David Letterman has captured the market with his frequent and often hilarious “Top Ten” lists. But we’re pretty proud to have a Top Ten list of our own. Over our 11+ years of innkeeping here on Cape Cod and in our previous location in North Conway, NH, we have been recognized by our guests, as well as travel industry experts, for our warm hospitality, unforgettable breakfasts, and value-added extras for travelers from around the world. So here, in descending calendar order, is our “Top Ten” list. Eat your heart out, David Letterman.

1. Fodor’s Choice Award 2020
2. 5-Star TripAdvisor rating 2020
3. Innkeepers of the Year 2020
4. Fodor’s Choice Award 2020
5. Top Ten Inn in the U.S. 2020-2020
6. Top Ten Inn in North America, 2020-2020
7. Silver Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2020
8. Gold Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2020 & 2020
9. Silver Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2020
10. Gold Award for Best B&B in the Mid-Cape 2020

In addition to these awards, we have been singled out as being one of the “hippest, hottest, and most fabulous Babymoon destinations across the U.S.” by Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine, as well as one of “18 Elegant Escapes” by Westchester Magazine.

Innkeeping is a labor of love, to be sure, but one that we continue to enjoy and hope to be able to continue doing long into the future. Come see for yourself why we have achieved such recognition over the years, and why we continue to strive for excellence as innkeepers on Cape Cod.

Birthdays are my favorite holidays of the year. They are, in my opinion, the only holidays you don’t have to share with someone. That is, unless you know somebody with your particular birthday. I do, but since it is my brother-in-law, and therefore family, I am willing to share.

October is a month filled with the birthdays of some of my favorite people, both past and present.  My best friend, Karen, started the month with her celebration on October 6th. As it wasn’t a “biggie” this year there was no need to hire a caterer and rent a function hall for a soiree like the one she put on for her 50th. But whatever she did, I am sure it was “over the top” as is everything she does. It is one of her most endearing qualities.

October is also the birth month of my father, who would have been 93 this year. A true Libra, my Dad was about as even-tempered as they come. Happy Birthday Dad! My other favorite Libran is my husband, Rich, who is inching his way towards official retirement age.

For Rich, birthday celebrations are all about food. For his special day, which we celebrated just last week, we went out to dinner with some great friends, who also own an inn on Cape Cod. Carnivore that he is, we went to the Brazilian Grill on Main Street in Hyannis. As the only authentic Churrascaria on Cape Cod, it has a loyal following. Churasco, a centuries old traditional Brazilian cooking method, is a unique way of roasting meat on a special grill. The meat is brought to your table on a sword and carved individually. A variety of meats including beef, pork, steak, and lamb are offered.  It’s a fun way to dine, and sheer delight for a devoted meat eater like Rich.

What really makes a birthday celebration, apart from the cards and presents, of course, is the cake. Now, given my drothers, that would have to be chocolate. But for Rich, who hates chocolate, it’s white cake with white frosting. Really, what’s the point?! But as a compromise, I present my mother’s famous “Never Fail Sponge Cake” recipe for those of you who don’t like chocolate but couldn’t possibly be satisfied with something as bland as white cake. This  is always the most requested cake for our family birthdays and makes a wonderful light summer dessert as well.

Never Fail Sponge Cake

Ingredients

• 4 eggs separated
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 Tbsp. cold water
• 1 cup sifted cake flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder

Directions

1. Beat egg yolks and sugar together until very light; add water.
2. Sift together flour and baking soda; add to batter.
3. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter.
4. Pour batter into well-greased small angel food pan.
5. Bake at 325°F for about 30 minutes. Cool completely and invert onto cake platter.
6. Prepare whipped cream and strawberries

To serve, slice cake in half and fill with half the whipped cream. Top with remaining whipped cream and strawberries. Serves 12-14

Today is the first day I can truly see and appreciate the fall colors from my kitchen window at our Cape Cod Inn. We face north and look out across the Great Salt Marsh and the dunes of Sandy Neck Beach, with Cape Cod Bay in the distance. The marsh turns a lovely shade of tawny gold with hints of persimmon and burnt orange in the swamp maples. This is the time of year we first arrived on Cape Cod seven years ago to begin our second adventure as innkeepers.

