Happy 300th Birthday Chatham!

It's hard to believe our little seaside village is about to celebrate its 300th birthday. Every time I visit another part of the country, I realize how unique Chatham is. It is one of the few towns that has maintained old fashioned charm and tradition making it not only an ideal escape from the hustle bustle of today's modern world for visitors, but also a wholesome place to live and raise a family.

This March kicks off the year-long schedule of events planned around our town's milestone birthday. Events include everything from seminars and tours of historic homes and buildings to chef tastings at local restaurants, an opera performance, and even a dinner ball at the prestigious Chatham Bars Inn.

Check out the official website established by the Chatham 300 volunteer committee and start planning a winter getaway to help celebrate the anniversary of one of the few remaining villages in the country where mom and pop shops are still plentiful, big band concerts occur weekly during the summer, and all the locals bend over backwards to help their neighbors.

Captains House Inn Saltine Toffee Bar Recipe

Looking for a new Christmas cookie recipe? Try this easy, but really tasty recipe for Saltine Toffee Tars. The best part is having your friends and family try to guess the secret ingredient. No one ever guesses Saltines!

Ingredients:
4 Ounces Saltine Crackers
1 Cup Butter
1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
2 Cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
3/4 Cup Chopped Pecans

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
2. Line cookie sheet with Saltine crackers in single layer.
3. In a saucepan combine the sugar and the butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes.
4. Immediately pour over Saltines and spread to cover crackers completely.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate and top with chopped nuts. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Enjoy and happy holidays from the Captains House Inn!

Holiday Teas Have Started!

The holiday season is upon us and per our annual tradition, we have just launched our annual holiday tea menu. Executive Chef Kevin Case created a mouth watering menu that is sure to please every palate. Between the festive holiday fare and elaborate Christmas decorations gracing the dining room, there is no better way to jump into the holiday spirit than to join us for a truly memorable high tea treat.

Tea is $18/person and includes English holiday "crackers" (if you don't know what these are, you'll have to come simply to satisfy your curiosity!), plus all the menu items listed below presented on three tiers. We also serve high end artisan loose teas brewed in your own personal China tea pot. Holiday teas are served daily throughout December with seatings between 3:00 and 4:30. For groups of more than six, private parties are available starting at 12:15 (dates are filling up quickly!). Advance reservations are required - 508-945-0127.

Captains House Inn Holiday Tea Menu

Savory Course
Plum Tomato and Basil Pesto on Toasted Focaccia
Egg Salad and Watercress on Pumpernickel
Cucumber Shells Stuffed with Salmon Aoli and Pepper Salad
Curried Chicken in Phyllo Cups
Branston Pickle and Cheddar Tea Sandwiches
Winter Spice Bread with Citrus Cream Cheese
Mushroom Pasties
Cheese Straws

Scone Course
Mini Fruited Scone
Traditional Scone with Strawberry Jam, Whipped Cream and Strawberries

Dessert Course
Traditional English Mini Trifle with Victoria Sponge Cake, Blueberries and Peaches
Chocolate Holiday Tree Cookies
Rocky Road Triangles
Milano Raspberry Stars

Can't fit a Captains House tea into your busy holiday schedule? Whip up a batch of homemade scones and enjoy them on your own. Or, freeze them and save for all the holiday company! Add your favorite ingredients like sundried cranberries, chocolate chips, cinnamon, or raisins for variety.

Oven Temperature 350°
Yield 10 - 12 scones
Cutter #3 Plain Circular Edge Cutter

Ingredients
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
3 Tbsp Sugar
½ Cup Butter
2 Large Eggs
1/8 Cup Heavy Cream

Ingredients - Egg Wash
1 Egg
A Little Heavy Cream

Method
1. Sift the dry ingredients into the mixer and cut in the butter until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
2. Add the eggs and then the cream a little at a time. Do not over moisten the dough.
3. Roll the dough LIGHTLY to a ¾” thickness and use a #3 plain circular edge cutter to shape the scones.
4. Place the scones on a greased cookie sheet and brush them lightly with egg wash (beat the two egg wash ingredients together).
5. Bake for 15 minutes at 350° until they have risen and are lightly browned.

Cape Cod Holiday Events

Despite the fact that temperatures will reach sixty degrees today, I'm starting to feel the spirit of the holidays as catalogs arrive in my mailbox and invitations to parties and events land in my inbox.

If you're planning a trip to the Cape over the next few months, here are some highlights for festivities taking place:

Thanksgiving Day: Turkey Trot
Join innkeepers Jill and James in running the Thanksgiving morning 5k annual turkey trot near Oyster Pond in downtown Chatham. Race kicks off at 8am and is $15/runner plus a donation bag of non perishable groceries. Not a bad way to justify that extra piece of pie later!

November 25 - December 29th
The Captains House Inn will be serving our special holiday high tea menu. This year's menu features goodies like salmon salad stuffed cucumbers, pesto and plum tomato on focaccia, mushroom pasties, dried fruit scones (trust me, they trump fruit cake!), and traditional English trifle. Tea is served daily with seatings form 3:00-4:30 and is $18/person for outside guests and $7.50 for in-house guests. Larger parties can be accommodated earlier in the day.

December 4th
Santa arrives at 1:30 at the Chatham fish pier to kick off a month long celebration - Chatham's Christmas by the Sea. His visit is followed by a performance by the Chatham Town Band at Kate Gould Park at the band shell. Finally, that evening, Chatham Bars Inn hosts its annual holiday dinner/dance.

