The Votes Are In

It's no secret that I am very very proud of my hometown of Lititz, PA

In the Fall of 2012 Budget Travel Magazine did their yearly promotion to enter your favorite coolest town in the US.  The top 15 towns were then listed and you could vote once every 24 hours for your favorite town. Voting started in mid January with the last vote tallied on February 15th at 10 pm.  

With the social media being what it is today, it did not take long for the word to be spread through the community and throughout the entire world..! 

Lititz is home to many who have left the area but have not forgotten the close community and fun place Lititz truly is. They were raised in Lititz just as their parents, grandparents and even ancestors dating back to the founding fathers of this town that was once a closed community of Moravians founded on the Moravian teachings and principles. 

I am very proud to have in my family history, ancestors who were a part of the founding of Lititz. 

So as the word got out, the voting for Lititz took off like a wild fire.

I have made friends with many through my blog from different areas outside of  Lancaster and PA who love our small quaint town.  The caring community is one you just don't see in many others.   There was a time when everyone knew everyone, and I for one was related to most of the community.  That is a "funny" among my family and friends.  One I'm very honored to have....

Here is a link to a video and a radio interview in New York with a resident of Lititz who has lived in the town for 10 years...

Lititz, PA

America's Coolest Town

You be the judge..:)

Thanks for stopping by

K

February Surprises....

Today was a day of absolute relaxation and checking out the goodies I had purchased online last weekend, which had arrived during this past week.  I didn't have time to open the packages until today.  

  First packages to open were my new curtains.  I placed them in the dryer on the Quick Refresh/Steam setting.  They came out of the dryer looking great!

 

 Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures...I could not get rid of the glare.  The texture and color of the fabric is much darker than it appears in the pictures.  I LOVE these curtains!  Even the men in the house comment how nice they look!  And that folks is a real compliment!  They bring a warmer and much more cozy feeling to the room, to which is what I was trying to achieve.  

After hanging the new curtains I opened more goodies...

Here is picture of my new shoes I purchased from Old Navy

Won't these look great for Spring and Summer!! I'm all about comfort and a good fit!  These slip on beauties are made of a very soft leather with elastic around the top for a nice snug fit...! 

Love them, too!  Pretty Feet....;)  Yep...I'm in my PJ's, too!

I also purchased two light weight button down cardigans.  I'm sure in the future when I wear them, there will be a picture posted of one or both.

Another package had two bags of Organic Dried Rose Petals I had ordered.  I am planning to use the Pedals to top off my baked goodies to help make them pretty.  When I saw several pictures of baked goodies and sweets topped with the rose pedals I immediately loved the look of romance and softness they gave the final touch of the decorating.  I have two nice size bags of pedals which will last me quite a long time...YAY

The last package was a Bridal Shower Gift for the daughter of my Husbands Cousin.  I chose some very pretty Yellow Towels she had listed on her Bridal Registry as the gift.  I checked the link when ordering online this was a Bridal Gift.  I was totally SHOCKed to find the gift Beautifully wrapped when I opened the shipping box.  

How amazingly cool is that!!?  And....I did not pay extra for the gift wrapping.  Even better, right! I only need to attach a nice card and I'm good to go!  

The day ended with a nice home made Spaghetti dinner..

I like a little sauce with my noodles

That's all I have to share with my purchases..I'm so pleased with all my goodies :)) I'm becoming a real pro with Internet shopping. It sure beats having to fight the crowds and the store not having what you want...! 

 To my friends in the New England States...I hope the worst of the storm and after effects are over for you and your warm and safe in the comfort of your own homes. 

Tomorrow is our annual pick up Faschnaut's Day at a local church.  It's a hit or miss on how long you must stand inline.  But the wait is so worth it! 

Even though Tuesday is  officially "Fat Tuesday" , the Catholic Church makes Faschnauts for three days, starting on Sunday into the Tuesday before Lent.  If you wait until Tuesday to get your Faschnauts, you take the chance of not getting any as they make them until the ingredients run out and then the doors are closed and locked for another year:( So tradition has been for us to get ours on Monday.  I'll be dreaming Faschnauts tonight..LOL

Thanks for stopping by....!

