Kreamie's Bakery

 This month, I embarked on an unforgettable vacation to two charming spots in the Garden State. One of these was a nostalgic visit to my old school alma mater, a topic I'll delve into in a future post as a heartfelt tribute. The other was a visit to a thriving business owned by an old high school classmate and dear friend, Joccola Williams. Joccola, a former finance business executive, took a bold step when COVID struck, launching an online baking company that quickly became a sensation. Buoyed by this success, she opened a local brick-and-mortar shop in Bellmawr Plaza called Kreamie's Bakery at 367 Browning Rd, Bellmawr, NJ. www.kreamiesllc.com. This bakery has won awards, including Camden County Regional Chambers "Taste Of South Jersey" Gold plate twice last year in 2023 and again this year. You will see and taste why her cupcakes and pastries are the best in South Jersey. 

    Her confections are to die for. (They are, but don't kill people for them; she has plenty to make for everyone, lol.) For instance, Joccola has a variety of cupcakes like Maple Bacon, Red Velvet, Death By Chocolate, and Banana Pudding. She also makes custom cakes like pound cakes, Strawberry Crunch cakes, cookies, and kream cakes. All of the custom cakes you order are for pick-up only, and if you live in the area, you can order through DoorDash or Uber Eats. Oh, and on Tuesday, Kreamie's has a $2.00 cupcake special, so I highly recommend that everyone make a trip to Kreamies Bakery and make sure you check the hours of operation before going.

So, that's my blog post for now. I hope you enjoy my latest day trip adventure here in NJ. But the journey doesn't end here. What more adventures await me? Tune in and be part of the journey! In the meantime, please help and support this blog by liking, following, and sharing with everyone. Your involvement means a lot. Until then, Live life and be safe.

JerzyP🚗😊🍴🧁

Hopewell New Jersey's Hidden Gems pt.2

  Alright, my dear readers, let's dive into part 2 of my day trip to Hopewell, where I stumbled upon this hidden gem in 2023. This place is a perfect family destination, especially for those with children. If you're a fan of lavender, its scent, taste, and texture, and if your family loves Alpacas, the most adorable creatures on Earth, then this place is a must-visit. It's where you can experience the best of both worlds.  Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm, a warm and welcoming place for families, is located at 890 Belle Mead - Blawenburg Rd, Skillman, NJ ( just about 7mins away from Sourland Mountain Spirits distillery) hiddenspringlavender.com

This farm, owned by a husband-and-wife team, is committed to providing a unique and memorable experience. It's a place where nature's beauty and adorable Alpacas come together in a unique blend. With 15 varieties of lavender, usually grown and distilled in July, the farm is a sight to behold from mid-June to mid-July. The farm also offers a one-of-a-kind experience- the opportunity to not just pet but also take an Alpaca for a walk. This delightful experience, only available by weekend appointment, lasts about 20 minutes.  After that, you can visit their lavender and Alpaca shop and check out the unique Lavender products, from soaps and essential oils to lavender food items like teas, candy, and raw honey. Also, there are products made from 100% Alpaca wool, perfect for winter weather, or if you like to knit as a hobby, you can buy alpaca yarn and make any clothing item you want. The farm is open to the public and only on Saturdays and Sundays. Alpaca walking is only available on Saturdays, so book your reservations promptly. You can only use your camera phone, but if you want to take professional photos, you must make a reservation, and you can visit the farm free of charge ( they do ask for small donations to keep the farm running).  My experience at this location was genuinely terrific. Although I didn't get to walk the alpacas, I had a wonderful time feeding these adorable critters. I recommend visiting from the end of summer to fall when the weather is more relaxed early or during spring for a similar experience.

 "Is this alpaca working the camera like a supermodel or practicing for its FBI mugshot? You be the judge."

                       These alpacas have officially declared today as "No More Humans" day.

                                       The New kid on the farm.

                                  This one is ready for feeding time.

                                                   " yummy" grass.

                               Bee hives for making lavender honey.

   Well, my fellow Jersey people, I hope you all enjoy my latest adventure in the lovely garden state. To find out what more adventures I'll take on in Jersey, tune in and find out. Until then, live life and be safe.

JerzyP 🚗🌞

''Please help support us by liking, following, and sharing with everyone. Your support means a lot! Thank you!"

Hopewell New Jersey's Hidden Gems pt.1

   Hopewell, New Jersey, is a picturesque paradise, with its beautiful countryside and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Among these, the unique Sourland Mountain Spirits distillery stands out. Located at 130 Hopewell-Rocky Hill sourlandspirits.com, I instantly connected to this distillery and tasting tour when I purchased a Groupon virtual voucher a few months ago.   Sourland is a family-owned business owned by Ray Disch, his family, and a resident distillery cat. They specialize in Handcrafted Gin, Vodka, and Bourbon using the 12 finest ingredients like Juniper, coriander, Rosemary, Sage, lemon peel, orange peel & more, to name a few. If you're interested in a tasting tour, booking a reservation on their web page is a breeze. You can also check out their unique line of alcoholic beverage cocktails for the summer, like their G&Tea, made with Black tea, lemon, & Gin. It's perfect for picnics and taking to the beach. Just pour over ice or straight up from the can. One of the best-selling gins for the summer is their Lavender gin, a London dry crafted sourced locally in NJ from a Lavender-Alpaca farm called Hidden Springs, a local partner of Sourland Mountain Spirits, which I'll tell you more about later in this blog.   

    Next door from Sourland Mountain is a brewery called Troon Brewing troonbrewing.com (info: the link works but leads to a Frequent question-and-answer page). The brewery taproom is a special treat, as it's only open when cans are on sale, making your visit a unique and exclusive experience. More info is available on their Instagram page, and give a follow to get updates and notifications. In the meantime, if you want to try a glass of their handcrafted beers, go to this beautiful building from 1800, now a restaurant called Brick Farm Tavern brickfarmtavern.com. Brick Farm specializes in fresh farm-to-table delicacies that are mouthwatering, from a fantastic Charcuterie board with different farm-fresh meats to a delicious 8oz—grass-fed sirloin steak with mini potatoes, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts. 

   If you like cocktails, they serve this delicious old-fashioned cocktail and Basic In Nature, made with Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Blood Orange, Egg white, and Angostura Bitters. They also do private events and special dinners by reservation. All you have to do is go on their web page or follow their social media pages. If you stick around next door, you'll find a cute, unique butcher shop called Brick Farm Butcher. Here, you can pick your chop and buy fresh homemade cookies, bread, pickled beets, cheeses, and cage-free meats. Also, you can get huge bones and treats for your dog. 

  All of the places have a rewards program through the Cash app, so the more stuff you buy, the more points you rack up for free items or discounts.

Sourland Mountain Distillery

Troon Brewery

Brick Farm Tavern

The Butcher Shop

I hope you've enjoyed reading part 1 of this adventure. Now, you can stay tuned for part 2 of my adventure.

Stay safe and enjoy life,

JerzyP .🍴🍸🍷🍺🚗