Pop Up A Good Time!

After what seemed like the millionth hour to drag by that afternoon, I anxiously sighed as I skimmed over the last on my stack of magazines.

“Mom, what can else can I do? I’m beyond bored!’’ Mom looked at me as if understanding my query.

‘’Why don’t we pop up some popcorn, and you guys can put in a movie.’’ Yes! Just the fun distraction we were looking for!

While my siblings squabbled over the movie choice, I excitedly grabbed all the things we needed for one of my favorite snacks; popcorn kernels, butter, salt, sugar, and numerous spices that we enjoyed to top our treat with. Pouring the kernels into the popper, I turned it on and immediately heard the familiar blast of noise.

In only a few more minutes the white, fluffy puffs of goodness would spill out into a ginormous bowl for us all to share! This was going to be so good! When it was finally ready, we sprinkled our favorite combo of sugar and salt over it and stirred to coat every tasty nibble!

Once we finished, we brought it over to the couch, all settling in cozily and enjoying the movie- but really savoring this special winter day treat.

Are you and your family bored this month and looking for something to do on those humdrum afternoons? Grandma’s Pantry has plenty of varieties of popcorn kernels to offer; like Amish Country Yellow, tiny hulless Ladyfinger, or jumbo nibbles like Mushroom! To add a an extra POP! Of eye-catching fun, grab some of our Red or Rainbow kernels! While you’re here, don’t forget to grab your favorite seasoning combo, cheesy delight, or buttery topping to spice it up!

Plus, air-popped corn is a nutritious snack that’s low calorie, and high in antioxidants and fiber. Add some interest to these dull winter afternoons by popping up a batch to share a snack with family and friends, but, more importantly quality time too!

Wishing you sweet memories and precious time with loved ones these chilly winter days ahead!

God bless you!

A Sweet and Sappy Tale

Looking out the large bay windows at the front of our house, I gasped in childish delight. Tiny unique flakes of flittering snow danced toward the crispy grass below.

“It’s snowing!” I cried in wonder, already imagining the snowman I would build once these delicate flakes had accumulated enough.

“Do you think we’ll get enough?” my big sister asked in anticipation pushing the curtain aside and squeezing in beside me.

Gazing outward at the snow that was rapidly gaining speed and volume, I grinned and affirmed, “I think we will.”

“Get the bowls!” my older sister cheered as she pushed away from the window to race toward the kitchen.

Running after her, we dug through the kitchen cabinets finding three bowls that were huge enough to fill our little arms. Then hurrying toward the front door I held it open, giggling as the swirling snowflakes tickled my face and decorated my sister’s dark chocolate brown hair. My sister stepped into the chilly air to place the bowls expectantly on our front stoop.

Later once the winter weather had gathered enough cold icy contents into our bowls, my sister and I gathered up our now brimming bowls. Carrying them into the kitchen, leaving a trail of ice and water in our path, we placed them in the sink for Mom to prepare our beloved winter treat; Snow Cream!

Skipping to the refrigerator, I brought out the secret ingredient required to craft our very favorite flavor of this creamy goodness. Slipping my finger around the built-in handle I brought the all natural local Maple syrup to my Mother.

“Ooo, Maple flavored snow cream….that’s the best!” my sister gushed as she and I pulled up chairs to stand by and anxiously await our treat to be ready to devour!

Now that we are past the hustle and bustle of the glistening Christmas season, it’s easier to feel the “hum drum” of the long winter months ahead. One wonderful bit of news though is that Grandma’s Pantry is still decked with sweet treats and cheery delights to bring you joy in the months ahead!

One hidden treasure we have available is our luscious sticky Maple Syrup produced locally in Highland County! Our Maple Syrup comes in four different grades of flavor and color: Strong Flavor, Dark Robust,  Amber Rich, or Golden Delicate Flavor, to suit a variety of tastes and purposes. With bottles as small as 3oz and all the way up to a gallon, we have just the volume you need for your favorite recipe, to create that sweet snow cream, or to top your soft pancakes.

