The Girl and the Wasp

We have all been there. A week when you think things can't get worse. I was on a real bender last week . I'm not talking about poor choices . I am talking about bad luck.
I had to share the following cake topper to the week as you just can't make this stuff up!

I am not a fan of looking at most insects. They creep me out. Just finding a wasp picture was a stomach churning slideshow of various bee varieties. The seemingly innocent one next to this paragraph looks like the predator that almost took me down! To think something an inch long made me scream and swear for days something was crawling on me is comical! Oh but, we haven't gotten to the good part yet!
So after a horrible day I decided to take a shower . 
I grabbed my nightgown and underwear and set it on the bathroom sink . I spent the next 15 minutes steaming up the bathroom and washing the bad day away. I got out of the shower and proceeded to towel off. I grabbed my nightgown and underwear and went into the bedroom. I put my towel on the hook and proceeded to put on my pink underwear. My underwear are on and I feel a snapping and I think it's just the elastic on the leg pinching me but quickly realize this really hurts!! I pull on my underwear at the leg seam and feel something as I am dancing around my bedroom. I am now freaking out and yank off my underwear because my bum feels like it is on fire! My pink underwear now lay on the floor. As I look down there is a huge wasp crawling out of my underwear! My jaw drops to the floor and my eyes have to be huge like yes, a creepy bug. No, the wasp did not survive. I quickly attacked it with my flip flop. Needless to say I was left with a huge welt. Yes, I did cry. It was a bitter end to a long day. 
The next day I woke up and laughed about it because what are the chances of being bit on the ass by a bee? However, it will take a few weeks to shake off the creepy crawlies!

DIY House Number

Do you have little bits that represent things you love or enjoy?
I had a chicken wire frame I snagged at a flea sale for $2.00. I wanted to do something fun with it and needed a house number for the seasonal delivery guys.

Why be conventional? Just be creative and have some fun. I decided the chicken wire was going to be my canvas for a house number collage.

Halloween Address. Scrap book paper for flameless candles. 

I have Christmas Ornaments I hate to put away. Notice their beautiful edition to my theme! Do your kids play sports or love the local team...add a pennant or a small football.
The dirt sign came from a jewelry aisle. The red backing is scrap book cork or weather withstanding material.
📍If you use wooden tags give them a quick clear coat.
📍I took floral wire, twine and added stuff so I could easily change up.

Going to the Show

 Gorgeous wood slat folding chair. Beautiful butter churn with sweet hand painted strawberries.

Complete set of Gothamware!!

Fairy Chimes!

Pig Candy-Yummy Appetizer and Conversation Starter

Oh my little bacon fans you will be pleased with this one! I served up this candied bacon at a holiday party and have been meaning to share it. People wanted to talk about it!  The men practically wanted to bathe in it! The women said only half a piece until they tasted it or their husband's went back for more...and more!
This appetizer is so simple it is ridiculous. I do not have a wire rack so just like the picture I rolled up tinfoil and created my own tubes for the bacon to lay over .

Products You Will Need:
Good medium not thin sliced bacon. I recommend going to the butcher and getting quality bacon and not that cheap stuff at the grocery store pre-packaged in the deli . The cheap stuff tends to be very fatty and salty . If you prefer thick sliced bacon then you just might have to adjust your cooking time.
Brown sugar.
Pan with rack or like above make your own tin foil rack. 
If you purchased quality bacon then there should be no issue with the bacon being wet like in cheap packaging.
Get a dinner plate out. You will use to cover your bacon in brown sugar. 
You must work quickly when covering your bacon in the brown sugar otherwise it will start to fall off . Have your rack ready so when you cover a piece of bacon in brown sugar it goes immediately on the rack .
Let's get started! Set your oven to 275 degrees.  Simply put some brown sugar on your dinner plate and quickly pat the bacon into the brown sugar. Cover each piece very good but you don't have to overdo it with clumps sugar falling off. When you're done with each piece place on the rack. Once done place in oven for around an hour. Check at 45 minutes. Notice my picture above. The bacon is cooked but not crispy burnt around the edges . The oven at a low temperature basically is drying out the bacon and caramelizing the brown sugar.  Once done let the bacon stand for 5 to 10 minutes so it is not too hot for guests. It is excellent served cold . I put it on a pretty dish but next time I will be filling a jar with brown sugar and standing the bacon up in it for a really cool look. The jar I think will add more to the finger food effect as well . 
Honestly, if I would have known this was going to be the hit of the party I would have made more!
** Experimental ideas for the next time . Perhaps using maple syrup or cracked black pepper are some options I was thinking about . Enjoy! 

