A Beautiful New Year in Americus Georgia

Happy New Year!  I can't believe how quickly time has flown.

As you can see, the camellias are in bloom.

No, these are not in my garden.

However, just a few minute stroll from our door,

you can see all these beauties at Oak Grove Cemetery.

If I had the time, I would drive to Massee Lane Gardens in Fort Valley,

home of the American Camellia Society.

Since I don't have the time,

I allowed myself a half hour break

to enjoy these exquisite flowers

all blooming right now.

There are many varieties that are loaded with buds.

Our sasanquas are just about done,

but our camellias are not quite ready.

So, if you have a little time and you love camellias,

make sure to visit Oak Grove Cemetery.  It is one of my favorite places to walk in Americus.

I hope you enjoyed the virtual camellia bouquet.  If you come visit us in the next couple of months, I promise, there will still be lots of camellias.  Plan enough time to visit Massee Lane Gardens, too.  It is well worth the visit.

Thanks for stopping by the Americus Garden Inn Blog.  We hope 2020 brings you much joy!

Love,

Susan and Kim

Gluten Free Double Chocolate Mint Biscotti Recipe

Gluten Free Double Chocolate Mint Biscotti

It started out with a simple idea.  I wanted to make gluten free biscotti and I had a couple of bags of chocolate chips mixed with mint chips.  I thought the first batch was delicious, but, Kim said he wanted them to be more chocolatey.   So, I've been experimenting and I am happy to share my new creation - Gluten Free Double Chocolate Mint Biscotti.

This is really a modified mandelbread recipe which is very easy and doesn't require an electric mixer.  All the ingredients are above.  You can make this recipe using different chips or nuts.  The options are endless.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Into a large bowl, sift 1 cup + 2 TBS (1/8 cup) of rice flour.

Add 1/4 cup sugar.

Add 1/4 cup of baking cocoa.

Add 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

Add 1/8 teaspoon salt.

Add 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup chocolate and mint chips.

Mix together.

In a separate bowl, place 2 eggs.

Add 1/4 cup of olive oil (or canola).

Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.

Whisk together.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.

Stir with a wooden spoon until it comes together.

Press into a loaf on a parchment covered surface.  I shaped it to be about 11" x 4".

I think it looks pretty with confectioners' sugar sprinkled on top, but, it is totally optional.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes - it will not be cooked through, but, it will be somewhat firm to the touch.

Using a serrated knife, carefully cut the loaf into slices.  I got 20 slices.  You want to saw through the top carefully so they don't fall apart.

Spread the slices out on the parchment covered cookie sheet and sprinkle with a little more confectioners' sugar, if desired.  Place them back in the oven for an additional 15 - 20 minutes, or until they are almost as crunchy as you want them to be.  They will crisp up even more as they cool.

I hope Santa enjoys the cookies I saved for him, although, they might not last until Christmas.  I just might have to make another batch...

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Susan

DayTripping from Americus - Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

While my sister was visiting from Tucson, we made time to go on a couple of day trips from Americus.  One of them was to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Site, formerly known as Ocmulgee National Monument.  It was a beautiful 90 minute drive through the Georgia countryside.

With over 17,000 years of continuous human habitation, Ocmulgee is a prehistoric American Indian site.  In the early 1930s, Ocmulgee Mounds had the largest archeology dig in American history with over 800 men working under the supervision of Dr. Arthur Kelly.   

During the Ice Age, the Paleo-Indians lived in this area.  Around 900 C.E., the Mississippians arrived. 

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation followed and refer to this area as their ancestral homeland.

 

Ocmulgee's Earth Lodge allows visitors the opportunity to experience the inside of a ceremonial mound.

The Earth Lodge has been open to the public since 1937.

 The Earth Lodge, a Mississippian Council House, has been carbon dated to the year 1015.

The Great Temple Mound also dates to the Mississippian era.

Check out the maze of stairs to get to the top.

The National Park offers 702 acres of history, nature and hiking trails.

There is so much to explore and we did not realize that we could easily have spent an entire day and still not seen all of it.

When we first arrived, we went into the visitor's center to get an idea of what we might find at Ocmulgee.  After spending hours in the heat, it was a great respite to enter the air-conditioned museum to learn more.

There is so much to learn about our American journey in Southwest Georgia.  Most people think about the Civil War historic sites and, of course, Jimmy Carter.   It is definitely worth the time to dig a little deeper and explore the lives of those who lived here first.

So, the next time you are planning a trip in this direction, you might want to take the opportunity to discover a little more about the history of Georgia and our country.

Thanks for visiting the Americus Garden Inn B&B blog.  We look forward to hosting your visit in the near future.

Love,

Susan and Kim

Owners/Innkeepers