Gotta Tell You About Schlabach's Mennonite Bakery

Last month I shared with you an Amish bulk food store near Clarksville, TN.  Now we are going to head a bit farther down the road to another bit of happy… Schlabach’s Mennonite bakery. 

If you are coming in from Clarksville, this is what will catch your eye first.  The beautiful outdoor furniture is made by some family members.  It is solid, comfortable, and affordable.

On the other side of the drive is the bakery.  Head on up that ramp and thru the door. 

Breathe in deeply…

Ummmmm…  Shelves lined with sweet rolls, cakes, pies, brownies, whoopee pies, hand pies, cookies, breads, rolls… and it smells SO good!

Here’s one of my favorites – their sweet rolls.  These get snapped up fast.

The bread is fantastic too.  Our favorite is their sourdough, of which they had none this visit.  It makes the best French toast and grilled cheese sandwiches.  There are about 5 different types they make.

Pies are good.  They regularly have apple, peach, cherry, pecan, and chess.

Jams and jellies of all sorts are there to go with your bread.

There’s also honey, molasses, and maple syrup if that is your preference.

Schlabach’s is my ‘go to’ place for putting together an easy breakfast or making a gift basket.

They are at:

6225 Guthrie Road

Guthrie, KY  42234

They’re open Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat from 8am to 5pm.  

Closed on Sun and Thurs, and the entire month of January.

Last Look at Spring

In this winter/summer May we are having my azealea were here and gone in just a few days.  They popped open so fast I knew I had better get photos immeditely.  

Didn't they bloom out beautifully?

The violets I planted in the porch boxes have been amazing too.  I'm going to try transplanting them to a large pot I can set in a shady area.  Maybe they will last a while longer.

Not a flower, but our Japanese maple is looking the best it ever has.

I'll have to keep some shade on it this summer.  It always burns in the TN sun.

Yep... time to start working on the summer yard!

An Egg of a Different Color

Robin nest with a cow bird egg

May 2014

The robin nest in my parent's English ivy has been highjacked by a cow bird.  Cow birds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, for that bird to hatch and raise.  

Care For A Chocolate Chip Cookie?

Did you know that today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day? 

Really!

This… I can get into!

Last month we had our own chocolate chip cookie day.  I’m going to let Himself tell about it…

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Well, we have 'met the neighbors' -- and there isn't just one 'pretty & pink'........but three. 

When we moved here in 2008, neighbor C (age 22 at the time) had stuffed a box of cake-mix into our mailbox.  That was her way of saying 'welcome'.   Well, we decided to go a step further -- make some chocolate-chip cookies and hand-deliver them to our new neighbors - the ones with the pink bicycle.   We did.

As we drove the 100 meters up the hill to their driveway with still-warm cookies we saw a young blond woman walking toward us as she was walking down the hill toward the river.  Seems this is a 16 year old sister of the wife that lives there.  Pausing in our short drive I asked this young woman, "Do you stay there?"   She smiled and affirmed that she did and smiled even bigger when I mentioned that we had ‘welcome-cookies’ to drop off.   

Entering the driveway a young wife (age 24) poked her head 'from around back' where she was working behind the house.  Two little girls were in the yard and Mom came around with yet another.   Seems they have a smiling 5, 3, & almost 2 year old who 'run the place'!   After introductions, smiles got bigger when chocolate-chip cookies were mentioned!   Mom?  Named M.  Kids?  G, B, and Z.   (Oh, we were also greeted by a smiling dapple long-haired Dachshund named 'Bubbles'...)  

After a little chat hubby K (who works as a traffic controller) returned from his army unit at Ft. Campbell.  Chatted with him too.   He mentioned wanting to do some shooting down at the creek.  Told him personal shooting in this area is common and that everyone did it – just be careful! 

It was funny.  Young M had two comments -- the weather, and 'those boys'.    Seems the girls had met 8 year old D & 4 year old C who are nothing but energy and ‘boy’ (little do they know), and, it seems today's temps of 75 was already getting to young M who asked, "Does it get a lot hotter here?!"

Little does she know...

About to put chocolate-chip cookies into the oven.

Hot out of the oven.   Made small due to three little kids who only need so much  sugar at a time.  Made 36 of them for the new family. 

Question – how many of you remember ‘being brought something’ from the neighbors when you moved into a new neighborhood?   Have you ever done the same?

Anyone care to answer? 

~Himself~

Temperate Rain Forest

Near Olympia, WA

May 2011

Listening to the rain falling as I write this reminds me of many of my trips to Washington.  All that rain creates the most incredible green vistas.  So beautiful.

Siblings

Himself took this adorable photo of an Amish brother and sister while we were at the plant auction.

Aren’t they precious?

I decided it was the perfect photo to have some fun in Picasa with…

“Focal B&W”

“Orton-ish”

“Sepia”

“HDR-ish”

“Focal Zoom”

“Pencil Sketch”

I think my favorite special effect is the “HDR-ish”.  I especially like how the two boys on the left came out.

What one do you like best?

Mom

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! 

They say it is the little things that count.  You’ve always been there in the little things and the big things.  I know you have rolled your eyes at a lot of things I’ve done, but thank you for letting me try.  Some things worked… other things… not so much.  You gave me wings and roots.  Can’t ask for much more than that.

Thank you for introducing me to so many things that are a part of my life.  Cooking, decorating, being a hostess… and so many more you taught me by example.

What a cute little girl you were…

…who grew up to be a knock-out! 

You always find ways for us to have fun. 

You are a cool mother-in-law.  Himself has always appreciated your baking skills too!

Plus you are one outstanding grandma!  I love seeing this side of you.

And I love you.  Thanks for being always being there.

Happy Mother's Day!