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Mid-Winter Newsletter
January 24, 2009 - 07:05 AM
This is our Mid-winter Newsletter that was emailed January 23. They links here do not work, but if you want a copy sent to you by email with hot links email us.
Mid-Winter On The Farm
We have had a taste of winter on the farm, but more heavy frost than ice or snow. That is good as far as we are concerned with so many animals that need our care. There has been a steady number of cabin rental guests and the first cooking class of 2009 was a great success.
Winter birds are in abundance and many species seen only now are easy to spot in the forest with the trees bare. Baby goats have hit the ground and are whirling around playing and chasing their moms.
Breeding season has started with the cattle and we have had several adventures with the bulls not being happy in the paddock they are in and jumping fences to see the girls next door. I guess the grass is greener next door to them, too!
This is the time when we lay back a bit and do not get started so early in the day. We have our seeds in hand to start in the greenhouse for summer vegetables and shortly will be planting sugar snap peas and other early spring vegetables. We are planting a variety of maple trees around the cabins, along with Tulip Poplar. These will provide fantastic color in spring and fall in the years to come.
Hopefully by March, a Bocce Court will be finished for our guests to enjoy. It's a great outdoor game for all ages. We have started to prune the summer flower gardens and the roses will soon be on our work list to prune. Spring bulbs will soon start to emerge and poppies will flower as the days get warmer. We planted several varieties of wildflowers around the farm that should put on a beautiful display of natural color in the summer.
The berry field has been at rest for months, but it is time to winter prune the blackberry, add a bit of mulch here and there on the blueberries and tidy up the field for spring bloom. The plum, apple, pear and figs have a lot of full buds. We will keep our fingers crossed that we do not have a late frost this year. Our only major project in the fields is to build a new irrigation filtration system.
We deferred adding another acre of blueberries due to the uncertainty of the economy.
A number of visitors who receive our newsletter will stop by and visit when they are in our area. We are always happy to see you and to take a break and show you around.
Chef Eva's Cooking Classes
The January 17th class on Winter Soups and Stews was a great success. The sold-out class had fun learning to create three stocks and then using them to make several soups and a beef brisket chili.
Apparently the French Onion Soup with the Parmesan flan was the highlight and "to die for" was often heard from the participants. Stephen and Jeanene Johnson were guests who rented a cabin to celebrate their anniversary and to participate in the class. Stephen is a professional photographer in the Dallas area and at this link are several photos he made during the class. The first six screens were taken here.
There are two very different cooking class opportunities in February. On the 7th, we will prepare a menu based on Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine's Day. You will be surprised by what they are! On February 21st, savor south Louisiana food as we heat up the kitchen with Cookin' Cajun for Mardi Gras.
For these two classes, we are offering a special on our cabin rentals. For a two night stay, you will receive 20% off our posted rates if you take a cooking class. Cabin information is available here.
A complete list of 2009 classes is available on our website. Class reservations can be made by email or calling the farm (903) 645 3232.
Aphrodisiac Foods to Make for Valentine's Day
Saturday, February 7 - $65 - 10:00 AM.
Do you think certain foods make you or that special person in your life more romantic? After researching extensively the validity of aphrodisiac foods, I came to the conclusion that it is thoroughly mind induced. But, who cares! It's just a matter of stimulating those senses that enhance the proper mood. This can be achieved by a romantic setting of candles, low light, fine dinnerware, flowers and food that looks and tastes seductive. At the least, a nice wine will warm and relax anyone!
From the ancient Greeks to 18th century romantic writers, there have been lists compiled that suggest certain foods have aphrodisiac qualities. Some of these are almonds, anise, arugula, asparagus, avocado, cardamom, chilies, chocolate, ginger, honey, figs, oysters, pine nuts and wine.
We will test the theory for ourselves by warming our senses with an Oyster Rockefeller Bisque followed by Arugula Salad with Honeyed Pine Nuts and Goat Cheese. If that's not enough, we will continue with Pork Tenderloin stuffed with Prosciutto, Figs and Gorgonzola Cheese. This will be complemented by Asparagus with Cardamom Butter. To seal the deal, desert will be Chocolate Anise Pot de Crème.
By the time this class is over, you will be an expert and ready to prepare this special menu for a special Valentine evening.
