April 22nd, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Spring has officially arrived at Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast! With arrival of summer like temperatures the early blooming tulips have opened in full glory. The gardens have some 800+ tulips that will bloom now until end of May (depending on our weather).
So come and spend a night at our Missoula Bed and Breakfast, enjoy a cup of coffee or afternoon refreshment in the gardens and take in natures art display first hand.
April 20th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Jewel will be making a return appearance in Missoula this June 22 in the Historic Wilma theatre. Jewel last preformed in Missoula August of 2002, held in Caras Park. It is hard to beat the atmosphere of an outdoor concert along the river, but the Wilma Theatre will be a perfect spot to take in the solo acoustic guitar that Jewel is known for.
Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast is less then 2 miles to the Theatre, a straight shot down Higgins. The city bus stop is right outside our door, if you choose to save the hassle of trying to find a parking spot. Take in the Concert, enjoy the night life in the downtown area, and then stay with us for a quiet night sleep followed by a gourmet breakfast in the morning. Tickets go on sale April 23rd, get your ticket and book a room!
April 15th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Voted upon by participants in some 400 Marathons held in the USA in 2009, Runners World award the Missoula Marathon Best Overall Marathon for 2009. Missoula is not up there in the name recognition like Boston or New York City, but what they do have is scenery and local charm. Runners love the start time temps in the low 50′s and a course that takes you through the forest, past the Clark Fork River, Majestic Mountains in the backdrop, and end in the heart of a small University town.
Missoulians love outdoor recreation and this just is another great event held in the Missoula valley. As you run the course you will be cheered on by local spectators holding signs, playing upbeat music, or even getting out the garden hose to give you a cool misting as you run past. The race ends in the Historic downtown with a celebration of food, folks, and fun.
Top this race off by staying at our Missoula B & B. We are less then 2 miles from the end of the race, we will accommodate your dietary needs so you are fueled for your race, and we can arrange for you to have a in room massage after the race to help loosen those stiff and fatigued muscles!
This years race is July 11,2010, we hope to see you then.
April 10th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Spring in Missoula is like an awakening of sleeping beauty. As I type this post I look out my window at snow capped Lolo Peak with a beautiful baby blue sky backdrop.
The morning view from my desk window!
The swallows, chickadees, and red wing blackbirds are announcing a new day that promises the warm spring sunshine. The air is brisk yet refreshing with the frost sparkling like diamonds as the morning sun rays begin to warm the landscape.
Squirrel checking the spring buds
Morning frost
Stepping out the door to take it all in.
With a hot cup of coffee in my hand I walk outside and breathe it all in. I look forward to a day of uncovering the fall and winter blankets on the gardens, allowing the spring flowers to awaken from their winter sleep.
April 8th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
The new Asparagus and Egg on a Parmesan Toasted Croissant has been a big hit this spring. We thought it would be good to give you an updated photo from this new dish as the last one was the trial and did not look pretty.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Read the rest of this page »
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!
Read the rest of this page »
February 26th, 2010 by Nancy Malikie
Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast Christmas
Wow wasn’t it just the Christmas Season?? Tom and I survived another whirlwind December with office Christmas Parties and private Dinners. It is such a different routine than our “normal lives” of running the BnB. We have a lot of fun cooking something other than breakfast dishes, Though we have a true appreciation for caterers and how hard they work, my feet are always glad when the day is done!!
Read the rest of this page »
