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Recipe: Cold Cucumber Mint Soup! Refreshing!
Nothing like a cold refreshing soup as a meal starter or paired with a salad on a hot summer day! We love this recipe! Try it out! 1 medium onion or three scallions 2 tbsps chopped fresh mint, plus sprigs for garnish 3 tbsps vegetable oil 2 Cs chicken broth 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice 4 fresh cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped 8 oz. sour cream salt and pepper to taste Lightly saute sliced onions in oil over moderately low heat until onion is softened. Add chicken broth, lemon juice, and cucumbers and simmer about 15 minutes, until cucumber are softened. In a blender purée mixture and 1/2 of the mint in batches until smooth and cool. Stir in white pepper and salt to taste. Chill soup, covered, until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 day. Flavor just gets better with time! When ready to serve, mix sour cream and remaining mint. Serve soup topped with a dollop of the sour cream mixture and a sprig of mint.
FREE Movies at the Camden Ampitheater
Did you know... the Camden Public Library sponsors a FREE outdoor movie night, every Monday evening beginning at dusk! This is part of their summer reading program, and features a variety of movies that have been made from books. Some of the titles included are Jumanji, Man Without A Face, James and the Giant Peach, 12:01 and more... the program is part of the "have fun at home" concept in small towns everywhere! Bring a blanket and a picnic! Lots of FUN for all!!!
We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary!
 This month marks our 10th annivesary at the Inns at Blackberry Common! Actually, we started as The Blackberry Inn and have come so far and made so many changes over the years, most notably, purchasing The Elms and becoming the Inns at Blackberry Common! July 16th, 1998 was our first day as innkeepers and a great start to an exciting future! What a trip it has been... We would like to thank all of our guests who have helped make the Inns at Blackberry Common the home it is today, helping in the creation of so many unforgettable memories, friends made and milestones celebrated. We hope to continue to be part of your special events, getaways and celebrations for years to come. And thank you to all of you for helping make our dreams a reality!
Shopping in Camden, Maine
While Camden may be a quaint ocean side town, with irresistible views and a laid  back Maine atmosphere, the shopping you will find is irresistible too! With an array of attractive and unusual shops to choose from, you will be sure to find just the right keepsakes and gifts to commemorate your visit, as well as some of the finest goods Maine has to offer. We offer everything from books stores, antique shops and local art, to furniture stores, clothing, novelty stores, marine supplies and more. Some of our favorite specialty stores include a Stonewall Kitchen Company Store, Lucy's Dollhouse, and the best little market, French & Brawns for all of your picnic needs. And if this isn't enough, some of Maine's finest furniture makers and craftsmen are in the area, a short drive away, including Windsor Chairmakers! Of course Camden also offers a great selection of restaurants to choose from, also with the town harbor area, a few blocks from the Inns. Stay tuned for more information on our favorite restaurants, and feel free to ask for recommendations on shopping and more when your visit! Photo courtesy of CRL Chamber
Recipe: Sun Tea with Fresh Mint
Place about 6 tea bags and 3 or 4 fresh sprigs of mint into a clean 2 quart g  lass container and fill with warm water. Cover. Place the container outside in the sun or anywhere the container will be exposed to plenty of sun for the next 5 or 6 hours. After the tea has steeped and reached its desired strength, refrigerate. You can leave the tea bags in for added flavor development, or remove them if desired, but do remove the mint leaves while storing. You may add a new sprig of mint or muddle some mint in the bottom of your glass when serving. Use within 2 to 3 days. Enjoy on a hot summer day!
Our Herb Garden and Yours!
 Did you know that a large percentage of the herbs we use in our daily cooking at the inns are grown right here on the property? If you haven't visited our herb garden in the past, be sure to do so on your next trip! The herbed omelets in the morning are my favorite! Tips for your herb garden:
- Make sure you understand what size each planting will mature to, and make sure you have adequate room for their growth
- Separate your plantings by rocks, bricks or artificial borders so the more aggressive plants don't suffocate the more delicate plantings
- Ensure your trimmings are done appropriately to encourage new growth. Techniques vary for each variety so make sure you find out before trimming!
- Label each planting as you go or make a map so your remember locations and can find more quickly at harvest time
- Let varieties, like basil, flower at the end of the season and save the seeds for next years garden!
Herb gardens are a lot of fun, don't take a tremendous amount of space, and can be widely used in food and drinks! Try some fresh mint in your iced tea this summer... you'll be hooked!
The Schooners are back in the Harbor!
 Summer is here and all of our Maine schooners are back in the harbor! Generally sailing between the months of April and October, the schooners have been ramping up their sailing and have rolled out their full schedules for the summer months. If you have not taken a day trip on one of our Maine schooners in the past, make this your year! Most of the schooners offer hourly, half day and full day excursions, or you can even charter a trip for a personal adventure! Just some of our schooners include the Olad, Heron, the Surprise, the Appledore and the Windjammer Mary Day. Visit the Camden Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.camdenme.org/ and click on the boating page for all of the available excursions and links to the ships websites. Give us a call if you prefer and we will help you plan your excursion and give you all of the tips you'll need to make your sailing trip a success!
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