So I think in blogs past I've mentioned that I work at Lickity Split in New Holland.  I've been there for four years and I love it.  My dear bosses (Mitch and Gina) are also my dear friends. 

They are my frosses?  My briends?  Whatever.  I like them and I also work for them.  

They are lovely people.  Generous.  Fun loving.  Creative.  Good salt of the earth people.

The restaurant that they own is in the historic Kauffman's Hardware building.  Mitch has a real passion for history, especially New Holland history.  He has told me so many interesting things about our town's history that I have loved hearing and have also promptly forgotten (no offense, Mitch, it's not you, it's me).

Gina is an idea girl, as am I.  We talk lots of ideas.  She is the one person who I think has a more active brain than myself.

There is this one idea that we've been talking about for more than a year.  It's The Idea that this blog post is going to be about.

Eventually.

But first, I need to let you in a bit on mine and Gina's texting history.  

You see, today I was going back thru the pictures we've texted each other looking for pictures to share with you about The Idea and I was just so amused by our picture history.  It was this super weird mash up of work related stuff, family life stuff, funny stuff, and, uh, inappropriate stuff.  I won't be sharing anything from the last category but think junior high boy humor.  It's how we roll and I can't fix it.

We text a lot about work.  I help to manage the restaurant and Gina will ask my opinion about things or we'll share recipe ideas or she'll send me pictures to post on our Lickity Split Facebook page (which you should go ahead and 'like', by the way).

 This was not my finest moment.

We send pictures of our regular everyday life stuff.  Gina babysits her granddaughter twice a week and that little girl is the light of her life.  I get lots of sweet pictures like this one:

I send her pictures of my son, Jake, who wrote a song a few years ago called "I love my Gina so much".

Sometimes I get excited about ordinary things so I send them to Gina.

New tall socks.  Is there anything better?  I submit there is not.

Food that looks like a turkey but is not actually a turkey.  I love it.

Leftovers I've saved for them because my family has stupid tastebuds.

This gorgeous tray that my cousin made.

Sometimes we play this game called "currently". 

(I was going to explain it but then realized that it's pretty self explanatory.  Sorry for being momentarily stupid.)

(Gina, please don't hate me for this.  I couldn't help myself.)

And then there are the things that amuse us.  Please enjoy the ones that made the cut.  I don't think any of these will cause you to pass judgment on us.

Some are ice cream related because duh.

Some are not.

So, now that you understand our particular brand of weirdness, we can move on to The Idea.

Some of you will remember from the Kauffman Hardware days that there is a jail cell in the basement.  It's right under Lickity Split.

We had been using the basement space as storage.  I've often gone down there and just kinda spun in a slow circle thinking what a great space it is.  Big window. Hardwood floors.  A pretty door with steps up to Main Street.  And the history.  I loved to think about things that might have happened in that room.

I honestly don't know if it was my idea or Gina's.  Or if we started talking and the ideas flowed and there was some kind of idea marriage and it became both of our ideas.  However it happened, we started talking about using the basement space for special dinners.  Dinners by the jail.  To serve delicious food and have a historian tell stories of old time New Holland.  To let people see the jail and to enjoy this beautiful space.

Except it wasn't super beautiful as it was.  It needed work.  We initially thought a good cleaning and a coat of paint over the paneled walls, some furniture, and maybe a few other touch ups and we'd be good to go.

It ended up being a lot more involved.  And the final product is a lot more beautiful than I imagined it could be.

Gina's friends, Chip and Nate, put in many hours.  They discovered that behind the paneled walls were original stone and brick walls.

The stone and brick were gorgeous but crumbly.  Enter Gina's mason friend, Johnny.

Gina's dad and nephew put in time as well.  Painting and cleaning and general handyman stuff. 

Gotta keep those shoes clean!

Mitch's dad stopped by to check on the progress and somehow ended up behind bars.

I've been busy going to auctions to find furnishings for the basement.  I am itching to get on with the decorating already!

Gina and I have been sending pictures back and forth on ideas of how to decorate and pieces we want to look for.

I hired my brother to make tables out of old doors we found in the basement.  He had the most fun and said they are the best tables he's ever made.  If you want a unique custom made table ask me for his contact info!

Our space is very nearly finished and now all we need is...you.

What are you doing for dinner on New Year's Eve?  We are taking reservations for our first ever History Mystery Dinner!

Enjoy a four course meal followed by a visit from a famous New Holland historical figure and end the evening with a scavenger hunt in the New Holland Area Historical Society Museum.

The menu (probably my favorite part) is as follows:

Appetizers:  mini cheeseballs (because mini food is the best)

                    glazed kielbasa

                    cranberry and brie crostini 

                  

Salad:          romaine topped with apples, cheddar, and pecans with 

                    a maple balsamic dressing  

Main Dish:  Pulled pork, mashed potatoes, and parmesan roasted

                    carrots

Dessert:      caramel apple crumble pie with ice cream

                   Pellman's cheesecake with raspberry drizzle

Beverages: holiday punch, water, and coffee

Is your mouth watering?   

Our event is running from 6:00-8:30 so you still have time before midnight to squeeze in some other New Year's festivities.  To reserve your seats you can order online at www.thelickitysplit.com or you can call the restaurant (717-354-4YUM) with your credit card number or you can stop in and pay (and maybe see me, an added bonus!).

I am so excited to finally be able to share this idea with you all!  Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings once again.  I really do think you are the best!