This is a great list provided by the Berkshire Visitors Bureau. Twenty more reasons why the Berkshires is the place to be this summer!

Twenty Ways to Make the Most of Your Berkshires Experience.

It’s spring in the Berkshires! The crocuses are up and the tulips are not far behind. We look forward to welcoming you at our luxurious Bed & Breakfast this spring and summer. Call us at 800-243-1824 to book your getaway.

I simply never tire of the Norman Rockwell Museum in nearby Stockbridge. As members, we receive free admission on any day. I visit at least monthly to savor a current exhibit or to walk the pristine grounds with their amazing views. One of their current exhibits is the work of the award winning children’s book illustrator, Jerry Pinkney. He is truly a master of the American picture book. As an educator for 35 years, I shared numerous titles [from my personal library] of his creative work, with children of all ages. THE PATCHWORK QUILT, has to be one of my favorites because of my love for textiles and the art of quilting. I only have until May 30 to view this exquisite exhibit many more times!

Ah, spring in the Berkshires. Seems like it is arriving ever so slowly but our multi colored crocus family have perked up on the back hill and the daffodils are about six inches high so the best is yet to come! One of the best seasons to hike in this area is spring and one of our favorite walks is the Mary Flynn Trail in Stockbridge, approximately 10 minutes from the Federal House. We actually discovered it initially in spring and literally every time we strolled along the river we spotted a new wild flower in blossom [oh my, those red trillium] or noticed a different tree or bush leafing out.  It has now become almost a daily routine in our busy schedule and we are truly more content at the end of the day if we have taken time to “walk the Flynn”.

Those of you who have enjoyed the Federal House blog may have wondered where it has been the past few months but hooray, we are back!  The revamping of our website is taking hours of time but we feel the end product will be well worth it and we hope you do as well. Thank you for your patience as we continue this process. If this is your first time visiting, we welcome you and hope you return often!

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.]

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!!

 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.]

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.