Disclosure : I received a nights stay and 2 meals in exchange for this post the opinions are my own.

Recently I was visiting Lancaster and I had the opportunity to stay at Bird in the Hand Inn. The Bird in Hand Inn and entire facility is own by the Smuckers family and has been run for 3 generations. The inn is a great place for kids. My kids are all about the overnight at a Hotel. We never stay at a hotel unless there is a pool. Good thing that Bird in Hand has 3 pools (2 indoors and 1 outdoor). They also have a jacuzzi for adults, and yes I sat in it for quite a while. So a great activity year round. Yes they did provide towels so just bring your suit and sunscreen.

The bird in the hand has a mini golf course, an ice cream polar, playground and also a animal area where you can feed ducks and goats. The grounds of the inn are lovely and spacious. I really hope to return so I can enjoy the grounds more.

The rooms are clean, and great accommodations, They have mini fridge, coffee maker, shampoo/conditioner, and blow dryer in the rooms. Out room had 2 queen beds. The lovely thing that Bird In Hand Inn has many different accommodations: From Hotel, to suites, to a Campground.

The in has a restaurant on the premise the Bird in the Hand Smorgasbord or an alcart menu has great variety of Country Amish food and also the traditional favorites for the entire family. The fried chicken was a big hit wit my family. The desert area was great loved the Amish pies and sweets. In the morning they offer a buffet for the guests of the hotel. I really enjoyed the biscuits and gravy and the sausage.

Here is a video of what to expect at the Bird In Hand Inn and Smorgasbord:

I can recommend the Bird and the Hand as a great place to visit with the family. I wish I had 2 nights because there was much more we wanted to see. Be sure to check out the Bird in Hand deals and vacation packages. They even have packages that are with Strasburg train.

Want to know what to do while in Lancaster here is a link to My Favorite things to do while in Lancaster

How to Make Bread in a Bag: Every year for the last 4 years, I make bread for the church on fat Tuesday it is for the Ash Wednesdays meager meal with soup and bread. Then on Ash Wednesday I go in and make the same bread with about 10 kids int he after school program. This Bread is made in a bag and is very easy to make. It is a great set up ahead and have the kids make kind of project. The recipe has been passed to me from a lovely women in my church MM Harris, she has spent many years teaching the children in our congregation. She has been make this bread with the church for years. So this year MM and I will be making many loves at home and working with the kids to make the bread.

This is not a religious recipe, MM just loved it because it was fun to make with kids. I cant recommend it enough to try making this bread with kids you know. Super easy Bread.

How to Make Bread in a Bag

Bread in a Bag

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 package yeast
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water(125-130 degrees)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1 gallon freezer bag with a zipper lock

Combine 1 cup all purpose flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, dry milk, and salt in a freezer bag. Squeeze air out of bag.
Shake and work bag with fingers to blend ingredients.
Add hot water and oil to dry ingredients. Reseal bag, and work again with fingers.
Add whole wheat flour. Reseal bag and mix thoroughly.
Gradually add enough remaining all purpose flour to make a stiff dough that pulls away from the bag.
On a floured surface, knead dough 2-4 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Cover dough, let rest 10 minutes.
Roll dough to 12×7″ rectangle.
Roll up from narrow end.
Pinch ends and edges to seal.
Place in greased loaf pan, cover.
Place shallow pan on counter filled with boiling water.
Place a baking sheet on top, place covered loaf pan on top of baking sheet.
Let rise 20 minutes or until double in size.
Bake at 375 for 25 minutes or until done.Tip: When making these loaves I made 1 in a bag and I did use my mixer w/ dough hook for the other 2 the results are the same. So If you are making alot of loaves of Bread you can also use a mixer with a dough hook, when kid power kneading is unavailable