As you’ve likely heard before, farmer’s markets are a great local shopping adventure. Some are practically one stop for your grocery needs. Even in winter months, the Carbobdale area is blessed to have a couple of farmer’s market options. The Community Farmer’s Market is open December through March from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the movie theater wing of the University Mall at Carbobdale. L.E.A.F. Food Hub is an online farmer’s market with pick up locations in Carbondale, DuQuoin, Carterville, Marion, Herrin, Cobden, and Tunnel Hill. Some home delivery is available.
MacaronsCarbondale Community Farmer’s MarketHerbal Teas by Mustard Seed Sowers. My favorite is the Holy Basil. Licorice Mint is also good. My daughter loves the Chocolate Mint. Honey & Shrooms has local honey and beeswax.
Glacier’s End has many wonderful shrubs and products like hickory and elderberry syrups. The Mexican Mocha Hot Sauce is wonderful. Cordials such as their Honeysuckle are great additions to drinks.
Honeysuckle Cordial complements the flavors in a homemade sparkling raspberry spritzer. A large variety of bison products are available.If you have SNAP/Link, it can be used to double your buying power on eligible food products at the Farmer’s Market
If you have stayed away from Farmer’s Markets because you are concerned about prices, I can tell you that there are various price points. Some gourmet local items may run a bit more than you would spend but can be used sparingly to add flare to your dishes. Many things really don’t seem any higher than national chain store prices. For example, I actually paid less for cube steak at the Farmer’s Market than I would have paid at the larger chain store. Actually, there was a better variety of meat available at the farmers market than at the chain store . Please keep in mind that if you can’t find something on bare shelves at a larger store, you might find an even better local product through one of the local markets or stores.
Flyway Family Farms has a great variety of mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane. They also have seasonings and Mushroom Jerky. Warm potato and green bean salad made with a vinaigrette containing Glacier’s End’s Apple Butter Ginger Shrub. The Shrub helped to add a bit of acidity to the vinaigrette while echoing the freshly grated ginger root.
Gallo Pinto (Costa Rica’s national breakfast dish) made with brown rice by Cahokia Rice. They also have white rice. Both are available through L.E.A.F. Food Hub.
Baked Vegetable “Stir Fry” with shiitaki mushrooms from Flyway Family Farms. Marinated shiitaki mushrooms (Flyway Family Farm) and chicken kabobs on Rosemary BBQ Skewers from Flora Bay FarmCarbondale Community Farmer’s MarketL.E.A.F. Food Hub goodies delivered to our home.
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Watermelon radish from River to River Farm and Basil Microgreens from Autumn Ridge Farm kick this salsa garnish up a bit. Both were ordered through L.E.A.F. Food Hub.
Big Muddy Hogs in Hurst also carries many local items, such as bread from Baked on Division and Steam Shovel Coffee. They are located at 300 Adams Street. Many of the local farms and vendors give product updates and advise where you may find their products on Facebook and Instagram.
If you were in Southern Illinois earlier this week, as temperatures actually hit 60 degrees Fahrenheit in some spots, you may have noticed grocery store shelves start to empty. Once the forecast indicated a wintry mix was coming, storm panic hit. People began planning large meals of French toast and meat. Well, maybe not, but the bread and meat with some other items began flying from store shelves.
The bread isle at a Carbondale store on 2/2/22This spot was full of produce before the weather started changing. The meat section (whats’s left of it…) on 2/2/22
My brother, Consulting Historian for A Slice of Southern Illinois, and I recently reminisced about snow days as kids in Tonti. This was WAY before remote learning was a thing. “E-learning” to us would have meant learning words beginning with the letter “e.” There were no automatic texts to say that school was cancelled. (For that matter, “text” was not yet used as a verb…) Our phones were still attached to the wall–one in the kitchen and one in the hallway upstairs.