Hugs my friends,

K

According To Phil

Spring is only 6 weeks away...!

So Phil says.

Ground Hog Day is a big deal here in PA.  We have the "official" Ground Hog named, Phil.  He lives in  Punxsutawney, PA.  Maybe you have heard of, Phil!?  He is very well known.  And very reliable, so I'm hoping this year!  Phil did not see his shadow this year, meaning there will be an early Spring.  WooHoo

Did you know the Groundhog Club has been around since 1887!?  Who knew??!  

If you would like to read what Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, PA has to offer besides seeing Phil, visit their website at Groundhog Day .

Another Big Event this weekend is the Super Bowl...

Since my team the "Steelers" did not even make it to the play offs this year, I'll be cheering for the Ravens.  Living and growing up in Central PA, Baltimore has been our close neighbor.  The state of Maryland and city of Baltimore has never been a stranger to me.  My summers were spent in Maryland at our family cottage along the Chesapeake Bay, with Baltimore not far from there.  I remember the hot summers going into the Harbor.  A lot history is at the Baltimore Harbor.  A place I would highly recommend you visit if you find yourself close to the area.

Go Ravens! 

Today I did some shopping.  At my favorite place to shop...online!

I purchased some new window treatments for our family room.  

 I was holding off purchasing new curtains due to putting our home on the market.  My plan is I will place the old curtains back up if I chose to take the new ones with. 

This week I'm hoping to take a day trip somewhere fun!
If your a football fan, I hope your team wins and your week is fun and eventful only in a good way:)

Thanks for stopping by, my friends!

 K

 

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

I made this PB Pie for a small gathering at my home with Old and Reacquainted Friends during this Cold January  ...I thought we needed something to help us get through this dreary part of the year.  What's better than Peanut Butter and Chocolate!!??

I took three different recipes for PB Pie and created my own...

Peanut Butter Pie

6 TBsp of Melted Butter

2 Cups of Graham Cracker Crumbs

 12 oz Soft Cream Cheese

1 1/2 Cups of Creamy Peanut Butter

2 Cups of Powdered Sugar (10X)

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

 1 14oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 to 2 Cups of Cool Whip or Fresh Whipping Cream

Bag Of Mini PB Cups

Chocolate Morsels  

Crust

6 TBsp of Melted Butter

2 Cups of Graham Cracker Crumbs

Combine the melted butter and Crumbs and place in a Deep Dish Pie Plate. Firmly pat down crumbs with a fork or spoon. Bake for 10 Mins at 350 degrees.  Cool Completely

Pie Mixture

12 oz Soft Cream Cheese

1 1/2 Cups of Creamy Peanut Butter

Mix together with electric mixer until very smooth and creamy.

Add to mixture

2 Cups of Powdered Sugar (10X)

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Mix with electric mixer until smooth

Add to mixture

1 14oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

Mix with electric mixture on low speed

Add to Mixture

1 to 2 Cups of Cool Whip or Fresh Whipping Cream

(I used Cool Whip)

Slowly mix with electric mixer until incorporated...do not over mix

Spread mixture into Pie Plate

Top with Mini PB Cups cut in half

Melt 1/4 Bag of Chocolate Morsels

Drizzle Melted Chocolate on Top

Refrigerate for 3 hours or longer before cutting...

Enjoy!  

Comfort Food On A Cold Winter Night...

There is nothing more soothing on a cold night in January than some PA Dutch comfort food...!

On tonight's menu...

Chicken Pot Pie 

My recipe is a family recipe passed down from my Great-Grandmother, to my Grandmother, to my Mother, to Me and down to my Son. 

Rolling out dough

Noodles cooking in rich chicken broth

 The pot shown above was my Grandmother's...passed down to my Mother and then onto me.  This pot has cooked its more than fair share of meals.

My Grandmother had 9 children.  She prepared and cooked meals daily with this pot. Having a large family did not leave leftovers.  My Mother also cooked mainly from this pot, although she only had 3 children and not 9 like my Grandmother her two sons ate like a family of 9.  And mother liked leftovers. 

