Do you have a sweet tooth?

In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania the Amish farming communities feed hungry tourists at several sit down family style restaurants. Also, many local markets such as this one in the township named Bird-in-Hand, offer baked specialties such as Shoofly Pie.

I've never tasted this Pennsylvania Dutch pie but do know you have to enjoy extremely sweet desserts to handle this molasses and sugar concoction. The 'wet bottom' version has a gooey molasses base and the entire pie is somewhat like a coffee cake. Anyone out there actually tried a slice? Would love to know what you thought of it.

The Amish farms dot the lush countryside of Lancaster County. We were a tad early in the season to see much growing. Fields had been plowed, and we did see pairs of horses or mules pulling plows, no mechanical tractors used here.

The farms are certainly beautiful. People were few, perhaps as it was a damp, drizzly day.
I was able to get dh to stop at one sprawling antiques mall as we left Lancaster County. I could have spent hours there as it was crammed ~ in a very neat and tidy way ~ with fabulous stuff. I had to be quick, sweeter things were calling both dh and granddaughter!

Passed up the gorgeous Mason's pink transferware above ~ being sold as a large set.
These Spode reproduction plates were lovely but too expensive.

More Mason's below ~ would have loved these pieces, especially that gorgeous teapot, sugar and creamer.

Below are the few items I did bring home ~ just $9.00 for a dozen vintage VICTORIA magazines, none of which I already had. Two old yard sticks at $1.00 each ~ have you seen how they are using them to trim edges of furniture? A beautiful 1923 sepia graduation portrait of a young woman, Hattie Chalford Mason. A German postcard mailed in 1905 to an address on famous St. Charles Street, New Orleans ~ covered with signatures of many people for some reason. A small illustrated card of a sweet child and roses.

Below is what was calling those with a sweet tooth ~ Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. The theme park had not yet opened for the season (thank goodness!) and the roller coasters were silent, however in Chocolate World we rode in a 'cocoa bean' through a simulated chocolate factory which was interesting and fun.

Hershey is a true 'company town' and has quite a history. Changes seem imminent however in the chocolate world, hundreds of employees recently laid off and much of the production going south of the border and maybe even to Switzerland. Changes so drastic that our hotel concierge told us "Mr. Milton Hershey must be turning in his grave".

Jasmin is smiling knowing she has a stash of Reese's Peanut Butter cups ready to enjoy as we took to the road again! Can you believe I managed to exit the huge candy shop in Chocolate World without anything. I admit I hesitated at the Cadbury bars, but as they're nowhere near as good as the real English made Cadbury bars ~ those of you who've visited the UK know what I mean ~ I was not tempted!

There's No Place Like Home!

Crossing the pond took 8-1/2 hours yesterday.............suffering from a bit of jet lag right now. Be patient with me, I will have cottages and cream to tickle your fancy and whet your appetite - I promise!

Saturday night at Ye Olde Six Bells pub in Horley, Surrey - our last stop for an evening of pub food and sharing travel stories with people at neighboring tables. This has been our favorite stop near Gatwick airport for many years. The history of this picturesque pub - where I have to duck my head as the timbered ceilings are low - is documented as follows...................

Ye Olde Six Bells

"Her origins are lost in the mists of time, but long ago this lovely old building was a retreat for the monks of Dorking Abbey. Legend has it that St. Bartholemew's church, next door, and the pub are linked by a secret passage, and the names of some of the priests from the 12th century can be found in the lobby.

The oak used for the huge truss and beam roof structure and many of the original timbers are over 1000 years old. Since the 15th century the building has been an hostelry and Inn, standing beside the River Mole and near to the old London to Brighton road."

St. Bartholemew's Church

It's good to be back. Had a great time and have lots of pics to show you.
Catching up with each of you will take a while but I hope to get organized soon.

More Memories - South of France 2006

Just back from the coast and will soon have pics to show of that peaceful, beautiful island. Meanwhile, have been thinking about France again after chatting with my family there - here are a few more pics from last year's visit with Granddaughter Jasmin.

Beautiful fields of sunflowers, faces always pointing toward the sun, stretching for miles across the Summer countryside of Provence.