We did have kind of a direct line to knowing if it was a snow day in grade school. Our dad was the principal. As it was a smaller, country school, one of the hats he wore as principal was that of the transportation director. This meant we sometimes all piled into the Pacer (our family car for much of my childhood…) to check the bus routes. Dad drove through the bus routes, mostly all on country roads, to see if it was possible for buses to run. The little Pacer got stuck in a snow drift by a friend’s house once. Her family was kind enough to help us get back on the road. Selmaville did NOT have school the next day…
Of course, if the electricity was out, school was cancelled. Crackling, sparkling ice on the trees was beautiful, but the weight sometimes caused power outages. Water also froze when temperatures were too low. My parents tried to be as prepared as they could for any water outage since we had well water. My mom washed and reused plastic jugs by filling them with water for washing. She stored them in what we referred to as the “water closet.” If it was cold enough that our water froze, it meant the goats and other animals needed more attention to their water. Frozen five gallon buckets of water were pretty heavy. (Carrying water buckets from the outdoor faucet at the house across nearly two acres to the barn was quite a workout in good weather. Trying to remain upright on ice was an added challenge.)
Before my parents got a wood burning stove, it was pretty cold in the house during a power outage. We sometimes went to warm up at my aunt and uncle’s home. They had a fireplace. Of course, we had a lot of fun hanging out with our cousins. I remember frozen snowmobile rides through a path in the woods being a blast. Very cold, but fun.
One winter night as a fourth grader, when the power was out due to ice, the wood stove kept us warm. We congregated in the kitchen around a battery operated lantern that we also used to do chores in the barn. I spent quite a while by the light of the lantern reading for pizza ingredients. (Yes, you read that right…) My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Hunter, let us pick paper pizza ingredients to add to our paper pizza slices based on how many minutes we spent reading. I really wanted a supreme pizza slice..
My brother reminded me that during the Blizzard of ’82, nursing home staff and residents at one Salem facility were reportedly snowed in for three days. As if that wasn’t bad enough, an employee advised that the coroner had to wait to tend to a death until a door could be opened. (I’m not sure how that managed not to be made into a television movie…)
We also remembered hearing that the Salem Armory had been used as a temporary shelter during that blizzard for travelers on I-57 who were stranded by the storm. Employees at a local restaurant, some unable to commute home during the storm, reportedly helped to keep the travelers fed.
A couple decades or so later, when my kids were little, we did have a few snow days. Snow angels, snowballs, and attempts at making snowmen were fun. We also made some tasty snow ice cream.
Making snow ice cream
Now that they are young adults, I’m not sure that snow days are quite as much fun. I think the fur babies may be more excited than the kids are about snow.
Sir Kingston returning from a very brief trip outsidesporting a rather large, perfect snowflake on his back.
As some may have noticed, my last post was at the beginning of summer, right before Memorial Day Weekend. It is now after Labor Day, and summer is gone… Fall is here (even if we can’t always tell that it is by the weather.)
On June 26, I fell in my bathroom, breaking a mirror that I had standing up against the linen closet where it was waiting to be hung on the door. When I was able to get up off the floor, I realized that I had cut myself on the mirror and hit my head. To be safe, I called an ambulance. That was just the beginning.
I arrived in the Emergency Room at Carbondale Memorial Hospital and found that my head and cuts were ok from the fall. However, the big BUT was that I had the dreaded COVID-19. I had been tested multiple times within the past year when I had the “normal” symptoms and tested negative. Fortunately, due to the fall, they admitted me overnight for observation.
I was admitted to the COVID isolation unit. The next thing I can remember is feeling absolutely helpless and being told that I had been on a ventilator in ICU for 10 days. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move, I couldn’t see, and I couldn’t do anything for myself. I was absolutely terrified. During what I assume was time that I was very medicated to remain sedated, I remember seeing geometric shapes of bright magenta and turquoise and feeling trapped in some sort of translucent geodome. I remember being afraid that the building was on fire and trying to tell people that I couldn’t swim… Of course, none of that was reality. It was a combination of the virus, medication, and fear.
I didn’t really know where I was at that time. I felt very much like the soldier in Metallica’s video for “One” who could not communicate and felt like he had been reduced to just a box. It amazed me how much the lyrics to the song, written a few decades ago about an injured soldier, related to my experience on the ventilator.
Before I knew what was going on, I briefly felt like it was time to let go. However, I wanted to see my family-including my fur babies. My kids are now legally adults, but still young. I also feared for what would happen to my fur babies if no one was able to adopt them. I knew there were more family memories to be made.
