5 Corners Blog

Features 5 Corners Bed and Breakfast in Amherst, Ohio. Blog includes information regarding the bed and breakfast experience, recipes, upcoming events and more. The blog will highlight special events in surrounding communities including Oberlin, Vermilion, Avon, Sandusky and Cleveland.

Easy Valentine's Breakfast

Melissa Timko - Monday, February 13, 2012

Here is a recipe that's super easy to make!  You won't even need to make a midnight run to the grocery store; the recipe calls for things that you probably have in your fridge!

 

5 Corners Breakfast Tulips

Serves 2

4 pieces thinly sliced lunch meat (we typically use ham but roast beef also works well)
4 eggs
4 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
dried chives or parsley

 

1.  Preheat oven to 350.
2.  Spray 4 cups of a muffin tin with cooking spray.
3.  Line each cup with a slice of meat.
4.  Crack egg and drop into center of each cup.
5.  Top with cheese and chives or parsley.
6.  Bake for 17-20 mintues depending upon oven. Serve alongside toast, juice and fresh fruit and your Valentine will be smitten!

Oberlin College Conservatory Auditions

Melissa Timko - Monday, January 09, 2012

Accommodations are available during Oberlin College Conservatory Auditions to be held on February 11, 17, 18 and 25 as well as March 2 and 3, 2012. For available room options, please visit our Accommodations page.

5 Corners is perfect place for your son or daughter to retreat either before or after their audition. Situated just 15 minutes north of Oberlin, 5 Corners is conveniently located minutes from the Ohio Turnpike, Interstate 80, Interstate 90 and State Route 2.  Also enjoy the many restaurants and entertainment options within walking distance from the inn.

The staff of 5 Corners will work with you to provide the best accommodations possible during this very important audition.  Have an early audition?  Try one of our breakfast-to-go's.  They are included in the room rate along with off street parking, complimentary WIFI, snack basket and soft drinks. 

Grandma Binder's Chex Mix Recipe

Melissa Timko - Thursday, December 08, 2011

Growing up, my grandmother and grandfather always had a surplus of Chex Mix during the holiday season.  It was one of those things that once you started eating it...you couldn't stop!  Everyone had a favorite ingredient.  Mine was the Wheat Chex that had extra spices stuck to it. 

Don't even try to make Chex Mix in the microwave.  It just can't compare.  Here's the super-easy method for making Grandma's Chex Mix.  Its been kept under lock and key...until now.  Make it one night while wrapping presents.  Grandpa always said the key was in the stirring.

12 oz boxes of:  Wheat Chex, Cheerios and Rice Chex
1.5 lb bag of pretzel rings 
2 - 12 oz jars of mixed nuts
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
2 cups veg oil
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon seasoned salt

Combine cereal, nuts and pretzels into a large roasting pan.  Combine oil, Worcestershire, garlic salt and seasoned salt.  Pour over cereal and stir well.  Bake at 250 degrees for 2 hours; stirring well every 15 minutes.

 

Autumn Pumpkin Centerpiece

Melissa Timko - Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Looking for a simple to make centerpiece for your autumn dinners?  Check out this easy to make pumpkin!

Supplies Needed:
Medium sized pumpkin
Leaves of various shapes, sizes and colors
Mod Podge
Paint Brush
Scissors
Ribbon

1. Collect leaves and place them between two sheets of wax paper.  Let sit for at least 3 days with a book over top to flatten them.

2.  Wash and dry pumpkin.

3.  Using the paint brush, apply the Mod Podge to the pumpkin and the back of the leaf you want to place.  Let sit 1-2 minutes.  Apply leaf to painted area and press firmly.  You may have to snip the leaf with the scissors to make the leaf lay flat against the pumpkin. Once stuck, put another coat of Mod Podge over the leaf.  The Mod Podge will dry clear.

4.  Continue to paste  leaves to the pumpkin until the desired look is achieved. 

5.  Gently apply a coat of Mod Podge over entire pumpkin.  Let sit overnight to dry.

6.  Attach ribbon to stem of pumpkin.

5 Corners Apple Crisp

Melissa Timko - Sunday, October 02, 2011

4 cups apples, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Crumb Topping:
1 cup oatmeal (quick oats)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup flour
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

  • Preheat oven to 375.  Spray 9x9 pan with cooking spray.
  • Combine first 4 ingredients.  Pour into prepared pan.
  • Mix together topping ingredients.  Sprinkle over apples.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
  • Top with whipped cream or ice cream.
  • Autumn Harvest Pancakes

    Melissa Timko - Thursday, September 22, 2011

    Ready for fall?  Try this easy Autumn Harvest Pancake recipe this weekend.  It will warm your soul.

