Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast

Strawberry Fest – June 18th, 2023

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:37:00 GMT

Strawberry Fest is a family festival that features an art/craft fair with more than 100 vendors from across the midwest. Come celebrate the beginning of summer with us!

U.S. Senior Open – June 29th – July 3rd, 2023

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:36:00 GMT

For the first time, the 43rd Annual U.S. Senior Open Championship will be held in Central Wisconsin at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point. We would be honored to host you during the match!

COVID-19 Policies & Procedures

Wed, 19 May 2021 18:23:00 GMT

The Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast is a small 5-room inn, on 7+ acres and river frontage, located in naturally beautiful and tranquil Waupaca, WI. As reflected in our reviews, we are very proud of our reputation of serving our guests with the highest quality and service since 2006. Cleanliness, hospitality, and attention to detail has always been our commitment to you. We will use all safety and cleanliness in compliance with guidelines established by the CDC as we continue to navigate through this Pandemic. Not just in this unprecedented time, but always, we will work hard to ensure your wellness and peace-of-mind for our guests.

On May 13, 2021, the CDC announced new public health recommendations on masks. Anyone fully vaccinated, no longer have to wear a face mask or stay 6 ft. apart. With vaccine distribution increasing, we are happy that travel is resuming as is a sense of normalcy. The CDC is recommending mask use and social distancing for those still not vaccinated.

Cleanliness

We will use cleaning products and processes recommended to address the COVID-19 virus by the CDC.

1. We have completed a thorough deep cleaning of all our rooms and common areas.
2. We will temporarily remove all decorative throw pillows from the guest rooms.
3. Since not all guests use our robes, and we would remove them from the room to wash whether they were used or not, we will temporarily remove all robes from the rooms. However, upon check-in, you can request them.
4. We will leave your room undisturbed, but please ask us if you require anything such as clean towels or other.
5. We will wash all linen and towels after check-out.
6. As always we will clean and disinfect guestrooms and attached private bathrooms, including, but not limited to, light switches, doorknobs, remotes, clocks, and hard surfaces. In the hallways and common areas, we’ll continue to disinfect hard surfaces, handrails, light switches and doorknobs.
7. We have hand sanitizer on the entry hall desk, prior to the staircase. We ask that you use it immediately upon arrival. Hand sanitizers are also located throughout the inn for your convenience and use.

Self Check-In & Self Check-Out Procedures

1. For guests who would prefer to continue with social-distancing, and would feel more comfortable with self-check-in and self-check-out, we do offer this as an option. Just let us know and we can provide you our simple keyless lock entry code prior to your arrival and some basic information. We will then have a welcome/informational letter and a key to your room, awaiting you in your guest suite. Please let us know your preferences prior to arrival.

Social Distancing

1. You will still receive the service you have come to expect with us, as we will be available by phone, text, or email if we can be of assistance or if you have any questions about the inn, room, or our area. So for guests who would prefer limited interaction, we offer these options for your safety and privacy.
2. For those guests wanting to continue social distancing, note that we have plenty of space to spread out with several common areas to enjoy, including our quaint covered porch, and over 7 acres and river frontage.

Breakfast

1. You have a breakfast choice:
a) We will continue to offer our full-plated breakfast in our beautiful dining room. If you prefer social distancing, let us know, and we can do our best to stagger breakfast times, with fewer guests at the table at one time and distanced.
b) As always, weather dependent, you can have breakfast outdoors on our quaint covered porch or on our patio
c) You can have a grab & go continental for those on the move.
d) We can deliver your breakfast to your room, which is complimentary and for our suite rooms only.

