My home is now filled with energy and activity.  Two new colonies of bees have arrived, complete with two strong queens.  The work has begun.  They're getting oriented, finding their way around my neighborhood and my yard. 

 

Are you curious about all the buzz about Social media?  Want to learn about Facebook and Twitter and all that?  We're hosting a special class this coming Wednesday.  Here's a quick look.  For more information, follow the link right below.

 

Monday, March 29

Grilled Chicken with Fettuccine Alfredo 11.25

 

Tuesday, March 30

Pasta Carbonara with Guanciale and a Poached Egg 12.25

 

Wednesday, March 31

*Pan-roasted Trout with Braised Fennel and Leeks 12.75

 

Monday, April 1

*Salmon Niçoise 12.50

 

Tuesday, April 2

Glazed Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes 11

 

* these are gluten free

 

(though it is important to know that

we do not have a wheat free kitchen.)

We make a special casserole each week.

 

 

Order by noon or so. Order a half if you have around 4 folks. If you have a bigger group, or you just like leftovers, order a full-sized one.

Then come pick up between 3:00 and 8:00. (Or bring a gang and enjoy your dinner right here. We do have beer and wine by the glass, you know.)

 

Please order by phone (252-1500) or stop in to speak to one of us in person.

 

This week's casserole is:

 

Wednesday, March 31

Chicken Country Captain

Full: 46 Half: 23

 

 

We're now making Lasagna every Friday. Here's this Friday's offering:

 

Friday, April 2

Turkey Sausage Lasagna

Half: 22.50 Full: 45

 

Come for simple supper and sweet music this Thursday.

 

Will Straughan returns this Thursday

He does have a luscious voice and is a talented instrumentalist too.

Do come share this evening with us.

And yes, we'll have fresh, simple foods and local beer.

 

Fun!

6-8 is the time.

No charge (but we'll have a tip jar.)

Here's a look at my moment of pretending to be a movie star last week.  Can you imagine trying to stay calm while your couch is being dragged around (they told me to stay seated) and the pillows are being primped and the lights and sound equipment and WALLS are all being adjusted?

 

Martha, the one who writes our Dinner to Go menu each month, is such a talented cook!  She's been here for 11 years (hard to believe) and is the one behind many of your favorite offerings.  Here's a look at her hand-formed Gallettes. 

 

 

March 27, 2010

 

Good morning to you all.

 

The birds’ songs are stronger and stronger at my home these days. They wake me up, perk me up, remind me that this chill is almost done, that spring days are just about here. Finally, I say. Finally.

 

The arrival of my bees highlighted this past week. I drove to Hendersonville last Sunday on a grey morning, wound up to the top of a mountain, and picked up my “nucs.” Each nuc contained a queen and a whole bunch of bees, four frames loaded with workers, babies, a few drones, and a lot of promise.

 

I tucked the boxes into my car, trying not to be concerned about the few bees hanging on to the outside of the boxes. I need not have worried. All they wanted was to be inside those boxes. They were not at all interested in me.

 

We drove home, notifying my sister when we were nearly there. I am the new beekeeper but she is my security blanket, standing by, assuring me, silently, that all is well. In truth, again, I had nothing to worry about. The bees had been in their nuc for time enough that all they really wanted, I suspect, was to get out, stretch, settle into their new, roomier digs.

 

I’d spent the afternoon before their arrival painting, organizing, readying my property for their arrival. My hives had been in my back yard but, after losing them two years in a row, I decided to shift them to the front. It’s a sunny spot and I get to see them all the time. Much better. Much.

 

By Sunday my excitement took over, replacing any trepidation I might feel about the transfer, the opening of the nuc box, the handling of the frames of bees. The bees hardly made a noise as I opened the lid, lifted out a frame at a time and installed them into their new spot. I breathed more easily after I’d finished the first nuc, and by the second one I took my time, looking, noticing, enjoying the exploration. Queen! Worker! Baby! Wow!.

 

And on Wednesday my mentor came by to check. Together we went back in, opening up each hive, looking at each frame (there 20 in each hive), identifying, cleaning, checking.