Belle Grove Plantation
1st Annual
Christmas Candlelight Tours

It is time to make history at Belle Grove Plantation as we celebrate our first Christmas at the plantation! We will be opening our doors to old and young to come and gaze upon this grand mansion and grounds that has seen so many Christmas past.

On Friday, December 6th, 2013, Belle Grove Plantation will celebrate their Official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. Come help us not only ring in the season, but celebrate officially opening our doors!

Saturday, December 14th from 5pm to 9pm, Santa arrives at the plantation! The last known visit from Father Christmas to the plantation appeared in the Free Lance Star dating to the 1890s! Come see him return once again and help us celebrate this return to tradition!

Each day, there will be entertainment and warm beverages to help you get into the Holiday Spirit!

Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast will be opening its doors for the 1st Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour for the following dates:

Friday, December 6th and Friday, December 13th
6:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday, December 7th and Saturday, December 14th
Daytime Tours – 12:00pm to 3:00 pm
Evening Tours – 5:00pm to 9:30pm

Sunday, December 8th and Sunday, December 15th
Daytime Tours – 12:00pm to 3:00 pm
Evening Tours – 3:00pm to 6:00pm

IMPORTANT – This tour requires several stairs. We are sorry, at this time we are not handicap accessible.

Tickets are sold for scheduled times. Please make sure you purchase them for the time you wish to visit.

Ticket Prices:

Daytime Tickets

Adults – $15
Children under 12 – $10
Children under 5 – Free

Night Time Tickets

Adults – $25
Children under 12 – $10
Children under 5 – Free

I am sorry, we do not offer discounts for this event.

Please go to our Online Store to Purchase Tickets!

https://squareup.com/market/belle-grove-plantation-bed-and-breakfast/christmas-candlelight-tours-tickets

As many of you that have been following us over the last year or two know, we had an Official Cookie Contest last March. It was a wonderful contest and we had some really wonderful cookie recipes offered!

After a very close race and the public vote on Facebook, it ended with a delicious cookie called “Modern Molasses Cookies” submitted by Alyssa D’Alconzo. Since we have opened, we have been placing these yummy cookies on a silver tray on each bed during turn-down service. They are wonderful and everyone really enjoys the added “midnight snack”.

Alyssa and Michelle – November 2013

This weekend we were excited to host Alyssa and her family for a couple days at the plantation! How wonderful to finally meet someone that we have been chatting with on our blog for so long. Alyssa isn’t the first from the blog to come by, but it was extra special to have her here to sample our “Modern Molasses Cookies”.

I think we passed the test!

But we would like to share the recipe with all those who are new or those who would like to know how to make them. Here at the plantation, I did make a copy of changes to the recipe. I don’t serve them with chocolate because there are those who may be allergic. I also make a batch and freeze the raw dough balls. Then in the afternoon, I pull out what I need and cook them so they are fresh and warm when our guests return from dinner. By freezing them, it helps give them a puffy center too. (A trick I learned from Mrs. Field’s cookies)

You can check out Alyssa’s blog and read about her adventures visiting us at

http://suitcasesandsweets.com

So make a warm batch and enjoy!

Modern Molasses Cookies – Alyssa D’Alconzo

Ingredients (4 dozen cookies)

2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/2 teaspoons allspice
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
sugar
2 1/2 ounces dark chocolate
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil or shortening

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together shortening and dark brown sugar. Beat in egg, molasses, and vanilla. Mix well.

Fold in dry ingredients and stir by hand.
Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
Shape teaspoonful of dough into balls; roll in sugar.
Place balls onto cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.

Bake 8-10 minutes until set. Cool for one minute on cookie sheet and remove to wire rack to cool completely.
In a small bowl, break up chocolate into small pieces, add coconut oil or shortening, and microwave on medium heat until melted.

Using a fork, drizzle chocolate over cookies.

Allow chocolate to set and store in an airtight container.

On Saturday, November 9th, Belle Grove Plantation hosted the Victorian Ladies Society for an afternoon of tea and tours.

What a sight they were to see in their finest as they approached the grand mansion!

I could almost see days gone by as ladies during the Turner Family period would have hosted such gatherings.