One of my favorite songs from church services kept coming to mind. “Another in the Fire ” referenced when people could see a fourth person in the Fire with Shadrack, Meeshack, and Abenigo. They came out smelling a bit burnt, but they survived. It was a reminder that however difficult the situation was, God was still with me.
When I was able to whisper, I started just praying, “Jesus, please help me.” Eventually, I prayed silently because I had pretty much no voice or strength. I did get a bit amused, finding humor among pain, when one of the medical professionals (I wasn’t able to see at the time to know which one) said to the others, “I’ve been called a lot of things before, but no one has ever called me Jesus…”
Fortunately, God has perfect timing. I finally calmed down a bit once I found out that one of my surgical nurses was a dear friend with whom I had served in children’s ministries. She explained to me where I was and that I was on a ventilator. I had been on it for 10 days in the COVID ICU room.
When I gained consciousness, I had no strength. I could not lift my cell phone or the remote/nurse call button. It blew my mind that I could not move my legs or do anything on my own. I had to begin physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. I was totally dependent upon the wonderful SIH staff to even be moved in the bed.
A couple of the sweet CNA’s and nurses put my hair into little braids with cut up pieces of gloves (brilliant!) to keep it from getting all matted in ICU and the COVID unit. I expect to see this stylish and functional trend pop up on fashion runways soon…
Eventually, I learned that they actually had tried to intubate a second time just a few hours after I had been taken off the ventilator because it was not going well. Doctors explained that I almost had to go on dialysis because of COVID affecting my kidneys. I also found out later that my body had been rejecting the feeding tube. Different medical professionals that had treated and cared for me while I was unresponsive came in once I was more alert to talk to me. They explained that it was a miracle as most on the ventilator, especially two times, do not make it. When I had called the ambulance in June, I had no clue how close to death I was at that time. Within hours, I had to be intubated.
One thing that I had a hard time wrapping my head around was losing 10 days. I had been admitted in June, and I found out that I missed the 4th of July and landed in a whole new fiscal year. All of the Christmas in July specials on TV made things more confusing.
After gaining consciousness, it was a few days before I was allowed to have any food or liquid that did not come through an IV or feeding tube. Of course, every other commercial on tv was some type of beverage. I had never been so thirsty in my life. Once off the ventilator, I didn’t automatically get regular water. Liquids started out being thick–and unfortunately, not at all appetizing. Iced tea so thick you could eat it with a spoon was not refreshing. I was very thankful to graduate to a few ice chips a day or two later. Once the speech therapist determined it was safe, I was allowed to slowly sip some water–but not at the same time as food. Food started out having to be soft until I could demonstrate that I could eat graham crackers safely. Then I went to normal food, and eventually, I could have liquid with meals.
My view from COVID-19 isolation. There were many ambulances and helicopters. I would expect the “normal” admissions and ER visits to be exhausting for the hospital employees. I can’t imagine how many times harder COVID-19 has made their lives.
Once my condition had stabilized enough to leave ICU, I was able to transfer to a COVID-19 isolation room. Because of the severity of my symptoms, the health department determined that I had to spend 20 days in quarantine. When I was in a COVID-19 room, I couldn’t have visitors, and everyone who entered my room had to suit up. They were covered head to toe with yellow scrubs, gloves, and “space helmets” with a facial shield and a constant air flow. The helmets made it difficult for them to hear. My voice was still very weak from the ventilator. It all seemed very sci-fi. I have no idea how they managed the adhesive bandages and tapes with those gloves and all that Scrub fabric. Even though I was freezing, they had to be hot in all the special gear.
My actual first attempt to text my family once I had my cell phone charged... These were the responses 🙂
I learned that atrophy and “use it or lose it” was real. The amount of time spent on the ventilator meant having to relearn/regain strength to write, type, or walk. Trying to use my cell phone was extremely frustrating. Between my inability to control my typing and autocorrect, the first message I was able to send to my family was basically incoherent.
During the time I was unresponsive, my best friend and my mom spoke often. No one was allowed in to see me in ICU. A couple friends who figured out where I was were able to wave through a door.
People were not sure what happened to me. I posted about being in the ER then just disappeared from everything. A two week absence from social media was odd for me.
Learning to use a walker …
Yes, “Mork & Mindy” still has an influence on today’s physical therapy fashion trends.
