Crozet Pizza Prizewinner

On my first night of a distance-ed graduate school course several years ago, all of us were asked to introduce ourselves and give our geographical location, since the class was composed of students from all over the continental U.S. as well as several international students.  When I mentioned Crozet, VA, a student in Minnesota exclaimed "Crozet?  I had the best pizza in the world once at Crozet Pizza!"  Look out world, Crozet Pizza has just won the Food Network award for "Best Slice in Virginia," for its white mushroom pizza (see the Crozet Gazette article for more info).  Way to go Crozet Pizza!  We'll be over again soon...

August Wine

White Hall Vineyards is celebrating August by featuring their 2009 Pinot Gris as wine of the month.  See their newsletter to find out about the process that makes this particular wine special, and to see the special pricing on it for August, which is almost over, folks.  I also noted that their 2009 Petit Verdot and Viognier took home silver medals from the Virginia State Fair, and cannot imagine how any other Viognier beat out the one from White Hall.  I know from experience (repeated, I must say) that it is a delightful wine. 

This lovely photo is from the web site for Monticello Country Ballooning.  Visit their site for lots of interesting ideas for fun things to do! 

All is Calm

Need something to settle your nerves after today's 5.8 magnitude earthquake?  Mosey over to Over the Moon Bookstore & Artisan Gallery in Crozet and let their literary experts help you find just the right book to help you get your calm center back!  See the comfy armchair in the picture in the linked page?   I sat there one Saturday morning and looked through about 8 wonderful book-purchase possibilities, all pointed out to me by one of the owners, and found just what I wanted.  This store is one of several in our area that bring something wonderful and special to our community--they deserve our support and encouragement, so I say, "shop on!" people.

Nelson Community Day August 20!

Look what's happening in Nelson County this weekend!  The inaugural edition of Nelson Community Day will be held on Saturday, August 20, from 10 AM to 3 PM at Nelson County High School.  If I could get there, I would love it--check out the list of participants and the list of activities.  Good luck to all the folks who have worked hard to get this great idea off the ground!

Tins for Tunes at Cardinal Point

As their web site says, "great music, great wine, great cause!"  On Saturday, August 20, (yes, that's the one coming up...) Cardinal Point Winery is hosting another edition of their "Tins for Tunes" event from 5-9 PM.  In this case, "great music" translates to "Jolie Fille" playing Cajun punk!  Pay $10 to get in, or bring five cans or otherwise non-perishable items of food as your admission fee per person.  All the food goes to area food banks. 

(Cardinal Point's "Tins for Tunes" logo)

Chef's Tastes at Stone Soup

Stone Soup Books in Waynesboro is always up to something fun!  On August 20 (Tuesday) at 6:30 PM, they will feature some tasting samples, prepared by their Chef Laura, of recipes from the book "The New Southern Garden Cookbook."  Ten bucks will reserve you a tasting spot, and I, for sure, will want to be on hand, both for this one and for the tasting in September (Tuesday, the 27th) for the session on King Arthur Flour's Whole Grain Baking.  I've been making bread from a sourdough starter for over 20 years, and prefer King Arthur flour, so I'm already a believer, but always interested to learn something new.

UNC Press says, of "The New Southern Garden Cookbook:"  "Sheri Castle aims to make "what's in season" the answer to "what's for dinner?" This timely cookbook, with dishes for omnivores and vegetarians alike, celebrates and promotes delicious, healthful homemade meals centered on the diverse array of seasonal fruits and vegetables grown in the South, and in most of the rest of the nation as well."

Nelson County Farmers' Market Treasures

Even though the weather was drizzly and gray this morning, the atmosphere under the tents at the Nelson County Farmers' Market was sunny and bright.  A considerable crowd, undeterred by the threatening skies, circulated slowly along the center aisle, flanked by local farmers, bakers, bee-keepers, soap makers, jewelry artists, purveyors of organic meats, poultry and cheese, flowers, herbs, and just about anything else local, organic, and artisan-made that you can imagine.  I have much less shopping to do at the local grocery store now, thanks to having found pears, peaches, tomatoes, corn, and lavender soap!  The market is a great place to grab a cup of exquisite coffe, something baked to go with it, find a spot on a bench, listen to some mostly-acoustic music, and watch folks of all ages enjoying the bounty of our very blessed region.