Rhinegeist Brewery

Ivee and Sister Golden Hair presented me with tickets to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game this year as their Mother's Day Gift to me.  Not just any Cincinnati Reds ball game, however.  A Friday night home Cincinnati Reds game which features a fireworks display at game's end.  Ivee, knowing how I love fireworks, chose this game particularly for me. In our discussions about the game, we decided to spend the entire day in Cincinnati together, then make our way to the stadium in the evening. Sister Golden Hair works on Fridays and could not join us.  While I loved the idea of the game and fireworks, I loved the idea of spending the whole day with my son even more.

With an hour or so to kill in the afternoon, Ivee asked if I would like to visit one of the breweries in Over-the-Rhine for a craft beer before the game.  Because I enjoy craft beer and because I have never been to Over-the-Rhine, he received an enthusiastic "Yes" from me. 

It is my nature to digress as I write, when I think an explanation might be necessary.  I so want to tell you how Over-the-Rhine got its name.  I found it fascinating. 

Over-the-Rhine is a historic Cincinnati neighborhood.  It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country.  Over-the-Rhine was populated by German immigrants in the mid 1800s. The neighborhood was separated from downtown Cincinnati by the Erie and Miami Canal.  Bridges spanned the canal.The German immigrants, many of whom worked in downtown Cincinnati, crossed the canal to walk to work downtown.  The canal was nicknamed "the Rhine" for the river in Germany of the same name.  The neighborhood to the north of downtown then became known as "Over-the-Rhine". 

Over-the-Rhine fell on hard times as the number of industrial jobs plummeted and the German immigrants moved to the suburbs.  It became a poor inner city neighborhood.  After the riots of 2001, developers began to purchase and renovate the Italianate buildings.  Revitalization continues to this day.  The neighborhood is thriving.  

Back to the story.

Ivee directed me to park in front of a warehouse which housed Rhinegeist, "Ghost of the Rhine". The building originally served as part of the Moerlein Brewery early in the century.  Visit the website to read about this venture. Theirs is an interesting story, beautifully told. 

We entered the building and walked up half a flight of marble stairs.  The smell of stale beer greeted my nostrils.  This building in no way met my expectation of a brewery.  I expected some slick, dark, gleaming woody type of environment.  

Our feet clattered up the old decorative iron staircase.  New cement blocks were laid right next to the old concrete portions of the building.  Each landing featured terrazzo floors, though there were visible cracks.  While there were elements of beauty, the whole building felt confusing, a little lost.  I eyed Ivee suspiciously as we walked up flight after flight of stairs.  Surely, this couldn't be a brewery.  Finally, we exited the stairway at the very top of the building to walk into a huge open room, unlike anything I had ever seen.

The immense room had enormously high ceilings and was flooded with natural light.  Rhinegeist offices lined the perimeter of the room to the west.  Light strands hung haphazardly from one concrete post to another.

At one end sat the bar, a tap for each of the 14 beers. The man in the red straightbill is Ivee, buying us a pint. I selected A-side, "India Pale Ale brewed up with flavor beats of dank baritones, sticky-icky pine and citrusy high notes for a symphonic hop explosion".  Ivee selected another India pale ale named Truth, "brewed with a nod to the Pacific, hops sizzle with tropical fruit aroma, grapefruit and mango notes and a dry finish."

While I waited for Ivee to return with my beer, I began to take note of the room. Remnants of moldings from a century ago remained.  Gleaming stainless tanks filled the north end of the room, next to the bar area. Beautiful heavy long pine tables were set up around the room, as were both corn hole boards and ping pong tables.  People of all ages gathered in groups around the tables and games.  Music filled the air  This was a place where people came to have fun.  

Two enormous ceiling fans kept the room from being stifling, as there was no air conditioning.

 Artwork covered the walls, where blocks had been laid to block up old openings.  This was surely a work in progress, as posters around the room announced, but what an interesting work.  We took it all in as we sipped our beer.  

Ahhh!  What a gorgeous glass of beer in the late afternoon sunlight!  Cheers!

Should you find yourself in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a hankering for an exquisite adventure, drive yourself to Over-the-Rhine and visit Rhinegeist.  You will not be disappointed.

