Monthly Archives: May 2013

The Good Earth

Posted on May 12, 2013 by AnnieRie

To till or not to till … that is the question.

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We have the tilling debate often. I don’t know if we should. He thinks because we have a tiller, we need to use it. Actually, tilling hasn’t been a problem as it loosens up the soil and makes it easier to plant.

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I use black fabric and mulch to keep down weeds. Again, some people don’t like black fabric. I love the fact I don’t have to weed. At sixty, with arthritic knees, weeding is a pain, literally and figuratively.

The weather, of course, isn’t cooperating. I want to put the tomatoes in, but temps will drop tomorrow night to the 30s. I will be covering the herbs and keeping the tomatoes inside until Wednesday.

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Although the tomatoes are inside and well, the herbs have been planted. There will probably be row cover going down tomorrow. I don’t want to lose the herbs.

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My last request here in the garden for this week, give me garlic scapes. The garlic is doing well, but no scapes yet.

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Gardens and Parties

Posted on May 11, 2013 by AnnieRie

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Sometimes it seems to be another Hallmark holiday, but sometimes it really is special. Are you doing something for or with your mom that she really wants to do?

Even if it’s just a walk, or a meal, or a homemade card, those little things that bring joy are what most of our moms appreciate the most. The long leisurely phone calls where you listen instead of talking. Those little gifts taken to her, like in my case, getting her the heavier items she needs and can’t carry well anymore.

Driving her to someplace she really wants to go. My mom isn’t a flower or garden person, who doesn’t walk on uneven surfaces very well, but she loves to be driven out in the country just so we can talk.

Or, in my case, taking her to where she wants to go for a luncheon, even if it isn’t a place I normally like to go.

Today at the Conservancy lots of moms and grandmoms came with their families, even in the misty morning, to wander the grounds, have tea and scones in the farmhouse, visit the animals and talk to the gardeners.

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The children got to hear a Mother’s Day story. While proud parents took pictures.

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Mom may have even gotten a gift of some flowers to be planted when they stopped at the Conservancy community garden plant sale.

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All in all, we had a great morning. Tomorrow, if your mom loves flowers, the azaleas are in bloom at Brighton Dam, but if she isn’t into the crowds, maybe waiting a few days and having a visit after school, or early in the morning, when they open at nine.

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Here’s to all our moms.

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A Hole in Our Hearts

Posted on May 10, 2013 by AnnieRie

I can’t even imagine how it feels to have this happen. To lose someone you love like this.

One of our best bloggers, someone we knew and liked, for years, is so tragically taken from us.

My favorite picture of Dennis.

dennis with jim rouse

Another Columbia pioneer. Whose blog was the second one I read in Howard County. Howchow was the first, and howchow’s blog sent me to Dennis aka wordbones.

We shared quite a bit. A hair stylist. Wayne at Cavallero. An old neighbor, who worked with him on Columbia Festival, Nichole Hickey. We talked at the hocoblogs parties about our small worlds, where we knew many of the same people.

When I was recovering from surgery, I read his entire blog. From 2006 until 2012. I learned so much about this county. Dennis really loved it here. He came here in 1968. Me in 1975. We talked the last time I saw him, about the Columbia Game. The monopoly like game from 30 years ago.

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Dennis loved everything about his two cities. We will miss him greatly.

Rest in peace, friend and inspiration.

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A Mother’s Day Garden Party

Posted on May 9, 2013 by AnnieRie

At the Conservancy.

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May 11th Saturday morning at 10am. A Mothers’ Day Special-

Enjoy a beautiful Springtime morning out with your mother or a friend! Sip tea and sample home baked scones at the historic Brown sisters’ farmhouse.

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Stroll to the Conservancy’s 8 gardens and talk with the garden clubs, Master Gardeners, and staff who design and maintain these gardens year round.

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$5 per person, $10/family. In case of inclement weather, check website. This is something new the volunteers have been working. A Mother’s Day event. Last year we had children make cards and bouquets for their moms and grandmoms. This year, eight of the gardens will be open with many of them having the local garden clubs there to talk about what they do, at the Conservancy and in their clubs.

Additionally, the Master Gardeners will be at the historic garden plots. The community garden managers will be there to talk about their gardens, and the volunteers who will be busy grooming the Honors Gardens for Wine in the Garden will be hard at work, taking care of the three acre native plant site.

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Crossing our fingers that the weather is lovely. At least the gardens are flourishing from these spring showers.

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Early Bird CSA Week Ten …

Posted on May 8, 2013 by AnnieRie

… the drowning in greens week is here. In a good way, though.

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Lots of greens in this week’s selection at Breezy Willow. We got:

half pound salad mix
one bunch rainbow chard
one pound spinach
radishes with greens attached
Zucchini (which I swapped for more radishes)
Asparagus
Spring onions
Three pounds red potatoes

Plus, I picked Great Harvest White Bread this week, and got my dozen eggs.

If that wasn’t enough, I stopped by Miller Library today for Thai foods and cheese, and was swayed into buying this peppery lovely arugula from Love Dove.

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You can tell it isn’t sprayed or treated. Those little chomps by insects. I would rather have greens with holes than greens full of pesticides.

With all the greens that came today, I had to use up the kale from last week, as well as the chard from Burtonsville. So, I made a frittata.

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A kitchen sink frittata. Throw everything in the cast iron skillet. First, onions, garlic and chard stems. Followed by kale and chard. Add eggs with parmesan, chicken stock, salt and pepper. Let it cook a few minutes then finish in the oven. Served with a mixed green salad and CSA supplied grapefruit.

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It does look like we will be eating lots of stir fries and salads this week.

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Lovely greens.

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Opening Day Tomorrow!