As foliage approaches and the busy tourist season starts to wane, we now have time to enjoy friends and family, and all of the lovely nooks and crannies that Cape Cod offers our guests. One of our favorite things to do at this time of year is to sample new restaurants that have emerged on the scene, or revisit some of our favorites.

So it is good news that Restaurant Week is in full swing on Cape Cod once again.

From Sandwich to Provincetown, 25 local eateries are offering prix fixe meals for lunch or dinner (and sometimes both) for $25-35 per person. It is an excellent way to sample the culinary talents of our local chefs without breaking the bank. Check the Restaurant List to get specific information about the variety of fine experiences Cape Cod can offer to tantalize your palate. Reservations are recommended.

In my humble opinion, fall is the ideal time to visit Cape Cod. The air is crisp, summer traffic has abated, and what remains is the true Cape Cod: salt, sand, sea, and sky in all their glorious perfection! As innkeepers on Cape Cod we start to turn our attention inwards in the fall, preparing for the cooler weather that will no doubt follow the waning days of Indian summer.

Myriad celebrations take place at this time of year that recognize our bountiful harvest and nature’s raw beauty. It is a time to give thanks for what we have and what we can share with others. But if you need more than just an opportunity to stroll our lovely beaches in relative solitude or sample the chef’s offerings at one of our noted restaurants without waiting endlessly for a table as an excuse to plan a mid-week or weekend getaway this fall, here are 10 good reasons to shake loose from your busy lifestyle and hectic schedule and come to Cape Cod this fall.

Oct. 8 – 11: 17th Annual Cape-Wide Walking Weekend.

Walking Weekend features short walks and longer hikes led by historians, naturalists and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Oct 8-10: By the Bay Fine Art & Craft Show, Brewster, 10am-4pm

A fine art and craft show located on Rt. 6a in Brewster overlooking Cape Cod Bay

Oct 9 &10: 7th Annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration

This fun family event features juried crafters, activities for children, animal shows, cooking demonstrations, food vendors, pony and wagon rides, and much more. The highlight of the day is an opportunity to witness a working cranberry bog.

Oct. 9 -11: 30th Annual Yarmouth Seaside Festival

The Yarmouth Seaside Festival has grown into a gala event which boasts a craft fair of more than 125 crafters from all over the country, a giant parade, continual musical entertainment, high-quality children’s events, kayak and canoe race, 5K road race, greased pole contests, pie-eating contests, and fireworks display

Oct 9 -11: Plimoth Plantation’s 7th Annual Harvest Festival Weekend, Plimoth Plantation

Enjoy hands on activities and family-fun crafts across each of the museum sites. Experience themed dining events and get a feel for the importance of the Harvest season at Plimoth Plantation!

Oct 9: Mashpee’s 24th Annual Oktoberfest, Mashpee Commons, Mashpee

Craft fair, live entertainment, food, kids activities and more. On the Village Green.

Oct 9-10: 2020 Sea Glass Festival, North American Sea Glass Association, Hyannis

Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm at the Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis.

Oct 15 & 16: Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival, Martha’s Vineyard

The 4th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival is a celebration of food and wine including local harvests from both the sea and Island farms. Enjoy wines from around the world, and foods prepared by chefs from Martha’s Vineyard and New England.

October 16 & 17: 10th Annual Wellfleet Oyster Fest

7:00 PM Daily through November: Barnstable Village’s Haunted History Tour.

Walk the historic and haunted Old Kings Highway. There are over ten stops on the tour and eight have ghost stories including Cobb’s Hill Cemetery, the 2020 “Old Jail” and Cape Cod’s most haunted building, “The House of Eleven Ghosts”.

Nov 19-21: 15th Annual America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration, Plymouth

The celebration of Thanksgiving becomes history-brought-to-life as Pilgrims, Native Americans, Soldiers, Patriots, and Pioneers proudly climb out of the history books and onto the streets of Plymouth