Daytripping from Americus - Ellis Bros Pecans in Vienna

When you think about Southwest Georgia, what nut comes to mind?  I'll bet your first thought was peanuts.  But, peanuts are actually not nuts, they are legumes.  The true nut that is farmed in our area is the pecan.  Where can you go to taste all the deliciousness that pecans have to offer?  You can go to Ellis Bros Pecans in nearby Vienna, Georgia, just off of I-75, exit 109.  As you can see, we decided to take a trip to see them in the rain.  It was the perfect rainy day activity.

The store is much bigger than it looks from the outside and all the pecans are from the family owned pecan orchard.  In one direction, pecans as far as the eye can see.  In the other direction, a small area was decorated for Christmas.

 

You quickly notice the vast variety of raw pecans and you can sample them all to taste the unique qualities of each variety.

We determined our personal favorite to be the "Desirable" variety and bought some for our family and friends.

There are sweet and savory coated pecans to sample.  Key Lime was an unexpected delicious surprise.

One of our personal favorites was the praline coated pecans.  These are amazing.

Then, you enter the chocolate zone.

Yes, you can sample all the different varieties in white, milk and dark chocolate.  They also have a sugar free selection.

The flavor that truly "knocked my socks off" was the Dark Chocolate Amaretto Pecans.  These are absolutely incredible.

Although most of the store highlights pecans, they do sell peanuts.

There is an exotic nut selection.

They even have okra chips.  Yes, you can sample these, too.

There were jars and bottles of marinades and barbecue sauce.

All kinds of local honey were available.

 

Fig and peach jams and preserves made right on premise.

Peanut butter, pecan butter and jams all available to taste.

Lastly, all kinds of syrup and ciders are also available.

So, if you are travelling to or from Americus on I-75, and you have a half hour to do something fun,  check out our friends at Ellis Bros Pecans.   Your taste buds will thank you.  They are open every day of the year, including holidays, from 8am - 8pm.  We plan to go back very soon because I'm out of my Dark Chocolate Amaretto Pecans...

Thanks for visiting,

Love,

Susan

4 Ingredient Quick Coconut Bread - keto, gluten free recipe

4 Ingredient Quick Coconut Bread - for 1 in less than 5 minutes

This is my new favorite recipe.  I make a variation of this every day for my midday meal.  Sometimes, I add cheese, sometimes, I make a sandwich, sometimes, I make a mini pizza.  You get the idea.

This is everything you need - a Tablespoon of butter, one egg, a Tablespoon of coconut flour and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.

 

Place the tablespoon of butter in a 7 ounce ramekin (or you can use a large mug).  Microwave for about 35 seconds, or until just melted.

Allow butter to cool as you place one egg in a small mixing bowl.

Add one Tablespoon of coconut flour to the bowl.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder to the bowl.

It really is this simple.

 

Mix the egg, coconut flour and baking powder with a spatula until well mixed.

Add the melted butter to the bowl.

Mix well.  Let it sit for a minute.  Mix again.

 

Scoop batter into the ramekin.

Microwave for 90 seconds.

Remove from the microwave and immediately invert and remove the coconut bread from the ramekin onto a plate.

Slice in half (or thirds if you want it thinner).

Looks like bread, right?  Now, toast in a toaster until nicely browned.

Enjoy fresh from the toaster with butter or cheese or peanut butter or a poached egg...  

With so many people on a gluten free diet and so many others trying the keto lifestyle, this recipe is perfect.  It comes together in less than 5 minutes and it is very satisfying. If you have family members visiting for the holidays and someone needs a gluten free/keto option, here is a possible substitution for a biscuit, a roll, an English muffin, a hamburger bun or bread!

Thanks for visiting the Americus Garden Inn Bed and Breakfast Blog.  If you try this recipe, let me know how it comes out for you.

Love,

Susan

DayTripping from Americus - Guest Photos - Andersonville, Plains, Habitat, Massee Lane

People always ask us "what is there to do around Americus?"  Thanks to some of our recent guests, I'm going to share some photos of the local attractions that they visited while staying in our beautiful home.

Kimberly and Kirk toured Andersonville, Jimmy Carter's Boyhood Farm, the Jimmy Carter Museum and Campaign Headquarters, Maranatha Baptist Church to hear Jimmy Carter teach Sunday School, and Habitat for Humanity's Global Village.

Claire and Mike hiked Providence Canyon in Lumpkin and strolled the gardens at Massee Lane Gardens in Fort Valley.  Massee Lane Gardens is also home of the largest collection of Edward Marshall Boehm porcelain sculptures in the U.S. 

In Andersonville, there is the Andersonville Civil War Village, the Drummer Boy Museum and the Andersonville National Historic Site.

In Archery, there is the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm.

In Plains, there is the museum, the old train depot which served as President Carter's campaign headquarters.

And, of course, if President Carter is teaching Sunday School, you can visit Maranatha Baptist Church for a really special experience.

At Habitat for Humanity Global Village and Discover Center, you can visit the world right here in Americus.

The weather is perfect right now for hiking Providence Canyon.

And, although the camellias and sasanquas are just beginning to bloom, the Boehm porcelain collection at Massee Lane Gardens (the home of the American Camellia Society) is well worth the time to see.

A big thank you to Kimberly and Claire for sharing all these photos from their recent adventures in and around Americus.  Now that the rest of you can see how much there is to do here, what are you waiting for?  Give us a call and plan your visit to Americus Garden Inn B&B.  Hope to see you in person, soon.

Love,

Susan