Posts Tagged With: gardening

Jump into Spring (But Only if You’re Wearing Snow Boots)!

Boots, gloves, hat--all set for Spring!

Boots, gloves, hat–all set for Spring!

The clock sprung forward. The days are longer. The calendar announced, “Winter is over and Spring is here!”

But I have yet to see any budding flowers, feel warming rays of sun, or smell earth in the air.

Despite the snow that flurried over the Mid-Atlantic region this morning, the Hubs and I headed off to a favorite place: Terrain in Glen Mills, PA. Ironically, we went to Terrain last December on an unseasonably warm day–60 degrees and sunshine. Today it was unseasonably cold–in the 30s with snow falling on our heads.

Even though I bundled up in my winter coat and donned my winter boots, I determined to enjoy the Spring sights awaiting me. Part restaurant, part garden center, and part indescribably beautiful store, Terrain has an array of Spring plants, flowers, and decorations on display. Green and bountiful Spring was in the air despite the white weather falling outside.

We ate lunch, walked the grounds, and left hopeful that Spring, though delayed, is on its glorious way.

“Spring drew on . . . and a greenness grew over those brown [garden] beds, which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps.”

Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

Can't wait to start landscaping! Oh wait, it's a frozen tundra out there.

Can’t wait to start landscaping! Oh wait, it’s a frozen tundra out there.

Chicken confit with barley risotto and roasted brussels sprouts. Holla!

Lunch is served. Chicken confit with barley risotto and roasted brussels sprouts. Holla!

Scallops with roasted barley and quinoa

Scallops with roasted barley and quinoa

Pot o' Bread to start. THE. BEST. BREAD. I'VE. EVER. HAD.

This is their famous Pot o’ Bread (with the BEST cheese plate in the background). This bread. Yes. Just YES.

Pot o' Bread was accompanied by honey butter with pumpkin salt. OH. MY.

Pot o’ Bread was accompanied by honey maple butter and pumpkin salt. OH. MY.

I should be drinking a light, refreshing beverage on this fine, Spring day. Nope. Coffee.

I should be drinking a light, refreshing beverage on this fine, Spring day. Nope. Coffee.

Cobbler with local apples

Cobbler with local apples and ice cream

View during our Spring lunch

View during our Spring lunch

Hydrangea are my hands-down, all-time favorite flower, especially when they are blue and scattered throughout a bike path in Cape Cod

Hydrangea are my hands-down, all-time favorite flower, especially when they are blue and scattered throughout a bike path on Cape Cod

Potting shelves

Potting shelves

A close up

A close up

Pretty as a pickle

Pretty as a pickle

Herbs and Snow

Herbs and Snow

Glass ready for flowers or terrariums

Glass ready for flowers or terrariums

Pretty, pretty seed packets! (Maybe we can hope to plant these in June)

Pretty, pretty seed packets! (Maybe we can hope to plant these in June)

It seems as if Terrain is always artfully displaying chairs

It seems as if Terrain is always artfully displaying chairs

Self-Portrait (with the love of my life in the foreground, because how would I know who I am if i didn't know him?) [Insert either a "aw" or a "gag' here]

Self-Portrait (with my one true love in the foreground)

Trees, ready for some Spring sunshine

Trees, ready for some Spring sunshine

Lungwort - ugly name for such a pretty plant

Lungwort – ugly name for such a pretty plant

Seed packet planter

Seed catalog planter

These brightly colored flowers give me hope for ACTUAL Spring

These brightly colored flowers give me HOPE for ACTUAL Spring

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Categories: Local Stores, Restaurant | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

One GOOD Thing About Winter

This morning I woke up to a dark bedroom, hazy and gray with no light forcing its way between blinds and through curtains. Rationally, I thought it was 3 am and I still had hours of sleep ahead of me. A quick glance at my phone told me a different story; slumber was over and it was time to face the day. Looking outside, I saw a steely slate sky and the misty drizzle of cold rain.  Seeing as “day” decided to skip out on the world, I thought I should do the same and curl back up under the covers.

