Are the wisdom teachings relevant to our lives today? Do you believe that the egoistic habits that characterize life in society at present are, in fact, an obstacle to happiness and well-being?
If so, Shadi the innkeeper invites you to her beautiful home in Maine for a weekend of reflection with John Reed, author of ‘Elegant Simplicity. Reflections on an Alternative Way of Being’ (see attachment) to explore whether inner and outer simplicity can give you the fulfillment you seek.
Shadi with the help of her friend, Dominique, from France offer you a unique retreat of warm hospitality, organic cooking, yoga and informal discussions on these issues.
Dates: June 11,12,13, 2010
July: 16, 17,18 2010
August: 8, 2010 – A Day Retreat
September: 10,11,12, 2010
October: 8,9, 10, 2010
November: 11,12,13, 2010
Cost: $1500 per couple
$950 per person
Includes 2 nights stay, 2 dinners, 1 lunches, 2 breakfasts, 1 yoga sessions – A movie and A copy of the book ‘Elegant Simplicity’ by John Reed-
It is cloudy and rainy in Bath, Maine today so I decided to make some baklava at Kismet Inn bed and breakfast.
Please note… all the ingredients are organic and local… not even industrialized organic but local organic.
The eggs are free range, fresh, local, farmers market egg.The ghee which I make myself again from the local, organic butter I get.
The flour is from local Maine co-op.
Ingredients:1/4 cup milk — I used my own homemade yogurt made with raw, organic milk.
1/2 cup ghee — melted
1 tablespoon syrup — sugar, water, rose water
1/4 cup rose water
1 egg
2 1/2 cups flour
Combine the yogurt, ghee, syrup, rose water, and egg in a mixing bowl or dough maker. Add the flour and mix well for 5-10 minutes to form a dough that does not stick to your hands. Divide the dough into 2 balls of equal size and place in a bowl. Cover with a clean towel and let rise for 1/2 hour in room temperature.
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
Kismet Inn bed and breakfast story is one of a kind, a story of great care and attention focused on one of Maine’s finest quiet surprises steeped in a tradition of the Old World and quietude.In September 2003, Shadi and her husband discovered the town of Bath, a jewel in mid-coast Maine, when visiting family members. Having successfully established herself in the working world, Shadi decided to turn her abundant ability of art into hospitality.Her husband purchased the Queen Anne House built in 1886 by the Morse family so she could materialize her vision of setting up a place for arts, culture and spa. Shadi’s plan for Kismet Inn is not simply a bed and breakfast for people to stay the night then be on their way the next morning, but to offer so much more, making their experience extraordinary. Shadi chose a deliberately small setting to enable her to provide the guests the ultimate individual attention and care. The aim is to make sure the guests feel at home in a warm, cozy, tranquil and serene setting. Where guests are reminded of the days when families would entertain each other without the intrusion of television. There are games such as backgammon to play or simply sit around the fire, out on the screen porch or simply pick a book from the library to indulge in the quietude of the inn. The bedding is all natural, food is all organic, just like the old days when no chemical was used to grow the plants and other vegetations, thus our food contained more of its nutritious value and taste, our clothing and beddings felt more natural.Upon arrival you will be invited to remove your shoes, stretch your toes and step into the enchanting atmosphere of the Inn. A cup of Kismet Inn’s aromatic tea and signature home made pastry await you. Each embodies the subtle touch of exotica with which every feature of the Inn is imbued.Indulge yourself in the unique and delightful features of your beautifully appointed bedroom, where your every comfort has been catered for. Each exquisite bed, designed by Shadi and handmade by local craftsman, Mark Donovan, has been fitted with a fabulously comfortable mattress and pillows, beautiful hand made quilts and a down comforter. Each room has been decorated with its own unique color palette and collection of modern and antique handicrafts and artwork, including beautiful Tabriz Persian carpets.All rooms have luxurious ensuite bathrooms featuring heat radiating from exquisite river rock flooring massaging your feet, a shower and a private steam room or deep, custom-made soaking tub. Throughout, every detail has been designed to exude the relaxing warmth and hospitality typical of the Inn’s Old World origins.Bathing is an important ritual at Kismet Inn. Soaking in the tub is the ultimate way to relax. This is what the Japanese do. The tubs are solely for soaking purpose and one must cleanse before stepping into it. The idea is to clean oneself from the daily pollution then soak in warm/hot water to take the fatigue of the day away from the mind, body and soul.Body scrubbing, or exfoliation, is offered to guests. Body scrubbing is a ritual that is performed all over the continent of Asia from Japan and China in the Far East to Turkey in the West. It is excellent for blood circulation and many women swear that it keeps cellulites away if done on a regular basis. Guests will be served with a tea of their choice after bathing. They can also ask for a full body massage.The tea is made in special way using a samovar. Samovars originate from Russia. When Russian merchants traveled to China, they would stop on the way to rest and brew their tea over a fire. They eventually came up with the idea of a samovar. The original