I rarely use this pot to cook, but it is nice to have for when I want to prepare a meal that does require the extra space such as Pot Pie.  I like a lot of broth in my Pot Pie. And leftovers.  Pot Pie also freezes very well, which I usually end up doing. 

I used my Kitchen Aid Mixer to mix up the dough.  This was the first time I used the mixer for dough.  I was so pleased with the results and even more so not having to mix the dough with my hands.  I swear I could hear my Mother saying..."Kathleen, you don't use a mixer to mix up pot pie dough!"  O, yes..I would have gotten the "Kathleen"  :)   

This meal really hit the cold spot on this cold and windy night!
My son will be very grateful to have a hot meal ready to eat after his long day of work and classes.  He usually cooks up something for himself after classes, which sometimes can be way past 10 PM. When I mentioned I was making Chicken Pot Pie, he shared that would taste good after class :) It makes me feel good to know he still enjoys one of his mama's home cooked meals.  He has acquired a very different palette over the years cooking for himself, then the one he grew up on.  But, I did my job teaching him the basics and encouraging him to venture out on his own and owning it...! 
 

What is your favorite comfort food?

Stay warm and be careful if your using fireplaces and wood stoves for extra warmth.

Thanks for stopping by..

K

Hi my friends...Just checking in

Last weekend was a very busy time meeting up with friends, celebrating a very dear friends birthday and getting things sorted and cleaned out...

I've been doing some revamping and reorganizing...

It's not my most favorite thing to do, but the time has been way over due.  I am for the most part very organized, but sometimes things have a way of getting piled up a bit.  I'm in the process of cleaning out cabinets and organizing my "stuff" into plastic containers for a more organized way of storing.  I have found it to be much easier to store groups of items in open and easy to reach plastic containers inside cabinets than to stock pile things on top of each other in hopes when you want a certain item, it's within reach or not towards the back or bottom of the cabinet.  Storing in containers allows you to pull the container out and search for what your looking for.  No more pulling on one item to have 10 other items fall on top of you....so my journeys over the past few months to different stores had me looking for plastic containers in specific styles and sizes.  I have a nice collection so now the revamping starts....

Last Friday evening was a meet up to celebrate a birthday...

I baked one of my Chocolate Cakes and surprised the birthday Lady.

Here are a few pictures of Judy with her cake..

Judy was so excited she started to light her own candles

After we realized Judy was trying to light the side of the candle,

the lighter was taken from her...

Seeing Judy's look, I'm not so sure she liked that lighter being taken from her...LOL

A little bit excited

 

Notice the haze of smoke....Good thing I didn't put a candle on the cake for each year she was old..!

Good times, always!  

This week the temperatures will be in the high 20's.  Winter is making its presence for sure here in PA..Bundle up

If you follow my blog you know I am very proud of my hometown of Lititz, PA.  My hometown has been listed as one of 15  America's Coolest Small Towns.  If you get a chance, check out the site and vote..Lititz is currently in 2nd place.  You can vote once per day until February 15th.  Be sure to watch the video and also on my side bar I have a link giving the history of Lititz.

 Vote Here:
America's Coolest Small Town

Have a Safe and Warm week, my friends..!

K

   

New Year's Eve Surprise

Happy New Year...!!

Last evening as we were headed to family with friends in tow, 

a package was hanging outside the mailbox...

My husband quickly pulled over and retrieved the package while two other vehicles waited patiently while hubs RAN to the mailbox...:)

 Hubs opened the back door of the car quickly placing the package inside.

I had forgotten about the package, but was reminded after we returned home many hours later when hubs brought it into the house.  I was so tired, but wanted to see (first) who it was from and (second) after finding out who had sent the package wanting to know what the goodies were inside...!

My very dear friend, Tricia from Mass sent me yet another package filled with some pretty special stuff..!

A card stating, "I'm so glad...we are friends"

 Me too, Tricia..!  I'm so blessed to have such a dear sweet friend as you..!

