Tag Archives: weather

How To Forget About Winter

Posted on April 9, 2014 by AnnieRie

Winter? What Winter? How quickly we forget about winter when the temperatures start to rise and the sun comes out.

We spent two hours putting in the first row of the spring garden. Tilling. Planting kale and Swiss chard seeds and white onion sets.

After a scheduled community garden member trip to select spring plugs and seedlings from Sharps coming up, we will finish the planting and put in the row cover. Best to keep the bunnies from noshing on those tender greens.

Big difference from a few weeks back when the snow was on the ground.

Today while we were out at the Conservancy, there were four busloads of school children doing service learning. At least six different plot holders were planting, tilling, building raised bed boxes and just flat out enjoying the warmth of the spring sun.

We stopped for a snowball before heading home. The first snowball of the season is always a treat. Spearmint with marshmallow. Our traditional favorite.

The next week looks to be filled with those days that make me stay here in Maryland. The perfect spring days. Cherry blossoms are popping out. Forsythia is starting to bloom. I will have daffodils within the next two or three days. Followed by the hyacinths and the tulips.

Add to that the Coop to Coop tour this Saturday. I also should head out to England Acres and pick up a few petite filets to grill. Or maybe that last package of venison tenderloin from the freezer. Or the first kofta of the season. The possibilities are endless.

Putting away the soup pot and getting out the spices.

Oh yeah, as I said, Winter? What winter?

#hocofood

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Posted in Farms, Food, Gardening, Hobbies, Locavore, Weather and tagged cooking, farms, Food, foodie, howard county conservancy, Locavore, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Gardening Update

Posted on April 8, 2014 by AnnieRie

My first spring garden is well underway. Since we decided to go the route of joining the community gardens and buying row cover and hoops to construct a “low tunnel”, we will be planting and harvesting vegetables that I didn’t do in our yard.

The PVC hoops are the bigger version of what we will be doing. We are using a steel hoop that digs into the ground. The lightweight row cover in the foreground above mainly protects against frost, but is a deterrent for rabbits and other pests. We bought a heavier weight cover, which is a little more resistant and not prone to tearing in high winds.

Over the next few days we will be tilling a 3′ by 20′ row, then putting newspaper under the soil conditioners and mounding the amended soil above it. We will then insert the hoops along the row and fasten the cover.

Our plot has a drip irrigation system that we have to hook up to use for watering, so I don’t have to remove the cover to water.

Over the next couple of days, we will also be buying onion sets, some rhubarb plants, and I think I might venture into trying some horseradish root. There will be kale, mesclun, arugula and Swiss chard.

I think that’s enough for right now. I intend to plant three rows for the summer garden. One totally tomatoes. One peppers, edamame, eggplant and tomatillos. Lots of herbs. Some pole beans and the Malabar spinach. Crossing my fingers for a productive summer.

On the home front, an expanded herb garden, with parsley, dill, cilantro, chives, sage and basil. Planting potatoes too. And later this summer, trying a few fall pumpkin vines. Hey, why not experiment?

Plus, I need to get these plants out of my kitchen. They are out of control.

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Gardening, Weather and tagged Food, gardening, hobbies, tomatoes, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Diggin’ The Garden

Posted on April 5, 2014 by AnnieRie

At long last, a day to get outside and start working on the gardening. But, that wind chill made it a bit hard to get lots done.

I spent most of today out at the Community Gardens. The Food Bank plot team was preparing the double plot for spring plantings. I have started cilantro from seed, in my garage window, and will be donating some of those plants for the herb site there.

I was there today to assist in the row cover sale and orders.

We were over in the restored Montjoy barn today. Trying to stay out of the wind. Cutting and folding row cover and selling hoops for low rows. We are going to put in one row so that is next week’s project, if we get the ground dry enough to till. I would like to start some spring plants there.

Monday I am off to Sharp’s to return the unused thin version of the row cover, and the last of the hoops. Sharp’s Waterford Farm on Jennings Chapel Road is a great supporter of local businesses and garden clubs all over the area. They open for business on April 22nd this year.

