Welcome to Wayfaring Wednesday! My career as a real estate agent takes me all around Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and its surrounding areas. Though I wasn’t born and raised here, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the unique blend of urban and rural charm this region offers over the last 20 plus years that I have called this region home. Wayfaring Wednesday is a Newsletter for www.wayfaringLancaster.com my Buy Local- Buy Small initiative.

My passion for small businesses stems from my varied experience in Commercial and Residential Real Estate. I am captivated by the vibrant communities and quaint towns that dot the landscape of Lancaster County. I am inspired by the business owners that build this rugged terrain. I invite you to explore and enjoy Lancaster with me, discovering its hidden gems and embracing the sense of community that makes this area truly special. And of course I will share relevant real estate and homeownership tips that should interest you along your journey. Wayfarer on!

When it comes to lighting, chandeliers and pendant lights are both wonderful additions to any space.

Chandeliers bring a touch of sophistication and elegance to a room, making them the perfect choice for formal settings.

Pendant lights, on the other hand, add a modern and versatile feel to any space. They are great for creating focal points and highlighting specific areas. Which one is better? The one you like!

Quick Thanksgiving Getaways

As we’ve begun to be very aware of, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Finding your breath to  enjoy this time of year, away from the usual large family gatherings, can be nice as well! There are many places that I’d recommend visiting to give yourself (and maybe a special someone) a treat or a break, without the hubbub of the whole family coming along for the ride!

Firstly, we couldn’t talk about nice getaway stops in Lancaster without appreciating a local café in the area. Whether it’s been a long, drawn-out day, or you just want some relaxing spots to rejuvenate, I cannot recommend several of Lancaster’s coffee spots enough. One such would be that of Passenger Coffee & Tea Showroom resting downtown. Hosted on West King Street, this café is an easy spot to get to from many of the parking garages around, and hosts a peaceful environment perfect for studying, working, and enjoying the ambiance. Like many downtown cafés, they do end up closing earlier in the day (usually about 2pm to be exact), so do be sure to get there early in the day!

Another such place I’ve found some solace in recently is in one of Lancaster County’s parks. Early in the morning, I love to find peace walking down one of our larger green spaces, Lancaster County Central Park. There are many trails that lap the riverbank, and span for miles. I’ve found myself lost in thought many a time when I run early in the morning here, and it’s generally free of many people at most times during weekdays. I cannot recommend this area enough to anyone who might want a chance to enjoy this heart of Pennsylvania’s nature (albeit quite close to the city). These areas are also very dog friendly if you’d like to bring your furry friend along for a quiet morning.

Additionally, if you’d like a good place to bring your partner after a long day of social outings, there are plenty of spots for you both to enjoy a little space away from it all. One locally owned restaurant that I’ve enjoyed is OKA Asian Fusion, right by the Franklin & Marshall campus on Harrisburg Ave. Each time I’ve been there, they’ve catered for a calm dining environment that has been absolutely perfect to take your special person along on a fine date night. Even though I know it’s not for everyone, the eel-centric Dragon Roll they serve has been a staple to my diet when eating at their location, and I honestly cannot recommend it more. Sushi might not be the iconic food you think of when you envision Lancaster cuisine, but our town has plenty of amazing spots to choose from that go beyond your expectations.

Now, I hope you’ve found some new locations to visit through this post today. Thanksgiving can be a stressful time! Make sure to take care of your social battery, and you’ll be able to enjoy this time even more.

Real talk: The best part of Thanksgiving are those treasured family recipes that only make an appearance once a year. It's about eating some legendary pecan pie, sharing stories around the table, and making memories with loved ones. Yes, I'm having seconds of that sweet potato casserole, and I'm going to enjoy every single bite.

If you're like me and love a glass of apple cider, here is a quick recipe for the most delicious cider:

Ingredients:
10 large apples, quartered
1 orange, halved
4 cinnamon sticks
1 tsp. whole cloves
1 tsp. whole allspice
1 whole nutmeg
1/2 c. packed brown sugar

Directions:

Step 1
Add apples, oranges, spices, and brown sugar to a large stockpot over medium heat. Cover with water by at least 2”. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, 2 hours.

Step 2
Remove orange halves, then use a potato masher or wooden spoon to mash apples. Return to a simmer and let simmer uncovered for 1 hour more.

Step 3
Strain through a fine mesh strainer, pressing on solids with a wooden spoon to squeeze all juices out. Discard solids.

Step 4
Serve apple cider warm. Enjoy!!

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