Mega tasting, or Mini Bridal Faire.   Whatever we might call it, we just had a pretty amazing time yesterday!  It was the first time that we have hosted more than one couple at a time for a tasting.

Once couples have agreed on a date and site for their wedding festivities, the next thing on the their to do list should be selecting a caterer.  We invited eight couples who are getting married this summer and fall at Sand Rock Farm to join us in tasting from a selection of food offered by one of our favorite caterers.

Local Harvest Catering has just opened their new facility, Front Street Kitchen in downtown Santa Cruz.  We thought it might be a fun opportunity to gather couples who are ready to choose their menus and caterers, to taste a selection of food paired with Santa Cruz Wines from Bargetto.

We were able to showcase linens, china, glassware from Alexis Party Rental on Santa Cruz’s far west side.  Each bride and groom might have a theme, color or idea that is carried out through the wedding and reception decorations.   Alexis helps put their ideas together creating that picture perfect day.

All who marry at Sand Rock Farm may choose from among a number of vendors for photography, flowers, music, officiant and dessert (sweets of their choice).  We provide a list of vendors we know who work well on our property, for the couple’s information.   Of course couples may also use their own vendors.

When asked about the experience, one of the brides said that they really enjoyed having opinions from others planning a similar party, trading experience.   A Thumb’s up for the idea, said another, echoing the first bride’s sentiment.

This month’s Fungus Fair attracts many visitors to Santa Cruz.  Educational and fun, the weekend of January 14 and 15.  Link to the Fungus web page. http://fungusfed.org/

We rearrange the living room a bit to show off the fresh cut tree from the Santa Cruz mountain standing proudly in front of the Eastlake mirror.  We waited to decorate the tree until Emma (my granddaughter) and family came home from two months in Asia.  Still had it up in plenty of time for Santa’s visit.

More birds will visit Sand Rock Farm for the Santa Cruz Christmas Bird Count with the new bird feeder just outside the dining room window.  (A great surprise Christmas gift)  Bed and Breakfast guests will hear and see the feathered visitors from the dining table as they eat breakfast.

Tried La Posta  in Santa Cruz enjoying fall flavors at Soif’s  sister restaurant and loved it.

Face painting and magic, with cheerful songs made the day festive.

Many Sand Rock Farm guests enjoyed our favorite local Aptos restaurant, Café Sparrow this month.

But, early the first week of June on the Central Coast, unlike any in the ten years we have had June weddings, the weatherman predicted a rainy weekend coming.  With our helpful vendors, we hustled and found a tent to cover the Wine Meadow before the downpour on Saturday.

Though it rained all day, the Bride and Groom were happy.  The guests attended a wedding they won’t forget with rain ending as night fell and the party ended..

We must be in for a different kind of summer!

Sand Rock Farm at Night

Sand Rock Farm Friends:

Whether you are a newer guest of Sand Rock Farm, or you have past memories of a lovely stay here, we invite you to consider another visit to our magical Inn during the beautiful Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay Area Spring. The tulip tree is blooming, the weeping cherry is lacy with delicate white flowers, and the rich-red rhodies in the Shade Garden are showing-off their dazzling romantic beauty. Take a fragrant walk through the Spiral Garden where our many varieties of lilacs extend over winding paths. It is a special time at Sand Rock Farm…. why not see what those abundant early-Spring showers are bringing us in May?!

Choose Sand Rock Farm to help celebrate an anniversary, birthday, or special commemoration… or to just get away for a relaxing time. Enjoy a delicious multi-course gourmet breakfast in our warm and inviting turn-of-the-century dining room. Chat with new friends while sipping our excellent fresh-roasted coffee. Take a stroll in the gardens before a delightful excursion to one of the local Santa Cruz or Monterey area attractions…

Casual elegance awaits you! Step out of your busy life for a day or two of pampered living in a quiet, nurturing setting…Call today to make your reservation! 831.688.8005.

