Blogging the food, culture and folkways of Wythe County, Virginia, and the Mountain Empire

Wythe Notes header image 1

shrooming

May 19th, 2011 · musings, photos

I love mushrooms. I’m not talking about the ones you eat, though I love them too; I’m talking about the various fungi that pop up all over the place on days like today. They make cool photography subjects.

One of the things on my bucket list is to learn about the edible mushrooms that grow in Southwest Virginia. Having once suffered a near death experience from eating wild mushrooms as a child, I don’t put much stock in field guides. The only one I’m confident about is the morel, whose season is over, and I have yet to find one. Maybe next year….sigh.

I took the following photographs in about 20 minutes walking around the yard this morning. I don’t know the proper names of any of them. If you do, please let me know.

→ 2 CommentsTags:·····

yummmm….strawberries (homer simpson voice)

May 15th, 2011 · From the Garden

We’ve picked about a quart and a half of strawberries the past two days from our 5′X4′ patch. Thanks to the wet weather, they are the plumpest, sweetest, and juiciest we’ve ever grown. We added a scant tablespoon of sugar to the first pickings, but we probably shouldn’t have. These little beauties are just fine by themselves. The bushes are full. It’s a race now between us, the birds, and the assorted furry little fornicators with whom we share Our Little Piece of Paradise to see who gathers the most berries.

In the top picture, the berries are served with a slice of homemade pound cake purchased yesterday at the Wytheville Farmers Market.

Springtime in the Blue Ridges is heaven on earth. Can I get an amen?

→ 2 CommentsTags:····

an apology

May 14th, 2011 · musings

When I screw up, I don’t mess around; I really screw up.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted a piece entitled “wtf? ….over” in which I appeared to have said some mean and cruel things about my neighbors. Don’t bother to go back and look because I took it down; the first time I have ever removed a post since I started this blog over 3 years ago (with the exception of a memorial piece I did on the first anniversary of my daughter’s death.) When I reread the post last night, I was appalled.

I realized that I had mistakenly edited out a paragraph about the occasional loud radios blasting down Rt. 52 late at night as Bubba and Earl weave their way home, trash and beer cans flying out the windows, after spending too much time watching the ballgame at Applebees. The diatribe that followed (ATTENTION: You redneck etc. etc.) was directed at them and not my neighbors.

To the folks I offended, I sincerely apologize, and I hope you will forgive me and accept this explanation. What got printed was the result of my lack of understanding of an update on my editing software and an adverse reaction to a change in the medications I take for depression and high blood pressure. I have been so wound up because of the drug interactions and my natural know-it-all attitude that I have behaved like a total asshole.

To my wife, my friends, and my neighbors, I apologize.

→ 1 CommentTags:

let the good times roll

May 12th, 2011 · food, Sources

Good food, made from scratch, made another comeback in Wytheville yesterday. Captain Coy’s Cajun Deli & Seafood Market opened with a bang as these last few weeks of a growing word of mouth kept chef/owner Chris Francis chained to his stove virtually from the time he opened until the time he closed.

Chris Francis (right) and Willard Conklin turnin' and burnin'

With a staff of two, a cook/host/waiter from Calabash, NC, hired the day before, and a volunteer waitress/cashier from Anders Evolution Salon, owned by Chris’ sister Julie and where wife Dana has strutted her styling self for the last 13 years, Chris and crew pulled off a relatively smooth day. Sure there were a few minor opening-day bumps, and at times a wait, but that said, things went pretty well.

Anne and I had a really good lunch yesterday, and I stopped by today with my friend John for a sandwich and take-out for dinner tonight. Service was much smoother even though the wait staff was still volunteer, this time a couple of ladies from Crossroads, Chris and Dana’s church. Wait times were cut in half. Considering the quality of the food and the variety of offerings in both the fresh seafood and the deli cases, I don’t think anyone is going to mind a brief wait. The tastefully decorated space is tiny, and seating is limited to 12. The problem is that the room is so vibrant and the food is so good, no one wants to leave.

For all the area foodies who appreciate regional southern cuisine, particularly that of Arcadia, the area of southeast Louisiana Cajuns call home, this is the place we’ve been waiting for. Many people have a misconception about Cajun food. It is not the fiery Creole haute cuisine of New Orleans with its complicated preparations and complex sauces. This is an example of country home cooking at its best. Mildly spiced, daily specials feature slow cooked stews of chicken (Wed.) and shrimp (Fri.) Captain Coy’s is closed Sunday and Monday, so red beans and rice is reserved for Tuesday, Jambalaya on Thursday and seafood gumbo finishes the week on Saturday.

Chicken Stew and a slice of French bread straight from Gambeno's Bakery in New Orleans

oysters and fresh, safe Gulf shrimp, to the right, sushi grade tuna, et al

Personally, I don’t plan to do a lot of cooking for the next few days. As they say in Louisiana, laissez le bons temps rouler!

Located in the old Sunny Daze building
610 West Lee Highway
For take-out and directions, call 276-227-0311.

