February 6th, 2012
I had seen it in the past year; just the outside, though. Traveling on Rt. 26 can be a trip. It can get so congested. It is a direct route to the town of Bethany Beach, Delaware. That aqua Adirondack chair kept catching my attention. I thought someone liked them as much as I did. Little did I know that behind that chair, the beautiful home behind it had a story to tell.
Out of sadness has come peace and somewhat joy to the Jennings Family. Justin Jennings was a beloved son, full of life and looking towards the future. Justin was stricken with cancer and at the age of 21, in 2000, he passed away. A life taken way too soon.
Some of us might sink into despair; others make that lemonade out of the lemons life throws at you. The Jennings family chose the latter route.
The Justin Jennings Foundation was developed. The help of friends, volunteers, and the community has been so important; a link to their success. Enter Contractors for A Cause, which are contractors of the local area of Bethany Beach and Ocean View, who are giving back to the community that supports them. CFAC is a non-profit organization. They hold annual events and scholarships to help out local organizations and young adults. For info. please visit www.contractorsforacause.org.
Contractors for A Cause built this beautiful home. So many people donated in numerous ways; appliances, furniture, cleaning supplies, beach chairs, you name it.
I really do consider myself so lucky to have been able to tour Justin’s Beach House. Nothing prepares you for the feelings of emotion as you enter the home. The best word to describe it is “peaceful”.
 
The main purpose of this home is to give someone; a child, a young adult, a parent, grandparent, basically anyone, for that matter, a time at the beach where they can relax with family and enjoy themselves for a week or a few days. To be able to put aside their worries, hospitals and doctors; experience the intoxicating salt air, beach, sand, and sun.
2011 was the first year when families started to visit Justin’s Beach House. 22 families took advantage of this gift. So far, as of this writing, about 12 families are scheduled to arrive this year, the youngest visitor with cancer will be about 2 when she visits our Delaware beaches.
Justin’s Beach House is located at 844 Garfield Parkway (Rt. 26), Bethany Beach, DE 19930. Tel. 302-261-2510. Website? www.justinjennings.org. Take a virtual tour of the house.
 
There is an easy application process and a few requirements, as well. For the application all you have to do is visit the website, where everything you need to know is clearly explained. Other important requirements are that the person applying for Justin’s Beach House has to be going through treatment at present, or out of treatment for a year. You have to be able to get to Bethany Beach, and a $250 security deposit is required but will be returned after the stay. No food is provided due to diet restrictions. Plenty of bottled water will be at the house.
Justin’s Beach House has 3 floors and sleeps 12. The whole house is wheelchair accessible; the parking lot has a wide ramp for easier access. It also has an elevator. Decks on each floor of the house.
   
As you enter the house the first thing you see is Justin’s picture with his dog. The house is painted in light colors. As I mentioned before, the majority of the furnishings have been donated.
A room is called Justin’s room with some of his furniture.
Another room is called Elizabeth’s room, donated by Elizabeth’s family.
Every floor has comfortable chairs, sofas and equipped with small refrigerators to make it even easier.
 
The little needlepoint pictures caught my attention; activities for every day of the week. Kids get all excited about them; that’s what they should do on that particular day.
 
In the garage you will find, bikes, beach chairs, and sand pails; that’s all you need at the beach, anyway.
  
