I was straightening out my photo albums and I came across an old scrapbook from a trip taken back in 2002 with my Mom and Dad to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
It was a weekend of LOTS of amazing food, shopping and fun!
Years prior, my Mom and Dad had taken my sister and I on a weekend trip to Lancaster County and the most memorable part of the trip was the good eats! Of course, the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish country is a cultural experience in itself, where these "Plain People" live simply, dress plain and do not adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
It was a weekend of LOTS of amazing food, shopping and fun!
Years prior, my Mom and Dad had taken my sister and I on a weekend trip to Lancaster County and the most memorable part of the trip was the good eats! Of course, the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish country is a cultural experience in itself, where these "Plain People" live simply, dress plain and do not adopt many conveniences of modern technology.
(credit: pavisitorsnetwork)
Lots to do in this area including antiquing, sightseeing and getting up close and personal with the Amish.
I thought it would be fun to go back again, now that I was married, and take a little weekend trip as couples with my parents. My folks are not the most travel-oriented individuals, and so, I was thrilled when they were excited for this little jaunt. Just a few hours drive from New York City, I was confident that my Dad would be okay since he is not a big fan of long drives.
As the title indicates, this trip was mostly about eating! If you have never visited Lancaster and the surrounding areas where the Pennsylvania Dutch occupy, it is delightful (and delicious!) for a weekend trip.
I thought it would be fun to go back again, now that I was married, and take a little weekend trip as couples with my parents. My folks are not the most travel-oriented individuals, and so, I was thrilled when they were excited for this little jaunt. Just a few hours drive from New York City, I was confident that my Dad would be okay since he is not a big fan of long drives.
As the title indicates, this trip was mostly about eating! If you have never visited Lancaster and the surrounding areas where the Pennsylvania Dutch occupy, it is delightful (and delicious!) for a weekend trip.
My Scrapbook from this weekend trip We opted to go in the Fall, over Columbus Day weekend. I worked with my Mom to plan out the details and we decided to stay in a Bed & Breakfast in the Lancaster area.
I have always loved Bed and Breakfast accommodations - they are warm and friendly, welcoming, comfortably decorated, intimate and small, and generally, very economical.
Mom and I found Living Spring Farm Bed & Breakfast in Adamstown, and boy was it sweet! Located within close proximity to Lancaster County points of interest, we had an enjoyable and relaxing weekend stay.
The Innkeeper, Debra Cazille was a sweetheart and we loved the fact that her property was a farm with horses and lovely grounds.
Our journey began by driving through Manhattan, where my Mom suggested that we eat at Sarabeth's Kitchen, located on the upper East Side in the Hotel Wales. And folks, this is where the food-fest began!! We had a big, hearty breakfast.
I have always loved Bed and Breakfast accommodations - they are warm and friendly, welcoming, comfortably decorated, intimate and small, and generally, very economical.
Mom and I found Living Spring Farm Bed & Breakfast in Adamstown, and boy was it sweet! Located within close proximity to Lancaster County points of interest, we had an enjoyable and relaxing weekend stay.
The Innkeeper, Debra Cazille was a sweetheart and we loved the fact that her property was a farm with horses and lovely grounds.
Our journey began by driving through Manhattan, where my Mom suggested that we eat at Sarabeth's Kitchen, located on the upper East Side in the Hotel Wales. And folks, this is where the food-fest began!! We had a big, hearty breakfast.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten my camera in the car and since the weather was pretty miserable as we began our trip, none of our little group wanted to venture back to the car to retrieve it. So, a picture of the outside of Sarabeth's taken when I returned to the car, will have to suffice!
Tedd did all the driving on this trip and we all participated in a great deal of snacking throughout the drive - peanuts, chips - you get the picture.
Tedd did all the driving on this trip and we all participated in a great deal of snacking throughout the drive - peanuts, chips - you get the picture.
"On the Road" to Lancaster - Front of Sarabeth's Kitchen Restaurant where we had breakfast and Mom and Dad napping on the car ride Between the rain and the eating, Mom and Dad took occasional naps.
We all had a good laugh as Tedd had poked fun of Dad's cowboy hat and took to calling him "Andy Griffith" in the car on the drive down to Pennysylvania.
Scenic shots that I scrapbooked Because I took my eating very seriously on this trip, I made it clear to my fellow companions that I was determined to get "downstairs" to "get my seat" prior to the official serving time. Everyone got a kick out of this and had a good laugh at my expense at how determined I was not to miss any of the breakfast items!
So, with a plan for breakfast underway, it was time to get serious about the other meals!! Arriving late afternoon, we was looking forward to our dinner! From my previous visit, to the Amish Country, I had a vivid recollection of Shady Maple Smorgasbord and was psyched to go back!
So, with a plan for breakfast underway, it was time to get serious about the other meals!! Arriving late afternoon, we was looking forward to our dinner! From my previous visit, to the Amish Country, I had a vivid recollection of Shady Maple Smorgasbord and was psyched to go back!
Since I scrapbooked the entire weekend excursion, I thought I'd share the scrapbooked pages instead of the usual, boring stills. We arrived at Living Spring Farm late afternoon and were tickled pink with this adorable Bed & Breakfast.
We met "Ernie", Deb's pooch and were shown to our rooms, which were charming and cozy. I was stoked about the eating we would be doing all weekend and did not want to miss out on any opportunity to do so.
The food in this part of the country is down-home, comfort food and the fact that we were staying in someone's home, I knew we were in for some amazingly rich and delish breakfasts.
