Celebrity Sicily Yoder's Page

I am gearing up for my book signing at the Kentucky Welcome Center tomorrow in Simpsonville, Ky- I-64 Eastbound. Anyone from Kentucky, feel free to come down and get your cookbook signed. I was jsut wondering about reading- actually how many people actually read books- and if you go to book signings or to the library- I do both. I LOVE the library, and have done lots of signings there.

We worked in the garden today- mom and I had so much fun. We planted broccoli and tomatoes. I love both, especially in salads.

I have been a huge fan of Dottie Rambo before I even decided to become a Christian author. She is my legend- I remember the night that I was watching her on tv, and I felt like giving up, as my first Christian novel wasn't edited, and I had gotten bad reviews on Amazon- I told God that He could get someone else to do my job- someone more talented. When I heard Dottie that night- and seen her lift her hands up, eyes gleaming toward heaven, it was clear- it was God whom I was serving, and since he chose me to be a Christian author, then He would qualify me. I've had my hards times since then, but always start singing- and left my eyes toward Him.....several years later, and now I am a celebrity and will go on my own tour bus next month, I have to credit Dottie for encouraging me that moment- God truly used her is so many ways- ways people would never realize- for 12 satanic girls got saved because I didn't pull the bookthat night ( I had got my publisher's number out when I clicked TBN on)- so I have to ask, maybe the typos were a divine intervention. I can't wait to walk with her along the streets of gold.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!!! I am getting more flowers and a box of chocolates- which she loves, as she has flower gardens and munches on candies with her coffee. We got a small storm today- a tree is blocking the road near mom's house, so I had to take the long way around-the nice editor from, The Anderson News, stopped me at the front of the street to let me know- I thought that was nice of him. I thanked him for putting Jason's picture in the paper last week- Jason guarded, "The Wall that Heals", a moving replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. It was at Centre College. I've attached his picture- I'm so proud of him.

I've been spending the evening with mom, we have been drinking cherry 7 Up, eating ice-cream, and redid the pumps in the waterfalls in the ponds- I like the "mushroom" water fountain. I thought about having a Garden Party- has anyone on here had one, and if so, what activities did you do? I thought I may make flower-themed Swoozie bags.

I was working in Bardstown and Frankfort today, and a lady came up to me who bought my coobook at Maywood Chevron( they have my private-label and books on a nice display), and she had seen me on the WLEXTV Noon Show everytime I was on there- it was so cool that she remembered everything I had said during the interview, whereas, I didn't remember everything. Isn't it cool when your fans know what you've done or said more than you do!!! She homeschools her small children which i think is also very cool. I have to get back to work...planning my state fair tour- have to get the dates to my bodyguards by the end of May.

XOXO
Sicily

I have heard that a particular subdivision in Georgetown, Ky has rules that you can't have a clothesline or a garden!!! Can this be legal? If yes, how? I just can't believe that people aren't allowed to grow their own food. Surely its not true. Has anyone else heard of this?

I received a cold-pack of Graeter's ice-cream this past week- I love their strawberry and blackberry chip ice creams. They taste like no other ice-creams. They are located in Ohio and Kentucky. You can have the ice-cream shipped in dry ice, like the case I received, straight to your house. Go to www.graeters.com to order yours!!!

I can officially write like I used to, and move my wrist without it hurting!!! I feel soo lucky to have use of my right hand back again- I go for therapy again next week. It was hot today- and I worked out in the field, in my merchandising/contracting business all day, plus did a photoshoot for my next Mother's Day gift idea for my website- its ice-cream- Graeters-I received a box via express shipment with 6 different flavors, so I had to visit the Tates Creek location today to get a strawberry cone.

I received a wonderful red velvet cake from www.carouselcakes.com this past week- it was so rich and creamy- with fresh cream cheese icing dripped over luscious layers of moist red cake. It is a great idea for Mother's Day!

Mom had another party- my cousins came, and so did friends- we had 2 cakes, mom's wonderful banana pudding and finger sandwiches, chips, salads, and green beans and cornbread- yummy! The guys played Corn Hole- I have no idea how to play, as I always sit and chat with the gals. It must be fun because they love to play it. I'm getting ready to order cookbooks for my county/state fair tour- It will be hectic, as I have to juggle my contracting business and being in a different city each week. I'm excited though!

