Spring at Terrain

265. What can be more beautiful than pots of flowers bursting with color? Or, fuzzy pussy willows trimmed and bunched together in a pot or bucket.

Terrain at Styers in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania is a must visit. We stopped in to see what is new for spring.

Pussy Willow Wreaths...

Potted containers of magenta colored Heather...

Mini floral arrangements in egg shells for a personal place setting...

Delightful chocolate bars and salted caramels for your Easter baskets...

Yummy bunny and flower cookies for your sweet tooth...

And fabulous spring bulb flowers blooming every where you turned.

Have you visited Terrain yet? What are you waiting for?

"Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844"

Central Market Lancaster, Pennsylvania

238. The town of Lancaster, Pennsylvania is so diverse and filled with surprises around every corner. I have visited this quaint town many times in my life but have always stayed on the outskirts of the city proper. While attending a conference, held at the Marriott in the center of the business district of Lancaster, I discovered a whole new world. The layout of the city streets reminisce back to the late 17oo's when the Old City Hall was built and the Central Market was constructed in the center of town.

There is a resurgence taking place in these old buildings and around the neighborhood. Young artists and entrepreneurs are moving into town, refurbishing these old buildings and opening their doors to sell all sorts of delights. The Central Market is opened on Thursday's and Saturday's for several hours. Just visiting the building is delightful. We strolled through the venders stalls and enjoyed tasting and shopping.

At the PA Fudge Company the Cappuccino Fudge was unlike anything I've ever tasted...it was heavenly!

There were farmers who brought their produce and such a wonderful variety.

I just wish I could have stocked up...the prices were so reasonable!

The atmosphere in the Central Market is so inviting. A touch of old world with new discoveries down each aisle.

We sampled homemade cider, spring rolls from a Thai vendor and Italian cheese from a notable Italian shop. Their Wedding Soup was perfect!

The variety of international shops was surprising: Pakistani, Greek, Italian, Irish, German, to name a few.

And, Amish vendors with their wonderful baked goods, whoopie pies and canned fruits.

This was a perfect place to spend our lunch hour.

My favorite vendor was The Herb Shop. The shopkeeper was a pleasant man with thick glasses. He was surrounded by apothecary jars and mason jars filled with all types of herbs for cooking and supplemental for your diet. I was so excited to see he sold all types of salts and "Fleur Del Sal", which I have been hunting for. The price was fantastic!

I used it on my roasted Pumpkin Seeds just the other day.

If you are heading to Lancaster, Pennsylvania any time soon, take one day and visit the town center at Penn Square. It is delightful! Pick up a visitors map. They also have "Downtown Dollars" you can use at all participating shops and stores. Go explore, you'll thank me!

"Nowhere in this country, from sea to sea, does nature comfort us with such assurance of plenty, such rich and tranquil beauty as in those unsung, unpainted hills of Pennsylvania."

~ Rebecca Harding Davis

Day Trip

182. The air was a chilly 49 degrees, but the sun was warm and the sky, a gorgeous blue. A day trip was on our agenda, after we placed our votes this election day. Our first destination was to explore a new apple orchard, Fort Salonga Farm in Northport, Long Island.

The trees are all dwarf size with over 50 varieties available. But that is all that is available...apples and red raspberries each August. We spoke with the owner, who was very helpful to answer all our queries and allowed us to walk around a bit.

We were told about the best kept secret on the North Shore, Sunken Meadow State Park. After we received directions, we headed over to the Park.

From the access road you could see the Long Island Sound on the horizon. What a beautiful sight!!

We parked and walked through the old bathhouse kiosk with the original bricks and wooden counter. There were old original doors which added to the quaint atmosphere. As you walk through and up the stairs, it opens to the boardwalk and beyond is the calm sandy beach.

It was beautiful. And as you looked across the Long Island Sound, you could see Connecticut in the distance.

Fall leaves, golden and red were all around. Highlighted against the blue, blue sky...it was stunning.

We next headed west towards Asharoken and Eatons Neck, NY. We found a local beach that was just beautiful.

