Good morning,
I played catch up with my travel the past few days. I wont be caught up anytime soon, with cancellations and insurance papers and claims. I am so thankful for the clients that take my advice and purchase insurance.
I am continuing to get updates on the closures for trips and cruises. Call me if you need more information.
Here in Vermont, we are house bound right now until April 30th via the President. We are waiting for our Governor to announce it. I have plenty to do and I want to stay healthy....so I am in the house.
Today, I want to tell you about another beautiful place to visit.
Hershey PA is where we took our honeymoon in 1976.
We loved it so very much that we have gone back down there several times.
Hershey is just east of Pennsylvania’s state capital, Harrisburg. The Hershey Story museum chronicles the community's creation as a model town for the workers at Milton Hershey’s chocolate factory. Hershey Park opened in 1907 as a modest green space but grew to include rides and attractions, including a zoo. Hershey Gardens has a rose garden and butterfly house. Hershey Park Stadium and Giant Center host concerts. The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue is devoted to the history and legacy of Milton S. Hershey and the chocolate candy confections he invented. It is located at 63 West Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, Pennsylvania, and opened in January 2009. The interactive Museum Experience chronicles Milton Hershey's life, businesses, community and philanthropies. The Chocolate Lab explores the unique qualities of chocolate through playful, hands-on experiences. The Apprentice Program provides children with activities to complete throughout the Museum Experience. Countries of Origin Chocolate Tasting allows visitors to sample single-origin, warm drinking chocolates from around the world. It opened after the closure of the original Hershey Museum located adjacent to Hershey Park in late 2008.
The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue is devoted to the history and legacy of Milton S. Hershey and the chocolate candy confections he invented. It is located at 63 West Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, Pennsylvania, and opened in January 2009. The interactive Museum Experience chronicles Milton Hershey's life, businesses, community and philanthropies. The Chocolate Lab explores the unique qualities of chocolate through playful, hands-on experiences. The Apprentice Program provides children with activities to complete throughout the Museum Experience. Countries of Origin Chocolate Tasting allows visitors to sample single-origin, warm drinking chocolates from around the world. It opened after the closure of the original Hershey Museum located adjacent to Hershey Park in late 2008.
Zoo America is a zoo located in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States. The zoo was founded in 1910 by Milton S. Hershey with a few animals, including bears, birds, and deer. Today, the zoo covers 11 acres and is home to more than 75 species and 200 individual animals, including some that are rare and endangered. The zoo is privately controlled by the Hershey Trust Company and is connected to Hershey Park. Zoo America is also an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Hershey Gardens is a 23-acre botanical garden and arboretum located at 170 Hotel Road, Hershey, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They are set atop a hill overlooking Hershey Park. It was built as a gift from chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey for his community and to honor his wife, Catherine.
We then continue our trip to Lancaster. The food and crafts are wonderful.
Bob heads straight to the Shoo Fly Pie when we stop for lunch...and dinner.
When you visit Lancaster, PA, you'll experience a countryside steeped in history, art, creativity, fun and most importantly, Pennsylvania Dutch Country hospitality. There's no shortage of unique and exciting Lancaster things to do, no matter why you like to travel. Whether you're thinking of visiting Lancaster for an authentic PA Amish experience, to shop until you drop, for exploring our vibrant downtown, to enjoy great outdoor activities, or for sharing memories with the whole family... Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has something for you.
Hundreds of Lancaster outlet stores are packed with brand name clothing, shoes and housewares at prices you won't find anywhere else. Plus, factory outlets offer more deals on glassware, pewter ware, crafts, silk flowers and much more. Many of these famous Lancaster outlets are clustered together across two Outlet Centers along Route 30 - Tanger Outlet Center and The Shops @ Rockvale Lancaster. My next purchase will be an Amish quilt.
AmishView Inn & Suites, Lancaster PA’s Number One Hotel is my 1st choice.
There are many choices of rooms down there to pick from.
Stay healthy and have a great weekend...Please remember to pay it forward.
PJ
I am sharing one of my favorite recipes with you today for Easter cookies
(Thank you JK ADAMS)
Decorated Easter Shortbread Cookies
Serves:About 4 dozen
For The Cookies
1-1/3 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
For The Buttercream Frosting
4 cups Powdered Sugar (or 1 pound)
1 cup Butter (Softened Salted Sweet Cream)
2-3 teaspoons Vanilla
1-2 tablespoons Milk
Directions:
To Make The Cookies
Combine butter and sugar in bowl of a stand-mixer fitted with a paddle and mix until creamy. Add vanilla to blend.
Sift flour and cornstarch together into a separate bowl, then mix it thoroughly into the butter & sugar mixture.
Turn the dough out and form it into a 1" thick flat disc.
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Break the disc of dough roughly into quarters and work each in batches, warming each portion slightly with your hands at first to make it pliable, then roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin to 1/8" thickness.
Cut desired shapes from the dough using your favorite shaped cookie cutters. Re-roll leftover dough to yield more shapes. Repeat process with each quarter of the dough.
Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake for 5 to 8 minutes.
Be careful not to overcook. These cookies should be very pale in color when fully baked. Do not let the edges begin to brown.
Carefully remove cookies from baking sheet to a rack and let cool thoroughly before frosting.
To Make The Frosting
Beat butter in mixer and add vanilla.
Meanwhile sift sugar. Alternate between milk and sugar as you add slowly to mixer. Add more milk if need to get the consistency you are looking for to frost the cookies.
Divide the frosting into small bowls or ramekins, one for each color. In each, add a single drop of food coloring at a time to get the shade of color you desire. Be careful not to use too much food color - you can always add more but can't remove it! For light pastels, instead of a full drop, you may want to lightly touch a toothpick into the food color and swipe it into the frosting and mix thoroughly, repeating as needed to gradually achieve the desired colors.
To Frost The Cookies
Coat each cookie with a solid color frosting, then decorate with alternate color frostings in plastic frosting bags fitted with your choice of various decorating tips.
Arrange cookies on a beautiful plate or wooden platter and serve.