Sweets at Guenther House in San Antonio TX

The Three Sweets!!!! Hee Heeeeeeee that’s carrying it a BIT far even for me! But, it was a SWEET time we had. In my last post I told you about going to San Antonio for Mary Hetts class with my buddy Diane Cook & that we stayed with her precious daughter for the weekend. I ALWAYS wanted a girl (don’t get me wrong, GOD in his wisdom gave me my precious boys because I later learned I might hurt a her in those teenage years hee hee again) but, if I was choosing one I would want her to be JUST like Melanie!!!! PRECIOUS!!!!!

This photo is so special to me. If I was choosing a title it would be “A Mothers Love" Isn’t it sweet & both these angels truly are. For those of you who know me, you know I did not have a kind or loving mother but, IF I could have had one… this is what I would have chosen. MOVING ON before I get all “Hallmark” on us… where did we go? None other than Gunether House Restaurant down in the Historical King Williams Area. Gunether House is the test kitchen for The Pioneer Flour Company (click HERE for the home page for them)

In 1851, a short 15 years after the fall of the Alamo and the successful fight for Texas independence, C.H. Guenther & Son, Inc. began as a family owned and operated business committed to providing the kitchens of its community with the highest quality flour.

Then, in 1859, C.H. Guenther made the first of many forward-thinking decisions. He sold his original mill in Fredericksburg and opened an even greater mill in the burgeoning town of San Antonio & positioned it on the river which he used to power his mighty mill wheels. This move foreshadowed C.H. Guenther & Son. Inc.'s enduring ability to adapt, grow and prosper with the times. The names you would most recognize would be Pioneer Brand Baking Mixes or White Wings flour. They also make gravy mixes, cornbread & biscuit mixes & many more things.

In 1860 C.H. Guenther built this beautiful white stone home next to his mill. It housed his growing family & has been kept in perfect condition. You can tour the home & visit the gift shop that is on the second floor. I am sorry for the VERY GREEN tent that they have set on the patio but, the house seats about 20 tables & the rest are out on a beautiful patio that needs protection in the fall & winter. I have some other shots of previous trips but, for the life of me ???? I don’t know where they are.

In the photo above you see the side of the house that faces the river & you can see that it is 3 stories tall. On the 3rd floor there is a long room which they used for extravagant parties. It is still available for that same use today. It has always been a dream of mine to have a wonderful party there. The 1st floor is the Garden Room that Mrs Guenther loved & where we sat for our breakfast together. It has beautiful stained glass windows (which you can see) & the light fixtures in that room are all from the orient which was a highly admired thing in that time. So, the Guenther’s were very up & coming socially.

You can see the HUGE hand quarried stones used to build the house in this photo. The balconies off the windows & the iron work all there in the Guenther’s time. As I mentioned before the home is both test kitchen for the mill, restaurant, museum (the window with the wreath is their parlor which still has all the original furniture) & gift shop. Below you can see the bakery case showing some of my favorites.

YUMMMMMMMMMMO!!!!!!!!!!

The Pecan Nut Roll is my alllllllll time favorite & they sold out by the time we ordered (no fear… I bought 3 when I took these photos & they were safely in my bag). I want to share the recipe for this treat & you may want to whip up a batch for the holidays. Go HERE to get all the details. Another favorite that you can see in the photo about the pecan nut is the Cherry Cream Cheese Roll & that recipe is HERE. I hope you enjoy those. And while I was there I bought the cutest cake pan in the gift shop. Perfect to do a gingerbread in & yes, I bought the mix. But, I want to show you the fun time the GRANDS & I had with that pan. One likes CHOCOLATE & one CARAMEL. So, we baked two. Each boy got to make his cake with Nonna & then we decorated them the next morning after their sleep over.

Success!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to laugh when looking at these because when the oldest one was little he said to me one day “Nonna! What are you going to give me to SUGAR me up before you send me home”? And I thought… I bet you’re Momma said that to you & so my answer was “Well darlin what do you want”? He said “ice cream” & I said “ALL RIGHT do you want candy sprinkles on that”? Hee Hee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you got sugared up & enjoyed this post! Be sure to check out the website & get those (& other recipes).

Sweet HUGS!!!!!!!!!!! Charlene