But I took the more noble route and reluctantly got in the shower, dressed, and headed for work.

That’s when I discovered something good about winter.  All my local Delawareans out there will be happy to know that Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative is offering a WINTER CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) which means 12 weeks of fresh, Lancaster County grown produce in the middle of winter.

I might be grasping at straws here, but the thought of fresh, organic winter vegetables grown by mostly Amish farmers melted my tiny winterized heart.

Here’s the facts about this CSA:

  • Cost is $250 for 5-8 items of fresh produce per week
  • Pick up locations are at Home Grown Cafe in Newark, Harvest Market in Hockessin, or Boyd’s Flowers in Wilmington
  • “Add-ons” are available, including cheese, bread, eggs, meat, canned goods, and even tofu
  • Online ordering is easy at lancasterfarmfresh.com. They even have payment options, so you don’t have to pay the entire $250 up front

Lancaster Farm Fresh’s summer CSA is AMAZING. Here’s a picture to prove it.

Full summer veggie share. WOW!

Photo from a shareholder with a full summer veggie share. WOW!

I can imagine the winter share is just as breathtaking with all those lovely root vegetables I adore roasting or adding to soups. It’s nice to know that even in winter when local choices are limited and grocery store produce is shipped and tortured just to get it on the shelf, I can count on area farmers to provide a superior alternative. I like to know how my food arrived on my plate. Reminds me of a Michael Pollan quote:  “At home I serve the kind of food I know the story behind.”

The deadline to order is tomorrow, January 17, by 2 pm. 

Foreboding clouds and miserable rain be damned; winter is looking up!

Categories: Local Farms, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Tomato Addict

I’ve been craving tomatoes. Not just any tomato, but a sun-soaked red or yellow cherry tomato fresh from the summer garden.

Alas, winter is upon us. All hopes of a summer tomato are deferred until at least July. Like an addict needing a fix, I found myself wistfully looking through photos of these summer beauties.

Kauffman's offered these beautiful hot house tomatoes grown in Lancaster County, PA

Beautiful tomatoes from Lancaster County, PA

Grown the hydropotic way in Dover, Delaware

Grown the hydroponic way in Dover, Delaware

John picked these cherry tomatoes for me ahead of time. My favorites!

My favorite cherry tomatoes straight from John’s garden

Perfection

I want one right now

Naked tomatoes waiting to be dressed

Tomatoes + Basil = Perfection

Summer tomatoes from Rehobeth Beach, DE

Summer tomatoes from Rehoboth Beach, DE

Summer Beauties

The very Roma tomatoes I oven dried

Some of the best tomatoes I ate all summer. Thanks, New Jersey!

Some of the best tomatoes I ate all summer. Thanks, New Jersey!

What dreams are made of

What my dreams are made of

After wiping the drool from my chin, I exclaimed, “THAT’S IT. I WANT TOMATOES AND TOMATOES I SHALL HAVE!” I even shook two fists at the gray winter sky as I uttered the words.

Firm in my resolve, I went to the pantry to find the tomato goodness that would satisfy my craving. Jackpot! I scored a jar of local canned tomatoes–a Christmas present from thoughtful friends. Then I remembered the Roma tomatoes I oven-dried and stashed in the freezer for just such an occasion. I held them like precious jewels, imagining their concentrated sweet tomato flavor.

Tomato Sunshine, oven-dried in September

Tomato Sunshine, oven-dried in September

Marrying summer and winter was easy. I used the crock pot–a decidedly winter appliance in my house. I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but since I had quality ingredients preserved at their peak of freshness, I wasn’t disappointed.

Locally grown, canned tomatoes

Locally grown, canned tomatoes

I’ll make this again and again, especially when I’m jonesin’ for a tomato fix!

Four Tomato Chicken Pasta

1 pound boneless chicken thighs (or breasts, whichever you prefer. Oh and if you’re a veggie, just add a couple cans of chick peas to the crock pot instead of chicken.)

