Speedwell Forge B&B

#Valentine be mine

2012-01-11T16:34:00.000-08:00

What to do on valentines for your special someone? I have a few ideas. Of course you can treat your special someone to that surprise I love you gift anytime of the month. Start working up to it early! Why not start by coming to Wolf Sanctuary of PA February 4th from 730pm to 10pm for an evening of classical guitar and a bonfire to warm your spirits. Listen to the music and if we are lucky the wolves will howl a sweet serenade of love for those listening. You will certainly get goosebumps as I always do. Come join us for a relaxing time under the full snow moon February 4, 2012, 7:30pm to 10pm, 465 Speedwell Forge Rd, Lititz PA 17543. We will have valentine treats just for you!

Lititz Fire & Ice Festival is coming!

2012-01-01T11:02:00.000-08:00

February 17 through February 19, 2012!
Come join in the fun! Friday night block party, Saturday night Chili Cook-off and Winter Wonderland Carnival and Sunday Skating.

This event just keeps growing. Come enjoy the warn hometown charm of Lititz with it's fabulous food and lovely accommodations. Stroll the streets and take in the amazing sights of fresh hand carved ice sculptures. Then pop into Cafe Chocolate for a warmer upper, the turbo. YUM! If your pleasure is a cooler beverage, maybe the Bull's Head is more your speed. With over 50 beers to temp your taste buds you can not miss. The tomato pie cafe is just across the street from Wilbur Chocolate, and their food is a treat for lunch. Last but not least Scooters, were the chefs know how to cook a delectable rare steak. Of course they can cook it more if you must.

Anyway, my point is this is going to be great fun! I hope to see you there.

Pumkin pie bread gluten free

2011-11-17T20:14:00.000-08:00

I can't tell you if this is the best receipe for you. I only know that I love to cook and I keep trying different things. I hardly make the same thing the same way twice. Since that is the case I have started trying to write things down.

I had a number of pumpkins from my garden, so I had to do it....pumpkin bread. I looked at several receipes then made my own. Shall we give it a try? Be sure to tell me what you think. :)

2 cup sweet rice flour (you can use all sweet rice and skip coconut)
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup tapioca cornstarch
5 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 to 2 cups fresh drained pumpkin
Gluten-free non-stick cooking spray

Preheat your oven to 350°F, and place your rack in the middle of the oven. Spray two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum. In separate bowl, mix together eggs, oil and orange juice. Add sugar and pumpkin. Blend until thoroughly combined.

Add pumpkin mixture to dry ingredients. Mix until ingredients are thoroughly combined and a smooth batter forms (use medium-high speed on a stand mixer).

Divide batter evenly between prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Remove pans from oven and place on a wire rack. Allow bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pans and place directly on wire rack. Allow bread to cool completely before slicing. Store bread wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for 3 to 5 days, or wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

By the way...this is a very moist bread.

Vegan Brownies - THE BEST

2011-11-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

These brownies are cakey, very moist and super yummy!

Ingredients

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar - I use Florida Crystals
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended. Spread evenly in a 8x11 inch baking pan.

3.Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares with a plastic knife.

Acorn Squash Cake

2011-09-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups packed squash (you can use pumpkin, acorn, butter nut squash)
1 cup oil
3 cups sugar
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degree. Mix dry ingrediants together, mix wet ingrediants together, then mix everything together. I use several small pans, or a bundt cake or really whatever kind of cake you want to make. The cooking time varies depending on what kind of pan you use. I always start with 25 minutes and go from there. Your cake could take up to 50 minutes. This is a heavy cake, but very good and usually very moist.

I use an orange or maple glaze for the topping. Or you can just dust it with powdered sugar.

Have fun! Comment if you have questions or you can contact me through facebook, Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast.

Get Away to Lancaster PA

2011-09-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Crazy days. The todo list just seems to be getting longer. Everything seems to be important and I just want to get away. I know it's not just me. How do I escape? I walk out to my back yard and listen to the sounds of nature. I walk back to the Wolf Sanctuary of PA and I watch the wolves play and sleep. Birds over head and the breeze through the leaves. The Speedwell Forge Nature Park is just a two minute walk from the house and Middle Creek preserve a fifteen minute drive.

Come to Lancaster PA and relax! Stay a couple days. Leave your work at home and stroll the quiet grounds of Speedwell Forge. Go out and shop for the day and come back in the early evening and relax in the library or Parlor. Let the tic toc of my 1903 Grandfather clock sweep your troubles away while you snack on homemade cookies or other yummy treats made fresh the same day.

