Ladies trip to Pella

Last April our ladies group was traveling to Des Moines for the day when we stopped off at Pella to visit Jaarsma Bakery.  We ended up spending quite a bit of time there, and decided right then that we would return for a full day this year.  So, this was a much anticipated trip.  Our goal is to visit Pella close enough to the time of the Tulip Festival to benefit from the blooming flowers but miss the massive crowds.

Although not as many flowers were in bloom this year as last year, it was still lovely and worth the trip.  We were blessed with sunshine as we spent time visiting the unique shops around the square, oohing and aahing over the flowers, and eating lunch at a local coffee shop.

Our first group photo

Shonda struck this pose to honor Carla,
who mysteriously didn't come with us
again this year!  ha!!   :D

Although the flowers were only about ⅓ in bloom overall,
it was still lovely!  

Patty wore her Cornerstone tshirt -
so we had to get her photo in front of this
Cornerstone store.  :)

The Klokkenspel at Pella
(Glockenspiel)

I posted a few short videos of the Klokkenspel
on my flickr album (linked at bottom of post)

Beautiful!

This was our first stop!!!!   :)

Lora found this for me...
I probably should have bought it!  :D

Lunch at Smokey Row...

...with competing photographers.  :)

One highlight, for me, was visiting a store called The Work of Our Hands for a 'coffee cupping'.  This was described as the coffee equivalent of a wine tasting.  We were able to taste various free trade coffees, but were also able to compare the difference in taste between a typical brewed coffee and that same blend prepared another way (coffee cupping).  It just brings home the point (again) that I really need to be pressing my coffee... the taste is so much better that way!!

Pella is a beautiful town.

Michaela, Laura, Kathy, Mary, Patty, Karen, Kristy,
Allison, Lora, Susan, Shonda, Tiffany

The Royal Amsterdam Hotel 

Lora checking out the possibilities for
transporting all of us back next year.  ;)

Since I forgot to take my selfie stick, we had to rely on the kindness of strangers to take our group photos.  :)  The lady who took our last photo remarked that we "sure knew how to line ourselves up quickly", to which Shonda replied, "we are pretty used to it!"   :D

We can't wait to return to Pella again next year!  You can see all the photos from this day by clicking here.

My fellow Cornerstone ladies... you will have to share your funny remembrances in the comments section below!  You can choose 'anonymous' to comment, then just add your name to the body of your comment.  Help me remember the funny parts!  :D

Latte, Latte, Latte!

Several months ago I planned to post about my new 'habit'... making lattes at home.  I even spent time taking step by step photos of the entire process.  Then... my friend Donna showed up at my house with a simple little contraption to make espresso (the first part of a latte) that completely BLEW AWAY my method!  So much for all those photos!!   :)

After ordering my own coffee press (thanks for sharing the link, Donna!!) I have simply been enjoying lattes... not taking any more photos.  I thought it was finally time to rectify that.

But, first a little background information.  Donna and I realized we were becoming 'coffee snobs' several months ago.  :)  Instead of fighting it, we just accepted this new part of our personalities and set out to find the best method to make the perfect cup of coffee.  We compared notes and research then discovered that on the very same day we each bit the bullet and ordered an espresso maker.  (Not the expensive electronic ones... simpler ones that fit our meager budgets.)   :)  We decided to celebrate by having a coffee making day together.  Donna brought all her stuff up to my house and we spent the day making TONS of coffee and trying different methods and recipes.  It became apparent pretty quickly that Donna had the BEST method for making espresso.  Hers produced a strong flavor without any bitterness time after time.  My method was hit or miss... great one time, bitter the next.  I think it might just take practice, actually, but clearly I haven't mastered it.  :)

I had purchased a variety of flavored syrups to use and Donna and I experimented with several recipes.  Among our favorites were Toasted Marshmallow/English Toffee and White Chocolate/Macadamia Nut.  New favorites are Almond Joy Mocha (coconut, almond & chocolate sauce) and Peppermint Mocha (crushed 'Sweet Stripes' mints and chocolate sauce).   :)   We used Weiler's milk which definitely has the upper hand on other kinds of milk available.  Donna was sad at first until she found she could buy Weiler's in Columbia.  (yet another reason for our meet-ups in Columbia!)

We have been enjoying easy homemade lattes ever since.  I even gave my niece this same set-up for Christmas!

Here are a ton of photos... some from the old method just so you can see what I had... but most are of the new (and better) method.

The first method... Bialetti Cappuccino Set

Goodness!  My stovetop was DIRTY!!  ugh.  The water is close to percolating...

Here comes the espresso

This is the new setup!

I like the Lavazza Decaf espresso.  I just used one scoop for one latte this time around.

You pour the hot water in the tube and stir the coffee.  Yes, pour the water right into the coffee!

Use this plunger to press the water through the coffee and the filter (at the bottom) into the cup.

Coffee all pressed through...

This photo is out of order... I zap the milk in the microwave for a minute to heat it up then store it in my frother (from the Bialetti set).

Ingredients for the Almond Joy Latte!

I think I am out of room for photos.  Basically, to finish up the latte I froth up the milk in the frother then pour it all together.  (The syrup and heated chocolate sauce I mix with the hot espresso in the cup).   Then YUMMO!   :)