Shastya Goes To A Phillies/Braves Game!

My parents took Anthony, Shastya, and me to a Phillies/Braves game at the Phillies stadium, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia a couple weeks ago. At Shastya's first Phillies/Braves game, Shastya wore a pink Atlanta Braves shirt that her Daddy (Anthony) had picked out, and bought for her at a thrift store in South Carolina.

Right at the beginning of the game, my Dad (Shastya's Granddad) and I went to buy some sunscreen for my little baby girl. While we were shopping I spotted a miniature Phillie Phanatic for sale behind the counter. I requested the iconic sports mascot for baby Shastya, Granddad obliged. We did not know if sunscreen was going to be enough protection for our sweet little Shastya, so we searched the souvenir venue we were at for a ball cap for Shastya. We thought a ball cap would help shield her eyes so she could look out and enjoy the game! What do you know, we found a cute pink and purple reversible Phillies ball cap there for her! You gotta love ballpark prices. They are hysterical! I believe the little green Phanatic cost $14.99! The little pink reversible cap cost a whopping $19.99! Granddad told us later that the Philly Phanatic is the most well-known mascot in sports! He also said he would keep the mini Phanatic, and the pink baby ball cap in case his other little granddaughters wanted to come to the games!

The game we attended at the Phillies stadium was all drama. The Braves scored a bunch of points, and then they scored a bunch more points. The Phillies scored at least once or twice. Shastya cheered for both the Phillies and the Braves. She cheered whenever either team scored, and so did I.

Shastya Goes To The Montgomery Mall!

About a week ago, my Mom, my sister, some of my nieces, Shastya, and I went to the Montgomery Mall, in North Wales, PA. We hit a lot of Fourth of July sales at Gymboree, JCPenny's, and Macy's! Shastya came home with many gorgeous adorable clothes! Gramma was spoiling her little South Carolinian granddaughter that she doesn't get to see very often. I hadn't been back to the Montgomery Mall in years. We frequently shopped that mall when I was just a kid. I was so impressed with the condition of the mall. Some malls do not age well. On our recent visit to PA, the Montgomery Mall seemed cutting edge.

 

Shastya Goes To New Hope, PA

While we were in Pennsylvania, we went on an antique train ride through New Hope. We went with my sister's family and my parents. My sister had thought of the idea! Shastya enjoyed playing on a mini carousel with her cousins on the train station platform while we waited to board the train. On the train we listened to some history of the area along the way. I really enjoyed the family time. We ate at a nice restaurant after. There, little cousin Rosamonde stuck some banana in her ear. We tried not to laugh.

Shastya Goes To "The Store"

A trip to see my family in Pennsylvania is never complete without a trip to see the latest and greatest at Henning's Market, or as my family often refers to it as, "The Store!" Shastya loved her momentous first-time trip to the gourmet grocery store during our little family's recent trip to Pennsylvania. This time, the latest was banana whips from "Henning's Coffee House." The banana whips were made up of whipped frozen bananas, but they tasted like ice cream! Baby Shastya enjoyed eating her banana whip with Daddy and Mommy under a covered table in the open air on the sidewalk in front of "The Store!" There's always something new at the on-trend upscale food store that has been in my family's line for many generations. It's quite the story really. . .

Let's see, from present to history, some key family patriarchs that work there or that worked there include my brother Bobby, my Dad, my Poppop, my great grandfather "Poppop Henning," and Poppop Henning's father-in-law. Of course, there are countless other family members and friends that were, and/or are an integral part of the family business as well.

"The Store" was started five generations ago as a general store, and has seen a wide variety of changes and locations in Harleysville, PA over the years. It may have gone back six generations . . . however many generations ago it was that "The Store" started, there was a relative that had three businesses. That relative left one business each to the husbands of his three daughters. The general store was one of the three businesses.  The general store operated out of a three-story building that sold everything from furniture to food. I've been told, one of the patriarchal owners was excommunicated from a local mennonite church for selling TVs in his general store! Along the way, the store became distinctively a food store, no longer sold furniture, and was labeled Henning's Market.

Henning's Market today is still located in Harleysville, PA, a historic Philly suburb. Some of my favorite regional hallmarks of Henning's Market include "Henning's Homemade" bakery, authentic PA Dutch foods, sushi, specialty cheeses, wedding catering & cakes, specialty foods, a wide variety of organic foods, a homemade gourmet smorgasbord buffet, and "The Terrace" upstairs eating area that overlooks the whole store!

From organic baby food to gourmet refrigerated pet food, my Dad's historic and hip store is ever progressing and has something new for everyone everyday! It's a happening place! In a day and age when local and family-owned is not as common as it used to be, Henning's Market holds its own. May God continue to bless the historical and futuristic Henning's Market.