By the way, Cincinnati beat the Washington Nationals, 5 - 2.

The fireworks were the best I have ever seen!

Farmer's Market Evolution

I, with great trepidation, tiptoed into the waters of the Farmer's Market world last May to sell daylilies and expand my market for the felt food I sell on Etsy.  The makeshift display

was thrown together in a week's time.  In retrospect, it certainly looks like it.  It did not hold up well in wind, cards clothespins, and burlap taking flight on numerous occasions. The plants were stuffed into tiny pots, making them top heavy and subject to tipping.  But, it was a start, be it ever so humble.

By September, the daylilies had worn themselves out in the summer heat.  They were replaced with bouquets of bright summer flowers, produce from the garden and baked goods.  The display had

became a little cleaner, a little more focused, with everything displayed around a six foot folding table.  The garden themed quilt added a nice punch of color.

Today was my first Farmer's Market of 2015.  Transformations continue.  North Forty Daylilies has become North Forty Gardens, as proclaimed on a makeshift chalkboard of plywood and chalkboard paint.  Several people took photos in front of the table and sign.  The more robust daylilies are potted in larger black pots.  Baked goods have become a staple of the market stand.  A changing variety of breads, muffins, and cookies are offered each week. The menu and prices are listed on a separate chalkboard, replacing tiny paper signs on each item.

The daylily display has become grounded and simplified.  It is easy to pick up the board to display to customers, touting the virtues of each variety offered for sale..  Some type of fresh flowers will always be part of the display.  The oxeye daisy bouquets sold quickly, and at day's end, a woman begged me to sell the bouquet I had intended for display only.  The quilt has been replaced with green burlap with a green ticking overlay, toning down the exuberance of the quilt, which may make a display again when the  bright summer blooms make their appearance.  

Overall, I am satisfied with the refinements made to both the style and content of the Farmer's Market stand.  I guess it feels more like me. It is, however, the people with whom I sell and the townspeople who frequent the market each week that bring the greatest satisfaction - happy chatter, shouted greetings, frolicking children, market bags full of locally grown, baked and created products - all of us gathered under the bright Saturday morning sunshine for a common purpose.
 It just doesn't get much better than that!

Main Street Portsmouth Farmer's Market

Ole, Ole, and Congratulations

A celebration was in order as Sister Golden Hair graduated with her bachelor's degree last Saturday. Friends and family came together at the home of Ivee and Sister Golden Hair this evening to celebrate her accomplishment.

Sister Golden Hair asked me to bring the recipe I am sharing with you today, Corn Black Bean Salsa. While I have listed specific quantities and ingredients, this salsa can be made with a variety of different ingredients, in varying concentrations, according to the tastes and likes of the cook.

Because the salsa was going to be served with tortilla chips, I wanted the individual pieces to be small and uniform in size.  I also wanted a nicely balanced salsa, balancing the creamy with the crunchy, the sweet with the tangy. Because I did not know the tastes of the people at the party, I opted for a milder flavor, and cooked the corn in boiling water.  I think the salsa could benefit from grilled corn and some jalapeno flavor.

All that having been said, here is the recipe, which was well received by the party goers. Scrumptious food and high spirits, amid intermittent downpours, ruled the evening.

Congratulations Sister Golden Hair.  Your persistence, motivation, hard work, and dedication brought you to the goal you desired.  My hat is off to you!!!


Corn Black Bean Salsa

3 - 15 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
5 ears corn on the cob, cooked and cut from the cob
1 to 1 1/4 cups chopped onion
1 pepper of your choice, chopped
2 cups diced cherry tomatoes
5 small cloves garlic, minced
Zest of one lime
Juice of four limes
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. cumin
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped finely
Salt and pepper to taste
4 avocados, diced

Place corn in boiling water.  Cook until barely tender, then cut from the cob.

Combine drained and rinsed beans, corn, and all other ingredients, except avocado and the juice of one lime, in a large bowl.

In this instance, the bowl was just about too small for the salsa. 