The water was calm and filled with small boats, sailboats and fishing boats.

We also found a great spot to walk around close to the shore with picnic tables and swings.

Canoeing and kayaking would be wonderful in this inlet at Price Bend.

Heading back south, towards Northport, NY we passed so many beautiful sights.

Our last stop was also a beautiful sight! We traveled along Jericho Turnpike into Woodbury, NY, were one of our favorite cupcake shops is located. "Crumbs" Bake Shop. We just love these cupcakes and it is a must to pick up a few each time we are in the area. The Woodbury Crumbs Bake Shop is a great spot.

The cupcakes we selected were "Carmel Apple",

"German Chocolate Cake", "Pumpkin Cake", "Toasted Coconut", "Peanut Butter Cup" and "Fluffernutter" which was filled with peanut butter cream in a vanilla cupcake with fluff added to the frosting. I don't have a picture of that one...it disappeared.

We enjoyed our day trip and were so glad to see the fall leaves before they disappear for another winter.

"The whole secret of the study of nature

lies in learning how to use one's eyes."

~George Sand

"Do not look to the ground for your next step;

greatness lies with those who look to the horizon."

~Norwegian Proverb

Tennessee Fixin's

163. Our recent trip to Tennessee was so enjoyable and relaxing. The southern hospitality was the first thing we noticed. Everyone calling you "Honey", "Sweetheart" and "Darlin'". We realized we weren't in NY any more. And patient...everyone is so patient and accommodating. Even when we couldn't get our order straight at the Dunkin Donut Drive-Thru. "That's two medium black coffee's, no, no cream, no, no sugar...yes, a medium black ice coffee with sugar, no, no cream...but cream on the side." And we ended up with a medium cream and sugar coffee...but, we were called "Sweethearts" and told that "We can fix that!" (With a very deep southern drawl.) I really got use to it.

Along with the beautiful mountains and scenery all around, we were sure to taste what Tennessee is famous for. Delicious food, sweet tea, biscuits, fried chicken, bbq and so much more.

While driving through the Great Smokies Arts and Crafts Community, we came across Glades Homemade Candies in Gatlinburg.

Their small sign that said "Homemade Ice Cream" made us stop.

The ice cream was delicious, and homemade peanut butter fudge was fantastic.

Another gem of a candy store was on the main street in Gatlinburg. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the shops, stores and attractions, The Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen had the best taffy I've ever eaten. It's not too sweet and the flavor is so subtle.

They were making peanut butter taffy and we were able to sample it. So soft, chewy and light.

It started with this large log of pulled taffy mixed with a peanut butter strip.

Then it was placed on a fantastic taffy machine

that pulled and stretched the candy

eventually pulling it into a small log, wrapped it in paper, twisted the end and then dropped it into a basket.

Each flavor was so light and delicious. We purchased a 1/2 pound of mixed flavors and enjoyed it so much, we stopped back for another box before leaving town.

Besides sweets, we really enjoyed the barbecue.

Several years ago, while passing through Tennessee we had eaten at Bennetts and couldn't wait to have their ribs once more. And we were not disappointed!

The smokey flavor went right down to the bone.

One of the best meals we had that week!

Not only did we enjoy wonderful fried chicken and biscuits at Bojangles', and gallons of sweet tea, we also enjoyed another local favorite. Grown wild throughout the area, wild blackberries were in season and seemed to be along every roadside. While we were exploring we came across a large patch, and I just had to jump out of the car and pick some.

The blackberries were sweet and juicy and so delicious.

When we got back to our cabin, I whipped up a blackberry cobbler. What a treat!

Thanks to Tennessee, we had a very "Taste"ful time!

"Do Southerners laugh at different things than Northerners do?

Yes--Northerners."

~ Southern Quotes

"In the South, the breeze blows softer... neighbors are friendlier, nosier, and more talkative. (By contrast with the Yankee, the Southerner never uses one word when ten or twenty will do). This is a different place."

~Southern Quotes