Posted by Abby Rose on Wed, Dec 22, 2010 @ 08:04 AM
We took advantage of a free 3-day weekend to visit this great little B&B. The word has obviously gotten out on this place, since there was a full house even on the first weekend in December. The nearby restaurants were top notch - far beond what you'd expect to find in a quaint town. There's not a heck of a lot to do in Oxford itself, but the B&B is 20 minutes from St. Michaels and a bit less to Easton, so if you're looking for something to do, no problem. I'm not typically a B&B type of person, but I'd highly recommend giving this one a try!
Posted by Abby Rose on Thu, Dec 09, 2010 @ 06:40 AM
article courtesy of: http://www.tourtalbot.org/
Beloved traditions and abundant good cheer make this a most magical time of the year
On the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, close to several major cities yet a world apart, visitors will find a very special place … Talbot County, Maryland. Steeped in history, blessed with natural beauty year-round, and dedicated to cultivating both its cultural sophistication and its small-town pleasures, it may be the best-kept travel secret in America.
Talbot County has long been known for its splendid recreational opportunities, of course, but recent years have upped the ante: first-rate dining options abound; the shopping is everything a fashionista (and her family) could ask for; the arts are nurtured with dedication and zeal – and holiday festivities evoke the spirit of the season in classic American style.
One might expect that such a vibrant community would know how to mark a festive occasion, and indeed, nowhere celebrates the holidays more joyously than Talbot County. During the late fall and winter, the county’s shops and inns, streets and houses of worship, restaurants and residences, and even harbors and boats are a-twinkle with adornments and alive with activities to please all comers.
A centerpiece of the holiday revelry: the Preview Gala held on Friday evening to usher in the Annual Festival of Trees. Organized by The Friends of Hospice (Talbot Hospice Foundation) to benefit its important work, the festival is a multi-faceted event. At the heart of it all are the trees, of course, magically decorated by volunteers ranging from individuals, to businesses, to community organizations. Supporters are asked to design their trees with a common theme in mind; as 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the Foundation, their interpretations are certain to be particularly special.
The holiday trees are displayed in the Gold Room at Easton’s Tidewater Inn, the backdrop for the grand Preview Gala on Friday evening. The centerpiece is the Hospice’s own tree: fifteen feet tall, its branches are graced with white doves memorializing each Hospice patient who passed on during the year. On Saturday, the public is invited to view the trees while enjoying continuous live entertainment, lasting through Tuesday evening. There are also tours on Saturday and Sunday tour of four resplendently decorated holiday homes, each with its own Hospice tree and much, much more. (One recent year, ten tractor-trailer trucks were required to deliver the greenery for the adornment of a single home!) There is also a 5K/10K walk/run co-sponsored with the YMCA, as well as the “Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag Auction” featuring handbags donated by the rich, powerful, or simply famous. The holiday gift shop, also hosted at the Tidewater Inn, is open every day of the festival. The freshly-baked cookies on offer are not to be missed.
For those whose gift shopping isn’t quite squared away, Midnight Madness in St. Michaels, held the first Saturday in December, is the perfect solution. Shops, boutiques, and galleries stay open until midnight; wine and snacks keep fashionistas on their feet; and drawings and prizes reward the weary. Scrooges have no fear – just watching the thousands of spirited revelers thronging the magnificently decorated historic streets will while away the time … and soaking up the spirit of the season doesn’t cost a penny!
Also on the first Saturday in December, Easton hosts the “Old Tyme Holiday Parade,” featuring marchers decked out in Dickens-themed costumes. But that’s not all -- the Avalon Theater will screen “A Christmas Carol”, holiday trees will be lit around town, and carriage rides will be offered, stepping off from the Tidewater Inn.
