Ready or Not, Live Shows Have Begun

Saturday, we had the opportunity to experience a new live show with a new group of talented individuals. The Bibbed Wonder and I ventured off the farm to join the Girl Gang at Crispen Farm in Dawson, Pennsylvania. The handmade, entrepreneurial community always impresses me with its open welcome, willingness to share, and high level of support for others. It indeed has been a wonderful experience to attend these shows, make some really, really good friends, and feel inspired and supported.

Saturday's event was orchestrated by a lovely woman, Katie, who does a fantastic job organizing events. I met several new talented artisans who are genuinely skilled at their craft. There was everything from gorgeous handmade pottery to stained glass to lovely high-quality candles. These gifted individuals take pride in their work and put their best foot forward to create stunning presentations. I was impressed with the level of professionalism.

The morning started with blue skies and warmer temperatures. I even mistakenly told The Bibbed Wonder that I believed we would have a lovely day despite the weather forecast calling for rain and heavy downpours. I do believe, dear reader, that I jinxed us. Although it began sunny, clear, and warm, the day took a turn right around noon when the show began. It began with dark clouds and a light drizzle. Soon, the torrential downpours started, and the temperatures began to drop.

I wore a turtleneck sweater in anticipation of cooler temperatures, but that proactive attempt at staying comfortable was not enough to keep the chill away. We were chilled to the bone, damp, and tired by the show's end. However, despite the miserable weather, people supported this small group of business owners and the farm family who hosted the event. To those of you who support the small business and handmade community, you are appreciated more than you know.

Our live market season begins in earnest this Saturday with the opening day of the Ligonier Country Market. I must tell you, when I look at our calendar and see the next 25 Saturdays scheduled with live events, I feel a bit overwhelmed. Right now, October feels like a long way away, and we won't have an open Saturday until then. I need to get my head in the game, as they say. I know I will feel differently once I get to my Saturday home away from home at space 7 on the grounds of the Ligonier Country Market. Seeing my friends and our soap family and meeting new people will give me that warm, fulfilled feeling I have come to appreciate. We anticipate a good day at the Ligonier Country Market on Saturday, regardless of what poor Ashley Daugherty forecasts. We continue to refer to her as Poor Ashley Daugherty because when The Bean was much, much younger, she placed all the blame for missed blizzards and lack of snow days on Poor Ashely Daugherty. At one point, she was steadfast that she would write a letter demanding she be fired. After all, who can make such a big mistake by miscasting a blizzard and continue to keep her job? Sigh, The Bean has a lot of conviction.

We hope to see you at the Ligonier Country Market. We will be in our usual spot, just a few spaces from the red information tent on the main row. I believe we are site #7. However, I feel that the numbering of tent sites changes every year. We will be in attendance all twenty weeks of the market. Our friend Jenna will be covering Ligonier for us when we attend the Shaker Woods Festival in Ohio in August. We can't wait to see you in person. I am excited for everyone to enjoy the new spring scents. If you are so inclined, please pray for good weather, do a keep the rain away dance, or do a funny dance and declare it is a keep the rain away dance, whatever makes you smile. On this blissfully sunny spring day, stay safe, be smart, come see us in person, and be sure to introduce yourself; life with me is like the movie 50 First Dates. I really am that forgetful these days, and keep washing your hands.

Foodie Friday: Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

The Bibbed Wonder and I have had what Oprah calls an "Ah-Ha Moment." We have realized we spend a significant amount of money on garbage food. We eat out for convenience most of the time. There are days when it is simply easier to pick up a pizza, grab a burger, or order a box of tacos than to try to throw something together at home. Most of the time, I have all the ingredients for pizza, tacos, or burgers, but the time and effort required to prepare them is a hindrance.

It's not as though we grab fast food every week, but we give in to our cravings and desire for easy over healthy several times a month. After going to a local sub-franchise, dropping thirty-five dollars on a mediocre lunch that gave us gastrointestinal discomfort that lasted for hours, and seeing our subs made by individuals who looked like they could benefit from a long soak in a tub with some good soap, we came to the agreement that our behavior needs to change.

First, there is the cleanliness issue—or perhaps lack of cleanliness. I have always been a bit germ-conscious, but COVID put me right over the edge with germ hyper-awareness. I always keep several bottles of hand sanitizer in my car and one in my purse. Whenever I leave a public establishment, I disinfect my hands... religiously. I keep Clorox wipes in my car and on my person to wipe down tables, seats, menus, etc. I've calmed down a bit with this practice because it embarrasses my kid, but I am not above giving a good wipe to a table at McDonald's if it looks like it needs one. I know this is my issue, and it's a bit over the top, but I own it. However, I can't control my brain when I obsess about all the germ-infested nightmares I imagine behind closed doors in restaurant kitchens. There have been too many restaurants shut down with fly infestations-aka maggots, for my personal comfort. There are several restaurants I simply can't go to because of these stories. Then there is the people factor. People do weird, gross, and unkind things to others for no reason. I imagine someone sneezing and not covering while preparing food. I also imagine people not washing their hands after using the restroom. Don't even get me started on buffets. I can't eat at a buffet for a lot of reasons. I know I'm weird.

Secondly, there is the unhealthy factor of fast food. When one considers that one sandwich contains enough calories, sodium, and fat of the recommended daily allowance for one month, it is not so tasty. The Bean is my greatest downfall when it comes to consuming fast food. She loves McDonald's french fries, and who am I to deny her something that makes her happy? However, when the bill is almost fifteen dollars for an order of fries and a milkshake, I think I should have told my girl no.

