Category Archives: Howard County

My Love-Hate Relationship with Snow

Posted on January 24, 2013 by AnnieRie

It is considerably colder outside today than it has been in quite a while. And, on top of all else, it has snowed about an inch. It’s about the same as it was the day after Christmas.

Just a dusting. Enough to delay the schools so the buses can safely navigate after they treat the roadways. I hate the dustings of snow in really cold weather, when the sun comes out. It doesn’t go away and it becomes black ice, treacherous to walk and drive on.

Since I don’t have to get up at oh dark thirty anymore (the proper military shorthand, and not that stupid movie title), it doesn’t bother me much when it snows. Usually it melts before you have to deal with it. Today, though, it is bitter cold. I can look at this as a good thing, as finally some of these nasty flu and cold germs will hopefully die. When it doesn’t get cold enough, the colds and flu bugs linger on.

Additionally, the nasty little bugs that thrive in our bushes and trees will vanish as well. Good things for my plants, and our friends’ vineyards.

I just wish I didn’t have to clean off the car to go out later. Yes, we have a garage. It is the home of the snow thrower, and the tractor. The shed has the materials for the radio tower in it. Bolts, masts, coax cable. Tower base. All those things in the place the tractor belongs.

As for the snow thrower, it has to occupy one space for the winter. You don’t want to be digging your way to the shed when this happens.

our welcome in winter

As I said, the snow is just a nuisance for a little while around here. Today it is sunny and lovely to see it sparkling. I do hope we don’t get more tomorrow though. I have things I want to get done.

Tonight we will make a cozy dinner, and try out a new grain for risotto. I will see how it goes and post about another notch in that 60@60 challenge.

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Posted in Howard County, Nature, Sixty@Sixty, Weather and tagged amateur radio, commentary, crock pot cooking, Howard County, nature, snow, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Highlights from the Meet the Farmers Event

Posted on January 23, 2013 by AnnieRie

Sometimes the more you worry, the better the result. I couldn’t have expected the large turnout and the enthusiasm from last Sunday’s Conservancy program. Everywhere you looked there were people enjoying the day, talking and buying and signing up for more information.

The doors weren’t open long before many people started arriving. A steady stream for almost an hour. Over 130 people arrived and many stayed for the panel discussion. In the picture above, Denise Sharp of Sharp’s at Waterford Farm had many people buying her out of the fresh kale and cilantro she brought, and checking out the gourds, the sauces and the fresh rosemary bushes.

There were six farms there Sunday. About 50% of those I contacted. With the success of this event, we may be talking in the program committee to do other similar things in the future. I started out with a small group just to gauge the interest. Close to 150 in the room including the dozen farm representatives, some volunteers, board members, and some of the farmer’s families. I think we can call this a good day.

The people were lining up to get Bowling Green Farm Cheese.

Breezy Willow and Love Dove were getting lots of interest in their CSAs, and I saw quite a few people going out with Breezy Willow fresh eggs. Also, as I said in my post about Game Day, we got some gorgeous fresh veggies from Zahradka. Martha Clark and Nora over in their area also had lots of interest in their programs, and in buying their beef. I couldn’t get a clear shot of them due to the number of people all around the room.

The panel discussion was lively. Lots of these farms here Sunday are being run by the younger generation. They were all enthusiastic about what they are doing. Two of them are leaders in the Howard County farmers market planning for 2013. Lots of really good ideas of things to make the markets bigger and better. We can’t wait.

The panel above. Mitzi Jones, Bowling Green Farm; Casey Caulder Todd, Breezy Willow Farm; John Dove, Love Dove Farm; George Zahradka, The Zahradka Farm; Nora Crist, Clarks Elioak Farm; and Denise Sharp, Sharp’s at Waterford Farm.

A wonderful way to spend a day.

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Posted in CSA, Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Real Food, Volunteering and tagged community, CSA, farmer's markets, Food, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, Locavore, volunteering. Bookmark the permalink.

Three Meals, Locally Driven

Posted on January 22, 2013 by AnnieRie

Last year I thought that locally sourcing my food would be difficult. Little did I know that there were numerous sources year round in the Howard County area. Now, it is a cinch to eat locally, and reduce my dependence on long distance processed foods.