In case you are curious, this class can be enjoyed by men, too.
Cookin' Cajun for Mardi Gras
Saturday, February 21 - 10:00 AM - $70
Chef Eva will take you on a culinary tour of south Louisiana in her class Cookin' Cajun for Mardi Gras.
Having spent my college years in New Orleans, I have wonderful memories of the festive time of Mardi Gras. This is also known as fat Tuesday and is the last day of feasting before fasting for Lent. I loved the carnival atmosphere, many parades, festive costumes and balls, and especially catching the coins and beads tossed off the floats.
Food and drink are paramount in celebrating Mardi Gras. This cooking class will blend two great south Louisiana cuisines: Cajun and Creole.
These two types of cuisine are intertwined, yet different. Creole food is more sophisticated, reflecting the elegance of historic New Orleans. Cajun food, on the other hand, is more country and has been handed down by the Acadians since the late 1700's. Both cuisines have their roots in the French, Spanish and Caribbean influence on coastal Louisiana with a robust taste and intense flavor.
The principal food of Mardi Gras is a Louisiana Gumbo using ingredients that were easy to obtain for country folks (sausage, seafood, chicken). King Cake, also known as Twelfth Night Cake, is traditional for the social conscious citizens of New Orleans. The cake dates from the 1870's and features a hidden token that represents the Christ child. The finder is said to have good luck for the coming year and is obligated to host the next party.
Our class will start by making a Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo and the New Orleans King Cake. After we get these started, we will focus our attention on a Spinach Salad Vermillion, Chicken Fricassee with Creole Rice and Artichoke & Crab Gratin. There will be some hands-on participation in this class. When the menu is complete, we will retire to my 1850's dining room and enjoy our meal.
Spring in East Texas..."Farm Stay" Special
March will soon be here and it is the start of Spring in Northeast Texas. We are offering 10% off a week farm stay (3 night minimum) in one of our lakeside log cabins during March and April. The savings should cover the cost of fuel for most of you. For many families, the kids are out of school for a week and it would be nice to turn them loose outdoors to burn off some energy. For others, it is a pleasant time to relax, read a book on the porch, fish a little or just do nothing and re-energize yourself.
The Daingerfield area is beautiful during this season. The dogwood is in full bloom, wildflowers color the roadsides and the forest is a hundred shades of green. The dogwood are outstanding in Daingerfield State Park as well as on the trails here on the farm. Nearby Hughes Springs, Linden and Avinger have a joint Wildflower Trails Festival near the end of April.
If you like live music, Crossroads in Winnsboro offers a relaxed venue. Music City Texas also has live music on Saturday nights in Linden. Not into music? There are two local vineyards with wine tasting rooms. Jeff Sneed is a great host at Pittsburg's Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard, where you can sit on the veranda of the tasting room and enjoy the view of the vineyard. In Naples, Red Road Vineyard and Winery 's host is Merrill Grove and this unique wine tasting venue is inside an 1890's ice and power generation house by the railroad. Both offer great wine produced here in East Texas.
Valentine Evening Dinner Special
During the year, we are honored to host various private luncheons and dinner parties. This year, Valentine's Day is on Saturday, February 14, and we are doing something different. Imagine the elegance of the dining room in an old planter's home: fine linens, candlelight, sparkling dinnerware and a romantic menu. Our circa 1850's dining room can accommodate two separate dinner groups of 10 each. Consider getting together a group of your friends and reserving a table for an extraordinary evening. Cabin rentals are available for those who want to spend the night at the farm. The menu offers a choice of entree.
Mid-Winter On The Farm
We have had a taste of winter on the farm, but more heavy frost than ice or snow. That is good as far as we are concerned with so many animals that need our care. There has been a steady number of cabin rental guests and the first cooking class of 2009 was a great success.
Winter birds are in abundance and many species seen only now are easy to spot in the forest with the trees bare. Baby goats have hit the ground and are whirling around playing and chasing their moms.
Breeding season has started with the cattle and we have had several adventures with the bulls not being happy in the paddock they are in and jumping fences to see the girls next door. I guess the grass is greener next door to them, too!
