April 22nd, 2009 by Pat Fischbeck
Bob and I are both natives of Missouri. We met in college in the late 60’s and were married in 1973. We moved to Madison in 1978 and purchased the 50-acre parcel where The Speckled Hen Inn is located in 1984 and began construction and landscaping in 1986. We completed the building of our home in 1990 and raised our two children in the house that is now the Inn. In 2000, I opened the Speckled Hen Inn. Bob retired from his “day job” of 32 years in 2005 and became the full-time assistant innkeeper .
Bob and Happy take a break.
Over the years, we have developed our interests in entertaining, cooking, gardening and wine appreciation. They tell me that I have the creative genes that are best reflected in the decor of the Inn and interesting gourmet breakfasts served at the Inn. The Inn is known for its breakfasts, warm ambiance and genuine hospitality. Many of the breakfast entrées use ingredients produced at the Inn by the Innkeepers. Bob is the assistant chef, head gardner and is responsible for the upkeep of the 50 acre estate. The Inn is proud to be a member of Travel Green Wisconsin.
Come share our 25+ year labor of love and be prepared to be pampered and, of course, well fed.
Pat with one of the lambs.
Tags: bed and breakfast, Inn, Travel Green
Posted in About us, Info for Foodies | 2 Comments »
December 11th, 2009 by Pat Fischbeck
The new Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association cookbooks, with The Speckled Hen Inn on the front cover are here and ready to wrap up for Christmas. We have a good supply at the Inn and will hold one for you to pick up at the Inn or we can also ship them to you.
The cookbook is more than just the recipes that have been contributed by over 150 different Wisconsin B&B’s. It could even be used as a travel guide because there is information about each B&B that submitted a recipe and there are lots of fun facts about the food scene in Wisconsin.
The contents are not just focused on Breakfast, although there is a wonderful array of breakfast dishes. There are appetizers, soups, luncheon and dinner entrees and marvelous deserts.
It is a fun read and a great gift for the foodies or cookbook collectors on your Christmas list.
Tags: bed and breakfast, Christmas, Cookbook, Recipe, Wisconsin
Posted in Christmas, Info for Foodies | 2 Comments »
February 25th, 2010 by Pat Fischbeck
You can if you have attended Capital Brewery’s Bockfest. Guests at our Madison WI Bed and Breakfast will be chatting Sunday morning about the wonderful time they had at this annual event.
First let me explain about the ‘Blonde” and the ‘Chub’. Bockfest celebrates the release of Capital Brewery’s Blonde Dopplebock beer. The ‘chub’ part comes into play mid-afternoon when Kirby gets up on the roof of the brewery and flings smoked chubs into the crowd. Smoked chubs are delicious smoked 6″ or so fish that are dearly loved by all those who have been fortunate enought to taste one. Why does Kirby throw fish from the roof? You will have to go to a Bockfest and ask. I think that he does it because it is just plain outrageous fun and that is what Bockfest is all about.
Other events during the day include the 1K Running of the Blondes, live music, a costume contest, and of course, brewery tours and much drinking of the Dopplebock.
The 13th Annual Bockfest is this Saturday, February 27th from 11AM until 5PM at Capital Brewery in Middleton, Wisconsin. Bockfest is always held the last Saturday in February so if you have to miss it this time, you can mark your calendar for next year.
Cheers!
Tags: Beer, bockfest, Capital Brewery, Middleton
Posted in Things to do in Madison | 2 Comments »
Innkeepers: Patricia & Robert Fischbeck
Time to visit a Greenhouse