Willow Tree Keepsake Heart

 Tricia knows I like the Willow Tree Figures and Hearts,

Bless her heart!, she gave me a Willow Tree Keepsake Heart...She will be placed on my self in my bedroom where I have an area of knickknacks and framed verses from several dear friends.  It's sorta like my own little shrine of special gifts given to me over many years from very special girl friends who have been and will always be very dear and special to me....

Small heart hanger with heart towels.

 This hanger will also be hung on my wall shrine....

I'm soon out of space on the one wall, I'll have to turn the corner soon ;)

Heart compact with some bling, note pad of sunshine and a cookie magnet

Friendship Magnet

I LOVE this magnet..!

The words are very special to me on this magnet from Tricia, her friendship to me is exactly what is stated and it makes my heart sing knowing our friendship means the same to her..!

This magnet went on the side of my refrigerator, where I can see it while I cook and bake. 

Thank You, Tricia!

I received a call from Tricia with a BIG "Happy New Year" this morning, I was so excited to tell her I had received her package..of course we chatted a long while as we both were waiting for the Rose Bowl Parade to start.

Love you, Tricia and thanks for your friendship!

Below shows my goodies from Tricia at their new home...

The hanger with the heart towels found its home above the quilt my Aunt and Uncle gave to me when I graduated from Nursing School.  I did use the quilt for several years after I received it, after I started earning some "real" money I packed it away until I found a quilt rack to display it on.  This display is in the Master Bedroom.  Tricia's gift of heart towels added to this wall display nicely..!


  Tricia's blog is Hillcrest Home Prims, go check out her beautiful New England Home!

Christmas With Sam

Christmas continued at our home today with a visit from Little Sam..

Sam is four months old and the son of my son's very dear friends, Melanie and Lyle.  They recently moved back to their hometown from Pittsburgh where Melanie attended Chatham College For Women in Pittsburgh for her graduate degree.  We were so excited for their visit since "I" haven't seen Sam since he was born.  My son is "Uncle Jere" to Sam and Sam is just in awe of Jere when he holds him...its so darn cute.  

Here are a few pictures from today's visit with Sam and his gift Uncle Jere got for him.

It's a play station that is age appropriate now for Sam that quickly snaps into a walker the child stands behind and pushes, it helps the child to take steps with stability.  Sam will be able to use it as a walker in not too long.  He is so inquisitive...I love watching him interact.

Up right position

Folded flat

 Look at that face...this was a big winner!

 We had a fun time with Sam and his parents..!  After the gifts and a few bottles and cereal, Sam's daddy and uncle Jere went for some pizza for us grown ups.  I'm so proud of this Young Family, it's not easy having a small child and working towards your Graduate Degree.  They have shown it can be done by working together and keeping the focus.  

I for one am very happy they are back in the area, now I can see more of Little Sam:)

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, I can't believe how fast the Holidays came and went and I'll be busy preparing food for tomorrow night's festivities with family and friends. If your heading out, please be careful and have fun!

Thanks for stopping by and a very blessed and happy new year..!

K

 

Snowman Hats

This picture makes my heart sing...

Three Little Elves happy to receive the Goodies I sent along with their Gma for them.

 Below is a clear picture of the Snowman Hat treats

You take a large Marshmallow, Oreo Cookie and Coating Chocolate.

Melt your chocolate, add a dollop of chocolate on top of the cookie and place the marshmallow on top of the chocolate.  Let the chocolate set so the marshmallow is sitting firmly on top.  Holding the marshmallow, dip the cookie only into the melted chocolate and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Let the chocolate set.  After the chocolate is set on the cookie, hold the chocolate coated cookies up side down and dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate and place back on cookie sheet for chocolate to set.   I then used canned green icing for the decorations and placed a Red M&M in the center of the green decoration.  You can use whatever you desire for the decorating.  Also, I placed the Hat in the refrigerator between chocolate coatings and after the Hat was decorated.  This allows the Hat to set well and stay fresh.  

This fun treat can be made any time during the Winter Season,

It's fun and easy and even more fun to eat! 

Happy New Year

 

Here is the last of the baking for the season..!

My dear family friend asked me to bake some festive cupcakes for her and her daughter's birthdays that are both on Christmas Day...How special is that!!?