Justin’s Beach House has fundraising events through the year. By visiting the website you will see what is coming up. On February 25th, Delaware Seashore Parrot Head Club’s 4th Tropical Ice Breaker from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Mango Mikes at 97 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Great music by Tropical Soul from Central PA, and food. Please call for ticket information 302-379-7601.
Save the date for the JWJ Annual Memorial Day 5K in Bethany Beach – Info. is on the website, as well.
Justin’s Beach House is located near 3 hospitals. Beebe Medical Center in Lewes, Delaware, www.beebemed.org. In Berlin, Maryland, Atlantic General Hospital, www.atlanticgeneral.org. And, in Salisbury, Maryland, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, www.peninsula.org.
A look at a table; what were those books? Amazing to see the effect the stay at Justin’s Beach House has given its visitors. These were albums sent by families to this home in thanks for a wonderful time. Their week at the beach, their smiles…their escape, even if it was for a little while. The home is making its own memories….
And…what about that lemonade? It is sweeter and more refreshing than ever….talk to you later.
Note: Many thanks to Kathy who took time to show me one amazing home!!
January 27th, 2012
I think I would like to have some Vietnamese soup, he said. He, meaning my husband. I gave him that look like he had horns coming out of his head. Really? Is that so? It’s not like we live in New York where out the door and you can get anything you want.
He continued….”we” can make it. Another no no. “We” means, “you can maket it”. So, we went to Lily Thai instead, located at 10 North 1st St. in downtown beautiful and warm Rehoboth Beach. Yes, it was at that time of the evening and 54 degrees. Tel. 302-227-3348.
 Rehoboth Avenue and 1st Street I have gone plenty of times to Lily Thai. And, have written about it, as well. I was late in discovering this small restaurant that has been around for a few years now. Originally, it was BYOB. Then, an application process cut that out until last year they finally got their liquor license. It has made such a difference; people do like to have a drink with dinner.
Lily Thai opens 6 days a week for lunch and dinner, closed on Mondays, at this time of the year. They have great specials, and it is very affordable.
The last time I was there I had a dish that even though I took a picture, then I could not remember what it was. It was one of the specials of the evening. Last night I found out that what I had eaten was Chili Crusted Eggplant. Lightly fried Thai eggplants flavored with sweet and spicy roasted chili sauce, chicken, shrimp, tomatoes, onions and topped with fresh cilantro.
Ingredients for Thai food are mixed together in such a way to create different appetizing flavors. Thai food plays with your taste buds; it’s like they are having a great party.
Last night my husband then decided to have their Pad Thai with tofu and extra peanuts. Completely forgot about the Vietamese soup. It was a large portion, almost enough for 2 people. Rice noodles with tamarind pulp, bean sprouts, red tofu, egg and crushed nuts.
I decided on the Duck Grob Roasted Chili. It was one of their specials. Roasted Chili, sweet crispy honey duck, crusted eggplants, tomatoes, onions, sweet and spicy roasted chili sauce. I love the Thai eggplants and this dish was really good with just enough kick.
Biologists consider eggplant to be a fruit and not a vegetable. An eggplant can absorb almost any flavor from any of the ingredients in a dish as well.
For dessert we had the imported mango, sweet sticky rice, topped with coconut cream. The last time I had it it was so good. This time, well not that great. The mango was a little hard and not good at all. This is not the mango season in many parts of the world so maybe that was the reason.
All in all, our meal was very good. Lily Thai is like a neighborhood restaurant; don’t feel like cooking and want flavorful and colorful food?….then you know where to find it now.
Talk to you later….
January 26th, 2012
This was not my first time at Dos Locos and it won’t be by last. The evening started by taking 2 friends to enjoy a dinner out in downtown Rehoboth Beach.
I chose Dos Locos because it is a casual restaurant and my husband was dying for stonegrilled scallops.
As we arrived my friend said to her husband “let me sit across from Gloria…we are going to talk about fashion and jewelry….haha. That set the tone for laughter and a really fun meal to be enjoyed with close friends.
