Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Fig Thyme Shrub

 

The end of summer is rapidly approaching, and we do not want to let go just yet.  To help ring out the summer and celebrate the start of fall, our cocktail this month is a Fig Thyme Shrub.  I know what you are thinking, what the heck is a shrub.  Well shrub is basically a mixture of sugar, vinegar and fruit that sets overnight to create a “drinking vinegar.”  Now, do not walk away just yet! These flavors together will make a sweet and tangy drink that will satisfy your taste buds and make you come back for more. 

 

The combination of sweet and tangy will have your taste buds seeking out more of this delicious drink.  With fresh figs from our tree and the hint of thyme, you are sure to enjoy this cocktail.  Keeping summer alive a little longer with just a hint of fall flavors is a great way to end the day when that cool summer breeze hits off the back deck.

 

The set up does take a little longer since the flavors have to meld together at least overnight in the fridge.  This drink is worth the wait.  Find some delicious figs and add them together with your vinegar, sugar and thyme and let it sit overnight in the fridge. That way when you arrive home from work, your cocktail is almost ready to go.  Below are the exact details of how to put your drink together.

 

Fig Thyme Shrub

To make the shrub:

2 cups of diced fresh figs

¾ cup sugar

1 cup apple cider vinegar

10 sprigs of fresh thyme

 

Cocktail:

1 ½ ounces vodka

½ ounce fresh squeezed lime

1 ½ ounces fig thyme shrub

2 ounce club soda/sparkling water

Fig and thyme for garnish

 

Make the shrub in a plastic or glass bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight.  Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and discard the thyme and figs when finished.  To make the cocktail add crushed ice to a glass.  Add the vodka, lime and shrub; stir to combine.  Add the club soda or sparking water, stir again.  Garnish with fig and thyme!

 

You can keep any of the extra shrub in your fridge for up to two weeks.  If you want to make this a mocktail, include more club soda or sparkling water to replace the vodka.  As always drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Cheers!

In the Garden ~ Planting for Fall

 

Schools back in session and time is short, and it might seem a little early to be thinking about a fall garden, with the temperature still in the 100’s or high 90’s but it’s better to start planning now.  As gardeners in Texas, we are blessed with a longer growing season that our counterparts in the Northern part of the States.  We can almost have a garden year-round, if we have a green house or means of covering our crop to ward off the frost.  We do not have to worry about frost for many more weeks, so let’s start to plan our fall garden and  what we want to grow.

 

We like to start some seeds inside and directly sow others for our fall growing season.  We will even try to plant some squash plants that should yield some fruit in the fall that are not traditionally planted at that time.  Of course, we will start crowd favorites such as butternut squash and spaghetti squash, as well as at least a plant or two of zucchini or yellow squash.  Hopefully we have taken care of those pesky squash bugs, and we have a better fall with our squash plants. 

 

In order to start our fall garden, we have to get it ready for planting.   I like to make sure our beds are clean and then add a fresh layer of compost for the best results.  Nothing saps the nutrients out of a garden like plants do.  The vegetables you planted before take a lot of the amendments from the soil that you placed in the spring, so it’s a good rule of thumb to add some good nutrition back into the soil for a better harvest.  Compost, ground eggshells, banana juice or coffee grounds are all good choices, depending on what you are looking to grow.  Clear your beds out and mix well, before planting.  I like to let my compost sit for a few days in the fall before planting with a couple of days of good watering to help develop the nutrition level of the soil. 

 

Water is still really important for your fall garden, especially since it’s still pretty hot out and the sun and soil temperature are sure to dry out your garden faster.  You can help prevent the loss of moisture by providing a layer of mulch around your plants.  That will help to retain moisture and grow your best produce. 

 

What should you plant this fall?  Fall is a great time to plant all your greens.  Especially Asian greens such as Bok Choy, Pac Choy, and Napa.  We also plant Kale, Spinach and Broccoli in the fall garden.  Arugula and Snow Peas are great additions as well, since they all like the cooler weather and will produce longer.  This year I think I’m going to give Carrots a try as well as Beets.  My family enjoys fresh grown Beets, and we have in the past planted a few different varieties that taste amazing.  Carrots in Texas I feel are a challenge but the reward is well worth the challenge. 

