Philadelphia Phly by
I'm home, my laundry is done, mail gone through, time to post my trip recap.
Before Irene paid a visit, I was in the wonderful City of Brotherly Love, this past week. Because I was on my own for part of it, I was able to spend quality time with some CF homies. I took advantage of my free time to meet with Pam (dedtired) again. It was a midweek visit so I couldn't hook up with lpink, Alexa or Susie. I also rented a car and drove out to visit with Ruthanna and Cloudy Christine (Karen) because last time I was there I was dragged to what seemed every quilt shop in Lancaster by DH. I wanted a non-tourist and foodie view of the area!
Pam and I went for dinner not far from her home, at a lovely neighborhood restaurant. We yakked for hours, I didn't look at the train schedule going back into town, missed it by minutes, so we yakked some more until the next train took me away. No gift exchange this time, Pam wouldn't let me, LOL!
Pam ordered a lovely Chinese chicken salad - and I, of course, had to order the brisket (with lots of BBQ sauce) in honor of FOAS.
The two of us - Pam is on the right
The next day was Ruthanna and Karen. Note to future CF meet-ups: when you decide to meet at a restaurant, make sure you specify inside or outside! A bit of a misunderstanding and a few minutes later, we were reunited - Karen was waiting in the restaurant, I was in front, but it all worked out. I had previous contact with Karen - once upon a time she had posted that she was looking for membrillo, a Spanish Quince paste. It is easily available to me at a Spanish import store so I sent her some, and she returned some Pennsylvania Dutch noodles (deeelish!)
Karen picked a restaurant in Morgantown, about an hour (in the rain) drive for me. Everyone who walked by me while I was waiting said hello with a smile and offered a few words of greeting. Karen had already had breakfast - so Ruthanna and I ordered lunch. She got a roast pork sandwich, and I ordered somthing I could not get easily in Los Angeles - Pennsylvania Chicken Pot Pie. I knew from the forum that it would be crustless, topped with square noodles. It was absolutely delicious and tasted just like I expected. I am looking forward to making it for the family when the weather turns cool.
Ruthanna's sandwich:
My pot pie:
After lunch we exchanged gifts.
I brought California Graber olives, a bottle of one of my favorite California olive oils (Pasolivo), for dipping/salad dressings, and another container of membrillo.
Karen got us each one of those food pods which will come in handy for tomato canning season (gulp, right now).
Ruthanna shared some of her favorite middle eastern spices, one each for lamb, chicken and beef. I find all companies make different variations of the same thing and each has a distinct flavor that I can't buy again (sniff). Ruthanna also included some cookies that disappeared on my drive back into town and - get this - a package of real, authentic PA Dutch noodles AND a printed recipe for Chicken Pot Pie from this website.! How about that!
The three of us - BFFs! Ruthanna on the left, middle me, Karen on the right.
After lunch the two took me around the area. Unfortunately Thursday is not an active farmers market day but thems the breaks. I'm really bummed that I did not get to try some of the best best best produce in the country. I did get to one quilt shop that I had visited - I wanted to pick up Amish quilted pot holders. We mostly used the drive time to talk, get history and local culture lessons, and see the local stores, and talk forum talk. Ruthanna and Karen, please fill in details that I missed in the following narrative!
We stopped at two memorable stores (I can't remember the names) where I walked around for a bit and took it all in. All sorts of different Amish, Mennonite people and I enjoyed hearing the differences. In the first one, a department store, I remember looking at a very very bright orange hooded sweatshirt and asking 'why?' - um, hunting. Of course. The second store was a grocery store where I learned LOTS. I found out that 'Monterey Mushrooms', although headquartered in Monterey, CA, actually grew their shrooms locally where it is the mushroom capitol of the world. Ruthanna showed me 'chipped beef' with dried beef - I wish I could have bought some to bring home. We walked by the deli station and they both explained all the different foods that are local. When DH and I visited Lancaster, we asked for a restaurant that served local foods. DH thought we were directed to one of the tour bus tourist traps because he thought things like the beets were canned from a food service company. I see now that most of the items were 'canned' - but in a home-canning way, so I'm glad we were disabused of that notion.
Some of the produce was noted as local and/or home grown, nice to see that represented. Look, I've graduated from persimmons to (home grown, all natural) cabbages!
The day was wonderful, the weather near perfect. The last picture I want to share is Ruthanna's tattoo. It is beautiful and shows me such a pride of heritage. I'll let her tell you more. You go home grrrrl!
Thank you all for taking time to spend with me, I love PA! (cue Randy Newman)
And everyone STAY SAFE!!!
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