Perfect Storm Part II

As anxious as we were, we did go to bed and managed to sleep. During the night, the rain abated, the tide slackened and the waters of Crippen Creek receded and returned to the confines of its banks and never reached our house. Whew! It became abundantly clear how effective the creek bank restoration project was, allowing the creek to flood where it should and taking the energy off of critical points. Thank you Darin Houpt and the Wahkiakum County Conservation District.

With the roads now passable we managed to get out and take a few pictures of the area.







Our Fairgrounds



Elk looking for high ground



Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge

If I have learned anything over my years, it is that when portentous events invade our lives that we should not be too hasty to label them as "bad" or "negative." I find these events worthy of reflection. When a seeming calamity strikes it's only natural to ask, "what do I do about it?" As important as that question is, I believe a more important question to ask is, "what do I do with it?"

It's like the tale of a farmer that snags his plow on something in the field. Rather than curse his interruption he stops to examine it, dig it up and in so doing, unearths a buried treasure. And while this weather event interrupted our plans, we too found our treasures. Our lives intersected with neighbors who came to check on our welfare. I marvel at how a crisis brings out the best in people. The roads cleared in time to allow us to return to Portland to and support a dear friend who lost her brother. As one thing leads to another, we found ourselves reconnecting with some friends that we have not seen for some time. We were greatly nourished by the good wishes, thoughts and prayers that we received from family and friends via phone calls and emails. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

A Perfect Storm Part 1

Torrential rains, several feet of melting snow in the Willapa Hills, and high tides have converged to create a storm of apocalyptic proportions here in SW Washington. Wahkiakakum County has been declared a disaster area. Almost four inches of rain has fallen here in the last 24 hours and they say we have not seen the worst of it yet. So far our house is high and dry but it's looking kind of dicey on the west side of the house.


Although many of the county roads are impassable due to high water a few angels appeared to check on us and brought us some sandbags just in case. I never cease to be amazed by the kindness of the people who live in Wahkiakum County.





A Band of Angels



We like waterfront property, but not this much.

Sleep will not come easily tonight as we wait and wonder how much worse this storm will get. But in this moment we are well and hope the same for all of you. We'll be in touch soon..."God willing and the creek don't rise." By the way, that saying really has nothing to do with creeks.

Leave the gun, take the cannoli

Cannoli has to be one of the greatest treasures of Sicilian cuisine. It was certainly one of my favorite desserts growing up and is always a hit with our family during the holidays. Growing up in an Italian-American community like Rochester, NY, cannoli was readily available at the numerous Italian bakeries and delis and even at Wegman's grocery store. But alas, here in the Pacific Northwest, if you want cannoli you have to make it yourself. Although making the shells is a lot of work, you really end up with a superior product. Homemade shells should be light, crisp and shatter when you bite into them. The ricotta cream filling should be smooth and not grainy. It is important to strain the ricotta overnight in cheesecloth to drain off some of the water. I sweeten mine with powdered sugar and flavor it with a little vanilla extract, mini chocolate chip morsels and just a hint of fresh orange zest. I am not a fan of the candied fruit that appears in some recipes but sometimes I add a little goat cheese to the ricotta in an effort to approximate the tanginess of sheepsmilk ricotta that would be available in Sicily.
Never fill your cannoli shells before serving time nor should you purchase cannoli that are already filled because the shells will become soggy if they sit for too long.

If you are not familiar with cannoli you should know that cannoli is actually the plural form of cannolo. But who ever orders just one cannolo? And if you did, the clerk would probably look at you like you had a third eye. Common usage prevails here in America so feel free to call one of these pastry tubes a cannoli and use an "s" to pluralize it if you wish. The next time someone asks you to bring the dessert to a party, remember the advice of Peter Clemenza in The Godfather, "leave the gun, take the cannoli."

We would love to hear from all you cannoli lovers so please post your comments about the best cannoli you have had and where to get them.



cannoli tubes wrapped with pastry dough and ready to fry







Shea Mielke enjoys the first of many cannoli

Happy New Year!

"If the only prayer we ever say in our life is 'Thank You,' that will be enough."

-Meister Eckhart

It is with that sentiment in mind that we say "Thank You" to our families, friends and guests and patrons of Crippen Creek that have encouraged us and supported us in this wonderful adventure. May you all be blessed with a very Happy New Year!

The year ended with one of the wildest winters we can recall since living in the Pacific Northwest. Almost 2 feet of snow fell here in Skamokawa and although it created an awesome winter wonderland, it proved to be a bit much for an area that is unaccustomed to it. It took hours of digging, pushing and towing to get cars in and out of here. Our beloved hoop house collapsed under the weight of the snow and the stovepipe on our barn's wood stove came crashing down in an avalanche of melting snow.








We are grateful for wonderful neighbors like Al McClain who dug us out.