 

For herbs we will plant cilantro again, since it most definitely is a cool weather herb.  As well as Parsley.  Our Parsley that is still hanging on from the Spring is looking a little rough but I think if I can keep it going and add some friends, we could have a great harvest to dry and make new fresh herbs with. 

 

Do not let the summer heat keep you out of the garden.  Instead dive back in and clean out your beds and get them ready for the fall.  Nothing is better than cutting fresh greens for a salad or stir fry for lunch or dinner.  Plus, I’m really looking forward to filling my herb jars for cooking with fresh, dried herbs from our home garden.  Start your seeds early and enjoy a bountiful harvest in the fall.

Around Town ~ Millhollin

    

Downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas has a myriad of shops and dining opportunities for visitors to enjoy when dropping in for a visit, and we stopped into Millhollin for our “Around Town” visit this month. Located at 222 Main Street and open Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p. m, Millhollin is a unique shop that has been wonderfully curated with a diverse product offering. 

     Current owner, Charity Pepys, truly loves the customer service side of her business and finding items to fill the shop that sparks an interest for visitors. Her store is more about creating an experience when people come in and feel that they have stepped out of Sulphur Springs and into the city, or on to the board walk of an East Coast beach town. Each item offered in Millhollin is unique and original that brings meaning to the store and the customers who purchase the items.

    

     The bulk of the items available is apparel, making up “timeless in the closet capsule wardrobe pieces.” These are items that individuals need for everyday wear and are easy to mix and match to complement what customers already have in their closets. Along with unique gift items, household essentials that are beautiful as well as functional, there are beauty, jewelry, gifts, and so much more. 

     Many of the items within the shop also have meaning outside their product line. Multiple companies, give back to charities that are meaningful to the current owners, while still offering quality products. Serving the community and supporting charities is at the heart of their business. Having a family history of retail store in a small community and from studying retail design, all her skills have helped to make Millhollin successful. 

     One of my favorite features of Millhollin is their store front windows. The front windows are always ready for the season. They reflect the store items and time of the year so well, I love to swing by and see what might be new in the window. If you have not been inside or seen the windows be sure to stop by and check it out. 

     We are sure that you will be able to find something for a loved one, teacher or spouse or friend. Each season holds something new, so be sure to drop by often to find your next great gift. A cook book, candle or a new pair of jeans to add to your wardrobe, maybe in your future.

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Prickly Pear Mojito

    A short while ago a friend had given me a Prickly Pear Syrup for making drinks with.  At long last I decided summer was a great time to make a new herb infused cocktail for The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, today we have a Prickly Pear Mojito.  This refreshing herb infused cocktail is a little sweeter than we usually make due to the Prickly Pear syrup but we mix it with a little more lime juice to cut the sweet.

texasbeyondhistory.com

    The prickly pear cactus, also know as Opuntia cacti, has been used by Native American's for food, medicine and a source of water, as well as needles.  Prickly Pear gets its name from the  spines on the steams as well as the fruit it gives called pears or tunas.  I'm sure you have seen the prickly pear plant before and would recognize it in the wild, or possibly your neighbors yard.  

Prickly Pear Mojito

 1 1/2 tablespoon  Prickly Pear Syrup

6 to 8 spearmint leaves

juice of 1 lime (about 2 ounces)

2 ounces rum

1 to 1/2 cups cubed or crushed ice

2 ounces club soda

In a tall glass, place the mint leaves, lime juice and the cactus syrup.  Muddle the leaves for 20 seconds to release the mint oils using either a muddler or a wooden spoon.  Add the rum, and stir.  Fill the glass until 3/4 full with ice.  Top off with the club soda club soda.  Garnish with mint leaves.

    I really enjoyed this drink and you can make it sweeter with more syrup and less lime juice.  Want more mint flavor, add more leaves and muddle before adding the juice and syrup.  Make it  your own to enjoy with friends.  As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver. Cheers!