Here is the salsa before the cilantro and avocado were added.  A quick trip to the grocery became necessary when I realized I had forgotten to buy cilantro. Once the cilantro is added, refrigerate the salsa.  Just before serving, dice the avocados and coat them with the remaining lime juice. Gently fold it into the chilled mixture.  Adjust seasonings if needed.

Spoon salsa into a clear serving dish, as the colors and textures are outstanding.  Garnish with a small leaf or two of cilantro, if desired.  Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Black Bean Corn Salsa - all ready for the celebration!

Robin Update

In just four days time, look at how these baby robins have grown!

Their eyes are open.  They have darkened considerably and grown feathers.  

And, they are so much smarter!

When I stole close to the nest for a photo, all had their necks craned and their beaks open, as 4 days ago.  But unlike, four days ago, when they discerned I was not Mama Bird, three of the four clamped their beaks tightly shut, and hunkered down in the nest.

I have concerns for the fourth. 

Spring Beauties

Bet you thought this post was going to be photos of more blooms.  No, not today, though you can be sure there will be more as the seasons progress.

Today was a perfect May Sunday, the kind of so warm you can walk in the grass barefoot and your feet don't get cold kind of warm.  Lots of garden chores were accomplished, to the point where I can now begin work on the community garden tomorrow with Mayor and Sis.  Seems that we are taking on the job of laying out the garden plots for the entire garden.  Each 20 x 30 foot plot will be delineated with four stakes and twine.  Should be a fun job. Mayor and Sis just finished plowing the entire space this weekend, rearranging the layer of new silt left by flood waters that covered the garden earlier in the spring.  Photos to come!

But, I digress badly.  No spring beauties yet!

Sunday evening found me, as Sunday evening always does, visiting my parents.    And, as so often happens when the weather is fine, Dad wanted to have a stroll around the back yard to have a little look.  Doesn't really matter what we look at, though tonight he was bemoaning the few dandelions which have popped up in the yard.  I assured him that if he can count them, then it's not such a big problem.  As we stood in the back yard enjoying the fine light and warm air, I spied this.

When Mama Bird did not materialize, I moved closer to the nest, intent on a tighter shot with my phone.

So, I was fairly jumping up and down with excitement by this time, while Dad stood quietly observing from a distance.  Look at the size of those orange and yellow mouths!  Those babies never closed their mouths as we watched, though they had some difficulty keeping their little heads from bobbing.  

Seeing the blue on their wings, I assumed they were baby blue jays. Mom came out to have a look, I continued to be surprised that no Mama Bird had materialized to run us off.  Mom assured me the birds would come back to the yard later in the evening.  I thought Mama Bird was being a little remiss in her maternal duties.

 Dad commented that he thought a story might be brewing, as we returned to the house.

One last shot.  How are these for spring beauties?  Look at the fuzzy head on the little guy on the left.

Later this evening, Mom called me to let me know that the baby blue jays had a robin for a mommy. Oops.

Speaking of spring beauties, there are few greater garden joys than fresh picked asparagus, brushed with garlic infused olive oil, grilled until barely tender, then sprinkled with a smattering of lemon juice, a tad of Parmesan cheese, and some salt and pepper.  The flavor of the almost sweet asparagus intensifies on the grill.  I loved the bright green of the asparagus against the yellow orange fire.

Of course, the baby birds have absolutely nothing to do with the asparagus, other than one following the other in fairly quick succession.  Wait, there is orange and yellow in both photos.

In my little corner of this world, both classify as true "Spring Beauties".

Have a lovely first week of May, and remember to stop and enjoy the splendor!

The Floridian Kentucky Derby Hat

In researching Kentucky Derby hats, these are the images I conjured up - large brim, ribbons, flowers, feathers, and veiling.  The bonnets are gorgeous, over the top, fanciful creations worn by equally stunning women.

My research also brought to light these equally stunning images.  These folks take the Kentucky Derby hat image to new and interesting heights.

I began to research Kentucky Derby hats, after receiving a request from a Florida friend for a purple and green bejeweled beige starfish fascinator, measuring somewhere between 12 and 17 inches, with some seaweed thrown in, attached to a headband  She is attending a party Derby Saturday where the women will wear not-so-serious Kentucky Derby hats.   

This will be fun!!!

First things first - a pattern.  

