In the fall, my sister married a wonderful guy on a very rainy
day in Placerville. Umbrellas were hoisted and our hairdos were
saved, along with my sister’s beautiful gold and cream wedding
dress.
In the fall, my sister married a wonderful guy on a very rainy day in Placerville. Umbrellas were hoisted and our hairdos were saved, along with my sister’s beautiful gold and cream wedding dress.
It was one of those perfect weddings: the ceremony was beautiful and touching, Britta positively glowed and Daren shed a few tears. The dance floor was full most of the night and we saw lots of people we like, including relatives who live states away.
Weddings are perfect times to touch base with family – and what better way to do this than stay together? My two aunts and uncle booked rooms with our family at The Seasons in Placerville. As the rain beat down all weekend, we were cozy in our rooms, located in cottages that surround the main house.
It was once known as the Ollis-Plumado house, built in 1859 and completely renovated in 1996 by the owners, Ken and Bonnie Blosser.
Bonnie has interior design experience and it shows in the many vibrant colors she chose, as well as beautiful antiques and art. One cottage, The Pomegranate, has rich red walls, a sitting area with a love seat looking out at the garden, and a large private marble-tiled bath. The Cottage, once home to a local seamstress, now serves as a romantic honeymoon retreat with a small kitchen.
The best time we had at The Seasons was breakfast the morning after the wedding. Tired from reception, we slept in and went to the main house about 9:30. Ken and Bonnie had prepared a beautiful breakfast in the dining room. We sat at a huge custom-made pine table under a chandelier made out of a weather vane. Hot coffee, baked apples and a Dutch Baby (see below) were followed by sausages and French toast. We felt pampered and so well fed we needed a brisk walk in the rain.
When I tell people it rained like heck on Britta’s wedding weekend, they invariably say, “Oh, no.” But the rain didn’t detract from the day; it added to it. It was an element of surprise, forcing people to break out the umbrellas and keeping everyone together inside the dance hall until the very end.
My favorite picture of that day is of my sister waiting outside the church, hair elegantly piled on top of her head, holding up the hem of her wedding dress. My tuxedo-clad dad stands next to her, both of them protected from the raindrops by a huge black and white golf umbrella. They are smiling and laughing, trying to stay dry. It just wouldn’t have been the same without the rain.
• The Seasons: Innkeeper Ken Blosser shares some recipes with guests. Others, he keeps to himself. Everything we ate was wonderful. If you’re ever in the Gold Country, drop by to see the house or make a reservation yourself: (530) 626-4420 or www.theseasons.net.
Dutch Baby
1/2 cup butter
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cup flour
Place butter in a 5 quart pan and set it in a 425 degree oven. While butter melts, mix batter quickly. Put eggs in a blender and whirl on high speed for 1 minute. With motor running, gradually pour milk, then slowly add flour; continue whirling for 30 seconds.
Remove pan from oven and pour in batter. Return pan to oven and bake until pancake is puffy and well browned, 20 to 25 minutes, depending on pan size.
Warm Maple Pancake Syrup
1 cup pure maple syrup
6 tablespoons (