Family gathering on the Canal du Midi on a perfect June day - granddaughter, niece, sister-in-law, DH and moi - brother taking the picture! Daytrippers and canal boat vacationers enjoy a cool breeze, stopping to pick up fresh provisions and local wines along the waterway.

Visiting the stunning ancient hilltop "village perche" Les Baux de Provence.

Decisions, decisions, what shall I buy for my "souvenir de Provence"

Later, passing through the small villages it was obviously a brilliant day for drying - let's wash "les jeans".

The national music fair of France - Fete de la Musique held in every village, town and city throughout France on June 17 - so much fun. We listened to cabaret style singing here in Bize in the afternoon - more singing and African drumming by the light of a huge bonfire late into the night in Peyriac.
A tiny bakery just beyond the walls of the old city of Carcassonne -the best "straight out of the oven" baguettes for lunch.

Then a quick stop at the olive mill where the choice was amazing!
Wonderful memories of a beautiful place................must return soon.

Sleepless in Seattle

Before heading back to Seattle, I spent two wonderful days in Bellingham, Washington visiting my dear "art pen pal" Patti - our first meeting!!! We were introduced by a mutual friend over a year ago and have corresponded via snail mail and e-mail, sharing our love of art, music, needlework, the written word, and many other creative interests.

Patti had this fantastic gift awaiting in her studio - a magnificent kimono style jacket she had made for me. The fabric is an elegant paisley lined with black raw silk (both recycled vintage), with decorative tassels and beaded cords at the closure. One of her great tags was hanging from the jacket - wow, I was so thrilled with such a beautiful gift and couldn't resist wearing it out to dinner immediately.

Seattle was the last leg of this great Northwest trip.

Known as one of the most walkable cities in the country (warning - lots of steep hills, but you'll find many wonderful restaurants to enjoy after working off all those calories!) Seattle is a fun place.
It would be easy to go without sleep as there's so much to see and do. Guess this would be the best hotel buy - wish we'd seen it prior to checking in at the waterfront Marriott which cost a few dollars more!!!!!!

Just a stone's throw from what was actually our great hotel, was the famous Pike Place Market, the jewel in the city. Anyone who's visited here will be familiar with slightly fishy "theatre" performed each day at the largest fish market - throwing the huge fish, with accompanying hollers and yells, to fill customers' orders. Tourists line up ten deep to view this ongoing entertainment - kids, young and old, stifle silly giggles while watching huge salmon and grouper being tossed about in the air.
Constructed for Seattle's 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has become the city's international icon. A 41-second elevator ride takes you 520 feet to the observation deck. The SkyCity restaurant at the top revolves 360 degrees while you dine. The day we ascended the Space Needle the weather was perfect for viewing Mt. Ranier to the South (my photo) and to the North, Mt. Baker was also clearly visible to the eye - this only occurs about 50 days of the year according to the guide. She told us we had picked a perfect day for these amazing views.

..............................goodbye fabulous Northwest USA and British Columbia, you certainly make one's heart sing with your wonderful scenery and nice people. I hope to return very soon.

Inspiration Friday ~ Eat Your Veggies!

Back at the fabulous Granville Market in Vancouver, the healthy foods were so beautiful one could almost bypass the sugar and fat loaded baked goodies.........almost but not quite!!!!

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With no means to cook up a truly gorgeous "vegetable plate" in a hotel room, I, your true vegetarian friend, had to be satisfied just to......................................................................................pause over the perfect peppers,

...........................not squeeze the squash,

..........................................long for the lettuce

.........................control myself from commandeering the corn,
..........................actually forego aspirations to snap the asparagus,

.................cry misery over lack of morels in my neck of the woods

.............................whine for white eggplants

............................but of course I could caress an apple, mango, pear,

.......................flip over the fine figs,

................................chuckle over cherries, beam over blueberries, and die for my favorites, the luscious raspberries.

Fresh veggies and fruits, such bounty from the earth. Thank you to all the farmers across America and Canada who toil so hard, 365 days a year, to supply us with such healthy, beautiful food.
So remember what Mother always told you ~ "eat your vegetables."