Beautiful weather, beautiful couple, intimate ceremony, perfect surroundings, glorious day! Best Wishes Connie and Ken!
Archive for November, 2009
Brenham Bed and Breakfast Seafood Cooking Class
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
One of our recent guests surprised his wife for her birthday with a private cooking class here with us at the B&B. We developed a four course menu specifically for her. It included Lump Crabcakes topping a fresh herb, radish, orange salad (harvested from our gardens), Shrimp, Corn, Tomato Stew, Pan Fried Pangasus with an Orange Beurre Blanc Sauce, Spinach Ricotta Gnocchi and Apple/Pecan Torte (using pecans from our trees)and wine, of course. It was a delicious time! Recipe for the stew is included. Give it a try — you won’t be disappointed.
Shrimp, Corn and Tomato Stew
4 pounds unpeeled medium shrimp (to make shrimp stock, reserve heads and shells)
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
3/4 cup flour
2 medium onions, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 large green bell pepper cored, seeded, and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
5 cups shrimp stock or low sodium chicken broth
2 Tb. salt
2 Bay leaves
3 tsp. fresh basil
1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 bunch italian parsley
1 bunch scallions (white and green parts), finely chopped
Metl butter in large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook –whisking almost constantly–until the roux reaches a light peanut butter color (5 to 10 minutes). Add the onions, celery, bell pepper, and galic and cook, stirring, for an additional 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, corn, stock, salt, bay leaves, basil, thyme, pepper, and paprika. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the peeled shrimp, pasley, and scallions. Bring back to a boil over high heat. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Let the stew stand (off heat) for 15 minutes, adjust seasonings, and serve. Like most soups and stews, this one gets better the next day.
Coffee, Food & Entertainment in Brenham Texas
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Mobius… That’s the name of Brenham’s latest addition to the food and nightlife scene, a brand new real deal coffee house. Located on Market Street it has real coffee house hours Monday through Saturday 7 am. to 10 pm. You can stop by any evening and the place is hopping. November 21, you will find Jenny Wood in concert! I enjoyed a Latte’ on my first visit and am definitely looking forward to my next. I am also looking forward to trying some of the enticing food offerred such as a Panini. I have had reports that the food is very good. Brenham offers lots to do! So, give it a try on your next stop in town….
Turkey Cooking at Murski Homestead in Brenham Texas
Saturday, November 21st, 2009
I received a request from a previous Murski Homestead B&B guest regarding cooking “The Turkey”. Below is my response for any of you who may be feeling a little trepidation. (more…)
Give the Gift of Travel this Holiday Season
Friday, November 20th, 2009
There is no need to fret over what to buy that special someone this holiday season. You can find that perfect “Something Special” online from the comfort of your easy chair or by calling us by phone. A Murski Homestead B&B gift certificate can be customized for anyone’s need……use it for an overnight stay in one of our romantic suites, for a romantic package, to enjoy one of our fun cooking classes, herb day luncheons or Vintner dinners. Regardless of their pleasure, we offer many unique options to please. By purchasing a Murski Homestead Gift Certificate, you are giving a unique gift that will truly be enjoyed and appreciated. You can purchase gift certificates for accommodations, classes, dinners, or specific dollar amount. For more information or to make purchase, please call us directly at (877) 690-0676 or order online here.
Oktoberfest
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
October is officially over (by some 2 weeks…) and we are on our way to Thanksgiving! Our culinary group from the Pioneer Unit of the Herb Society of America, had an extraordinary Oktoberfest celebration! For those of you who have never had German food, you need to try it the next time you get the chance. The celebration was complete with German wine, German beer, German food and German history…..all of which was made even more fun by the company of good friends dining around the table together.
New Barn Raising Finished!
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
I remember the days when my whole family (Mom’s 10 brothers, sisters and their kids) all showed up to “raise the barn” — a traditional pole barn made from logs cut from our own farm and sheet metal purchased at the local hardware store. My how times have changed…….The new barn is up, made of red iron, colored sheet metal, with 3 bays and lots of space…..nothing better than relying on local boys who know their stuff, enduring all the rain, wind and days off work and showing up the minute the ground began to dry! Brian Tiemann Construction
Shots Around Town
Monday, November 9th, 2009
Come visit our historical downtown with it’s many antique shops, art galleries, old style bakery, beautiful architecture and more…. Brenham, Texas— County seat of Washington County. Sit a spell on one of our downtown park benches and watch the local scene. Here are just a few glimpses of our incredible architecture and designated mainstreet downtown…………
New Gardens Complete!
Friday, November 6th, 2009
Our new garden additions with the water features are finally finished! The process was so very interesting. I was intrigued watching the different techniques for hardscaping and installing water features.
The first feature is a tumbling waterfall surrounded by rock and perennial plants including a Pineapple Guava Standard. It arrived too tall so after it settles in I will trim it down to size and retrain it next year into a shorter tree form. We were able to convert our antique water trough (originally used to water the livestock by our ancestors who established our homestead) into a unique tumbling waterfall. I have learned two new tricks already after brown algae began to grow in the trough: add a bag of barley grass and some goldfish! Both are organic, natural ways of taking care of the algae and adding interest to the trough. We started with 12 fish and are down to 2…..one of the perils of being a fish in the country with all the wild “critters”. The remaining 2 are wily creatures who thus far have survived.
The second water feature includes Japanese Rain Chains. They are made of copper and will develop a lovely patina as they age. The water flowing from cup to cup makes the most delicious ”babbling brook” sound…..so very soothing and relaxing. Makes me want to lie down with a good book right there! The rain chains are in on the backdrop of our wedding gazebo with backlit stained glass on either side and gardens expanding from both the left and right. We expanded the gardens to include more perennials and some edibles (Pindo Palm, Cardammon, an Olive Tree, Daylillies, Roses to name a few of the edibles).
Gardening has always been one of my passions but learning to hardscape with water is a whole new arena and one I am enjoying! Come enjoy the new gardens with the birds, wildlife and other guests!
Tea Party
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
Oh the joy of being a child! While driving through town, I spotted a Tea Party ”parade” walking through downtown. Curious, I stopped for information and a photo op. The star of the parade and head guest of the party was Della Jasinski who was celebrating her 4th birthday with a tea party with 7 of her closest friends! The Tea Party Troupe (as I dubbed them) had just left “Must Be Heaven” where the party originated and were headed for the local “Doll Shoppe” to continue with their fun! Della and her mother graciously allowed me to take their photo!