Cala Lillies at Sand Rock Farm Upcoming Events in Santa Cruz and Monterey: We welcome 2011 with our 10% for 10 Year Discount – come see the wealth of music, art, shopping, special events, wine tastings and more, all within minutes of our beautiful natural setting….     MAY 05, 2011 – MAY 14, 2011 Santa Cruz Film Festival Quality screening events of compelling independent films & showcasing the work of our talented local filmmakers since 2002. Santa Cruz, CA | 831.359.4888 | visit web site | more info   MAY 07, 2011 The Corralitos Wine Trail Festival – Mother’s Day Weekend! Wander through vineyards & redwoods and enjoy the wines of Alfaro, Nicholson, Pleasant Valley Vineyards, and Windy Oaks. Santa Cruz Mountains, CA | | visit web site | more info   MAY 07, 2011 Capitola Kite Classic Come fly a kite for fun and prizes! Spend the day at the beach with friends and family. FREE Capitola, CA | 831.475.6522 | visit web site www.capitolasoquelchamber.com   May 15, 2011 Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Express at Roaring Camp Railroads Join the winemakers of the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association on Sunday May 15th, from 1pm to 5pm for a unique event pairing wine, food, music, and a trip on the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Express at Roaring Camp. For reservations or for more information contact the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association at (831) 685-VINE (8463) or send us an e-mail atinfo@scmwa.com.   May 20 and 21, 2011 MIM 2011 – Music in May, Aptos, CA MIM brings renowned musicians to Santa Cruz in a weekend full of classical music concerts. Sponsored by the Aptos Community Foundation. For more information and tickets go to websitewww.musicinmay.org   MAY 28, 2011 – MAY 29, 2011 Santa Cruz Blues Festival 19th annual musical event with food, beer, wine. Fun for the entire family in beautiful surroundings. Aptos, CA | 831.479.9814 or info@santacruzbluesfestival.com   MAY 29, 2011 – MAY 30, 2011 27th Annual Santa Cruz Longboard Club Invitational West Coast’s oldest, longest-running competitive surfing event, featuring amateur + pro surfers, 11 age groups. FREE Santa Cruz, CA | 831.234.2278 | www.santa-cruz-longboard-union.com MAY 29, 2011 Santa Cruz Baroque Festival: Music in the Gardens Tour An afternoon of gardens, snacks, wine and music. Includes a variety of music spanning a range of folk & ethnic styles. Santa Cruz County, CA | 831.459.2159 | www.scbaroque.org   Visit Sand Rock Farm and Enjoy All The Delights That These Two Central California Counties Have To Offer!

We promised a Springtime recipe in our last newsletter, here it is! We serve our Goat Cheese Soufflé on a salad of mixed tender young greens with a side of braised asparagus for guest enjoyment… Sand Rock Farm Goat Cheese Soufflé Preheat oven to 375°, place rack in center.   Goat Cheese Soufle Ingredients: 3 T butter 3 T cake flour 1 C milk 10 oz goat cheese (or feta) 3 egg yolks 7 egg whites Salt & pepper to taste ¼ C dry breadcrumbs butter to rub pans   Special Equipment: Electric mixer or whisk 12 cup muffin pan tray or dish for baking muffin cups in water bath Butter 12 muffin cups, coat with breadcrumbs; tap out excess. Melt 3T butter in stainless saucepan over medium heat.  Whisking constantly, add flour. Whisk in the milk and cook over heat for about 3 minutes, whisking together until mixture has thickened like a thin pudding. Crumble cheese into a large mixing bowl.  Pour the hot milk mixture over the cheese, and mix well.  Add the 3 egg yolks and mix; season with salt & pepper. (Save 4 extra yolks for scrambled eggs, or other purpose.) Using an electric mixer (or whisk by hand) beat the egg whites until firm peaks form.  Do not over whip!  If grainy, discard whites and begin again.  Fold 1/3 of the whipped whites into the cheese to lighten, then fold in remaining whites in two more batches. Divide the soufflé mixture among the ramekins using curved rubber spatula.  Put soufflés in oven on sheet tray, then pour hot water to half way up the tray sides. Bake for 25 minutes or until the soufflés are golden. Remove from the oven and let stand, still in the water, for 15 minutes Run a plastic knife around the inside rim of the muffin pans to loosen.  Turn out the soufflés onto a baking sheet.  The soufflés may be held at room temperature for up to 6 hours before the final baking. When ready to serve, reheat the soufflés in a 375° oven for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and jiggling when you shake the pan. Serves 12.

B and B visitors loved watching  the extraordinary number of whales out in the Monterey Bay.   Our first wedding of the season is past.

