Fasnacht Crawl

Today is Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday, the day all good Pennsylvania Dutch Amish and Mennonites divest themselves of rich ingredients, such as eggs, lard, butter, and sugar before the Lenten fast begins on Ash Wednesday.

These ingredients are combined to make  a square dense pastry called Fasnachts (Fast Night). I remember Fasnacht Day in the 60's when I lived in Chambersburg, PA, which has a large Mennonite community. I've traveled the country, experiencing local cuisines and traditions, but never encountered fasnachts, even in Amish locales. It's truly a Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Enough about history, but if your heart desires more about this tradition, read all about it: Fasnacht Day.

So we arose somewhat early this morning to start our day (I admit we could have started sooner but...) in our search  for the most authentic fasnacht. Well, Lancaster PA is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, so we had ample choices to find the "real thing". 

Our first stop was Achenbach Bakery. We spent too much time and money there, but everything beckoned to our senses, and we didn't resist. We ended up sitting at a table to stuff our faces before heading off to the next place of sin.

Ooh gooey goodness!

Our next stop was W Donuts. cozy place, pricey but extraordinary!

We stopped for lunch to eat "real" food, Akron PA

 
                                                   

Then we visited Bunyaad Fair Trade Rugs and Marketplace.

 

Superb Quilling

Seasonal herbs and spices

Exquisite quilling. I'm just a novice, inspiration.

Wonderful day!

Holiday Excursions

My body has been riddled with arthritis, so the past few years had gotten progressively worse until I was unable to move freely without pain. I had my 1st joint replacement in 2015 and was good for awhile. After I moved back to PA in 2022, I've had more joints replaced and back surgery. I'm now pain free and just need to get stronger through PT and exercise. I soldiered through every procedure, confident that, even at my age, it was worth it. I know how lucky I am, adding a few more years.

Since I'm getting around better, the holidays held many milestones for me. I never make New Year's resolutions, but this year I vowed to get off my ass. Finally. 

My brother always joins me for Christmas, no matter where I am. Mission TX, Miami FL, wherever. I picked him up from Baltimore airport the past few years. The next day we shopped our feet off at Wegmans, which I haven't done in (a year)? because I can't pull a wheely cart full of groceries...yet. Delivery it is for now.

Another day we shopped at  Roots Market (ding ding ding! prize if you can pronounce it properly). It has many buildings, vendors indoors and out selling fresh produce, baked goods, meat, seafood. There's also a flea market and auction.

so of course we got lost and couldn't find our car, so my brother took the key fob to locate the car while I sat on a bench. A side note: when he used the men's room, he told me there was a Bible in each stall. Contemplative material I suppose. In addition, weekly shopping at Central Market and nearby farm markets provide us with locally grown produce, cheese, flowers, herbs and meats. Grocery stores are  for basics and every year, I look forward to "putting up" for winter as I pressure can seasonal vegetables, fruits, and soup. 

We toured the Hand Mansion at Rockford, decorated for the holidays. 

https://www.historicrockford.org/

On yet another day, we visited Burning Bridge Antique Market in Columbia PA. https://burningbridgeantiques.com/ A plethora of glassware, jewelry, furniture, kitchen items, just about anything.

I've been there before but was physically limited at the time. This time, however, they closed early because an ice storm was heading our way. I'm looking for a few specific items, so I'll be heading back soon. 

Not sure if it's Waterford, but is beautiful.

Hobnail

 

I could swear I have this set in storage! Desert Rose made by Franciscan.

Marcasite

I used to collect vintage colanders.

I had the most unusual Christmas. We decided to not exchange gifts this year. My brother visited from Florida, but daughter Carla had singing gigs and other daughter Nina worked Christmas, so it's just my brother and me until Nina and her boyfriend Carlo joined us later. We had a lovely Christmas meal with good food and company. Christmas isn't about decorating, or baking my brains out, buying the perfect gifts, last minute wrapping while watching the Pope at St Peter's Basilica in the wee hours of Christmas the morning. Gifts don't always come in boxes.

This New Year

 I missed the chance for a life like hers once.

"How I Prepped for Winter Before I Even Had a Home!"

Added New Year's Eve. 

I never make resolutions, but in this New Year, I am in a writing mood.

First off, sadly, there are so many things I'll never do again, and it's a long list.

Tent Camping 

Once I'm on the ground, I'm down. I have to call the fire department if no one is around. Now that I've had every joint replaced and spinal fusion to uncrush my spine, I'm optimistic. No matter how well I recover, I'll never tent camp again unless I have a cot.

I'll never live on the beaches of Belize. 

My kids will definitely veto it. 

Well! I guess that's it. I thought the list would be  lot longer, but I can't think of anything else that is outside the realm of possibilities.

So what WILL I do?

Walk my Daughter down the aisle

Yes I will. Next summer in CA

Travel

I have a 10 year old car that can't tow a Teardrop because it's a Hybrid. That may change, but for now, Have Camera Will Travel. Pennsylvania is a great place to explore. Many day trips ahead!

Big Travel

I've never been to Europe. Daughter Carla has traveled the world solo many times and I admire her confidence and spirit. I've always wanted to visit Italy, especially Rome, for a month, a year, forever. A European river cruise looks enticing, or a Sushi Omakase experience in Japan with my daughter Nina, who is also a sushi junky.

Eventually I'll just throw up my hands and say WTH and DO something instead of sleeping, playing games or watching videos on my phone.

Moving forward

Now that my body had been fixed, I can do most anything (except hike Mt Everest). I promise to pry myself out of my comfort cocoon and venture out. I no longer have physical restrictions after spine surgery, so I'm just working on getting stronger with PT. In a few months, I'll be able to do activities I haven't been able to do in years.

 

I'll start making new memories solo. But who cares. me

Getting My Craft On (revised)

'Tis the  holiday season when creativity comes alive, but this year the holidays crept up so fast, I wasn't prepared. I've been recovering from something or other the past few years and haven't been in the holiday spirit for awhile.

I did manage to re-do my door wreath. It was no longer summer so the wreath of yellow sunflowers and forsythia had to come down. Unfortunately I never took a picture of it.  I'm not a bow maker,  but this one turned out  pretty good! 

I bought stems for a fall wreath, but they'll wait til next year.  I skipped right to the winter wreath. I often forage for dried foliage in the area for my wreaths because I've got lots of glitter and glue spray...or sometimes not at all, depending on my mood.  I just didn't get out much this fall.

Supplies

Here are a few from the past.

 

Happy Happy!