Amish Auctions and Farmers Market

On Saturday Michael and I went to an Amish Auction. The proceeds go to the 5 Amish Schools in Berks County. Michael and I are often at the auctions but this one comes once a year. I am often amazed at the fine quality of items and hand made items such as quilts, baked goods, trees, flowers, animals, hay, tractors; anything that you could possibly imagine you might need for house, home and farm. Afterwards we had stopped by Reddners Farmers Market in Topton. Here are just a few pictures of some of what I had seen. I hope that you enjoy them and someday take an opportunity to go to one yourself.

The sounds of cars and horse drawn carriages on the road. the rain clouds beginning to form again. The smells of fresh hay and mud. Fresh baked goods and wood smells. Smoked meats and cheeses. So many smells that reminded me of Germany and the many shops that I had been in all in one location.

Kids Court

Here is a thought.
The other day, Teagan came in the house very upset. She had said that the neighbor kid across the street, came to see about playing. He apparently had set up a rouse to have her come out and jump on the trampoline at another neighbors house who has a large dog in anticipation to scare her. He had said leave your cell phone at home because you don't need it, preempting a phone call for help as was done before. While jumping on the trampoline , they would try to push her off and have the dog jump on her. Thinking that this was funny. They pushed her in front of the dog, which terrifies her and they all knew this from prior experiences. These are her words and it sounds really cruel. If you where a kid and had heard this what would you think? How would you handle this "premeditated malicious behavior", my words. How about a kids court and you be the judge. Remember this is only one side of the story.

Geocashing?

If you need a reason to go out and explore. Try geocashing some time. When money is tight and you need to get out of the house and the mall, well, gets to be to much. Try this treasure hunt and adventure. You will really enjoy the fact that you are out and about and spending some time with friends and family. geocashing.com

What is in a NICKNAME?

What is in a nickname? I have know idea but I can tell you how it made me feel last night when Michael called me "Bella". He has never called me anything other than my name or an occasional babe, hun, honey. I have always called him "My Love" because he is, but when I heard the simply words he said last night, WOW! He had heard it on a news program about the oldest lady passing and at the end of the story they had said something to the effect of Good Night Bella. It must have stuck in his head because he said it to me last night and the warm fuzzies that I had felt and love of the way it was said. I told him he can call me Bella anytime and how GOOD it made me feel. Knowing Bella in Italian means beautiful. and it really made me feel beautiful. He was able to reap the rewards of my feeling the effects of such a kind and simply word. Thank You My Love.

Dark Rum Cake

I had the privilege of receiving this WONDERFUL recipe from one of my AMAZING friends. How lucky am I?! I really hope that you enjoy it as much as I. So, plan a date with friends, a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the best of conversation with laughter and tears.
Sending you big hugs
Dark Bacardi Rum Cake
Cake..
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (or mix of both)
1 pkg moist french vanilla or butter flavor yellow cake mix
1 pkg instant FRENCH vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup Wesson Oil ( Wesson is magic in this.. don't sub.)
1/2 cup Dark Bacardi Rum
Glaze (you will make this recipe twice)
1/8 cup butter
1/8 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark Bacardi rum...
If technique counts for anything.... It goes together (into oven) quickly enough once you have your toys.. The glazing is a ritual (twice)... and the worst part is wrapping it up after that second glazing and only getting to say sweet things to it, to gaze at it longingly, and to otherwise manage to ignore it for 3 more days --KNOWING it's in the house.
Step one... Pick your pan,... Preheat oven to 325 on way back. Butter and flour bottom of your pan of choice. Sprinkle chopped nuts on bottom (eventual top) of bundt, or evenly over sheet pan.
Step two..Rhythm.... I work with a whisk.. it makes this thing sing. In pourable mixing bowl whisk Wesson oil, cold water, and the 4 eggs.. When they seem homogeneous and slightly foamy, add rum and whisk briefly again.
Step 3.. Whisk the cake mix in, adding a bit at a time, so that there aren't great lumps. Takes a minute but is worth it for texture. Last man on board is the instant pudding. Don't add it before the cake mix or the thing will tighten up and defy you. You'll notice that the batter will stiffen as the pudding mix is added. Make it quick, make it a thorough mix... Pour/scrap batter into/over nuts in pan Du Jour.
Bake 1 hour. Cool bake pan on a rack (cools quicker/even).
Step 4.. Turn cooled cake out on to a plate (invert to have nuts up..) which will accommodate the glaze run-off. Prick the cooled cake 2/3 of the way through with some sort of skewer (kabob works...) The more holes, the more the glaze will get in.
Glaze can be made for Orthodox folks or 12 Step friendly.
Booze in batter is baked out and rum in glaze can be added either before or after boiling. If you add it before boil, it cooks out- and makes the boil take a bit longer, but I prefer it that way.
Melt butter in pan,... Stir in water and sugar (and rum)...bring to boil (which will be a few minutes coming..) and stir constantly (smaller whisk at my house) boil for 5 timed minutes. If you have yet to stir in rum... Stir it in once boil is over and you remove pan from heat.
Let glaze rest in saute pan, or pour into pyrex measuring cup. It Will cool/set up a bit faster and be much easier to glaze from. Sheet cake will lay there and allow a bit of pouring and spreading of glaze. Bundt will need a bit of finesse, more time and care, and a spoon to pull glaze back up from center hole and around the cake.. Baste my friend.
Wrap up cake... Visit it the following day (12 hours later at least will be enough time for most excess to be absorbed.)
Make another dose of the glaze and repeat the glazing (re-pricking may/may not be necessary). Wrap up the cake again and try to ignore it for 3 days.
During this time it will marinate. I have forced this cake in 2 days exactly once. It was a good cake, but it wasn't the same cake it could have been.
The absolute best news about this cake is that it freezes well. You can go through this aggravation at your leisure at some point in time and once the penance is over freeze slices (tightly wrapped) separately within a larger freezer bag. Bundt wedges/slices will thaw in a heartbeat and have only ever come out from this process (after a few months) even more moist than they went in.
Bonn Chance.

Greetings from Pa

I hope that this finds everyone doing well and enjoying the new year to come. I am just trying to see if this is going to work and what it brings. I hope to share some of lifes experiences and maybe a few quips and occasional anecdotes that happen to come my way. I must tell you though that I am very happy that the holidays are over. This was the second Christmas and New Years without some very special people. I found this holiday to be the hardest of the past two years. I was told that maybe it was because the numbness has worn off. I don't even know if I am ready to share this at the moment or not. Maybe not. I think I will cease for now but wish you all a beautiful day.