Back to School Bucket List

 

 

Back to School 2019

     The end of summer is rapidly approaching, and the new school year is about to begin. We want to help prepare you for that not to far in the future date and get ready for a new school year.  I know everyone dreads the first day of school and the end of summer.  No more lazy days hanging with friends and family.  It's time to get back into a routine and a schedule.  Let's make life easier with a few tips and tricks.

 

    First lets check that Summer Bucket list to see if everything was accomplished.  Did you make it to the beach or the mountains?  See friends from afar or travel someplace new?  Even if you did not cross the State line your time away from home made memories.  If you still have a visit planned, be sure to take all the pictures and be in the pictures with the kids.  One day you will want those pictures, and your kids will always think the best of you no matter what. 

 

    Back to school shopping.  I'll tell you a secret, with five kids back to school shopping starts at home.  We use what we have first and then buy new.  With four boys, sometimes we have a little more new than used, but that's okay.  At this point my boys do not really care what they wear so it makes picking up new items to supplement their wardrobe pretty easy. 

 

    Shoes on the other hand are a whole new story.  Each year, we start off with new shoes, especially since they keep growing and their feet just want to catch up.  Sometimes we end up with a second round of shoe purchases mid year, because someone mistreated their shoes or their feet got bigger.  Needless to say they put in a lot of hours in those shoes, and the wear and tear adds up. 

 

    One of our favorite back to school purchases is school supplies.  Only two of the boys work off a list now and the older two have to figure out what works for them and how they study.  By letting them determine what works, will help them while in college.  My daughter has told many stories about how she has supplied her classmates in college with supplies because they were not prepared.  Figure out in High School what works for you and then use that when you go on to higher education.  Teach your kids now how to study and take notes, that will lead them to success.

 

    Another great, back to school bucket list item is the first day of school pictures.  I always try to get one with all the kids at home together before they jet off to their first day.  A group and individual pictures to remember the year and how much they grow over the next nine months. 

 

    Meet the teacher is a great bucket list item to add, especially if you have younger aged children who have never gone to school or will be transitioning to a new school.  Meet the teacher allows them to see other students in their classroom, meet the teacher and find their desk before the first day.  As a parent you have the peace of mind to see your child thrive in a new school year and can be reassured of those who will be leading, teaching and guiding them over the next nine months.  If you are so inclined, have your student make a simple “back to school” gift for their main teacher to start the year off right.  After all teachers start well before students, and finish after students so their summer is even shorter than the one you just had. 

 

    Last but not least would be meal prep.  Those first few days of school are going to be crazy with new schedules and sports practice and bus schedules.  You do not want to have to worry about food on top of that.  If your students are not eating school lunch, pack lunches for the week and store them in the fridge until the next school day.  Have some freezer meals planned for dinner, so that all you have to do is pull it out the night before to heat in the oven or crock pot.  You could even plan breakfast ahead of time.  Overnight oats are a great kick start to the day, and simple to make in a big batch for the whole family. 

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In the Garden ~ Saving Seeds

 

    If you happen to garden a lot like we do one of the expenses you can always expect is the purchase of new seeds. While it can be fun and exciting to look through the online catalog or visit the store where they sell them in bulk, sometimes you want to save the money and save some seeds.  We are not perfect in anyway at saving seeds but we have learned a few tips and tricks over the years.  Ever since our first planting, we have not purchased any new zinnia seeds to sow into our garden.  We only use what we grow and so far it has worked out pretty well for us.

Zinnia Seeds

    Zinnia's I feel like are the easiest seeds to save.  You only have to deal with a little bit of ugly before you can really get down to saving the seeds.  One tip we learned, is to let the flower heads dry on the stalk.  Since learning this we haven't tried another way, such as cutting and then drying.  I will say by doing this we have created some new zinnia colors from where we started.  If you are looking to keep your flowers pure, maybe buy seeds every year, but if you want to create something new, save your seeds and see what sprouts up in the Spring.  The cross pollination during the the growing season, is how we "create" new colors.  Mother Nature is amazing.  We provide the space and nature does the rest.  I love waiting to see what nature will leave us, the next year.