Kosher salt and pepper

1 jar canned summer tomatoes with juice (or 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, if you have that on hand)

1 cup tomato sauce

6 tablespoons tomato paste

8 oven-dried tomatoes (or jarred sun-dried tomatoes)

3 sprigs fresh thyme or oregano (I used thyme because it’s the fresh herb I had on hand)

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons red wine (or use water)

Sugar, to taste

Thin spaghetti or your favorite pasta shape, cooked according to package directions

Season chicken with salt and pepper generously. Place in the crock pot. In a medium bowl, combine jarred/diced tomatoes,  tomato sauce, tomato paste, oven-dried tomatoes, red wine, and garlic. Pour over chicken. Add thyme/oregano to the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Ready to cook low and slow

Ready to cook low and slow

When ready to eat, cook pasta according to package directions. Remove chicken and thyme sprigs from the crock pot. Shred chicken with fork, set aside.  This is where I tasted the sauce and added a teaspoon or so of sugar. You may think the sauce is perfect the way it is or you may want to add salt or sugar. Just make sure to taste it to check on those seasonings.

Chicken, shredded, tender and flavorful

Chicken, shredded, tender and flavorful

Turn crock pot to high, remove the lid. and cook uncovered until the sauce thickens up a bit (I did this for as long as it took the pasta to cook).

The oven-dried tomatoes were the star of this dish

The oven-dried tomatoes were the star of this dish

Return the shredded chicken to the sauce. When heated through, turn the crock pot off. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano if you have it! (I didn’t, but it was still delish.)

A taste of summer in a winter dish

A taste of summer in a winter dish

What’s your favorite summer produce item? How do you get through the winter without it?

Categories: Delaware Farms, Fall Recipes, Recipes, Winter Recipes | Tags: , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

Fall Photo Montage

In my northeast neck of the woods, everyone’s talking about fall. I noticed fellow bloggers are all abuzz regarding this most glorious of seasons as well. I’m jumping on the fall bandwagon, with hot apple cider in hand, to share a host of photos taken at Filasky’s farm on the first afternoon of autumn.

As with all good montages, music is of the utmost importance. So either hum your favorite tune, or play this suggested fall photo montage song (really just the chorus).

Baskets o’ Pumpkins

Fall Planting

Tiny White Pumpkins

Pumpkin Patch

Soy Maze – way healthier than a corn maze

Gourds Galore!

Speckled Swan Gourd

My brother posing with his favorite of all gourds – the Mexican Hat

Cinderella Pumpkins

Spooky Gray Gourds

The Great (White) Pumpkin

No montage is complete without a silly pose

Scarecrow Family

Welcome to Filasky’s!

Apples! Including Honeycrisp, the King of All Apples

Filasky’s sells Woodside Farm Creamery’s ice cream. Fall flavors include Pumpkin and Pumpkin Pecan. You need to try it!

Giant Corn Stalk

Thank you, Filasky’s, for embodying the best season of the year, Fall!

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Local Farms | Tags: , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Guilt-Free Tomato, Basil, and Red Onion Summer Salad

I feel guilty about something. I’m not even sure why I feel guilty about this particular thing.  I didn’t commit a crime, like a hit and run or insurance fraud. In fact, I hurt nothing and no one. I should NOT feel guilty at all.

But such is my nature: riddled with guilt and regret.

This is my guilty face, which is eerily similar to my disappointed face

It all started when I picked up my CSA farm share this afternoon. I already felt guilty about that because I was SUPPOSED to pick it up yesterday at my set-in-stone-for-the-last-two-months time slot. Unfortunately, I was stuck in Philly on a work errand. Toby, my flexible farmer, graciously supplied my farm share this afternoon. I apologized profusely. And guiltily, of course.

Next stop was the farmers market to buy some eggs, cheese, and chicken sausages. I stopped by the produce stand to see the local offerings. I snagged some blueberries, green beans, and mushrooms. Then I spotted the red onions. Not local. Glancing to my left and to my right with shifty eyes, I saw no one staring or pointing at me. I put the non-local red onion in my basket. And bought it.