December 9-11 - Christmas Stroll Weekend
Take advantage of the Captains House Inn's two night Historic Inn Tour package which includes a wine and cheese social, tickets to the inn tour, and discounted rates.

The weekend kicks off at 5:30 on Friday night with a tree lighting ceremony in downtown Chatham.

On Saturday, December 10th, don't miss the first ever Brandenburg-by-the Sea concert at the Methodist Church downtown. The Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach are a collection of six instrumental works presented by Bach to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg Schwedt in 1721. They are widely regarded as among the finest musical compositions of the Baroque era. Tickets are $50 and proceeds will be donated to the Homeless Prevention Council on Cape Cod.

On Sunday December 11th, a collection of inns and historic homes will open their doors to the public for the annual holiday inn tour. Stroll at your own pace to view spectacular decorations and munch on festive nibbles. Tickets are $10/person.

New Years Festivities
We have two rooms remaining for our popular three night New Years package which begins on December 30th with an elaborate buffet high tea for all in-house guests. On New Years Eve, indulge in a "create-your-own" sundae during our afternoon ice cream social. That evening, Chef Kevin has created a menu featuring iconic favorite dishes for our supper buffet. Swing into the dining room and fill your plate and champagne flute between some of the many first night events taking place throughout Chatham. We just got word that American Idol star Siobhan Magnus will be performing that evening. The package culminates on New Years day morning for our extended gourmet brunch. Our chef has outdone himself this year and one thing is for sure - you won't leave hungry!

With all the events taking place over the next few months, it hardly feels like the "slow" season for us innkeepers. We hope to see you and look forward to celebrating the holiday season with our guests.

Let the Holiday Shopping Begin!

Now that Halloween is over and there are only 54 days left to get your holiday shopping done, we thought we'd offer a few ideas for those impossible to shop for people on your list.

Since, generally speaking, most people you are shopping for have a bed, you can't go wrong with a set of our luxurious microfiber linens. Not only do they wear well and come out of the dryer wrinkle free, but they are super soft right out of the package - no need to wash them fifty times to break them in. Sets are available in tea green, white, cream and chocolate and come with a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases (king size on king sets). Queens are $143 plus tax and kings are $149 plus tax. If you order these by calling us at 508-945-0127, we are able to offer free shipping within the United States.

Next, treat that special couple in your life to a well deserved getaway at the Captains House Inn. A gift certificate to the inn is valid for ten years so allow them to choose the dates that work for them and select from one of our sixteen sumptuously appointed guest rooms. There is no better gift than that of relaxation so allow them to rejuvenate on your dime – they’ll thank you a million times over!

With the winter chill in the air, bathrobes are always popular holiday gifts. We sell plenty of our cozy microfiber Captains House Inn robes. There’s nothing like wrapping yourself in terry lined luxury after a hot bath or shower for a little indulgence. Order in the next week or two for custom orders or call us at 508-945-0127 to see what colors and sizes we have in stock.

Need a stocking stuffer or two? How about a tube of our popular H2O body butter which we provide as amenities in rooms but also sell in a larger 8 oz size in our gift shop? We also carry H2O shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in a 12.5 oz bottle. There’s nothing better than those first few mornings after the holidays when you get to dive into new scents and beauty products – at least not for us ladies!

Captains House Inn mugs, key chains, and large assortment of loose teas also make ideal stocking stuffers. To order any of our gift shop items, shop our online store at or call us at 508-945-0127 to place your order.

We look forward to helping check off all the recipients on your holiday shopping list so you can enjoy the spirit of the season ahead.

Halloween Special Deal

Take advantage of the Captains House Inn Halloween special and save so much it's almost spooky! Our two night package is available any two nights October 30-November 3rd. Choose any room and pay just $375 total including tax. The special includes two nights lodging, a full gourmet breakfast daily, afternoon cream tea, all applicable taxes, Halloween cookies in your room on arrival, and an arrangement of fresh fall flowers. The rate applies to any available room, but cannot be combined with other offers or applied to existing reservations. You must mention our Halloween special when booking to receive this special rate.

Oktoberfest in Chatham

It’s pumpkin time! Pumpkin people that is. The Chatham Merchants Association is sponsoring Pumpkin People in the park – a display of scarecrows with pumpkin heads created by Chatham families and businesses. The larger than life creations are decked out in themed garb – favorites from 2010 included a Pumpkin Chef created by Gustare Oils and Vinegars and a Fancy Nancy Pumpkin by Where the Sidewalk Ends bookstore. Judging for the pumpkins will take place on the afternoon of October 22nd and will remain on display through Halloween.

Also on October 22nd, Chatham will host Oktoberfest at Kate Gould Park where there will be food vendors, music at the bandstand, bobbing for apples, doughnuts on a string, face painting, pumpkin bowling, and games for kids of all ages. There will also be cupcake and apple pie bakeoff competitions and a storefront window painting contest which will all be judged on Oktoberfest afternoon.

So don’t miss out on these fall festivities. And if that’s not reason enough to visit Chatham this month, consider that we just jumped into winter rates at the Captains House Inn. Plus, for all wine lovers out there – Joe’s at the Barleyneck Inn in Orleans is offering their annual wine sale where all bottles on their award winning list are discounted by 50%! Hope to see you soon.