Host Our Coast : Farms

Blessing of the Autobots

August 3, 2009 11:03 AM | Posted By : Host Our Coast
Special Events, Town, Farms

Every year in early August, Snow Hill farmers parade their combines through their streets. These gigantic machines sit like dormant Autobots laying in wait for a Decepticon attack, all the while gospel music and animal petting is occurring in the background.

Oh yes...Chesapeake Bay Farms Ice Cream

July 25, 2009 12:20 PM | Posted By : Host Our Coast
Farms

Chesapeake Bay Farms, Worcester County's only dairy farm, sells delicious hand-dipped ice cream, grass-fed steaks and fresh seafood on the west bound side of route 50.

Farmers' Market Meal

July 7, 2009 11:22 PM | Posted By : Host Our Coast
Recipes, Town, Farms

Since our July 3rd celebration in Snow Hill, being so fun and cute, we decided to return to the town to roam around a bit more. We stopped by the Worcester tourism office right on Market Street downtown and found some cool things to do.

Among our options was the historic downtown walking tour. On our own we were able to stroll around this gorgeous town visiting cool churches and historic houses, all with the help of our handy map supplied by the office.

The Snow Hill Farmers Market, which happens every Tuesday from 2pm to 6pm, was another delightful discovery.

The market here offered the gambit from pet snacks to oysters, and the people behind all the booths were friendly and interesting.

After talking to the vendors and doing some shopping, we took our fresh food home and designed a happy, healthy dinner for ourselves, including fresh oysters from Uncle Ernie's Tangier Sound and home-grown squash. So with out further ado, our meals made of (mostly) food from the Snow Hill Farmers' Market.

Cold Summer Squash Soup

3- 4 large zucchini (can exchange for a yellow squash)

1 large onion

3-4 cloves of garlic

3 pouches of chicken/veggie/beef bullion

a dash of ground black pepper

a few squirts of Tabasco (optional)

½ cup of milk (optional)

sour cream

Lavender Fields Forever

July 1, 2009 12:11 AM | Posted By : Host Our Coast
Farms

Somewhere near Milton, Delaware, in a small area called Cool Springs, sits a very unsuspecting farm called Lavender Fields. From the plants, neatly placed in multiple rows, to the printer in the "barn" all were decorated in purple. The beehives, kept for lavender infused honey, are painted purple. The clothes of nearly all the farmers were that of purple.

As the colors filled our eyes and the scent that could be smelled from the road filled our noses, we meandered through the groves of the flowers. From the English Lavender to the French Lavender, Marie Mayor, a co-owner, explained the many uses of lavender; perfumes, bug sprays and chocolates are all examples of the many uses for this plant.

With the day being as great as it could, we continued on through the farm, hearing of the wonderful story of Lavender Fields. How it was bought on a whim, out of the purple if you will, by Marie and her partner Shannon Harris. Not a farmer among them, they took on the project of raising this farm to the place it is today; how seventeen women worked with one Caterpillar to restore the barn, and neaten out the farm. Brought it to its current beauty in seven years.

Around the back of the gardens, behind the dahlia's and barn, is where one of the most interesting features of this woman-ran farm-- the labyrinth. In a small circle, arranged with bricks and white stone, there's a half a mile of relaxation.

The idea of this labyrinth is to walk the path to the middle, meditating on things in your life. With the rest of the environment permeating your senses, this place does bring your soul to ease and relax your mind.