So you’d think I’d have buyer’s remorse. Honestly, I didn’t. I justified that red onion, considering it a staple like sugar or olive oil. The guilt worked its way out of my shoulders and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I made one more stop before heading home: the dreaded grocery store. I needed personal items like toilet paper and q-tips. As I was making my way through the aisles, I noticed the neat and enticing rows of salad dressing bottles. Old favorites like Hidden Valley Ranch and Wishbone Italian called my name. My local self-discipline kicked in and I pushed the thought out of my mind. Until I saw it.

Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette. My favorite salad dressing of all time.  Impulsively I put it in my cart next to the q-tips.

Why does this feel like cheating?

You may be thinking, Who cares? It’s only salad dressing! You don’t understand. I like to make my own salad dressing with local yogurt and herbs. Brianna’s is from Texas. Texas!? I argued with myself to no avail. Ignoring the guilt, I scanned the bottle at self check- out. I swear the annoying machine said, “Not-on-your-locavore-diet vinaigrette, $3.49. You saved $.49 and gained a guilty conscience.”

At home, I unpacked my purchases, including the lovely items from my farm share. As I set colorful, tiny tomatoes and a bunch of basil on the counter, I had an epiphany.

Epiphany tomatoes

Suddenly everything became clear. I was destined to make a summer salad with tomato, basil, red onion, and Texas salad dressing. The sweet and tangy taste of the vinaigrette was a perfect match for the candy-sweet tomatoes and fresh basil.

I still feel a little guilty, but I don’t regret it.

Guilt-Free Tomato, Basil, and Red Onion Summer Salad

Ingredients:

1 pint cherry tomatoes, yellow and red, cut in half lengthwise

1 small red onion, diced

1 bunch fresh basil leaves, chiffonade into ribbons

1 – 2 tablespoons Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette, depending on how much dressing you like

Kosher salt

Black pepper

Combine tomatoes, onion, basil, and vinaigrette together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper to your desired taste. Enjoy guilt free and with no regrets, even if you eat the whole bowl by yourself.

Worth it

Categories: Delaware Farms, Local Farms, Recipes, Summer Recipes | Tags: , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

What’s Good in the Garden this Summer?

After two weeks away and finally catching up on work stuff, I paid John a visit to see what’s good in the garden.

When I arrived, John was in the watermelon patch trying to untangle a soaking hose. I helped him out a bit and we transferred the hose to a different part of the patch. In the process I spied at least eight good-sized watermelons on their way to emodying summertime goodness.

Because the garden changed so much in my absence, John took me on a tour. I snapped some photos with my iPhone to share. First we stopped at the blue bird house. The baby birds flew the coop! But a new family moved in to the house across from the corn stalks. John, ever the attentive landlord, gave them a new roof to keep out the rain.

Side view of Mrs. Blue Bird’s neat little nest

New roof courtesy of John

From there we checked in on the strawberry patch. The new plants are producing a tangle of runners, and we even found a few tiny berries to share.

The pumpkin patch is thriving. Two huge pumpkins made an early appearance.

Pumpkins in July

In the adjacent plot, light green cataloupes soaked up the sun, looking delicious already.

Cantaloupes ripening

Next we turned our attention to the potato rows.  John got to work with his shovel while I helped loosen the dirt with a pitchfork. White potatoes appeared as if by magic on top of the upturned soil.

Dried up potato plant means potatoes are ready for harvest

I speared a potato with my fork

Red potatoes, harvested and looking rustic in their baskets

After pulling a few weeds (including poison ivy) from around the blueberry bushes, I checked in on the corn stalks. John and I picked a few ears for my supper.

Corn Jungle

Perfectly sweet and picturesque

I’d been looking forward to seeing the tomato plants in full swing since John and I planted them. They are flourishing! Bag in hand, I jumped into the tall plants to find a few. John told me to look low as tomatoes ripen on the bottom first. We found some beauties!

Fried Green Tomatoes, anyone?