This is the time when we lay back a bit and do not get started so early in the day. We have our seeds in hand to start in the greenhouse for summer vegetables and shortly will be planting sugar snap peas and other early spring vegetables. We are planting a variety of maple trees around the cabins, along with Tulip Poplar. These will provide fantastic color in spring and fall in the years to come.
Hopefully by March, a Bocce Court will be finished for our guests to enjoy. It's a great outdoor game for all ages. We have started to prune the summer flower gardens and the roses will soon be on our work list to prune. Spring bulbs will soon start to emerge and poppies will flower as the days get warmer. We planted several varieties of wildflowers around the farm that should put on a beautiful display of natural color in the summer.
The berry field has been at rest for months, but it is time to winter prune the blackberry, add a bit of mulch here and there on the blueberries and tidy up the field for spring bloom. The plum, apple, pear and figs have a lot of full buds. We will keep our fingers crossed that we do not have a late frost this year. Our only major project in the fields is to build a new irrigation filtration system.
We deferred adding another acre of blueberries due to the uncertainty of the economy.
A number of visitors who receive our newsletter will stop by and visit when they are in our area. We are always happy to see you and to take a break and show you around.
Chef Eva's Cooking Classes
The January 17th class on Winter Soups and Stews was a great success. The sold-out class had fun learning to create three stocks and then using them to make several soups and a beef brisket chili.
Apparently the French Onion Soup with the Parmesan flan was the highlight and "to die for" was often heard from the participants. Stephen and Jeanene Johnson were guests who rented a cabin to celebrate their anniversary and to participate in the class. Stephen is a professional photographer in the Dallas area and at this link are several photos he made during the class. The first six screens were taken here.
There are two very different cooking class opportunities in February. On the 7th, we will prepare a menu based on Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine's Day. You will be surprised by what they are! On February 21st, savor south Louisiana food as we heat up the kitchen with Cookin' Cajun for Mardi Gras.
For these two classes, we are offering a special on our cabin rentals. For a two night stay, you will receive 20% off our posted rates if you take a cooking class. Cabin information is available here.
A complete list of 2009 classes is available on our website. Class reservations can be made by email or calling the farm (903) 645 3232.
Aphrodisiac Foods to Make for Valentine's Day
Saturday, February 7 - $65 - 10:00 AM.
Do you think certain foods make you or that special person in your life more romantic? After researching extensively the validity of aphrodisiac foods, I came to the conclusion that it is thoroughly mind induced. But, who cares! It's just a matter of stimulating those senses that enhance the proper mood. This can be achieved by a romantic setting of candles, low light, fine dinnerware, flowers and food that looks and tastes seductive. At the least, a nice wine will warm and relax anyone!
From the ancient Greeks to 18th century romantic writers, there have been lists compiled that suggest certain foods have aphrodisiac qualities. Some of these are almonds, anise, arugula, asparagus, avocado, cardamom, chilies, chocolate, ginger, honey, figs, oysters, pine nuts and wine.
We will test the theory for ourselves by warming our senses with an Oyster Rockefeller Bisque followed by Arugula Salad with Honeyed Pine Nuts and Goat Cheese. If that's not enough, we will continue with Pork Tenderloin stuffed with Prosciutto, Figs and Gorgonzola Cheese. This will be complemented by Asparagus with Cardamom Butter. To seal the deal, desert will be Chocolate Anise Pot de Crème.
By the time this class is over, you will be an expert and ready to prepare this special menu for a special Valentine evening.
In case you are curious, this class can be enjoyed by men, too.
Cookin' Cajun for Mardi Gras
Saturday, February 21 - 10:00 AM - $70
Chef Eva will take you on a culinary tour of south Louisiana in her class Cookin' Cajun for Mardi Gras.
Having spent my college years in New Orleans, I have wonderful memories of the festive time of Mardi Gras. This is also known as fat Tuesday and is the last day of feasting before fasting for Lent. I loved the carnival atmosphere, many parades, festive costumes and balls, and especially catching the coins and beads tossed off the floats.
Food and drink are paramount in celebrating Mardi Gras. This cooking class will blend two great south Louisiana cuisines: Cajun and Creole.
These two types of cuisine are intertwined, yet different. Creole food is more sophisticated, reflecting the elegance of historic New Orleans. Cajun food, on the other hand, is more country and has been handed down by the Acadians since the late 1700's. Both cuisines have their roots in the French, Spanish and Caribbean influence on coastal Louisiana with a robust taste and intense flavor.
