Parades, Fireworks, And Cookie Dough Dip

Here in Center County the 4th of July festivities go on for days. Each small borough had a parade and many have firework displays, all of this happening on different days. 

Our city had their annual Fireman's Parade this past Saturday. After the parade my neighbor hosted a  party. I had intended on bringing a tray of cake pops to the party but could not bring myself to turning on my oven to bake the cake needed to make the pops. So I had to rethink my plan. I had pinned a recipe for a dip on one of my boards on Pinterest. I took another look at it and decided to take a chance on it. I'm glad that I did. It was a hit with everyone.

I had to leave the leftovers behind because I knew that we could consume all of the leftovers that evening. Better that all of the kids eat it and not me.

This dip comes together in less than five minutes and is ready to head out the door without any time in the refrigerator for all of the flavors to mingle. It is very akin to a decadent frosting that you dip a cookie into. Feel free to put as much on a cookie as your heart desires.

Cookie Dough Dip

1 8 oz package cream cheese softened
1/2 cup butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup toffee bits


1. Cream together the cream cheese, vanilla, and butter.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients and mix till well combined.
3 Serve with graham cracker, vanilla wafers, and apple wedges.

Source: Add a Pinch

Sharing Your Passion

Just one of the many beautiful plants that Dot shared with me, coneflowers. 

This past week my neighbor passed away and it's made me think about the mark we leave on people when we are gone. Dot loved to garden, like me she could get lost in a plot of dirt. Over the past couple of years she has shared with me many cuttings from her garden. She was generous with her love and her passion for her garden was infectious.

So, like Dot I hope to inspire those around me to be more and lead an uncommon life.

Happy Fourth of July

Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July. We will celebrate by barbecuing and watching fireworks in State College. Bellefonte will have their annual parade on Saturday July7th and fireworks Friday July 6th. So I guess that it will be a long weekend full of festivities. 

Little Library

I had never heard of this until recently and can't get it off my mind. I really want one of my own to share. The concept is so brilliant and right down our family's alley, in other words, we have a lot of books.

The Little Library above is near us, a couple of miles away. The one below is also near us.

 Here's an excerpt from their website to help you catch the vision: “What’s in the library today?” people might ask as they stroll through their neighborhood.   Maybe one library has mystery stories, one has picture books for kids and another has memoirs.  Down the block, an English teacher shares her favorite novels and a historian puts out a new book every month about “the old country” and her Norwegian heritage.  Some fifth grade girls exchange American Girl stories about girls growing up at different times in history.  A wooden bench shows up next to the Little Library in front of Mrs. Argelander’s bungalow.  The nightly walkers, children and elders alike, sit and read to each other.   

I especially like this little red library. I would love to see one in my neighborhood. But, something more quaint would better be suited to my neighborhood.

I hope this inspires you to find a little library near you and share a note or book. 

I would like to give credit to Bookusbinders for the great photos that I found to share here.

This Moment

A single picture capturing a snippet in the week. No words, just this moment in time.

Join in the fun with a group of bloggers sharing their moments. The movement started with Soulemama, you can see more moments in the comments section.

This Moment

A single picture capturing a snippet in the week. No words, just this moment in time.

A Good Evening

The other evening we were going to head to the gym and instead we decided to go for a walk. 

Sometimes it's just much nicer outside.

 We watched trout jump.

Spied the warm sun peeking through the trees.

Best of all we saw a bald eagle's nest. Luck was on our side because we just happened to have a pair or binoculars to watch the nest with. We watched in amazement as daddy came flying with dinner, and everyone made room for him in the nest. 

It was a good evening spent together.

Antiquing in Bellefonte

I'm not very good at antique shopping. The first time I went into this shop I walked out completely overwhelmed. What was really going through my head was, "Who in their right mind would want to buy any of that stuff!" and "Who collected it all?"

 But I have since had a change of heart. I'm still not very good at searching things out, but there are really is something for everyone at this little antique shop. Even if you don't find anything that day, the items are fascinating.

Amber bottle with Clorox label, who knew that Bleach came in a glass bottle. I love looking at all of the old bottles.

An old Cub Scout book. Back in the day when to be "square" meant to be fair and honest. I think that I will start using that term more often, I like it.

A child's cup. 

A bin of old license plates. This made me wonder who collected all of them and how did they all end up here. 

A glass display table with plates, jewelry, and mercury glass.

A salt shaker, her mate is in the background. 

This stall had lots of old cans and bottles. I remember sitting with my mama on a hot summer day sipping Tab.