On July 16, in the middle of a torrential rain storm, I was wheeled out to a Rides Mass Transit bus and made the transfer to Murphysboro for the Upswing Program. It easy the first time I had been outside the hospital since June. I was soaking wet but did not care–I was outside for a bit.
For the first time in nearly a month, I was able to watch my church service on Facebook live once I got to St. Joseph. I’m sure it was no coincidence that one of the songs was “Another in the Fire. ” I just cried and watched/listened. It was overwhelming to think back at all God had brought me through in the past month. I was thankful for the opportunity to chat through Facebook live with some of my church family.
The view from my Upswing Program room.
Even though St. Joseph was smaller than Carbondale Memorial, they had their share of helicopter traffic. Also, area hospitals had become full, causing them to admit some oveflow.
I was able to go outside for physical therapy on some days at St. Joseph. I missed my little garden at home, but some of the employees did have a raised garden of basil, tomatoes, and a few other things. They also painted my nails for me and tried to help me to find some normalcy again. I felt a lot better once I was able to have my hair washed the first time in almost a month. There were wonderful chaplains and a very nice recreational therapist. I enjoyed chatting with the nurses and CNA’s. Getting to the point I could walk short distances with a walker was a big deal.
Using a cane to do a few steps so that I could get into or out of a house was also an important milestone toward being able to go home. I was finally able to see my kids and my mom. I was able to talk to my best friend and even “mi hermana” in Costa Rica. Social media was available as well. Since I had (and still) have some pain and difficulty with my hand and wrist, I had to not try to type a lot at once. In fact, I started writing this post before I left Carbondale Memorial. It has taken this long for me to type and think through what I needed to say.
The signature salad at St. Joseph was wonderful. I would actually order it in a restaurant. Dietary at both hospitals was excellent. (I don’t blame them for the thick liquid diet before I could have real water and food–that was pre-packaged…) They were always pleasant and patient with me trying to get out words or work through the COVID-19 fog to order meals. I really liked the vinaigrette on the pasta salad at Carbondale Memorial too.
I am very thankful for all of the prayers and well wishes from family, friends, my church, my job, and many others. I am equally grateful for the fine staff at SIH that took such good care of me. I do not envy their jobs, and I am certain many of us had taken for granted all that they sacrifice and do for others.
August 2 was the end of the hospitalization and beginning of the next phase of recovering. (I am still in that phase.) The wonderful staff at St. Joseph in the Upswing Program lined the hall with a sign and plastic clappers to cheer when I was wheeled out to my mom’s vehicle for discharge.
Hospital discharge day in Murphysboro
One of my sweet hospital doctors asked me to please let people know that the most severe cases they have seen had not yet been vaccinated. I told him that I would pass that information on in this blog. I realize that vaccines are a bit controversial now, but this was what has been seen in this area. I had been trying to get an appointment that I could make for one of the options that from what I found, were the most ethical, but I had not yet been vaccinated. In retrospect, that might have been a blessing as there are reportedly a lot of false negative test results. If I actually had COVID-19 when I tested negative, the vaccine would not have been appropriate yet.
Now I am waiting to be told that it has been sufficient time since having the virus to be able to get the vaccine. I still have trouble breathing normal with much exertion at all and have to rest quite a bit. Although I have regained a good amount of leg strength, I still need to use the cane for much walking and the rollator so that I have a place to sit if I wear out walking. I have also found that there is a learning curve to driving one of the motorized grocery store carts. I am rarely out in places with crowds as not only is energy an issue, my immune system is not that strong yet. I don’t yet know how long it will be before I am able to return to my job. I still have quite a bit of physical therapy and occupational therapy to do. Trying to do a bit here and there with my ASOSI posts, cooking in short increments, and some crafting helps me feel like I am still doing something useful. My fur babies have been very attentive, and my kids have really had to assume a lot of tasks I normally do. I’m proud of them all.
From speaking with many of the wonderful people who took care of me in the hospitals, I learned that many had been through the virus and continued to experience varied symptoms for months–including severe headaches and hair loss. (As a cancer survivor, I’ve already been through a season of hair loss and hope to bypass it this time.) Doctors have stressed that the vaccine is not one hundred percent effective, but that for those who are able to have one, it appears to greatly reduce the severity of the symptoms if a vaccinated person gets it.