Perfection

John picked these cherry tomatoes for me ahead of time. My favorites!

As usual John sent me home with a bounty of vegetables; I had to make three trips to the car!

Impressive!

I promised to be by next week to help water the garden and admired Kathy’s flowers on my way out.

Apparently, at John’s house, EVERYTHING’S good in the garden this summer.

Towering flowers

Kathy’s Black-Eyed Susans

Categories: Gardening | Tags: , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Jungle Zucchini and Baby Birds

I visited John the other day. A visit was way overdue for two reasons. The first because the kitchen scraps I save for his compost pile were attracting flies and other vermin. The second because too much time had passed since my last visit. I was having withdrawals–the shakes and everything. John and Kathy were out in the yard when I walked up the driveway, weighted down by two buckets of smelly food waste. After John dumped what he considers smelly, nutritious goodness into the pile, he took me on a tour of the garden.

So many things happen in a garden over the course of two weeks! Astonishing!

The zucchini looked like a miniature rain forest, the corn was coming up, and the blueberry bushes I helped plant were bearing fruit! I am such a gardenerd (thanks to my friend Nicole for that moniker).

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know how zucchini grew, so I was amazed when I saw those large jungle-like leaves and green squash emerging from a pretty yellow flower. John showed me how to twist the zucchini gently to harvest it.

Twist to harvest

Zucchini jungle

Flower power

Walking the perimeter of the garden, I noticed the peppers getting taller. I only watered them two Saturdays ago with John’s special and nutritious seaweed water. I’d like to take all the some credit for their growth. We made our way over to the row of blueberry bushes. John showed me the half pint of blueberries already picked; they were sweet and plump. The nets he threw over them to prevent the birds from enjoying their juicy goodness were working.

Blueberry bush hair net

Speaking of birds, remember the lovely blue eggs in the blue bird house?

Lovely little nest

Well, after two tries, the blue bird couple was able to keep some eggs from the sparrows (the sparrows invaded regularly to toss the eggs onto the ground). And they hatched! John lifted the lid of the bird house while I climbed up to take a closer look. Huddled together in a mass of beaks and fluffy black down were at least three baby birds.

Pile o’ baby blue birds

After John piled cucumbers, zucchini, beets, and a variety of seeds into a bag for me, he changed into his sneakers, pulled on his knee pads, and jumped into his little red Miata headed for a volleyball game. He has stores and stores of energy! I chatted with Kathy for a while and then drove the two miles home feeling refreshed and ready to roast some veggies. I really need to visit John and his backyard more often. (John, I promise to come help you weed very soon.)

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Gardening | Tags: , , , , , | 13 Comments

Canning Tips & Tricks From Your Favorite Bloggers (+ Me!)

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Do you remember way back in May (3 whole weeks ago) when I said that the time to prepare for preserving was now, because once the season hits, you’ll be overwhelmed? I was right. The fridge is full to overflowing with the first CSA of the season (greens, greens and more greens!), I still have Grandma’s rhubarb…

Read more… 2,600 more words

Since I'm new to this whole canning thing, I was delighted to find this interesting and informative tricks of the trade post by Local Kitchen. I wonder if any of my readers have any tips to share with me? If so, please leave me a comment! I need all the help I can get.
Categories: Gardening, Recipes | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

Until Life is Gentle Again Eat Greens

A few years back I survived a particularly difficult patch of life. As I was going through it, my family and friends encouraged and supported me, endlessly and patiently. I remember one encouraging gift I received from my brother and his wife–a hummingbird candle holder (I love birds of all kinds) and a card. The card was the best part, because on the inside I read these simple words: “Until life is gentle again.” That one phrase filled me with hope for a better future.