I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm

The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing.
But I can weather the storm!
What do I care how much it may storm?
I've got my love to keep me warm.
-Irving Berlin


A foot of snow fell on the valley floor here in Skamokawa. Guests had to cancel, cooking classes canceled. Nothing to do but curl up by the fire and just enjoy what is.

Happy Holidays!

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love."

-Hamilton Wright Mabie




We do not have snow as this picture suggests--this is from last winter.


It is 4:30 pm here in Skamokawa and we have just completed the day's chores. The sun is setting over the Willapa Hills creating one of those skies that makes you wish you could paint. I love this time of day when the light changes and all is quiet but for the bubbling of Crippen Creek and the crackling of a fire in the fireplace. As I sit here sipping a cup of hot tea (I would prefer a glass of wine, but I've really got to cut some calories,) I am reflecting on the fact that it is the season to wish you all a Happy Holiday! And I only know that because the calendar tells me so. We are blessed to be without television and radio reception and thus are spared the relentless assault of inane Christmas commercials. And so we are better able to enter into the deeper meaning of the season.

While some may think that our wishes for a Happy Holiday is a sellout to political correctness, we prefer to think that it is a sensitivity to and acknowledgment of the fact Christmas is not the only holiday celebrated this month. My calendar shows me that there is also Hannukkah and Kwanzaa and we know many people that celebrate the Winter Solstice. As different as these traditions are from one another, they do seem to share the common theme of wishing their fellow beings a season of peace and joy. They also seem to share a tradition of gift giving. So now I would like to share our thoughts and suggestions on gift giving and certainly hope that it will not be crass.

First, I would like to recommend a wonderful book on this subject called The Hundred Dollar Holiday by Bill McKibben.


It is a quick and easy read but full of wisdom and history of our gift giving traditions. He offers creative suggestions for those that have grown weary of this season's crass commercialism.

The Christmas we now celebrate grew up at a time when Americans were mostly poor ... mostly working with their hands and backs." If we now feel burdened and unsatisfied by the piles of gifts and overconsuming, it is not because Christmas has changed all that much, "It's because we have." - Bill McKibben



Our second recommendation is for a new book by our good friend and local Skamokawa author, Beth Sheresh. Beth has just published a wonderful cookbook entitled, Picture Yourself Cooking With Your Kids. What a great way to spend quality time with your kids, the little ones and the big ones. And if you don't have kids, it's still a great cookbook. There's even a recipe for the Speranza Family Meatballs. Beth is a great bread baker and all around great foodie. Check out her blog the kitchenmage.

While you can certainly get these books at Amazon.com we hope you will support your local independent bookstore. We are fortunate to have Trillium Books in nearby Cathlamet.



Last but not least, if you are tired of buying and receiving stuff, may we suggest the gift of an experience. The Inn At Crippen Creek Farm offers gift certificates for all occasions.

A cooking class ($55-85 depending on the class)

An overnight stay , double occupancy ($132, taxes included)*

Romantic Getaway (An overnight stay with dinner for two - $199, taxes included)*

Culinary Getaway (An overnight stay with an Italian Country Cooking Class for two- $290)*

*includes a bountiful country breakfast

We would also be glad to work with you on customizing a package to meet your needs.

If you have never been to The Inn At Crippen Creek Farm, you may wonder just what it is that you will experience at our country bed and breakfast. For starters, you can expect warm hospitality and complimentary appetizers with wine on arrival.



Some guests like to help with the farm chores.






This pile of firewood is still waiting for some lucky guest that wants to stack it.

Some like to go for a walk or bike ride on a country road.



Some like to venture out to the Washington Coast during the clamming season.



How about a picnic after a morning of kayaking?


Early risers in the winter can enjoy watching the elk graze on the front lawn



Enjoy some of the finest dining in the area right here at the inn with a locavore dinner.



How about a rousing game of Scrabble? I'll teach you my favorite two letter words that are bound to make your opponents utter four letter words.


Take a cooking class and learn the fine art of Italian Country Cooking.



And finally everyone's favorite activity--hanging out.

Thanksgiving

O Winter! ruler of the inverted year, . . . I crown thee king of intimate delights, Fireside enjoyments, home-born happiness, And all the comforts that the lowly roof Of undisturb’d Retirement, and the hours Of long uninterrupted evening, know.
—William Cowper

As the days grow shorter and the darkness and weather force us to spend more time in our dwellings, it seems apt that this time of year also sends us inward to our personal interior....a place to rest, reflect and be renewed. Thanksgiving Day is a perfect time to start this journey as we gather with family and friends and pause to celebrate our blessings. We hope that despite the economic turmoil our world is experiencing, that you still find much for which to be thankful.

Kitty and I find ourselves truly grateful for the many guests that have graced our home in this past year. The wonderful conversations over a shared meal is truly heaven on earth.

We had a splendid Thanksgiving celebration with family, friends and of course good food.

The Table Is Set


Deep Fried Turkey

Oven Roasted Vegetables

Kate's Amazing Apple Pie



Pumpkin Ginger Cheesecake Pie


Family and Friends
What more do we need?