The loss of time and even finances associated with the virus are real. I found out that some supplemental critical illness insurance policies have cleverly made any diagnosis related to COVID-19 ineligible for those benefits. You may need help to straighten out your indemnity claims so that the system doesn’t just kick it out when it sees the word “COVID-19.”
If you contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help with your medical expenses, you cannot access it when you need it most on temporary disability–unless you continue to pay in pre-tax. If you need to be on disability for a period of time, you have to pay in what would normally be deducted for health insurance and other things. Temporary disability is less than the normal pay on which you have based your costs of living and assorted bills… You likely will need a large amount of medication for a while. (I will tell you that the copay on just one of the inhalers I had to get at discharge for breathing was over $200.) You will continue to have medical appointments and fees and most likely will not be able to use your FSA account that you paid into for that very reason. Delivery fees for household needs and groceries may be necessary as well as transportation costs until you can resume driving. I realize that not everyone experiences the virus at the same severity level, but some may still lose work hours or incur other financial loss.
Although there continue to be unknowns and controversy surrounding the ugly virus and its variants, there are some absolute truths. I know without a doubt that there is power in praying in the name of Jesus. I believe that God absolutely had His hand on everything from the perfect timing of already being in the hospital when my oxygen level required the ventilator to assembling a wonderful, skilled medical team literally from around the world to treat my condition. I also know that I am very grateful for everyone I encountered in receiving help and that I have so much more respect now for those who work in hospitals–regardless of position. I also don’t think I will ever take for granted being able to drink water again!
Spring has finally made its appearance, and Easter is fast-approaching. We’ve all heard that as one door closes, another opens. This also holds true for Carbondale Farmer’s markets. There are TWO happening this Saturday. March 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday is also the last Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market of the winter/indoor market season at University Mall. Saturday is also opening day for the Carbondale Farmer’s Market in the Westown Shopping Center (“Murdale”) parking lot from 8:00 a.m. to noom.
Plant starts by Richard Bochantin
Farmer’s markets offer a unique shopping experience that allows a person to interact with the farmer, cook, or artist that is selling a product. They can answer most questions you might have about preparing an ingredient or even growing one of the live plants. This doesn’t always happen online or at a larger chain store. Whether you need to fill a basket to gift to a loved one or a basket of ingredients for Easter Brunch, there are many wonderful Southern Illinois products from which to choose. Many can be found at local farmer’s markets.
There are often baked goods and treats that may even be tastier than some of the traditional commercially-packaged bunny, chick, and egg-shaped treats. If you arrive in time, you might find homemade brownies, cookies, fresh and candied pecans, and more.
Candied Pecans and Lemon Cookies by Marty’s Munchies
Shopping for the foodie or someone who likes to cook is easy at the markets. The hardest part will likely be decision-making between organic herbs, spices, unique seasonings, gourmet sauces, and even drinking shrubs.
Coffee and tea lovers can usually find a great assortment from which to choose. Some local honey would also be a nice addition. For those who create and make drinks, non-alcoholic ingredients like locally-made shrubs, cordials, and bitters are perfect.
Above: Flora Bay Farm’s Hops Bitters and Elderflower Cordial by Glacier’s End
There are usually treats for fur babies for purchase so that they won’t be left out of the fun. Although each week may vary a bit, you can often find jewelry, art, plants, and more.
Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps by Honey and Shrooms
Grocery shopping at farmer’s markets is about as fresh as it can get without picking it yourself. Luscious greens, beautiful gourmet mushrooms, microgreens, and a variety of meats can usually be found. Opportunity to combine these into unique and tasty menus is unlimited. For those with Link, an added benefit of Farmer’s Market shopping is the ability to get matching free produce up to $25.
