Tag: coffee

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Winter Farmer’s Market Finds

Did you know that there is an indoor winter Farmer’s Market in Carbondale? You can find a great variety of local food and products on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market. The market is located in the movie theater entrance of University Mall. It runs from December through March and makes it a bit easier to still get fresh, local produce, dairy and meat products. There are wonderful locally made food products, baked goods, and beverages as well as handcrafted and artisan items.

You can enjoy local musicians as you shop, and there is a Kids Club with a different activity each week. On January 27, there is a cooking demonstration, and February 2 is the yearly seed swap. Ellen Esling, CCFM Indoor Market Manager, does a wonderful job with the weekly event.

Fresh Local Produce

My new favorite product by Glaciers End is the Winter Solctice Shrub. (A shrub is a drinking vinegar that has been used by many generations as a beverage. ) Although some people drink it by itself, I prefer adding a little splash to a glass of ice and seltzer water (or club soda) for a refreshing drink. I’ve also used their shrubs in marinades and vinaigrettes. Glaciers End is usually at the Winter market.

Glaciers End
Winter Solctice in Seltzer Water

If you like mushrooms, Flyway Family Farms has a wonderful selection of gourmet mushrooms. Although I tend to like the shiitaki or gourmet mix, I recently used their Black King Oyster mushrooms in a vegetarian stir fry. A great way to try a variety is with the Gourmet Mix.

Flyway Family Farms

Black King Oyster Mushroom Stir Fry

You can usually find lettuce and salad mixes at the winter market. Kale is one of favorites. If you like zuppa toscana, kale is one of its ingredients.

Kale

Those with a sweet tooth can find a variety of wonderful treats.

Get Dipped’s Vanilla Cream Pie
Eagle Point Emporium’s Freeze Dried Candy

You can also shop for great gifts or yourself!)

Eco Friendly Makeup Remover Pads

Beautiful Gourds and Dream Catchers
Lapis and Blue Lace Agate Earrings
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About that App…(and How to Find Southern Illinois Info)

Once upon a time, there was a free app that correlated with info on A Slice of Southern Illinois. Eventually, with the original app development company, it became too difficult too keep up with changing requirements for common app stores. So, I disabled the app–for now. I would eventually like to create a new one, but I am taking my time to jump into that process. 

Meanwhile, I still have pages accessible through the menu on this website for annual events, local  food  things to see, and more. I try to update these from time to time, but they are not likely going to be as current as the Facebook page.

As many of you know by now, my health is somewhat of a rollercoaster ride since covid did a number on me. (Yes, Long Haul Covid is a real thing, and I don’t wish it on anyone!) I am also doing some jewelry-making and crafting  now that are actually therapeutic for me. When possible, I participate in farmer’s markets and other venues. However, I have to do a lot of prioritizing and “energy budgeting”  for my health. With that being said, knocking myself out to keep the events page current as well as other changes can’t be my priority at this time. There is only so much energy, and after the whole near death/ventilator experience, I have a new perspective. Living life is a priority.

SO, I am attempting to make it easier to search on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. Hopefully, a series of hashtag terms (below) will help you to find info by town or type within Southern Illinois. It won’t be perfect (brain fog is real too,) and I may forget obvious hashtags and miss some things, but it’s a start. Even if no one else uses them, it will help me…

This is the link to the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/asliceofSoIL?mibextid=ZbWKwL

This is how you use hashtags in the search bar to seek info or types of posts:

If you are seeking info on a Southern Illinois town, try searching the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page with a hashtag. (Example: #Carbondale )

The hashtags below are to seek out posts with the types of info listed:

SIbreweries breweries

SIclosures closings

SIcares good deeds, service and volunteer opportunities, good news

SIcoffee coffee

SIentertainment entertainment

SIevents regional events

SIeventvenue event venues

SIfurbabies pet related

#SIhistory regional history

SIkids for children

SIlodging local cabins, B&B’s, etc.

SImarket Farmer’s Markets & locally made products

SIshopslocal locally owned shops & businesses

SItastes restaurants, food trucks, food-related

SItea tea

SIthingstosee things to see in our region

SIweather weather-related post

SIwineries wineries

WatermelonFalls (by A Slice of Southern Illinois) handmade jewelry, upcycles, & giftables

These search terms are currently pinned in a post on the A Slice of Southern Illinois Facebook Page. It is always a work in progress…

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Farmer’s Market Finds

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.

Macarons

Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market

Herbal 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 Farm

Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market

L.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.

