AnnieRie Unplugged

Searching for Signs of Spring

Posted on March 12, 2014 by AnnieRie

As the skies in the west darken. The temperatures may drop forty degrees tonight. Storms will rip through. And, we may get one or two more snow events before winter leaves us.

Will spring ever arrive? Tomorrow we have volunteer training, including hiking, in temperatures that may barely hit freezing, as a high. That should be interesting.

Heavy rain is hitting the front of our house. Cross your fingers that our radio tower does OK. It is a year old this week.

I see no evidence of garlic in the garden. I planted it last fall, and covered it heavily with mulch. Normally by now, there would be something out there.

This was last year on the 29th of March.

Tulips? Not very far along either. Barely seen. Not like last year when they popped above the ground in January.

I moved the tractor up to the garage today, to get picked up for service tomorrow. I don’t think we will be cutting grass anytime soon.

This has been a cold winter. One that, I hope, will cut down on the number of destructive pests that kill my garden plants. If only it would kill the stink bugs. That would be celebration worthy.

Are you tired of winter too?

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Posted in Food, Gardening, Nature, Volunteering, Weather and tagged Food, gardening, nature, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

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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Posted in Howard County, Volunteering, Weather and tagged Howard County, howard county conservancy, volunteering. Bookmark the permalink.

Beef! It is What’s For Dinners

Posted on March 10, 2014 by AnnieRie

Twice the past few days we have had beef on the menu. Really good beef. Not bought at grocery stores but from local farms and butchers who use local farms.

Short ribs over polenta.

Both from Friends and Farms.

The ribs were seared first and cooked in the crock pot until they were falling off the bone. Polenta was cooked on the stove and served with some onions and greens.

If that wasn’t good enough, tonight I wanted to use my Christmas present. My rice steamer.

I had a white rice and wild rice pilaf mix from the Shrewsbury Amish market bulk store. My husband wanted beef to go with it, so I cooked a couple of very petite 3-4 ounce filets from England Acres.

They started as a pan sear, then I added mushrooms, peppers and scallions. Finished with the Pacific brand mushroom soup.

Served over the rice.

Since my rice cooker makes two cups of rice, I used half the mixture in some turkey rice soup. I need to bring a dish to the Conservancy pot luck Thursday.

So, today was truly a major cooking day. But, the rest of the week there will be good leftovers.

#hocofood

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Posted in CSA, Farms, Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, crock pot cooking, CSA, farms, Food, foodie, local businesses, Locavore, real food. Bookmark the permalink.

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

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.

Monkfish Stew

Posted on March 6, 2014 by AnnieRie

OK, monkfish is something I don’t ordinarily buy. Thanks to Friends and Farms, we got some very fresh, very nice monkfish in today’s pickup.

So, I made a stew. I sort of followed a recipe. Carrots, onions, parsnips. Red pepper tomato soup. Tomatoes from my freezer. Broccoli from the freezer. All mixed together and slow cooked.

Finally, seared the monkfish in a pan and added it for the last 15 minutes.

Served with a lovely Verdeca bought at Iron Bridge during the Italian wine tasting series.

What else was in this week’s basket? The makings of a very good dinner this weekend. Short Ribs and polenta.

Maybe with some of these lovely mushrooms.

Along with the mushrooms, there was curly endive and beets. And, O’Henry sweet potatoes.

Apples. And a couple of quick frozen veggies.

Broccoli is always welcome. As are the green beans. I like the frozen veggies. They do well in soups.

What did I forget? Oh yeah, eggs and muenster cheese.

And, bread. This week I picked honey whole wheat. As for the polenta, this is something I really enjoy making, but don’t make it enough. That will be remedied.

There is enough here for two meals for us. Just the right amount.

Can’t be happier about all these inspiring choices for dinners.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in CSA, Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, Wine, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, CSA, Food, foodie, local businesses, Locavore, real food, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Pizza? Frittata?

Posted on March 4, 2014 by AnnieRie

So, what is it?

A frittata without potatoes? Or a Pizza with no crust?

Inspired by the Swiss Chard from last week’s basket.

Besides. I needed to use up some eggs.

I started with some leftover thin sliced sausage. Reminiscent of pepperoni. Sautéed with scallions and garlic and sun dried tomatoes. Chard added to wilt down.

Eight eggs whisked with a little milk. Leftover mozzarella.

Everybody into an oven proof pan and put in a 300 degree oven until browned.

Looks like a pepperoni and cheese pizza meets an eggy crust.

We had half of it tonight and the rest will be brunch this weekend.

The star of the dinner though? A 2001 Elk Run Liberty Tavern Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Found in the cellar. Still hanging in there!

Who says Maryland can’t make good wine? This one was smooth, fruity, just a hint of smoke.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Locavore, Real Food, Wine and tagged cooking, Food, Locavore, MD Wine, real food, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Feeding Frenzy

Posted on March 3, 2014 by AnnieRie

Our little feathered friends were going crazy today, looking for seeds in the swirling snow. At one point, I counted close to a hundred birds in the bushes, on the ground, in the trees and on the feeders.