Commencing on the second weekend in December visitors will enjoy “Christmas in St. Michaels”, another premier holiday celebration benefitting local charities. Events include a Holiday Gala black tie gathering hosted at Harbourtowne Golf Resort & Conference Center, as well as a classic small-town holiday parade featuring Santa and Mrs. Clause. Santa is rather busy that weekend, as he also hosts a breakfast for tots aged three to eight and creates a North Pole wonderland at a local school. There’s also a Christmas Marketplace and Marketplace Kitchen at the Granite Lodge on St. Michaels’ historic St. Mary’s Square; an old-fashioned Eastern Shore Christmas Dinner; a tour of beautifully decorated 18th and 19th century homes; and musical performances that celebrate the true spirit of the season.
The Gingerbread House Competition & Display at the Woman’s House on St. Mary’s Square memorably combines creativity, competition, and commerce: viewers can learn how to make their own gingerbread creations, peruse the professionals’ offerings, vote on the best rendition, and then purchase their favorites! For those who pack light, the official collectible “Christmas in St. Michaels” ornament is always a favorite memento.
Not to be forgotten, a number of holiday-minded Oxford residents welcome one and all to town with a display of elegantly lighted Christmas trees along the waterfront, while Tilghman Island Inn hosts a thoughtfully curated holiday art show.
Easily accessible, yet a world apart, offering recreation, dining, shopping, culture, and holiday fun in welcoming and historic settings … Talbot County is a very special place indeed – all year ‘round.
Talbot County, Maryland: home away from home for the holidays!
Posted by Abby Rose on Mon, Nov 22, 2010 @ 08:27 AM
Have you ever dreamed of running away for the holidays, to a historic Inn at the end of a tree lined country lane? Perhaps you have too much family coming to your own holiday celebration, and not enough room to accommodate them in your own home? Combsberry has the option for you! During the months of November through January you may rent one of our homes at an excellent price. Each home is fully furnished and stocked with all the amenities necessary to ensure that you and your guests will have a charming, relaxing holiday season. You will have full access to our grounds, and we encourage you to make yourself at home.
The Main 1730 Manor House rents for $700 a night. This home has a huge kitchen, a formal dining room and kitchen, a library stocked with books and games. Guest rooms vary and include a king size bed, two queens and a combination of fireplaces and tubs. Fireplaces are scattered throughout the house, the entire house sits upon a private cove and a sprawling thirty five acre lot. A two night minimum stay is required.
Our Carriage House rents for $400 a night. This home has an open floor plan to include a kitchen, dining room and living room with gas fireplace. Two bedrooms are included with king sized beds, gas fireplaces, and Jacuzzi tubs/showers. The home has a large front porch, a private driveway and an excellent view of the water. A two night minimum stay is required.
The Oxford Cottage rents for $250 a night. It includes a kitchenette, a spacious bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub and shower, a living room with a wood burning fireplace. Upstairs, is the bedroom with a queen sized bed and the closest water views on the property. This house is pet friendly and has its own enclosed patio. A two night stay is required.
If you are interested in running away for the holidays, call or email today! We can be reached at 410-226-5353 or by visiting our website at www.combsberryinn.com.
Posted by Abby Rose on Tue, Oct 19, 2010 @ 07:28 PM
Today, I was emailed this very kind review from a former guest via Tripadvisor.com. Sadly, I cannot recall who they may have been yet I am thrilled to read that they loved their stay at The Combsberry Inn. We strive to ensure that every one of our guests is treated like family, and that they enjoy their stay as much as this couple. We hope that you will come visit us soon.