And, yes, spring is officially here. That would be evident as it was opening day at the Woodstock Snowball Stand. A little cold for snowballs, but such a welcome sight.

So, Howard Countians. Get out there! Plant a few herbs. Take a ride and get a snowball. Spring is definitely here.

#hocoblogs

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Posted in Community, Farms, Food, Gardening, Howard County, Local Businesses, Volunteering, Weather, West HoCo and tagged community, farms, Food, gardening, Howard County, howard county conservancy, local businesses, volunteering, weather, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Carpe Java

Posted on April 3, 2014 by AnnieRie

Seize the Coffee. Some days I feel I need that kick to get started.

Thanks, Iron Bridge for the awesome coffee cups. Today was a bit dreary, but yet warm enough to feel like spring really may be coming.

Highlights: picking up the Friends and Farms basket.

And, heading up to the community garden to plant a few garlic chives.

I keep searching for the signs of spring in the yard, and they are getting closer.

As for the basket, those hamburger patties just scream “Fire up the grill!”.

The cod is destined for a fish and chips dinner. More on that later this weekend.

There were the usual eggs. Some nice looking Colby cheese. Cremini mushrooms. Apples, potatoes, kale, Bibb lettuce and carrots. Frozen broccoli and squash puree.

AND POPCORN.

I love getting popcorn. So much fun to make. There will be fancy popcorn while watching the final four this weekend.

Getting into that spring mood now. The garden will be coming soon. The grill is up and running. One more day of rain, and then a lovely weekend.

#hocofood

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Posted in CSA, Food, Friends and Farms, Gardening, Locavore, Real Food, Weather and tagged CSA, Food, foodie, gardening, local businesses, Locavore, real food, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

All Markets Are Not Created Equal

Posted on April 1, 2014 by AnnieRie

Some of them are truly awesome.

Like the market in Manheim Pa. We have been there once before, in the winter. Today, with great temperatures and lots of sunshine, we headed back north to look for a few things, and to enjoy the early spring weather.

I wish we had a market with 89 years of history. What started as a poultry market has evolved into a huge 200+ vendor flea market, auction, produce market and all around interesting slice of Americana.

You can still attend the poultry auction as well as a produce, flower, and shrub auction every Tuesday, year round. About 100 minutes away from Columbia. A good destination. Particularly for things like this.

That’s my pit beef sandwich from Hess BBQ.

When we were here a few months back, the outdoor vendors were closed. Today, vendors and flea market stalls were hopping.

I did end up buying a few Time Life Foods of the World books, on Middle Eastern and Latin American cooking, for a buck each, out on the flea market sites.

I almost splurged on the asparagus.

Yes, I know many of the vendors bring things up from the South, or even use wholesalers, but still, fresh produce is so great to see.

And, yes, I found some oatmeal raisin cookies, chewy, fresh baked.

Want to take a day trip and have market envy? Head up I-83 and east on US 30, then northeast to Manheim.

And wish we had something this much fun around here.

#hocofood

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Posted in Adventures, Day Trips, Farmer's Markets, Farms, Food, Weather and tagged day trips, farmer's markets, farms, Food, foodie, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Four Years In

Posted on March 31, 2014 by AnnieRie

Time flies when you are having fun.

As in being retired.

I have to admit though, this winter tested that “fun” thing.

Four years ago tomorrow, April 1st was my last day at work. I never intended to work again. I was positive that there was enough to do.

There certainly is quite a bit to do around here. Like volunteer. And, learn new things. Like gardening, leading hikes, the environment and so much more.

Robinson Nature Center needs lots of volunteers. So does the Howard County Conservancy, where I hang out. Master gardeners. Master naturalists.

School volunteers. Park volunteers. Greenway clean up teams.

For me, my spring and fall are busy with leading field trips. Spring, summer and fall I have my garden. Usually in the winter there is still a lot to do, but this winter was tough with all the snow and the cold.

All in all, Howard County is a great place to retire, if you want to keep your mind and body active.

Here’s to retirement, the third trimester of my life.

#hocoblogs

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

Farm Kitchen Soup

Posted on March 30, 2014 by AnnieRie

The weather turned wet and blustery today so we wanted soup for lunch.

