Around Town ~ Clemetine

 

        A long standing staple of Sulphur Springs, Yard by Yard, has successfully changed hands to become Clementine. Ready to celebrate their one year Anniversary on May 31st, Clementine has quickly become a local favorite for plants, coffee and community. Located at 612 Church Street, they are open 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday and closed Sunday except for special events. To book your party or event call and speak to Hope at 903-885-5371. 

Hope and Steve have many years of experience in the garden and landscape world from having a landscape business in Dallas that they sold to make the jump to owning Clementine. Never fear, if you have any landscaping needs they can still help you out.  If you purchase a tree they will plant it for you as an install. Do you need landscape design services and lawn care? Look no further, they have become a one stop shop for all your outside gardening needs. 

The Cafe Market was developed as a way to draw in the community for a location to meet up and join with friends and family alike. The market is a great place for the community to hang out and experience the garden. Making it more shoppable. You can find indoor plants, garden essentials, and of course coffee. The market is the perfect setting for remote work space  in a different environment.

The garden center is set up for landscapers and the home gardener.  Bulk orders for landscaping needs as well as single plants to adorn your home garden are easily found and purchased when you visit.  You can stroll through the garden center that looks more like an arboretum than a traditional garden center.  Displays are set up for guests to determine if they like the look and feel of the placement of plants, to use in their own home garden.  

They even have a veggie patch that demonstrates great ways to add in a garden to your own home easily.  Of course, any veggies that they have grown can be purchased in the Cafe, while some will be used in the food that they make on site.  It’s really a great way to see and know where your food comes from or to discover new ways to grow the items you love. They also bake all their items on site, have seasonal soups, salads and specialty coffee. Breakfast and lunch items, with specific seasonal offerings. 

Hope stated that the “staff has been great, and working well with each other.” This has allowed them to offer parties and classes.  They can accommodate up to 40 people seated in the back room, and love to host on Sunday when it can be the whole location. Many of the classes they offer are for free on Saturdays on how to grow things.  You can find classes on the website clementinenursery.com or on Facebook and Instagram as well. 

They don’t plan to stop there.  They are expanding behind their property towards Houston Street.  Their goals are to expand the cafe garden to  grow a lot of their own veggies, for salads as well as selling over stock. All of their veggies are organic and they plan to add in chickens one day as well. 

Along with expanding their own business they are trying to pull in other businesses, they are also looking to help support local artists and others with hand crafted items.  Their space provides a great one to display unique art pieces in multiple forms.  They want you to know that everyone is welcome and it’s a place to experience new things.  Stop by for a visit soon.

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Elderflower Basil Martini

     

    After much deliberation for this month's cocktail, I finally settled on an Elderflower Martini.  Here at the Oaks Bed and Breakfast we happen to be big fans of all things Elderflower.  This French liqueur is smooth, and perfect to add a little elegance with a hit of floral to your cocktail.

A relatively new liqueur on the market, Elderflower has gained in popularity since hitting the bar top in 2001.  The flowers are handpicked in the early Spring and smashed within 24 hours of picking to contain their fragrance.  The Elderflower has a long history of folklore in protection and healing. 

The Elderflower Martini is simple and easy to make.  With the added herb of basil this drink is perfect for late Spring where the nights are still cool and the days warm.  Here is what you need to make your drink.

Cucumber Basil Elderflower Martini

1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur

2 ounces Vodka

½ cup chopped cucumber

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime juice

6 basil leaves

Muddle your basil and cucumber in the bottom of your shaker cup, until the flavors are well blended.  Add in the Elderflower, vodka and lime juice.  Add in Ice, then shake vigorously until the outside of the container is chilled.  Strain into a Martini glass.  Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and basil leaf.

        The glimpse of summer really comes out in this drink, with the cucumber and basil, muddled in the bottom of the shaker cup.  The more you press those flavors together the stronger the taste.  What a great way to welcome the changing seasons and enjoy a refreshing beverage while soaking in the cooler temps on the back deck at the Oaks.  

