Sunday, May 31, 2020

NYC Gelato - a sweet remembrance

As we are discussing New York City and how eerily quiet it must be during this COVID-19 pandemic, it lead to talk on some of the great things we love about our visits there. We have enjoyed numerous awesome Broadway plays, fabulous museums, unique art galleries, amazing bookstores and some yummy foods, especially some unique desserts. This gelato ice cream was creatively hand dipped into the shape of a rose and then topped with another favorite a macaron.
There was a huge assortment of flavors to pick from, including all the basic flavors but lots of unusual flavors as well; such as Tiramisu, Lime Basil, Blueberry Cheesecake, Mango, Melon, Salted Caramel and many more. You could blend as many flavors as you wanted to create your rose.  Each petal could be a different flavor.

Our still "love birds" sister and brother-in-law recently celebrated 50 years of marriage. Phil purchased Carrie a red rose (raspberry). They chose only one flavor and had a dramatic red rose.
The shop is Amorino and it is a small global franchise of boutique shops founded in 2002. They are back open, ready to present to you a beautiful rose gelato!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

It's a pleasant day to relax in the gazebo, overlook the gardens, listen to the birdsong, and forget about the troubles of the world, if just for a brief moment. A refreshing glass of Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade using local organic produce from Spiral Path Farm fills the bill for this necessary respite, and is perfect for this delicious springtime recipe.




Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade
2 cups total, chopped rhubarb and strawberries
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. grated lemon rind
1/2 c. lemon juice (approx. 3 lemons)
2 c. ice cubes
lemon slices
In large saucepan, stir together rhubarb, strawberries, 3/4 c. water, and lemon rind. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved and rhubarb breaks up, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice. Strain through cheesecloth-lined sieve, pressing out liquid. Let syrup cool. Add 5 cups water; stir in ice cubs. Garnish with lemon slices. Enjoy!

Friday, May 22, 2020

Mosquitoes attack? Get 'em!

We take our battle to coexist with the Mosquitoes seriously! As folks who like to eat at the picnic table or enjoy a good book outside, being attacked by mosquitoes is not fun. And to the bugs we simply say "Git". Get away from here. "Git Spritz" spray or the solid "Git Stick" both are very effective for keeping the pests at bay. Made locally by Lancaster County Soaps, this spritz is a great combination of essential oils that chases the bugs, smells pleasant, is safer to use and is nice and light on the skin. The solid stick is a favorite of ours tucked in the back pack as it won't spill.
The second part of our "Git" plan is to burn incense. This Lavender Citronella incense is excellent.  We have short sticks which burn for an hour. We simply poke the incense into our patio planter. This incense is great when we are sitting and reading. If we are at the picnic table we burn two sticks at a time, one above the table and one below the table.  Also available are the Yard Sticks which will burn for three hours, perfect for long quiet evenings outside. The yard sticks come in three scents Lavender Citronella, Lemon Citronella and Sandalwood Citronella. These are made in Ohio.
The final phase of our "Git" attack is the Moskito Shocker scented geranium. This lemon scented geranium with lovely small pink flowers has three times more essential oil content. We grow this in a planter on the patio. It will take sun or part sun. Water weekly. We pluck off a leaf and rub that leaf on our arms, ankles, neck to deter the pests. It is quite fragrant.

 And that is how we social distance from the Mosquitoes!

All of these are available in our gift shop, The Rosemary House or via mail order.
Follow this link: https://www.therosemaryhouse.com/category/Herbs-for-Pest-free-Living-15

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Happy Anniversary!

May 19, 1945. Bertha Ottylie Peplau married Byron Leibold Reppert. We celebrate this beautiful memory of this very special couple today! xoxo, Carolynn, Marjorie, Nancy, and Susanna
Mint for Joy
Lavendar for Luck
Lemon Balm for comfort
Sosuthernwood for Fun and Fragrance
A Rose for Love and Rosemary for Remembrance.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Can you count the scones?

 How many scones are on these two trays? What's your best guess? The top tray holds Traditional English Cream Scones, and the bottom tray has Lemon Pecan Scones. A very early Sunday morning was spent measuring, mixing, kneading, rolling, cutting, baking and repeat. In case you are missing scones from Sweet Remembrances, we are happy to share the recipes below. Flour seems to be a little easier to find these days, and most of the other ingredients should be readily attainable. Hope you find some time to try your hand with scone making. The frequent caution is to not overwork the dough, which includes over mixing or kneading with a heavy hand. Good Luck!
Lemon Pecan Scones
2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. pecans
1 Tbsp. lemon peel, freshly zested
1-1/4 c. heavy cream
Combine dry ingredients. Add pecans and lemon peel. Add heavy cream, and mix until blended, but don't over mix. Knead lightly 3 - 4 times. Divide dough into half, roll out dough into a 6 inch circle, cut each circle into 6 triangles. Brush top with egg white and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake at 425 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes. Yield: 12 scones. Enjoy warm scones with cream and jelly.                                                     

Traditional English Cream Scones
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. cold butter
2 eggs
1/2 c. light cream
Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Lightly beat eggs, add cream to eggs. Mix egg and cream with dry ingredients; mix to form dough. Knead for 30 seconds on lightly floured surface. Roll into a circle 3/4 inch thick. Cut into rounds with 2" cutter which has been dipped into flour. Re-roll dough, and continue cutting circles. Place on baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix 1 egg white with 1 tsp. water. Brush onto top of cut scones. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake 425 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes. Yield: 12 scones. Serve warm, lightly dusted with confectioner's sugar, with your favorite toppings.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Our Mother's Day Celebration!

