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 Anoka
Farms was homesteaded by my great, great grandparents
(Charles and Ida Frederick) They actually came from
Illinois in a covered wagon. Our beloved farm was passed
down to my great grandparents (Leslie and Nellie"Frederick"Lancaster)
and then to my grandparents (Arthur and Vivian Lancaster)
in 1925. At first a dairy, Anoka Farms later expanded
to include crops such as wheat and bluegrass.
There was an Indian trail across the property. The Colville
Indians would use it to trade in Spokane. They called
it "Anoka" which was said to mean "windswept".
 If
you could see this vast land, you would know why it
might have been referred by the Colville Indians as
windswept. It is on Pleasant Prairie just north of the
Spokane Valley near Bigelow Gulch. It is a beautiful
setting. You can see Mount Spokane in the distance,
yet it is very secluded where the farm sits. One of
my cousins lives there now. The farming is now contracted
out, since my Dad has retired.
Our family farm was about ten miles north of Anoka Farms.
So we were very close and spent a lot of time with our
grandparents since my Dad was a farmer . They worked
together and shared equipment, etc.
Our
Grandmother started many of our family traditions. We
always had a project when we would visit. Just as you
might remember your own Grandmother's doting tendencies,
she taught us to sew, crochet, knit, garden and we were
always baking or cooking something, like her famous
Peanut Brittle.
 I
loved making the brittle because it was usually during
the Holidays which became a traditional event that I
loved to share with my Grandmother. You can imagine,
harvest was over and it was a much more relaxing time.
The house was always decorated and just smelled so good.
My grandmother was very precise. We had to have everything
measured, set out and ready to go. "Peanut Brittle-
making" was a very "serious project"
and could be dangerous with all that hot, bubbly liquid.
She made it very special though. We had gift tags and
candy tins. What a great feeling at the end of the day
to see the beautiful golden brittle all packed away
ready to deliver to some very lucky people.
 At
an early age I just knew I would be the one to carry
on that Holiday Traditon. About a year after my grandmother
passed away my grandfather found a tin of brittle way
back in the freezer. He carried it around for days!!!
After my husband Stephen and I were married, I would
make my Grandmothers Peanut Brittle, enjoying the lessons
I had learned from her. My husband would share the Peanut
Brittle at work. They wanted to buy it!!! The rest is
history!!!!
We started by selling at crafts fairs in 1988. At that
time most of the customers were women and of course
they wanted chocolate. So Chocolate Dipped Peanut Brittle
was born!! Then the White Gold Peanut Brittle was added
to the favorites, and now to keep up with the times---
Espress Oh!!!!(My coffee loving brothers' idea).
 We
also make a Soft Peanut Butter Brittle and Soft Coconut
Peanut Brittle. These will be added to the website real
soon. In addition, I'm experimenting with an Orange
Peanut Brittle Dipped in Dark Chocolate. This will be
introduced later in the year. Stephen and I still like
Grandmas recipe the best!
Thank
you for taking time to read our family story and how
Anoka Farms Peanut Brittle
came to be. We hope you will consider buying our Peanut
Brittle as gifts for family and friends, or as a Corporate
Gift idea during holidays and special events.
If
you'd like to stay in touch with us concerning new products
and seasonal specials, please join Our
Brittle World Mail list.
Just
remember, it's a Brittle World, Sweeten It Up! With
Anoka Farms Peanut Brittle.
Sincerely,
Shelly
Smith
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Arthur
and Vivian Lancaster settled on their homestead in 1925.
Like most farm wives, Vivian was a marvelous cook. But
the delight of any visit to "Gramma's" was
a piece of her special Peanut Brittle.
