The Lititz Art Show in Lancaster County and more

Modern Art by your Lancaster Innkeeper:
Carl Kosko


So... what's going on this weekend in Lancaster? Art, Wine and a bit of Jazz! Not far from the Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast, Lititz will host their 44th annual art show. A day of fine art at Lititz Springs Park showcasing some of the local talent. Lititz being a small quaint town here in Lancaster County is a wonderful place to spend the day. With boutique shops, great eateries, and lots of history, one is sure to enjoy not only the show, but also the town as well.

Need more art... Just over the Susquehanna river in the town of Wrightsville, Shanks Mare is hosting their own art show... with vendors up and down the property, a trip to both Lititz and Shanks Mare would no doubt fill your day with art.

Then, after a day of art hopping, enjoy the light jazz sounds at Nissely Vineyards over a glass of wine... We can help you with your dinner basket. Nissely having a beautiful property here in Lancaster County plays host to special events like this each Saturday evening.

Enjoy Lancaster Folks... it's all here waiting for you!

Lancaster and Music Friday

Lancaster has done it again with Music Friday! A great way to get to know downtown Lancaster. The event is held each third Friday of the month in downtown Lancaster, only about 30 minutes from the Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast.

As you depart from the "Moon" and prepare for your evening, be sure to include Music Friday into your plans. The schedule for this coming Friday has an emphasis on Zydeco music with groups such as Grandma Shake / N’Bonyé / Zydeco A-Go-Go.

Enjoy an evening of fine dining, great entertainment and plain old fun; there is no cover charge for strolling the streets and enjoying the music. A night of fun is achieved once again while enjoying your vacation here in Lancaster and at "The Moon".

The Lancaster County Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest

It just goes to show you that EVERYONE loves chocolate chip cookies! We here at the Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast over the winter and early spring ran the Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest through Harvest Moon's Facebook business page. I have never seen ( or tasted ) so many great recipes.

You see, growing up, my mom made the best Chocolate Chip Cookies. To this day, I still love them. However, over the years, I have come to appreciate other varieties. This little competition surely opened up my thoughts on what a great chocolate chip cookie is.

From Tropical and fruity to nutty and gooey, the cookies were all great. For about two months, I was forever eating chocolate chip cookies ( I am still trying to recover ) However there was only room for one winner.

The winning cookie went to Janice Fitzgerald with her better than Toll House Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!!! They were awesome!

I will post the recipe as well for those who would love to experiment with the recipe....And remember... As the recipe says, "don't be tempted to make a smaller cookie" Believe it, I tried and it just did not come out right. Go for the gusto you won't be disappointed.

And by the way... not to be missed are all the great recipes posted on our Chocolate Chip Cookie page on Facebook. Enjoy!!!

Better than Toll House Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 3/4 Cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons unsalted butter - divided
...1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
3/4 chopped toasted pecans (optional)

1) Preheat oven to 375 and adjust rack to middle position.

2) Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl & set aside.

3) Melt over medium-high heat, 10 tablespoons of butter, swirling pan constantly until whey is medium to dark brown and gives off delectable "nutty" aroma (1 - 3 minutes)

4) Remove butter from heat and transfer to large bowl. Stir in remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and stir until melted

5) Add both sugars, salt and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add whole egg and additional egg yolk and whisk for approximately 30 seconds.

6) Let the egg mixture stand for approximately 3 minutes and whisk again for 30 se...conds. Do this two more times until mixture is thick, smooth and shiny.

7) Add the flour mixture, chocolate chips and nuts and combine until no more “white” can be seen.

8) Divide dough into sixteen portions (about three tablespoons per cookie) and arrange eight to a cooking sheet. Do not be tempted to make a smaller cookie. Bake, one cookie sheet at a time, in preheated oven.

9) Remove when cookies are golden brown and still puffy, edges have begun to set, but centers are still soft – 10 -14 minutes, rotating halfway through baking time.

10) Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Restaurant Hopping in Lancaster County: A chef's musings!

You know.... I just love music... Any kind of music, and therefore I was ready to rock the night away with American Music Theater's California Soul It was a great show needless to say! However the meal before at a local Lancaster County Restaurant is what I am writing about. Have you ever been to Olive and Jasmine's?

We decided to stop in for a quick bite before the show. Thought of nothing special just another run of the mill quick Asian restaurant. However.... I was surely surprised.

We started the meal with an appetizer. I am forever sold on pot stickers, simple I know, however they always have my name on it. You see, I am on the lookout for something other than the kind that stick to your ribs. Lots of dough and no substance. Eureka, I have found the perfect, most unique variety ever. Light, crunchy, and filled with a delicate blend of meat and vegetables, this pop sticker delivered on every level...

I asked to look at the menu once again and noticed that their appetizer selection was really something special. They had menu styles of Asian appetizers, not just Chinese, but from many different countries. One could make a meal out of there appetizers.

We continued our meals with enjoying noodles. My wife decided on the Pad Thai and I was a little more difficult and asked for Chicken Chow Fun instead of the beef on their menu.

As with the appetizer, the entrees were top rate. Just enough to enjoy, with just the right flavor. The Pad Thai had heat, but not enough to not be able to enjoy it... it was perfect, through on the peanuts and the flavor excelled. The Chow fun, was exceptional with just the right amount of oyster sauce; sometimes too much can overwhelm as a flavor enhancer. Vegetables throughout each dish was used as the perfect crunch and garnish to compliment.

So when heading out to the Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast in Lancaster County to catch California Soul at the American Music Theater save a little time for Olive and Jasmine's Asian Bistro. You will for sure enjoy a great Asian meal.