Red Red Raspberries...

I can only remember raspberries being honored as the king of berries in all of my culinary travels over these years. All berries are great and nothing beats a great strawberry, a dark sweet blackberry, a nice and tart blueberry, but for some reason, raspberries seem to always creep to the top of that list. If you have looked at them in the grocery store recently, they are priced in the $4.00+ per 1/2 pint here in southwest Virginia (wonder how much of that cost is in gas since they are surely coming from California?).

Two summers ago, I planted a blackberry bush, 2 raspberry bushes, and a blueberry bush and that first year, there was very little fruit production. Last summer, I can remember picking 5 blueberries, 10 raspberries, and just a couple of blackberries so I was really looking forward to seeing what would happen this spring. Really started to see some great flower bud action a few months back and tonight, I was able to reap the benefits of 2 summers of patience.

Would estimate there is a good pint of berries in the bowl and many more to come. Now, what to do with them? They are really tasty right out of the bowl, and just super sweet. I let them get to the point on the vines where they are almost black in color, or at least blood red. When they turn that color, the flavor is so intense.

This year, I have adopted a more "green" approach to my lawn and garden. No chemicals on the lawn to prevent weeds; only organic pesticides and fertilizers on all plants, but I am trying to avoid all of these things if possible. My garden is very small this year with only 4 tomato plants, 1 banana pepper plant, and one zucchini plant, all planted at the beginning of June so, they may not do very well. My peach tree is doing awesome!! I have had well over 100 peaches on this little tree and it is to the point where I had to start thinning out the crop. More than 50 peaches have been removed over the past few weeks and every time I thin out the fuzzy fruits, the ones left on the tree grow with noticeable vigor. I guess this is like growing grapes for wine; prune back the fruit so the best get the most nourishment and produce the best taste and sugar. If the bugs to not get them all, there might be a peach cobbler in someones future!

I love Duck

Yes, it is true, duck is one of my favorite proteins to cook as well as eat, and it is great fixed in any style. Some people say duck is hard to cook and can be greasy if not done right and can be dry if over cooked. Much of this is true I guess, but regardless, it is just great period.

I have always wanted a pet duck and have asked my wife for years if we could get a pet duck. Because we live in the city, zoning laws prohibit us from getting a pet duck so I have lived with the rubber ducky in our shower for years and years.


A few months ago, we had a pair of ducks show up in our back yard. They do not come every day, only from time to time but I still enjoy watching them. I was able to snap a picture yesterday of the female and she is a grand lady. I wonder if the pair have a nest near by?



I did actually cook duck the last time I was on TV and we talked about her briefly. I do promise I will never cook her and her mate!! But I do love the taste of duck!!

Beer Beer Beer...

I am not a big drinker by any means if measured and compared to many other people. I have no moral objections to drinking except I would not recommend any person drinking and driving. I do enjoy ice cold beer after cutting grass, and I guess you could call me well informed about the science of wine. I rarely drink when we go out to eat.

With all of this said, I have found my new favorite beer. I am not a Bud guy or a Miller man; go for the speciality or micro brews because of the flavors and character they bring to the bottle or mug. My new favorite beer is Magic Hat #9 "not quite pale ale". This beef has a smooth bite and tons of character with apricot flavors finishing off this amazing beer. I first tasted this on tap at Three Little Pigs in Daleville and was just blown away. I did find the beer in bottles at the Towers Kroger but that is the only place I have looked for it. Am glad I found this on my first look.

As I said before, I am just not a big drinker but this beer is a pleasure to sip on these warm, late spring evenings. On another note about alcohol, we ate at a major chain a few weeks ago and had a pina colada and I would estimate there was ZERO rum in this drink. The wife is hyper sensitive to alcohol, usually feeling a buzz after just a few sips. She felt nothing after drinking just about the whole thing. I could not detect any presence of rum at all. I hate to name drop so I will just give a hint of which restaurant we ate at. It begins with "Red" and ends with "Lobster". Does that give it away?? I hate getting ripped off!!

Cheers!