I thought of that very phrase this morning when I crawled out of bed to make coffee. As my eyes adjusted to the light and I licked my dry, cracked lips, I wanted life to be gentle again. Not because I’m going through some hardship, but simply because last night I overdid it. My friend Phil and I food shopped til we dropped. Then Phil prepared the most delicious, decadent meal and served it up with style to me, the husband and friends. The spread included lamb chops seared with some spice and herb concoction pulverized in my never-used mortar and pestle, sautéed artichoke hearts with garlic and red onion, creamy sun-dried tomato risotto, and a Caprese salad to start. This was preceded by crostini with two kinds of marinated olives, Dubliner cheese, peppadew peppers (perfect combination of sweet and heat), and caper berries.

As you know, I’m a locavore at heart. This meal was a last hurrah of sorts. I’m going strictly local in only nine days, so I figured if Phil was kind enough get his chef on in my kitchen, I couldn’t turn down bright red and spicy piquante peppers from South Africa or a drizzle of  truffle oil. White truffle oil! (I’m kicking myself for not taking photos of the delicacies on my table, but I was in the moment, enjoying good friends and drinking excellent wine, so forgive this blogging faux pas.)

As the evening waned and my friends took their families home, I realized I didn’t serve any of the ice cream Phil purchased for dessert. So I curled up on the couch and ate straight from the container. This wasn’t one of those pint-sized containers; it was an entire half-gallon and I nearly ate it all. Mind you, I haven’t eaten food this rich in a long time. Usually I eat simply, and this week I didn’t even eat much meat. I couldn’t get enough of the rare joy of those lamb chops.

Needless to say, my morning was rough. Life was not gentle. I went about my day like a champ after consuming several cups of coffee, toast, followed by iced coffee, followed by water. This evening I realized I was hungry as the leftovers whispered my name. But no, leftovers, no. Life would not be gentle again, unless I treated myself gently. I needed something nutritious, simple, and local, so I headed out to the garden to harvest some spinach and arugula. I intended to make a salad, but decided to saute it with olive oil, red pepper flakes and garlic instead. The only accompaniment was two large glasses of water. I felt revived after all those greens, but I’m not gonna lie, I hope Phil comes over again very, very soon.

Before

After

Categories: Gardening, Random, Recipes | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

Strawberry Picking with the Joneses

I promised Cindi Filasky I would be back to pick strawberries, so a few days ago my dear friend Phil and I headed to Middletown. I was beyond excited about this adventure because Phil has two amazing children–Sean, a charming, melt-your-heart-with-his-smile  four-year-old, and Sophie, an intoxicatingly darling (and outspoken) two-year-old. Such great ages for the wonders of strawberry picking. Combine their adorableness with the the fact that they speak with a lovely South African accent and your heart could literally explode.

My heart stops a little every time I look at them, because these blonde bundles of energy belong to Jane, my BFF. Jane left this earth for the grandness of heaven almost a year ago. I miss her terribly every single day, but I’m blessed to spend time with her favorite people–Phil, Sophie, and Sean–since they moved back to the States from South Africa a couple months ago.

My Janie (pregnant with Sean) on the night we first met

I see Jane’s personality and sparkle in her children. Sean calls me “Auntie Ray Ray,” and when he greets me I can just hear Jane saying, “Hello, BFF!” (Yes, we called each other BFF regularly, because we’re cool like that.) On strawberry picking day, Sophie congratulated me several times for finding a red strawberry, “You found a red one!” she exclaimed. “Good job!” In that moment, I saw Jane smiling and heard her say, “Well done!” over some small accomplishment I had made (extra charming with her South African accent).

The Jones family and I enjoyed our romp through the strawberry fields. I could go on and on about our adventure and explain Sean and Sophie’s delight over each strawberry picked, but a photo’s worth a thousand words, so here’s a few to commemorate our day.  Filasky’s is open most days until 7; go make some memories!

Welcome to Filasky’s

Sophie checking out her freshly picked strawberry while Phil and Sean scour the fields in the background

Sneaking a bite!

Red means ready to be picked!

Phil and Seanie evaluate a berry

Sophie and I filling up our bucket

“Wait for me!”

Sean kept saying, “Look at the size of this guy!”

Sophie found a red one!

Sweet Sophie

Strawberry fields…forever

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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