I received a nice box of assorted cookies from Cookies Direct today- Gingerbread has always been one of my favorites, and I make it around the holidays, for family and friends. I was so excited when I saw that the assortment included, "Ginger Krinkles"- a molasses-looking cookie packed with ginger, spices, and crystals of sugar. They were so good- chewy and filled with that homemade taste, so now I can enjoy ginger cookies year-round, with a quick click of a mouse, for they ship year-round from their Maine facility.
Most folks find themselves torn between 2 cookies- Oatmeal Raisin and Chocolate Chip- I've seen this at tea rooms that I have visited- the "tug-of-war" within the mind of deciding which cookie to choose from, seems to happen to the least-expected consumer. Well, Cookies Direct knows just that, so they had a, "Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip" cookie that has the rich chocolate morsels that you expect, with floating plump raisins and oats.
You may get your own at www.mainecookies.com, and you can even send some cookies to the troops, with their, "Club Nine", program, by adding $9.00 to your order. Read how the program got started at http://www.cookiesdirect.net/ClubNine.html - and you'll see how the extra $9.00 can bring cookies to a soldier. My nephew just got out of AIT training, and I am taking him to Centre College tonight, at midnight to guard a Memorial that has come from Washington DC, so I know all about how hard our troops work so that we can be free- I LOVE them so much....so go ahead and run over to www.mainecookies.com and send some love.

I am now doing food reviewing on my website. I reviewed some wonderful cookies from Heidi's Heavenly Cookies yesterday, and received a beautiful Hummingbird Cake from Allen Brothers today- yummy!

I ate at Bistro 535, in Shelbyville, Kentucky last week. The owner, who freshly cooked all of my food, is known for his, "Brown Avenue", chicken. It is a whole boneless chicken breast smothered with a dijon glaze and heaping spoons of melted cheese. I also got to try his crusted seabass- flaky and perfect, accompanied by lightly grilled asparagus, purple onions, and sprinkles of fresh green parsley. I had a huge slice of stawberry cheesecake to top it all off...need I not mention their famous sweet tea, which I devoured 4 glasses, splashes of lemon.

I had a nice time at Shakertown. The two Harrodsburg Police Officers that guarded me while I toured Shakertown were very nice. I was interviewed by a very nice reporter from The Harrodsburg Herald, the local newspaper. I'm downloading pictures for you. My regular buddies on here, don't pay any attention to the jealous folks that are flaming me- I'm sorry that there are parts of being in the public eye that aren't so nice.
XOXO
Sicily

I am going to Shaketown to sign autographs, do a newspaper interview, and review their famous food- I can't wait. I was born in Harrodsburg in 1969, and this is like a homecoming for me. I'll visit dad's grave too, which is in Mercer County. The wonderful Harrodsburg Police Department will be with me. My nephew has National Guard there - the guys work so hard so we can be free and safe. I'll have pictures downloaded this weekend

XOXO
Sicily

I am packing tonight, for French Lick, Indiana, where I am doing a spa/resort review for my website. I will be signing autographs....and, YES, I can finally sign again!!! I'm spending the night there, then signing autographs for Thunder Over Louisville.

We threw my stepdad a party today- we grilled out, had cake & ice cream, and played corn hole. I bought him a golf card so he can play at any golf club in Kentucky- he was REALLY excited- on the other hand, mom HATES golf.

I started physical therapy last week- I have the best therapist- he used to work with the Dallas Cowboys. It is 60 degrees and wonderful here- I hope to be able to tour by June.

Seems like everyone around here is sick, with either a sinus infection or allergies/cold. I am on an antibiotic.

I've having to take my teenage nephew to work- he has to be there at 4am, so I am getting my work done by 5pm, and am sooo tired. My arm isn't hurting as bad. I'm making spagetti for dinner- with homemade marinara sauce and sauteed portabello mushrooms. Dessert is strawberry shortcake with fresh cream.

The doctor isn't letting me tour until June, and I am sooo upset- I wish I hadn't broken my wrist. Its funny- I have been getting emails from fans, asking if my Myspace page is really mine- if I am REALLY Sicily Yoder. Check it out at www.myspace.com/sicilyyoder

i've had quite a bit of pain today- ny arm hurts, and i am frustrated at just doing the minor things in life.

i fell sunday at church and broke my wrist- it hurts so bad, and its my right hand -i am right-handed. i'm already tired of the cast.

It has been a little colder today- my teenager's girlfriend from Florida moved in with us- she's so sweet. I worked in Northern Kentucky today. Saved $2.00 by using coupons.

Finally, after several hardworking months and many revisions, I now have my Amish Garden News newsletter ready and mailed out copies yesterday and today. If anyone wants a free sample copy, I cna send you one for 2 stamps to cover postage- its listed at www.celebritytravel.typepad.com

I am sooo glad to hear of some of the paparazzi that got arrested following Britney Spears. I hope its a trend, as, most that have read my posts over the past year know, I have been ran off the road, chased and harrassed just so they could get me into a Starbucks to get those pictures for that Starbucks gossip page where the one employee said I was a Diva. They are way too dangerous, and nobody, except us celebrities, know how caged up we feel when they are prowling around us. Sometimes we are more scared of them than the weirdest fans.

