Cruising to Corydon, Indiana Tomorrow

  I will be at  Corydon, Indiana tomorrow, signing copies of my Amish cookbook from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  I will also have my homemade Amish jams and breads for sale.  I hope to get to meet a lot of my Blogger friends from that area, as well as  the Greater Louisville Metro Area.  It was a slow, but nice day in Somerset,  Kentucky today.  The staff at Somerset Tractor Supply Store were very nice and helpful.  I met a lot of nice readers, too.  I swung by The Pink Bee, also in Somerset and dropped off an order of cookbooks.  I have a Christmas signing there for December 15 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. 

BLESSINGS,

SICILY

A Very Busy Week

I had fun at Mackinaw Island and in Orlando.  I got pulled over in Georgia, but didn't get a ticket.  There is a $507.00 fine if you don't get over into the left lane when a cop has someone pulled over, regardless if there is another exit lane next to them.  I know now!  The grandbaby is so plump and enjoying visiting with mom. I am baking today for my visits to Tractor Supply this week.  If you are in Somerset, Kentucky of Corydon, Indiana, come on out and get your cookbook signed!

Blessings,

Sicily

Sad Visit to Westgate Resorts

     I had contacted Westgate awhile back, wanting to maybe do a travel segment on them, as lots of friends were talking about timeshares, and several of my friends own them.  Well, as I stopped at a Welcome Center, I seen large framed pictures of them.  I was so excited that I asked the lady if I could visit one of the properties.  She signed me up for the tour.  I couldn't wait to go to tour the property.  The lady I met with was just awesome, having a very "can-do attitude" and warm, personable personality. 
     However, the manager above her was so sales-pushy, I finally had to tell him that I had to be at a store to sell my jams, salsas and sign my cookbooks and was late, as the presentation was supposed to take 90 minutes and it didn't- it took much longer.  He said that she had not done a good job at selling to me and that all of my customers at the store entrance would say "No, No!  He was talking about when I asked them if they wanted to buy my books or foods.  I have never been treated this bad by a sales person; it made me cry.  What is sad is that I NEVER buy the same day on purchases over $2,000- its a rule of my mine that I learned from The Dave Ramsey program, and I am sticking to it.  And it is really sad because I would have bought from them, as the "Get Aways" program would save me a lot of money.  I called Westgate to hear what they have to say about my review.

Visiting Mackinaw City Tomorrow

  I have some free time tomorrow morning, so I will be driving across the longest bridge in the Western Hemisphere- The Mackinac Bridge tomorrow to get there.  The Bridge is 5 miles long!  I can't wait to drive across it!  I will have photos to upload when I return from the Orlando show.  I got the chance to meet some very nice residents of Alpena and Harrisville Michigan today.  They really enjoyed my homemade breads and jams and salsas.  I should have the Christmas order guide up on the side by November 15th. 

Blessings in His Name,

Sicily Yoder

Cookbooks Arrived Today

    158 copies of my Amish cookbook and 10 posters for the shows arrived today.  I gave my UPS guy one of the cookbooks. He is always so nice, as are the other UPS drivers.  They did a great job on the posters.  The cover of my cookbook has an Amish buggy driving down a snow-covered lane.  Ahhh...I remember the wonderful hot chocolate and soft-baked molasses cookies when we would go riding in the snow.  Of course, those sweet goodies were back at the oversized farm that we would have to dventure up snow-covered dirt roads to get back to.  I will be making Amish Unbaked Peanut Butter Bars for the shows.  They are good with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot cocoa. 
     It is raining here now with winter just around the corner.  As I am head back to check on breads in the oven, I sure miss the wood-burning stove, such deeply comforting food! Winter in Amish communities is a time to slow down and rest- a time to get extra quilting done and catch up with family and friends through correspondence.  I know very few people who actually write letters now.  It is so different in English communities.  I always get lots of wonderful cards from my Mennonite sisters and look forward to receiving them.  I think this email trend will change as more and more people find the joy in getting penpals, at least I hope it does change.  Thinking of someone special?  Send a card out today.  I am sure they will just love it!