True to my expectations, the breakfast menu for each of the three mornings of our stay made my mouth water! Deb told us that breakfast was served "promptly at 8:30am" each morning.
Food Glorious Food! I can't even begin to explain this place! Everything is buffet style with stations and counters of food! It's crazy how much there is to eat - everything is grown on the Amish Farms - fresh, organic, and scrumptious.
Veggies - fresh corn, squash, carrots, string beans, lima beans and so much more.
Bread - all kinds of home-made breads, soft, succulent and doughy.
Salad bars with everything you could image - various types of lettuces, tomatoes, beets, salad toppings and a variety of dressings.
Meats and carving stations - now I am not a carnivore, but for those that are, this is heaven!!
Veggies - fresh corn, squash, carrots, string beans, lima beans and so much more.
Bread - all kinds of home-made breads, soft, succulent and doughy.
Salad bars with everything you could image - various types of lettuces, tomatoes, beets, salad toppings and a variety of dressings.
Meats and carving stations - now I am not a carnivore, but for those that are, this is heaven!!
Our Glorious Eating Fest at Shady Maple Smorgasbord
And tons of comfort food like mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, two of my favorites! Desserts galore from fruit pies, to cakes and sweets. And best of all - it was unlimited! You could go back as many times as you wanted!!
Upon arrival, I realized they had expanded the Shady Maple Smorgasbord, but, thankfully, the food was as good and plentiful as ever! Each of us ate way too much. Mom and I were not too full to do a little shopping at the Gift Shop downstairs! Tedd and Dad opted to relax and sit for a while with their full bellies.
Upon arrival, I realized they had expanded the Shady Maple Smorgasbord, but, thankfully, the food was as good and plentiful as ever! Each of us ate way too much. Mom and I were not too full to do a little shopping at the Gift Shop downstairs! Tedd and Dad opted to relax and sit for a while with their full bellies.
Our first morning, we were running late! I was freaking out that I was going to be late for breakfast. Tedd was not ready, and he was a little in shock that I said "see ya down there" and ran out.
I was not taking any chances in missing any of the great grub!!
When my gang arrived, they were wide eyed at how crazed I was with my eating!
We had a good laugh and still laugh about it to this day.
I was not taking any chances in missing any of the great grub!!
When my gang arrived, they were wide eyed at how crazed I was with my eating!
We had a good laugh and still laugh about it to this day.
The next two days were filled with driving around the area - taking in the sights and going to a variety of antique centers and flea markets to shop for furniture.
Tedd and I had been in our house for four years, but were still in the midst of renovating and decorating. My bedroom was one of the last we tackled and it was time to find a bedroom set.
Tedd and I had been in our house for four years, but were still in the midst of renovating and decorating. My bedroom was one of the last we tackled and it was time to find a bedroom set.
At Breakfast
As fate would have it, we found a lovely antique set with which we fell in love! It was cause for celebration and yet more eating.
Someone brought up the subject of "where should we eat for dinner" while we were leaving the Antique Center. My opinion, which I made known, was "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and I felt that for the price, the food options and the casual atmosphere, we mind as well head back to Shady Maple for our second night's dinner.
Someone brought up the subject of "where should we eat for dinner" while we were leaving the Antique Center. My opinion, which I made known, was "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and I felt that for the price, the food options and the casual atmosphere, we mind as well head back to Shady Maple for our second night's dinner.
Dad is a big proponent of getting unlimited food for a good price, so he was up for a second visit. Mom and Tedd were on board, so our dinner plans for Night 2 were set! Another evening of filling our plates (and our bellies) - with more comfort food...and lots of it!
Shopping in one of the antique centers in Lancaster As we exited the antique center, filled with joy over our furniture find and purchase, we noticed a bunch of ostriches and goats in a fenced off area next to the parking lot.
We strolled over to say hi to these cute creatures, and I'll tell you what we found...as cute as this group of God's creatures were, was as much as they smelled!!!
I am a total animal lover and I found it hard to stand downwind of these animals. In any case, we took pictures and pretended to enjoy standing so close.
We strolled over to say hi to these cute creatures, and I'll tell you what we found...as cute as this group of God's creatures were, was as much as they smelled!!!
I am a total animal lover and I found it hard to stand downwind of these animals. In any case, we took pictures and pretended to enjoy standing so close.
We got up close and person with these animals outside the Antique Center 
That evening, we hung out at "Deb's" in the living room and decided to watch a movie. Not to be too cliche, but we chose "For Richer, For Poorer" the 1996 movie with Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley about the rich, high profile power couple who have to hide from the law in the Amish Country.
I thought it was great that Deb had this movie in her library!
The rest of our trip was an absolute delight - Day 2, we shopped till we dropped. Mom and I could have kept going, but Dad and Tedd were more than annoyed at going from flea market to flea market and store to store. So, we had to call it quits before the men lost it.
I thought it was great that Deb had this movie in her library!
The rest of our trip was an absolute delight - Day 2, we shopped till we dropped. Mom and I could have kept going, but Dad and Tedd were more than annoyed at going from flea market to flea market and store to store. So, we had to call it quits before the men lost it.
Our trip to Lancaster County was just one of those trips that everything fell into place, everyone got along and everyone agreed on how good it was to eat!!
For Your Reference
Sarabeth's Kitchen
1295 Madison Avenue (at 92nd Street)
New York, NY
212-410-7335
sarabethrestaurants.com
Living Spring Farm Bed & Breakfast
P.O. Box 965
Adamstown, PA 19501
610-775-8525
www.livingspringfarm.com
Shady Maple Smorgasbord
shady-maple.com