Dos Locos is located at 208 Rehoboth Avenue. Tel. 302-227-3353. Website? www.doslocos.com. The restaurant has a full size bar on one side and booths and tables on another. Even a private room is available for parties.
Alex was our server and he was really so attentive, as usual. Gosh we talked and talked….chips and salsa always at the table.
A few shots of tequila, a martini, and a margarita came to the table. The Margarita was freshly made; no mix there. It went so smoothly that another had to be ordered.
Some ordered from the stonegrill menu. Stonegrilling is very social. A stone is brought to your table and it is heated at about 700 degrees. You will be doing the cooking. All meat or seafood arrives raw. You can personalize it by cooking it rare, medium or well. When you cook on these stones the food is seared with all the natural juices inside. Very healthy; no oils and fats are included; just rubs and dipping sauces. All dishes came with a salad or chef’s side.
The Scallops.
The Scallops and Steak.
Another entree was the Steak Quesadilla which was grilled steak with melted cheese and a choice of Vallarta sauce which is a tomato sauce or the Santa Fe with jalapenos. She ordered the Santa Fe….Que bueno!!
I decided on Steak Fajitas. I love making my own. Temperature? Medium rare. It was a good size entre and it really hit the spot. Delicioso!!
As I looked at the table I thought it looked fun. Rice, beans, salsa, and dips!! Nothing else was needed.
It was such a nice evening…..Dos Locos has Happy Hour, specials pretty much every night of the week….they are also on Facebook.
Note: Dos Locos also offers a Gluten Free Menu
Gracias Amigos…Hasta Luego…
January 26th, 2012
 These pooches are at Seaquels in Ocean View, Delaware
When I, actually thought that the Beaches were slowing down, taking that well deserved rest, then, all these events start popping up. You really can do as little or as much at this time of the year.
There are a few events that will take place at venues which are a few miles inland, but believe, it is not far at all.
So, if you a local, a native, resident, or visitor this is what is going on….
From the Rehoboth Beach Film Society
Monthly Screenings feature films and discussions about the various cultures in the world, including diversity in our country.
The First Grader is an uplifting biographical drama that takes place in a small, remote primary school in the Kenyan bush, where hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. Maruge an old Mau Mau veteran in his eighties struggles to gain admission so that he can learn to read at this late stage in his life.
Visit http://www.rehobothfilm.com. Click under Film Events and you can check the Trailer.
Thursday, 1/26 at 7 p.m. at DiFebo’s at Bear Trap Dunes Clubhouse. Doors open at 5 p.m. $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Bear Trap Dunes is located at 7 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean View, Delaware. Tel. 302-537-5600. Website? www.beartrapdunes.com.
Or, you can go on Friday, 1/27 at 7 p.m. at the Movies at Midway-Upstairs Screening Room and see it in Rehoboth Beach. The doors will open at 6 :30 p.m. $4 for member; $6 for non-members.
Friday, 1/27 and Saturday, 1/28 – THR’s Treasure Hunter’s Roadshow at Americinn, 36012 Airport Rd. Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The focus of this event will be on gold and silver coins made before 1970, military items, toys and trains, musical instruments, pocket and wrist watches. For more info., please call 217-787-7767.
Friday, 1/27 – MIXX Restaurant, 26 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach is donating 20% of the total sales for the evening to benefit Safe Haven Sanctuary. This is a no-kill sanctuary on Shingle Point Rd. between Georgetown and Milton. 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. Reservations at 302-226-8700. You can check MIXX at www.mixxrehoboth.com.
Friday, 1/27 – Opening Reception at Rehoboth Art League, located at 12 Dodds Lane. Tel. 302-227-8408. Website? http://www.rehobothartleague.org.
Exhibit – The Other Side of Howard Schroeder – Rarely seen works from the Schroeder Family Collection. January 27th until March 4th.
The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, 1/27 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. This is an exhibit of work not readily associated with this iconic artist of the Henlopen school of Delaware artists. Please visit http://www.rehobothartleague.org/exhibitions_2012_jan_schroeder.html for more info. on Howard Schroeder.
