Everyone who knows me and my family knows we love going to Lancaster County, PA. I've been going since I'm very little and since the 1980's have gone quite often. It's almost like a home away from home; I know streets, side roads and even several people recognize us from going. The serene farmlands are so beautiful and even though I do my fair share of shopping, I also just love riding around photographing farms and homes. We modeled our home after many, many homes we've seen and toured there. I feel like I have built myself a piece of PA right here on Long Island! This wonderful area has been so inspiring in everything I do from cooking to decorating and it's even become my "happy place" in my mind through these tough economic times. Believe me, daydreaming of amish buggys clip clopping on country roads past farms and shops is a big stress reliever to me.

Of course we always have our favorite spots and things to buy. One of my favorite things to get is wooden plates and bowls. I have ones displayed that are not for a particular season and others that are. I have large and small. They are all so nice and are inexpensive. I've never paid more than $15. On Halloween, my good friend, also a PA lover, gave me what has become my new favorite! A little black cat sitting on a fence looking at a full moon on a Fall night! It's so beautiful; I can't bare to put it away so it just may have to stay up all year. I found it a home on a shelf in one of my Amish cabinets. Thanks Mary!