Happy New Year

December 30, 2009

Dear Guests:

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting Haley Farm and for voting us one of the best B&Bs in the Mid-Atlantic. I have some wonderful events planned for the coming year as well as special prices to entice you back.

Winter is in full swing here at Deep Creek. The ski slopes (twenty three trails) at the WISP are open and the state parks (New Germany, Deep Creek Lake and Herrington Manor) have beautifully groomed cross-country trails. Both are wonderful opportunities to play in the snow. There are also horse drawn carriage rides, sledding and more.

For those of you that are fans of Robert Burns (Scottish poet) there will be a Robert Burns supper on January 23. Renowned fiddle player Bonnie Rideout will provide the musical entertainment at the Will o' the Wisp Four Seasons Restaurant.

February is also jam-packed. Apart from Valentine and President’s Day there is Winterfest on February 20-21. There will be some lovely ice sculptures and winter activities around Oakland. And the weekend after that (February 27) is the annual Deep Creek dunk. This is when some courageous (or crazy) people take a dip in the frozen lake to raise money for charity.

In April award-winning Artist Robert Yonke will conduct a watercolor workshop for aspiring artists (April 16-18) and on April 24 Julia Child will thrill us with her wit and culinary expertise (Julia will be portrayed by Chautauqua artist Mary Ann Jung). For further information on these and other retreats please check out the retreats page at www.haleyfarm.com

I am also extending the stay two nights and get the third night free offer till March 2010 (excluding holidays and holiday weekends). So here is your opportunity to take a mini-vacation while getting a great rate. Most of the guests comment on how great our food is. If you would like to learn how to make some of those wonderful dishes at home, you can watch me cooking on YouTube. Just search for Cooking with Kam. And while you are on YouTube also take a look at my friend Christina Harrison’s videos – a great Scottish singer who often performs at the B&B and at the Highland Festival.

I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. So if you know someone who has recently served in Iraq or Afghanistan and deserves a free two night stay at the B&B please email me their particulars. I will select two soldiers every month for as long as our soldiers are there (I will need proof of their service). I hope for their sake that peace breaks out soon, but I am honored to able to show support for our brave men and women in this small way.

One of our guests described Haley Farm as "chicken soup for the traveler". We couldn't agree more. We want to be the respite from peoples’ busy lives. Here you can unwind, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and allow us to pamper you with great food and hospitality. So if you are in need of a little indulgence, why not head out our way.

Wishing you a Happy New Year and a life filled with joy, love and laughter

Kam, Bobbi and Pete

Holiday Greetings

December 2, 2009

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones and that despite the bleak economy and the war situation, you were reminded of all the great things in life to be grateful for. Don’t forget that I am still offering a free two night mid-week stay for our soldiers who have recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan. (I will need proof of service). I am delighted to be able to offer this to our men and women in the military and have been doing so for over five years. So if you know a returning veteran who needs a super getaway, please be sure to have them contact us.

It’s fast approaching that time of year when we have to buy presents for family and friends and hope that we chose wisely. I know a lot of us procrastinate about buying gifts. So this year I’m making it a little easier by offering a ten percent discount for all gift certificates purchased till the end of the year. So if you buy a $100 gift certificate you will only have to pay $90. You can buy these online by clicking on the buy gift certificate button or call us and we will mail them out in time for the holidays.

Winter is also fast approaching and that is when the Deep Creek Lake area is transformed into a winter wonderland – skiing, sledding, snowboarding and carriage rides. The ski slopes are just fifteen minutes from the B&B and they are busy making snow for their 54th anniversary at the WISP. To celebrate this they are offering $7 (yes only seven dollars) lift tickets on December 13-14, 2009. There are also discounts on ski equipment and lessons. So if skiing is something you have always wanted to try but thought it was too expensive, now might be the time to the plunge. In addition if you book a room for two nights at Haley Farm we will give you the third night free. How about that for an early Christmas present?

I think I may have mentioned this in the past, but some of the cooking videos I have been making are now up on YouTube. You can type in Cooking with Kam or follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnKB1kMFaEo

I really enjoyed making these videos because some of them are recipes of items we serve at the B&B, such as our signature dish the Blueberry Souffle that so many of our guests love. So if you want to learn how to make it, just watch the video and then email me with a picture of how the dish turned out, and I’ll put it on our facebook page. I am in the process of filming more shows and may eventually group them together in a DVD. I want to show everyone that you can make delicious food without a lot of time or money. My new mantra is “Life is too short to eat bad food, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune”. Having grown up as a vegetarian for the first 25 years of my life I absolutely love vegetables, so I have converted some of my favorite recipes into vegetarian versions. So look for vegetarian hot and sour soup, Chili, and an Afghan soup called Aush and more. You will find these soon on YouTube or on Cooking with Kam.

In addition to the cooking shows I have also been busy finding attractions for you to enjoy in the future. I have Julia Child coming in April. Well at least an actress who plays Julia Child. Award winning actress Mary Ann Jung will portray Julia Child on April 24, 2010. She gives a lively talk on Julia and her two loves – French cuisine and her husband. You can later ask questions and then we will have a wonderful tea and watch the movie “Julie and Julia”. I am offering this at no cost to guests staying at the B&B that weekend.

I also have two other events planned for April 2010. One is an Art workshop (water colors) led by country and bluegrass artist Robert Yonke. It will be held April 16-18, 2010, and will only cost $345 per person (based on double occupancy). This includes two night stay at Haley Farm, the cost of the Art class, a welcoming reception on Friday, breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Saturday (and you know we have the best food).

Lastly for those of you considering whether you are in the right job, or are reconsidering your options I have a workshop planned for April 30-May 2, 2010. This workshop called “Discover Your Passion” is led by Sharazad Arasteh, who is the founder of Career Consulting Services. She has over ten years of experience in customized career counseling. This retreat is designed for women to find a career path that honors their values, passions and life. Career counseling usually costs a lot of money, but Ms. Arasteh is offering this course for only $399 a person if you book by March 1, 2010. And if you book by January 15, 2010 and bring a friend you will get another $25 off. Registration deadline is April 1, 2010. Lodging cost at Haley Farm is extra. For further information on Ms Arasteh and her firm, please check out her website:

http://careerconsultmd.com/

Well that’s all for now, except to wish you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season and a joyous and prosperous New Year. One of our guests described Haley Farm as "chicken soup for the traveler". We couldn't agree more. We want to be the respite from peoples’ busy lives. Here you can unwind, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and allow us to pamper you with great food and hospitality. So if you are in need of a little indulgence, why not head out our way. Even two days here will make you forget the traffic and bills you left behind.

Blessings and Good wishes,

Kam Gillespie