Thursday, September 29, 2016

Jell-O

On “free museum day” this year we visited the
Birthplace of Jell-0 in LeRoy, NY
{most images from newyorkupstate.com}


A tour guide gave us a quick rundown on the history of Jell-O, and then we walked through the rest of the quaint museum displays on our own.


We loved looking at the old Jell-O memorabilia, everything from old boxes to recipes to advertisements.


It was really a trip down memory lane for us. I am not sure if a younger visitor would enjoy it as much as we did.


We are now inspired to recreate some of our old favorite recipes from our childhood.


Jell-o Trivia

In 1845, Peter Cooper dabbled with and patented a product which was "set" with gelatine but it never did "jell" with the American public.


In 1897, Pearle Wait was putting up a cough remedy and laxative tea in his home. He experimented with gelatine and came up with a fruit flavored dessert which his wife, May, named Jell-O.


In 1899 he sold his formula to a fellow townsman, Orator Frank Woodward, for the sum of $450.  Sales were slow and disheartening for the new product


An advertising campaign in 1902 proved so successful that in 1902 Jell-O sales mounted to $250,000.


They began the distribution of recipes and samples in 1904. The first of the Jell-O "best seller" recipes rolled off the presses. In some years as many as 15 million booklets were distributed.


 In 1904, Jell-O introduced the Jell-O Girl, four year old Elizabeth King whose father, Franklin King, was an artist connected with the Jell-O's advertising agency.



In 1909, the Genesee Pure Food Company posted sales earnings of over a million dollars. Four years later, that number doubled. January 6, 1925, Jell-O is issued a patent for a sugarless gelatin dessert known as D-Zerta.

The first four Jell-O flavors were orange, lemon, strawberry, and raspberry. Lime was introduced
in 1930.


There are currently 18 flavors.


The little Jell-O package which was born in LeRoy in 1897 left its hometown to make its way in the wide wide world in 1964. Today Jell-O is manufactured by Kraft/General Foods in Dover Delaware.


There is a small gift shop to purchase souvenirs.


Do you have a favorite jell-o memory?


Friday, September 16, 2016

cousins

these cute cousins who
are just 6 weeks apart in age
recently spent a weekend together
{one from Vancouver - one from Vermont}


Selah and Opal


Grandma Mary, Pa Jim, and Uncle Seth


one more cousin coming in 4 weeks


more cousin are waiting


Ezra, Cedar, Selah, Amanda and Daniel



Saturday, September 10, 2016

magic jigsaw puzzle

There are a few games I play on my ipad and this one is my favorite.

Magic Jigsaw Puzzles {by Zimad}


This daily updated collection of more than 20,000 HD pictures will help you relax after a long day, avoid stress and will surely become a favorite pastime for you and your family.


Plenty of puzzles are free which are the only ones I do. You can purchase sets of puzzles or upload your own photos to turn into puzzles. Every month there is a free set that sends you a puzzle a day. My go to size is 143 pieces.

I also play Words with Friends {by Zynga}


Words with Friends is a multi-player word game. Players take turns building words crossword puzzle style in a manner similar to the classic board game Scrabble. Maybe we could play each other :)

Do you have a favorite app you like to play?




Thursday, September 1, 2016

zucchini brownies

Zucchini Brownies
{Thanks Cousin Renee Hanley}



Mix together:
1 ½ cups shredded zucchini
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup almond milk (or half and half)
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar

Stir in dry ingredients:
1 ½ cup flour
½ cup  cocoa or carob powder
1 tsp baking soda
pinch salt
½ cup nuts (optional)

Spread in 13 X 9 pan, Bake @ 350 for about 25 minutes.

Top with frosting, if desired
Eat & enjoy!

Ganache Frosting Glaze
8 ounces dark chocolate chips
8 ounces (1 cup) heavy cream

Place the chocolate chips into a medium bowl.
Heat the heavy cream in a sauce pan until it just begins to simmer
Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes.
Stir until chocolate mixture is smooth.
Allow the glaze to cool slightly and pour over brownies

Ganache Frosting Whipped 
8 ounces dark chocolate chips
8 ounces (1 cup) heavy cream

Place the chocolate into the bowl of a stand mixer.
Heat the heavy cream in a sauce pan until it just begins to simmer
Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes
Stir until chocolate mixture is smooth.
Allow it to come to room temperature {approximately 3 hours}
Once at room temperature whisk on high for 4 to 5 minutes.