The Rehoboth Art League is offering plenty of classes at this time of the year. Maybe something you might have wanted to learn….pottery?, glass bead making? Visit the website for the schedule and class price, but these are a few of the classes that are about to start.
Glass Bead Making will be on Wednesday starting 2/8 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
On Tuesdays, starting 2/28 through 4/3 from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. Pottery Basics. Hand building and wheel work.
On Wednesday, starting 2/29 until 2/4 from 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. another chance to learn Pottery Basics. You can also attend the evening session from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m.
Friday, 1/27 – Fundraising Event at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center located on Rehoboth Avenue. This event will benefit the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation (CHEF). It is a Winter Jam with 2 party bands, The Funsters and The Bullbuckers; both Delaware bands.
Tickets in advance can be purchased at the Cape schools for $15; at the door? $20. You can also get the tickets at Federal Street Gallery in Milton, and at Browseabout Books on Rehoboth Avenue. For more info. contact Chris King at christinedking@comcast.net .
The Rehoboth Museum is located at 511 Rehoboth Avenue near the Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center and Grove Park. I like to mention this museum because if you love Rehoboth Beach, it can show what it was then and what has become; a year-round destination.
The Exhibit Skimming the Surface; Surf, Skimming, and Floating off the Delaware Coast is one that should be seen for all those aficionados of water sports. It will be there until the first week in March. The Museum is open on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 to p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 to 3 p.m. For more info, please call 302-227-7310 or visit www.rehobothbeachmuseum.org.
Saturday, 1/28 – 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Lewes – Cape Henlopen’s Battle of the Bands at the Cape Henlopen High School Theatre. $10 (come and go). Proceeds will benefit the theatre group’s spring production of Cats and for guest speakers. Cape Henlopen Highway is located on Kings Highway, Lewes, Delaware.
Saturday 1/28 at 2 p.m. – Lewes - Coastal Concerts presents Clancy Newman, Cello and Noreen Cassidy-Polera, Piano Bethel United Methodis Church Hall on 4th & Market Streets in Lewes, Delaware.
Coastal Concerts promotes classical music appreciation in Southern Delaware and surrounding areas.
Clancy Newman has ferocious technical ability, impeccable tonal mastery, and passionate commitment. Noreen Cassidy-Polera is a highly regarded Julliard-trained pianist who has colaborated with Yo-Yo Ma among others.
For more info. please visit www.coastalconcerts.org.
Saturday, 1/28 – From 6 p.m. until midnight is SPCA Poker, Black Jack Night at Poker at the Beach located at Beach Plaza, Rt. 1, Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-227-3760.
Sunday, 1/29 – First Annual Winter Wine Festival – Nage Rehoboth presents an evening of wine, beer, music and food!! 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The Festival will include wine tastings, beer tastings, specialty cocktails, open bar, live local music and food by Nage Chef Hari Cameron. Tickets are $49 and you must be 21 to attend. You can purchase tickets online by visiting http://www.nagerestaurant.com. Nage is located at 19730 Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-226-2037.
Have a great week-end!!
 Lewes
January 25th, 2012
“Once loved treasures can be true joy to someone else.” Consignment shops sell second-hand items. Sometimes the profit is split 50/50 between the owner and the person that brought the merchandise in; others might have a different arrangement. One thing for sure is that consignment shops will only accept items that look like new.
There are many reasons to go to a consignment shop. If you are taking your own merchandise in, then you might be turning a cluttered house into cash. These shops are a business, not thrift shops; they do want to make a profit. The idea is to sell at the highest possible price with the customer still getting a good deal.
 
