Category Archives: Howard County

March Madness

Posted on March 17, 2014 by AnnieRie

That would be the nine inches of snow we woke up to find on our patio this morning. St. Patrick’s Day? A little late in my book for snow of this magnitude.

This is the winter that just won’t go away.

I have been planning for spring. Seed starting. Garden planning.

But, add to that the hopefully last time we break out the snow thrower.

It may have been fluffy snow but it still was heavy. I got to clean off cars. My better half got to push the snow thrower for an hour.

At least the roads got cleared and we made it to Iron Bridge for the wine tasting event. We have told them they need to stop having these Monday night events. I think we had way more of them impacted by snow or ice.

What is it about Mondays in Howard County this winter? How many Mondays had cancellations, or closings?

Enough already! I am so ready for spring temperatures.

#hocoblogs

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One Crazy Busy Thursday

Posted on March 11, 2014 by AnnieRie

I just realized that this Thursday is going to be extremely busy for me. Mostly over at the Howard County Conservancy where I volunteer.

What with elementary school field trip training, a pot luck luncheon for volunteers, picking up my Friends and Farms basket, bringing it home to process, putting out a simple dinner for my husband, and heading off to the art reception for the evening.

I really should go back to work. I think I need the rest.

We always have a pot luck luncheon during volunteer training. I like to use garden goodies when I can.

This time I am using some of my garlic scape pesto from the freezer to make a couscous salad.

As for the art show, this time having an opening reception gives the artists something they are used to having. The chance to talk to those interested in what inspires them. I really enjoy this evening. Plus, we have the opportunity to buy one of Greg Mort’s awesome items. He has been so generous with his time, his art, his books. Donating so much to the Conservancy.

As for time spent at the Conservancy, I agree with those who say it is a respite from the hectic stress filled hours. Every time I drive into the driveway and walk those paths I feel so relaxed.

I have to say, spring seems to be so close, but just a bit out of reach. I do know I can’t wait to get back outdoors and enjoy all of the surroundings here where we live.

Here’s to many more busy days!

#hocoblogs

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The Artist As Messenger

Posted on March 9, 2014 by AnnieRie

The juried art show at the Howard County Conservancy.

We were hanging pictures yesterday in advance of the reception this Thursday night.

The judging took place yesterday also. The judges, Greg Mort, Rebecca Hoffberger and Anne Raver, all back for their fifth year of participation, had their largest set of entries this year.

The Conservancy is hosting the reception where the winners will be revealed. The art is available for viewing until Easter.

Come out and see some very interesting works of art.

Registration is here. $10 in advance. $12 at the door. I will be working the wine pouring table.

#hocoblogs

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Posted on March 8, 2014 by AnnieRie

Thoughts of springtime? Gardens. Plants. Herbs. Today’s high temperatures brought those thoughts to the forefront.

In the past, I used my 300 square foot deer fenced plot for my heirlooms and a few other plants. I have given up. The trees are way too tall, and I get less than six hours of direct sun on the garden.

My options were: the center of the front yard. Not a good place for a deer fence. Or: the meadow. Which required lots of excavation, and soil conditioning. And, 400 feet from the house.

My solution for my sunny tomato garden!

A full plot in the Howard County Conservancy community garden. Deer fenced. Easy access to water. Really lovely soil. All sorts of possibilities in an area twice the size of my small fenced plot.

As a retired person, I realize that I need to connect with others. This plot gives me a new social network. And a really great exercise option.

There will be lots of heirloom tomatoes this year. And finally. Enough sun to grow peppers.

Check out the Conservancy gardens if you want to try one. I hear there are a few left.

#hocoblogs

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Posted in Gardening, Howard County, Retirement and tagged gardening, heirloom tomatoes, hobbies, Howard County, howard county conservancy, retirement. Bookmark the permalink.

Tired of Winter

Posted on February 19, 2014 by AnnieRie

Officially, over it.

We have been working on the planning for the annual hike to the river out at the Howard County Conservancy.

It is scheduled for March this year. It gives us the opportunity to look for signs of spring.

March 8th, at 10 am. This hike is appropriate for most skill levels, but they are asking for a minimum age level of eight years old.

Last fall, we had groups go out. With lots of volunteers to shepherd groups.

If people felt it was too difficult, we had leaders who could bring them back to the building.

This is a fairly long hike, by our standards. It is a couple of miles in each direction. The first half, obviously, is DOWN to the river. The second half, you guessed it, uphill for quite a bit.

When the group reaches the railroad tracks above the river, they are roughly halfway between Woodstock and Ellicott City. This land down there is part of Patapsco State Park. You don’t see houses or roads. It is quiet and really scenic.

This hike is one of the monthly free events, called the Second Saturday events. Many of us who regularly volunteer enjoy getting out and leading families, couples, friends, and singles to show them the little things about nature we have learned as volunteer naturalists.

And, as a lead in to a request for new volunteers, the training for elementary school and middle school hike leading volunteers begins in two weeks.

Schedule for training is here.

I may be jumping ahead to promote spring events, but the thought of getting outdoors and saying farewell to the snow has me looking at the calendar and saying “Come On Springtime!”.

hocoblogs@@@

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Posted in Community, Howard County, Nature, Volunteering and tagged community, Howard County, howard county conservancy, nature, volunteering. Bookmark the permalink.

Slammed Again

Posted on February 13, 2014 by AnnieRie

Mother Nature is winning. Howard County got slammed again with snow, sleet, freezing rain. Oh, and after it stopped for a few hours, it started again.

And, they lied. The 1-3 inches predicted is already 4 1/2 inches. On top of the 16 inches this morning.

Getting the snow away from the garage to get the snow thrower going. Thankfully, our neighbor’s son assisted with their ATV to clear part of the driveway.