Monday was one of my now typical days here. Since I have a freezer and refrigerator full of local foods, meals contain a majority of items from “right up the road”.

Breakfast Monday. Local eggs from Breezy Willow Farm.

We seem to have rediscovered eggs after years of avoidance due to those scary cholesterol “studies”. Now, free range eggs are a joy one or two times a week.

As for lunch, we heated up the last of the pork BBQ from our visit to Breezy Willow Saturday.

Dinner, venison. Right across the highway, locally harvested venison. This is a rump roast.

We put it in the crock pot with root veggies, onions and some organic mushroom soup. Added some Mother Earth mushrooms just before it was finished.

The Canela bakery rosemary bread will be sopping up the gravy created by the veggies, and some of my stock from the freezer. What does it look like when it is done?

You can see the mushrooms, and the turnips. The sweet potatoes are melting into the gravy. The roast is peppery, tender and not gamey at all. I don’t get the gamey aversion. Dark meat has more flavor, due to muscle. Venison is lean, with lots of muscle, therefore it is “gamey”. It still was lovely.

Yes, the gravy looks a little orange because the sweet potatoes melted into it. I need to put them in much later than I did. To finish the localness of this meal, the wine is local as well.

Malbec and venison are supposed to be a good match. And, they are. We decanted this 2005 Breaux Cellar Selection wine, to let it breathe. Really a delicious wine. A lighter version of Malbec as these were young vines.

All day. Local food. Local wine. How I have changed in what I cook.

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Posted in Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Wine, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, crock pot cooking, Food, hoco loco, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore, real food, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Heard Around the Water Cooler

Posted on January 21, 2013 by AnnieRie

aka The Bird Bath. I think that my neighborhood birds are all excited that the Ravens won.

They were gathering in earnest today at the bird bath. They also decided the buffet in my yard must have been worth the visit.

These are just the robins and starlings that descended upon us this morning. And, only a fraction of them. There were more out back and in the meadow. My neighbor’s crab apple trees are the big draw along with my heated bird bath. I think this “discussion” is about why the Cardinals didn’t do so well this year, and what they think of the 49ers.

Add to all these new visitors, the red bellied woodpecker decided to chase away the finch from his favorite feeder.

But then he got all introspective and went off to contemplate whatever.

Just another day in West Howard County. Lunchtime entertainment.

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Posted in Birds, Commentary, Howard County, Nature, West HoCo and tagged birds, commentary, Howard County, nature, photography, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Eat Local on Game Day

Posted on January 21, 2013 by AnnieRie

Big game day! After a very successful Conservancy event, we came home to nibble during the game, and have pulled pork sandwiches at half time.

For my Eat Local Challenge, I had pulled pork I bought at Breezy Willow. I had the picture of it in yesterday’s blog. I did not waste time during dinner to take pics of the sandwiches, but that pulled pork is really good.

We nibbled on pumpkin hummus and ate some Bowling Green cheese during the game. I picked up the cheese at the mini market at the event today. Got some good veggies from Zahradka today to add to what I bought yesterday from Breezy Willow.

George Zahradka brought those wonderful romanescu cauliflower, and some sweet carrots. And Brussels sprouts. And, more but my husband went over and picked up these items.

Denise Sharp sold out all her kale before I could get some. She also had huge rosemary “bushes” just like the ones I bought from her last spring. She told me again in April will be our chance to come out and buy plugs and seedlings.

All in all, one great day. A very successful event and a Ravens win.

hocofood@@@

Grocery Shopping: West County Style

Posted on January 19, 2013 by AnnieRie

Today I went shopping. West county style. Hit Breezy Willow Farm Store, open from 10-2 on Saturday. They were doing a brisk business. No milk there, but BBQ pork to make sandwiches for the Ravens game.

The pork BBQ will be served at halftime. That pumpkin hummus from yesterday and also some of my baked veggie chips will be the snacks. Just think, a locavore football party. But, pulled pork needs cole slaw and buns. Royal Farms to the rescue. What can I say? Drive all the way to Clarksville to save a few cents or pick it up at Royal Farms. I did Royal Farms, and also got Cloverland Farms milk for cereal.