Post Cards From the Road

I love taking snaps from my car.

Smicksburg,  PA

It's actually a fun challenge to get a picture expressing a day out or a story.  I spend a lot of time in the country and around Amish areas.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as me!

Near Rural Valley, PA Dutch signs.

Just outside Spring Church, PA

Favorite snap. Dayton, PA

Looks like a painting!

Pet Safety and Novelty Clothing

I love my dogs. They are mini humans that pretty much rule my house. So I am always thinking about them. From treats, beds and sweaters they have it all.

The other day in the store I noticed dog knitted scarves. I thought oh how cute! I then saw a commercial with a slender neck dog wearing a loose knitted scarf. I immediately thought this is dangerous. Why? I had a German Short Hair who was best friends with the Terrier mix above. One day we heard whining from the dog bed. They always slept together. The big dog got his tooth hooked under a not so loose lupine collar on the Terrier. Luckily we were home. Needless to say the collar was off when we left.
I saw the scarf commercial and thought that could easily get hooked on a branch, door knob etc and choke a dog.
The Terrier needs a sweater in cooler months. I have noticed jackets with metal zippers, thick rolled knitted collars, buttons and small added accessories.
Think about your pup's comfort. A button when taking a nap could dig into their skin. Or they rip off a small button or sewn on plastic flower and eat it! Dogs are like toddlers. I would not put a tight turtleneck on a 2 year old nor would I add a small dangle jewelry they could pull and eat. Also some of these sweaters are using stiff fancy metallic threads which could rub and hurt too.
Keep your pets safe. 💙💚💜

Shopping Tips in Lancaster County, PA

I had another great trip to Lancaster County Pennsylvania. I have been going there since I was a child. I have some tips and places to visit if you are planning a trip in the future.
My first tip really will make your trip fantastic or just OK. If you want to visit Amish based businesses and specialty stores and boutiques then you must follow a schedule. These businesses are not open after 5:00 PM. They are also not open on Sundays.

You may find a few small stores open but in general nothing is open on Sunday. 

So Sunday is a complete waste or plan to outlet shop or possibly find a festival or show. I generally leave on Sunday or just go during the week.
Remember when you start your day everything wraps up at 5:00 PM and next is dinner then outlets. If you are in farm country don't expect dinner much later than 7:00 PM with the exception of chains at the outlets. Of course if you go to the city of Lancaster and a few towns you will find great places open late and serves booze.
If you know how to work a GPS you are going to have fun going back country roads and finding random Amish shops, beautiful farm land and animals. 

I stay at Old Homestead Suites in Ronks, PA. It is an awesome Inn with bubbly whirl pool tubs and a homemade breakfast. I don't stay anywhere else. During good weather you can sit on the patio and eat breakfast or go across to the trout farm. I think all rooms have a sink and dishes with small fridge and a place to sit and eat. It is useful when you have purchased many goodies! This Inn is close to so many shops. Towns I visit that are close; Intercourse, Bird in Hand, Strasburg, Smoketown, Leola and a little further out; Ephrata/Fridays and my favorite little town Lititz.

Because there is so much information about towns I will just list the towns and things I do. This will make it so much easier for you to understand and snip to a planner.