2. When preparing breakfast, we will keep safety foremost and continual sanitation of work areas, as always.

Lastly, we so look forward to your stay. However, because the health and safety of our guests, and innkeepers, remains of utmost importance, we ask all guests who are exhibiting signs of illness or could be ill due to exposure to the virus within the past two weeks, stay home and recover under the guidance and care of a doctor.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Now Offering Intimate Exclusive Catered Dinner in Our Beautiful Dining Room

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 18:18:00 GMT

When you arrive and check-in at the Apple Tree Lane B&B, you just might not want to leave. At least, not until the next day. Whether it is because you have had a long drive or just a long week, the idea of just staying and having a private dinner after arrival in our exquisite dining room (or cafe tables and chairs in our Suite rooms) may sound just about perfect. Although restaurants in the Waupaca area are varied and plentiful, we are pleased to offer you the option of wonderful catered dinner options for guests staying at the Apple Tree Lane B&B. The COVID-19 pandemic, has also challenged us to social distance and avoid crowds, making this offering timely.

Gourmet chef, Salvatore Friedel, Green Fountain Inn/Secret Garden Cafe Waupaca, has developed a choice menu for us that will certainly please the palate. We have three entree options for you to choose and two choices from our lighter menu items.

Entrees: (All entrees include bread, butter, salad, and chef choice sides):

Garlic Roasted 1/2 Chicken, Crispy Skin, Melted Cabbage & Pan Jus.

Cast Iron Grilled Boneless Pork Chop with Apple Slaw

Maryland Style Crab Caked, Cooked in Brown Butter with Panko Breading and Dijonnaise Sauce

Lighter Menu Items: (Served a la carte)

Buddha Bowl of Crisp Vegetables and Fruit, Mixed Greens, Quinoa, Sunflower Seeds and Honey Vinaigrette

Cranberry Chicken Salad with Chilled Celery, Dried Cranberries and a Mixed Greens Salad with House Vinaigrette

We will also offer pick-up/delivery service and plating/serving for your enjoyment and convenience for a slight fee.

Getting hungry?!

Breakfast Recipe of Bountiful Vegetable Pie

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 19:53:00 GMT

We always hope when you eat breakfast at the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, Waupaca, WI, that it is both delicious and different. We try to serve breakfast recipes that you don’t often make at home. Delicious and different does not necessarily equate to difficult or time-consuming either.

This Bountiful Vegetable Pie is one of those wonderful recipes that is tasty and has a beautiful presentation. Because of all the many vegetables that make up this recipe, and the chopping required, you do need to allow adequate prep time. Although I make this dish year-around, you can imagine how good vegies right out of your garden are in this recipe.

You can vary the ingredients based on both what your vegetable preference are, but also what type of bread you like. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 10″ spring form pan.

Ingredients:

1 lg red onion, thinly sliced

4 medium yellow squash and 2 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch slices

1 red, yellow, and green bell peppers, cut into 1/4 inch strips

8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

6 eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoons salt & freshly ground pepper

10 oz. Swiss Cheese, shredded

8 oz. cream cheese, cubed

2 cups dry French bread, cubes

Scallions, chopped, to taste

How To :

Saute’ the onion, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and garlic in the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes, until vegies are tender-crisp. Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, salt and pepper in a bowl until blended. Stir in the Swiss cheese, cream cheese and bread cubes,.

Add the sauteed vegies to the egg mixture and mix well. Spoon the egg mixture into the spring form pan, packing it tightly. Place the spring form pan on a baking sheet, lined with tin foil. Bake 1 hour or until firm to the touch, puffed, and golden brown. Cover with foil if necessary to prevent over browning. Sprinkle with scallions and cut into wedges. Serve hot, at room temperature or chilled.

Bon Appetit!!

Decadent Cinnamon French Toast Souffle’

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 19:54:00 GMT

This decadent Cinnamon French Toast Souffle’ is both delicious and really quite easy. I remember when I first opened the Apple Tree Lane Bed & Breakfast, Waupaca, WI, 12 years ago, and heard the word “souffle”, I automatically thought “difficult”. But this keeper of a French Toast recipe, is truly easy, and is made in a 13×9 inch pan, making it perfect for a larger group, brunch, or that special breakfast gathering. It will be sure to wow!

Interestingly enough, I found an adaptation of this recipe, years ago, stuck it in my recipe book binder, and never made it. It must have been that word, “souffle”!?