Potato Soup vegan by Dawn

2011-08-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's after breakfast. The guests have gone off to do a wolf tour at the sanctuary, and I? We I am in the kitchen washing dishes. We else would I be? I somehow managed to parboil four extra potatoes in preparation for today's breakfast. Hummmm, what should be done with those. I don't want shred and freeze them. What to do?

Potato soup! I scanned through several recipes then made...potatoes in a pot.

Four potatoes cooked diced
2 cups vegetable broth
One-half zuccinni
2 tbls nutritional yeast flakes
2 tbls rosemary
salt to taste
1.5 cups coconut milk
2 tbls nut cream, (I had raw razel nuts and almonds in the freezer so I ran them through the food processor)
Mixed all of this up in the pot brought it to a boil, then poured it into a crook pot. I will cook it for a few hours on high, than have lunch.

Let's see how it turns out shall we? :)

I DID it...Vegan Gluten free

2011-07-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

I have been trying for I don't know how long to come up with a crepe that would not disintegrate when I try to flip it. There have been many frustrating moments during breakfast time when it just did not work. Yes I am one of those try it when I am serving it kind of people. Have you made this before? Nope you are the first and last. On to the next never done before by me meal. But not always..and this is one of those times when I am writing it down. So here it is!

Vegan Gluten free crepes
One large or two very ripe bananas
1 3/4 Cups coconut milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon agave nectar

2 cups gluten free flour (I use King Arthur)

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon all spice

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

mix by hand, and cook as you would any other crepe...just kidding

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/2 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.
Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot or store until later, warm up in fry pan and serve for desert with fruit and better than cream cheese

Bananas two

2011-06-09T05:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am back. After the meat delivery I went out for the evening with Darin. Thank you Don for the donation of steaks, filets and hamburgers. The wolves will love their meat sickels in this heat.

Now back to the receipe. I am going to bake this today, and will let you know how it turns out. I think I will so pecan this time around. I will let you know how it turns out.

Bananas

2011-06-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting with gluten free foods for some time now. I don't particularly like the rice flour texture. So I have been trying pecan meal and almond meal, cocnut flour and pototato flour, potato starch and corn starch, corn flour and well you get the picture. So I ran accross this little stand on the way to Hoovers. I had to go look up the name, Garden of eden. They had very ripe bananas at a VERY reasonable price. Yes I bought a couple. ;) Got home ran them all through the food processor and now I have to cook them.

I am not going to cook them all. Some are destined to become part of a lovely mango banana sorbet, which I shall share with my guests Friday morning. The rest will be Grain Free banana bread.

I will need almond and/or pecan meal, coconut oil, honey, eggs bananas, baking soda, salt and a dried fuit. I think I will use pomegranate.

Gitta run, someone is dropping off meat for the wolves. More to come!

Gourd Fest

2011-06-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Many Faces of Gourds at the PA Gourd Fest! June 23 through 25, 2011 from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Free admission, Free parking and yes it's free to look. I never get enough of what these artists can do with a gourd. Come see for yourself! Smucker's Gourd Farm, 317 Springville Rd, Kinzers PA 17535. This is in the heart of the Amish Country so come prepared to see the sights and enjoy the drive. Be sure to stop in for a bite to eat too.

MY Macaroni Salad for mom's day

2011-05-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

1 pound Rotini, boil per box instructions,3 tbls mayonnaise, about 2 tsp mustard, a squeeze or two of honey, a few dashes white balsamic vinegar, three very thin slices of red onion diced, mix it all together and refrigerate until ready to serve. Yum. It's that easy. I just made this up, your turn. :)

Vegetable Garden

2011-05-05T05:31:00.001-07:00

It's not my first garden, but I have promised myself this will be my best garden. I know it is early, but I have already planted my tomatoes and sweet peppers.

To Die For

2011-05-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

A gluten-free twist on a classic: Lemon Poppy Custard Torte served with an orange-blossom honey glaze accented with a cinnamon-laced PA Dutch apple butter.

Lemon Poppy Torte
3/4 cup GF Corn Flour
3/4 cup GF Corn Starch
1/4 cup Tapioca Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Sea Salt
1 tsp. Xanthan Gum
1/2 cup Coconut Milk (or milk of your choice)
2 tsp. Lemon Juice
1/2 cup Vege Oil, you could probably use a nut oil here too
1 cup Granulated Sugar
3 Large Eggs or egg replacement. I use Ener-g
1 tbsp. grated Lemon Peel
1tbsp. Poppy Seeds
1tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

1. Place rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease the sides of a 9 inch spring pan, place parchment paper on the bottom and close the spring. Set aside.
2. In small bowl, whisk together corn flour, cornstarch, tapioca flour, baking powder, salt and xanthan gum; set aside. In measuring cup mix together milk and lemon juice. Set aside.
3. In medium bowl of electric mixer, beat oil, sugar, lemon peel, poppy seeds and vanilla on medium speed until well blended. Beat in milk-lemon mixture until well blended. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in cornstarch mixture until well blended. Pour into prepared spring pan.
4. Bake 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes on wire rack and release the spring.