As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!

In the Garden ~ Perennials

    

     Color in the garden begins with perennials.  Yes, I know you can always add annual flowers for color, although you may have to possibly purchase and replant new annual flowers.  The initial time and effort expended in planting perennials, pays off in the long term, and sometimes creates more plants for you to share or move around in your garden. Therefore, one of the great aspects of perennial plants is the fact that they come back year after year.

    Some of our favorites are Irises.  They have lovely blooms in a variety of colors.  Most often people see purples and whites, though there are so many more choices.  Typically, they only bloom once per year, typically, they can cycle through blooms over the course of a month.  This year’s Iris blooms were not the best. I think partly due to the freeze we had in January.  No matter where we are, we will always have Iris in our garden. We are hoping to add to our Iris collect this year with some new varieties and colors, and are always willing to share from our plants as well.  

    Another crowd favorite are gladiolus.  The long, spear like stem blooms slowly flowering from the bottom to the top creating a riot of color late in the spring to early summer.  These flowers are wonderful to watch bloom and attract pollinators of all kinds.  The challenge is to make sure they do not get too too heavy and fall over as the blooms open.  So many color options are available in these flowers that you can match your garden to any color scheme.  

    Let’s not forget a series of blooming herbs.  Lavender, sage, rosemary, comfrey,  and oregano make up some of the beautiful and simple edible plants that grow in our garden.  Small purple or white flowers bloom on these plants, typically in the spring.  Besides being fragrant they can help keep pests away, and can be dried to use in cooking and for making teas.  

    A large portion of our perennial garden is made up of varieties of lilies.  We have a variety of colors and various bloom sizes in our lily collection, which adds color and dimension to the garden.  One great thing about lilies and Irises they like to spread their wings and are easy to split and move around your garden from plants you already own.  

    Most of our perennial plants are in full sun.  We are slowly adding plants that require more shady areas.  Hostas, cannas, elephant ears and certain ground covers prefer a more shady environment.  I always think it’s fun to see the hostas reemerge in the spring from under the cover of winter.  Deep down you know you are gardening right, when your plants return each year to shower your yard in a wash of colors.  

    Perennial gardens might seem like a lot of work to start but if you have the patience to wait and watch your garden grow, the rewards in the long run will be great.  The return of your plants every year is worth the time and effort to me, instead of having to buy new each year. 

Around Town ~ Ol' Mad

Change can sometimes be difficult to handle but it can also have many rewards.  The changes that have transpired over time at the old Ice House have been transformative.  From a fledgling brewery, creating and brewing a variety of beers to opening their doors to welcome food vendors.  The change has been a time of transition and so worth the wait.  

Ol’ Mad is a wonderful stop for anyone looking to experience food in a creative and tasteful way, for Sulphur Springs.  No one around town has the same menu and features that Ol’ Mad brings to the table.  With the use of as many local products as possible, sustainability and quality are at the top of the list for Chef John at Ol’ Mad.  John brings his culinary skills and creativity from the West Coast, to help challenge your pallet at every bite.

Ol’ Mad is currently located in the same building where Backstory Brewery found its start, at 211 Magnolia Street in Sulphur Springs, their location is primed and ready for the growth that the city has planned for downtown.  While they are closed on Monday and have only dinner service from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, you can find their doors fully open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, with brunch service on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who could be sad about food now being offered at the brewery location, after all who doesn’t want a little bit to eat when consuming small batch beer.  Have you been wondering like I have where the name comes from, well we found out so that you could know.  Ol’ Mad, in Danish roughly means “Beer Food.” The restaurant is aptly named, since the main focus of the building is to still brew beer.

Since its inception, Backstory Brewery had the goal of reaching consumers beyond the county line, and so you can find their cans in select stores across North Texas.  Don’t forget you can still take home your favorite beer in a growler or if you happen to be out of town and want to share with your friends be sure to look for them at the store.  You never know what you might discover.  But while you dine be sure to grab a pint of your favorite or try one of their signature cocktails with your meal. 

