MacKenzie-Childs Artisan Craft Festival

If you live in Central NY, this is an event that you must attend!!

For more info:

See the list of participating artisans 

Purchase TICKETS

Shop the MacKenzie-Childs website

Salt Potatoes...

Salt potatoes are a regional dish of Syracuse, New York and originated here in the 1800's.  They are typically served in the summer in Central NY, when the young potatoes are first harvested. They are a staple food at all barbecues, festivals  and especially at the NY State Fair!  Potatoes specifically intended for salt potatoes can be purchased by the bag along with a package of salt.   

Syracuse has a long history of salt production. Salt springs located around Onondaga Lake were used to create consumable salt that was distributed throughout the northeast via the Erie Canal.

As the potatoes cook, the salty water forms a crust on the skin and seals the potatoes, making them taste different from regular boiled potatoes. The standard recipe calls for one pound of salt for every four pounds of potatoes.  They are then served in a small cup with melted butter drizzled over top.

If I cook the whole bag, there are plenty of leftovers.  The next night I often fry or grill them with peppers and onions:

They are delish!!

 I have also made potato salad with leftovers!

I brought a bag on vacation and introduced them to my BFF on Cape Cod last night!

What are the foods that are typically found in your region?

The Everson Museum Festival of Trees

Every year the Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY holds a fundraiser called "The Festival Trees".

This cute display was by the entrance....

You can view and purchase all of the trees and holiday decorations which are displayed throughout the museum among the art work.

I donated the white tree with hand painted checked ornaments and was happy to see that it sold during the Gala Event the first night!

This tree was made from clear soda and water bottles...

...and the same artist designed this one with green soda bottles:

One of my favorite displays was this simple, elegant branch....

...and this cute Olaf tree!

The tree was made with a chain...

...and a cute idea to back the cookie cutters with a variety of decorative papers:

This unique tree was made from bicycle chains:

The same artist created they wreath from a tire:

This shard tree was made from broken dishes:

Local high school students made "Scrap Art Trees":

This tree was loaded with little sweaters....

...and a cute title:

There were many traditional trees, too:

This was the second tree I donated this year, a simple tree with 2 cardinals, reminding us of those we miss during the holidays:

This annual event is always something I look forward to and all year think about ideas on how I will decorate a tree for next year!

The Great New York State Fair....

Before I retired from teaching The NYS Fair was always an event that signified the end of summer.  The Fair ends on Labor Day and teachers report to school the following day.  I always had mixed emotions during this time!  BUT, now I look at the Fair differently - there is still at least another month of summer!

Mom and I took advantage of a few photo ops, the Marshall Tucker band played in Chevy Court and the Wine Slushies were delish as always!

A few "MUST DOs" at the Fair :  

Check out the Butter sculpture....

...and the sand sculpture...

...and eat some fried dough!

The Hill Cumorah Pageant

Each year, The Mormon's hold the one of the world's greatest outdoor theatrical productions, the Hill Cumorah Pageant. 

Every July, seven evening performances are presented on the beautiful Cumorah hillside in 

Palmyra, NY

This is a beautiful story, based on the Book of Mormon.  It is held on an enormous 10 level stage, twelve-tower lighting, state-of-the-art sound system with Hollywood special effects.

There is a costumed cast of over 650 who provide a truly spectacular show.  There are 8,000 seats set up in the field below the Hill:

How could I resist a photo with a cast member?

 The Mormon performers travel from all over the world to participate and mingle throughout the crowd for hours before the performance.  They are of all ages, toddlers to adults!

And their costumes are quite unique and so colorful :

The opening processional of the entire costumed cast through the audience is quite similar to the beginning of many of the great medieval pageants.

The show begins just as the sky darkens with a prayer and trumpeteers:

The Pageant tells 10 short story scenes from the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

There is fire, rain, thunder, earthquakes and is easily seen from any seat.  

Some visitors bring  coolers and blankets and lay on the lawn

It is a beautiful production sharing the Mormon's message of Jesus Christ:

It is always held around the 2nd week of July - a show not to be missed!

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