 

 

Tomorrow is a Holiday Lunch with my very dear friend and  her husband. The giving of Time is what I have learned to be the most important gift you can give and receive.  I am so fortunate and blessed to have wonderful and caring true friends. Whether it's time given in person or chatting on the phone.  Later in the day tomorrow we will attend Christmas Eve Services with an invite to a family gathering after the services.  Christmas will be very relaxed this year, a large ham with all the fixins will be prepared.  There are a few movies showing I would like to attend.  That may be on the agenda for later in the day.  Whatever we decide to do, it will be time well spent..!

 

Have A Wonderful Christmas Eve and Day...!

Enjoy your time together

 

 

 

Well here it is the last weekend before Christmas and the Jolly Old Man comes to visit...

 With so much sadness in the world, it's hard for the Spirit Of The Season to fill your heart and soul with Joy.  At times I feel guilty when I have that moment of a Joyous feeling of the Season, because I'm quickly reminded of all the Sad Events on a personal level and worldly that have come to be this past year.......Faith has really been tested for me on a very personal level this past year, but I know in my heart God is always in control and we must let him handle it all!  

So with the Holiday Season in full swing, 

Won't you join me on a Christmas Tour of my Hometown of Lititz, PA!  All decorated for the Season....

 We'll start at the town square where you'll find the Nativity, which is owned by the Moravian Church.  Lititz was founded by Members of the Moravian Church in 1756. For a century only Moravian's were allowed to live in Lititz.

 Now we'll take a walk down Main Street....

Here you find the Spirit of the Season in every store front

 This next picture is of the side entrance into the Moravian Church.  To the left of the photo is the Court Yard of the Moravian Church along Main Street.  The buildings in the far end, (behind the white pillar) is Linden Hall, the Oldest Girl's School in America.

 Now we are heading North of the Town Square, this building is the Tomato Pie Cafe'.

A very old and original building in Lititz.

This next photo was taken in 1945 after World War II.  Lititz celebrated the end of the War and the local Heroes who served by placing illuminated wooden stars on all the lamp posts on Main and Broad Streets.  The very same wooden stars shine brightly to this day..!

I hope you enjoyed this little Christmas Tour of my Hometown....

I never get tired of driving through town looking at all the beautiful lights and decorations!

Santa below, Yes...one of "Our" own....

I was lucky enough to capture a photo of him waving to me as I drove through town a few years past. You will find him at this very spot in front of the train station at the park every Christmas Season in "My" hometown. 

 Merry Christmas and a very Blessed New Year my Friends!

Focus People....Focus!

One of our family traditions was always getting a picture taken in front of the Christmas Tree.  This was done for many years since my son was born.  A tradition I carried over from my childhood.  Since my son is now in his mid 20's, the picture does not always get taken every year.  The recent years the picture was taken, the photo shot was not always in front of our Christmas Tree.  Why you ask??  I do not always decorate a tree at Christmas time:(....Last year I purchased a Northern Pine Tree and added a few decorations, it served it's purpose:)  I'm sure the day I become a grandmother all the tree fixins will find their way out of the many containers where they are safe and neatly packed away.  Until then, I keep it very simple...this year the Family Christmas Photo was taken at a local Greenery where they have some Christmas Photo Op Displayes.  In the past the displays were much nicer, not sure if they have a new person creating them or lack of personnel.  The price tags were showing on all the items displayed and the displays themselves were cramped with not much room for a nice photo and/or the back ground area of the store which was not decorated could be seen.  It's a shame these "little" things are not taken into consideration,  because they would really benefit sales with the customer traffic.  After we somewhat rearranged the display...*snicker*

we did manage a few good shots.  Here are a few that DID NOT make the cut in the final decision for our Family Christmas Card.....

This picture cracks me up.....I thought my son was directly behind us!

And I must say, that is the Ugliest Reindeer I have ever seen..!! I know, beggars can't be choosey..!

The gal who took the pics and my son were having way too much fun with the camera taking pictures of each other.  I deleted those pics, I wish now I would have saved them to share so you know what all I was up against....never a dull moment!  

