Spring Time in Ohio

May 8th, almost a week ago, a group of ladies with Amy and myself as their guides headed for Central Ohio. Thursday morning our driver Earl arrived bright and early in Columbus to transport us to quaint Holmes County to visit Amish Country.

Here she is! Our beautiful Pioneer Trails motor coach complete with our amazing, patient driver Earl Sommers! Earl is a Mennonite so he comes with a lot of knowledge on the lifestyles of the local Amish communities. He has raised several children ... many of them female so he is well equipped to handle a bus of women!

 A bus of happy, smiling faces all ready to see what the day has in store for them. My cousin Maryann is in the front right, she is local to Ohio and it's always wonderful to visit while I'm there.

 

Preparing for a tour involves packing ... along with many other duties Amy and I need to either ship or pack our guests amenities. This is one entire suitcase full of such items. On the up side I have this empty suitcase to fill with Amish and Longaberger goodies to bring home with me! And yes, I did just that!!

Each morning and evening the ladies were treated to a gift. This bag is filled with journals and pens. We encouraged them to write down things they wanted to remember, learned along the way and perhaps the email address of a new friend! It's also a perfect place to adhere pictures of their trip to bring their journaled memories to life!

 Thursday was spent for the most part shopping in the quaint shops of Berlin, Charm, Walnutcreek and Sugarcreek. Thursday the Amish were celebrating the feast of the Ascension so many Amish owned businesses were closed. It was fun to pass their homes and see so many children running and playing in their yards enjoying the day off from their chores and school. We checked into the beautiful Carlisle Inn in the village of Sugarcreek by 5:00 pm and were treated to a delicious dinner at the Der Dutchman Restaurant.


One of our many carts of luggage ... why do women pack so much?

One of the many sitting rooms at the Carlisle Inn available to guests. This one is titled the "library" it was so warm and cozy.

The view from our bedroom French doors. The home at the top of the hill is brick adorned with while pillars and a view of the entire valley. Just so beautiful. It was 8:00 pm when I snapped this picture, it is still so light outside! In California it would be almost dark.

With our bellies full and a three hour time difference we were all tucked into our beds relatively early! Tomorrow we will travel south to Dresden to visit the Longaberger Company!


 

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ....

I just returned from 5 days of fabulous fun with my Longaberger customers and buddies touring Ohio's Amish Country and The Longaberger Homestead. I have stories and pictures to share and promise to get to it in the next few days.

 

My cousin, MaryAnn lives in Ohio and joined us on the trip, it was so wonderful having time together. Our mother's were sister's and they have both passed to be with their lord. My mom has been gone 10 years and MaryAnn's 5. We miss them terribly and it was great to be together for Mother's Day and share stories of our childhoods and how much we miss our moms. I was an only child and mom was like a sister in a lot of ways. MaryAnn, on the other hand was the youngest of five and probably the closest to her mom in her adult years. As she and I have aged we have become more and more alike, we look more like sister's then she does with her blood sisters. Genetics are so strange! As a young woman everyone said I looked just like my dad .... now I hear over and over how much I look and act like my mom.

 

It's probably a good thing that my cousin and I live so far apart, I think we could get into some serious mischief together! In honor of our mother's I want to thank them for their love, guidance and willingness to allow their daughter's to become strong independent women.

 

Love you mom, love you Aunt Jay ...



Getting my Home in the Americana Spirit

I went to sew with my friends Rita and Penny today and I got inspired. Rita was our hostess today and she has already put her home in the Americana mood. I was so jealous I drove straight home and got busy! So far all I have done is my kitchen island, but that's better then I had done before! I depart and VERY early thirty Wednesday morning for Ohio so I doubt I get to much done tomorrow. I am taking a group of ladies back to visit everything Longaberger as well as Holmes County, the heart of Amish Country. We will be touring in a luxury motor coach for three glorious days, it goes so fast and we never see as much as I hope to!

 

A little more tweaking to do ... I'll get it just right soon!!

The other side ....

Memorial Day is the official launch of the Americana holidays at the Taylor home, I'll be ready by then for sure!!



Wedding Fever ....