This leads me to the third and final factor: wasted money. Fifteen dollars here, twenty there, and forty for pizza to feed a crowd on a Friday night adds up quickly. What we spend on fast food monthly could purchase one plane ticket to Aruba. This is how I now think of money management: that could buy me X-Y-Z in Aruba. My poor husband cannot wrap his head around my money rationalization practices. I get no thrill from seeing my savings grow. I find no appeal to sticking to a budget. However, if my goal of moving to Aruba is mentioned, I become a money-saving tycoon. Okay, that might be a bit of a stretch, but I am motivated to be more responsible with money when I think about moving to Aruba.

Simply deciding to stop eating fast food does not magically eliminate one's cravings for fast food. I am not a fan of the Big Mac or Chalupa, but there are days when I feel that nothing would hit the spot quite like some deep-fried chicken tenders. Today, I will share my recipe for buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders. It's a bit healthier than what you will find in most fast food joints, more affordable, and tastes much better. The only drawback is that you can't pick it up from a window while in your car and will have to wash the dishes.

Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

1 lb. chicken tenderloins

Marinade:

1 1/2 cups of buttermilk

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

Coating:

1 cup of flour

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. salt

3 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup of buttermilk

2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

Combine the marinade ingredients in a large Ziploc bag or lidded container. Add the chicken tenders and manipulate the chicken until the liquid covers them equally. Allow to marinate for four to twenty-four hours in the refrigerator.

Heat two cups of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Beat the eggs and milk together.

Blend the ingredients for the coating in a shallow, wide dish.

While the oil is heating, remove the chicken tenders from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Place the chicken tenders on a clean plate, dip them into the egg mixture, then dredge in the coating mixture.

Sprinkling a few drops of water in the oil will test its readiness. If it sizzles and pops, it's ready for frying the chicken.

Using tongs, gently place the chicken tenders into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the chicken. Cover the skillet with a lid.

Fry for six to eight minutes per side. Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the oil using tongs. Place the chicken on a cookie sheet covered in two layers of paper towels. Cover the cooked chicken to keep warm.

Fry the chicken tenders in small batches until all are cooked.

Serve hot with a variety of dipping sauces. The Bean prefers ranch dressing. The Bibbed Wonder likes barbeque sauce for dipping, and I prefer honey. However, get creative and enjoy your unique dipping sauces.

I served this with a cucumber salad.

I hope you enjoy my healthier version of chicken tenders. On this rainy Friday, stay safe, be smart, eat healthier, keep your goals in mind, and for the love of all that's holy, wash your hands-especially when working with food.

New Releases

We are excited to share our latest creations from the soap studio. Summer Rose and Devotion are now available on the website. I am particularly thrilled with Devotion because it is a soft blend of lily of the valley and osmanthus flower. The large patch of lily of the valley that grows on the edge of my walking path is just beginning to bloom. I love walking this stretch of the path because, in the spring, the scent is intoxicating. The scent of Autumn Olive wafts across the fields and carries all the way to the house when the wind blows just right. As the Autumn Olive begins to fade, the lily of the valley begins to bloom. This large, beautiful patch of lily of the valley was the inspiration for the Devotion soap and moisturizer.

Although the lily of the valley smells lovely on its own, I tried blending it with osmanthus flower oil on a whim, and the result was absolutely stunning. Devotion is not an overpowering scent. I tend to scent on the lighter side because I personally don't like strong, overpowering scents in products. The blend of lily of the valley and osmanthus flower is fresh, green, soft, and mildly floral. It is not an in-your-face or cloying scent. Rather, it is soft with green undertones and gentle floral notes. I liken it to a mother's love: soft, consistent, gentle, and mild.

My Summer Rose creation is a blend of rose oil and grapefruit oil. Summer Rose is a warm floral scent, and the grapefruit oil brings a bright, fresh warmth to a classic rose scent. My inspiration for this scent was a sugar scrub Jordan's bestie, Raylee, gave me as a Christmas gift. Ray has become part of the family. The Bibbed Wonder, and I think very highly of her. It is no surprise Ray gifted me an all-natural sugar scrub that inspired a soap scent blend. Naming this scent was very easy for me. I felt the grapefruit oil gave the rose scent a warm, glowing quality, much like a summer day.

One would think that after more than twenty years of marriage, my husband would tire of tormenting me. If he is not sticking his finger under my nose, poking me in the butt and yelling bum thumb, poking me in the belly button and singing an inappropriate song, or dissing my canine BFF, he is fabricating outlandish stories. Once I had named the soap Summer Rose and printed out the labels for the soap and the moisturizer, he informed me I had made a grave error in naming them Summer Rose. He told me that Summer Rose is the name of a porn star who was a pioneer at doing all kinds of sick, outlandish things on camera. Sigh. He really does have a twisted sense of humor. He pulled my friend Jenna in on the joke to make his outlandish fabrication even more believable. She stood with a serious look on her face, nodding and confirming his tale. I told them I did not believe them and would not waste my time Googling their story.

Meanwhile, as soon as I was alone, I Googled the name to make sure. For the record, I did not find any connection between the name Summer Rose and the porn industry. Seriously, they are exhausting. They both take advantage of my naive, trusting disposition. I constantly threaten their personal well-being, but they don't take me seriously. Sigh. They tell me it is hard to take me seriously when I sound like an angry hamster.

With the jokes over, no names associated with the porn industry, and the curing process complete, I happily introduce our latest creations. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them. This year is filled with new floral, fruity, and earthy blends. I am looking forward to the upcoming year.

On this rainy, overcast day, stay safe, be smart, enjoy the new releases, and keep washing your hands.