Category Archives: Howard County

Seventy Five Degrees

Posted on December 4, 2012 by AnnieRie

That’s what the thermometer said when I returned to my car after a meeting at the Conservancy today. It is December 4th, for Pete’s sake! Really weird weather.

There were people flying radio controlled airplanes on the field. People jogging up the road to head off into the grasslands for a run. A lone motorcyclist cruising slowly through checking out the place. It was a weird sight, though, as yesterday when I was there, they were hammering in the poles along the road to show where the gravel ends and the grass begins. That “snow lane”.

Yes, it will rain and get cooler, but these lovely days are such a treat. A drink on the chairs watching the world go by on the road, and enjoying the last gasp of the mums and the lace maple.

And, my garlic keeps growing. Hope it does OK over the winter since it is already so tall. This is what it looked like a while back, it is even taller today.

I have been watching the long term forecast and we know it will be getting colder and damp for a few days. If you want to do something awesome next week, on Thursday the 13th of December, the Conservancy is hosting a meteor watch from 9:30 until you can’t take it anymore or 2 am. Dr. Joel Goodman and Dr. Alex Storrs will be there. The long term forecast calls for clear and freezing. Bring your woolies, your lounge chair, a blanket and a thermal cup, since one of our board members will be making hot chocolate for the attendees.

Put it on your calendar. Cross your fingers the weather cooperates. We had a great party for the Transit of Venus. Hope the Geminids give us another one.

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Posted in Adventures, Community, Howard County, Nature, Weather and tagged community, hoco loco, Howard County, howard county conservancy, nature, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Making Popcorn

Posted on November 30, 2012 by AnnieRie

So easy. A paper bag. A microwave. An ear of popcorn. Three minutes. A bowl. Some seasonings. The result.

Popcorn from scratch

We got popcorn twice already in the CSA box this year. These ears are the larger ones. Called yellow popcorn.

I made one last night to have while watching a movie. Perfect with warm cider. Simple last night. I just did butter and salt. Before the movie though, it was nice to wander out and check out the full moon. You could walk the property in the dark just enjoying the light of the moon. Perfect evening out there last night.

The weekend is supposed to be awesome as well. We got a flier about Breezy Willow farm store being open on Saturdays starting tomorrow. If I recall, they have some lovely strawberry popcorn.

Tomorrow will see me at the Conservancy Natural Crafts Fair followed by a visit to Breezy Willow. Keeping it local.

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Posted in Community, CSA, Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Volunteering, West HoCo and tagged community, cooking, farmer's markets, Food, foodie, hoco loco, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, Locavore, real food, volunteering, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Giving the Gift of Time

Posted on November 27, 2012 by AnnieRie

It’s Giving Tuesday. Another new one I never heard of before. A number of posts around about philanthropy, nonprofits, giving to local charities and such.

Me, I think the best gift we can give is our time. If we can’t always give money, or if the cause needs volunteers more than money, what is the value of your time? Even something so simple as signing up to tutor, or mentor, or chaperon a field trip, or put your name on the list to bring nurses and aides to work during snow storms. These and other types of volunteering opportunities are all around us.

I volunteer at the Conservancy now that I am retired. We just got our year end newsletter and mailing. Volunteers worked last Monday to put the mailing together. Volunteers lead the hikes with those 3955 school children. Volunteers pour wine at Wine in the Garden. Volunteers help children make critters at the crafts fair, park cars at the Transit of Venus, and the Fall Fest. There are only a half dozen employees there, almost all of them part time.

For me, it would be simpler to write a check. Leading a dozen or more hikes a year and running four or five programs takes way more effort than writing the check.

How about other opportunities in the county? The County Rec and Park department is always looking for volunteers. Whenever we did the county trail hikes on the AT or C&O canal, the leaders were volunteers. Robinson Nature Center? Needs docents and other volunteers.

Sometimes writing a check is a good thing to do. Sometimes it directly benefits you, or indirectly. We like to keep our donations of money to local efforts. Even being good citizens and supporting our volunteer firefighters.