Come on in for a leisurely visit and stop and peek at our festive display of syrupy goodness!

Wishing you a very blessed 2020!

Christmas with Grandma (‘s Pantry)!

Stirring sleepily under the cozy warmth of my blankets, I arouse peacefully from the depths of sleep. Suddenly a bolt like electricity dances down me as I shoot upright in excitement. It’s Christmas!

Racing downstairs in my soft pink penguin covered footy pajamas, I stop in awe to gasp at the shining Christmas tree in our living room. For a couple weeks the tree had anxiously announced the impending arrival of “the best time of the year,” but today was finally the day! Impatiently I plop down in front of the Christmas tree, curiously fingering the beautiful array of colorfully wrapped presents, mentally counting down the minutes until I can discover each and every one!

Suddenly I hear a noise behind me as my parents drowsily shuffle in.

“Merry Christmas!” I greet them joyfully bouncing to my feet.

“Merry Christmas,” they greet me back grinning at my enthusiasm.

Before long my older sister, Mom, and myself settle into the kitchen to prepare our traditional special Christmas breakfast: Monkey Bread. Each of us stand at our station equipped with our own job to create this sweet treat! My sister takes the biscuit dough and cuts them into bite size pieces, I stand beside her thoroughly coating each piece in sugar and cinnamon, and Mom stands over the hot stove preparing the caramel sauce. Mom puts the brimming bundt pan in the oven, and we excitedly settle in the living room to unwrap stockings while our chewy sticky breakfast bakes.

Before long the sweet spicy smell of caramel and baking bread fills the air mixing with the rich bold scent of fresh brewed coffee. My interest in presents aside, I count down the moments until I can dig my teeth into this long awaited yearly treat!

This past week we had the treasure of celebrating Thanksgiving. We had the opportunity to intentionally turn our focus on our blessings and count them one-by-one!

Now the joyful sounds of Christmas fills the air with familiar carols, glimmering lights, and the wonderful air of “peace on earth.”

Warm up with Hot Cocoa selections!

Exciting Christmas Pez makes great gifts!

Christmas fudge!

One of the beautiful delights of this season to celebrate our Savior’s birth is once again gathering close to our loved ones and honoring traditions created through the years. What Christmas traditions do you commemorate this time of year? We’d love to hear about yours in the comments below!

One definite tradition commonly adored is a holiday dessert or sweet treat to create with family or friends. Grandma’s Pantry is stocked up with a vast array of supplies to bake your favorite Christmas goodies. Come on in and explore our bulk area for your holiday baking needs! While you’re here, please share your favorite baking secrets. We won’t tell, we’ll just try them for ourselves. 😉

Even if baking isn’t your favorite Christmas tradition, we’re got something special for you! Our homemade cheeseballs are a savory delight, and we’re stocked up on your favorite snacks for your holiday gatherings!

We look forward to seeing your joyful faces and helping you with your Christmas preparations!

Wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Christmas season!

God bless you!

Remembering to Give Thanks!

When you step out into the crisp Fall air, your eyes can capture the masterpiece of brilliant oranges, auburns, and golds painting the trees outside. Those lovely leaves are already beginning their cascading dance toward the ground leaving the tree bare for the chilly months ahead. Pretty soon everywhere we turn Christmas ornaments will appear. Stores will bring out their reds and greens, front yards will proudly display their festive cheer, and jolly Christmas music will resound in our ears.

However, as delightful as this Christmas season will be, before you bring out your holiday cheer there is a special reason for gratitude we don’t want to overlook! Thanksgiving is a time reflect on our blessings and all those wonderful things that make life beautiful! It’s a time to close the gap of those near or far and simply treasure being together.

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving memories? What traditions make this season of thankfulness most precious?

When I was younger I remember driving for hours (which of course felt even longer to my exuberant little self!) just to gather with my mom’s family out in Indiana. We’d all gather at my great uncle and aunt’s cozy house to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Before the delicious meal, that everyone contributed to, we’d gather in a big circle around their small kitchen to each share what we were specifically thankful for that year. Then we’d bless the food in our own unique way.