Once all the individual Mother's Day Afternoon Tea 'To Go' bags were distributed, we all gathered around the table and enjoyed a very special Afternoon Tea celebration. Top priority for Angelica was making sure that we had sandwiches, scones, and desserts for the family. It was a festive celebration!
Happy Mother's Day!

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Celebrating Mother's Day with Afternoon Tea 'To Go'

 With Sweet Remembrances Tea Room closed indefinitely, and our Mother's Day Afternoon Tea a traditional way to celebrate for many of our guests, we decided to offer Afternoon Tea to go. Several days of advance planning, deciding upon a menu that is easily packaged and equally as easy to transport, scrolling the menus and adding color coordinated ribbon, taking reservations and tea flavor requests, packaging tea so they could brew a pot of tea at home, and then pulling it all together the day of required a team!


English Cream Scones and Lemon Pecan Scones were made and baked early in the morning. Once cooled, they were boxed with individual cups of Sweet Cream and Jelly.
Traditional English Cream Scones



An assembly line to package the sandwiches was staged along the kitchen counter. With a 'sample' box for guidance, the crew went about plating carry out containers of assorted sandwiches. The menu included Queen Adelaide Ham & Chicken Salad Sandwich, Southern Pecan Tea Party Triangle, Rolled Asparagus with Honey Curry Mayonnaise, Golden Rod Tea Sandwich, Roast Beef with waterchestnuts on Pumpernickel Bread, and a Cucumber and Radish Sandwich with Herbed Butter. A small fruit cup completed the box of savory sandwiches.











Desserts were in their own little box and included a Pineapple Macadamia Coconut Triangle, Miniature Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting, and a Peanut Butter Bon Bon with white chocolate drizzle. 
















The crew, full of smiles under coordinated tea themed masks provided by friend, Gail, was ready to provide curbside pickup either out front on Market Street or in the rear on Rosemary Alley. Young energetic kids ran the Afternoon Tea bag laden with goodies, complete with a lavender themed trivet as a special gift, wishing a Happy Mother's Day to the driver, and then ran back into the kitchen waiting for the next arrival.

Happy Mother's Day 2020!
A year to remember.

Saturday, May 2, 2020

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 10th

Don't forget Mom! We have some cheerful and unique gift ideas to brighten Mom's day! (well, anyone's day!) Here are a few suggestions we have, some are available for shipping (within the USA).
A Culinary Herb Planter
This lovely planter comes with five culinary herbs (parsley, chives, basil, thyme, and of course rosemary) planted in a patio pot. It also includes a 'Have Fun Growing Herbs' booklet and a pack of sunflower seeds to plant for summer color and for the birds. Planter can be fully customized - for instance we can plant it with five different basils for the chef who loves fresh basil. Price: $35.00. This is available for curbside pickup (scheduled appointment) or for a minimal fee, we are happy to deliver within the West Shore area. Sorry, this cannot be shipped 






Lovely Lavender Gift
This fragrant and relaxing gift box contains lavender incense, foaming lavender bath, a relaxing night time facial, locally made lavender soap, a lavender spritz to use on your pillow at night or on linens and a lavender notebook to.  This gift box will be tied up in shades of purples with a gift card.   Price: $33.00 available for curbside pickup or we can ship this gift anywhere (postage fees will be added to price).
 
The Tea Lovers Gift
This gift features a Bone China Mug with Infuser, Lid, matching gift box and three of our quality loose leaf teas. Loose leaf tea is preferred for its improved flavor and this mug provides an easy way to brew loose leaf tea. The lid keeps the water hot while it is steeping and then doubles as a coaster for the infuser. Price: $40.00 curbside pickup, and is also available for shipping, with postage fees added.
 


Dinner in a Bag
This gift assortment includes a wide variety of our special herbal products - all easy to prepare. It features one of our herb "brew" breads (simply add 12 oz of room temp liquid), a potato based soup (add milk or water), a cookie mix (add oil, egg and water), one of our popular dips and a flavorful tea. Simple recipes are all written on the packaging. We'll tie this together with a pretty bow and a card in a lovely gift bag. Price -  $25.00.  This gift ships well, postage fees will be added.









Hanging Basket
Charm mom with this beautiful and colorful hanging basket which will bloom all summer.   $30.00 not available by mail-order. Delivery in the West Shore area for a minimal fee or curbside pick up available.

Orders for any of these gift packages can be placed by phone or email. 
Call Susanna at 717 697 5111 or Email TheRosemaryHouse@aol.com
She is happy to create the perfect gift for your mom or special person!
Payment by credit card, Paypal or if scheduling a private/curbside pickup at the shop, cash is also accepted.