Spring Crops are Here! - Great Recipe

    

Spring Crops are Arriving!

Spring is firmly in place and the spring vegetables and fruits are now available. Look for those roadside stands, CSA and local farms for fresh produce. Many communities even have local food clubs, like Doylestown Food Club, where you can purchase locally raised food. Check out your community to see where you can buy locally grown spring foods like strawberries and asparagus.  Experience the taste of local produce.

To me....the first local asparagus of the season should be treated with a light touch. Here is a simple recipe to use as a first course on a warm spring evening, a compliment to a picnic, or as an addition to a spring salad after dinner. Serve with a Sancerre.

Local Asparagus with Fresh Thyme and Dijon Vinaigrette

1# Local Asparagus/1 inch cut from bottom

1 Red Onion/Cut in Half Moons

1T Fresh Thyme/picked and chopped fine

1T Dijon mustard

¼ cup sherry vinegar

1 ½ cups extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

For the asparagus:

Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil with 2T of kosher salt. Blanch asparagus in water for approx. 3 minutes. Transfer immediately to an ice bath made from 1 gallon of cold water and 3 cups of ice. Let asparagus stand in this bath for 5 minutes. Remove and drain on a dish towel.

For the dressing:

Combine chopped thyme, Dijon and vinegar in a 2 quart bowl and whisk together. Add oil in a stream until combined with vinegar mixture. Season with salt and fresh pepper.

Enjoy the bounty with friends and family. And,  Eat local, Buy local.  Become a locavore.

Related Post: St. Brendan's Organic Salmon Recipe

This article was submitted by Marc BrownGold of JustEat by BrownGold.


Marc BrownGold
JustEat by Brown Gold
JustEat Facebook
267-247-2605

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Refresh, Rejuvenate, Redesign by Kristine Robinson

    
Bucks County Designer House and Gardens

1515 Sugar Bottom Road

Furlong, Pennsylvania

Discussion: Refresh, Rejuvenate, Redesign

Thursday, May 20th 11:30 am
Presented by Kristine Robinson of Robinson Interiors

This stimulating lecture, led by a seasoned Interior Designer and educator, will address the pertinent subject of updating your look on a budget. What are the items that instantly make a room look dated? What techniques can you employ to achieve a current look, using many of the items you already own? Where is the most effective place to spend money on new purchases? Kristine Robinson will discuss the very best ways for you to make the most of your decorating budget and rejuvenate your interiors. Bring your design dilemmas and we will spend some time in a discussion of the redesign process.

Directions to Bucks County Designer House and Gardens

Kristine Robinson boasts 14 years of interior design experience, with clients located across the U.S. She consults with clients from her Jenkintown, PA home, creating custom interiors which often include antiques and custom window treatments. Her work has been featured on HGTV and in several showhouses and design publications. She especially enjoys teaching the interior design program at Temple University in Fort Washington, PA and educating people with her stimulating interior design lectures at Designer and Workroom Conferences throughout the country

Robinson Interiors At Sycamore Cottage
Kristine Robinson, Designer
700 Rodman Ave.
Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-886-2126

Source:
Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Pennsylvania's Forests Receive a Moratorium

         

Penn's Woods granted Moratorium

House Approves Moratorium on Leasing State Forest Lands for Gas Drilling

The following information is from State Representative Quinn's newsletter - News You Can Use

This week, the House approved legislation (by a vote of 157-33) to place a three-year moratorium on leasing additional state forest lands for gas drilling and exploration. I voted in favor of this measure. I (Quinn) have heard from many of my constituents on this issue, and I share their commitment to ensuring the protection of our public lands. We should proceed with caution to ensure that we don’t try to fix our budget crisis at the expense of our state forests.

As of today, the state has signed leases for nearly a half-million acres, representing about 40 percent of our state forests  (state forest map). This alone has generated $128 million, or about double, what was expected in revenue. While that money is nice to have, what will this do to the landscape of our state forests? Will it eliminate these forests as the treasure we have seen fit to preserve in the past? And, have we leased too much land already or should we open up more acres of forests for lease to help solve the budget crisis?

The legislation, House Bill 2235, also directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to conduct a study of the environmental, economic and societal impacts of the leasing of state lands for Marcellus Shale development. This proposal would only impact new leases, but would not break leases into which the Commonwealth has already entered.

House Bill 2235 is in the Senate awaiting consideration.

Pa Forest Facts from the DCNR:

About 60% (17 million acres) of Pennsylvania is forested. The Commonwealth is the nation's largest producer of hardwood lumber (over 1 billion board feet per year). Individuals and families own about 75% of the forested land and provide 80% of Pennsylvania's timber products. Economic pressures to convert forest land to residential or commercial uses threaten the conservation of private forests.

The State Forest system contains 12% of the forested area, (about 2.1 million acres). This makes it one of the largest expanses of public forestland in the eastern United States. Other public forests include State Game Lands, State Parks and the Allegheny National Forest.

Related post : Pennsylvania's Forests - The Commonwealth's Treasure
                      Sustainable Forestry for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gasses

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

2010 Bucks County Designer House and Gardens

Help support the Doylestown Hospital and the mission of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown by visiting the 2010 Bucks County Designer House and Gardens.