→ 3 CommentsTags:·········

the best day ever

May 10th, 2011 · arts and crafts, faces and places, food, photos

Saturday’s opening of the Wytheville Farmers Market was its best day ever. Not just the best opening day, the best day period. Market director Suzie Richert reports that not only did they have the most vendors (21), but the largest number of visitors and the highest sales gross. This year’s opening was also the earliest by 3 weeks.

Anne catching up with our friend Suzanne Capone

I don’t know about how everyone else felt, but I can guess. Anne and I had the most fun we’ve had in a long time. We only spent 2 1/2 times our normal Market budget. Considering a couple of the meals we’ve fixed this week, I wish we had spent more.

Not only were there a dozen or so new vendors, but last year’s vendors are back with more and better products. Check out the gi-normous eggs we got from Matty Holder of Lazy Bee Farm.

Don had to cut the lid from the carton. It's just resting on top.

Granted, this was a special dozen Matty and her husband Don put together just for me, but their free range eggs are simply the best and a normal dozen is a deal. One of the benefits of shopping at a farmers market is the knowledge you gain from the vendors. I learned last year from Matty that unwashed eggs stay fresher longer. (Matty, the two egg omelet I made Sunday morning was huge!)

One of the most exciting things for me personally was the new products offered by a couple of the new vendors. Maybe ramps and broccoli rabe don’t blow your hair back, but this ol’ chef came home and did his happy dance.

Crystal Gillan of Mule Hell Trading Co. who offers wild foods (ramps) and handmade olive oil soaps among other things

Sara Fennell, the mother of our arugula, operates Groundswell Farm and is also the broccoli rabe source.

I have a lot more pictures and more to write about, but I’m out of time today. I’ll post more this week. Let me close this out with a picture of hands down, the Market’s most satisfied customer that day.

→ 2 CommentsTags:···

what a day!

May 9th, 2011 · news, photos

Saturday’s opening of the Wytheville Farmers Market was the biggest and best ever. I’ll have more later today. Spring allergies are attacking right now, and I’m hoping my head won’t explode.

→ No CommentsTags:

post cards from wythe – spring 2011

May 5th, 2011 · flora and fauna, photos

→ 1 CommentTags:··

feliz cinco de mayo!

May 5th, 2011 · festivals

Cinco de Mayo is a regional Mexican holiday that celebrates the victory of an outmanned, outgunned Mexican army over the invading French forces of Napolean III at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. At the time, the French army was the most powerful in the world, and had not been defeated in 50 years.

Historians credit the Mexican victory with stalling Napolean III’s plan to establish a second French Empire in Mexico to use as a base to supply The Confederacy with guns, money, and equipment. His goal was the breakup of the American Union. Had the victory not occurred, the Union would not have had enough time to raise and train the army that defeated General Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg, thus bringing about the beginning of the end of the Recent Unpleasantness.

In this country there are more than 150 official Cinco de Mayo celebrations in 26 states; many more than the number in Mexico. It is a day that includes proclamations, parades, and parties. We’re fortunate in Wythe County to have three pretty darn good Mexican restaurants. My personal favorite is Casa Mexicana Mexican Grill in Ft. Chiswell. Stop by one of them today for a cerveza and a meal. Join the celebration!

→ 1 CommentTags:····

random stuff and some good news

May 3rd, 2011 · music, musings, news

A couple of thoughts first: Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s leading buffoon, has been trumped twice this week by President Obama. First, the president finally laid to rest the birther nonsense, and second, the president’s announcement of the Bin Laden raid preempted the last 15 minutes of the season finale of The Apprentice, Trump’s moronic reality show. Trump’s only issue now is the world’s worst comb over.

Most folks refer to the Board of Supervisors simply as the BOS. BOS spelled backwards is SOBs.

My heart goes out to the farmers in Missouri as they face the loss of their homes and farms because of the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision to blow holes in the Mississippi River levee system in order to prevent the flooding of Cairo, IL, a town of 2,500 people. The 200 square miles of Missouri farmland, which is being intentionally flooded, is among the richest and most productive in the nation. It will take decades for this land to recover; most of the farmers will not. This is one decision I’m glad I didn’t have to make.

Now the good news.

The Wytheville Farmers Market opens Saturday at 9:00 am! This year’s market will be bigger and better than ever. Market Director Suzie Richert reports that there will be more vendors, including more artisans, than ever before. Suzie’s husband Dave and The Artist George Krause volunteered their time to do some remodeling. There are 22 vendor spaces now, most of which have been rented. Opening day, we can expect organic lettuces and greens, spring onions, free range eggs, hormone free meats, baked goods, herbs, starter plants, and that’s just the stuff I know about. Click the link on my blog roll on the right for more up to date info.

Here’s a little something for farmers everywhere.

→ 2 CommentsTags:··········

news flash: the son of a bitch is dead!

May 2nd, 2011 · news

If you haven’t seen or read any news in the last 12 hrs, get thee to a television. American troops in Pakistan shot Osama Bin Laden in the head. The murdering bastard is dead! This was a kill mission, there were no plans to attempt a capture. The 40 minute mission was carried out by US Military Special Ops who swept into his compound located just outside Islamabad, Pakistan by helicopter. After completion of the mission, Bin Laden’s body was dumped at sea.

→ 1 CommentTags:·