Soup made from whatever I had hanging around in the kitchen. A leftover chicken thigh with rice. Some corn, green beans and chicken stock from the freezer. The last handful of sugar snap peas.

It reminds me of the stories we shared with some other volunteers out at the Conservancy. Where there was always a pot of soup hanging above the fireplace by a hook, in the farm kitchen. Leftovers from the family style dinners got dumped in the pot. There was always hot soup for the farm hands and the family when they came in from working.

This soup turned out to be very good. No recipes. No measuring. Just a slow simmer.

After all, around here, winter won’t go away, it seems. It poured all day today with rain, then turned to snow.

This afternoon, a river in the yard.

This evening. So far, close to two inches of snow on the ground, with a possibility of more.

Days like this, being able to make a hearty tasty soup is a skill I am glad I developed.

Don’t give up on leftovers. Freeze little bags of veggies, and make extra rice and freeze it. Plus, freeze lots of pint and quart jars of chicken stock.

Reminds me of what all those resourceful farmers did. Oh, and I need to defrost and roast a chicken this week, and “stock” up on my stock.

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Foraging, Weather and tagged cooking, Food, real food, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Beef or Wine?

Posted on March 23, 2014 by AnnieRie

Trying to decide what was the star of tonight’s “mostly local” dinner. The fall apart tri-tip, or the fifteen year old VA wine.

I think it was the wine.

That’s not to say the beef was underwhelming, because it certainly was a highlight of the meal. Slow cooked in the oven. With sliced onions and green peppers.

I was going to do tacos, but we were in the midst of spring clean up and I needed a meal to cook all by its lonesome in the oven while we worked with the landscapers to get things all ready for springtime.

Nice to be all mulched, weeded and swept up. In case spring every arrives here in Maryland.

I cooked the beef in a covered dish on a low (190 degree) setting in the oven. With a splash of red wine. A glug of olive oil. Peppers, onions, garlic. The peppers and onions and beef in baskets from Friends and Farms.

Late this afternoon I emptied a can of black beans into a small amount of beef broth, with about 4 ounces of corn (IQF, from Friends and Farms). Made a black bean and corn side dish. Microwaved a couple of potatoes.

Piled it all on a plate and served it with the local wine.

Yes, this wine is fifteen years old. Yes, this wine is from Virginia. You wouldn’t know it though, if you tasted it blind. The equivalent in taste and nose, to a fine Bordeaux. Cherries all over the nose and the taste. No sense of age. No mustiness. Absolutely beautiful. Glad I have a couple more of these down there somewhere.

Jeff left Linden to head out on his own, years ago. Many of us love his wines at Glen Manor. Can’t beat something this special.

Who needs to go out and eat “meh” food at chain restaurants. Give me good food and good wines from around here and bring on springtime!

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Weather, Wine, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, Food, foodie, Linden Vineyards, local businesses, Locavore, VA wine, weather, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Grillin’ Tuna

Posted on March 22, 2014 by AnnieRie

Hooray, springtime arrived for a day! It will probably be gone tomorrow but you know we should celebrate when we can.

My grilling choice was influenced by a post on a new local blog. The picture of the ahi reminded me we had lovely tuna steaks in the freezer, after a buying spree from Friends and Farms last month.

We chose some extra tuna and put it away anticipating a lovely day like today.

Turns out this was a really local feast. The tuna, green beans, green pepper, and sweet potato all came from F and F baskets.

Add to that one awesome 2001 Elk Run Cabernet. That’s right. 2001.

Who would have known that Maryland Cabernet could be soft, subtle and compliment the tuna so perfectly.

Grilling was a real joy today.

Simple tuna. Brushed with Italian vinaigrette.

Veggie packet.

Green beans from the IQF packet. Scallions. Green pepper. Sun dried tomato and garlic from the olive bar at Harris Teeter (seriously, get a container of stuff from them and use it everywhere). Italian vinaigrette for the marinade.

Spring may only be a day long around here, but tonight. Dinner was regional sourced, and excellent.

#hocofood

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

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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Posted in Howard County, Weather and tagged Howard County, weather. Bookmark the permalink.