These shops are popular. Everyone wins and everybody likes a bargain.
 
Seaquels is a furniture consignment shop located at 4 Town Rd. (between the 2 World Gym buildings) in the town of Ocean View, Delaware. Ocean View is west of Bethany Beach, about 2 miles. This is their new address. They just moved last week. If you have visited the shop before, go in that same entrance but go towards the back of the buildings. There is plenty of parking.
 
Seaquels is owned by Cindy and Kathy. Tel. 302-829-8636. E-mail is seaquels@gmail.com. You can find Seaquels on Facebook like everyone else.
 
The first thing you will see is that Cindy and Kathy are so friendly. I feel like I have known them forever. Very easy to talk to and just as helpful.
Seaquels has great merchandise and it turns over quickly. The pictures of the merchandise you will see on this blog, might not be there next week. You can also ask Cindy and Kathy to be on the look-out for a specific piece. One thing for sure is that they do have very affordable prices.
This new building has great lighting and they can spread out. They just moved here so they are still placing furniture, art, plants, wall decor and basically, getting used to this much space.
So check out the store!! Seaquels opens, at this time of the year, from 10 to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Monday. On Sundays it opens from 11 to 2 p.m.
Beautiful day in the Delmarva Peninsula!! Enjoy and talk to you later…
January 23rd, 2012
For years it has been “pedal to the metal” as you crossed over the Indian River Inlet Bridge. It was looking old and a bit decrepit.
It took long enough but after a few years of building, it finally has opened.
If you are traveling right by the coast, south or north bound on Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) you will find this route to be so scenic and gorgeous; the Bay on one side, the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The locals that drive this route back and forth to the different towns for work every day are truly lucky.
The South Bound lane is the one that just opened and so I took a drive on a rainy, foggy and warm winter day. Can’t complaint because it has not been bad at all. Here are the pictures.
South Bound (New Bridge)
North Bound (Old Bridge and Pedal to the Metal)
My trip was not only to cross over the new bridge but to also visit Seaquels, the consignment shop near Bethany Beach. Just moved to a new building….post in the making, stay tuned….
Have a good one!!
January 18th, 2012
New Year & New Expectations; that’s what this post should be called. The Delaware Beaches are becoming more popular every year. The attraction of low property taxes, along with the amenities make the beaches a year-round playground. Tax free shopping, mild winters, beautiful scenery…the towns have been crowded during the week-ends. This is our Second Season and a few quieter months is the perfect time, for us that live here year-round, to truly embrace the beaches.
With that in mind, I want to mention some of my Delaware advertisers, who have been in the area for so many years. I can recommend them all fully because I use them.
Tidewater Realty is located at 32892 Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) at the Starboard Center in Bethany Beach. Tel. 302-539-7500 or toll free 800-888-7501. This is a boutique size real estate company catering to North Bethany and Bethany Beach customers. Website? http://www.tidewaterrealty.com. Tidewater has been a sales leader in the community for 30 years. Personal attention, a friendly staff, rentals and sales. A tip for you is to visit the website and wether your interest is sales or rentals, the website will give you an idea of who they are and what is available. Make your summer rentals choices early; you know how it is….if we have a forecast for a hot summer the prime weeks will go quickly.
Coastal Chem-Dry, is at the forefront of the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry. A green certified company using innovative equipment and powerful cleaning solutions. You can call for a free estimate at 302-645-2800 in Sussex County or 302-234-0200 in New Castle County. Website? www.chem-dry.net/coastal.de. Take advantage of the specials that are now on-going. Visit their website www.chem-dry.net/coastal.de/specials to find out what they are offering.
Please note that once your carpet or upholstery is cleaned by Coastal Chem-Dry, it only takes a couple of hours to dry; not days. And, if you have pets, this is the company to use.
VacationRentals.com is a national rental company. Part of the family of Home Away. I was surprised when last year they contacted me. The properties that are being advertised on my website are in Rehoboth Beach. Check http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/rehoboth-beach-delaware.html. You can also click directly on their website, on the link available on the bottom left hand side of this blog. Events and activities are always happening in Rehoboth. The company has townhouses, single family, and condos all great for taking time off at the beach with a group of friends.
Miken Builders is located at 32782 Cedar Drive, Millville, DE 19967. Tels. Office 302-537-4444, cell 302-381-0773. Website? www.mikenbuilders.com. Mike Cummings is the company’s Founder and CEO. This is a commercial and residential construction company well respected in the community. I have known Mike for many years and no job is too small or too big for him. Find out for yourself and give his company a call. His staff is amazing.
BetterLiving Patio & Sunrooms of Delmarva is under the umbrella of Miken Builders, but a complete different company even though they share the same address. Tel. 302-251-0000. Website? www.betterlivingdelmarva.com. The company is the exclusive provider of BetterLiving 3-season year-round sunrooms and awnings.
Doggies at the Beach – I have said it so many times and here it goes again. You can leave your dog at this cage free, temperature controlled facility, 24 hour supervision with total confidence. Jim and his staff are wonderful and animal lovers. Doggies at the Beach is located on Rt. 24 at 18806 John J. Williams Highway. Tel. 302-644-8200. Website? www.doggiesatthebeach.com. They offer grooming for dogs and cats, training for different levels of your dog’s life, web cams so that you can check you pooch while away and in case you would like a drawing of your pet; DJ who is in charge of the pooches at night can draw your pet. For more info. call the office and talk to Jim. Here are a few of his drawings.
  