    2 cups Bisquick
    1 egg
    1 1/3 cups milk
    1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    1/3 cup pureed pumpkin (not pie filling)
    1/4 cups dried cranberries
    1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
    Butter
    Powdered Sugar
    Maple Syrup
    1. Warm skillet on medium.
    2. Combine Bisquick, egg, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and pumpkin.  Beat until smooth.  Add more milk if batter appears to thick.  Add in cranberries and nuts and stir until combined.
    3. Cook pancakes as you normally would.  Top with a light dusting of powdered sugar and Maple Syrup.

    You can also add chopped apples for a unique twist!

     

    Mugs that Warm the Soul

    Melissa Timko - Monday, June 06, 2011
    Throughout the years, our guests have complimented us on the wonderful mugs in which we serve coffee and tea.  Many have loved their warm touch and comfortable handle so much they've taken one (or two) home with them. 

    Credit goes to Deneen Pottery for these fantastic mugs.  Its hard to find a quality mug that keeps your coffee hot and makes you want to fill 'er up again and again.  Each one is handmade and it just a little different than the next.  Twenty-four pairs of loving hands touch each mug before it arrives on our doorstep.

    To make the mugs even better, 5 Corners has added a warming plate allowing our guests to pour hot coffee into a nice and toasty mug;  keeping coffee and tea hotter, longer.  A second finish has also been added; this time in our signature blue but with a black glaze.

    For a complete list of products available from Deneen Pottery, please visit their website at www.deneenpottery.com. Mugs are freezer, microwave and oven safe.

    Royal Wedding Scones

    Melissa Timko - Saturday, April 30, 2011
    In honor of the Royal Wedding, here is a great recipe for scones.  Feel free to add dried fruit, nuts or even chocolate chips for a special treat.

    Melt-in-Your-Mouth Scones

    Makes 8 scones

    Glaze:
    1 large egg, beaten
    1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream

    Scones:
    2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
    1/3 cup granulated sugar
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/3 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/2” pieces
    1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
    1 large egg, beaten
    1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    1. Preheat oven to 375 with rack in center of oven.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
    2. Make glaze:  mix together the beaten egg and cream.  Set aside.
    3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Add in butter and blend with pastry blender or fingers.  This mixture should look like coarse crumbs.  Set aside.
    4. In a small mixing bowl, combine whipping cream, beaten egg and vanilla.  Make a well in the center of the crumb mixture and add the liquid, stirring with a wooden spoon until batter forms moist clumps.  The batter will be sticky.  Don’t over mix.
    5. Gather dough together with your hands and transfer to a lightly floured surface.  Gently knead for 10 seconds until dough forms a ball and is smooth.
    6. Pat dough into a 7 inch diameter circle that is about 1” thick.
    7. Using a sharp knife, cut circle into eight triangles (cut circle in half and in half again and each of those sections in half again).  Place scones on prepared baking sheet.
    8. Brush scone tops with glaze and sprinkle lightly with sugar.
    9. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until a toothpick entered into the center of a scone comes out clean.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.  Serve with whipped cream, butter or jam.

    Kayaking Lake Erie

    Melissa Timko - Sunday, April 03, 2011
    Kayaking has grown in popularity and what better place to kayak, whether your a veteran or a amateur, is Lake Erie thanks to the new Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail.

    With 8 points of entry, you can travel 27 miles from Mill Hollow up the Vermilion River, across the Lake Erie shoreline and down the Black River.  Stop along the way and rest at one of the area's great beaches and enjoy a picnic lunch.  See wildlife along the riverbeds.  Enjoy all nature has to offer!

    Need a kayak?  No worries!  You can rent kayaks from Great Lakes Kayaking in Lorain by the day or hour.  Not sure how to kayak?  Attend the Kayaking Symposium on May 21 at Lakeview Park from 10-4 to learn the basics.  You'll even be able to try out different types of kayaks and canoes in the beach's swimming area.  The Backpacker's Shop in Sheffield is also a great place to visit to learn more about kayaking the water trail and what supplies you'll need.

    For more information:
    Lorain County Metroparks:  www.metroparks.cc
    Great Lakes Kayaking: (440) 244-5370 or (440) 787-8720
    Backpackers Shop: (440) 934-5345

    All Roads Lead to Oberlin

    Melissa Timko - Monday, February 21, 2011
    Congratulations to the Oberlin College Class of 2015!  If you've completed early decision, you'll want to visit campus during All Roads Lead to Oberlin.  This orientation for both students and parents will be held April 8, 11, 15 and 18, 2011. 

    To reserve a stay at 5 Corners Bed & Breakfast during this exciting time, please click here or give us a call at (440) 984-3084.  The inn is located just 15 minutes north of the Oberlin College campus in historic downtown Amherst.

    For more details regarding All Roads Lead to Oberlin, please visit www.oberlin.edu for registration and activity information.