Robert Morris Inn Getaway Weekend

My husband.  Any of you who know him know-- he's big on surprises.  So last week he told me we were going on a surprise trip this weekend.  And even though I probably shouldn't have been, I was surprised. :)  He arranged for his parents to watch the kids overnight, and Collette was super excited to have a sleepover at Grandmas. This is the first time both kids have spent the night away from home without us there, although Collette did stay with Gram and Pap when when Trey came early and my Mom wasn't here yet.  Collette was super excited to help pack, and picked out clothes and pjs for her and for Trey, and packed a bag of goodies, for herself, too.  Her Tinker Bell back pack was stuffed with her Princess dress up shoes and Princess slippers (a girl must be fashionable), Dora and Diego Hippos (small stuffed purple and blue hippos) Big Minnie, Baby Minnie, her pink pony flashlight, and her Leap Pad, complete with her Minnie and Tangled games. :) She may have inherited a slight over-packing tendency from her mom. Trey (just like a typical male) went with the minimalist approach and  just brought his beloved blankie. :)

We dropped the kids off Saturday around lunch time. That is one thing about having an outgoing girl and a laid-back boy... no tears or clingy-ness when we leave.  We were lucky to get a good-bye before they were off playing!

And then LL and I were on our way-- to Oxford, Maryland and the Robert Morris Inn, on the Eastern Shore in Maryland.  The Inn proclaims it is the oldest Inn in America, and dates back to 1710.  Oxford is a tiny and beautiful little village on the Tread Avon River.  It may have only 600-some residents, but it was voted the Best Yachting Town in the World, and the movie Failure to Launch was filmed in part there. :)

The Inn has been preserved very much like it was in the 1700s.  Since LL grew up in a house from the mid-1700s, and our own house is over 100 years old, we felt right at home. :)  The ceilings were low, the floors sloped drastically, and it had tons of charm.  Our little room was actually a "suite," with a tiny sitting room, and small bedroom, separated by quite possibly the smallest full bathroom I've ever seen. :)

It just so happened that this particular weekend they were doing a special package deal with a phenomenal, 5 course dinner created by their Scottish Chef, Mark Salter. It was incredible!

In case any of you foodies are curious, our courses included:

1. Seared Jumbo Scallop on Moroccan spiced Lentils, Red Watercress Salad and Glazed Pearl Onions
2. Grilled Wild Rockfish on Tomato Chorizo Ragout, Green Olive Tapenade and Rosemary Butter
3. Wild Mushroom and Tontina Cheese Croque Monsieur, Organic Mixed Greens and Truffle Dressing
4. Braised Veal Shank and Prosciutto wrapped Shrimp on Garlic and Herb Polenta with wiled Spinach and roasted Fennel
5. Chocolate Tart with Banana Ice Cream, Carmelized Orange Sauce

There were 20 people who attended the dinner, and we sat at a table of 8, so we had a fun time chatting with the other people at our table.  We all felt like we were on a cruise! Ha! Our dinner didn't end until 10pm, when the chef just sat down at the table and chatted with us about his favorite foods, inspirations for dishes, etc. Such a neat experience!

The next morning we slept in (heavenly!) and then had brunch at the Inn.  After realizing we didn't take pictures of anything but food the night before, we attempted a self portrait at breakfast. :)
(And yes, I do look ridiculously tired. Turns out beds from the 1700s aren't that big. Or comfy.)

We both chose the Eggs Benedict with Lump Crab. Sooooo good.  And, of course, lots and lots of coffee. :)

After brunch we went to a cute little book shop called Mystery Loves Company.  We each found a book and got a Chesapeake ABC book for the kids, then headed toward home.  We detoured to the DC area and visited with a friend LL knows from his vet school years, and then drove the rest of the way home.

We got to LL's parents' house in time to see the end of the Super Bowl. And we received the cold shoulder from both of our kids. :)  They were having such a great time with Gram and Pap that neither wanted to come home!

 Perhaps we should go away more often?