Here is the picture I chose for our Christmas Card

The guys insisted that darn Reindeer be in the picture.  They don't know it yet, but I was able to crop it out of the picture a bit for the card...hahaaaaha

Have a great week, friends!

K

POOPED....Holiday Style

What a fun day was had by all baking and laughing....these times with good friends are just priceless!

Here are a few pictures from today's fun

Both my cameras were as dead as a door knob, so we had to use our cell phones. 

Some of our baked goodies....

Kathy getting her chocolate chip dough onto the baking pans

Me dividing up goodies

Two of my Besties, Kathy and Linda

 We finished off two bottles of wine, a large pot of chili and many cookie samples...

I love my Besties..!

Holiday Fun Baking With My Besties

ONE of my favorite holiday activities is baking holiday cookies....

This was an annual tradition with my Mother, just as it is with many others this time of year.  After my mother passed and my son became past that age of wanting to help with the annual baking (it has been so long since he helped I can't remember when he stopped:(..)  I have scaled back only baking a small amount for gift giving and to have a few on hand during the season. Some years I purchased a large tray of homemade cookies from a family member who bakes a large assortment.  In recent years my best friend and I have joined together to bake.  We each pick two of our favorite cookies for that year,  pick a date and meet up at my home for a fun day of baking.  We each mix up a double batch of each recipe before the baking date, so the day of we're all ready to bake.  After all the cookies have been baked, we divide them up between us. 

This year we'll be baking two kinds of chocolate chip, sand tarts, pecan tassies and peanut butter blossoms.  

I made a big pot of chili to snack on while we bake and I have three bottles of wine on hand:))

This year another good friend will be joining us....

By the end of the day we'll be on a sugar high from all the sampling and wine, and puckered out from all the silliness and laughing.  It's a good thing we all know our way around the kitchen and know how to bake, I would be a bit scared of the baking outcome..:0)

If I remember to take pictures, I will post some of our labor of love for Christmas Cookies...

Have a fun and safe weekend!

K

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I started my Saturday by making some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.  I have become a big fan of using boxed cake mixes for some yummy sweets and treats.  Growing up, all things "sweet" were made by scratch.  My Mother only used a boxed mix for one Cake Recipe, which is a Devil's Food Cake Mix with Chocolate Ice Cream added to it.  It was/is the Bomb!  She finished the cake off with a cooked Icing....it was a family favorite cake and frequently requested by many when we had dinners and gatherings.  

Today's Recipe is simple and easy...

One Yellow Cake Mix

One Large Can of Pumpkin or 2 Cups of Fresh Pumpkin

1/4 Cup Of Canola Oil

3/4 Bag Of Chocolate Chips

Mix Pumpkin and Cake Mix together

Add the Canola Oil

Fold in Chocolate Chips

Spray a muffin pan and fill pan 3/4 full 

Bake at 350 for 20 mins 

My fresh pumpkin was frozen and thawed, to which I did not drain my pumpkin before mixing it into the cake mix. By not draining the pumpkin, the natural juices gave the right amount of moisture needed for a good texture for a muffin batter.  *I no longer cook/steam my fresh pumpkin for my favorite recipes.  I bake it.  I have found baking the pumpkin keeps the pumpkin true to taste and not bland, more firm in texture and there is no loss of the natural juices.  Simply place a clean pumpkin on a cookie sheet, bake at 300 degrees until the pumpkin is soft when inserting a butter knife.  Remove and cut down the middle of the pumpkin and peal the skin away.  Be careful, the pumpkin will be very hot, but its easier to peel the skin away and seal in the juices while the pumpkin is still hot.  Place pumpkin into a glass bowl until cool and divide into containers for freezing or store in an air tight container up to 3 days in the refrigerator. 

I was able to get 6 Jumbo Muffins with this mix...

Notice the plate only has 5 muffins on it :)) 

And the coffee, was my second cup...

The coffee mug is my FAVORITE! I purchased this mug several years ago during one of my many trips to Florida while we were out and about near Port St Johns.  We happened to stumble onto some quaint shops where I found this awesome mug..!  As you can see, its been with me for a long while and I plan on having my coffee from it for many years to come.....

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend, my friends!

K