Bucks County Designer House and Gardens

Fieldstone Farm

1515 Sugar Bottom Road, Furlong, PA 18925

Nestled within 100 acres of rolling pastures this magnificent working equestrian farm is home to the 2010 Bucks County Designer House & Gardens. The stone-and-stucco farmhouse features a 1780s summer kitchen and an exceptional master suite. Additionally, there are extensive grounds with stables, a charming three-story jockey cottage and a swimming pool.

House Tours

May 2 - May 30

Monday - Wednesday    10 am - 4 pm

Thursday, Friday             10 am - 7 pm

Saturday                         10 am - 4 pm

Sunday                            12 pm - 6 pm

Directions

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.

Superior Woodcraft Blog

PPL Electric Utility Offers Rebates & Incentives

     

These days everyone is trying to reduce the electricity they consume and save money.  Today PPL Electric Utilities with its E Power Programs is there to help its customers achieve these goals.

These programs, and the incentives and rebates within them, are among the most beneficial, energy-saving initiatives ever offered by PPL Electric Utilities. They can save you hundreds, perhaps even thousands of dollars over time. However, funding for each is limited.  So please take advantage of them now.

Energy Star Appliance Rebates
 
For a limited time, PPL Electric Utilities is offering our customers E-power rebates on qualifying energy-efficient equipment and ENERGY STAR® appliance purchases through our Energy Efficiency Rebate Program. You’ll find rebates on everything from air conditioners and refrigerators to dishwashers and more. Plus the improved energy efficiency can save you money for years to come, so act now.


CFL Rebates

Save when you use CFLs, save when you buy them. These energy-efficient light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, last about 10 times longer and can save you up to $30 over the lifetime of the bulb. Through funding provided by PPL Electric Utilities under our Light Smart, Pay Less program, you can now get great discounts on CFLs at many participating retail outlets.

Home Energy Audits

Want to know where your home is wasting energy? Now you have two energy assessment options at reduced prices that you can choose from that will help you identify where to save.


Home Energy Survey ($50)


A trained energy professional will conduct a walk-through evaluation of your home, install the energy-saving measures listed above and give you advice on ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. In materials alone, the value of this survey exceeds the cost of the program. By implementing the recommendations of the surveyor, you also could qualify for additional rebates on measures taken.

Home Energy Audit ($350-$650)

This is a comprehensive diagnostic audit performed by a BPI Certified Auditor (Building Performance Institute trained expert). This auditor will perform tests on your heating and cooling systems and tell you if any air is leaking from your home and will give you recommendations about energy-saving measures you can take. You hire a qualified auditor and pay the full cost of the audit, and we’ll reimburse you $150 or $250 depending on the type of heating and cooling system you have. By implementing the recommendations of the auditor, you also could qualify for additional rebates.

Act quickly to take advantage of these rebates, incentives and tools while they last.

Related Posts:

Applications Now Accepted for Home Heating Equipment Rebates
Great News for Energy Star Customers!
How to Save Money, Improve Your Comfort & Indoor Air Quality

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Decorating Green - the Easy Way @ Bucks County Designer House and Gardens

            

Bucks County Designer House and Gardens

1515 Sugar Bottom Road

Furlong, Pennsylvania

Decorating Green - the Easy Way

Wednesday, May 5 at 11:30 am
presented by Kristine Robinson of Robinson Interiors


Everything you need to know about making smart, earth-friendly choices in your home. You don't need to spend more to do the right thing. Interior Designer and design educator, Kristine Robinson, will tell us how to use sustainable home decor items, while creating a beautiful interior for your family to enjoy.

Kristine Robinson boasts 14 years of interior design experience, with clients located across the U.S. She consults with clients from her Jenkintown, PA home, creating custom interiors which often include antiques and custom window treatments. Her work has been featured on HGTV and in several showhouses and design publications. She especially enjoys teaching the interior design program at Temple University in Fort Washington, PA and educating people with her stimulating interior design lectures at Designer and Workroom Conferences throughout the country

Kristine is also presenting Refresh,Rejuvenate, Redesign on May 20 at 1:00 pm

Directions to Bucks County Designer House and Gardens


Robinson Interiors At Sycamore Cottage

Kristine Robinson, Designer
700 Rodman Ave.
Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-886-2126

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog

Sustainable Forestry for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gasses

      
Simply put, wood is good. Trees sustain life on our planet and, when properly managed, can provide even greater life-sustaining benefits. Many environmental groups stress the negative impacts of the logging industry. These statements are valid in regards to irresponsible logging practices and the use of wood for poor-quality, non-durable goods. However, when trees are responsibly harvested, new trees are planted and the wood is used to produce high quality, durable products, this process has a significantly positive impact.

Here is why:

1. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Trees store the carbon and release life-sustaining purified oxygen into the atmosphere.

2. As mature trees stop growing, they begin to decay and slowly release carbon back into the atmosphere. By harvesting mature trees the captured carbon is retained in the wood instead of releasing back into the atmosphere.

3. Using wood to build high quality, durable products will continually retain captured carbon for the life of the product.

4. New trees are planted to replace the harvested trees. As a young tree grows, it captures and stores carbon at a faster rate than a mature tree.

The keys to a sound environmental strategy are responsible harvesting practices: use as much as the tree as possible, create long lasting wood products and regenerate the forest by planting young trees. This process will create a continual supply of growing trees that remove carbon dioxide, create oxygen and store carbon all the while providing a resource. This process also creates valuable and diversified habitats for wildlife.

Related post : Pennsylvania's Forests - The Commonwealth's Treasure

Source:

Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
Superior Woodcraft Blog