Or, we can always support a fundraiser. Even if it is volunteering to work at an event. But, there are simple ways to give. Like this one. Not the $100 a plate fundraisers. Something as simple as the firefighters’ event on the 8th of December.

Giving is easy. Just pick up the phone and invite yourself to support something you believe in. Now, I need to go get those cookies made to take to the Conservancy for the crafts fair.

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Posted in Commentary, Community, Howard County, Retirement, Volunteering and tagged commentary, community, hoco loco, Howard County, howard county conservancy, retirement, volunteering. Bookmark the permalink.

Multitasking

Posted on November 26, 2012 by AnnieRie

Seems like the six weeks around Thanksgiving to New Year’s are always super busy around here. Today is no exception. I have laundry going, dishwasher finishing up the last of the dishes from our Thanksgiving Saturday night and all the follow on cooking Sunday and I am slow cooking root veggies to get us back on track eating healthy meals.

Add to that the Christmas card writing, baking for this Saturday’s craft fair, and getting out the Christmas decorations.

In my fall cleanup I found lots of cards in the desk and I’m trying to use up old ones. No need to buy any in the next few years. I found more than enough plus another box in the guest room Christmas storage boxes. I also found the centerpiece flower holder I won at last year’s craft fair at the Conservancy. I decided to make my own centerpiece this year, using it. It was made by gluing cinnamon sticks on fabric around an oval flower holder.

I foraged in the yard, and found enough greenery including lavender, rosemary and savory from my herbs to make my own arrangement. A little sugar in the water will keep it fresh for a while, and I can replenish as it needs it. Added a cardinal for color. Instant centerpiece.

As for slow roasting the veggies, I have way too many root veggies in the crisper drawer, so time to make roasted root veggies with polenta. Tonight I will cook the polenta but now the veggies are getting nice and tender. Eating by Color, as usual, and getting flavor from spices and herbs.

Peeled, sliced in half or quartered, tossed in light olive oil, the sweet potato, apple and romanescu got some garam masala, a touch of cinnamon and a little butter. The rutabaga, golden beets, and both types of turnips got a no salt mix and some cayenne. Everything then got a light dusting of salt for flavor. Into the oven to roast for three hours on slow cook setting.

When they are done, I will cube most of them and heat and pour over the polenta. I make my polenta with the corn meal I get at Baugher’s.

It makes a dark rich polenta, perfect for big flavors. I made a Dark Days dinner last year with this polenta and short ribs. Tonight it will just be root veggies and I will finish it with a few bacon crumbles from the bacon I cooked up last weekend. Minimal meat. Mostly veggies. Taking a break from all those holiday foods.

Now back to the other task I have going. Making Christmas “gifts” to hand out at my brother’s big party. I am making my own dry rub mix. An easy fun holiday favor, or small gift to give friends and family along with my homemade cookies. As I have said before, we stopped buying “things” none of us needed.

As for the rest of my shopping, I will be doing most of it Saturday the 1st of December at the Natural Craft Sale. 9-3 at the Howard County Conservancy. I know that Breezy Willow will be there with lots of homemade items, including their soaps.

I hear GreenBridge Pottery will also be there. Critter crafts for the little ones. Master Gardener demos. Don’t miss it.

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Posted in Community, CSA, Food, Foraging, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore and tagged cooking, CSA, Food, foodie, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, Locavore. Bookmark the permalink.

Christmas Tree Weather

Posted on November 25, 2012 by AnnieRie

That’s what today brought us. The kind of day that makes you want to traipse out and get your Paul Bunyan posing done while chopping down your tree and dragging it across the fields. A little cold, about 40 degrees. Sunny. There were certainly lots of people out at TLV Tree Farm this afternoon.

The farm is right down the road from us. I stopped in this afternoon to see what lengths of pine and fir roping they had. I will be framing our doors with it. I also did pick up some Chesapeake spread to nibble on while watching the Ravens. And, of course, bread and rolls from Stone House.