“Oh, the Lord’s been good to me and so I thank the Lord for giving me the things I need the sun and the rain and the apple seeds. The Lord’s been good to me. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Aaa-men!” we’d sing jovially in our ensemble of voices.

Afterward we gather around my Uncle and Aunt’s exceptionally long table that stretched all the way into the living room! We’d savor our favorite dishes, but most importantly we’d cherish the company that we only saw a couple times a year!

When we’d had our fill of food and fellowship around the massive table we’d retire to their comfy family room. There us children somehow still found the energy to chase each other around their circular house while the adults would focus their attention on a puzzle with hundreds of tiny pieces or a relaxing card game.

It was a peaceful time of simply celebrating the family God was gracious enough to bring together. Most importantly it was a time of gratitude that created the kind of memories you always cherish no matter the time that passes!

Please share your favorite Thanksgiving traditions or memories in the comments below! We’d love to hear it!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the staff at Grandma’s Pantry would like to personally thank you immensely for another year of getting to serve you! It is our faithful customers (and those who’ve come for their very first time this year!) that makes our uplifting and sweet shop such a fun place!

A blessed Thanksgiving to you all!

God bless you!

A Warm Walk Down Memory Lane

I was restless; my little legs anxious for movement after a long car drive. My sister and I exchanged a mischievous glance, and if not for my mother’s guiding hand on my back, we would have shot off after each other across the chilly grass of the backyard. The door to the house we approached opened, and the pleased face of my Grandma happily greeted us.

As she ushered us inside, immediately a familiar and delightful smell greeted us. My stomach rumbled in anticipation as the savory, meaty, and welcoming smell of my Grandma’s famous Beef Barley Vegetable Soup tickled my nose! Longing for movement and play aside, I counted down the seconds until we could dig in!

How many of you have cherished memories similar to this revolving around the ones we love and the warm comfort of a favorite soup?

Here at Grandma’s Pantry, it is our delight and honor to help provide the delicious means to create these precious memories!

With the chill of Fall just around the corner, soup season will soon be upon us, and our vast array of soup mixes will keep you warm and satisfied all winter long!

If you like the richness of cream based soups, explore our flavors like Creamy Broccoli and Creamy Mushroom. For a light vegetable option dive into refreshing kinds like our Garden Vegetable and Split Pea with Bacon. Depicting our Mennonite roots we have traditional soups including PA Dutch Corn Noodle and Ham Flavored Bean Soup with Rivels (which are a unique tiny type of pasta!) These are only the beginning of the flavorful, hearty, and delectable soups we have available to savor!

Of course, my favorite is our Beef Barley Soup…it tastes just like my dear Grandma’s!

Another awesome tidbit, we even have pre-measured single serve bags of our soups, so you can explore more varieties to conclude your absolute favorite!   

Conveniently pictured on the back label, these soup mixes include simple instructions. With little to no necessary additions to these mixes, you can have a quick but homemade quality dinner to delight the whole family! Of course, you are more than welcome to get creative in the kitchen, and use our mixes as a base to bring to life your own delicious concoction! It can be as fun or uncomplicated as you can make it, but either way the result will be tasty!

To discover more about our soup mixes and for more information, click on this link: http://discoverbulk.com/products/t/soups-and-gravies/soup-starters/powdered-homestyle

Come visit us at Grandma’s Pantry to stock up on your warm comforting soups to ward off the impending chilly evenings! We look forward to serving you! Also, please comment below what sweet walk down memory lane these warm dishes stir in you! We’d love to hear your story!

God bless you!

Tea Time!

As school is back in session, and we’re getting back into to the swing of things, summer has officially come to a gentle close. Already upon emerging from the front door on a glorious new day you can note the scent of Autumn is in the air. Temperatures are cooling and the earth will soon ignite in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows!

With Fall venturing our way, you get to bring out your favorite mugs, and of course, you’ll need the right warm beverage to fill it with! Grandmas Pantry’s vast array of teas and cappuccino gives you fascinating options to explore!

