It’s Pennsylvania Day

Today happens to be National Pennsylvania Day. While it’s been some time since we focused on a National State, I’m drawn to Pennsylvania for two very different reasons.

First, last Saturday evening Hubby and I drove up into the Gold Rush Foothills, to Columbia State Park. If you are ever in the area, this is one stop you won’t want to miss. The site was proclaimed an open-air museum on July 15, 1945. There are over 30 buildings from the Gold Rush that have been restored. Everyone who works in the park are dressed in period costumes, from the shop keepers to the candy makers and waitresses at the hotel’s dining room. The various shops in the park all sell period merchandise. It’s like taking a giant step back in time.

Every year in July the Friends of Columbia State Historic Park host a fund raiser that also celebrates it’s founding. People come from all over dresses as though it’s 1945. In the town square there’s an amazing Big Band and they start the night’s concert with – you guessed it – Pennsylvania 6-5000. What a hoot!

The other reason that I wanted to honor Pennsylvania is that I’ve always been drawn to the strength and history of the Pennsylvania Dutch, especially the Amish and Mennonites. They have managed to retain their culture, faith and chosen way of life, and that is to be admired. As an Old-School Catholic I wish we all knelt for Communion as an act of reverence, that women continued to veil and as a whole we still practiced those things that made us Catholic. Doing so, in my option, strengthens our sense of community.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful day the Lord has made. May the Lord bless you always.

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Pennsylvania Dutch Pancakes with Apples
Apple Topping
2 Sweet Red Apples
4 tablespoons Butter
4 tablespoons Brown Sugar

Peel, core and cut apples into wedges. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat until melted, add brown sugar. Stir sugar into the butter to create a bubbly glaze. Add apples, cook for about 6 minutes, until apples are tender, stir often. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Pancakes
2 tablespoons Butter
1 cup Flour
2-1/2 tablespoons Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Buttermilk
1 large Egg
Additional Butter for serving

Note: Melt butter, allow to cool to the touch before using.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter. Mix well. Pour the wet ingredients into dry ingredients; stir until just combined (some lumps are okay).

Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little butter. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake.

Note: You should get 3 pancakes at a time in a skillet or 6 on a griddle.

Cook pancakes until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown on the other side. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Serve pancakes warm and lightly buttered, topped with brown sugar apples as desired.

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To the upright will be shown
The saving power of God