Links:

Big Muddy Hogs https://www.facebook.com/BigMuddyHogs/

Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market https://www.facebook.com/communityfarmersmarket/ http://www.carbondalemarket.com/

L.E.A.F. Food Hub https://www.facebook.com/LEAFFoodHub/ https://www.leaffoodhub.com/

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Mystery Solved: Those Pretty Pink Succulents

During my trip to the Marion Farmer’s Market this morning, I looked at all of the pretty succulents at The Potager Garden’s booth. I noticed that some had some pink on them.

Recently, there have been photos circulating on social media of gorgeous pink succulents. Friends and I have been trying to locate some. Searches have not really netted any results.

I decided to ask if there were succulents that just came pink, or if they could turn pink. Since I’ve bought several plants from The Potager Garden, I knew that the Christiansons were very knowledgeable of their plants and would have an answer. They did not let me down. Justin explained that sometimes succulents can get a bit of a sunburn that makes them pink. It doesn’t hurt the plant, but its color changes. The extra sun is necessary to “stress” the plant. I was assured that this type of “stress” is not hurting it though. Succulents with color beyond the basic green require more light to maintain vibrant. Otherwise, their color can revert back to green.

I decided to get a Pencil Cactus. Actually, I’ve wanted to get another since I lost my large one several years ago. I had one that grew to be a couple feet tall from a start my sweet cousin had given me on a trip to see family in Louisiana years ago. I was sad when I lost it.

In addition to the Pencil Cactus, I found some lemongrass and lavender–both for culinary purposes as well as the garden.

Unfortunately, I didn’t arrive in time to make it to every booth. Since we are still under many COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, what should have been a five minute ATM visit at the bank took about half an hour because the cars in line for the other lanes had blocked the ATM lane…

I was able to pick up some Burning Bushes Shrub, one of the specialty flavored drinking vinegars, from Glacier’s End. Although they had just sold their last container of coffee steak rub, I was happy to find Volcan, Costa Rican coffee beans, at Cold Blooded Coffee Co. Their lemonade was delicious too! It was much appreciated after walking around in a hot face mask/bandana. Even on a cooler day, those masks can really warm a person up quite a bit…

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A Beautiful Day–to Drive Thru the Farmer’s Market

A multitude of well-behaved, socially distanced, people in cars paraded through the Carbondale Farmer’s Market this morning to shop local.

Vendors sold out of some things early. There were gorgeous flowers, plants, spring veggies, meat, eggs, and fur baby treats to buy. You could even pick up coffee, tea, baked goods, or some delicious-looking hot dogs. Even when forced to operate as a drive thru during a pandemic, the farmer’s market continues to be a treat for the senses. It operates on Saturdays mornings from 8:00 a.m. to noon at 2001 West Main Street in Carbondale, Illinois.

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Root Beer, Llamas, and Wine: A Fair September Day

The first Saturday in September was a bit warm and humid, but still a pretty nice day at the Du Quoin State Fair. I spent quite a bit of time in the Exhibit Hall looking at the different entries from all over Southern Illinois–produce, quilts, artwork, photography, cakes, and pies.

I spent even more time checking out all of the yummy things made in Southern Illinois and enjoyed meeting and talking with so many of the people and their products. Did you know that there is a Wabash Valley Wine Trail? Road Trip!

The Southern Illinois Beekeeping Association was on site with local honey and products made with it, such as Big Muddy Root Beer.

Rolling Oak Alpaca Ranch had a demonstration going as well as some of their fleece products. The little pumpkins were adorable…

Devil’s Breath Chile Company had some wonderful samples. They of course make some hot products, but the beef I sampled was a milder option with quite a nice balance of flavor.

Reinneck Ranch Inc. of Mascoutah also had samples and some wonderful products on hand.

There was fresh produce on site, and even the guys from Crown Brew were available to serve decadent coffee concoctions.

The BBQ Popcorn that Uncle Joe’s from Ina has started making was very tasty.

Aunt Jenny’s Fudge had samples. I tried the chocolate praline. O.M.Y! (Oh. My. Yum!)

Louie’s Seasonings, as in those used at the historic Louie’s P & R in Herrin, were available as well as Kuntry Kettle apple butters.

Excel Bottling from Breeze, responsible for the regional favorite Ski, provided samples of soft drinks.

Stanley’s Italian Style Beef Seasoning from Harrisburg had samples of Italian beef. Mr. Stanley was kind enough to pose for the camera.

There was so much delicous-smelling fair food to choose from when it was time to eat. I chose a local food truck with a cause that hit close to home. A bit of online research revealed that Fight Like a Girl was created by Du Quoin’s Marcy Robinson and her husband Les in memory of her sister, Kristina Stacey.