In our loose leaf tea collection we’ve got mints like Peppermint and Spearmint. Green tea or black? From Honey Ginger Green Tea to our black teas: Chai, Apricot, and Orange Spice, we’ve got the one you like best!

Black loose leaf tea comes in 3 flavors!

Spearmint and Peppermint!

Limited time offer: we have beautiful and delicious seasonal Fall teas like Auntie’s Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Falling Leaves, and even Carrot Cake! Believe me, these tea leaves are not only colorful and so aromatic as well!

By the way, don’t forget to pick up your perfect Tea Infuser, so you can turn these leaves into their designed purpose of a rich hot beverage!

If you just can’t wait for that first warm soothing sip and are looking for the convenience of a tea bag, we’re here for you as well! Stocked with two full shelves of boxed tea bags, we’re sure to have your preferred choice or your new favorite flavor! Check out our selection of Bigelow, Mint Brook Meadows, Benchley, and Menno Teas! We are sure to have a flavor you will love!

If you’re not ready to surrender your iced teas, stop for a cooled bottle of Joe’s Tea or check out our Pappy’s Tea concentrates for that perfect pitcher of refreshing beverage! Pappy’s flavors include Peach, Raspberry, Green Tea, and Sassafras for the right drink selection for your next get together.

Okay, okay, I know I’ve talked a lot about tea, and I hope that hasn’t tea-ed any of you off! So, if tea is not your drink of choice, we’ve got something special just for you! Perhaps you’ll enjoy our creamy assortment of cappuccino mixes like Swiss Mocha, French Vanilla (which even comes in sugar-free!), Hazelnut, and, of course, Pumpkin Spice! We also have tart Spiced Apple Cider in both bulk and individual servings!

If you’re ready for the warmth of a soothing beverage or you’re just preparing to stock up for the chilly months ahead, Grandmas Pantry is here to serve you! Come on in and make your ideal beverage choice! Oh, and while you’re here stop and take a peek at our sweet selection of colorful Fall candies! We can’t wait to see you!

God bless you!

Star Spangled Snacks!

*Ting* Your phone chimes and your friend is texting you, “It’s beautiful today! Wanna come over and have a cookout tonight?” The instant warmth that greets you when you step outdoors is undeniable proof that summertime is here! Summertime is for family and friends in the form of cookouts! When you receive that text or phone call and your friend impulsively invites you to join in the fun, you need a quick but “homemade quality” snack to share!

A simple salty contribution can be found by exploring our assortment of local Route 11 chips! Choose from familiar flavors like Salt & Vinegar, Sour Cream & Onion, and BBQ or unique options like Chesapeake Bay Crab, Sweet Potato, and Dill Pickle. Another quickie but goodie is in the classic combo: cheese and crackers! We’ve got cheesy choices like Cheddar, Colby Jack, and Swiss (and SO much more!) to be paired with wheat, vegetable, and chicken crackers.

 

Chips and cookies make quick and delicious picnic foods!

Pickle are tasty picnic food too!

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, we’ve got fast and satisfying dessert options for you as well! Our Almondettes, Windmills, and Maple Crème cookies are ready to sink your teeth into! Grab a bag of crunchy Ginger Snaps, Lemon Snaps, or Animal Crackers to match up with your favorite fruit dip!

As you schedule your Summer events like July 4^th celebrations, family reunions, and pool parties, Grandma’s Pantry is here to lend a hand in perfecting your favorite dishes! Our fascinating collection of noodles combined with Amish Macaroni Salad Mix creates tempting pasta salad! We’ve also got Dutch Potato Salad Mix, Natural Cole Slaw Dressing Mix, and Pickled Red Beet Egg Mix for more classic picnic dishes!

 

All kinds of unique pasta shapes!

Dressing mixes to perfect your picnic dishes!

When hosting cookouts, grilling is a must, and as the coals ignite you’re going to need the right zesty sauce for your meat! Choose from savory sauces like Finger Lickin’ Chicken, Apple Butter Barbecue, and locally own Pig In The Ground sauces.

