June 29th, 2013
Last year, it was a first in Delaware when T.S. Smith & Sons, the oldest commercial apple orchard and the only one in Sussex County, teamed up with an award-winning small batch winery, Great Shoals Winery, to first offer Black Twig, Hard Apple Cider. Then, just some months ago the unveiling of the First Hard Peach Cider, Blazing Star came on the market.
I went looking for these hard ciders because on these hot summer days…they are so refreshing and just right.
T. S. Smith and Sons is located on Redden Rd. in Bridgeville, Delaware. I visited this farm some time ago and you can check my post on 9/23/11 on this website.
Apple cider is as much a part of America’s apple story as apple pie. In the Colonial period and up to the middle of the 19th century, cider was the most popular and important beverage in America.
T.S. Smith & Sons in Bridgeville frequently fields questions from customer about how to get the “hard” variety of their special drink. Unfortunately, no one in Delaware had produced a hard version of the apple cider.
Just a short distance away, south, on Rt. 13, in Princess Anne, Maryland, Great Shoals Winery had completed production of what is now an award winning sparkling hard cider from the Spencerville Red apple, grown on one of Maryland’s historic family farms.
Great Shoals Wine Maker, Matt Cimino, was looking for a Delaware Apple with just the right properties for another small batch wine at about the same time T.S. Smith and sons was loking for just the right winery to answer to their customers’ requests for a hard cider. The Black Twig was the chosen apple and last year the Black Twig Hard Apple Cider was presented to the public. The Black Twig apple variety was first grown near Fayetteville, Tennessee during the 1830s.
The Black Twig Hard Apple is crisp and dry. It has been awarded the 2012 Winemasters’ Choice Silver Medal.
Just a few months ago, a peach hard cider came into the market Again, T.S. Smith and Sons and Great Shoals Winery partnered. This particular cider is a little less dry and bubbly than the Black Twig. It is made from peaches, Blazing Star, and apples, Ginger Gold, grown at T.S Smith and Sons farm.
These hard ciders are becoming the perfect drink during the sizzling summer days at the Delaware Beaches.
Plenty of the liquor stores in the area are carrying them this summer. And, you can also find them in some of the area restaurants.
Please visit Great Shoals Winery at http://www.greatshoals.com for more information regarding their location and where to get their hard ciders and sparkling wines.
T.S. Smith and Sons is open year round…Website? http://www.tssmithandsons.com.
Have a great week-end!!
June 26th, 2013
Tonight was the night…a graduation of sorts. I think in a post about 16 weeks ago, I might have mentioned that I had committed for 1 year to a program where we were going to be counting fats. NIH did a 5 year, landmark program and that’s what we have been following. I feel so much better…and my doctor agrees.
For those 16 weeks, a group of strangers at the beginning…they are now friends. We have met once a week. We have talked and talked and counted fats and rallied for each other. Also, the scale has been used once a week, as well. We all see less of each other.. haha. The program continues for another 8 months, but we will only be meeting once a month. Still continuing with what we have learned…a low fat diet, plenty of exercise, and a good disposition.
So, we all got together…and a pot luck dinner took place.
But, I guess bad habits are hard to break so, I am starting with dessert. Both desserts, the Trifle and the Peanut Butter Pie, were made to fit our new way of eating. So I’ll start with the Trifle.
Pat brought this Trifle and it was truly delicious. It was light, refreshing, easy to make, and low fat.
SKINNY STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE TRIFLE
5 cups or 2 pints, fresh strawberries, sliced
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/2 cup store-bought prepared strawberry glaze
1 (14 ounce) ready baked, fat free, angel food cake, cut in half and into 1-inch cubes
1 8 ounce container fat-free frozen Cool Whip (Pat used the low fat.)
2 snack packs of already prepared fat-free vanilla pudding
In a large serving bowl or trifle dish, place half the angel food cake pieces on the bottom of bowl.
Sprinkle about 2 cups strawberries evenly over the cake.
Dollop 1 package of pudding all over top of berries.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup blueberries and drizzle with 1/4 cup strawberry glaze over blueberries.
Spread 1/2 container Cool Whip evenly over glaze.
Repeat the steps starting with angel food cake and ending with Cool Whip. Decorate top of the Strawberry Shortcake Trifle with remaining sliced strawberries and blueberries.
Chill for at least 1 hour before serving. Store any leftovers, if any, covered in the refrigerator.
I did enjoy my guilt free desserts…the one on the left is the Peanut Butter Pie!!