I think this sea star pattern is perfect, not to serious, waving little arms, about 15 inches across.  

I cut two pieces of beige felt, one about a half inch larger than the other,

and sewed them together.  This gave me room for stuffing.

Isn't my thread holder great!  My dad made it for my mom decades again.

My mom gave it to me several years ago to use in my workshop.

It is a treasured possession.

My cute little naked starfish is all ready for bejeweling and seaweed.

Seaweed was created from strips of chartreuse felt with a pipe cleaner sandwiched in between.  I used a zig zag stitch to secure the pipe cleaner in the layers.  The pipe cleaner allows me to bend and twist the seaweed.

Seaweed and assorted dark green sea life ready for assembly.

Pompoms of light green tulle, topped with the seaweed and pipe cleaners, were sewn to each inside corner of the starfish, so it would appear as if it were floating on a bed on sea plant life.

Purple and green jewels were then added to the starfish with a hot glue gun.

A headband was sewn to the back of the starfish.

That is how my friend will keep the fascinator on her head.

Voila!  A bejeweled starfish ensconced happily in a bed of seaweed.

This creation is winging its way to Florida for my friend's Kentucky Derby party.

It is another in the long line of interesting, lively Kentucky Derby hat interpretations.

Clintonville Farmer's Market 2

Better Half and I happened upon the Clintonvlle Farmer's Market

this morning, three years less one week from the first time we visited.

Opening day found people bundled up against temperatures in the 40s and

sprinkles of rain. Baked goods, beddings plants, herbs, meats, baskets, cheeses,

and flowers were offered by vendors lining the sidewalks and streets of the downtown.

Spirits were high, the music was magical, and square dance lessons were being offered.

A kind gentleman standing next to me must have noticed my tapping foot

and asked me if I would like to try the dance.

After shooting a quick glance Better Half's way, I decided against

stepping out into the street with a complete stranger to stumble around

with the other brave souls trying to master the complicated set of movements.

This fabulous willow basket was, by far, the most beautiful thing at the market.

As we did three years ago, Better Half and I bought ramps and homemade bread.

Ramps are an onion/garlic type spring crop, from the alium family, grown for their unique flavor.
They are available from late April to May.
 They will be on tomorrow's breakfast menu, along with the bread.

See Ramps post from May, 2012.

Dan the Baker created this stunning loaf of sesame bread.  Just look at the remarkable texture.  It tasted every bit as good as it looked. 

I was most interested in observing how the vendors set up their wares and displays.  Always looking for good ideas.  The Main Street Farmer's Market debuts in my town on May 16.  

Hope to see you there!

A gentle rain overtook the North Forty late this morning.

 While most rains come from the west,

today's rain brought heavy grey clouds and fitful breezes 

from the southeast.

The raindrops were a welcome sight, 

freeing me from the non-stop garden chores

which consume my April weekends.

I meandered about,

balancing camera and umbrella,

to capture a few rainy day images.

.

The Garden Cart

God Bless Orion and The One!  Last Christmas, they gave Better Half and me a John Deere garden cart for Christmas, claiming we are incredibly difficult to buy for. 

Our present sat unassembled in the garage all winter.  Better Half fretted over where we would store it.  Each and every day we walked around it.  As the weather grew warmer and garden chores mounted, I had begun despair that the little green cart would never make it to the North Forty. 

Today, a huge day of garden work lay ahead of me, so I began the task of assembling the cart while Better Half was not home. I knew it would come in handy.  Better Half quietly took over where I left off, and delivered the tractor and cart to the North Forty where I worked.  

Best Christmas present ever!!!!  In one day's time, the perky green and yellow cart has become my all-time-favorite-top-of-the-heap garden accessory.  I don't know how I have gardened all these years without one.  No more lugging tillers, flats of flowers, buckets ,trees, mulch, tools, trimmers, dirt, plants, dead plants, and sheets full of leaves and debris all over the North Forty.  No Sirree!  The handy dandy garden cart can do it all. Trust me, I put it to the test today.

Isn't she a beaut?    

From the Left

 From the Right

From the Rear

 Just can't get enough of her.

Thanks, Orion and The One.  

What a spectacularly great present!