Blessings,

SICILY YODER

AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD AND MORE THIS WEEK.

     I am busy with baking Amish Friendship Bread, Pumpkin Bread and Banana Bread this week.  I hope to get Amish crackers done, too.  I am very excited about my upcoming show tour.  Gaylord, Michigan is supposed to get some snow when I arrive, but the high is supposed to be in the mid-40s, so it will melt.  We used to eat snow cream when I was little.  Mom would make wonderful candy out of it.  I haven't had snow cream in years. 
      Mark, at the Gaylord Hampton Inn,  was wonderful in booking me two extra nights for the trip.  I am presenting in Alcona on the 3rd, then Gaylord on the 4th, so I figured I would just stay the whole time in the same place.  I am Hilton Gold, so like to get the points, too.  I am almost to the Diamond level due to my traveling so much.  I like Hampton Inn because of their Cloud Nine Beds.  Winchester, Kentucky has a wonderful Hampton Inn if you are ever in the area.  Darryl, the owner, has Christian meetings in the business room every week.  I have attended several.  I just adore Christian businesses!  I used to be Breakfast Hostess at Lexington Airport's Hampton Inn years ago.  I loved talking to the guests and trying to get them to visit the local horse farms and other attractions. 
      I will have pictures and videos of my trip to post when I return from my final show in Orlando.  Andrew and Andrea and the baby are coming back with me for the holidays.  I am very excited to get to have both grandbabies, Jason Rome Tinsley, and Gabriel Nathaniel, with me for Thanksgiving.  You know, Thanksgiving is all about family and the gratitude that you share.  The Amish and Mennonites have taught me that it is people that matter, not things, so lets remember that this holiday season...and swing by one of my simple, yet simply good shows!

Blessings,

SICILY YODER

Twitter

Twitter has become my absolute past-time, until working so many hours weeks ago. I am now glad to have a week off so I can catch back up with my Tweets. I am still working part of the time, finishing my media blitz and school shows for the November and December Cooking Show Tour. "Christmas in Deutsch Country" is my theme for this segment's shows. I will be cooking up Christmas goodies, discussing about the Amish Christmas traditions and the traditions I have now from my own family and Mennonite extended "adopted" family. I will still be tweeting from my Blackberry and Mac while gone. Actually, the Mac is an early Christmas gift from a very special "someone." A huge "Thanks", to my wonderful friend! Well, I have to get back to Twitter and recipe-writing for my next cookbook.

BLESSINGS,

SICILY

The Glitz

I had the opportunity to lunch at The Glitz, a wonderfully unique spot nestled in Nonesuch, Kentucky. It isn't only the creatively fresh-made food that tempts my wallet, for their huge historic home is filled to the brims with the neatest antiques, couture gem-lined handbags and their own homemade Spiced Apple Cider and Poppy Seed Dressing. I had a bottle of the Cider when I left and must confess that I just had a large ice-rimmed glass to refresh me from the long day's chores of work and travel. The Glitz is operated by the Hannigan family, who has a strong tradition to keep guests coming back time and time again for there glittery mauve-black atmosphere and the unique shopping experience. A three-course meal, drinks included, will run you only $19.95 plus tax and tip, a very good deal for such a wonderful dining experience. And you get your own flute glass of their Spiced Apple Cider to start things off. The menus change seasonally and incorporates distinctive family recipes.

I had the Chilled Peach Soup as an appetizer, its creme-blend and burst of fresh peaches made it very refreshing on a hot summer day. A fresh slice of Blueberry Bread adored the plate. Since I am a huge fan of chicken salad, I had to try their Town and Country Chicken Salad, which had pulled chicken breast, finely diced cucumbers, a hint of dill, and cubes of fresh-boiled eggs. Blue Cheese Croutons sat atop the nice portion of salad, and local tomatoes, carrot curls, scallions and deeply green cucumbers circled the dish. A fresh muffin was served with the meal, having a sweet-crunchy texture to die for...then, as if I wasn't already enjoying the sweet creations, I had to have the Berry Trifle for dessert, moist layers of sponge cake with vanilla pudding, strawberry and blueberry sauces and fresh berries. Have I got you hungry for uniquely Glitz food? Go to http://www.irishacresgallery.com/ to make your lunch reservation now. They are open Tuesday through Saturday and reservations are required.

