Asparagus and eggs on a parmesan toasted croissant

We have customized this recipe as well so that the guests that prefer not to “wreck the diet” can still enjoy all of the flavors. We can prepare it in a lower calorie, lower carb, and heart healthy version. We use egg whites instead of the full egg and the new Oroweat multi-grain sandwich thin in place of the high calorie, but oh so tasty croissant. For any of you out there wanting a bread that is a good source of protein, fiber, and grains without a lot of calories this is a great substitute that tastes great, unlike most that taste like cardboard! Sorry just had to put in my healthy eating plug.

So the next recipe adventure is the stuffed huckleberry french toast. For those not familar with huckleberries they are a signature fruit from our area. They are smaller than a blueberry, but have a tart yet sweet taste…a treat that even the bears will fight for.  Warning though this will be one recipe that will wreck the diet. Sometimes you just have to indulge, we promise it will be worth every calorie!

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.

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.

You would think I would have made it an even 50 trays, but the shelves are bursting as is. It always amazes me to plant a seed that is so tiny you cannot pick up just one at a time and then by the end of the summer it is 2 foot tall!

Every year I plant my usual 300 plus zinna’s of all varieties. Then they are the other stables of asters, sunflowers (pollen-less as to not make such a mess on the tables when brought into the house), snap dragons, marigolds (something the deer do not eat), alyssum, black eyed susan vines, bachelor buttons, comos…and the list goes on. I try a new flower every year and this year it is called 4 o’clock. I know really nothing about them so it will be interested to see how they do. It is always fun to see a new style of leaf sprouting.

As we opened for business in June 2001, we decided to keep track with our Large US map of where all our guests have come from. At the end of our first year we have 80% of the States represented and were amazed. The next couple of years filled in all but one lonely State…Delaware. We have been in a holding pattern for over 2 years waiting for that guest to arrive.

So now we are looking International, with our first goal of  having a guest  from each continent and then one from each country. We will need to check into it and see how we are today on that goal and let you know.  We can tell you this…it has been a great time getting to know people from every part of the world!

With my husband Tom’s help we were able to guide it out the window
where it quickly found its proper bed in one of our poplar trees.

Since purchasing the Gibson Mansion bed and breakfast I have been trying to attract different types of birds into the yard by planting shrubs, flowers, and trees that they are looking for. It has been fun to watch a yard that had no bird life to a place that the sounds of many different chirping calls can be heard.

I must say though when I was trying to attract them to our home I never expected them to actually check into our Bed and Breakfast!