Category: Uncategorized

In a mixing bowl add some diced tomatoes.  Roma tomatoes work best but you can use whatever fresh tomato you have.  This time I used grape tomatoes.  How many tomatoes depends on how much bruschetta you want to make.  If you make too much, don’t worry.  It will keep in the fridge for a few days.  But I really doubt you will have any left.

To the tomatoes add finely diced red, purple or another mild onion.  To taste add the rest of the ingredients:

salt, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh basil.

Mix all the ingredients together, then make the choice of what kind of bread you want to use.  I had some leftover homemade bread so that’s what I decided to use.  I cut it into thick slices and toasted.

After it was toasted I grated a liberal amount of fresh Parmesan over the toasted bread.

Then top the bread with your tomato mixture and ENJOY!

It’s simple and delicious!  It’s beautiful and healthy!  To make it an even more complete breakfast you can add fried or hard boiled eggs and some fruit.
It’s also perfect for Summer since it’s a no- cook meal!!

 Farewell My Friend – Until We Meet Again–  Hopefully Next Year!

This series of posts have been about taking a road trip on one tank of gas.  From Pacific MO to Jasper IN it was one tank of gas.  Mark (my husband) always lets the tank get to the halfway mark before he fills up.  So we filled up once there and once when we got back.  From Pacific where we live to Jasper is about 3 1/2 hours.  The drive was easy.  Lots of farms and beautiful countryside.  Not a lot of traffic or 18 wheelers to contend with.  All in all it was very pleasant.  

The purpose of the trip was a crafters Meet and Greet.  Several of my Facebook Crafting “friends” were there.  People I’ve met during my time as a live FB crafter.  You can check out some of my old crafting live videos (and cooking too) here:  https://www.facebook.com/frommycorner/videos

You can just imagine the energy with 30 creatives in the room! It was electric to say the least.

On our last day there we thought we would stray from the group and check out some history and scenery on the way home.  But first we planned on breakfast with my first and dearest crafting friend Angie Boggs Foster, her daughter Madison and friend Theresa.

Angie was one of the first live crafters to befriend me when I was just starting out.  She would comment on almost all of my lives to encourage engagement, she would share my videos and put in a good word for me with event hosts.  In other words she was there to support me.  Not to forget all her help with tech issues.  She’s been a true blessing.  And she continues to support me now that I’ve switched my FB focus from crafting to cooking.  Angie has a business page on FB where she live crafts and demonstrates and sells Magnolia stencils.  You can find her here:

https://www.facebook.com/craftyblessingwithAngie

We met for breakfast at a little restaurant called Cranberries.  We ate, we talked –I just wish it could have lasted longer.

https://www.facebook.com/MadisonFoster2003

After breakfast we decided to go to the shop next door.  The building once was a grain mill.  Outside it still had an operating water wheel but inside it was filled with handmade furniture for the patio or porch, jams, jellies and Amish baked bread.

The outside of the old mill.  I couldn’t get a pic of the water wheel because it was blocked off.

For more information about the Jasper City Mill

use this link

https://www.jasperindiana.gov/topic/index.php?topicid=143&structureid=17

Next adventure:

Spending some time at the Lincoln Boyhood Home and National Museum

To read the other blog posts for this trip use the links below:

https://creatingfrommycorner.com/road-trips-on-one-tank-pacific-mo-santa-claus-in/

https://creatingfrommycorner.com/road-trips-on-one-tank-pacific-mo-santa-claus-in-day-2/

https://creatingfrommycorner.com/road-trips-on-one-tank-food-truck-event-in-jasper-in/

                          Will Travel for Food

                                   Part 2

The Downtown Chowdown

https://www.facebook.com/JasperDowntownChowdown

After several hours in the car we were starving.  So after checking into the hotel we headed to the Food Truck Event in Jasper IN.  As a food and travel blogger it seemed like the perfect thing to do.  There were lots of choices but unfortunately there really wasn’t any where to sit once we got our food.  I would have loved to have tried every truck but Mark thought we should try the BBQ restaurant that had a truck there.  We love BBQ so I thought “why not?”  And I’m so glad we did!

After getting directions to the restaurant from the workers on the food truck we headed out.  It was easy to find and since it was early there wasn’t a crowd.  More folks came in later.

The restaurant had a full bar which my husband took advantage of by ordering an Old Fashioned.  The table had a turntable full of sauces in a variety of flavors.  To us that was a good sign.  It meant that they don’t drown the meat in tons of sauce.  After looking at the menu I decided on the Totchos which is a version of nachos using tater tots instead of chips.  Anything made with potatoes and I’M IN!

Mark decided on the 2 meat plate of brisket and smoked turkey.  He got sides with his – hash brown casserole and slaw.

The Totchos was such a great concept but I have to admit I made the wrong choice getting the ones with Buffalo chicken.  For me it was WAY TOO spicy.  On the other hand Mark’s meat was tender, flavorful and smoked just right.

Buffalo Chicken Tatchos- Spicy and not for the faint of heart.