It's only May but June Weddings are in the air! My daughter Tiffany and I went to a reception Friday evening for the daughter of a dear friend of mine and it was so beautiful! The couple, Brooke and Danny are childhood sweethearts who truly exemplified pure, true love. It was such an honor to be a part of their celebration.

 

We were seated at our table ... #6~ Aren't the red rose center pieces gorgeous!

We were served a meal of Jerusalem Chicken with fresh vegetables, wild rice and the Summit House's famous Creamed Corn, OMG it all just melted in our mouths.





Tiffany was my date, Mr. Joe is just not up to all the walking involved!!





 

The brides older sister and Maid of Honor Ashley, such a beauty.

Brian Bauer ... the Brides brother and grooms man ... such a happy soul!

The happy sisters ... aren't they beautiful.

And .... the beautiful bride and very pensive groom! Brooke's father is giving an amazing, heart warming toast and Danny is taking it all in.

 

I don't know about you but one of my favorite things about a wedding is the CAKE! Oh yum. This one was exceptional. Chocolate cake with layers of different chocolate fillings. Don't tell anyone but I think the brides mom had a lot to do with this ... she adores chocolate cake! Shhhhh, it's our little secret.

The happy couple with Brooke's paternal grandma. We sat at her table and she just beamed the entire night.
There is something so magical about weddings, even more so when you just "know" it's special. These two young adults come from loving spiritual homes, they have been raised in the same church and share mutual lifetime friends. They have so many loved ones available to guide them, celebrate their joy and to lead them when they lose their way.

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Petersen
May 6, 2013


My Little Puppy Dog ....

There has NEVER been a time in my life that I have not owned a pet of some sort. Almost always a dog and a cat, mixed in with chickens, 

This cute little peep ...

Becomes one of these noisy creatures .....

 ducks, sheep, goats ...

They will stand on anything to make them feel tall ... No kidding, they really like to be tall!

(yes, goats, they are a trip!) Horses, lots and lost of horses, a fish or two, pet mice

Pet mice are very fun .... just don't let them find a mate or you have an infestation on your hands!!!

and yep ... a tiny little turtle. As they years have gone by the pets began to whittle down from several at one time to one or to. When my last dog, a Dalmatian passed away I said NO more pets! I am tired of feeding, cleaning up after and paying for pets. Once the cat passes, no more, I'm done! I had a very old calico cat that I thought was possibly on her lest legs. Wrong, she remained another 5 years, she was one tuff kitty cat!! Meanwhile, my son decided I needed another dog ... hummm, is he deaf??? So almost 8 years ago my doorbell rings and there stands my son and his family holding the most adorable puppy I had ever seen. I squealed let me hold it and that was it, my heart melted and I was the owner of an 8 weeks old Boston Terrier. However, that tiny bundle of joy officially adop my husband Joe as the love of her life. I run a close second but that's it I'm always second!

As empty nesters Joe and I have loved this dog like a child and thus treated her like one. My daughter refers to her as her sister and 99 percent of the time when the car leaves the driveway Betsy is in it. Always ready for an adventure, she is even well known around ton at all the fast food restaurants my husband visits on a regular basis. At Jack in the Box every morning they treat her to a slice or two of bacon, Starbucks wants to give her whipped cream in her own cup, ick way too messy! The donut shop gives her little donut holes, that she usually doesn't eat and the list goes on. How one little dog can have so much personality is beyond me, but she does. I did get to name her, after all she's my do ( ya right) so I named her Betsy Ross of Boston as I love everything Americana I felt this was such a perfect name. Hence the name of my blog Betsy's Basket Blog. 

So today I am sharing a recent picture of her all snuggled in for a nap. One of her favorite games to play is borrow down in the blankets and try to bite me, not Joe .... just me!

 

 

On the couch in her daddy's clean laundry!


Occasionally she will sneak onto the computer and post a blog note or a few pictures ... be sure to check in regularly to see if she has something to report! If you're an empty nester, and feel the need to smile, get a puppy ... they are a bundle of smiles!!

Let's Get Cookin with Longaberger!!



Spring is here and it's time to start thinking about cooking lighter, fresher meals. To get my customers inspired I hosted a cooking home show featuring Longaberger cookware and food products! Spring/summer cooking, for me is a time to be quick, simple and if possible oven use free!! I set my table using our new Perennial Garden table square along with a sampling of our sale products for April. Two pieces of our 8 in 1 set were put to use serving some snacks ....