This is just a subset. But, look closely to see the red winged blackbirds out there. They usually return in late February or early March. I think they got more winter than they wanted. They certainly were vocal out there when I went to add water to the birdbath. It was a very popular spot since the heater gives them access to water even in these temperatures.

The juncos are still hanging around. In the above view, you can also see we got about five inches of snow. Much less than that original forecast of 10+ inches.

Now, we just have to make it through temperatures in the negative numbers overnight. I will have to check RIMPO in the morning to see how low the temps get.

As I type this, the reading was 5 degrees Fahrenheit at the Dayton site.

If you can find a place to put out seeds or nuts for the birds, they will certainly find you. As will lots of other little critters. There are all sorts of tracks across our yard.

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Posted in Birds, Weather, West HoCo and tagged birds, nature, weather, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Bracing? For A Storm

Posted on March 2, 2014 by AnnieRie

Is it really going to snow again? Or, is it all hype. Hang around a few hours and the numbers change. School around here is already canceled for tomorrow. At this rate it will be Fourth of July before they get out for the summer.

I hit the store Saturday, just in case, and because my husband forgot to remind me to get milk when I was at Wegmans Thursday.

Harris Teeter down in Maple Lawn. It was somewhat busy, but well staffed. I had to get some printing at the copying place there, so it was one of those multiple errand trips.

On the way home, passing Boarman’s, you could see the full parking lot.

I assume we all have enough to survive whatever we get. But, I am crossing my fingers that I get to attend Conservancy events this week. It should be a full week for me, if we don’t get mounds of snow, we have middle school training Tuesday. A program meeting and pre-hike for the Hike to the River on Wednesday. Elementary school training begins Thursday. And, Saturday the Hike to the River.

Looking at this crazy schedule, I did take time today to make a couple of pans of lasagna. Half of one for tonight. Half saved for later this week. Leftover pork for another night. The contents of my Friends and Farms baskets are being put to good use here.

I used up the last of my Pappardelles’ peppercorn lasagna noodles. Time to go back to Secolari in the Mall to get more. I used the loose turkey sausage, some dark meat chicken and the tomato puree to make the sauce.

Ricotta, mozzarella, goat cheese and a couple of eggs for the cheese layers. Italian herbs. Nutmeg in the cheese sauce. Simple improvised lasagna.

While we were watching some TV tonight, I made an interesting concoction.

A splash of red wine. A can of citrus flavored sparkling water. A handful of defrosted blackberries from the freezer. A spoonful of simple syrup. Nice wine cooler. Thanks to all those Larriland berries in the freezer.

Bring on the bad weather. But, let it go away quickly.

hocoblogs@@@

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, Volunteering, Weather and tagged cooking, Food, howard county conservancy, local businesses, Locavore, real food, volunteering, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

This Week’s Basket

Posted on February 28, 2014 by AnnieRie

It’s been so busy around here, I almost forgot about this week’s Friends and Farms basket. A really full basket this time.

Today my husband and I were talking. He is amazed that we rarely see a need to visit grocery stores much. This pick up of food, and my visits to the local farms, and my freezer full of Larriland goodness pretty much keeps us stocked for the winter.

What did we get this week?

Let’s take it in stages, as it wouldn’t all fit in a picture.

I get a dozen eggs weekly, instead of milk. We are now getting eggs from a farm in Clinton MD. Mostly brown eggs, with a very deep yellow yolk. We got four more Asian pears. Love these pears, as they are so crisp and sweet. We got hydroponic spring mix, enough for two salads. And, grapefruit. Two of those. Root veggies, said the preview. That meant a few parsnips and one humongous carrot. A couple of onions.

The meat included one whole chicken, uncured bacon and a small pork loin roast. Perfect sizes for the two of us. This was an egg week in the description, but since I get eggs weekly instead of milk, this week I got the yogurt. I picked vanilla, in order to mix it with my frozen berries from our summer picking at Larriland. We got rosemary and garlic, perfect for the chicken, and the pork. Potatoes and swiss chard. There will be a frittata early next week.

And, I almost forgot the bread. On the table they had lots of fruit breads this week, from the Breadery. Pumpkin, blueberry, cinnamon raisin. We aren’t fruit bread people so I picked a par-baked ciabatta.

Should be good when I make chicken soup with the leftovers from baking the chicken today.

This chicken, spatchcocked with butter, rosemary, garlic, and tarragon under the skin, and drizzled with olive oil became dinner. Except for the breast meat, which will become soup Sunday.

I made creamed spinach with the rest of the spinach from last week. The rest of the angel hair pasta, cooked and served with grated Parmesan and lemon infused olive oil.

With a local wine. What could be better for a Friday night?