As for the rest of my shopping, I bought onions, apples, broccoli and honey graham ice cream (to celebrate or commiserate). The broccoli looked wonderful today.

I also got a dozen eggs. Love that green one among all the brown ones.

Made egg salad today when I got home to use up my “old” eggs. They still won’t float, which means it is a bit harder to peel the eggs. Old eggs are best for egg salad, but with farm fresh eggs you have to leave them sit around a while. These are two weeks old and still don’t have the void inside that makes peeling easier.

While at Breezy Willow, I observed. I was the “old lady” there. Families with little ones. Young shoppers. It seems farm to table is really happening, and not just a slogan. It is good to see people buying locally, and choosing real food for their tables.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, West HoCo, Winter Eat Local and tagged farmer's markets, Food, foodie, hoco loco, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore, real food, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

What’s A CSA, You Say?

Posted on January 19, 2013 by AnnieRie

My husband pointed out to me that not everyone who reads this blog these days knows what Community Supported Agriculture is. Long time readers and those who participate in the Buy Local challenges with me do know about them. More and more farms are offering their customers fresh food in the spring, summer, fall, and even in winter.

Tomorrow at the Conservancy there will be a number of the local CSAs represented. Every CSA has its differences and its focus could be a very good match or maybe not a match for some people.

That is why it is nice to have the farmers come out and talk to us about them. I first approached the farmers to see if there was interest in having this session at the Conservancy sometime during their non market months. It provided them the ability to discuss in detail with you what they grow, what they offer, and how they farm. All this without the lines you encounter at our farmers markets, lines that are good for business, but don’t give you the opportunity to talk to the “source” so to speak.

I like getting my food this way. I like knowing where it came from. I don’t mind worms in my corn, as I know it means it hasn’t been sprayed from here to wherever, with whatever. I don’t know that with vegetables and fruits grown in foreign countries. And, the same with meats, dairy, cheese and eggs. Organically grown veggies. Free range chickens. Pastured sheep, cattle and pigs that run all over the farms. At less than many organic supermarkets charge.

Knowing everything is fresh. Asking about what is in them. What they feed their chickens. Seeing the farms themselves when picking up my food. Maybe it takes a bit of work to clean off the soil, but at least it isn’t waxed or treated to look pretty.

Getting back to the CSAs. Differences. Some include eggs. Some include bread. Some include meat. We did Zahradka last winter. They deliver to your doorstep in the winter. In the summer, they are at Glenwood market, and also deliver a number of other places in Howard County.

During the winter last year we chose a small share. Six items that we chose online. That week I chose broccoli, baby beets, celery, sweet potatoes, large Spanish onion and mixed greens. For meat that week we got ground beef from a farm in northern MD. Every other week we got eggs. Just enough for two people.

Other CSAs are different. Some offer half shares, and quarter shares. Some have pick ups only at the farm, and you weigh or count out your items. Gorman Farm does this. If you live on the east side of Howard County they are really convenient, and have a farm stand to get other items.

Breezy Willow offers pick up at the farm, or has drop off locations. We will be getting an early bird share this March and picking it up at the Farm. Right now we go out to the farm on Saturdays when they are open to get what is currently being harvested, and to pick up eggs. No winter CSA for us this year. The timing of drop off didn’t work this year.

Love Dove comes to two local Howard County markets and has pick up points for their summer and fall CSA. Love Dove is a small CSA and fills up quickly with people wanting their veggies grown following organic practices. There are other small CSAs in the county. Not everyone coming to our event, but localharvest is the place to go to see what is out there.

Many who aren’t attending our event are completely full every year. Shaw Farms is one. Roundabout Farms is another. Larger cooperatives also deliver to the area. One Straw Farm comes to Dorsey Hall and MOM’s Organic Market. They are a 2000 member coop, that has been around a long time. Sandy Spring, my summer and fall CSA, is an Amish coop that delivers all around Howard and Montgomery County. They have 500 members here, and the coop is 80 farmers around Lancaster.

Any one of these is good for you, if it fits your taste and your family size. I love the diversity of Sandy Spring, for the exotic veggies we get. But, I have the time to cook and the freezer to use it all. It isn’t a value if your family isn’t into veggies, fruits, and herbs.