    Mexican Sunflowers are also an easy one to save the seeds from.  The beauty of this one, the flowers bloom in succession so while one is at the end of the life cycle, another one is already blooming and keeping things beautiful.  Once the blooms start they have a pretty long life span, with new blooms and flowers for the whole season.  I also feel like this one spreads the easiest as it starts to loose its seeds.  So watch out if you plant them, catch those seeds early unless you want to find these sunflowers in locations you did not plan.  We sure have and sometimes roll with it while others we move to a new location.  The Mexican Sunflower seeds are small and easily moved by the wind, which makes them able to move to a new location with ease.  They are pretty hardy as well, since we have taken some up and replanted, or they have grown in not the best location.  

    The cone flowers we have planted in the garden, we do not typically save the seeds; rather they mange to spread on their own.  For example, if you want to grow some in a new area, you could start from seeds at the end of the season or wait until the time is right to split the plant and move to a new location.  We started out with three plants, and now have probably around ten.  I think next year, I'm going to move some to another area in the yard away from where the main garden is located to see how they grow.

    Regular sunflowers, are also pretty easy to save the seeds from.  We typically let the heads die on the stalk, cut and then dry them out to save the seeds.  This is a longer process, but makes it so the birds do not eat all of your seeds before you get them.  After all what bird is not looking for free food.  Each year I plan to take pictures of the heads as they bloom, so that I can match their seeds for saving.  While I did manage to do that, I forgot to "attach" them to the stalk so I can know which one goes with which.  After they lose their petals, its a challenge to determine the color.  The only reason why I would want to know what color goes with what head is if I planned to sell the seeds.  Right now it's not that important to me, since I just mix up my planting for the spring anyway.  

    These are just a few of the flowers we have growing that make seeds to replant for the spring months, or try again now for early fall color.  Try saving your seeds and share with friends and family all that you grow. 

Around Town ~ The Candle Co

 

Activate your creative side at The Candle Company, located at 218 Main Street, Ste. C in the Courtyard in downtown Sulphur Springs.  Your home, office or car can smell amazing with your own creation from The Candle Company.  Tevrick is a local Sulphur Springs native who left and came back with a great idea and a way to share his talent with our community.  With The Candle Company locations in Milwaukee and Chicago, he was looking to return to Sulphur Springs and wanted to share his business venture with locals and visitors alike.  I had the opportunity to attend a class with our book club, and we made candles while we discussed this month’s book. 

 

               Not only can you make a candle of your choice you can also use their other services for your business, family reunion or organization for a fundraising event.  The Candle Company has a print on demand service for any type of promotional item your business, or organization might need.  Most products can be ready the next day, and you can allow your creativity to flow when making your customized swag. 

 

               With programs such as Relator gift baskets for home closings with clients, to a 50/50 candle fundraiser, that can have your organizations logo made directly on to the candles, are just a few options besides classes The Candle Company offers.  Bring your ideas to Tevrick and let him help you out, and make your brand stand out.  Everything you order can be customized in house to represent your brand and business.  What a great way to grow your business or raise money for your organization.

 

               With over 100 scents to select from, your vessel size determines the price point.  Parties can be booked online from their website, which is recommended for larger groups.  If you happen to be downtown and walking around, stop in and make a candle as a keepsake of your visit or to commemorate a special occasion. Doordash services are available for out-of-town family and friends, so you never have to worry about not sending a great gift.  Each gifting opportunity can be made especially for the receiver.  Even if you do not want to make your candle during your visit, you can purchase a premade candle to take home and enjoy.

 

               If you choose to make your own, be sure to let it cure for two weeks before burning.  The longer you let it set, the stronger the scent will be when you do decide to burn your creation.  What a great way to have a special night out with friends.  With the large selection of scents, you are sure to find one you cannot wait to go home with. 

 

               Head on down to The Courtyard and stop in to visit with The Candle Company, Tuesday – Wednesday from 10 am – 3 pm, Thursday – Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, or Special Summer hours Sunday from 1 – 5 pm.  They are closed on Monday, so plan your trip today to experience another great “create your own” experience with The Candle Company.