Baking

Dumpster Diving Find

I’m not afraid of a little dirt if it means I can find something vintage and amazing I can clean up and use in my home. Lately I’ve had a couple of awesome dumpster finds:

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This antique Dubl Handi washboard was made by the Columbus Washboard Co., an Ohio-based company that has been manufacturing washboards since 1895. My guess is that this particular washboard was made around the early to mid 1940’s. It looks great in my kitchen now, and will look even better when we redo our kitchen to have more of a rustic-industrial look.

This awesome Nordic Ware bundt cake pan was found intact, in the original box, with the original paper liner complete with recipes. It seems to be from the late 1960’s or early 1970’s, and looks like it’s only been used once or twice.

I gave it a try by baking my favorite vanilla pound cake in it (recipe by King Arthur Flour). The pan still works like a charm, and the cake was delicious topped with Aldi’s blackberry jam and whipped cream!

What are your favorite dumpster diving finds? Do you have any favorite bundt cake recipes?

The Apple House

If you happen to find yourself in Front Royal, like I did for work on Monday, do yourself a favor and stop at The Apple House. You’ll find plenty of Virginia-made barbecue sauces, jellies, jams, dips and snacks, as well as a full-service kitchen cooking up breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s a wide selection of Virginia wines, ciders and beers. They even have pork rinds in a dizzying array of flavors, from hot and spicy, to garlic parmesan. But the piece de resistance are the fresh apple cider donuts. The moment you step into the dining area, the delicious aroma of apples and donuts cooking smacks you in the face. There’s no way you can leave without enjoying at least one.

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Where’s your favorite spot to get some apple cider donuts?

Red Cap Patisserie visit

Recently I stopped by Red Cap Patisserie’s shop on Meadow Street to try out the croissants and pastries. The shop is small, with only a little space for seating, but has plenty of display space for their sweet and savory pastries, including pain au chocolat, kouign amman, scones and more.

The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and the pastries are delicious.  I can’t wait to return and try more of their treats, including some of the savory ones.

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