Baby Gabriel is Here Now!

My daughter-in-law, Andrea, had baby Gabriel on June 10th at 5:04 AM. He weighed 9 lbs 2oz and was 21 inches-long. He has his daddy's blonde hair and Andreas nose & lips.. Both momma and daddy are tired but very happy parents. They live in Florida, so Gabriel will get to go to Disneyworld a lot. I am doing a meet & greet at The Animal Kingdom Lodge in September and will be sure to shop til I drop for the new grandbaby.
Don't forget about the Aquathon to raise money for new water wells for Africa. Got to: http://www.twitter.com/aquathon.

Aquathon

Don't forget about the Aquathon at http://www.aquathon2009.blogspot.com where actress Kirstie Alley and global charity worker Steve Woods are having a fundraiser on Twitter for Africa. The fundraiser is scheduled for July 25 at 6:00 AM and celebrity hosts will be twittering for 24 hours to raise funds for fresh water wells for Africa. I will be twittering live from the road in Asheville, North Carolina for the event. Please tell everyone!!

XOXO

SICILY

Cincinnati Zoo

Went to The Cincinnati Zoo this week and saw some very interesting animals, from black, swinging apes to chubby, white panda bears, there was so much to see that I didn't get to tour the whole Zoo, the 86-degree melting heat being a factor. What I did find genuine was a 4-D Theater, one that not only amuses guests but also educates them into a new paradym shift. "Wild Earth Africa 4-D" covers the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Africa, and how they are tracking animals to keep them safe from poachers and educating tourists on Range Rover Safari rides through the open wild. And you feel the cool, crisp breeze as it guides through the brown-covered field, the startle of a lion and the splash of creek water as you ride through the creek..and believe me, it is real water, which is always welcomed in 86-degree exterior weather conditions. So don your 4-D specs and head to The Zoo.

Busy Day

OK, I meant to make it to Lincoln county to go to church but since I stayed up until after 4:00 AM, I overslept. I am now toasting me a bagel ( I make my own bagels) and will have some cream cheese and jam along with a cup of peppermint tea before heading off the the garden. It has been raining, so I will put on my "gardening shoes", as it will be a little muddy. We had some storms that produced more lightning than rain, and the garden did need the moisture.

SICILY

Deadlines Today

I am multitasking today, writing newsletters, revising a chapter in the first book of my, "Amish Nurses of Lancaster County", series, and answering email from Twitter and Myspace. Tomorrow I am going to Lincoln County to Uncle Arvin's sister church, which is in Crab Orchard. My friend Racheal moved there when she got married and has been there ever since, and I would sure like to see her and visit for awhile. I need to mend one of my dresses after I get done typing. I have a special Sunday Nap that I wear for Sunday services. I keep it in an oval plastic hat-like container. My everyday one gets much wear, especially during gardening time. I made some virgin Mint Juleps today, as it is Derby Day here in Kentucky. I also made Mini-hotbrowns with White Cheese Sauce-YUMMY!! Check out my website at www.freewebs.com/theamishgarden, and also my friends' websites at www.amishhearts.com.

SICILY

Upcoming Interviews

I will have several interviews lined up for Christian authors after Easter. I hope you will surf on back and see what I have to offer. I also wish you and your family a very happy Easter. May you have a safe and fun Easter. I think a lot about how I wouldn't be the person I am today; how I wouldn't have the chances I have today, if it wasn't for the fact that He rose and He kept His promise to save us.

Easter Blessings,

Sicily Yoder