The Captain's Lord.....A Kennebunkport Classic!

I am in love with Kennebunkport.

 Many weekends, we pack up the car and explore Maine!

 I discovered The Captain Lord's Mansion earlier this winter and

 wanted to share the beauty of this

 Bed and Breakfast for those of you that are going to be visiting Maine.

Don't miss out on this gem of history and beauty!

You will find romance, affordable luxury and personal satisfaction at this Southern Maine, Kennebunkport bed and breakfast inn. Enjoy a truly intimate and romantic bed and breakfast experience when you reserve one of the 4 comfortably appointed guestrooms at The Captain's Garden House. Solitude, personal comfort, serenity, and intimacy are assured at this detail-filled, small Bed and Breakfast. Indulge yourself with luxurious amenities such as oversize 4-poster beds, cozy gas fireplaces, as well as fresh flowers, full breakfasts, afternoon sweets and lots of personal attention from your innkeepers. Situated in the historic residential neighborhood of Kennebunkport, the inn is a short walk to restaurants, art galleries and shops. Also, from the Inn, it is a short stroll along the Kennebunk River out to the rock-bound coast and open ocean.

The Captain's Garden House is Classic 1807 Federal architecture. It is intimate (only 4 guestrooms with personal breakfast cook), luxurious , elegant with furnishings of antiques, fine linens, and thick bath towels,  serene being set in a quiet residential location, romantic (oversize 4-poster beds, gas fireplaces, private baths), relaxing (screened porch with comfortable wicker furniture) and is just 35 miles southeast of Portland, ME and 85 miles north of Boston, MA!

Each morning, the Mansion’s talented breakfast cooks prepare a different family-style, three-course breakfast which is served in the Mansion's atmospheric country kitchen and the beautiful Mansion dining room. Breakfast begins with choices including fresh fruit, creamy low-fat French-vanilla yogurt, and a flavorful granola-type cereal. Try one or all three! The second course consists of tasty muffins served piping hot from the oven to the table! Their main course varies from day to day so that you will experience variety during your visit. Also, the morning entrée is usually complimented by either bacon or sausage, Petite Belgian waffles with Maine maple syrup, Maine blueberry pancakes with Maine maple syrup, Strawberry-flavored, cream cheese stuffed French toast, Vegetable quiche,Asparagus soufflé, Egg and cheese frittata with salsa.

For the Afternoon Beverages and Snacks, you will share a variety of cheese, crackers, fresh fruit and sweets which are served year-round in the country kitchen. Afternoon Beverages in Summer will be Iced coffee, iced-tea and lemonade are the warm weather offerings. Afternoon Beverages in Winter:, a "Swedish Glogg" (a non-alcoholic mulled cider and cranberry juice) is kept simmering in a crock-pot on the antique stove in the kitchen.

When we arrived back at The Maine House, being a rainy and cold Sunday evening, Estelle's served the most warming of winter soups. Darling preferred the Baked Potato Soup, while I savored the Chicken Tortellini....the bread was the perfect accompaniment!

Estelle's Yukon Gold Potato Soup
1 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup carrots, diced
2/3 cup yellow onion, diced
3-4 Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1-2 quarts chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
Cheddar Cheese, Chives and Bacon

Saute celery, carrots, onion, garlic and thyme in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables are soft, 4-5 minutes. Add potatoes, cover with chicken stock and reduce heat and simmer about 1 hour or until potatoes are fully cooked.

Add heavy cream, puree until very smooth and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with shredded Cheddar cheese, chopped fresh chives and fresh cooked bacon bits. For extra garnish, take a prepared pie crust, your favorite petite cookie cutter and create little baked shapes to lay gently on top of your soup servings! So very pretty!

The Divine Miss M's Pesto Chicken Tortellini Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans petite diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces)

8 cups chicken broth

1 pound cheese tortellini

4 cups baked and shredded chicken

9 ounces fresh baby spinach, chopped roughly

1/4 cup basil pesto

In a large pot, saute the garlic in the olive oil. After a minute or so, add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the pot. Bring the broth to a rolling boil and then add in your cooked and shredded chicken, along with tortellini. Cook tortellini as directed on package. In the last minute of cooking time, mix in your roughly chopped spinach and stir in the 1/4 cup of basil pesto. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese on top. Side Note: When reheating, feel free to add some additional chicken broth to thin the soup, as the tortellini will absorb the liquid!

Portuguese White Bread

1 cup water

3 tablespoons margarine

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups white flour

1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Add all ingredients in order listed into your bread machine. Choose the”basic” cycle and wait for the perfect loaf of white bread to appear! Yes, it is that simple!