Over the years we have hosted many wonderful fuzzy butt guests from tiny Malteses to Mastiffs and their wonderful two legged friends who brought them.  Check the pair below.  How can you not fall in love with these guests?

Two of Our Favorite Guests

We also have two of our own dogs.  Brandy, our 9 year old Doberman, came from the Doberman Alliance.  Bentley is a 3 year old English Setter and was rescued out of a puppy mill in Missouri.  Both of them were skin and bones when they came to our forever home for them.   Both are happy as can be now.  If you are considering getting a pet, whether it be a cat or a dog, I urge you to consider adoption.  No matter what breed you like there is a rescue organization for them.  Or you can find a wonderful loving pet at your local Humane Society.

Bentley taking advantage.

Busted!  He knows the furniture is only for two legged guests but every now and then he tries to get around the rules.  Just had to snap this picture before reminding him to stay off the furniture.

Hamanassett is only 10 1/2 miles from Longwood and about 15 from Winterthur so check our availability here.

Travelers can win a “vacation of a lifetime” with a new contest from Select Registry Distinguished Inns of North America. The grand prize winner will be entitled to a free night stay at each of the nearly 350 inns and B&B’s in the Select Registry™ portfolio for a full year.  Hamanassett Bed and Breakfast has been a member of Select Registry since 2005.  With all the wonderful attractions in our area such as Longwood Gardens, Nemours, Winterthur, Hagley, the Brandywine River Museum, and Philadelphia in our back yard,  we would be a great spot to begin your vacation.

“It’s a dream vacation – an opportunity to explore exciting new places and visit family and friends, with complimentary accommodations at the most celebrated inns and bed and breakfasts throughout the U.S. and Canada,” says Will Carlson, executive director, Select Registry.

To enter the Vacation Of A Lifetime Contest, you must register with the Select Registry Golden Quill Loyalty Program at www.SelectRegistry.com/GoldenQuill. After that, each of your qualified Golden Quill nights throughout 2012 will count as an additional entry. It’s that easy.

One grand prize winner will be entitled to a free night’s lodging at each of the nearly 350 Select Registry inns, B&Bs and boutique hotels throughout North America, redeemable for a full year. Additionally, three first-place winners each will get a $500 Select Registry Gift Certificate good at all the portfolio’s properties. Five second-place winners will each receive a $250 Select Registry Gift Certificate.

Select Registry’s Vacation Of A Lifetime Contest is open to travelers ages 18 years of age and older in the U.S. and Canada. The promotion ends midnight EST, Dec. 31, 2012, and winners will be announced in early 2013.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or rest and relaxation, Select Registry inns offer unforgettable escapes. Only 350 inns in North America have earned this designation, passing rigorous inspections to gain and then maintain membership. The result: When you check into a Select Registry inn, you know you’re in for a special travel experience.

For a quick video on Select Registry’s Vacation Of A Lifetime Contest and a look at the portfolio’s celebrated inns, visit http://www.selectregistry.com/Vacation-of-a-Lifetime.asp

Orchid
Extravaganza

You can still enjoy visiting Longwood Gardens. Even though the outside gardens are resting for the winter there is the spectacular indoor gardens in the conservatory. Did you know it is 4 1/2 acres under glass and includes 20 indoor gardens and 5500 varieties of plants? It takes about an hour and a half to stroll through the entire conservatory. The Orchid Extravaganza  runs through March 25.  And don’t forget about the Philadelphia Flower Show which runs March 4-11, 2012.  Hamanassett Bed and Breakfast is a short 30 minute drive into Philadelpia and about 15-20 north of Longwood Gardens so we are the perfect location if you are going to visit both shows.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

I’ve just started compiling this list so it is no where near complete.  We’ll see if I can get to the 101st item by the end of winter.  Point is, the Brandywine Valley has lots to do in the winter months and you won’t have to contend with all the crowds.

Think there is nothing to do in January, February, and March in southeast Pennsylvania?  Well, think again.  Here are just a few of the fun things going on and I’ll add more during the coming weeks.  Want to brave the outdoors?  How about horse back riding on the magnificent Icelandic horses at Viking  Horse Stables in West Chester, Pa.  They offer a variety of year round treks through the country side of Chester County, Pa.  Each guided trek is customized for you and is offered for as few as one person or up to four people at a time.  For more information 610-517-7980 or click here.

1.

Enjoy the bucolic countryside of Chester County on an Icelandic horse at Viking Stables.

2.  If horseback riding isn’t for you, there are plenty of trails nearby for hiking and cross country skiing.  Enjoy going over the hills and through the woods  not to grandmother’s house but past historic buildings in Ridley Creek State Park and Tyler Arboretum which are only a 10 minute drive from Hamanassett Bed and Breakfast.  For more information on Tyler Arboretum click here or call 610-566-9134.  And for more information on Ridley Creek State park click here.

Ridley Creek Park

3.  For a slower pace grab your binoculars and head over to John Heinz Wildlife Refuge at the Tinicum Wildlife Refuge.  The refuge is about a 15-20 minutes from us.  For more info click here.

Bird watching at John Heinz Wildlife Refuge.

You can still enjoy visiting Longwood Gardens.  Even though the outside gardens are resting for the winter there is the spectacular indoor gardens in the conservatory.  Did you know it is 4 1/2 acres under glass and includes 20 indoor gardens and 5500 varieties of plants?  It takes about an hour and a half to stroll through the entire conservatory.  The Orchid Extravaganza begins January 20, 2012 and runs through March 25. For more information

Orchids at Longwood Gardens

5..   February 11-18 – National Curling Championships at IceWorks Skating Complex.  For tickets:  610-497-2200

6.    January and February  Winter bird walks held every Wednesday at Tyler Arboretum 8:15 – 10:15 a.m.  610-566-9134×212.

7  .  March 11 – Brandywine Battlefield Charter Day:  honors charter between King Charles II and William Penn.

8.  Celebrate Chinese New Year – Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year) occurs in the early months of our calendar year, typically January or February and this year falls on January 23rd.  This is the first of 15 days of celebration and the start of the Year of the Dragon.  For more information on things to do click here.

9.  The Hedgerow Theatre
  For more info click here.

Educating Rita by Willy Russell 2/9-3/6

Shirley Valentine by Willie Russell  2/25-3/10

And, of course, we won’t mind if you come just to enjoy relaxing in front of the fireplace and enjoying a good book and good conversation.  We are open all winter and look forward to seeing you.

To all our friends and guests who helped make 2011 such a success, thank you so much.  We enjoyed having you stay with us and will look forward to seeing you and your friends next year.  I’ve uploaded many pictures of Hamanassett decked out for Christmas on our face book page.  Tried to upload pictures here but word press is acting persnickity.  All the attractions with Christmas decorations such as Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, Hagley Museum, and the Brandywine River Museum keeps their decorations in place through the first week of the New Year so you still have time to visit us.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/Hamanassett.  And while you are there would appreciate your “Liking” us.

Hours are 9:30-4:30.  For more information call 302-658-2400 or click here for more information.

Celebrate the Season with the
Chester Heights Historical Society
Sunday, December 11, 2011  1-4  PM
Wine and cheese plus tour of the beautiful
Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast
725 Darlington Road, Media PA 19063   Hamanassett is located just off Route 1, 5 miles south of Media, Pa. and 4 miles north of the itersection of Routes 202 and 1.   See web site for driving directions
www.hamanassett.com
$10.00 donation requested per person
All proceeds benefit the Chester Heights Historical Society

.

www.visitmediapa.com for details and other great events!