Herb Garden Update

Here's what I've got growing on -

Chives (which are blooming)


More chives with thyme & small rosemary bush in the background


Blueberries! (1 of 4 bushes!)


Flat-leaf Italian parsley from last season (starting to go to seed now)


Our lovely Tuscan blue rosemary bush (with blooms)


Seedlings (basil, flat leaf parsley & cilantro)


Hello basil! I can't wait to eat some of this with tomatoes & mozzarella or in bruschetta


Our HerbFest buys (mint, basil, lantana & sweet bay)

Speaking of herbs...

We love to garden, well, at least for the first half of summer (until it gets too hot/buggy/weedy). Every year since we moved into our house, we've added on to our garden. We've grown (with wildly varying success) tomatoes, onions, peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, okra, blueberries, broccoli, lettuce and carrots (and my little key lime plant). We are undecided on our garden plantings this year due to the drought & water restrictions. Last year we constructed a great watering system (misters & drip), but at this point they are only allowed to be used once a week.

Some of last year's garden bounty

Watermelon


Cantaloupe


Yummy little 'maters


Banana peppers


Potted tomato plants & basil

However, I have to grow my herbs! They are just too easy to grow instead of shelling out big bucks at the store to buy them. Our perennial herbs are rosemary, thyme, chives and our biannual Italian flat leaf parsley. I've already started growing some seedlings of basil (2 kinds), cilantro and more Italian flat leaf parsley (can never have too much!) inside.

I started growing them just about a month ago with the little peat pots and mini-greenhouse -


I do not have an updated picture of my cute seedlings, but I will soon! They are growing like weeds (well, they kinda are weeds... but very tasty ones!).

We had a nice time checking out Wake Forest's HerbFest. We went early on Saturday morning and were rewarded with a vast selection of plants. I practiced self restraint and only bought 1 basil (Greek), 1 mint (Spearmint - perfect for mojitos), 1 sweet bay, and 3 Ms. Huff lantana. I am terribly tempted to go back for more and I can because the festival continues on through this weekend! Here are 2 pictures from HerbFest last Saturday morning - I think they can consider it a smashing success once again:

HerbFest 2008

This is a kinda-sorta "eats" related entry. For the last 9 years, the town of Wake Forest has hosted a nifty spring festival called Herbfest (there's a long history here). We've gone the past 2 years and throughly enjoyed ourselves. I could linger for hours touching, smelling and admiring all the plants (Paul would rather we pick something and move on!). We usually buy some yummy herbs for our garden and then a few interesting plants (like cinnamon scented geraniums).

It starts today and goes through April 27th - a whole week (and some odd days)! I can't wait to get up tomorrow morning to check out the duck parade, some bee keepers, listen to WPTF's live "Tarheel Gardener" radio show and of course, pick up some plants. Check it out if you're in the Raleigh area - you won't be disappointed!

Oh! And if you check out my cute town, stop by the Wake Forest Farmer's Market. Open Saturdays, 8am to noon - "Over the years, the Wake Forest Farmers' Market has grown into a lively community event each Saturday morning. We offer our own fresh-off-the-farm produce; pasture-raised beef, poultry, and pork; free-range eggs; fresh and dried herbs; honey, jams, and preserves; fresh-cut flowers; and delicious baked goods. The majority of our farm products are raised using environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, which are healthy for the soil, water, air, animals, and YOU!" It totally rocks!

Rustic steak dinner

Quick restaurant review

We're pretty avid watchers of the UNC TV show, NC Weekend, and always enjoy Bob Gardner's segments on places to eat across the state (apparently he's the state's barbecue authority). So when we saw an episode with Bob at a steakhouse not too far from our house, we decided to make a road trip. This was back in the spring of 2005 (I think!).

All we knew was they had great steak - better than Angus Barn, we heard. We were game! Where is this magical place? Middleburg, NC. Just north of Henderson, in Vance County, just barely south of Virginia and Kerr Lake. The restaurant, the aptly named Middleburg Steakhouse.



Our favorite thing to order - the filet mignon (absolutely delicious)! Their smallest 6oz portion is all you need (and you can't beat the price - $14.95). The price includes one trip to their well stocked salad bar, a side item (potato, veggies, rice) and homemade rolls. If that doesn't fill you up, start out with their stuffed mushroom caps or finish with their hot fudge chocolate cake. YUM. They also have several other cuts of steak along with chicken and seafood. One quick warning - we're fairly certain there is no "non smoking" area so be prepared for some smokers. The second level seems to be the worst offender for smoke, so we usually try to dine early, with the 'early bird,' 65+ crowd (they aren't usually big chain smokers!).

Warning - history info, for the non-nerdy readers, skip ahead
(taken from "HomegrownHandmade" - awesome NC info website)

Built between 1932 and 1934 by local residents and funded by the Civil Works Administration (CWA). All of the materials used in construction were donated by local businesses and residents. The log building was designed so any individual log could be removed and replaced without upsetting the logs next to it. For many years the building was the focal point of all community activities. As time passed and travel became less difficult, residents began to venture further outside the community and use of the building lessened. For many years the building stood abandoned and was often vandalized and used by hoboes traveling on the nearby railroad. In 1976, Irvin Greenway and his son Tommy, both local residents, leased the building with plans to convert it into a restaurant. Six months of extensive renovations followed. All lighting, plumbing and electrical were replaced along with a new roof. With the exception of a few minor innovations, the interior and exterior remain as originally constructed over fifty years ago. A large stone fireplace and rough hand cut logs create a rustic but cozy atmosphere for evening dinners. Menu consists of steaks, seafood and salad bar. Beer and wine are also available.



From visitnc.com

"Middleburg Steak House is a local landmark in Middleburg (outside of Henderson). The atmosphere of this old 1934 log building is rustic and casual. Dine in front of a large stone fireplace as you relax in the main dinning room surrounded by exposed hand hewn logs. Only minutes away from the Historic District of Henderson's downtown area. Reservations suggested. Dinner only. Menu consists of steaks, seafood and salad bar. Beer and wine are also available. 252-492-7088"

Location: US 1 North & Hwy 158 (from I-85 take exit 220)
Middleburg, NC
Hours: Wed. thru Sat. 5:30 - 10pm; Sun. 5:30 - 9pm
Attire: Casual