Kraut, Crocks & Camaraderie!

A few weeks ago we were invited to our first ever
Sauer-Kraut Party!

We were so thrilled to be invited -
and totally intrigued by the

mysterious sauer kraut making process,
how could we say no?

 

It was love at first sight.

As soon as we drove up,

the camera was out and shooting!

 

 

Turns out, this barn was just a teaser!

The party was in this fabulous barn up the hill!

 

The setting was out of a Martha Stewart magazine.

 

Every detail had it's own charm.

 

And it's own story...this sign symbolizes the beginning

of two soulmates connecting...

 

Feeling another Martha moment!

 

 

Yuenling on tap...

And fresh sangria...yum!

 

The bartender below helped build the bar for

his wedding to the owner's lovely daughter!

 

A festive autumn centerpiece

 

Love this!

 

 And now on to the kraut!

Boxes & boxes of cabbage to shred.

 

Each head to be cut and measured

 

All by the friends who had gathered.

 

Giant, vintage mandalins for shredding.

 

 

You really had to watch your fingers!

 

Some people paired up.

 

And a little chopping helped with the end pieces.

 

Next came the salt!

 

Then the fun part - mashing!

  

 

The goal is to get it good & juicy.

 

A perfect job for the youngsters 

 

Mashers of all shapes & sizes

 

Finally tucking in the kraut for

a 2 month long fermentation.

Okay, that part was news to me!

Ready in time for New Years '13

 

And now, the rest of the tour.

Looking up in to the rafters

 

 

I was jonesing over this bench below!

Not to mention this cute shot of little guys!

 

 

Not sure if these are wysteria

intertwined with the fence?

 

This reminds me of pictures of Tuscany!

 

Bright red against the stone wall of barn #1

 

The grounds go on forever,

natural beauty everywhere.

 

Everyone enjoyed the gorgeous fall day.

 

The owner's home was just as enchanting.

 

The view from the back of the barn doors.

Yes, this is what I love about Lancaster County.

 

And looking up the hill from the pond.

 

 

A corner candle lantern waiting for dusk

 

 

Lifelong friends catch up

 

 

Dusk arrives & the candle's lit,

adding a wistful romance to the air.

 

 

And the krauting continues...

  

 

Kraut, crocks & camaraderie. 

Truly one of the best days in

our 3 years of living here. 

 

What a fabulous, welcoming group

and the most delightful hosts ever... 

At the most gorgeous venue. 

 

Can't wait to kraut next year!

 

 Thank you for the invite!



You don't see these in Las Vegas!

This morning my neighbor called to tell us this little guy

was headed from her yard in to our yard! 

We couldn't see him due to our overgrown

wetlands area (sad, but true).

However, she snapped this beautiful picture

which was too pretty not to share!

 

Lancaster County...wish you were here!

So, maybe these aren't quite postcards, but the bountiful beauty
found in a Lancaster County autumn is definitely print-worthy.

Enjoy pictures of my delightful afternoon.

 

 

 

Blog? What blog?

Oops, seems like the last six months have been a blur and the blogging slipped by the wayside. With high hopes in rectifying that, here are some of my favorite snapshots from the missing months. Lancaster County and beyond. Enjoy!

 

A gorgeous Amish farm 

 

On the grounds of the Indian Echo Caverns,

just outside of Hershey, PA

 

Inside the underground caverns.

A fabulous learning experience for kids & adults!

 

Looks like ice..but it's limestone!

 

These are considered "living" caves and are still

in the growth stages.

 

Another example of nature's simple beauty.

 

And yet another...

 

 

Annual roadtrip to VA Safari!

 

And a few noteworthy local shots !

 

 

Stained gourds at an Amish gourd farm.

 

Tennessee Spinners

 

How lame am I that I take pics of laundry?

3 years later and still have that Amish Stalker Syndrome!

 

Kreider Farms big, bright cow barn!

 

Train passing through Cherry Crest Adventure Farm

 

Decorative corn stalks.