Just wondering what everyone is cooking in their crockpots this winter. I am cooking beans tonight. I LOVE any type of beans. I am using my BF's laptop, and love it- its nice to use at the cafes.

I ventured off to explore Woodford County- visited Woodford Reserve, the famous Holly Hill Inn, and historic Midway. I also went to Brown-Foreman, whom owns Woodford reserve. I learned about how alcohol was sometimes used as an MD order to cure illnesses.

Above is the beautiful entrance to Woodford Reserve. They make small batches of Bourbon- and it matures for an average of 7.4 years.

This is the hospitality center where they had fresh dipped- bourbon balls, topped with golden pecans. Warm coffe added to the evening snack.





We boarded a comfy white tour bus to wheel us down the property to the warehouse and shipping areas. Jim was our tour guide- he was retired from the plant, but loves to educate folks about the plant.


This is the warehouse. It sure smelled good in there- I seen some 2001 and 2003 barrels- the barrels are real heavy.

These were the displays of grains used in the fermentation process. There is a special enzyme that makes the starch release, thus helping to form sugar.

This was one of the stills that holds the product- there are 3 stills- a wine still, a beer still, and a spirit still.

This is the old weigh station- where farmers would pull up and unload their corn.


The gift shop in the main lobby- they had their signature Bourbon Balls, a, "to die for", granola, and beautiful derby attire.

This is the wonderful Chef and owner of Holly Hill Inn. They have wonderful food.

This was 3 entrees from the Holy Hill Inn menu.

I've enjoyed my vacation week, taking road trips- I ventured to Berea, Ky on Friday. This is part of a road trip series for my regular website. I thought it was so cool that when The Boone Tavern opens back up after renovation in May, they will be the 1st "green" hotel in Kentucky. They are owned by Berea College and the college has an ecovillage which operates entirely by natural resources. The hotel buys alot of their fruits and vegetables locally, and even supplies their leftover grease for a man whom has a car that is run by grease. They don't serve alcohol, keeping its small-town charm, they would like to keep things just the way it all. The pictures are below:


This is Maria, who was my server. She was very nice and friendly. The Chocolate Spoon Bread is her favorite dessert- and is now on my Top Ten List.

Pictured here are the Executive Chef Jeffrey Newman, graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in New York, and the Sous Chef, Rebel,- both have worked at The Marriott Griffin Gate Resort.


This is the main course, and one of the dishes that The Boone Tavern is known for, and a wonderful dish- "Chicken Flakes in a Bird's Nest", developed by the late Innkeeper, Richard Hougen, is a dish of juicy chicken and a light cream, crafted into a bird's nest of golden-brown, crisp noodles that sits atop a mountain of mashed potatoes A serving of fresh cranberries in sauce accents the tasty dish.
I had a house salad before the main dish- an ocean of tossed local salads and spots of fresh cherry tomatoes. The homemade orange-marmalade dressing that I chose is the house dressing, and is well worth a try.



This was the, "to die for", Chocolate Spoon Bread, served with drizzling fruit and chocolate syrups, and topped with fresh whipped cream and freshly sliced strawberries.


The Tavern is known for its Spoon Bread- a sweet, creamy cornbread that is served with a side of fresh butter and honey. Pictured here is KOJO, whom is from Ghana, where I will be spending Christmas in 2008- I plan to visit his family while taping there. He is in school at Berea. 85-90% of the workers are students, according to Emily, Front Desk Manager of The Tavern. She was once a student at the college, and says that Berea is unique in that you can't go there if you have alot of money, and, if you are one of the lucky ones to brace the reowned college's doors, you don't pay tuition, well, at least directly, you don't, for you have to work your way through. Like when my aunt and grandma worked their way through the, "old nursing schools" in America years before my time, you have to work every week, either on campus, or at one of the college-owned areas, like Boone Tavern or the local college bookstore. "All students are required to work ten to fifteen hours a week, and the collge matches what they earn", informed manager, Emily, as she showed me around the hotel.
"We are very reasonable on our rates, which range, depending on the season, from $109.00 to $124.00 a night. We have repreat guests- guests who have been coming here since they were children." Therefore, I found it was no shock that the Executive Chef had fond memories of visiting the tavern when we was three-years-old. And the Sous Chef has family down the street, so it was like a homecoming for him to be transferred from the hustle-bustle of city life back to Berea. Both of these chefs have been here for about six months- I can't wait to see all the changes...and the intact traditions that both bring to the Inn in years to come. To find out for yourself, or if you are looking for a reasonable place to stay in the Bluegrass State, visit www.boonetavernhotel.com