Good Times, Santa Cruz – Staycation

THURSDAY, 06 JANUARY | ELIZABETH LIMBACH

History and charm await at Aptos’ bed and breakfast gem
Just off Highway 1 on Freedom Boulevard, the Historic Sand Rock Farm bed and breakfast is the ideal staycation getaway: close to home but, nestled on 10 gorgeous tree-filled acres, remote enough to feel like an escape. For visitors to the area, the South County inn has a convenient location between Monterey and Santa Cruz.

More than 100 years old (the original cottage was built in 1887), the house retains an old-fashioned farmhouse feel, with cozy common areas and roomy, charming suites. Proprietor Kris Sheehan was sure to embrace the house’s original features when she bought and renovated it in the late ’90s. Managing to capture its antique allure while polishing it with top accommodations, Sheehan opened Sand Rock Farm for business in 2001.

The inn is a registered property with American Historic Inns and the wealth of stories surrounding it—some no more than whispered local rumors—give it a certain “if the walls could talk” magic. There’s an enormous gold-rimmed mirror in the living room that the previous owner traded for two head of cattle, and further down on the property sit the ruins of the late-1800s winery run by the original owners. The house was built using redwoods that were milled and most likely grown on the property, and Sheehan likes to say that they hold an enchantment of sorts, seeing as no harm befell the house in the 1989 earthquake, despite its proximity to the epicenter.

And then there are the more elusive tales, such as that the likes of Santana and The Grateful Dead have graced the property with musical performances. (It is rumored that Owsley “Bear” Stanley lived in the house in the ’60s, giving his good friends The Grateful Dead the opportunity to rehearse in the barn and perhaps the main house.) “But I never say it’s true,” says Sheehan of this and other stories she’s heard. “I just say, ‘People tell me [that]…’”

Although the house is brimful with the past, it’s far from crowded. With only five rooms spread between two separate “wings” of the large house, it’s spacious and private.

I stayed in the Morning Glory Suite, a large bedroom fitted with a queen-size bed, electric fireplace, two-person Jacuzzi tub and private bathroom. The patterned wallpaper, rugs and brass accents gave the feeling of staying at a well-to-do relative’s country manor. With the Jacuzzi tub full of piping hot water and complementary herbal bath grains, and the faint hoots of owls outside my window, I easily forgot that I was actually just a few miles from home.

Sheehan’s home cooked breakfast was abundant, fresh and generously individualized to fit guests’ dietary preferences. As for daytime activities, she’s also keen to hone in on the interests of each guest and provide them with an individualized set of recommendations, or, if they wish, organized activities (she works with local businesses and professionals to provide her guests with package deals, including massages, wine tastings, hikes and bike trips). “You can hike, bike, boat, go to a winery,” she says. “Birding—someone found 13 kinds of hummingbirds on our property once.”

But even if you decide to do Monterey, Santa Cruz and everything in between, be sure to allot some time for wandering around the inn’s own property. I set out to poke around the meandering plot of land and found it to be filled with small wonders. Being winter, the gardens lay dormant—just a shadow of their springtime selves, which can easily be imagined as vibrant, fragrant and lush in warmer months. But the redwood grove was as impressive as ever—here, a towering redwood gives canopy to a sizeable clearing and an intriguing stacked-barrel fountain. The grove is a popular site for weddings, and, upon further exploration, the property proves to be full of such event-friendly settings—all just as unique as the redwood grove. For indoor weddings or events, there’s the 135-year-old Historic Carriage Barn, an old-fashioned but well-kept large, airy space.

But perhaps the most interesting spot on the property is the site of the 1885 wine barreling room. Now just aged, moss-covered rock walls, the ceiling-less room has white lanterns strung across the top that catch the sun and become iridescent orbs—a bright contrast to the dark, castle-like walls.

Home to much to history and myth, Sand Rock Farm is now in its 10th year of helping visitors make new memories and writing the next chapter in the property’s tale. 2011 is a better time than ever to visit the inn, which is offering a 10 percent discount to any previous guests and a mid-week special for all guests (the second night is discounted).

Whether you’re in need of a homey place to rest your head after a busy day of sightseeing, or a place to escape—maybe to curl up with a book by the fire, or relax on the redwood deck—Sheehan and her lovely b&b will be sure to provide it for you.