Left: Mushrooms from Flyway Family Farms , Right: Brunch crostini topped with egg, ham, and basil microgreens by Autumn Ridge Farms
It’s a twofer in Carbondale this Saturday for farmer’s markets. If you can get there, visit both. Hit the last winter market and the first spring market. Talk with the winter market vendors to find out how to find their products after the last market of the indoor season. Many products from both markets and others have participated in the online Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market through and/or the LEAF Food Hub, a local online ordering service that allows weekly pickup at the Neighborhood Grocery Coop in Carbondale. Other options might be available for delivery. Set your alarm and grab your face mask to hop down that bunny trail to The Dale for some wonderful farmer’s market finds. You might want to bring sunscreen and an umbrella too. After all, you know what they say about the weather in Southern Illinois…
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some of our beloved Christmas traditions to be postponed until next year, others will continue, go virtual, or have been modified. Fortunately, it is possible to see many Christmas lights throughout Southern Illinois from the safety and comfort of our own cars. Other events have been social distanced.
Route 13/West Maine Street, Carbondale, 2020
Carbondale’s annual Lights Fantastic Parade (I won’t say what year it started, but I did string battery operated lights onto my flag pole and freeze through the parade route with the Marching Salukis that year. People have fortunately found the secret to constructing floats that don’t catch fire as they go down the street now…) will be a drive by event this weekend.
Normally, there are many live Nativity Scenes. I guess the angel is normally socially distanced, and the Wiseman technically are distanced from the birth by a few years, but COVID-19 has also affected these events. So far, I have seen one scheduled for Carrier Mills.
Stores continue to be at reduced capacity as we have been on Tier Three of the COVID-19 mitigation, but some are able to modify and continue their Christmas Open Houses and sales. If you are near Salem, you may wish to follow the links below (or from the app or Events page) to see the happenings this evening at both Country Creek Treasures and The Rusty Nail. It is very important that we continue supporting our local shops, restaurants, lodging, and other small businesses when we have opportunity to do so. In the long run, supporting them supports our communities as a whole.
If you head to Salem this evening, you could also see the Lewis Family Light Display and possibly make the half hour drive on to Centralia’s Foundation Park to see Fantasy of Lights 2020. Have yourself a merry little family Christmas adventure or one of those Hallmark Movie script- worthy dates.
Division Street, Downtown Carterville, 2015
A mix of family, community,, and municipal displays light up this December Southern Illinois sky this year. We will add them to the list at the top of the Events section in the app and website as we become aware of them. You may want to pack up your hot cocoa for the road, grab a comfy car blanket, and set out to see some lights. Our recommendation is to see what is also close to your destination, such as lights or events in neighboring towns, places to get food, local shops, or possibly experience a stay in one of the cozy cabins or inns at Christmastime. Many are listed in the Lodging section of the app and this website.
Candy Cane Lane, West Frankfort, within past decade…
Some events this year may have food or beverage trucks on site. Spread S’more Love will be on site some at the Reis Christmas light display in Herrin. We will try to share info on the Facebook page and update the ASOSI app and the Events section of this website as we hear of more opportunities to taste a bit of Southern Illinois.
This pandemic has been a mean one, but it cannot stop Christmas, and it cannot stop Southern Illinois from celebrating the birth of Jesus–safely, of course!
Please see currently listed Christmas and seasonal events from the app/website below. We recommend checking back regularly for additions or updates as well as checking links before making a special trip to see something for any admission fees or last minute changes.
11/27/20 Farm Fresh Christmas Trees Opening Day Black Friday at The Patchhttps://fb.me/e/AJ5dEcg3
12/5/20 Frosty the Snowman and Home Alone at Oasis Drive-In Theater,fundraiser to benefit Marion Unit 2 Foundation, $30 per vehiclehttps://fb.me/e/3ELz5GiLG
Although it would be impossible to list everything happening south of I-70, an effort is made to try to list some highlights. If you have an event or know of one to submit, please email it to: asliceofsouthernillinois@gmail.com
Im not sure if it is technically called a mini episode, introductory vlog post, or channel trailer, but it is now up on the A Slice of Southern Illinois YouTube channel!
The first vlog post features the crunching sound of fall leaves and a bit of the beautiful autumn scenery in Southern Illinois. Crafting with pine cones and leaves is discussed. There is a glance at the Events, Lodging, Shopping, Sites, and Tastes sections of the ASOSI app. An easy Pizza bread recipe starts the episode.
There are people, including friends and family, who read the blog from all over the world. I really wanted to share with people in climates that do not experience our four seasons a glimpse at what we sometimes take for granted.
I hope you enjoy the video. Please feel free to subscribe to the YouTube channel and share the link.