These zesty grill sauces will make your BBQ delish!

If you’ve been assigned the dessert category at your next big gathering, we’ve got you covered there as well! Peruse our Bulk side of the store for all your baking needs! With our assortment of cookie and cake mixes, you can produce homemade sweets in less time! We’ve got Chocolate Chip Cookie, Shoo-Fly Cake, Angel Food Cake, and so many more mixes! We even have an entire display of gluten-free baking supplies and mixes! Gluten-free mixes include Coffee Crumb Cake, Brownies, and Banana Bread mixes!

 

All kinds of yummy dessert mixes!

Gluten-free mixes!

While you’re stopping for your picnic supplies, take a peek and pick out a piece of our Summer inspired fudge flavors like Watermelon, Root Beer Float, and Orange Cream.

Summer is a season of relaxation, loved ones, laughter, and food! Come let Grandma’s Pantry serve you and help create your best memories! We can’t wait to see you!

God bless you!

Happy trails to you!

Summertime will soon be upon us! When you step outside the proof is all around. The sun is heating up, birds are emerging to sing their joyous tune, and the earth is looking fresh and green! With the coming of the sweet warmth of Summer, traveling plans are not far from our minds! Whether you’re heading for a relaxing vacation on the beach, visiting family and friends, or just tapping in to your sense of adventure, Grandma’s Pantry is a must stop-in for your delicious travel snacks!

Centered right in the middle of our charming store, we’ve got the perfect place for you to get started on our vast trail mix display! Trail mixes are a delightful travel snack as they can offer that quick satisfaction in a handful, can travel with you wherever your destination lie, and are each uniquely blended to all taste buds! We’ve got as many varieties of trail mix as you could imagine here at Grandma’s Pantry!

Sweet trails are a great satisfaction for long road trips!

If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth on the long hours on the road, check out our collection of sweet trails! Our Muddy Trail is a beloved favorite as it features chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate! We’ve also got Smores Trail, Banana Split, Monster Mix (just like the yummy cookies!), and a simple mix called GORP, which consists entirely of M&Ms, raisins, and peanuts!

If your taste buds thrill at more savory

Savory trails come in all shapes and varieties!

sensations, we’ve got a variety of options for you! Both Tailgate and Capitol Crunch feature crunchy sesame sticks, salty pretzels, nuts, and other savory goodies! You can also try our delicious Nutty Crunch Trail, Oriental Mix, and Cheddar Lovers each featuring their own variety of salty snack foods!

Wake up your taste buds with these spicy trails!

To kick things up a notch, explore our collection of fiery spicy trail mixes! Go way down south, and experience our Louisiana Cajun and Sweet Cajun trails! Travel even lower to taste our Mexican Taco, Mexicali Fire, Fiesta Sunshine, and our South Of The Border trails! Each is created from a different assortment of spicy, tangy,  and taste bud tingling munchies!

 

If you share my opinion, then no trail mix could be complete without sweet and chewy dried fruit! Fortunately, we’ve got trails to satisfy that preference as well! Our Tropical Nut mix features dried pineapple, apricots, and papaya alongside nuts! Honey Island is stocked with dried fruit and Honey Roasted Sesame Sticks! Fruit and Fitness and Very Berry Health Mix are good to the taste buds and good for you! And nothing quite compares to the simple Mini Fruit Mix, which naturally contains only dried fruits!

Dried fruit mixes are tasty and good for you!

 

Wherever you’re headed or however long it takes to get there, don’t forget to stop in at Grandma’s Pantry for all your travelling snacks! Stop on in and find the right Trail for all your happy trails ahead! We look forward to serving you!

God bless you!

Candy Land

 

One of our sweetest spots at Grandma’s Pantry is our vast candy section, of course! Gummies, chocolate, licorice, and so much more is waiting to greet you with bright cheerful colors and mouthwatering delight! It is truly a place filled with awe and wonder! One thing that warms our staff’s hearts is getting to see the astonishment on your faces! Seeing little ones light up, one child recalled to go so far as to declare, “Mom, I’m in heaven!” The nostalgic smiles of those who discover candy they haven’t seen for years. Or the regular amazed “Wows!” we hear uttered upon entrance. It’s those things that brings the joy and pure sweetness to our candy section!

