Day 3

Today is Muenster shopping and Spa day.

 

 our fortification for the day . . . mmmm

in case you can't tell, it's herb quiche, spicy chicken sausage and cherry turnovers

Jo Anne's private table

 We begin at Fischer's market where we will meet up with Aaron and Kannan

 

 Fischer's has their own brand of canned goods as well as full meat processing with wonderful sausages and cheese

 Aaron - showing off their two new pups

 Hondo and Skunk

After a couple of hours shopping at the market and the three little shops in town, we head back to the spa for an afternoon of relaxation.

 the spa

 Jo Anne - preparing for her salt body scrub

Mother - relaxing before her hot stone massage

 enjoying the infrared sauna

 hot cup of tea and a good book while I await my turn

 the mineral showers

 all the amenities

ahhh . . . don't I look refreshed???

  . . . and doesn't Mother look relaxed???

While I was getting my massage, Jo Anne was wandering around the farm taking pictures. Here are a few of the MANY she took.

 

 anyone for a game of tic-tac-gnome?

 another guest cottage

 

 the buck-toothed llama - I can't remember his name

 putting the hens up for the night

Jo Anne heading to the lower barn to gather the eggs

 

 

  

 it's like a regular Easter egg hunt

 not done yet . . .

 

 

 

Video of hens

 struttin' his stuff

 taking the goats to the lower barn for dinner

collecting honey from the hive

Our five-course gourmet meal is tonight so we better get cleaned up.

 got my red boots on and rarin' to go

Mother and Jo Anne - no red boots for them

  in the library for happy hour - there are 3 other couples tonight and we spend an hour getting aquainted

at the table

 the picture doesn't do the flowers justice

We started off the meal with a little one-bite burst of flavor. I wish I could remember what it was called and what was in it, but all I can remember is that it was described as "a taste of things to come". Jo Anne made the comment that the flavors just went from one to another on your tongue. I was so anxious to try it that I forgot to take a picture.

This is a good place to use a quote from Elm Creek Manor's web site: www.elmcreekmanor.com

 

"We raise our own organic herbs, fruits, vegetables and fresh eggs. We also raise our own dairy goats, chicken, rabbits and beef.  All cheeses are handmade artisan cheeses. We keep bees for fresh honey and wax for our Artisan cheeses. Seasonal to the moment."

That should give you an idea of "the taste of things to come"

 Jo Anne had mock escargot for an appetizer - mushroom caps in garlic butter with herbs and Parmesan cheese

 

 Mother had the Maryland crab cake with remoulade Sylvia

 I had the French carmelized five onion tart

 next up was salad - I wish I could describe it like the chef - I asked for her notes but I think she thought I was kidding

 raspberry sorbet with vodka sauce to cleanse the palate

 Carol - grilled heavy aged ribeye w/Brad's southwest rub (why does mine look so much bigger than theirs)

Jo Anne - wine marinated rabbit w/garlic butter and thyme

  Mother - cast iron seared filet mignon w/burgundy wine sauce

I don't know if I was worn out from eating all that food or just so awed by the dessert that I forgot to get a photo. Suffice it to say, it did not disappoint.

It was an amazing day from start to finish. Now all that is left is to sleep off the food and fun.