The basic wreaths, undecorated were out front with the roping. There are lots of decorated wreaths and other craft items throughout the building. Santa was there too, in a sleigh, posing for pictures with all the little ones. The Dayton 4H club also is selling food.

It is easy to get to the farm from Columbia. Take Harper’s Farm until it crosses Rte. 108 in Hobbits Glen. It becomes Homewood. Just keep going straight. The road will change name at the first circle, becoming Folly Quarter. Continue straight through the circle. A few miles later, past Glenelg Country School and Triadelphia Rd merges in. Keep going straight, across the bridge over Rte. 32 and straight again through the circle at the Royal Farms. Lots of people taking advantage of the good gas prices there, with their trees strapped to the tops of their cars. We do have good gas prices out here.

Just a few more miles down the road, past some McMansions and a few farms. Then just at the sharp bend where Triadelphia becomes Triadelphia Mill, the tree farm.

Acres of trees on both sides of the property. Bring strollers if you have little ones. There is a map near the entrance telling you where the trees are located, by type.

We have probably traipsed the entire farm over the years we have bought trees here. This year we will head out on a weekday when it isn’t as crowded and it is easy to get one of the tree haulers. To me it really is Christmas when I get my tree and bring it in to decorate. The farm is open every day until the 23rd of December.

Now, the Ravens game is beginning. I will be heating up some turkey later to serve sandwiches on my favorite rolls from Stone House. Turkey sandwiches, Chesapeake spread from Bowling Green adding a little heat and cheese to the sandwiches, and maybe some popcorn from my CSA stash. Sounds like a cozy Sunday night to me.

Stone House Bakery’s rolls – so good!

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Posted in Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Weather, West HoCo and tagged Food, hoco loco, holidays, Howard County, local businesses, weather, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Over the River and Through the Woods …

Posted on November 22, 2012 by AnnieRie

… one thing I don’t miss these days. The long trips over the holidays. On clogged highways. My husband’s family lived out of state. It always meant traveling in the winter on snow covered roads. We tried avoiding bad weather, following forecasts and working our schedules around the best travel days.

I-70 at noon Wednesday

One Easter we got trapped by a late ice storm and didn’t get home to get back to work. Having relatives in the highlands of northeastern PA meant treacherous trips on I-81 and I-83. I feel for those who have those same dilemmas and who face the clogged roads to make it home to visit. But, I would be happy to have his family still with us, and take those trips to see them. We miss our families most during the holidays. My mom is still active and we cherish the years we have by sharing holidays with her.

Today we get to leisurely drive about 30 miles to share Thanksgiving with my brother and his extended family. Since the 1990’s he has always sponsored midshipmen at his home, first in Catonsville and now south of Annapolis. It means quite a bit to the families of these young men that they have a safe place to come and share a day or two, or a meal or two, with someone who looks out for them. Many of them still keep in touch.

We go to his home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Fourth of July, usually. Plus, birthdays, weddings, graduations, Mother’s Day, and just sometimes to see old friends, having a base for get togethers is comforting and familiar. It does mean we have made our own personal traditions, that dovetail with the family visits.

I don’t know how many years we never had a Christmas tree. Lately, we do get one since we are home on Christmas day. The first few times we got one when we married more than 30 years ago, they would dry out and drop needles all over the place, since we went to PA for four or five days. I have yet to succumb and buy an artificial tree. We now buy ours locally at either TLV or Pine Valley

Around our current home, all the trees grouped by the driveway were former Christmas trees from the previous owner. Bought with the root ball, they were planted and some of them are 25 years old. If we were younger, we would do that, but at least we recycle our tree into mulch with the county. I do love the grouping of trees at our home, though. They make me think of the memories of the family whose children grew up here 20 years ago.

Today I will eat my brother’s turkey and fixings. He cooks most of the dinner, just as my dad loved to cook. We will come home tonight and brine our turkey and have our dinner tomorrow or Saturday. This is also a big radio contest weekend, and luckily, my husband now contests from home. It means we can have that dinner, and make our own memories in our home. Now, off to find the brining supplies for the turkey and put together the cooler to take to my brother’s.