Posted on May 7, 2013 by AnnieRie

Yes, the Howard County Farmers Markets open tomorrow at Miller Library at 2 pm. The first of five straight days of producer only markets. Three are at libraries. One at the hospital and one at a village center.

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I have been going to our county markets since they first opened. Back when our local market was on Cedar Lane at the church. Of course, back then I also hit Clarks Farm produce stand on the way home, too.

There is nothing like freshly picked fruit and veggies, or fresh meat and dairy. It looks like we are getting a creamery back into the market to replace South Mountain leaving us. That means fresh milk.

I will be blogging about each market. I really intend to hit all five of them if I can, in their first two weeks of being open, just to see what they are offering this year.

Even though the weather is rainy and grey, spring is definitely here when the markets open.

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Buy local. Support our MD, VA and PA farms in our surrounding area.

This year it looks like they are expanding to include producers of other items. I am intrigued to check out the Thai vendor.

And, of course, to get my Stone House Bakery fix.

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See you there?

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Brighton Dam Azaleas May 5 2013 Report

Posted on May 6, 2013 by AnnieRie

They are getting there. The early bloomers are lovely. Lots of buds though. Mother’s Day should be perfect. And, how about this little gem?

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I assume WSSC planted the flowers. I can’t imagine them allowing an individual to do it, but who knows? Plenty of color even on a gloomy Sunday morning.

A romantic spot for a walk.

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Weekdays and early morning, this was at 9 am, you can have the place to yourselves. As you can see, many varieties are still in budding stage, not yet blooming. Still, there are spectacular blazes of color on some of the smaller paths.

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Unusual colors too.

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I could go here almost every day and be happy just to wander the trails.

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Easy to access on the Howard/Montgomery county lines. This is a treat for all of us who live here.

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Burtonsville Farmer’s Market

Posted on May 5, 2013 by AnnieRie

Today we drove down to see what farmers are participating in the Burtonsville market. It is new this year, and started just two weeks ago. There were four farms today selling veggies, one selling meat and eggs, one selling sub sandwiches, one selling olive oil and Atwater’s selling bread. There were also local artisans selling candles, jewelry and other items. I was focused on the farms and didn’t check out the artisans.

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Not tremendously crowded but there was a line for bread, and one for the fresh strawberries from one of the farms in Virginia. I had to get some.

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The strawberries and asparagus were from Crazy Farm, in Warsaw VA. The chard and greens from Over the Mountain in Boonsboro, MD.

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I also splurged on half of a Dark and Stormy Cake from Atwater’s. To serve for dessert tonight. An old neighbor is coming to enjoy the first of the lamb we got two weeks ago from England Acres.

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Sausage from Orchard Breeze, too. We did talk to them about turkeys. They are considering doing parts as well as whole turkeys in the future.

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If you live in the southern end of Howard County, this market is really quite close to you. Maybe five miles from Maple Lawn and Fulton. Using the back roads, it is 12 miles from us.

Remember, this week the Howard County Markets open. Look for lots of greens to be there. I can’t believe how beautiful the spring onions are, at the markets. I love throwing these on the grill and basting them with olive oil.

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Here’s to six months of farm fresh goodness!

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Co-Inky-Dinks (or Coincidences)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by AnnieRie

Last night I happened to open Twitter to see the Beard Foundation publication tweets coming fast and furious. Just in time to see a blog I have used to find venison recipes win the individual blog award. Hank Shaw writes this blog. You should check it out.

Hunter Angler Gardener Cook. This is one amazing blog if you are looking for food cooked well, from fresh ingredients. His fish and game recipes are my “go to first” recipes when I get something good at the markets. Or, that lovely venison.

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Besides, where else can you find wild boar, bear, and um, squirrel recipes. Seriously. You should visit it and read some of his outside the box recipes. Including his veggie ones. Like the one with salsify.

We got salsify a year ago in our CSA. I have been looking for it ever since. I want to try this croquette. I made fritters the last time.

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I just tried this mushroom recipe today. I will be reporting on the results when I finally get to taste them. I used my cremini from the CSA. Just enough to make a small jar.

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Tomorrow I am heading over to Burtonsville to check out their new market. Orchard Breeze will be there. Maybe rabbit or duck will make its way to my menu, and I can use this great blog as inspiration. Who needs cookbooks when you can use great blogs?

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Just Us Chickens …

Posted on May 3, 2013 by AnnieRie

… and other random thoughts on a Friday evening.

It is the beginning of chicken season out at England Acres. The first 100 were processed this week and by now may all be gone. If you want to try some really tasty chicken, try free range birds from the local farms. England Acres offers them every four weeks all summer.

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The chickens range in size from four to six pounds. If you want to use them frozen, directly into the crock pot like I do, you need to take out that plastic bag with the giblets and heart, and take out the neck. Those pieces I use to make chicken stock. If you are going to grill or roast the chicken, just pop them right into the freezer and worry about that bag later.

Besides England Acres, other local farms also do chickens. TLV will have them at the markets. Breezy Willow gets them. Clark’s also has chickens in season. Of course, also, Maple Lawn has frozen turkey all year round, and fresh ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can certainly eat naturally raised, farm fresh goodness from all over this area.

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If you get the chance to head out to England Acres, say hi to the five little kids in the yard. They are happy for visitors and practically climb over each other to see you.

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Other ramblings this weekend. The Sheep and Wool Festival is Saturday and Sunday. I hope to get there but we have guests coming both days. I know Breezy Willow will be there. They will be in the main exhibition hall.

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The weather should be lovely all weekend. Markets are opening everywhere. I saw that Love Dove will be in Silver Spring Saturday. I will probably check out Burtonsville Sunday morning to see who goes there. Not that I really need anything, but I would love to find some ramps or fiddlehead ferns. I have never cooked with either of them. Asparagus should be here, and soon strawberries.

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