Our friends at Treats are introducing a new product….Treatsicles.  While we love their ice cream, gelato and fresh baked cookies, with the warmer months up ahead, sometimes a refreshing ice cold bar made of local seasonal fruits and veggies, might be perfect.  The first round of flavors will be “spring strawberries, rhubarb, citrus and sweet potato,” says owner Peggy Wright.  She plans to always keep espresso, coconut, tea and chocolate in stock and offer a variety of flavors as they become available at the Nevada City Farmers Market.  The Outside Inn’s blog is happy to have a giveaway of two free popsicles, please post a comment on this blog post on what flavors you think they should have and I’ll draw the winner on Monday, April 1st.  Please note that the Treatsicles will be available in … Read More »

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we’ve got some great local ideas and a fabulous giveaway for one lucky individual.  Karin, at The Magickal Florist has offered up one dozen red roses, the Valentine’s Day Classic Bouquet, to one lucky commenter (read terms and conditions below).

What does your sweetie want?  Chocolate covered strawberries from The Chocolate Shoppe?  Neva Co Artisan Boutique has a great range of locally made handmade goodies, perhaps pick up some Sierra Sweets Chunky Toffee,  handmade ”Flying Heart” felted broach or wooden “my valentine” plaque.

Not that one needs Valentine’s Day as an excuse to eat chocolate, but if you were looking for a little help justifying some truffles, stop by The Truffle Shop.  The special heart shaped box of a dozen DeGroot mini truffles is sure to be well received.  If you’re looking … Read More »

Thinking about diving into the blogging world?  Want a few ideas or suggestions?   I’d love to invite you to a talk I’m giving next week at Sierra Commons as part of their Lunch and Learn Series.  The topic is “Growing Your Business Through Blogging” and it’s at the new Sierra Commons location on Searls Street in Nevada City on Tuesday, January 15th from 12:00- 1:15, free, bring your lunch. Come learn some strategies that I’ve used in my blog about Nevada City and that how that helps that drive business to the Outside Inn.  Thanks to Georgette of G Aronow Photography for the photos of me, and here’s a sneak peak on the photos I was taking for Treats.  Who doesn’t need a warm yummy treat on a cold day?  I’ll have one sweet treat … Read More »

Alicia Funk and Karin Kaufman’s book Living Wild, has recently been released with an expanded selection of native plants.  The eco-friendly book showcases gardening, cooking and medicinial uses for native plants throughout the Sierra Nevadas and California.  I asked the Nevada City authors for some of their favorite local plants.

Alicia wrote that her favorite wild plants in Nevada County are, ”Since I love all of our native landscape, it is hard to pick favorites. But these are a few wild plants that I use regularly as part of trying to live a local, habitat-friendly lifestyle.

California Bay: Wonderful as a spice for winter soups and stews, delicious ice cream made by Treats in Nevada City and as a natural, household cleaner. Make your own cleaner by filling a mason jar with fresh or dried bay leaves and then steep overnight. … Read More »

The ultimate Nevada City giveaway… I’ve decided that I’ve had so much fun on the blog this year, that why not end the year by going big.  We live in the an amazing community and I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing a slice of our world, so I wanted to give one big huge thanks to all the folks who I’ve promoted, plugged, photographed and gotten to know over the last year.  My basket started with a few left over goodies from previous giveaways and took on a life of its own…  It’s now turned into the ultimate Nevada City weekend.  I’ve got photos of all the goodies in the baskets below, but here’s a breakdown of what’s included.

One night stay at the Outside Inn
$30 gift certificate to Ike’s Quarter Cafe
$40 gift certificate to South Pine Cafe
$20 … Read More »

Happy National Coffee Day!  How are you going to get your coffee fix today?  I’ve got a few goodies to give away, post your favorite coffee goodie and I’ve got a $5 gift certificate to The Curly Wolf Espresso House, a 10% off coupon to Treats (their coffee ice cream is fabulous) and a special homemade coffee card.  Cheers.  For ideas on other great coffee options in our area:

Fable Traveling Cafe
Carolines Coffee Roasters
Java John’s
Broad Street Bistro
Treats
Cafe Mekka
The Curly Wolf Espresso House

I’ll draw the winner for today’s coffee goodies on Saturday, October 6th.  For our other giveaways this week click here for the Full Circle Press letterpress card and click here for the 1 lbs of garlic from Peaceful Valley Garden and Farm Supply.

Think Local First has teamed up with the Nevada Theatre to bring Nevada City a screening of the film Fixing the Future  A nationwide screening is taking place this month and we’re lucky enough to host the event on Sunday, July 22nd at 7:30pm.  Following the film screening there will be a pre-recorded panel discussion by Bill McKibben, Majora Carter, Mike Brady and David Brancaccio and then a live panel discussion by local western Nevada County businesses and experts.  Heidi Bergman, Think Local’s First board member, stated in her press release, “This is a great opportunity to raise awareness about some ways we can strengthen our economy.  It’s a sharing of ideas and way to get people involved.  It’s down to earth, a real look into a do-it-yourself economy.” The Outside Inn’s blog InnSide Nevada City is excited to share we’ve put together two fun giveaways … Read More »

It’s hot in Nevada City and if you can’t make it the South Yuba River for a dip why not cool down with a smoothie from Treats.  Thirsty Thursday, 50 cents off all drinks.  My recommendation would either be Katie’s Special or the Mango Smoothie.

© 2012 InnSide Nevada City

Today I have two special guests on the InnSide Nevada City blog, Jillena and Marcos Hernandez.  They live in Sacramento and have a blog called Eat Well, Live Free.  I met them earlier this year and when they called to say they wanted to celebrate their anniversary at the Outside Inn I asked if they wanted to share their Nevada City experience.  Below is their post, “We Heart Nevada City.”

Today is our 1 year wedding anniversary!  We spent the weekend relaxing in Nevada City to enjoy the beautiful weather, stunning art, brilliant wines and deeply satisfying locally brewed beers.  And we ate.   And ate.  And ate the most inspiring local and organically grown creations, the darkest chocolate cakes and the most decadent truffles.  We first arrived on Friday evening at the Outside Inn.  This ultra charming local hotel … Read More »

The weather is warming up in Nevada City and it’s a perfect time to visit our friends at Treats.  As you can see below their ice cream doesn’t last long!  Peggy & Bob Wright describe their ice cream as “Homemade artisans ice cream, made with local and organic ingredients, when possible.”  If you’re not in the mood for ice cream try a scoop of gelato, a fresh baked cookie or a latte.  Located at 110 York Street across the street from Ike’s Quarter Cafe.  The Outside Inn is excited to say that we’ve got a special giveaway to our blog readers, 2 lucky winners will receive a free pint of ice cream.  Please post a comment on this post telling us your favorite ice cream flavor and I’ll draw the winner on Monday, May 14th.  And speaking of … Read More »