Ol’ Mad is more than just a restaurant, they host and cater events on or off site.  I’ve even heard that the Freedom Ball will be held there in November.  I can’t wait to see what they serve up for their guests.  If you have a special occasion coming up and need some delicious and creative food, be sure to check out their menu to see what they can cook up for you.  

If you haven’t been in to try their food, be sure to do so soon.  We hope to stop in for brunch soon to experience a “brewery brunch”, and possibly a house made Bloody Mary.  You know the choices are good when the chef stated that he eats their burger almost everyday, so that has to be a top choice, as well as their short ribs or pork belly. 

Experience something new at Ol’ Mad and you just might find your next favorite place to eat in town.  The chairs have been upgraded and the atmosphere is perfect for gathering friends, or a quiet evening with your special someone.  We hope you give Ol’ Mad a try, you won’t be disappointed.

At The Oaks ~ Celebrating Life's Milestones

 

Spring is in the air, and for many families in our community, that means milestone moments are just around the corner. Graduations from high school and college, the start of a new career, the completion of a trade program, or the beginning of a marriage, these are the kinds of occasions that call for more than just a dinner reservation. They deserve a space that can rise to meet them.

The Oaks Bed and Breakfast has long been a familiar name to those passing through town, known as a comfortable place to rest and recharge. But for many locals, it has grown into something more, a gathering place where the community comes together to mark the moments that matter most. The start of a new life, new beginnings as a couple, and even the celebration of a lost loved one, The Oaks has been honored to host events marking the passing of time for every kind of occasion.

The property offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces, giving hosts the flexibility to plan around the season or the size of their group. Imagine sitting under the lights on a beautiful spring evening, soft music playing in the background, while friends and family are gathered around to celebrate. Whether it is an intimate backyard-style gathering under open skies or a more formal sit-down affair in a well-appointed interior room, the spaces can be arranged to fit the occasion rather than the other way around. The open concept of the great room allows for flexible seating arrangements to suit different group sizes and styles. Small family celebrations and large multi-generational gatherings have both found a comfortable home here.

One of the things that sets The Oaks apart from a typical event rental is its in-house catering. Rather than coordinating with an outside vendor, guests work directly with the staff to build a menu from scratch. That might mean a spread of appetizers and cocktails for a casual graduation party, or a full sit-down dinner for a more formal event. Some of the most sought after selections have included Citrus Glazed Pork Tenderloin and Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken, alongside sides like roasted seasonal vegetables and scratch-made mac and cheese. Whenever possible, the menu draws from local growers and producers, keeping the food rooted in the same community it is served in. The focus is always on matching the food to the feel of the occasion, so guests are never working around a menu that does not quite fit.

Beyond private events, The Oaks also hosts public gatherings throughout the year, evenings centered around food, fellowship, and a little fun, open to anyone in the community looking for something to do and someone to share it with. Many of these events have featured four and five course meals, offering a chance to slow down and enjoy good food and good company. Details on upcoming events are announced as they are scheduled, so it is worth keeping an eye on their social media pages to stay in the loop.

For those interested in booking a private event, the process starts with a simple phone call to choose a date and begin building out the experience from there. Nine years of celebrations, gatherings, and community have made The Oaks what it is today, and there is still plenty of room at the table.

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Sangria

 

    For this month’s herb infused cocktail of the month, I’m changing things up a little bit.  We have a few events coming up at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast and want to have an easy way to mix up a big batch of cocktails so they are ready when ordered.  For this month we are trying out and mixing up some delicious Sangria.  

The best thing about Sangria is that you can make it your own. If you want it to be sweeter, add more juice.  If you want to have a white Sangria instead of a red, use white wine.  There are even Sangria recipes that do not use wine at all, but are rather a mixture of a multitude of spirits.  However you choose to make your Sangria is the right way.  There can be no wrong ways.  Sangria works great as a party drink, since it can be made ahead of time to be ready for pouring when your guests arrive.    

