side of your check-in form, you might notice that it is recycled wine menus, and we take phone reservation information on over-printed on unused Franklin Day Planner pages leftover from my days in the corporate world!)

To this end, we recently discovered a new product line called CitraSolv. It is a natural cleaner made with real essential oils derived from citrus peels. They have general cleaners and degreasers (handy in the kitchen), glass and window cleaners, spot removers, drain cleaners, laundry soap, hand and body soap, and air fresheners. They all have no artificial ingredients or scents and are NOT tested on animals.

All in all, some great cleaning and freshening products, but the funny thing is we were not introduced to the products as household cleaners, but as an art supply! Robert Burridge was teaching a workshop for our Hudson River Valley Art Workshops and he had a case of CitraSolv shipped to us for use in the class. He uses it to create the most amazing collage papers, but also touted it as a fabulous paint brush cleaner and household cleaner.

So I just had to look up this product online to learn more about it! After looking at CitraSolvs website, their eco and animal-friendly policies, and hearing more testimonials from both artists and inn guests who were familiar with the products, we decided to add the CitraSolv concentrate product to our Inn Shop because we already carry various art and fiber supplies for the art workshops.) I was sold!

But then when I contacted CitraSolv about placing an order, they told me about a photo contest they were having - "Get Out of the Dog House with CitraSpot" - a new spot removing product. All you had to do was email a photo of your favorite spot making dog!

Well, we definitely have a couple of "spot makers." So I submited this photo of Hudson and Bree, our Inn dogs.

I was incredibly surprised a short time later to learn that this photo was the grand prize winner in their contest! The prize was a box full of CitraSolv products -- and more important to Hudson and Bree -- 2 nice natural chewing bones!

I can't wait to try out these products around the inn. They have such lovely natural fragrances, too -- orange, lavender, and lemon verbena! Thanks, CitraSolv!

Pancake Muffins with Strawberries in Syrup

We debuted a new breakfast special last week to rave reviews - Pancake Muffins with Strawberries in Syrup.

Here is the recipe if you'd like to try these at home:

Makes 24 muffins

Muffins:
Nonstick cooking spray

2-1/3 cups of all-purpose flour

1 cup of pastry flour

2 teaspoons of baking soda

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon of kosher salt

6 large eggs, at room temperature, yolks and whites separated in two bowls.

3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

6 Tablespoons granulated sugar

2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3-1/3 cups buttermilk, at room temperature


Prepare the Muffins:

Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Generously spray two 12-cup muffin pans with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until firm, but not dry. About 2 - 3 minutes. Set aside.

In another large bowl, beat the egg yolks with the mixer on medium-high until thick, ribbony, and lemon-yellow. About 6 minutes. Add the melted butter, sugar, and vanilla; mix on medium-low until combined. Add one-third of the flour mixture and mix on low speed. Add one-third of the buttermilk and mix to combine. Alternate adding the remaining flour mixture and buttermilk, ending with the buttermilk and mixing until just combined.

With a large rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter, leaving some streaks.

Fill the muffin pans, about 1/2 cup of the batter into each muffin cup. Bake, rotating the pans after 10 minutes, until browned on top and puffed, and a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out dry, about 20 to 25 minutes total.

Prepare the Strawberries in Syrup

1 cup pure maple syrup

1 cup quartered, hulled ripe strawberries


In a small saucepan, bring the maple syrup to a boil over medium-high heat. Put the strawberries in the syrup and turn off the heat. Set aside in a warm spot.

To Serve:

Pop the muffins out of the cups and arrange 2 to a plate, spoon syrup and strawberries of the muffins, and then sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

One of my favorite things about this recipe, is that while these are delicious freshly made right out of the oven, I think they are even better after they have been frozen, thawed, and reheated -- and our staff agrees! This is great for making in advance for a large group of people or having them on hand for an intimate party of 2!

Flowering Fence

We've started a flowering fence along the entrance to the pool by trimming back the dead hemlock trees to 5' trunks and then planting a variety of climatis vines at the base of each trunk. Some of these vines have done better than others.

But this is a work in progress. So I'm not too bothered when some critter decides to take bit out a plant at the base of a vine that had almost climbed to the top of the trunk!

Next year we'll replace and add more vines as needed. We are also thinking of adding in a climbing rose or two to give us a full season of flowers.

The vines on the side of the Main Inn, however, are going gangbusters! Of course, they will all be removed when it is time to paint that portion of the inn again. Keeping our property looking spiffy includes painting a portion of the buildings each year -- it's too big to do all in one year.

Wandering Deer

What I thought were a couple of tourists, has turned into daily visitors! This pair of does stroll around our side lawn every morning and evening looking for tasty flowers.

They enjoyed a couple of mouthfuls of the Mock Orange shrub and then moved on to look for the next course.

Good thing they don't like peonies! I've been adding one new peony to this flower bed for the last couple of years and they are starting to look really nice.

The vines are starting creep across the wall on the inn. I like the way the vines look, but of course, they are all scraped off every time that section of the inn is painted, which is probably every 5 years. This is probably a good thing, as vines like this can start to work their way into the building.

Can the Weather be Too Perfect?

It is such a gorgeous day today that I'm having a hard time reminding myself that I have work to do!

All I want to do is walk around the grounds sniffing flowers.

Even the woods is full of purple flowers (although it is hard to tell in this photo).

New 4th of July Wee Forest Folk Figures in our Shop

We just received our shipment of the new 4th of July Wee Forest Folk figures for our gift shop.

From left to right we have: Dandy Doodler (a limited edition piece), Red Rocket, and Drop in for the Forth (also a limited edition).

This one is First Spring Outing and you can get the baby mouse in blue or in pink blanket!

Early Morning Tourists

Caught these two early morning tourists on our front lawn.

Maybe they heard about my new breakfast special - Pancake Muffins with Strawberry Syrup. Either that or they were eyeing the last remaining tulips blooming along the front driveway and wondering if they dared take a place at that dining area with out being seen.