Note: The above mentioned companies can be accessed directly from my website. Just click on their site and you will be directed immediately to all the information they have available.
And…..if you decided you would like to advertise on AboutMyBeaches, then $500/year will get you a banner on my website with personal attention, of course.
Have a good one!!
January 17th, 2012
Back in 2009 when I started this blog, the concept was “word of mouth”. Finding those unique places that make our beaches such a wonderful place to live. I wanted to pass the word around. Believe me, I know I am lucky to live in the coastal area of the Delaware Beaches, and I do not take it for granted.
The other day my husband mentioned that he had read about a dairy farm in Rehoboth. They also had produce and on and on he went. It was on the way to the Glades, he said. Okay, I had not been on that road for years. It is the type of road that is mostly traveled by the people that live in that vicinity.
I found the farm, and the storefront. It look like someone was there. Then, I met Nelson. I introduced myself; the store was opening at 11 a.m. In our brief conversation he said that these are hard times for dairy farmers. That the Euro having problems have made companies in Europe trying to market powder milk to be reconsituted, here in the U.S. What? That’s crazy, I thought. His mother would be there at 11 a.m., Nelson said. He, on the other hand, would probably be out back playing with the cows. Could not wait to get back at 11 a.m.
Rehoboth Dairy, LLC is located at Rustic Acres Farm, at 37217 Rustic Acres Ln. in Rehoboth Beach. Tel. 302-226-2571. Earl’s 302-245-8308 and Nelson’s 302-245-8310. If you are going north after just leaving Rehoboth Beach, on Rt. 1 (Coastal Highway), turn right on Hollands Glade Rd., right after Tomato Sunshine. If you are coming south on Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) then, make a U turn at the intersection of Shuttle Rd. and Rt. 1 in order to get to Hollands Glade Rd. On Hollands Glade Rd., continue driving inland and you will see the farm on the left and the store just by the road.
There were people already there when I arrived. Immediately, I met Earl and Mary Ann, who along with their sons work the farm.
A few customers were checking out already with a box full of lettuce, eggs, milk, and butter. Cash and check are accepted. No credit cards.
Earl and I started talking; I think he could outtalk me by a lot, if there is such a thing. His good friends were Amish from Dover, Delaware. They built the store. Comfortable in its simplicity. During the summer months you are going to find all kinds of local produce.
This is a dairy farm. The milk? Well, it is as fresh as you are ever going to get any milk. The cows are in the back. They get milked in the updated building that dates prior to the Civil War. The milk is brought to the back of the shop where it is pasteurized. Rehoboth Dairy follows all State regulations. It takes them 8 hours to produce 100 gallons of milk.
 