"My husband and I stayed at Combsberry in August of 2010. We had been in correspondence with the Innkeeper, Abby, for weeks prior to our arrival. She was so pleasant on the phone and via our email correspondence, that we were not surprised that she was just as lovely in person. We stayed in the Oxford Cottage, a free standing house on the property. The Cottage is gorgeous - with a wood fireplace, kitchen, jacuzzi, queen size bed and the most amazing view around. The shelves of the cottage are stocked with various books, games and Abby left us some fresh baked cookies in our kitchen. My husband and I only left the property in the evenings for dinner in Oxford. Otherwise, we were content exploring the houses and grounds, crabbing on the dock, watching the ospreys nest, playing with the resident Cocker Spaniels or reading in the hammock by the water. Breakfast was served in the Main Manor House, built in 1730!!! The house has original hardwood floors, fireplaces, etc. It is absolutely stunning and for history buffs such as us - we couldn't get enough of it. Now, not only is Abby a complete charmer but the girl can cook! She whips everything up from scratch and does so with a shrug of the shoulder. Our first morning she treated us to Sweet Potato Biscuits and Gravy, Locally Grown Berry Smoothies and Cinnamon Steusel Muffins. Day two - Cranberry Rhubarb Crisp with Honey Cinnamon Frozen Yogurt, Brown Sugar Bacon Twirls and Fruit Salad with Lime Ginger Dressing. Even though my husband and I have been married for 30 years, this felt like a second honeymoon for us and we often talk about the weekend there with much nostalgia. Everything that could have been offered to us, was, and Combsberry exceeded our wildest dreams. We will return soon, and we are hoping Abby will still be there to make us laugh with her various tales of life as a newcomer to the glorious Eastern Shore." Read for yourself, here...
Posted by Abby Rose on Thu, Oct 14, 2010 @ 12:28 PM
This summer, the Combsberry Inn was blessed with plenty of sunny days and luckily they just so happened to fall on each of our glorious wedding days. While each of our Eastern Shore weddings were different, and all equally lovely, Alex and Sindys was the most unique. Sindys family is Hindu, and when the young New York couple blended their two lives together, their beautiful Maryland wedding day incorporated each of their own customs and cultures.
The morning of their wedding was filled with the usual pots of coffee, hair and make up primping, and hustle and bustle. On top of all this, there was a heightened air of excitement, as we all anxiously awaited the arrival of the "white horse". In keeping with Hindu custom, Alex was to ride in to the first ceremony on a white horse followed by a parade of his friends and family. The horse was not just any horse, he was "THE" Hi Hi Silver, yes - of Lone Ranger fame.
The Hindu ceremony was lovely... A gorgeous ceremony on our lawn amongst a sea of saris, with sailboats floating in the cove behind the couple. The ceremony was followed by a Hindu Tea on our grounds - filled with curries and naan, and bright colors of fuschia and orange. Afterwards, the wedding party changed clothes and headed to the City of Oxford for a traditional American church wedding. This was followed by a delectable meal by Gourmet by the Bay, and dancing under a tent on our grounds. It was a long day, a day filled with love and laughter, and a magical one at that!
Below, take a sneak peek at photos of Sindy and Alex big day. Congrats again you two!
Posted by Abby Rose on Wed, Sep 29, 2010 @ 07:48 PM
The Oxford Business Association will be auctioning off the 18 beautiful picket fences painted by local artists! There will be live music, appetizers, drinks, and plenty of bidding! The event is free to the public.
The picket fence which raises the most money - that artist's favority charity will be receiving half of the profits!
For more information - visit www.portofoxford.com
Can't attend - but want to buy one of the fences (perhaps Combsberrys own fence - the "Abby Rose") - visit the website to print out and send in a Silent Auction Bid Proxy Sheet - we will supply a silent bidder for you that night!
Posted by Abby Rose on Tue, Sep 28, 2010 @ 07:47 AM
Waterfowl Festival is soon approaching the Eastern shore. Three days full of paying homage to the annual migrating Canada geese, and many other species of waterfowl, flying overhead. Easton closes colonial streets, decorates historic buildings with natural greens, and recruits 1,500 volunteers to greet 13,000 visitors and 300 of the nation's finest wildlife artists, craftsmen and vendors with a ready smile and a helping hand.
Excitement radiates throughout the town and neighboring St. Michaels, Oxford and Tilghman Island. Enjoy the 39th annual Festival, the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, fine restaurants, and quaint shops lining historic streets of Easton. Afterwards, please come to see what The Combsberry Inn has to offer.
We are located between the towns of Oxford and Easton, and sit on the finest 35 acres of waterfront property on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life, and enjoy a glass of wine and a wood burning fireplace at our relaxing retreat. Book today by calling 410-226-5353.