Our Afternoon Tea was served in the Formal Dining Room on plates and cups that many of you have seen as we have collected them over the last year or two. Our menu included four flavors of scones. Pumpkin, White Chocolate Raspberry, Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry were served with traditional sides of Lemon Curd, Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserves. Our tea sandwiches were a two layer, opened face Cucumber Sandwich, a two layer Olive and Pecan Spread on Wheat, Chicken Salad in a Puff Pastry and Asparagus with Virginia Ham and Dijon Mustard rolled in a crescent. For our pastries we served a Lavender Shortbread, Chocolate Rugula and a Puff Pastry Shell with Italian Orange Cream. Our tea select was Classic Earl Gray and Youth Berry with Wild Orange Blossom.

The ladies enjoyed their tea and conversations for the first hour. The second was spent touring the mansion and hearing the history of Belle Grove Plantation from the beginning in 1670 to the present. Our tour ended on the Riverside Balcony where the ladies enjoyed a moment of warmth as the sun shone down over the river.

Peering out the Turner Master Suite window where the Carrie Turner etching is located

We are so excited to announce that the Victorian Ladies Society will be returning in April, 2014 for a very special event with Belle Grove Plantation!

The Victorian Ladies Society and Belle Grove Plantation will be hosting our first Titanic Tea!

Be on the watch for the announcement and ticket sales!

Thank you to the Victorian Ladies for visiting with us at Belle Grove Plantation!

If you are interested in an Private Afternoon Tea at Belle Grove Plantation, please email us at information@bellegroveplantation.com.  We are sorry, but we do not serve tea to the general public at this time.

Belle Grove Plantation

1^st Annual

Christmas Candlelight Tours

It is time to make history at Belle Grove Plantation as we celebrate our first Christmas at the plantation! We will be opening our doors to old and young to come and gaze upon this grand mansion and grounds that has seen so many Christmas past.

On Friday, December 6^th, 2013, Belle Grove Plantation will celebrate their Official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. Come help us not only ring in the season, but celebrate officially opening our doors!

Saturday, December 14th Santa arrives at the plantation! The last known visit from Father Christmas to the plantation appeared in the Free Lance Star dating to the 1890s! Come see him return once again and help us celebrate this return to tradition!

Each day, there will be entertainment and warm beverages to help you get into the Holiday Spirit!

Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast will be opening its doors for the 1^st Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour for the following dates:

Friday, December 6th and Friday, December 13th

6:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday, December 7th and Saturday, December 14th

Daytime Tours – 12:00pm to 3:00 pm

Evening Tours – 5:00pm to 9:30pm

Sunday, December 8th and Sunday, December 15th

Daytime Tours – 12:00pm to 3:00 pm

Evening Tours – 3:00pm to 6:00pm

The 1st Annual Belle Grove Plantation Decorating and Wreath Contest

will be held this season as part of our Christmas Candlelight Tours.

Come help us “Deck our Halls” and be entered to win some amazing prizes!

Decorating Contest

We will set aside six common rooms for florist, interior decorators, ladies groups or anyone else that would like to help make Belle Grove Plantation grand for the season. Each room, to be decorated in the Colonial theme, will be part of our Christmas Candlelight Tour and will be eligible for the public to vote – the winner gets a free three-day weekend at Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast.

As a Contestant, your room will be on display for our guests and tour guests, along with your information to promote your organization or business. In addition, you will receive your own half-page write up and one banner-sized ad in our Christmas Candlelight Tour Programs that will be given to everyone taking the Tour.

We will be promoting our event through multiple media outlets, as well as all social media outlets.

To enter, please email us for an application form, commitment form and rules at information@bellegroveplantation.com. We will be taking applications and room selections, first come, first serve. Please do not call to apply.

Before entering, please read the contest rules carefully. If you have any questions, please contact us at information@gmail.com or call 540-621-7340.

Entry Application Period:              Monday, November 11^th through Friday, November 22^nd

(or until all rooms are taken; whichever comes first)

Judging will be by public vote during our Christmas Candlelight Tours from Friday, December 6^th to Sunday, December 15^th (weekends only). We will contact the winner first, and then publicly announce the winner on Facebook, Twitter, and our Blog. Each contestant will receive a personal email with the results prior to the announcement.

Wreath Contest

If a room is a little too ambitious for you this year, why not enter our Wreath Contest?