The reason it was finally tried was for two reasons. One, we have a delightful group that have come to stay at the B&B for the weekend for several years now. I try to make different recipes, so guests get the culinary variety! So I was in search of a new recipe I know I have not tried and served. Two, when grocery shopping, I came across “Monkey Bread” ~ a breakfast style bread made with cinnamon and raisins. It looked and smelled yummy, so I picked up two loaves and knew I would do some type of French Toast with it. I of course have heard of Monkey Bread, I am not sure I ever bought it.

You can use whatever bread you want for this recipe, such as a loaf of Raisin Bread or other good specialty bread. However, I would encourage you to try the Monkey Bread. And, oh, there was one piece of bread left, when I put the souffle in the oven, so I just toasted it and ate it with a hot cup of French-pressed coffee in my kitchen, while preparing the remainder of the meal. Yes, I did taste test the souffle too – a must for the Innkeeper prior to serving guests!

Here is the recipe…Enjoy!!

Decadent French Toast Souffle

Ingredients:

1-1 1/2 loaves (depending on size of the loaf) of Monkey Bread (or specialty breakfast bread of choice) -cubed

12 oz. cream cheese, softened

6 oz. butter

3/4 cup real maple syrup, divided

10 eggs

3 cups 1/2 & 1/2

cinnamon & sugar

How To:

Place bread cubes in a well greased (butter) 13×9 inch baking pan

Mix cream cheese, butter, and 1/4 cup of the real maple syrup. Spread cream cheese mixture over top of bread.

Beat eggs, 1/2 & 1/2, and 1/2 cup of the real maple syrup. Pour mixture over the bread, cover, and refrigerate over night.

Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon on top before baking. Bake in pre-heated, 350 degree oven, for 60-70 minutes. It puffs up and looks so pretty coming out of the oven, but note, it will “fall” upon cooling. All good though!

Dust with powdered sugar before serving!

Bon Appetit!!

The Best Bars In Waupaca For Summer

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 19:55:00 GMT

There is something special about summer in Waupaca and the water has a lot to do with it. So it should come as no surprise that our top picks for the best bars in Waupaca in the summer are places on or near the lakes. Waupaca is home to 22 spring-fed Chain ‘o Lakes, and numerous other pristine lakes and rivers. When it is sunny and warm, and a cool beverage and good food is needed after some recreation, make sure you check out some of our faves.

Situated right on Taylor Lake, one of the 22 Chain ‘o Lakes in Waupaca, is ClearWater Harbor . Although offering both indoor and outdoor seating, nothing beats the outdoor bar and restaurant, under the umbrella tables or on the covered deck. Although famous for their “shroom” burgers and “shroom” birds with sour cream and chive fries, the salads and mahi mahi sandwich are very good. Get your favorite beverage in a plastic cup and walk out on the docks. Waitress service is also provided dockside, as boats pull up while cruising on the Chain. Save room for an ice cream at “Moo’s”.

Check out ClearWater Harbor’s band schedule too. Our favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, is to go to their floating stage to hear some good area bands playing from approximately 3-7pm. Sitting on the pier and dangling your feet in the water, or better yet, hopping into the knee deep water and dancing and splashing is summer fun at its best.

We would be remiss if we didn’t tell you to take a boat cruise on an authentic sternwheeler, for a narrated 1 1/2 hour ride around the Chain. The Lady-of-the-Lakes, also launches from ClearWater Harbor, and is able to take you to a few more lakes due to the boats lower profile. It is the perfect way to get an overview of the Chain. You may even want to rent a pontoon the next day and do your own exploring.

The Indian Crossing Casino is really not a casino at all, but a waterfront bar, restaurant, and most assuredly a music venue. Opening its doors in 1945, this historic entertainment venue, has hosted the likes of the Beach Boys, Herman’s Hermits and the Everly Brothers to name just a few. Under new ownership, this acoustically superior venue, has now brought back a nice line-up of musicians, where last year, we personally enjoyed The BoDeans. Located right on beautiful Columbia Lake on the Chain, the food and beverages can be enjoyed with an open water view. Yes, boats can pull right up and dock and a large grassy area with picnic tables makes for a nice addition.

