First Arganica Box

This week's food box

Since moving back to the States, we have been looking at joining a local CSA or something similar but never got around to it.  After reading that organic milk is about to jump in price, we decided to join Arganica Farm Club, because they offered a milk share (we were fortunate to join right before this feature of the club was eliminated).  So, we placed our order on Wednesday, and this box of produce arrived on our doorstep this morning.  I love getting glass bottles of milk delivered to my door!  Now that we have this great produce, we have to figure out what to do with it!  Honestly, I’m not even sure if I’ve ever tried a rutabaga, and I’ve never cooked collard greens.  My idea is to pick out the vegetable that I’m least familiar with and highlight what I end up doing with it in a blog.  Of course, if anyone has a rutabaga recipe, please share!  Oh, and I couldn’t resist buying these beautiful tomatoes.  I think these would be perfect with some tiny mozzarella balls and good balsamic vinegar from Ah Love Oil and Vinegar (fantastic store in Shirlington!).

Lucky Charms marshmallow treats

The other day the commissary had a ginormous box of Lucky Charms for a fantastic price.  So, what does one do with a gonormous box of cereal?  Make marshmallow treats!  They are made exactly the same as the rice treats but so much better-the more marshmallows the better!

FOODIES! CHEF DEMO: CARLA HALL of ABC’s & Richie Gunter of Operation::Eatery

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This Saturday, December 17th there is going to be a CHEF DEMO by CARLA HALL of ABC’s at The Chew at 11am & Richie Gunter of Operation::Eatery at noon

DC CHEW: Community Harvest Education Ward 7

DC CHEW is a project of the Office of the Deputy Mayor and sponsored by Mayor and the District of Columbia. 

Hours of Operation:
Saturdays 10:00am – 2:00pm

Location:
At the intersection of Good Hope Road, Naylor Road and Alabama Avenue SE
Skyland Shopping Center

Household electricity bills skyrocket – USATODAY.com

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After reading this article

Household electricity bills skyrocket – USATODAY.com.

I am glad we decided to pull the trigger and are getting a solar powered water heater from Renewable Energy Corp. I can’t wait to take a shower without having to pay to heat the water. If you interested let me know…I plan to hold a Solar open house so they can discuss solar options for anyone interested.

Eat Wild – Virginia

I have been looking for organic options for our annual Christmas dinner and came across the Eat Wild – Virginia. web site.  I thought some other people might be interested in finding organic poultry, beef or pork as well.

Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association (BNCA) to discuss Colonel Brooks Development

The next meeting of the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association (BNCA) will be held Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center on 1100 Michigan Avenue, N.E.  The agenda will focus on a discussion discussion of and Member Vote on the proposed Colonel Brooks Planned Unit Development (PUD) Project.  You can find more information on the BNCA web site at www.BrooklandCivic.org

Brookland’s Annual “Celebration of Lights and Trolley Tour”

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Meet your neighbors SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11,2011

Celebration of Lights Trolley Tour, 6:00–9:00 pm
Leaving from:  Wohlfarth Galleries
3418 9th Street NE (across the Street from Col. Brooks Tavern)

The Trolley Driver seeks out the most spectacular lighting displays in Brookland! While those waiting get to enjoy holiday music, a bonfire, hot chocolate and cider, and other home made holiday treats. RSVP accepted for all trolleys one through five; First Trolley leaves at 6:10 PM, and return every 40 minutes. (RSVP After December 1).

The Great Tree Hunters

After a wonderful feast on Thanksgiving.  The tribe now with a full belly and a taste for adventure set out on the great tree hunt. It was a beautiful day so they set out to Middleburg, Virginia in pursuit of their prey, the mighty Douglas Fir.  Once oriented to the farm they set out with saw in hand and wagon in tow.  The tribe came across many spectacular specimens but were patient.  Despite the numerous trees they were determined to bag a trophy tree for their first Christmas in Chancellors Row.  Their patience would soon be rewarded as they soon spotted an 8 1/2 foot Douglas Fir on the next berm that stood out from the rest.   The saw was slowly drawn and with steadfast hand was pushed and pulled until the tree was felled.  They had accomplished their great quest and the excitement of the hunt slowly gave way to one of pride in knowing that this mighty tree would soon be apart of Christmas in Chancellors Row. Seriously, it was a gorgeous day at Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm!  For those of you interested the short drive to the farm is an excellent family adventure, the scenic drive through Virginia horse country is free and it was a lot more fun than picking out a tree on the corner.  The tree farm has three varieties of trees available Norway Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce and Douglas Firs.  This was our first time cutting our own tree and the workers at the farm were really helpful in providing us with the information we needed to select a great tree.  they also provided a map  of the farm with the locations of various trees for use while trying to find the perfect tree. I have provided some general information below about the farm if you are interested or you can just click Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm to find out more information.

• Cut your own tree!
• Saws provided (plenty of them)
• Tree carts to carry the trees from the fields provided
• Free bows and greenery
• Free twine to tie your tree down
• Shaking and baling available
• Wreaths available
• Bring your own picnic
• Restroom
• Dogs welcome

The great tree hunters

Beautiful day to cut a tree at Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm!

Our first Thanksgiving in District

I just wanted to take a moment to give thanks for our family, friends and wonderful new neighbors at Chancellors Row.  The time since we started our journey to being apart of this special neighborhood in Brookland, DC has flown by so fast.  It seems like yesterday that we were signing the papers with Nick, arranging financing, picking out options and trying to sell our old house in Alabama.  No more weekend trips to see how the house is progressing 🙂  We still have to get things organized but it is nice to finally have a home of our own.  Somehow despite the hectic schedule and many moving parts things fell in place and tomorrow we will pause from our hectic lives and give thanks because we have been truly blessed.  We are really looking forward to utilizing our new kitchen and having our first Thanksgiving in our new home.  Lisa and Elizabeth have been busy planning our dinner and side dishes.  Elizabeth actually ordered a locally grow organic turkey for the meal.  I am sure it will taste great but I must admit I am really looking forward to trying Ted’s special Chorizo stuffing.  So to all our friends and family around the World that can’t be here we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.  I have also included an interesting link with helpful ideas on how to de-stress Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving is coming; refrain from freaking out.