Mark was impressed with the selection of sauces on the table and that the meat was left plain so you can sauce it the way you like.  Although it didn’t need it.

After dinner we took a little drive around the town of Jasper.  It’s a cute little town with lots of shops and interesting architecture to explore.  For more information on the town of Jasper IN visit their website here

https://explorejasperin.com/

For more information on Oink Inc

https://www.oinkincsmokehouse.com/

For more information on The Downtown Chowdown in Jasper IN

https://www.facebook.com/JasperDowntownChowdown

 Day 2

There were a couple of soup options that I’m sure were homemade.  But I opted for my favorite.

Buffets are amazing because there is something for EVERYONE!  You can make your plate with all your favorites and have as many plates as you want.  No judgement here!

Not only does the Gasthof Amish village have an amazing restaurant but there are many opportunities to pick up a souvenir or two at the shop in the restaurant; or maybe find that one of kind antique you’ve been looking for at the Flea Market or a unique treasure at one of the other shops.

For more information on the Gasthof Amish village, the restaurant, shops, bakery or hotel use this link:

https://www.gasthofamishvillage.com/. 

If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it!

I had a special crafting event in Santa Claus (more on that in another post), so we got a room at the lodge.  I think it was a good choice.  It was still early in the season (which starts in May) so the lodge was virtually empty.  When you first walk into the lodge there is no mistaking that you are in the land of Santa Claus.  

As you drive into the parking lot you are greeted by this happy guy.   And once inside the lobby looks like Christmas morning!

Almost every inch and nook and cranny screams Christmas.  I can just imagine the reaction of any child seeing it for the first time.  It is truly magical.  

 Across the street is lots of shopping including gift shops, ice cream and even a grocery store.  Holiday World is a short drive.  The only thing lacking is a restaurant.

Santa at the Casey’s gas station

                                My favorite- Hunky Fireman Santa

A galette is a simple, rustic pie that can be made with almost any fruit. It’s simple and rustic but oh so impressive. You can take your overabundance of vine ripened tomatoes and make something that will make the perfect bunch item or light lunch.

Ready made pie crust makes this dish quick to make. Don’t like goat cheese? You can substitute cream cheese. Just add a few of your favorite herbs to make a truly flavorful dish

As some of you might know my family has moved back home – from Saratoga Springs NY to St Louis Missouri. That’s why I changed (ever so slightly) the name of this blog. I added the photo of the arch because it’s the most recognizable landmark here in St Louis. But St Louis is filled with landmarks and attractions most of them FREE!  That’s why when we moved back (after getting settled and mostly unpacked) we decided to make a list of all the things we wanted to do. From now until the end of the year our weekends are packed!

One of our all time favorite attractions is Forest Park home to many attractions like the St. Louis Zoo. It’s a world class zoo with amazing exhibits and beautiful walking paths, a special area just for kids and ongoing educational opportunities. And the best part- free admission.  That’s right!  You can visit a world class zoo and not have to pay to get in.  You won’t find that in many major cities.

Our trip to the zoo was on a clear, cool spring day. There were people there but not the crowds that you see later in the season. It had been a long time (over 7 years) since we had been to the zoo, and I have to admit a lot of things had changed.  Some of the exhibits were getting an overhaul and some were being moved and added onto.

Some of our favorite exhibits like the big cats…

the seals…

and of course the many, many species of birds that fly free throughout the zoo and swim in the lakes….

were still as we remembered them.

The zoo’s walking paths have some hills that might be a little difficult for pushing strollers or wheel chairs but there is always the Zooline Railroad.  For $5 a person (children under 2 are free) you can ride the train, get off and see exhibits then re-board – all day long.  It’s a great way to see the whole zoo and not tire out the little ones.  Speaking of little ones, don’t forget the Children’s Zoo, admission is $4 per person with children under 2 being free.  Here children can get up close and personal with all kinds of animals making it the perfect learning experience. Don’t you love it when they learn something and don’t even know it?  The Children’s Zoo has many opportunities like that plus a play area and a fountain for the kids to run in which comes in handy on those hot St Louis summer afternoons.

To make navigating the Zoo a little easier it’s divided up into zones — The River’s Edge, The Wild, Discovery Corner, Historic Hill, Red Rocks and Lakeside Crossing. Each of these zones are easily accessible by the train.

Things you should know before your visit to the St Louis Zoo:

Admission to the Zoo is free. There are attractions within the Zoo itself that do have an admission fee such as the Children’s Zoo, the Seal Lion Show, Conservation Carousel and the Zooline Railroad.

Parking in the Zoo parking lot costs $15 per vehicle for all day parking. But there is street parking and even if you can’t get close to the Zoo entrance Forest Park is gorgeous for walking.

There are plenty of restrooms in all of the zones of the Zoo. Lakeside Crossing features refreshment and souvenirs stands along with cafes for a more relaxing sit down meal.

The Zoo is also available for events such as corporate meetings, class reunions or even weddings. Group tours and field trips are available – another one of those opportunities for learning without them knowing it!

For more information on the zoo and it’s programs, hours and prices visit this link