You can turn this into a Vegan treat with a few tweaks and use agave or maple syrup with the apple butter.

Bon Appetit!

Mud Sales 2011

2011-02-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

Coming to buy soomething really big or a whole lot of something small? Are you traveling with a trailer and are not sure where you will be leaving it when you are tooling around Lancaster County. We have enough space for you to park your trailer. If you are a guest of Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast you can park your trailer easily. Go out and tour the area, have a wonderful meal at one of the many local restaurants come home get a good nights sleep have a filling breakfast then off to the mud sale with that trailer in tow.

Local Volunteer Fire Companies raise funds through what have affectionately come to be known as 'Mud Sales' Fire company sales have been a regular event here in Lancaster County since the mid-1960's. These auctions help local volunteer fire companies raise much-needed funds.

The late Winter and early Spring dates work out best for local farmers because they have more time available before the Spring planting. Since many of the items are sold outside during potentially muddy Spring conditions, these events have affectionately become known as "mud sales".

Often auctions are held both inside and outside simultaneously. Sometimes numerous auctions take place at the same time throughout the grounds.

The items sold vary from auction to auction and include a wide variety of donated goods and consignment merchandise. Auctioned items often include furniture, craft items, quilts, building materials, livestock, buggies and carriages, tools, farming supplies and equipment, garden items, and much more. Plus, lots of good food. Come and enjoy!

Moving On

2011-02-01T10:09:00.000-08:00

A friend, and guest of this property has lost her father this past night. We grieve and hold her close in our thoughts as she travels this day to stay with us. Memories of my father's loss flood back into me as I feel for this woman. I met her first as a guest of my B&B. She found her way here to meet our Wolves. A lover of wolves, and of all creatures big and small. Stand with me and hold vigil for we have all felt this pain of loss. Family or dear friend....

---
Moving on...I am weary of this body, and this plain holds no gravity on my essence. My family is strong and though they may weep, their strength will carry on. It is time, and the call has gotten to strong to deny. I bid you be well as I start my new journey or should I say adventure.

Left behind...and we will talk amongst ourselves of happy times and quiet laughter. We will miss those eyes of light and the magic that was your embrace. Oh daddy I do love you. Smile on me now as I smile back at you though tears of my own loss and grief. I know you remember as I remember you. No more pain you are free. Take flight and be what you always were -- a star. I will see you in the heavens as I look up at night.

by Dawn

Lost Keys

2011-01-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

I got to go away for a day. Yes it happens. Darin and I went to visit his parents in Snowshoe. It was snowing when we left, we got stuck behind two plows and the ride took considerably longer than anticipated. We go there. Midnight but we were there safe and sound. Why did we go? We had baby birds to deliver for rearing. They are so cute! But I digress. Went to bed around 2am. Got up around 7:30am and relaxed until 2pm. Then home we came. The next morning I started looking for my car keys. Humph, no bob and key in sight. Checked all my purses, bags, coats. That is a task in itself, but to no avail. I have actually lost my car keys, and I had to get to the township to deliver a check. Rita needed it this week! ACK!!! I feel like a kid, having to call my teacher but I did it, I called Rita and apoligized that I would be late. I could use the drop box if I had too. Sigh. Anyway, Joel the key guy saved my butt for a small fee of $212. Okay that was not just for the car key, he did some other stuff for me on my house, which he included in that bill.

So I have never been without my bob and key. Never locked the car door without it, so how was I to know that when you lock the door you can't just open it again with just he key! The alarm is going off and will not stop. I sit there frantically trying to figure this out. I pulled the owners manuel from the glove box but there is no help in this stupid little book of nonsense. The phone starts to ring. So I answer the phone and make a really bad impression on someone wanting information on the B&B and the Wolf Sanctuary. Arg! Why did I answer the phone? I don't KNOW! Anyway, I look at my new droid and well, it helped me find a dealership service tech who kindly told me the error of my ways. Following his instruction I disabled the bleeping car alarm that had at this point brought me almost to tears. But the alarm was off. I am to report to the dealership and get a new bob to go with my new key before trying to lock my car usuing the interrior buttons again. Yes sir! Thank you so much.

