I have to be honest, prior to moving to the Berkshires almost a year ago, I had not heard of the incredible summer dance festival, Jacob’s Pillow, in nearby Becket. Fortunately, we were able to make the time during our busy summer to attend three performances at the Pillow and what an incredibly amazing landmark!

 Firstly, it is located deep in the woods in a perfect setting. It is an exciting place where people can learn, socialize and participate in dance. One can spend the day, enjoy free talks and performances, observe classes at The School or take a community dance class.

Their mission statement is powerful “To support dance creation, presentation, education, and preservation; and to engage and deepen public appreciation and support for dance.”  We just received their 2010 brochure with everything from ballet from the Republic of Georgia to Jazz Ballet from Canada to the Dance Theater of Harlem so it proves to be a provocative and energizing season! We will definitely be returning and certainly more than three times this season. [An added perk for being a member of the Pillow is to be able to purchase tickets as early as January 29.]

Free admission at The Clark

After living in four countries overseas, we have visited many phenomenal museums, but the Clark in Willamstown, ranks as one of the best. Opening February 14 is Giovanni Boldini in Impressionist Paris and admission is free through May!!

Upcoming Culinary Weekend

 We are VERY excited about our upcoming Culinary Weekends with Perigee Restaurant, right across the street from the Federal House. They are scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20 and also April 16 and 17. See our website for more information but it surely will be a relaxing weekend escape spent with two experts in the field of cooking, Chefs Dawn LaRochelle and Jim Lambert. You will take home three delicious recipes you can easily prepare in your own kitchen. In just the two months it has been open, Perigee has gotten rave reviews from our guests with their fish and chips "always a winner"! [Their new tapas menu, evenings from 5-6pm and 9-10pm, also receives 5 stars.]

Happy New Year!

SO happy to be back to blogging! The holidays were very eventful and truly memorable. We closed the Inn for 10 days and my family came in from all over the US. The kiddies who live in LA particularly LOVED the snow and being able to sled for the first time ever!

 The Berkshires is truly quite beautiful this time of year and there is still so much going on. This past weekend, we checked out the new cross country trails at Hilltop Farm and Orchards in Richmond…..a gorgeous setting. They also have snowshoe rental and free wine tasting on the weekends. On Sunday, we attended the Winter Classic Sleigh Rally at Orleton Farms sponsored by the Colonial Carriage and Driving Society in Stockbridge. We watched dozens of single and paired horse-drawn sleighs compete in a variety of classes such as negotiating an obstacle course. I have never seen such gorgeous horses.