The principal food of Mardi Gras is a Louisiana Gumbo using ingredients that were easy to obtain for country folks (sausage, seafood, chicken). King Cake, also known as Twelfth Night Cake, is traditional for the social conscious citizens of New Orleans. The cake dates from the 1870's and features a hidden token that represents the Christ child. The finder is said to have good luck for the coming year and is obligated to host the next party.
Our class will start by making a Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo and the New Orleans King Cake. After we get these started, we will focus our attention on a Spinach Salad Vermillion, Chicken Fricassee with Creole Rice and Artichoke & Crab Gratin. There will be some hands-on participation in this class. When the menu is complete, we will retire to my 1850's dining room and enjoy our meal.
Spring in East Texas..."Farm Stay" Special
March will soon be here and it is the start of Spring in Northeast Texas. We are offering 10% off a week farm stay (3 night minimum) in one of our lakeside log cabins during March and April. The savings should cover the cost of fuel for most of you. For many families, the kids are out of school for a week and it would be nice to turn them loose outdoors to burn off some energy. For others, it is a pleasant time to relax, read a book on the porch, fish a little or just do nothing and re-energize yourself.
The Daingerfield area is beautiful during this season. The dogwood is in full bloom, wildflowers color the roadsides and the forest is a hundred shades of green. The dogwood are outstanding in Daingerfield State Park as well as on the trails here on the farm. Nearby Hughes Springs, Linden and Avinger have a joint Wildflower Trails Festival near the end of April.
If you like live music, Crossroads in Winnsboro offers a relaxed venue. Music City Texas also has live music on Saturday nights in Linden. Not into music? There are two local vineyards with wine tasting rooms. Jeff Sneed is a great host at Pittsburg's Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard, where you can sit on the veranda of the tasting room and enjoy the view of the vineyard. In Naples, Red Road Vineyard and Winery 's host is Merrill Grove and this unique wine tasting venue is inside an 1890's ice and power generation house by the railroad. Both offer great wine produced here in East Texas.
Valentine Evening Dinner Special
During the year, we are honored to host various private luncheons and dinner parties. This year, Valentine's Day is on Saturday, February 14, and we are doing something different. Imagine the elegance of the dining room in an old planter's home: fine linens, candlelight, sparkling dinnerware and a romantic menu. Our circa 1850's dining room can accommodate two separate dinner groups of 10 each. Consider getting together a group of your friends and reserving a table for an extraordinary evening. Cabin rentals are available for those who want to spend the night at the farm. The menu offers a choice of entree.
Valentine Evening Menu
Tomato & Artichoke Soup with Crab Meat
Mixed Field Greens Salad with Goat Cheese,
Wontons and Greer Farm Blueberry Dressing
- o -
Beef Tenderloin with Wild Mushroom Duxelle and
Greer Farm Blackberry Gastrique
or
Salmon Roulade
- o -
Potato Flan
Roasted Asparagus Bundle
Homemade Bread with Chipolte Butter
Bete Noir with Whipped Cream and Raspberry Sauce
Coffee, Plantation or Regular Iced Tea
$80 per person*
*Plus sales tax and 18% gratuity
Greer Farm Nursery
Many of you have enjoyed walking around our display gardens at the farm. We stock a few Texas native plants, annuals, perennials, and hanging baskets in the late spring and during the berry season, but we normally special order plants and trees for our customers.
Now is the time to plant trees, shrubs and roses. Please check our website for winter specials. We have a source for holly, crape myrtle and trees that offers quality plants at an affordable price. We also can obtain roses for those wanting to start a rose bed or plant a few plants. The roses are in one and two gallon pots, while the trees and shrubs are in 15 to 65 gallon tubs.
There are a few trees we especially recommend for fall color. These include the Tulip Poplar and several Maples: Autumn Blaze, Shantung, October Glory and Summer Red.
From Our House To Yours
We appreciate your support of our family farm and enjoy reading your emails with suggestions and comments. Please forward our newsletter to those you think may enjoy it.
For the cooking classes, registration is limited due to space, so please make your reservation as soon as possible.
All the best from everyone here on the farm.
Sid & Eva Greer