Each Colonial Themed Wreath will be part of our Christmas Candlelight Tour and will be eligible by public vote to win a free night at Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast.

As a Contestant, your wreath will be on display for our guests and tour guests during our Christmas Candlelight Tour Programs.

We will be promoting our event through multiple media outlets as well as all social media outlets.

To enter, please email us for an application form, commitment form and rules at information@bellegroveplantation.com. We will be taking applications and room selections, first come, first serve. Please do not call to apply.

We ask that you only select one door to allow others to participate this year.

Before entering, please read the contest rules carefully. If you have any questions, please contact us at information@gmail.com or call 540-621-7340.

Entry Application Period:              Monday, November 11^th through Friday, November 22^nd

(or until all doors or doorways are selected, whichever comes first)

Judging will be by public vote during our Christmas Candlelight Tours from Friday, December 6^th to Sunday, December 15^th (weekends only). Each contestant will receive a personal email with the results prior to the public announcement of the winner on Monday, December 16^th on Facebook, Twitter, and our Blog.

We will have 15 exterior doors and two swags over the Main Riverside and Plantation doorways available to choose from. We will be lighting the mansion with exterior spotlights to accent these beautiful creations.

Tickets for the Christmas Candlelight Tour will go on sale soon!

We look forward to seeing you at the plantation this Holiday Season!

Dolley Madison

December 13, 2013

My Dear Mrs. Darnell,

  I received your favor of the 12th instant and read it with the utmost pleasure and amusement.  Indeed, we felt no less honored to receive you both into our home, and you must promise it will not be your last visit.  I was particularly gratified to view your miniature of Mr. M–’s birthplace.

D.P.M.

Visit www.DolleyPMadison.com

James Madison’s Montpelier
Christmas Candlelight Tour

December 10, 2012.

To President and Mrs. Madison:

Though few are the days passed since we left you, our dearest new friends, they have been spent in anxious impatience to write to you. A grateful welcome we received on our visit to your beloved Montpelier. We were first greeted by your servants with much joy and laughter. One of your servants gave us the great tidings that not only would we find Mrs. Madison receiving guests, but President Madison had also joined her for the evening. Happy were our hearts as the news crossed our ears!

Your devoted servants gave us a list of events for this merry evening and directed our attention to the first event in the DuPont Ballroom. There we meet with persons of genteel carriage and they attracted our regard and liking. It was as if a living picture had been drawn by the most excellent Masters, exquisitely designed to afford the utmost pleasure to the Beholders. They took the liberty to acquaint every Gentleman and Lady who was desirous of performing Country dances in a genteel, free and easy manner. The most beautiful of these dances being the Minuet being well calculated and adapted to give room for every person to display all the beauties and graces of the body which becomes a genteel carriage.

Colonial Dancers

Colonial Dancers

Colonial Dancers

Colonial Dancers

As we left the merriment, we crossed a room filled with wondrous delights. Center among these tasty bites was a wassailing of a plenty. Surely your servants worked tireless for days prepare such a grand tasting. Wine flowed from glass to glass as each of your guest toasted to the season and to such splendid hosts.

Your servants happily pointed the direction to which we meandered up to the grand house. How wondrous did the candles light our way only to be softly lead along by the sweet sounds of the carolers along the path. It seemed that the angels of heaven wept in delight from such a sight as the light rain dropped upon us. But not even this would keep your servants for singing with joy of the grand season. Seeking shelter among the trees and bushes we heard their voices calling us along.

As we ascended the front stairs, we grew anxious to meet with you. Quickly we brushed away the water from our dress as not to stain your beautiful home. The servant ushered us in and we moved through the line as Mrs. Madison received each of us with warm handshakes and greets. What delights we took in hearing of your Christmas season to come and of your beloved son, John Payne Todd. The delight of Mrs. Madison was quickly over, which sadden us to go and allow others the enjoyment of her.

The tour of your grand home afforded us much pleasure, though we had seen it several times over the years. How things seemed to catch our notice that we long had not seen before. Each of  your servants graciously answered our inquires and guided us along to our end. Much to our surprise was one of your servants who came to greet us as we concluded our tour. She is the most polite, modest, well-informed and interesting servant we have met at Montpelier. We must have made an impression on her for her to recall us from among you many visitors. It was such an honor to be remembered.

