Things to Make - The Best Smoothies Ever (via the Inn at Westwood Farm)

A few weeks ago, Dan and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary. My wonderful in-laws volunteered to take the kids for a weekend and we headed off to the Inn at Westwood Farm in Orange, VA for some must needed r&r. Though we've stayed at bed & breakfasts before, I was a little nervous about the Inn's small size (only 4 rooms) in that it might feel a little too intimate. But all my apprehensions vanished as soon as we walked in the door - wine and wonderful snacks, huge verandas with comfy chairs and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, chickens, horses, beautiful meadows perfect for evening walks, and gorgeous interiors. The place was literally amazing; the inn keepers made sure that every detail of our stay was taken care of - earplugs by the bed (for the roosters), coffee (or tea) first thing in the morning, an endless supply of drinks and bottled water, reservations and suggestions for places to go, and lots of big comfy chairs and open air (where I curled up with a good book). Plus breakfast was phenomenal, so good that I asked for the smoothie recipe, attached below. But if you want to try the french toast, you'll have to book a visit. I cannot wait to return.

Inn at Westwood Farm Smoothie:

Fresh frozen banana
Fresh frozen pineapple & mango or raspberries or strawberries. Fresh is ok too.
Orange juice
French Vanilla non-fat yogurt
Vanilla whey protein powder

Put frozen banana & other fruit in blender, follow with OJ, enough to cover fruit, add yogurt then whey protein powder. Cover with oj and blend. Leftovers - fill Popsicle molds and freeze!



I thought we'd spend a lot of the weekend exploring Orange, VA but the Inn was so wonderful and relaxing that we didn't get out much. We did, however, manage to visit two nearby wineries - Keswick and Barboursville (both of which have lovely views and good - though expensive- wine) and eat dinner at Palladio (the chef is a James Beard nominee). The service at Palladio was exceptional but I thought the food was just okay (better than average, just not sensational). And we checked out James Madison's estate - Montpelier (which is down the road from the Inn), more on Montpelier tomorrow. All in all a lovely weekend, fabulous in fact.