Off to the corporate verizon store to get my new phone armed with my old phones numbers. Something the place I bought it from neglected to tell me they could not do. Sigh.

A bit of grocery shopping then home again. All in a day’s work. That's right there is always some life lesson just hiding around the corner. :) I think I will go the other way next time.

Vegan breakfast Quinoa

2011-01-01T05:15:00.000-08:00

I do this every day. I go to bed thinking about breakfast. I have a general idea of what I am going to make, bake, cook. 5 a.m. rolls around and my mind starts whirling. Ideas flash in and out confounding me and confusing the breakfast. So many things to make with the ingredients I have stashed in my cabinets and cold storage.

When I went to bed I was envisioning blue berry and cheese blintz for the second coarse. Quinoa molded into a small circle topped with avocado and sweet potato timbale with roasted tomatillo dressing for the third course.

By the time I got to the kitchen at 6 a.m. Breakfast had morphed into Irish oatmeal. A choice of toppings: raw almonds, bananas, apples or boiled sweet potatoes. A cheese blitz dressed with blueberries sauteed in my secret concoction and clementines on the side. ;) Crepes stuffed with quinoa and mango salsa, topped with avocado and warm tomatoes diced with fresh basil and sage. Sweet potatoes completed the plate sweetened with agave nectar.

I have no idea how this happens. But it is the same every morning. Don't ask me what we are having for breakfast. It will most likely change. I can't help myself!

WOW

2010-11-17T05:25:00.001-08:00

I have been away for several months.

Simply Wacky Cake

2010-11-17T05:17:00.000-08:00

2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder (heaping)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons vinegar
2/3 cup oil
2 cups water

Place ingredients into one bowl. Mix all all once. Pour into ungreased 9x13 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

To dress, I used confection's sugar and cocoa! But you can use anything you like!

This is a wonderfully moist cake. ENJOY!

Balloon Festival Saturday!

2010-08-25T15:59:00.001-07:00

Lancaster hosting balloon festival Saturday

See hot air balloons during a Hot Air Balloon Festival in Lancaster County.
The Salisbury Township Historical Society is marking its 10th anniversary with a lot of hot air. The society will host a Hot Air Balloon Festival from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday (rain date, Aug. 28) at Salisbury Elementary School, 422 School Lane Road, Gap.

A place to retreat

2010-08-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

A place to retreat. We all need one. We all need some time to just be ourselves. To think, ponder, day dream. Some time to regroup and prioritize. What is all important? My brain hurts, and I feel like no one cares. Is that what you are thinking? Think again! Everyone feels this way at one time or another.

I am lucky enough to have my own back yard to walk out in and just sit. Sit there and stare off into space. Literally! The sky is beautifully clear. I lived in Los Angeles years ago, and I missed the night sky. We had only one star. But even that is better than no night sky, right? As I sit here pondering why who what why! I can still see so much more. The moon is rising and the sky no everything around me is filling with it's light. I love to share this space with my guests. Those that would come just to wonder at the peace and quiet. The air is cooling and there is more and more appearing in the night sky. The nights are coming sooner.

I have noticed the need to get away. Leave the drudgery of day to day routine behind for a time. A reconnection. A cleansing of the soul mind body. I am happy I can share my home with those that seek respite.

Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast and Wolf Sanctuary welcomes you home to a simpler time.

Gluton Free

2010-08-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

Goat cheese mushroom asparagus quiche with coconut milk, garnished with plum tomatoes and cucumber from the garden and snow pea sprouts, cinnamon apples with home made yogurt and granola with grapefruit oranges and berries from the hill side. Hungry?

Zucchini Almond Muffins

2010-08-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Starch free Flour free, yes way!

3 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups almond nut flour
1 cup almond nut meal
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon alspice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix almond flour, meal, butter, honeyu, and zucchini. Add beaten eggs, cinnamon, alspice, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Bake in muffin tins at 350 degrees. I don't use paper cups but you can. Bake for apx 20 minutes or until done. Makes 12 muffins. Take your time, this is different then your usual muffin, there is no flower. usually when the top starts to brown it's ready. This is great with honey butter!

Ephrata Cloister

2010-07-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

Have you been to the Ephrata Cloister? What a wonderful tour they have, and what history. What is the Cloister?

One of America's earliest religious communities, the Ephrata Cloister was founded in 1732 by German settlers seeking spiritual goals rather than earthly rewards. Gathered in unique European style buildings, the community consisted of celibate Brothers and Sisters, and a married congregation of families.

At the zenith of the community in the 1740s and 1750s, about 300 members worked and worshiped at the Cloister. Today, the National Historic Landmark is open for tours, special programs, and on-going research opportunities.