They have available, whole milk, 2%, 1 1/2 %, and cream. The milk is in glass bottles; 1/2 gallons and quarts. A deposit is required for the glass bottles. Bring the bottles back for your deposit to be refunded. You’ll be back for sure.
The cream goes to the top and just like in the old days, it separates. Shake it a bit and you will get one delicious tasting glass of milk. Milk in its purest form is as near to being a perfect food as one can find. It is a complex and complete supply of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibodies, essential fatty acids and carbs.
Only a handful of dairy farms remain in the State of Delaware. The cost of carrying these farms is incredible. Earl had to sell everything some years ago when it got to be too much with 200 cows. He has now about 70 and is trying to keep it going. He is a farmer at heart and speaks of work with passion and delight. He also said that farmers buy retail and sale wholesale.
 
Pasteurization of raw milk is required by law. This process began as a result of bacteria that could contaminate the milk after the milk left the cow. The milk from Rehoboth Dairy is pasteurized with milk from their cows, in the family century farm. These cows are grass fed with no artificial hormones or antibiotics.
 
No homogenization here. Homogenization forces the milk, by extreme pressure, through tiny holes which break up the normally large fat molecules into tiny ones. This unnatural fat is easily absorbed into the blood stream. In milk that has not been homogenized, the large fat molecules, are normally passed through the digestive track, unabsorbed. A lot of health problems are attributed to homogenization.
Through small cooperatives, Earl and Mary Ann buy other staples for their store. Butter, is made by the Amish. Of course, I had to get it. It is so good. The eggs are free range and a variety of sizes, as well.
Honey from Lanes Pure Honey from Dover, Delaware. Comb and all.
A freezer was in the middle of the store filled with lima beans and meats and pork products. Filet, roasts, sausage, hamburger patties, scrapple, pork chops. Earl and Mary Ann can tell you the content of everything they sell. I told Earl he would get a scrapple review for sure.
The pork comes from pigs raised on another farm, but owned by Earl. And the beef is from their steers which are raised on their farm, again, grass fed beef with no antibiotics and no hormones. Haas Family Butcher Shop in Dover takes care of the preparation of their meat and pork products.
Besides milk, butter, eggs, and honey, I bought a pork loin roast, filet and scrapple.
You can find in the store Amish baked goods, as well.
I took off with Earl on his truck to check the cows out back. They were all eating; I think that’s what cows do all the time, anyway. The cows you will find at Rustic Acres Farm are Holsteins and Jerseys.
Holstein is the world’s highest production dairy animal, with distinctive markings. Some are mostly black to mostly white, half and half, or red and white.
Trivia: Pauline Wayne was a famous Holstein that was the Presidential Pet of the 27th President of the U.S., William Howard Taft. It lived and grazed on the White House and provided for their milk. It was the last Presidential Pet Cow.
Jerseys are a small breed of dairy cattle, originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey. It has high butterfat content in its milk and a “genial” disposition; curious and gentle.
Trivia: Elsie the Cow was the famous mascot of Borden, Inc. in the U.S.
 
I asked Earl if they were dumb. He said that a cow remembers everything that has been done to it. As we walked he touched them here or there, behind their ears. It was like they recognized him. One just got close to me and tried to grab my pocket. I had a treat from my dog, Addy, there. Slobbered all over the bottom of my coat.
Earl said that cows are creatures of habit and they follow a strong pecking order. It is a whole process to get them used to one another.
The calfs had to be weaned. They were so cute, coming out of their huts, thinking you had a bottle for them.
From there they go with just one other cow to a different pen. Then to a bigger space with a few more and on and on it goes until they are ready to be all together.
They all have shelter in the winter; a roof over their heads.
As I was walking with Earl I asked him if he gave tours. He said he did not because he did not want germs and contamination in his farm. I felt lucky that he took me to see it. All I could think of was that you really had to love it; it is really so much work.
A resurgence of wanting better foods; away from over processed foods, I am hoping that give these farmers the opportunity to stay in business.
I read food labels all the time. Have to since there are food allergies and health issues in my household. It is just incredible to read some of the ingredients, dies and preservatives in the simplest of foods.
I really enjoyed talking to the Warrens. A plan for the not too distant future is homemade ice cream. I can’t wait!!!
Note: I had to get some info. from Wikipedia….
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