Note: The recipe was taken Skinny Kitchen.
May 26th, 2013
If you happen to be traveling on Kings Highway, whether you were arriving in Lewes on the Cape May -Lewes Ferry or just driving into Lewes as a destination, you probably saw the flags from the highway, on the grounds of Cape Henlopen High School. These are the Flags for Heroes, sponsored by the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club to honor the heroes of the past, the present and future. Proceeds from each flag will be used to support local youth programs through scholarships and first responders.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club was chartered in 1929.
Originalloy, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868; first observed on May 30, 1868. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873.
 Veteran's Memorial Wall in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware I think between the barbecues, the shopping sales, and the official opening of many summer resorts, we have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day. I don’t remember seeing a Memorial Day Parade in a long time, if ever. The National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed on December of 2000 asking that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps”.
 Veteran's Memorial Wall & Garden in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware When you arrive in Rehoboth Beach, you will find the Roundabout on Rehoboth Avenue. This is the gateway to the city. Looking east towards the ocean is a replica of the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse.
Continue east towards the end of Rehoboth Avenue and right by the Bandstand you will find the Veteran’s Memorial Wall & Garden. The flowers planted change with the season.
And, on Memorial Day those flags will be at half mast, honoring and paying respect to those who have given so much for this country. If you are in Rehoboth Beach, just stop by and have a moment of reflection.
Have a nice day!
Note: Some info. for my post was taken from http://www.usmemorialday.org.
March 29th, 2013
Hunting for some Easter Egg Hunts while visiting Southern Delaware and the Delaware Beaches? Check these out.
Saturday, 3/30 – 5th Annual Alley-OOP Egg Scoop from 9 a.m. until Nonn at New Orleans Street in Dewey Beach, Delaware. There will be 3 separate Egg Hunts as follows:
5 years of age and under – 10:00 a.m.
6 years of age to 8 – 11:00 a.m.
9 years of age to 12 – Noon
Admission is $1. For more information and registration, please call 302-227-7087. Or, send an email to info@alleyoopskim.com. Website http://www.alleyoopskim.com.
Saturday, 3/30 – Georgetown Chamber Easter Egg Hunt is at the Nutter Marvel Museum on South Bedford St. in Georgetown, Delaware. The actual Egg Hunt will be at Noon. From 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. there will be face painting, Moon Bounce, train rides, a clown, and pcitures with the Easter Bunny. There is a coloring contest. Please check the website for more info. http://www.georgetowncoc.com/event/13th-annual-easter-egg-hunt.htm.
Sunday, 3/31 – Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt at the Rusty Rudder, located on 113 Dickinson St. in Dewey Beach. 2 p.m. Egg Hunt!! It is Free!! Call 302-227-3888 for more info.
Easter Sunday – Sunrise Services
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware – Easter Sunday Community Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand
Lewes, Delaware – Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m. at Lewes Beach
Note: Please note that Tickets are sold out for the 1st Annual Canalfront Park Easter Egg Hunt in Lewes, Delaware.
Happy Hunting!!
March 18th, 2013
The Delaware Choral Society was founded in Dover, Delaware (our state’s capital), in 1957 by a group of church choirs wanting to perform Handel’s Messiah. Branching out to other choral music of the great composers; from the Renaissance to the present, renditions of spiritual and folk music. The Society is open to every interested singer without audition. More info? Please visit http://www.delawarechoralsociety.org.
Join the Delaware Choral Society, under the direction of Dr. James Wilson, for their spring concert presentation featuring a compilation of 20th Century American music, including songs by Leonard Bernstein, Smauel Barber, Randall Thompson, and many more!!
Program Highlight: “Have Ye Not Known”? and “Ye Shall Have a Song” from Randall Thompson’s The Peaceable Kingdon.
Randall Thompson is recognized as one of the finest composers of American choral music for major works, which often incorporated jazz, folk music, and American text into an eclectic body of music, which also included orchestra and piano works, operas, and chamber music. The Peaceable Kingdom was commissioned in 1936 by the League of Composers for the Harvard Glee Club and the Radcliffe Choral Society, and it was inspired by a painting of the same by the naturalist Edward Hicks entitled the “Preaching Quaker of Pennsylvania”. The painting depicts Isaiah, Chapter XI, verses 6-9. In Thompson’s work, the selected verses are proclaimed by the chorus and their meaning sets the stage for a variety of choral techniques: opposing choruses expressing the contrast between blessings bestowed on the righteous and woes inflicted upon the wicked, soprano and bass lines mirroring each other (one moves up in pitch as the other moves down and vice versa), and double choruses whose fullness of parts embody overwhelming joy and gladness of heart.