My kitchen island is prepped with cooking supplies ... and NO that big can of Pabst's Blue Ribbon beer is not for me to drink! I'll be using it to make two loaves of our beer batter bread.

To create a very simple dessert I pressed a roll of refrigerator sugar cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet and baked it for 12 to 15 minutes. Do this in the morning while the house is cool, set it aside and finish it later! To the right of the cookie is our Small Mix and Pour bowl, I have combined on package of soft cream cheese, 1 cube of butter and one packet of our Snickerdoodle mix. Once it's smooth spread evenly over the cookie, top with your favorite summer fruits and voila ...

A fresh dessert! You can top with a dollop of whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or serve it just like this!!
 

 

A beautiful loaf of beer batter bread. Oh so yummy and it makes the kitchen smell wonderful! A warm slice of Longaberger's hearty beer bread is a perfect companion for a fresh summer salad. Today I am topping my fresh green with pears, delicious apples, sliced almonds and dried cranberries. Using Longaberger Rosemary Garlic Seasoning blend I made a vinaigrette style dressing. With 1 TBS seasoning blend, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3/4 cup light olive oil and 1 TBS sugar I have a wonderful dressing the is perfect with the fruit on my salad! Healthy as well!!

 

 

I served the salad in a retired Longaberger Low Bowl. Using this style of bowl allows me to mix my salad without scattering the contents all over the counter AND all the top goodies don't end up on the very bottom of the bowl!

 

I also made Rosemary Garlic seasoned chicken tenders. Simple to make an so tasty. Brush your chicken with a light coat of olive oil, add 2 TBS seasoning blend and 3 TBS bread crumbs. Coat the chicken and place in a 9 x 13 Longaberger baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. You can serve warm with salad and bread or let it cool, chop into pieces and put in the salad. To use your left overs shred the remaining chicken, add chopped water chestnuts, mayonnaise, stir well and you have a delicious chicken salad for the next day!!

The Wedding Journey has Begun ....

August 4, 1978 I gave birth to my only daughter ... even at 34 years old she still seems like my baby girl. So when she asked me to join her to try on wedding gowns Saturday I was so excited. This is something I've dreamt of for many years and now it was finally here! We met with two of her bridesmaids at 4 pm for her scheduled appointment at the bridal shop.

Ironically they seated us by the wall of shoes ... they must have known her love for shoes!

Sorority pals Jean, left and Erica right and I are ready for the show! Let the gowns begin!!

Oh my gosh! When she walked out that dressing room door I just wanted to cry, my baby girl is all grown up  and soon to be a bride. This dress is from the Disney Princess Collection, Rapunzel ....

Jean is messing with the train while Erica is busy with her camera capturing all the angles of the dress.

A happy girl ....

Dress #2 .... This one reminds me of fresh miragne on a pie ... very fluffy at the bottom, especially in the back!

Dress #3 ... more fluffy stuff in the back, can you see it back there?? And a veil is added this time!

This was a riot .... when the dress is to big they bring out these giant clips! She began to look like she had an external spine!

Dress #4 and Dolce our bridal gown assistant getting things fixed up! Can you see all the clips under the veil??

Dress #5 this one has a lot of sparkle! When she came out of the dressing room in this dress I cried, she looked so beautiful and like such a grown up woman, my baby girl has gone ....

#4 again before the outside trek! And before all the clipping!

Meet Dicky .... yep, he is the shops muscle. When they lace up the corsets and put on the clips they call in Dicky! He was an absolute riot!! 

Erica trying on a beautiful grey dress ....

And here's Jean in a coral one ....

After all was said and done she tried on a total of 6 dresses  .... a few of them more then once! The hours ticked by and before we knew it the clock said 8:00 pm! We had been there for 4 hours! When I was married to Tiffany's dad I ordered my dress from a bridal magazine. I wore my own bra and they shipped a slip liner and veil with the dress. Now it's much, much more complicated. You need a special bra, slip, corset, and who knows what else! I'm beginning to understand why weddings cost so much today. I'm not going to tell you which one she selected, you will need to wait for the wedding!!