Then the most wonderful thing of all things occurred. We were recalled to the parlor by your head servant for a most surprising audience. As we were ushered in, breath leaped for our chest as we beheld the Great Little Madison and his beloved Dolley. We truly enjoyed our conversation with you. To share such a connection as that of President Madison’s mother’s plantation in Port Conway is such an honor. Finding that one day you might return the hospitality of a visit to our plantation made this visit more than our hearts would have ever dared to dream of. We consider ourselves a most lucky of beings. Please know we shall be ever grateful for the fatigue and trouble you and  your servants have experienced for our sake.

President and Mrs. Madison with Brett and Michelle Darnell

I must conclude with love and prayers for you all. Here is wishing  you a merry season with joy and laughter and much blessings.

Affectionately,

Brett and Michelle Darnell

For more pictures from the Candlelight Tour at Montpelier

Check out our Facebook Page

Belle Grove
View from the Carriage side porch

Well it has been a few days since I last posted. After my trip to Belle Grove, we had the funeral for my mother on Monday. It was beautiful. And I made it through the eulogy… sort of. But the friends that came helped us with the final parts. We were so supported and loved. Both from our friends here in Chesapeake and those of you that have followed our blog! Thank you again for all your support and prayers. It was a life saver!On Wednesday, I returned to my current job. On my arrival I was greeted with 360 emails. One and a half days later, I am finally caught up. All email answered and files put away. Whew…. So maybe I can get back to normal again.

Belle Grove
View of Carriage side porch

Brett has been working hard on the zoning package. He has been in contact with the Zoning Director and has made some head way towards our goal. The Zoning Officials will be meeting to discuss our application the week of the 10th so keep your fingers crossed! Brett is also going to be meeting with the Zoning Director and the Surveyor on the 10th to discuss some correction he sees on the site plan. I am so glad Brett is here to do that! I would be so lost! Give me a wedding or gourmet breakfast to cook and I can knock it out of the park, but paperwork for government offices, I don’t know if I would get it right.

Next week, Brett is traveling out of town for his current job. What a dog! He is going for a week of work in sunny California! I will be back here in the cold weather! How unfair! Maybe he can bring some of that sunny weather back with him! He is also talking about stopping in to see one of the grandsons of the last owners if he has a chance in Los Angeles. It will depend on his time and how tired he is when he arrives. I would kill to be going with him! The grandson owns a high end restaurant in the LA and the food looks so good! If he goes, I will have to get him to take pictures and write about it for you!

So while Brett goes to take in the sunny weather this next week, I will be on my own for the weekend and week. This will be the first weekend after three weeks of family at the house in Chesapeake. I don’t know what I will do! I told Brett that I think I might take in some sushi and a movie. I have wanted to see “Lincoln” since it came out. Now I think I might have time!

Colonial Williamsburg
Governor’s Palace

There is also going to be a big event in Colonial Williamsburg this weekend called the “Grand Illumination”. This is a day of events to kick off the Holiday Season. It is scheduled for Sunday, December 2nd with events happening from 10:30am to 9:30pm. To view more information on this event, you can visit their website at:

www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/holidays/grand-illumination

In all the years we have lived here in Chesapeake, we have never ventured to the “Grand Illumination”. I may have to see if I can make it this year!

Montpelier

Another event that you should mark your calendar for is at Montpelier, home of James Madison. This event is called “Candlelight Evening at James Madison’s Montpelier”.  Enjoy centuries of Christmas traditions at the Montpelier Candlelight Tour. Be greeted by Dolley Madison and learn about early 19th-century Christmas customs while exploring the Madison’s’ home by candlelight. See the Madison Dancers perform in the Grand Salon. Linger in the DuPont Gallery, enjoy light refreshments, wine, and wassail while enjoying harp music and carolers. It will be from 4:30pm to 8:00pm. Advance Tickets can be purchased on their website at:

www.montpelier.org/visit/candlelight-christmas

Brett will be returning on Friday, December 7^th and we have an appointment on December 8^th at Belle Grove.

But you may see us there on Sunday, December 9^th!

One last update:

We have been posting information on some of the historic sites and museums we are working with on our Facebook page!

Please check out our Facebook page often and share it with your friends!

Thank you so much for all your support!