Welcome to the Harrison House Suites Blog!

Feel free to share your impressions of your stay with us and your time on the Islands - your favorite hike, best dining experience (you can even mention your favorite breakfast or cookie), and most memorable moment. We will do our best to keep you apprised of not-to-miss events on the Islands and news from the Inn. Stay tuned and we are looking forward to your thoughts...

Accommodations in Friday Harbor, the Tucker House Inn

New Chef at the Inns

Meet Molly. Or maybe you already have. If you haven’t, you’re missing out because Molly is cooking up some fabulous breakfasts! Molly Prima joined us at the end of August, jumping right into the heat of a busy commercial kitchen on Labor Day weekend. Undaunted from her “christening by fire,” Molly has been introducing our [...]

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Makes 12-14 Servings This seasonal make-ahead treat is equally at home at the most elegant holiday dessert table or as comfort food after family meals. It’s tall and fluffy; topped with a dollop of fresh cream, it’s luscious, and pairs well with a rich cup of freshly-brewed coffee. For the Crust: (This will cover [...]

Stone Fruit Tart

Makes 12 Servings Throughout the summer and fall we get get luscious apricots, peaches, nectarines and plums from our Eastern Washington farmers. This tart can be made with any stone fruit you’d like; just make sure it’s ripe. Taking the time to arrange the fruit in a decorative pattern adds to the visually beautiful dessert. [...]

San Juan Island Scenic Byways

Washington State is filled with incredible beauty and diversity, the best of which is featured in premier driving tours designated as Scenic Byways. The spectacular San Juan Islands Scenic Byway is Washington’s newest byway, and is unique as the only state byway that includes a marine highway. The Islands overflow with natural beauty, history and [...]

Don’t Feed Mona!

Poor Mona, we’re loving her too much! She is suffering from some SERIOUS camel conditions, and we don’t have an exotic animal veterinarian on the island who can really dial in the prescriptive remedy. For now, her doctor is recommending that she stay [...]

Rocks From South Beach Collected by Greg & Rachel White

South Beach Beauties

Our guests, Greg & Rachel W., from Edmonds WA, collected these rocks on South Beach while visiting. Aren’t they beautiful?!?

Strawberry Shortcake

Makes 8 Servings 2 cups All purpose flour 3 Tbsp sugar 1 Tbsp baking powder ½ tsp finely ground sea salt 8 Tbsp European style unsalted butter 1 large egg ½ cup whipping cream 2 Tbsp rice flour for rolling shortcakes Glaze: 1 large egg white 2 Tbsp raw sugar Berries: [...]

Anna Maria Demonstrates Lavender Spiked Cuisine

Island Events – Summer 2012

Islanders pull out all the stops in summer, with events packed throughout the season, many of them free. Here are some of our favorites, and while you’re visiting, please remember that June 5 is World Environment Day and June 8 is World Oceans Day, and honor this great earth we call home. SJ Garden [...]

Guests Appreciate Generosity

Thank you so much for mailing the items I left behind after my recent stay. They arrived in perfect condition a few days ago. Sorry it took me so long to let you know. I appreciate your generosity in covering the postage. Hope to have the opportunity to stay in your beautiful Inn again. Sincerely, [...]

Harrison House Suites Thinks Spring

Everything’s coming up roses! Perhaps we have the wrong lyrics. Well at the Harrison House we are now enjoying tulips. They abound in all different kinds around the Inns.

Lighthouses and More Featured in National Historic Preservation Month

May is the month when the entire nation celebrates history, architecture, and culture of the past. Communities share significant historic sites and buildings that tell the stories of the past, and celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our country’s cities and towns. We are fortunate that Friday Harbor was one of the few towns [...]

Meet the Innkeeper

If our innkeeper greets you with a smudge of dirt on her nose or mud on her boots, you’ll have the pleasure of meeting Virginia Dean, the newest addition to our team. Being a former landscaper, Virginia saw so much potential in our winterized gardens, she couldn’t wait to get cracking at them. In fact, [...]

Italian Grain Pie

Makes 8 Servings Filling: ½ cup Wheat berries 5 Large eggs ½ cup Sugar 1 tsp Vanilla 1½ lbs Ricotta 1 Large egg white 1 tsp grated orange zest or orange flower water Crust: 1 cup Flour ¼ cup Sugar ½ tsp Baking powder Pinch Finely ground sea salt 1/8 lb Unsalted European style [...]

Lizzie Lawson

With 17 rooms, suites and cottages in historic wooden buildings, we have to pick and choose which accommodations will get a “face lift” each winter. This year it’s our rugged little Log Cabin. By the time we’re finished, it will be wearing a new roof, walls, shower, wainscoting, paint, and a new name, Lizzie’s Cottage. [...]

Tuscan Bean Soup

Makes 8 as a Starter, 6 as an Entree 1½ cup dried borlotti, cranberry, red kidney, pinto or white beans (or any combination of beans) 3 quarts cold water 3 large Idaho baking Potatoes, peeled, cut into ½” dice 2 springs fresh rosemary 2 fresh or dried bay leaves 1½ tsp peperoncino (crushed red [...]

Island News – February and March 2012

“Glocalisation” is the growing trend of dealing with big global problems through small, individual actions – something that every one of us can do. Vacation travel which includes volunteering for a charitable cause, called “Voluntourism,” is perfect for travelers who want to make a positive change in the world, yet still enjoy a relaxing experience. [...]

Organic Seed Savers Workshop for Enthusiastic San Juan County Farmers

Cathleen McCluskey, one of our recent guests, was on island to help conduct an Organic Seed Savers workshop. She graciously gave us permission to post this entry from the OSA Seed Broadcast blog:

Island Authors Works Make Thoughtful Gifts

Readers and island lovers might enjoy a gift that brings both together – a book from a San Juan Island author.

Chocolate Rum Truffles

Makes 24 Servings This recipe is quick and easy, and since the truffles will keep for at least three weeks (if you don’t eat them before), they are nice make-ahead treats.

Harrison House Suites Granola

We get so many requests for our house-made granola recipe, I thought it was time to post it again. We make buckets of this yummy treat each week, not only offering it at our breakfast table to guests, but also sending it out to our local San Juan Food Coop, and to previous guests who [...]