Friday, April 12th, one single performance, at 7:00 p.m. The concert will be hosted in the sanctuary of Holy Cross Catholic Church located at 631 South State St., Dover, DE 19901.
Tickets:
General Admission – $20.00
Seniors, 65 years of age and over – $15.00
Military and anyone under the age of 21 – Free
Purchase or reserve the tickets by visiting http://www.delawarechoralsociety.org. Or, will-call reservations and further information, please call 302-245-0449, or email info@delawarechoralsociety.org. Tickets may also be available at the door.
Have a great day!!
March 17th, 2013
Had to go and check what Leo was cooking at Modern Mixture. He has been posting eye catching soups and salads on Facebook. It is that time of the year, as Leo said, when we want something a little lighter. Everyone is trying to get in shape for the warmer months, if they ever get here.
Jody and I stopped by and we noticed more tables, more art, an extra bathroom, and the ever smiling Leo…cooking and talking to customers explaining the dishes of the day; a little cayenne here or a jalapeno there.
Modern Mixture is located at 62A Rehoboth Avenue in Downtown Rehoboth Beach, on the ocean block. They open every day at 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Great coffee, as well. Tel. 302-227-0600. Website? http://www.modern-mixture.com. You can also find Modern Mixture on Facebook.
Leo is the type of chef that even though he has a set menu; he is not afraid to improvise to give customers what they want. Any allergy issues? He is happy to help you with that, as well.
His cuisine is a fusion of Latin, Mediterranean, and American. His homemade tamales are to die for. If that is what you have in mind, call him up to make sure he has them on that particular day.
I decided to go with Leo’s suggestions, because he said they were summer body ready dishes…haha.
A smoothie of kale, pineapple, and just about 2 ounces or so of cherry juice was going to be my drink. So good and refreshing…just 3 ingredients.
Okay…his Lentil Soup was a large bowl. It was made with a reduction of black beans and portabella mushrooms. Truly delicious; well season and light. It really was.
Leo called this salad his “Cool Summer Body Chopped Salad”. It is not even on the menu yet. Very chopped lettuce, then a mango salad of mango, red pepper, cucumber, onion, scallions, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. The dressing was so light and refreshing….only lime juice and cayenne pepper!!
Modern Mixture will be at Roady’s Cinco de Mayo 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 4th at 9 a.m. Rain or Shine! Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. This race and event production is presented by Seashore Striders.
It will be at the Delaware Tech, Jack F. Owens Campus, Student Services Center Pavillion in Georgetown, Delaware.
Registration: Adults $20 prior to May 1, and $25 the day of the race. DTCC studens, $10. Children 17 and under, $10. Sleep Walkers? $20 (Sleep in and we’ll mail you a shirt.)
Awards: Presented to overall winners and age category winners.
Amenities: T-shirts and celebration after the race guaranteed for all pre-registered runners and walkers.
Register by visiting http://www.dtcc.edu/owens/roady5k.
Have a good day!!
March 8th, 2013
At some point or another we have all had someone we know; a friend, a member of your family, someone in the community, affected by cancer. I certainly have had several friends; in the past year or so. They are all doing very well, thank God.
Cancer Support Community Delaware was formerly The Wellness Community Delaware. It is part of a national nonprofit organization that provides support, education an hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. Through participation in professionally-led support groups, educational workshops and mind/body classes, people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation, and restore hope, regardless of the stage of the disease. All programs are Free of Charge!! Complete information is available on http://www.cancersupportdelaware.org.
The Cancer Support Community Delaware is joining hands with The Salvation Army Creative heART’s Program, the Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club and Delaware Hospice to present Renew Your Palette…Art for the Mind, Food for the Soul. This collaborative event celebrating 4 unique organizations and the healing power of creative arts will be held Saturday, 3/9, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Cancer Support Community located at the Medical Arts Building of the Beebe Health Campus, 18947 John J. Williams Highway, (Rt. 24) Suite 312 in Rehoboth Beach.
This year’s event will feature local artists who have been affected by cancer and artists from the Salvation Army Creative heART’s Program, the Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club Pegasus Artworks Program and the Delaware Hospice New Hope Program. Alongside the works of art on display and for sale, will be culinary demonstrations by local chefs from the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, Robert Peck Catering, Sprouting Chefs and Big Fish Grill.