Tonight though, I am worried about the weight of this snow. Trees are getting bogged down all over again.

I always worry about the lace maples.

As for tomorrow, there is another storm coming in the evening. I wonder if we will even have the Conservancy event Saturday. Check out the website to see if it gets canceled.

As for us tomorrow, we are crossing our fingers that we make it to the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Secolari, in the Mall.

Did I say I hate winter?

hocoblogs@@@

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Posted in Community, Howard County, Local Businesses, Weather and tagged community, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Tuesday Night in Turf Valley Towne Square

Posted on February 11, 2014 by AnnieRie

Before the snowmageddon being forecast. We went out to meet friends for dinner.

Facci has lots of company now along the main street in the newly developed “Towne Square”. Last spring I blogged about the anticipated center, built between Marriottsville Road and the Turf Valley resort properties.

With Facci there closer than Maple Lawn. Grille 620 closer than Stanford Grill for steaks. Xitomate now open for good Mexican. Red Parrot for Asian.

And, of course, Harris Teeter, for getting all those supplies before the snow hits.

We heard some news from Gino, who was bussing tables and visiting, that Pisco, his Peruvian restaurant, will open sometime in April.

That should be a welcome new ethnic restaurant over by Trader Joe’s and Costco.

We also heard that Facci will be adding a roll back roof on the outdoor seating and a few new surprises in design.

It just keeps getting better for dining out options, out here.

By the way, Tuesday night is half price selected wine bottle night there. And, happy hour daily from 3-6 includes half price appetizers.

The highlights of tonight’s dinner included very nicely made calamari. Hand made pasta, a pappardelle with a Bolognese sauce. Dessert, hazelnut gelato with espresso and whipped cream, shared.

After dinner, we hit Petite Cellars to grab a box of Italian pinot grigio, and off to Harris Teeter for some rolls for sandwiches, coffee for the Keurig, and some cream of coconut for some baking I want to do. No toilet paper or milk or loaves of bread.

They were doing a brisk business tonight with people getting ready for the snow. Will this be another bust, or will we really get snow?

Glad to see crowded parking lots and many people enjoying the new center.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Community, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Restaurants, West HoCo, Wine and tagged community, Food, foodie, Howard County, local businesses, weather, West HoCo, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Heading Back Out There

Posted on February 9, 2014 by AnnieRie

Putting together my spring calendar, in hopes of the weather changing. As usual, the Howard County Conservancy and my volunteer work will keep me busy for the next few months.

How?

A hike and lecture this Tuesday. For naturalists and potential new volunteers and our friends.

A lecture on the history of Belmont. The site over in Elkridge that the Conservancy will be managing. Where there will be events and summer camp and future field trips.

Saturday the 15th, we are celebrating the lunar New Year with a free event highlighting Chinese and Korean traditions to celebrate. 10 am.

Naturalist training begins in a few weeks. Field trips in April and May. I can’t wait to get outdoors and look for emerging signs of spring.

That’s because I am so tired of winter.

Anyone else ready to get outside?

hocoblogs@@@

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Ice Isn’t Nice

Posted on February 5, 2014 by AnnieRie

In the ongoing saga known as the winter of 2014. Now, we get ice.

It was close to half an inch on every surface around our house. Now, as I write this, the wind is howling. I hope not to hear the CRACK, THUD we heard all day today.

Only a fraction of the evergreen damage. Our property is surrounded by mature pines, spruce and fir trees. 20-30 year old trees. These by the driveway were many of the Christmas trees bought with the root ball and planted after the holidays by the original owners of this house.

The tops still looked fragile, and the warming temps made us feel a little better. We have cleaned up huge amounts of branches over the nine years we have been here. It was nine years ago today that we moved our first things here and spent our first night out here.

Back then, we learned about the wind across the fields. How it blasts through these wide open spaces. How it is colder here than in Columbia. Whenever I venture into town, the temps in my car will rise 3-4 degrees sometimes.

Thankfully, my favorite tree, the lace leaf Japanese maple, is doing OK. Just don’t go near it, or the branches will crack.

If it ever does stop raining, snowing, sleeting or freezing, we will have our hands full doing clean up.

Just another crazy winter week in the west parts of Howard County.

And, a lead in to reminding people to sign up for a very interesting program this Saturday night at the Howard County Conservancy. “Seeing Trees” — appropriate for what we are doing here. All of us “tree huggers”, and nature lovers.

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Monday at the Mall

Posted on January 27, 2014 by AnnieRie

I am not usually a Mall person. I think the last time I visited Columbia Mall was when we bought our new ovens from Sears. A very long time ago.

My husband, has his hair cut at Cavallero. Right across the way from the scene of the shootings last weekend. For 35 years, he has been going to “Rex’s Place” which became Cavallero. He was just there earlier this month.

For me, the locavore and small business advocate, my only recent dealings with the Mall have been specialty stores, like Secolari.

A family owned business that opened before Christmas.

To show support for the stores, we were there around 2 PM today, right after the Mall reopened. I went in and tasted olive oils and vinegars. Bought a few things. Met Casey from cookieride. And a few Chamber of Commerce members.

My husband popped over to Starbucks to get a small coffee. Ran into the governor’s entourage. That was interesting.

The Howard County community wants to show that we support the people who work at the Mall. That we know they need to get back to work, and they need our business to continue to succeed.

It was a bittersweet afternoon. The tribute to the victims at the entrance. The fire and police presence. The reporters and cameras. Not the normal Monday afternoon scene.

If you get the chance, and love good pasta, olive oil, honey, sea salts, and vinegars, stop by Secolari and welcome them to Columbia. Try the white balsamic vinegar with the black truffle sea salt.