Then, I need to figure out where I am putting the tree, and go up in the attic and get the Christmas lights out. And, do Christmas cookies and cards. Ah, the beginning of the busy season. Don’t forget about Small Business Saturday! Go out and buy something, presents, food, trees, whatever, from the small local businesses in Howard County.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Posted in Commentary, Community, Day Trips, Family, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Travel, Weather, West HoCo and tagged commentary, community, cooking, day trips, family, Food, foodie, hoco loco, holidays, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore, traditions, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Restaurant Quality Dinners

Posted on November 17, 2012 by AnnieRie

What would you pay in a restaurant for a really good steak salad?

steak salad

My husband really loved dinner tonight. Simple, elegant, sort of. We had one leftover package of meat in the freezer from last winter’s CSA. It needed to be eaten. It was a skirt steak from our Zahradka CSA, sourced from JW Treuth’s in Oella. I marinated it in olive oil and red wine vinegar and added a coffee based dry rub.

Put together a salad of arugula, microgreens, scallions, tomatoes and added a potato with tzatziki on the side. The salad base is the key. Fresh organic arugula and microgreens from Roots. Scallions from the CSA. Tomatoes were from Costco. I mixed some very old balsamic and olive oil from St. Helena Oil in California to drizzle over it. With this base, dinner only needed a small amount of the slightly rare, dark and juicy steak, and half a potato with the tzatziki on the side.

With the dinner we opened a 2009 Petit Verdot, a signature grape being cultivated in Virginia. This was a cellar selection from Breaux. A lovely fat wine. A good salad under a beautiful skirt steak. A little carbohydrate in the potato we shared. Looked like a restaurant meal to me.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to drive over to Oella, right next to The Breadery, you really need to try Treuth’s beef. Outstanding stuff.

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Posted in CSA, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, Wine and tagged cooking, CSA, farmer's markets, Food, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore, real food, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

The End of the Season

Posted on November 17, 2012 by AnnieRie

Planning for Thanksgiving? You still have one more chance to get in on local goodness supporting our farmers. Oakland Mills market Sunday morning from 9 am until 12:30 pm. The final day of the market until the spring.

I hit Glenwood today. Four of the Glenwood vendors will be at Oakland Mills tomorrow morning. If you do nothing else, getting apples from the customer appreciation sale by Lewis Orchards is worth the trip. Ten dollars for half a bushel and you can mix two types. I like Fuji because they are good eating apples and will work for applesauce and pies.

Half bushel Fuji apples

I got some fresh cider from them also. They were doing a brisk business today, as you can see by the stack of upturned 1/2 bushel baskets. I was in line about five deep when I first got there to get the apples. It was good to see each vendor doing a decent business with cars coming in. I was there before 10 am. When I left the cars were still pretty constant coming in.

I got eggs and a ham hock from TLV. I know I can continue to get them out at the farm. Honey from Breezy Willow. And, a pecan pie for one of the desserts I will take to my family’s Thanksgiving dinner, from Stone House. The eggs are for my Christmas baking, which I will be starting the weekend after Thanksgiving.

TLV, Stone House, Cosmic Bean and Lewis will be at Oakland Mills. I don’t know about the produce vendors there, or whether Great Harvest will be there. Zahradka and Breezy Willow were doing a brisk business today, with people getting veggies for their holiday meals. Lots of broccoli and cauliflower. Squashes. Brussels sprouts on the stalk.

Stone House will be around for a while at TLV, during Christmas tree cutting season. Check their site to see which days. I got my pecan pie today that just needs a quick heat up in the oven. All sorts of pies, cakes, cookies, cupcakes and breads. I have two loaves of their specialty breads in my freezer to heat up with soups.

A big thanks to all our local vendors and farmers, who have given us almost seven months of markets here in the county. I know I appreciate them being here, and hope to see them all next spring.