Intercourse- Kitchen Kettle is a tourist attraction but, has good Christmas gifts. They are known originally for their jams, mustards and more. Kitchen Kettle is not run by the Amish however a few shops surrounding the complex are Amish. This is a small complex you walk and if you must there are buggy rides. There are many shops surrounding the complex you may easily walk to via sidewalk. I sometimes go to the Intercourse Spa for a pedicure. I like doing this after breakfast. Great way to kick off the day. The other place I visit my last day in Intercourse is Stoltzfus Meats. I always bring a cooler. Their bacon and unique sausages are fantastic. Everything is delicious and the prices are awesome. I also got Dutch Swiss this trip and it was the best I've had in a long time. There is a true Amish leather shop across from the side entrance of Kitchen Kettle. You can see all the belts moving on the ceiling as they run the machines. I go there for sleigh bells and dog collars. They sell horse supplies. This is a real shop and nothing fancy.
Ephrata-I go here for the Green Dragon. It is only on Friday. The outside is a mix of flea market and fresh local vegetables and fruit. You must go inside the buildings. I believe it is in the main building but, not sure and it is the building that has homemade pretzels. In the front of this building is a sandwich stand which you smell as soon as you walk in. Best Italian subs! I got great prices on spices and vanilla in this building and doggie cupcakes. You can walk away with four bags of vegetables and not spend $20.00. If you like history the Ephrata Cloister is very neat to visit. It is located in town. I do not recommend the diner across the street. I have in the past but, this time it was really horrible. Nothing was homemade anymore and it was dark and dingy. I occasionally make an appointment at Falling Waters Massage. I've had many excellent massages from a couple different people.
Lititz-I love going to Tea Affair for of course tea and shop their loose tea shop. A French pastry chef owns the business. It is yum! I love walking the town. So many cool boutiques. Don't miss the Moravian gift shop. I went in their little museum a couple years ago and was not pleased by the church volunteer. He seemed to think their religion was superior and made an ignorant comment about Catholics. I will say I've had nothing but pleasant experiences in the shop. 

You can visit Sturgis Pretzels and Wilbur Chocolates. It's more about the product. The demos kids may think are neat.
Bird in Hand-Bird in Hand Market. When you walk in the front go to the right. Pass the first lunch counter and go to the next. Behind it is a small bake shop and Lancaster tea and coffee. This is an Amish lunch counter. Excellent sandwiches and love a dog and kraut. My husband said the best chili. I enjoy their fresh tea. It's my go to for a quick lunch and keep shopping. The market has limited hours. No Sundays. Closes at 5. There is a General Store across the street I enjoy too. Also down the road is an artist who restored a mill. You can't miss it. Stop in and see his art work and the beautiful restoration.
Strasburg-Eldreth Pottery is a must if you are collector or want something unique. They will ship too. The Strasburg Creamery has been around forever. Don't miss the homemade ice cream. It's a trip after dinner. They are open late. There is a large Amish furniture store before Eldreth Pottery. Stop in if you are looking for pieces. Strasburg has the big trains you may ride on. It is awesome to see the large beauties however be advised the trip is a quick around farms and fields. Strasburg has antique shops near the trains.

Katie's Diner is traditional meat and potato Dutch food. Love the milk shakes!

Outlets-Rockvale Outlets has a lot of housewares stores. People from New York tell me the prices are great. I live around many options so it is hit or miss for me.

I enjoy the Christmas Shop since it sells Department 56 and other collectibles. It is not an outlet. Down the road is Tanger Outlets. The Tanger area is congested at high tourist time. It has many chain restaurants, chain motels, Target and Dutch Wonderland. If kids are out of school it can get busy down that way.

There are so many other little places in little towns. Just driving out of my Inn on the back roads and not up to Kitchen Kettle is an experience. You will find Amish Stands and shops. An Amish Natural Grocery store is back that way and I love it. If you have a wholesale license stop in Paradise, PA. Many bulk places.

Enjoy the little things while you are in Lancaster. Grab a cheese bag at the market and nibble on it. Stop by an Amish Farm heading towards Bird in Hand from Intercourse (look for homemade root beer sign) or get your homemade pretzel at the Green Dragon. The Amish in Lancaster are very friendly. Do not take their picture as it is disrespectful. Enjoy the swaths of beautiful farm land or watch the men work the fields. Do not drive fast and pass with room around buggies. Enjoy looking at the clean, well kept farms and during late Spring and Fall the flowers! Get out there and explore. Taking a tour just does not cut it!

From Amish Leather Shop