Gibson Mansion Inn

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Archive for March, 2010

New Breakfast Recipe

March 31st, 2010 by Nancy Malikie

This is the time of year that we experiment with new breakfast recipes for the upcoming tourist season. I get my file folder where I have collected those torn out recipes from magazines, recipes scribbled on a napkin that someone gave to someone to give to us, or print outs off the computer from newsletters we received. I have collected them all in hopes of one day giving them a try.

The latest recipe to rise from that pile and get put into “Keepers” is asparagus and eggs on a Parmesan toasted baguette. That is at least how the recipe started. Like any other trial recipe we (notice how I take some credit for the creation…I did find the recipe) made it  as the recipe directed. It was very tasty as you saute the asparagus in fresh rosemary and olive oil, OK we used dried because you cannot grow fresh this time of year. Then you toast the bread on the remaining rosemary oil. The only hard part with the enjoying of this breakfast is that it is somewhat difficult to cut. With the baguette loaf toasted, cutting with a ordinary table knife is a challenge.

First test run...tasted good just doesn't look pretty

But if any of you know Tom he never stays with the original recipe, he is always customizing it to be the perfect combination of flavors. While playing with these modifications and doing trial runs with our guest, Tom realized he needed to find a better bread selection or hand out our large wooded handled steak knives. This is kind of scary to hand to someone in the early morning hours, before the coffee has kicked in. So after playing with other bread choices, keeping in mind how it would present under the asparagus and eggs, it was settled on a flaky croissant.

You will have to wait until next week for the updated photo showing the new and improved “Asparagus and Eggs served on a Parmesan Crusted Croissant” a true Gibson Mansion original.

They just don’t make Stained glass windows like this anymore.

March 27th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie

It takes a guest admiring the stained glass windows in the Mansion to remind me of the beauty and detail they have. It goes back to the idea that if you walk past something everyday and you will not see it anymore.

1903 stained glass window

The vibrant red tulips that are backed up by the greens showcase this magnificent window in our grand staircase. You wonder how anyone could not see this every time they walk past it and look in awe at the artistry. I am sorry to say that is happens to me a lot.

At Christmas when the 19′ Christmas tree is lit up, the stained glass window shines with spectacular colors that are seen from the passing cars.  What a treasure for Missoulians.

The windows are original 1903 stained glass that survived the move of the Mansion from Gerald Ave to its present location on 39th St.

Stained glass window that was almost stolen

 At the time of preparing the mansion for its move, it was discovered that the shorter window was loose on 3 sides. It was determined that someone was attempting to steal the window from the mansion. Thank goodness the movers realized this and decided that it would be best to remove this window and then re-install it at its new location.

Smart Car For Gibson Mansion

March 9th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie

Showing the size of my New Smart

It’s about time I share some on the New Car.  It is a dream come true for me after I fell in love with this little car about 6 years ago.  Our daughter had seen the Smart while on a school trip to Germany and when I saw the pictures I new instantly that I wanted one for the Mansion.  So July 28th, 2009 it became a reality.  The only sad part was saying goodbye to our Chevy Astro Van that we traded in on the “Cash For Clunkers” program. 

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Hiking in Montana…Winter or Spring??

March 3rd, 2010 by Nancy Malikie

Hiking in Montana

It was a beautiful February day, clear skies and the temperatures in the mid 50′s…that is correct 50′s. Sad to say our snow pack levels are wwwaaayy down and with the warm weather, Tom and I were anxious to hit some of our favorite mountain trails. We didn’t know if we could make it to the trailhead in our Smart car, but figured is was a nice day for a drive and would go as far on the forest service road as we could.

Well to our surprise and pleasure we were able to drive to the trail head with no troubles. Like I said it is scary because we should not be able to get a non 4 wheel drive vehicle to that elevation, 5,000 ft at trailhead, in February!

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