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A Trip Down Memory Lane

Posted on November 16, 2012 by AnnieRie

I have been working on a series of posts about life in Howard County. We are cleaning things up and whenever I find something from years past, I think: I should do a post about this.

So, I am. The trigger for this post was the cleaning in the files in the study and finding a box in the corner with old ADC maps in it. There must be five different Howard County maps in there, but my favorite is this one.

ADC map of Howard County 1976

In 1975 I moved here, right out of college. My husband moved to his place in 1977, before I knew him. This is his map, bought to find his way around here, since he used to live in Montgomery County, where he worked.

Interesting little things from the index, like the total number of schools in the county then. Germane to see how many fewer schools there were back then, when the entire county probably had less population than Columbia has now. Columbia back then was just a small percentage of the land.

The shopping center list was pretty sparse as well. It shows four village centers for Columbia.

One of my favorite pages is the one of Clarksville, before River Hill. Notice that the old Rte. 32 jogged right then left around Rte. 108. No highway then.

“downtown” Clarksville

My first roommate when I lived in Wilde Lake worked here. Who remembers this? What is there now?

I moved to Columbia hoping to find a job at APL, but the recession of the early 1970s made it hard. I taught school for a while at a Catholic school, and lived with multiple roommates in Partridge Courts, then in an apartment in Long Reach. My husband’s townhouse was one of the Howard Homes camp out town houses in Owen Brown. Remember those?

Thirty years I lived in Columbia. Half my life, as I turn 60 next month. It was definitely an interesting place to be, but now I have to admit I far prefer leaving a city to live in a mostly rural area. I realized that after 22 years in Baltimore and 30 years in Columbia, that these last eight years were the only time I didn’t live in an apartment or row house, fashionably named town houses somewhere along the way.

Anyone else have older Howard County artifacts or photos around?

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The Last Weekend of Howard County Farmer’s Markets

Posted on November 14, 2012 by AnnieRie

Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. East Columbia, Glenwood and Oakland Mills. The last three dates of the markets. Will you be stopping by to get items for Thanksgiving dinner? Or, getting a fresh turkey locally?

Pumpkins for pies. Sweet potatoes for a casserole. Apples as well. Sausage for the stuffing. Bread for the stuffing. Eggs. Greens. Lots of good local foods to use for the dinner preparation. Also, many of us have ordered pies from Stone House. Stone House will be setting up at TLV during the tree cutting season.

The regular farmer’s markets may be ending but the local farmers will still have places where you can buy their offerings.

TLV Farm is opening for Cut your own Christmas trees, right after Thanksgiving. They also stay open on Saturdays the rest of the winter for those of us looking for meat and eggs.

Breezy Willow made this announcement in our latest email. Since we just joined their Early Bird for March through May, we will be heading out there on Saturdays to fill in our needs the two months we don’t have a CSA delivery. Here are the words from their email.

“You may still order from our website throughout the winter. We will be opening on Saturdays at Breezy Willow starting the first Saturday in Dec from 10-2pm. Our Alpaca socks and scarves will be available along with more gift items, more information to follow.”

England Acres will be open on Saturdays and Sundays. They are open all year round, and we head out there often particularly for dairy and cheese. They also get other items from farms in the area. They are west of Mt. Airy off Rte. 144, just over the Frederick County line.

Olney Farmers and Artists Market (OFAM) has announced an indoor market starting in January at the Sandy Spring Museum on Rte. 108. They also have a holiday mart on the 2nd of December.

If anyone knows of other farmer’s markets near us, let us know. We will be frequenting the markets to get supplies, particularly meat and eggs, and any root veggies they may have. I will be reporting here what we find.

Also contact me here, or you may be receiving an email to sign up for the event at the Conservancy that I am coordinating. It will feature an indoor “Meet Your Local Farmers” event on the 20th of January. Farmers will have some items to sell, will be doing CSA signups, will be talking about living and working on their farms. More to follow as I work out details with participants and the Conservancy.

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