Dress up your Sangria with matching fruit to the flavors you are melding together.  Or with whatever fruit you have on hand.  We like to use berries and citrus, specifically oranges or blood oranges.  Apples can work as well, since there should be some citrus to help keep them from turning brown.

For this month, we are keeping to a more traditional Sangria and using red wine.  But we will also probably end up swapping our wines around to change things up, based on the event.  

Sangria

2 cans Underwood Pinot Noir

1 ½ cups pineapple juice

1 cup Cognac

A mix of fresh fruit

Splash of Club Soda

Fresh Mint

Prepare your fruit in your pitcher that you will serve your guests.  Cut up larger pieces like apples to make them bite sized. Add in all the liquid except the Club Soda.  The Club soda will be added after pouring into glasses to give it that bubbly look.  We have used black berries, oranges, green apples, and strawberries today.  Garnish with a slice of fruit and mint.  Mint makes the perfect herb to pair with your Sangria. 

Like we said earlier, make this your own.  Mix up your wine options with a white wine.  We used cans since it’s easy to use and makes portioning the drink easier. If you want a more tart drink, change out your juice option.  Orange juice or even cranberry juice.  Club soda can also be substituted with Sprite or Sparkling water.  

This makes an easy mocktail as well.  Drop the wine, and cognac, and mix in more juice and bubbles of choice.  You can always use sparkling wine, for a little extra touch of class for those not imbibing in alcohol.  Remember to always drink responsibly, and have a designated driver. Cheers!

Around Town ~ The Book Nook on Main

        As an avid reader I’m so excited that there is a book store once again in Sulphur Springs.  The Book Nook on Main located at 218-A Main Street, in downtown Sulphur Springs, is the small, sweet escape for your book buying needs.  Open Thursday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday - Monday from Noon to 4 pm, be sure to check social media for up to the date hours, before you stop by.  

The Book Nook on Main offers readers a variety of genres and options for readers to explore the pages beyond everyday life.  Get lost in a memoir or discover a new cook book.  This book store has a little bit of something for everyone, including a children's section, featuring the store owner’s, very own children’s books.  

Not only do we have a book store, but it is owned and operated by a local author, Sharon Feldt, who has written a few different children’s stories.  Her first book The Stable is a portrayal of Christ’s Birth from the point of view of the animals.  I feel like her more recognizable books are the Sarah O’Shea books, shown in our images above.  Who could miss all that crazy red hair?  

With a history of teaching kindergarten for over 40 years and even running a bed and breakfast in West Virginia for 7, Sharon has lots of stories to share.  Her “Sarah” books were written about a student of hers years ago who took it upon herself to be Sharon’s fashion consultant one year.  Even her book about a mouse and a keyboard, stem from experiences she has had in her life.  

Her latest adventure, the book store, developed when Billie Ruth suggested she open a store and share her knowledge of the literary world with others.    Not only is she actively running her book store, she continues to write and is currently developing a story about her dog Percy.  You can sometimes find Percy in the shop, looking for attention or just hanging out behind the counter. 

Take some time to drop into the Book Nook on Main to find your next read or explore the world through the eyes of another person.  Pull up a chair to enjoy some local treats from Beef Cakes Meats and Sweets, and a cup of coffee or tea.  

Sharon also carries a variety of book trinkets to help readers fully enjoy their reading experiences.  Book marks, tote bags and tumblers can all be purchased during your visit. You can even find local authors doing book signings and Storytime's in the shop. A special section of the store is dedicated to local authors, which continues to show the support our community gives to one another. 

Once a month Duckies Book Pond meets at the Book Nook on Main at 10 a.m. and Storytime with Kate happens on a regular basis as well.  The next time you can hear her story will be Saturday, April 4 during the Easter event in the Courtyard.  There is always something new and exciting happening at the book store.  Find your next favorite read while there.