I love these nested bowls. They also remind me of my mama and helping it the kitchen.

I still walk away thinking about the people who originally owned all of these treasures. See, I didn't call it "stuff."  But from time to time I love to walk through this little store. You never know what you'll find.

As a side note, my son walked by and looked at this post and asked, "When did you go to the junk store?" I forgive him, I will work on him to change his heart and his view of old things. Very soon, some of the things he grew up with will be here too.

Through the Magic Door

I walk by this door almost everyday with Buddy. When I walk by it I often stop and look at it. It says, "KEEP OUT." The wall is too tall to peer over. So as I walk by I wonder and make up my own story about what is behind the forbidden door. My stories are probably much better than what is actually behind this door. So maybe I will never look and just keep making up stories.

Besides that, I'm kind of a stickler with rules.

Farmer's Market Finds from Boalsburg

I didn't get to market till late, after 5:00. So pickings were slim. I didn't get eggs from my favorite vendor,Tamarack Farm. Instead I picked up  a couple of plants, a lily of the valley and a tomato plant. I did score some eggs from a vendor that is unfamiliar to me. They look lovely and I was assured that they come from free roaming, happy hens.

I picked up some great baby russian kale from John at at Jade Family Farm and he shared how his wife prepared a fresh kale salad with venison. I also picked up some lovely mache from him. I didn't get anymore rhubarb because he was sold out. He assured me that he would have more next week. Jade Family Farm is one of my favorite booths. Their passion for food and love for what they do is evident when you stop and chat with them.

But the biggest surprise for me was the table of fresh tomatoes. Oh sure they were grown in a hothouse, but they were in the ground. They smell like the essence of summer, mmmmm. I'm going to make a fresh tomato and mozzarella salad, what a treat.

One of the best things about going to farmer's market is the interaction that you have with the people that grow your food.  The food is fresher and doesn't have to travel so far to get to my table. I love cooking with my fresh finds and being in tune with the rhythm of the seasons. Happy Valley is farming country, and we are so lucky to be so close to so many people who are passionate about what they grow and sell. It's a heartwarming ritual for my family to say hello to the various vendors and find out what is new with them, a new kid and lambing love, children growing and learning to love the land, and their excitement for what's coming next week. I love coming home and planning my week around my fresh finds. I hope that you are as lucky as I am to have a great farmer's market or farm new you.

This Moment

A walk along Spring Creek.

A moment in time from my week. Hope that you have a great weekend filled laughter, love, and sunshine. 

Farmers Market Day, Boalsburg

One of the really nice thing about living in Happy Valley is the access to great local produce. On any given day there is is a farmer's market near us with fresh seasonal produce. I love the Boalsburg market. It runs year round, at the old fire station in the winter and at the Military Museum the rest of the year.

Yesterday was the the first outdoor market. Since it is still so early in the year there are fewer vendors selling their goods. It was a cold blustery day with a mixed bag of weather. It was nice to see a new food truck. He had a small menu, offering pork soft tacos and black bean with goat cheese tamales. They were a small tasty very late lunch. He also had fresh red and green salsa. I wonder what else he will offer. 

As far as fresh produce, I picked up some lovely rhubarb, mache, young fresh garlic,and eggs. I already have plans for the fresh garlic. I've never cooked with it, but I had just read an article about young garlic in a new Fine Cooking magazine and had to get me a bunch to try. 

I'm a big believer in buying local and being close to my food. I try to feed my family as much whole food as possible. With my garden coming along and such great local farmers that offer up the best from Mother Nature it's easy.  

So what are you waiting for? Check out your local farmer's market and whip up something magical. 

An Afternoon at Tait Farms

.We drove over to Tait Farm
this afternoon. It's a great place to
pick up gifts that really represent Happy Valley. They do a great job of featuring products from by local artists. Every visit is a real treat.

This time of year one can find some of the best heirloom seedlings around. Their greenhouse is overflowing with so many unique varieties of greens ready for the garden. We picked up some beets, 2 kinds of kale, choi, rapini, and lots of herbs. I've never planted beets, but I'm going to give it a go and see what happens.

They didn't have any peppers or tomatoes. The weather has been so beautiful that I forget that it is still only April and we still have a chance of frost. We will have to visit again in May to pick up our tomato and pepper seedlings.

I can hardly wait to plant our little gems. I love growing our own food. It is one of the best feelings when you go to the store and your bill is that much smaller because you have a great garden full of homegrown nourishing veggies.