samovars had a funnel in the center where coal was placed, generating heat to boil the water. After the water boiled it was poured into the teapot, which was then placed on top of the samovar. The tea, fragrant and strong, could be diluted with hot water from the samovar according to the individual’s taste. This method has been used for centuries all over the Middle East, Russia and Turkey where people drink tea frequently throughout the day. Here at Kismet Inn the tea will be specially brewed over a samovar to bring out the real essence of the tea.Kismet Inn is situated in the park, facing the “Spirit of the Sea” statue by Zorac. The library, tearoom and two of the bedrooms have a wonderful view of the park. The Inn is also one block from the downtown Bath area. Bath downtown has kept its old charm; cobble stone streets, antique stores, book stores, a magnificent Kitchen Utensils store, the world renowned Halcyon Yarn and other wonderful stores devoted to quilting, and pottery. Bath downtown also has many excellent restaurants and the “Chocolate Church Arts Center” where local artists perform and exhibit their work. Local musicians perform in the park every weekend during summer and when the weather allows throughout the rest of the year.Shadi’s philosophy is not to follow any form of trend whether it be a diet or exercise. She makes an array of international dishes, mixing and matching the best of everything. Guests can enjoy a weekend/week of simple relaxation by staying home, reading and walking through an old New England town. They can choose to stay in one of the rooms with a steam shower or one with a Japanese-style soaking tub/Turkish Hamam. They can wake up to a healthy, wholesome breakfast, stay at home and enjoy reading in the library, take a walk in town or the surrounding area. There are local beaches, such as Popham beach, or the Reid State National Park. An exquisite afternoon tea is offered and daily yoga sessions can be arranged. In the evening, guests can soak in a warm tub to wash away their fatigue or take a steam shower to relax the muscles. The Inn is central air-conditioned and finally, guests can participate in classes that will be supervised by professional, renowned, local artisans. And there is Wi-Fi in most areas of the house should you have your laptop.We look forward to your next visit.
Monday, April 26th, 2010
Who can deny that underlying all our strivings in life lies the search for happiness. No notion is more universally shared and accepted than this. What would be the point of being successful (rich,powerful and admired) if it wasn’t the belief that these things will bring happiness. In fact, the undoubted conviction that this is so has fashioned the world we live in. Self-interest would be a meaningless concept if it wasn’t understood as being at the service of our ultimate well-being. – The central issue of our lives, therefore, the most important question anyone has to ask themselves is whether their actual experience of life bears this out.
Take, for example, your successes, your fulfilled goals and ambitions – if these victories, at times, have seemed unaccountably hollow, the expected satisfaction short-lived, it is almost certain that life has offered you moments of pleasure,contentment,excitement and elation but NOT happiness. The reason is simple. You don’t have to do anything to be happy, it is uncaused. The thing we most want out of life does not have to be achieved,it is an expression of the fundamental nature of ‘Being’ itself. Why then do we not experience it as such? The total identification with ego, perceived as the essential means to human fulfillment, natural as breathing to most of us, prevents this from happening. The greatest paradox of life is that we can send a man to the moon and invent the internet but we are in the Stone Age when it comes to the science of happiness (to understanding ‘Being’). – Written by John Reed.
The ‘Elegant Simplicity’ retreat being held at the Kismet Inn Bed and Breakfast is an invitation to explore these vital issues.
Dates: June 12,13, 2010
July: 17,18 2010
August: 8, 2010 – A Day Retreat
September: 11,12, 2010
October: 9, 10, 2010
November: 12,13, 2010
Cost: $995 per couple
$850 per person
Includes 2 nights stay, 2 dinners, 2 lunches, 2 breakfasts, 1 yoga session. A movie and A copy of the book ‘Elegant Simplicity’ by John Reed- The book will be sent to you to read in advance.
Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
Kismet Inn Bed and Breakfast is holding a one of a kind retreat:
‘Elegant Simplicity Retreat”
Are the wisdom teachings relevant to our lives today? Do you believe that the egoistic habits that characterize life in society at present are, in fact, an obstacle to happiness and well-being?
If so, Shadi the innkeeper invites you to her beautiful home in Maine for a weekend of reflection with John Reed, author of ‘Elegant Simplicity. Reflections on an Alternative Way of Being’ (see attachment) to explore whether inner and outer simplicity can give you the fulfillment you seek.
Shadi with the help of her friend, Dominique, from France offer you a unique retreat of warm hospitality, organic cooking, yoga and informal discussions on these issues.
Dates: June 11,12,13, 2010
July: 16, 17,18 2010
August: 8, 2010 – A Day Retreat
September: 10,11,12, 2010
October: 8,9, 10, 2010
November: 11,12,13, 2010
Cost: $1500 per couple
$950 per person
Includes 3 nights stay, 3 dinners, 3 lunches, 3 breakfasts, 2 yoga sessions – weather permitting one yoga session will be on the beach. A movie and A copy of the book ‘Elegant Simplicity’ by John Reed-