Go to any church picnic, family reunion or funeral in the South and there will be meatballs. Beef meatballs swimming in a rich sauce. But when you leave the affair, there will be no more meatballs. They vanish like roaches when the light turns on. Meatballs are simply a southern tradition, a staple. They are often reserved for appetizers, but a big helping over some egg noodles makes a killer … [Read more...]
Attracting Amphibians and Reptiles to Your Yard
Why? Why would anyone want to attract amphibians such as frogs and lizards or reptiles such as snakes and turtles to their yard? Simple. Because these critters eat tons of insects and rodents. According to Virginia’s DNR, amphibians and reptiles are a vital part of the natural world, but urban development and landscaping have caused their habitats to be lost or degraded. By making … [Read more...]
A Butcher, a Baker…
Yep, and a candlestick maker. The three main characters in an old nursery rhyme. Butchers, however, seem to be a dying breed, especially at the major grocery store chains. Kroger’s, for example, no longer has butchers. They have “Putter Outers” – folks that “put out” the prepackaged meats on the counters. It is much more efficient to have meats trimmed and butchered at a central … [Read more...]
Red Drum Slaughter
Red drum are a highly protected species in Virginia. Recreational anglers are allowed to keep only three fish between 18 and 25 inches per day. The large drum – the breeding stock – are strictly off limits. To everybody but Omega Protein. A Fish Reduction Vessel from Omega “accidentally” netted large numbers of drum while they were seining for menhaden this week. When they saw the drum … [Read more...]
Bear With Me
What would you do if you went out in your back yard one evening and found yourself face to face with a 350-pound bear and her two cubs? After changing your pants, that is. On a serious note, if you have the presence of mind, experts say to stand and face the bear directly. Never run away from or approach the bear. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a … [Read more...]
Mountain Mint: A Honeybee Heaven
“There are bees on our new plants,” Nancy said. “That’s good,” I responded, thinking she may have seen a couple of honeybees. But there weren’t just a couple, there were dozens and dozens of honeybees dipping in and among the tiny white blossoms of our two Mountain Mint plants. I often go an entire summer and don’t see that many. These lovely plants are amazing bee attractors. Last fall, … [Read more...]
Things Daddy Told Me
Every morning when I get out of the shower, I remember Daddy’s advice. “Before drying off with a towel, use your hands and whisk most of the water off your skin, then use your towel.” Daddy was a Lieutenant on a Cruiser ship in the South Pacific in World War II. Towels had a hard time drying in the steamy depths of a ship, so the more water you could remove with your hands, the less the towel … [Read more...]
Mission Statements
By Nancy B When I started our residential lighting business in 2007, I was enrolled in a business class at the UVA Darden School of Business. This class was primarily for those who were considering opening their own business, but I happened to have already begun ours. I felt the professor was most discouraging and think he may have frightened some of the talented students who had much … [Read more...]
Creamy Chicken Casserole
There must be a million recipes for Chicken Casseroles. I’ve tried a good many and I can’t recall a bad one. I saw an interesting one recently called Creamy Chicken Casserole and decided to give it a try. It’s a keeper. Not only is it rich and creamy, but you can also put it together in no time. It starts with a Rotisserie Chicken. It doesn’t have to be. I often cook my own … [Read more...]
A Good Catbird Scolding
My wife Nancy got balled out this week. Not by me, of course. I’ve got better sense. But she did receive quite a scolding from one of our resident catbirds. Nancy was trimming an azalea bush and must have gotten a little too close to one of Mrs. Catbird’s babies. The catbird really let her have it. I’ve only had catbirds visit our yard for the last 7 or 8 years, but now they’re … [Read more...]
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