An introduction of the Renew Your Palette Inspirational Life Award – This award recognizes artisans who have overcome adversity to achieve success. The 2013 recipient of the Inspirational Life Award will be Rehoboth Beach contemporary jewelry artist and gallery owner, Heidi Lowe.
The Salvation Army Creative heART’s Program is part of the Developmental Disabilities Program (DDP). It is a community program whose goal is to support persons with developmental and cognitive disabilities to become an integral part of their community. The program gives individuals with artistic interests an opportunity to grow their talent and further their interests of the arts. More info? http://www.salvationarmypendel.org/DDP.
The photo shows front row: Ernestine Robins, Kim Smith, Sarah Bosco. Back row: Marvin Walston, Heidi Lowe, and Holli Wood….all participants in the Salvation Army Caring heART’s program visited Heidi Lowe at her Rehoboth Beach gallery.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware is part of a nationwide movement whose mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The Pegasus Artworks Program focuses on teaching self-discipline and critical thinking skills through affirmative interaction with innovative literacy-base programming. More info? Please visit http://www.bgclubs.org.
Delaware Hospice provides the highest quality hospice and health care services and serves as a trusted community partner in end-of-life education and support. New Hope is a nationally recognized program designed by Delaware Hospice for children who are coping with the death of a loved one. More info? Please visit http://www.delawarehospice.org.
Have a great week-end!! Talk to you later.
January 13th, 2013
I am trying to stay ahead of the flu. Believe me, I have been overexposed. Some have it in my household…I got the flu shot, vitamins, and tons of liquids since I decided to start juicing. Getting those nutrients directly from fruits and vegetables. I hope it works.
I shopped for the juicer at some of our stores in Rehoboth Beach. I decided on Jack LaLanne’s Power Juicer. First of all it is a proven juicer. Secondly, the price was $99. There were some that were $49 but I did not know how they would hold. And, then, there were the ones that were $200 and up. I am a novice at this. The third attraction to this juicer was easy clean-up.
Juicing is expensive, no two ways about it. I usually buy fresh but when you are juicing you need to buy in larger quantities. I have beets, turnips, celery, oranges, melons, greens…I got avocados and bananas. Please note that the juicer is strictly a juicer. No smoothies; avocados and bananas do not have liquid, therefore blend those in a blender or food processor and then add to the already made juice.
I love Gala apples so this was one of my first juices.
Freshly squeeze orange juice is always a treat. Juiced with the rind so as to absorb all vitamins.
Look at the color of the celery juice. Celery is full of vitamins and low in fat. It is also a natural diuretic. Something new I learned is that some people are allergic to celery. In Europe they disclose if products contain celery.
I decided to make popovers. I have not been too successful at them. It could be the gluten free flour used. I am getting better. I want them to be light but they still come out more muffin-like. They were delicious, don’t get me wrong. I used the pulp collected in the pulp collector to give my popovers added flavor.
Before I post the recipe, let me tell you that I used an interesting gluten free flour. Mama’s Almond Blend. It has white rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, sweet rice flour and almond meal flour. It is a light flour; non gritty. To learn more visit http://www.glutenfreemama.com.
I also used a 100% Coconut sugar. It is, apparently, the “in” sugar to use. I, actually, won it at Good Earth Market & Organic Farm, located in Clarksville, Delaware. http://www.goodearthmarket.com. It is organically grown and more nutritious. It smells like coconut, but it does not taste like it. The taste is more like raw sugar with a hint of caramel. Diabetics, please listen, because coconut sugar ha a low glycemic index, it is better for you.
Orange Popovers
3 eggs (room temperature)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/4 milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups gluten free flour (if not Celiac or without gluten sensitivity, use regular flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons of orange zest or pulp
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl whisk the eggs with sugar and zest.
Whisk in milk and 3 tablespoons of melted butter.
In another bowl whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt.
Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until small lumps only remain.
Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and brush the inside of the popover or deep muffin pan.
Place the empty pan in the oven for about 10 minutes. Don’t worry if the butter starts browning.
Take it out and then, carefully, fill them half way. You can sprinkle some of the rind or pulp on top just before putting them in the oven.
Bake for about 40 minutes.
Nice and hot, ready to eat.
Great with honey. I added to my raw honey some freshly squeeze orange juice and rind. The Country Harvest raw honey came from Manchester, Maryland. Dip or spread.
 
Enjoy!!
 
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