To all devoted chocolate lovers out there, we guarantee we’ll have something to satisfy that craving with our whole display dedicated just to you! Much of our products come in both dark and milk chocolate making it even more appealing to all! We’ve got chocolate covered nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts, and walnuts! Another vast array is in our chocolate covered fruit like raisins, cranberries, cherries, and coconut! Chocolate mints, caramels, and creme drops scratch the surface of the collection of other chocolate goodies!

Chocolate covered fruits are rich and refreshing!

Chocolate covered coffee beans galore!

Chocolate covered nuts in all shapes and varieties!

If gummy candy is more your style, don’t think for a second that you’re out of luck! We’ve got an entire wall of these chewy fruity candies in all shapes and sizes! From the more traditional bears and worms to more unique options like jelly filled turtles and gummy fruit salad, surely you’ll find a new favorite or an old companion!

Chewy fruity gummies in all shapes and sizes!

Look! It’s a whole wall of gummy goodies!

Curious about that candy you haven’t seen in ages or has just seemed to “be around forever”? We’ve got a really fascinating display titled “Candy Through The Decades” and it dates all the way back to the 20’s! So those good ole classic sweet treats like sanded lozenges (in almost a dozen flavor varieties!), B-B-Bats, Licorice Scotties, and jelly beans are here to bring back those good old memories!

Candy all the way back from before the 20’s!

B-B-Bats are a classic chewy taffy on a stick!

Well, this blog post only briefly covers some of the wonderful sugary delights we’ve got waiting for you to explore in our own candy land! Come recapture your youth and indulge in our sweet child-like heaven! We look forward to seeing you there!

God bless you!

Celebrating the best time of the year!

In the last post we celebrated the sweet and delightful traditions of the Christmas seasons with holiday baking and  the precious memories that surround those wonderful times. What’s another treasure that dubs this “the most wonderful time of the year”? Naturally it’s the people we spend it with! It’s those we hold most dear and the people around us that make life the most meaningful! So, whether your family is all coming together to celebrate or your friends are gathered close ready to honor this holiday season, it’s the laughter, conversation, and joyous smiles that gather to create the sweetest memories!

Naturally, where there are people gathered and parties to be had, there is bound to be food and usually lots of it! So, as you prepare for your parties both to proclaim the wonder of Christmas or to ring in the new year, we are a go-to stop for a variety of party snacks! Not only do we specialize in a vast array of tasty snacks, but we pride ourselves on offering unique options!

One delightful party snack this is sure to please is our own homemade Grandma’s Pride made cheese balls partnered with your cracker selection of choice! We make our cheese balls especially this time of year for all your holiday gatherings! Also, we encourage you to peruse our whole cheese area for the best friendship of cheese and cracker mates!

Cheese balls and cheeses make wonderful party snacks!

If a salty snack is what you crave, you should check out our whole wall of locally acclaimed Route 11 chips! We also have  tortilla and corn chips that we are frequently referred to as being “the best” by our faithful customers! Another delectable treat is party mix! We have a vast collection of options to create your favorite combo! Holiday busyness got you wondering how you’ll find the time to accomplish this? Check out our whole display of trail mixes for that delicious homemade feel in a rush!

 

If sweet treats are what you prefer, search our yummy display of cookies! Selections include Maple, Coconut, to Lemon Creme, or Almondette, Windmill, and Sugar Wafers. You will be hard-pressed to pick a favorite! Another sweet idea is displayed in our assortment of flavored popcorn like Caramel, Turtle (caramel with white chocolate and pecans), Hunky Dory (caramel with chocolate), and more!

Above all, despite the busyness, we wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year! We hope your season is brimming with jovial memories and that you are surrounded by people that are most dear to you!

A blessed Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our amazing customers!

God bless you!