No, I wasn’t out chomping on landscape. Instead, I tried The Burning Bushes Shrub, one of the drinking vinegars, from Glacier’s End. I purchased some earlier in the season from them at The Marion Farmer’s Market. I had tried earlier in the year to get some at the Winter Farmer’s Market (Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market) in Carbondale, but it was always sold out by the time I made it to the high school to shop. That told me it MUST be good!
First, I mixed up a quick marinade for boneless pork chops and added about a tablespoon of the Shrub to it before I dried them off and breaded them…
Then I added a aplash to a vinaigrette for watermelon and arugula salad.
I threw it all together, drizzled on some marinade made by shaking it in a jar with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then I tossed it together with pieces of seeded watermelon, arugula, and queso blanco. (Goat cheese, cotija, or feta would also have been good…) I would like to have added a bit of mint chiffonade for another layer of flavor, but I didn’t want to go out and pick it at the time…
I also mixed a healthy splash with some chilled club soda.
It was pretty refreshing. I decided I might like to add a bit of simple syrup for a bit of sweetness, but it was still good without it. Adding a bit of white wine would probably work well too.
The Burning Bushes Shrub is a combination of elderberry, honeysuckle, strawberry, cayenne, and galangal. I want to try Pearapple Rain next. They actually make a variety of shrubs with unique combinations.
Please note that at this time, a new location for the winter market has not yet been announced. They cannot meet at the high school due to COVID-19 restrictions, but per their website, they still plan to return in December.
I didn’t slide driving around this morning, but a poor, large bird almost flew into my vehicle crossing over Crab Orchard Lake…
Please be safe driving around in Southern Illinois. The temperature is right on that line of freezing, and some folks are reporting a few slick spots. Big, fluffy snowflakes have been falling in the Marion area. Some actually are sticking to the geound.
Can you imagine the challenges of being a migrating bird in Southern Illinois? Whiplash could be an issue. “Get in formation, we are heading south for winter.” Then a few miles over, “Hey, it’s almost 70 degrees. Time to go north.” Another few miles: ‘Ugh. Snow. Put it in reverse, we’re heading south again…”
I guess we easily forget the wide range of weather we have, and how quickly it changes. On Christmas, it was so warm outside that we seriously considered dining al fresco on the deck.
That’s not the first warm December we have had. I can remember a December in Carbondale in the late 90’s (1998?) when it was exceptionally warm. Friends and I went to see Aerosmith at the SIU Arena. Later, we all sat out in front of La Roma’s on The Strip eating pizza at midnight and didn’t freeze. I miss La Roma’s…and those concerts. But, I digress…
Above: Carbondale, file photo
I also remember a cold May in the 90’s when a friend and I nearly froze trying to walk around at Fort de Chartres at Prairie du Rocher.
I guess the flipping back and forth of temperatures gives our region more character. It also means perhaps would should cut those poor birds some slack when they poop on our windshields. They must be stressed from all the weather changes.
Above: Our beloved Heidi (Heidi’s Angel Brigade of Southern Illinois was created to honor her memory) on a walk during a prior winter
These were some of the first videos posted on YouTube by A Slice of Southern Illinois on the Slices of Southern Illinois channel.
It was a few summers ago, extremely hot, and as usual, the AC didn’t work in the house we were renting. The oven may or may not have been working, but when it’s already about a hundred degrees, who wants to add heat? So, we tried to make the best of it.
Yes, there is a learning curve to making videos. We are still somewhere on the bendy part…
I decided to take a short video as I made my first lap around the stands at the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market this morning. The video has been posted on YouTube. (If all goes well, it is also embedded in this post…) I was amazed at the quality and variety we have here even during the dreary winter months. Fresh greens, herbs, mushrooms, and more were available.
The market meets on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Carbondale Community High School through March 28, 2020. Some of the upcoming events, besides the weekly Fit program, are a seed swap, kids’ day, and plant give away.
It is definitely worth crawling out of bed to visit on a dreary morning. I found dried ancho chili peppers as well as a bunch of fresh salad greens to play with this week…
Local root veggiesSouthern Illinois honeySNAP/LINK can go further on healthy food at a Farmer’s Market than on junk food elsewhere. More quality locally made productsFitness Fun at the market… Live entertainment More veggies…