The ribbon fries with cheese were awesome!

I walked through the midway, but after recently spending months fighting nausea during chemo, I passed on any rides. While my kids and their friends enjoyed the midway action, I took a LOT of photos. Imagine that…

The ever-popular “Free Bird” was observed in its natural habitat. Ok, perhaps it wasn’t the original band singing the song, but this band was pretty darn good. The guy singing had a great voice.

After many decades, people still gather at this iconic structure to eat and perhaps rest a bit at the tables. As I’m still trying to rebuild my energy from this past year, I rested often. I was thankful for every bench and picnic table at the fairgrounds!

Livestock and dairy shows are still part of the fair’s backbone. I was sad that I missed the dairy goat show (this girl showed dairy goats for 11 years in 4-H. Tonti Broken Arrow Carpris, my family’s farmette as a kid, was a proud member of the Southern Illinois Dairy Goat Association…) but did see some cows. Horses also make up an important part of the fair. Unfortunately, I did not make it to see the stables this year.

Above: The grandstand in the background of the children’s area. I empathized with all parents pushing double strollers and wagons as I remembered the days when Mija and Mijo were energetic toddlers… At least it wasn’t muddy. That always added to the resistance workout.

Below: The midway as photographed from its North end. It seems the kids have now graduated to this side of the food vendor area.

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Flooding, Concerts, and Costa Rican Coffee?

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All of the recent flooding has brought a couple of concerts to mind. The second time (out of five?) that I saw Bon Jovi was during The Great Flood of ’93.

They were playing at the Riverport Amphitheater (forgive me, but I’ve quit keeping track of the frequent name changes of that place. ) There was so much flooding in the southwest part of Illinois. For some reason, I thought the only way to get to St. Louis from Carbondale at that point in life was to head through Murphysboro and over to Route 3. One of the roads was closed due to flooding, and I was completely distraught. Seeing Bon Jovi was pretty much the one thing I had been looking forward to for several weeks.

So, the three of us, a girl from Costa Rica, a guy from Pakistan, and a somewhat directionally-challenged Southern Illinois girl, finally made our way via the interstate. The concert was of course, great. (How could Jon Bon Jovi not be great, right?) We made it home to Carbondale very early the next morning via Festus, Missouri. (I don’t know why we went through Festus –I was trying to sleep.)

Fast forward to sometime in the summer of 1998 when my cousins, my BFF, and I headed to the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds to see Leann Rhines and Bryan White. Bryan put on a great show, but the storm had started moving in quickly. LeAnn had to postpone for safety reasons.

We made a mad dash for my cousin’s car in the pouring rain. As we struggled to see our way out of the congested fairgrounds parking lot in the downpour, we kept smelling coffee. That was odd considering that none of us had any, nor was there any stowed in the car. We finally figured out that the combination of summer heat and rain had actually started steaming my necklace of Costa Rican coffee beans from a recent trip… That was a first for me. Scented fashion accessories. Not at all age-inappropriate…

However, the evening’s adventure did not end in DuQuoin. We headed east then south down Route 148 and took some side roads in Herrin where we thought there might be better visibility without so many headlights glaring and that type of thing. Uh, bad choice. Apparently, Herrin had a flash flooding issue.

We seemed to be cruising down the street just fine, and then, suddenly, we were floating like a boat. Water started coming into the car by our feet. I remember calling a cellular rescue service that I’d apparently just thrown money at for several months because it was no help. The lady who answered kept putting me on hold. I remember saying “Ma’am, we can’t hold. We are in a car with water rising up to our knees…”

Fortunately, the other girls managed to get the window to where we could climb out of the car, still filling with water. It just happened that we were near a crisis shelter. The folks at the shelter were kind enough to let us get out of the storm and find a tow truck. Eventually, four very tired girls climbed into the tow truck with one poor tow truck driver to end the night. I had been to all those “dangerous” rock and concerts with no mishaps, but I went to one country music concert and nearly drowned. Nothing like this ever happened when I drove myself over to St. Louis to see Ozzy’ s “Retirement Sucks” concert…

Although we made it out of the flash flood ok, the car did not fare as well and was determined to be a total loss. When we went back to the area the next day, and the water had disappeared, we could see that it wasn’t even a very big dip in the road. At night, it wasn’t noticeable, and in a downpour, it became dangerous.

So, if you get nothing else out of my little trip down memory lane, please take flash flooding warnings seriously. What may not look like much water can total a car in a matter of minutes. Stay safe-and dry. Remember that actual coffee beans will steam if the conditions are right…