What do you do with salsify?

Some people did swap it, but I made fritters. Tastes like oysters.

Are you interested in foods from local farmers? Come tomorrow the 20th to ask them all about it. At the Conservancy, 2-4 pm. Old Frederick Road. No charge.

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Posted in CSA, Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore and tagged CSA, farmer's markets, Food, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, Locavore. Bookmark the permalink.

Come Meet Your Local Farmers

Posted on January 16, 2013 by AnnieRie

This Sunday the 20th from 2-4:30 the Howard County Conservancy is presenting a program featuring our local farmers. Come and meet the faces behind the farms. Farms that participate in our markets, that have seed sales, pumpkin patches, mazes, fall festivals, farmstands and CSAs.

Particularly the CSAs. Many of the farms will be explaining how their CSAs work. Here is a shot of last year’s April delivery from Zahradka.

Typical April CSA items

If you are interested in learning more, come join the discussions. Besides having information available a few of the farms have items for sale. Like cheese. Honey. Eggs. You can also find out how and where to get local beef, lamb and pork from our farmers.

Farms include: Clarks, Sharp, Breezy Willow, Love Dove, Bowling Green, Zahradka, and Gorman. Maybe you have visited their stands. Maybe bought their items at the markets in Howard County.

Love Dove, at market, also has CSA

Do you know where they are located? How long the land has been farmed? What they now farm and any changes over the years?

There will be an informal panel discussion at 3 pm, with the participants. Ask what they grow, what they love most about farming, what are they planning in their futures?

Check out all the great products brought to us from our local farms. How about seedlings for your herb or vegetable garden?

heirloom tomato seedlings and plugs – Sharp’s farm

Did you know you can order meat to pick up at Clark’s on Saturdays? Or, stop out at Breezy Willow for eggs, meat, dairy and winter veggies? Find out what is available year round. It may be winter but there is quite a bit available to support our local farmers.

Breezy Willow in January

Join us Sunday!

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Posted in Community, CSA, Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, People, Real Food, West HoCo and tagged CSA, farmer's markets, Food, gardening, heirloom tomatoes, hoco loco, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, Locavore, real food, tomatoes, value of CSA, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

A Busy January at the Conservancy

Posted on January 7, 2013 by AnnieRie

It will be a busy month even though it is January. And, with lovely weather coming this weekend, the Beekeepers Program at the Howard county Conservancy this Saturday the 12th should be very popular. It might be warm enough to go out and see the hives, without freezing.

This Saturday is the monthly Wonder “walk”, which in the winter is a wonder talk. Who knew it would be in the high 50s and maybe 60 this weekend.

Add to that, three lovely Tuesday hikes for the volunteer naturalists. Not a volunteer yet, never fear. We are inviting friends who want to become naturalists to join us. Just let us know.

Tomorrow morning, we have a choice of a fitness hike or a leisurely stroll, followed by an educational presentation on the history of Mt. Pleasant, the farm that became host for the Conservancy.

Next week the 15th, we have a talk on native plants, and the 29th one by Ned Tillman on the geology of Mt. Pleasant. The hikes are at 0930 and the talks at 1100. Call the Conservancy to ask about them, if you would like to become a new volunteer helping us lead field trips for the school children.

Also this month, our new program — Meet Your Local Farmers — on January 20th from 2 until 4:30. Discussions, CSA signups, info on what the local farms produce and how to get it in the winter. A really good informal way to learn where you can get good healthy meat, cheese, eggs, produce, dairy, honey and other great stuff from farms in and around Howard County.

Everything this month at the Conservancy is no charge. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to bringing us closer to nature, the farms, the land, the history and the best in Howard County.

Come join us at one or more of these events.

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Bluebirds

Posted on January 2, 2013 by AnnieRie

I always know it is winter when the bluebirds return to my birdbath. Today they obliged.

This is the male I saw. The two females were there earlier, but disappeared up into the trees, once I found the camera. I have to go looking for them the next few days.

The bluebirds never come to feeders, but water is a great attraction, particularly when it is cold and dry. This is their source, and they return every year. If you want bluebirds to visit you, just add water.

These pics below are from last year.