Next to the Indian Crossing Casino is “Dings Dock” where the famous Crystal River Canoe Trips begin. Walk on over and plan some fun for the next day.

A short walk from there, you can find another favorite, The Wheelhouse Restaurant , all freshly prepared food. A favorite is the pizza and if you love a good pastrami sandwich, this is generous and lean. Both indoor and outdoor dining/bar is offered here too with views of the Chain across the street. Every other Saturday in the summer, a “Grillin” and music event is offered at noon. I just biked there last week, where the owners of the Wheelhouse and crew were busy grilling the Steak Fry (absolutely delicious) and the band was performing on the outdoor stage, to all of our delight. Across the parking lot from The Wheelhouse is Scoopers ice cream, a must! The portions are huge so be aware before you order a double scoop.

Waupaca is home to many good and casual restaurants/bars but to many to mention in this one blog. So stay-tuned for a second installment!

Cheers to a refreshing and delicious Waupaca summer!

Bird Watching, Birding in Waupaca, Wisconsin

Mon, 28 May 2018 19:57:00 GMT

We recently had some guests at our Apple Tree Lane B&B who came for the bird watching. Now, I absolutely love nature, but I can’t say I was an official bird watcher or birder. Yes, I learned from these guests that there is a difference, if you wanted to get technical. Bird watchers look at birds; birders look for them.

So to continue the story, they had their binoculars and camera in hand and excitedly headed out to roam our 7.5 acres and 400 ft. of Crystal River frontage, set among a historic apple orchard. I did tell them about our eagles nest down by the river, perched high up in an evergreen tree, across one of our two ponds. I told them right where to look, as the size was so big, you couldn’t miss it, if you knew where to spot it. The last time I was down there, the timing was such that I was able to see the eagle fly out of the nest, and right over my head. Quite a sight!

I also told them that they didn’t want to miss the geese that had built a nest close to the pond. The mother goose was guarding the 3 eggs that I saw and the father wasn’t far away. I could see they were close to hatching. A family in the making—nature at its best!

My last tip was to make sure they go out on our covered porch, as the robins and wrens had built nests in our grapevines and also couldn’t resist building in our hanging ferns. Really, all the bird houses and zillion trees weren’t what you wanted for your house??!! Ok then, home sweet home it is! I will just carefully water those plants! I have taken the time to watch them build the nests, protect their eggs, and then fly with the worms for feedings after the eggs have hatched. I had even watched the baby robins fly out of the nest for the first time and hop along the ground. I remember hoping the mother would not be far away to help…when would they fly?!

Across from the covered porch is a white fenced garden with lots of perennials, bird bath, bird houses and feeder. I knew the hummingbirds quite well in this garden, and could watch their graceful motions for a long time!

Wait a minute…I do like birds but how do I make the leap to become a birder!? Your life is better with birds in it, they say! For all the beginners like me, it is a simple 3-step process:

1) Get excited and read up! Our guests told us their recommendation of “Pederson’s Bird Guide Book”. This field guide shows you the kind of birds, where they live, what seasons… Don’t worry now about how to identify, just what’s out there.

2) Gear up! Buy a pair of binoculars, a nice camera, and a spotting scope

3) Get out there! Look, listen, learn. Be amazed at the wonder of nature..

Back to our birding guests. In just a few short hours, they returned to the Inn, with the following list of the birds they saw:

Candada Goose, Wood Duck, House Wren, American Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Rufous-Sided Towhee, Chickadee, Starling, Yellow Warbler, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Hummingbird, Morning Dove, Eagle, Red Winged Black Woodpecker, and Black Warbler.

With their confirmation that our land alone was terrific for birding coupled with their enthusiasm, I am now a bird watcher—officially!

Gotta go, I have birds to find!

Hummingbird Cake Recipe

Sat, 28 Apr 2018 19:59:00 GMT

Even innkeepers have to indulge every once in a while, you must try this recipe if you want to too!

Hummingbird Cake

Ingredients:

Directions:

Pecan Cream Cheese Frosting: