A Journey of Discovery

Not much picnicking lately because I have been publishing my newest book: "How I Won the West: A Journey of Discovery" however, I have a picnic planned for early January in Florida.

In the meantime, I would love to hear your feedback.

Official Page: Jan Mann Books

It Must be Spring!

For me, the one sure sign of spring is the appearance of wildflowers. It was in January of 1986 that I opened a book in a Connecticut library and saw photographs of Garden in the Woods located at the New England Wildflower Society in Framingham, Massachusetts. I was hooked.

That spring I went on my first spring wildflower hunt, visiting over twenty state parks, nature centers and preserves. At the end of those six weeks, I had developed a strong passion for day tripping, so I just kept going, eventually leading to my day tripping, picnicking, and recipe book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket.

Last week, when I spotted a notice in the Venice, Florida newspaper announcing a guided wildflower walk at the Curry Creek Preserve, I was thrilled. This one, led by Sarasota County Environmental Specialist Jeff Weber, was an easy hunt. I just enjoyed the beautiful day and environment as Jeff pointed out all the wildflowers on the one and one-half mile trail called the Pinebrook parcel. And birds, On this day, Jeff spotted a swallow-tailed kite, a new species for their bird list, bringing the total number to 103!

Curry Creek Preserve, is an 82 acre preserve purchased by the Sarasota County Natural Resources - Preserve Management in 2002. The native habitat includes a mangrove forest, tidal marshes, and scrub and pine flat woods. Their website also lists wildlife: gopher tortoises, alligators, river otters, eastern indigo snakes, and an assortment of wading birds, such as roseate spoonbill and wood stork. Oh yes, there is a creek, separating the Pinebrook parcel and the Albee Farm parcel, including a canoe and kayak launch located near the preserve's west entrance.

When I got home and deciphered my scribbled notes, I was surprised to count over 20 varieties of wildflowers, including Carolina jessamine, four-petal St. John's Wort, Chapman's Goldenrod, Yellow star-grass, Hoary pea, rose rush, and several clumps of hatpins.

A few looked somewhat familiar to me, but I surmise they are just different varieties in this state. Oh, if only I had thought to bring my wildflower identification book and journal to Florida with me!

 

For more information on Curry Creek Preserve: www.scgov.net

 

Happy Spring!

 

It's Picnic Time!

My last blog was devoted to an indoor cold-weather recipe for my Connecticut family and friends. But, now that it's spring, it's time to dig the picnic basket out from the bottom of the closet where it's been resting all winter, dust if off, and make sure it is fully stocked and ready to go when you are.

In Florida, my picnic season starts a bit earlier than in Connecticut, although not by much this year. March, my favorite winter month here was marred by cool temperatures and gusty winds.

However, I did manage to sneak in a couple of casual picnics. One was at the drumming circle on Nokomis Beach, a celebration of sunset on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. We arrived a couple of hours early, placed our chairs around the circle, and for the next two hours, enjoyed the sound of drums, the sight of dancers, visiting with friends, and picnicking until the climax of the celebration, the beautiful Florida sunset.

For this picnic, I packed three snack-type food: cream cheese and pepper jelly, hummus, and guacamole. And, a variety of good crackers.

My favorite Guacamole recipe? Mash ripe avocados with a fork. Mix in fresh chopped tomatoes and sweet onion, lemon (or lime juice), and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with your favorite taco chips or crackers.

Another picnic destination was Stump Pass Beach State Park, a peaceful and unhurried beach located in Englewood. The trail is 1.3 miles one way with a view of the ocean on one side and the bay on the others. Plenty of shells wash up on the soft sand, although what fascinates me most is the shell decorated driftwood along the way. A must see!

This picnic was also simple - delicious Curried Chicken Salad with Cashews from my book Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket. Sides were croissants and fresh fruit. If you don't have my book, simply email me and I'll be happy to send you the recipe.

Happy Picnicking!

Jambalaya, a Warm, Feel-Good Recipe for Cold Weather

Wow, almost two months between blogs this time - much too long. As to why, the answer is the same one I use when people ask me why it took close to twenty years to write Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket: Life got in the way.

Although it took a lot to get me to Florida this year, I am now happily enjoying the sunshine as I work on my travel memoir. 

While I am basking in the warm weather, because of my strong ties to Connecticut, I am also aware of the brutually cold weather that has overtaken that state. So, this month's blog is devoted to a recipe from my book that, although it is surely made all over the country during tailgating, is also a warm, feel-good dish for cold weather.

Joe's Jambalaya

Joe Cahn, Commissioner of Tailgating, says “This is my favorite recipe because you

can put just about anything in it. If it walks, crawls, swims or flies, it can be thrown into
Jambalaya. Everything goes into one pot so clean-up’s a breeze."
(12—15 servings)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
salt and ground black pepper
1 1/2 lbs. sausage cut in 1/4-inch slices
4 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups chopped green bell pepper
5 cups chicken stock or water flavored with chicken bouillon
1 tbs. minced garlic
4 cups long grain rice
2 tbsp. Kitchen Bouquet (browning agent)
2 tbsp. seasoning salt
2 cups chopped green onions
* Season chicken with salt and pepper; brown in hot oil in 8 quart Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat.
* Add sausage; cook 5-to-7 minutes.
* Remove chicken and sausage from pan; set aside.
* Add onions, celery, green peppers and garlic; cook, stirring 7-10 minutes or until vegetables begin to wilt.
* Stir in chicken stock, reserved chicken and sausage, seasoning salt and Kitchen Bouquet. Bring to a boil.
* Add rice and return to a boil.
* Cover and reduce heat to simmer.
* Cook 10 minutes; remove cover and quickly turn rice from top to bottom completely.
* Replace cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
* Stir in green onions.

For brown jambalaya, add 1 heaping tbsp. brown sugar to hot oil and caramelize, or

make a roux, or use Kitchen Bouquet. For red jambalaya, add approximately 1/4 cup
paprika or use 1/2 stock and 1/2 tomato juice or V-8 for your liquid. For seafood
jambalaya, add cooked seafood when rice is cooked.

If using an electric stove, reduce cooking time by 3-4 minutes.

Four Tips:

Use 1 cup of rice for every 2 cups of vegetables (onion, celery, bell pepper.)

Use 1 1/4 cups of liquid for every 1 cup of uncooked rice.
1 cup of uncooked rice will make 3 cups of cooked rice, season accordingly.
Cook jambalaya for a total of 25 to 30 minutes, stirring well after 10 minutes.

Check out Joe's website at: www.tailgating.com

Picnicking and Penguins in Florida

Oh, wait. Did I say Penguins? Sorry, I've had Penguins on my mind ever since a man yelled to someone trailing behind, “Hurry, come and see the (bleep) Penguins!” For a moment, we were stunned into silence, I, because he had been so thoughtless with his (bleep) language in a family-like setting, and my friend Phyllis, because he had mistaken Pelicans for Penguins.

Phyllis is a sea world buff and after a brief pause, and deciding he has harmless, she patiently explained to him the many differences between a penguin and a pelican. His reply: “Are you sure?” Obviously, he was a visitor to our shores!

We were standing on the North Jetty at the Southern end of Nakomis Beach in Florida. After our Penguin versus Pelican incident our attention returned to the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico, although one could not help but glance to our right from time to time to watch the amusing antics of the dozen or so Pelicans fishing for their supper in the rather choppy water.

Earlier we paused near the rocks in the small channel between the North and South Jetties where we spotted playful dolphins and while watching the various boats come and go. I'm not sure how many fish were biting but the fishermen attracted plenty of water birds looking for a free hand-out.

A few days later, I returned with a picnic supper, arriving almost two hours before sunset and settling myself at a picnic table near the jetty. In between watching all the goings-on, I enjoyed the late afternoon sun, and read. Shortly after unpacking my picnic a couple asked if they could share my table and we soon stuck up a conversation. It was a pleasant diversion.

As they were preparing to leave the husband remarked that he was getting hungry, and I said no wonder, having to watch me feed my face. I decided the next time I go alone I will be sure to bring extra food; it would have been nice to be able to share dinner with such enjoyable company.

A few minutes before the sun was ready to set I walked down a sandy path adjacent to the Jetty with my camera. My best photograph this day: An orange sunset framed by a Palm tree on the left and a boat on the right.

What I like best about this destination and so many others in Florida is that whenever I visit I am guaranteed to see the same beautiful beach, water, sand, rocks, or palm trees, yet depending on the season, weather and group dynamics, there will always be that element of unpredictability.

Although there is one thing I'm sure we won't see in this area - a Penguin.

THIS WEATHER IS NO PICNIC !

I've been in Florida for six weeks and have only been on one picnic. Although there has been isolated days when at least part of the day is pleasant, the weather changes so quickly, from wind to rain to cold, it's a bit risky to chance a picnic.

But, the last week in January was an exceptional week with good weather every day. My grandson happened to be visiting that week, helping me with painting and other chores, but I made sure we still have plenty of time to play. One of the places I took him to is Myakka River State Park, in Sarasota. www.myakkariver.org.

First, we took the Canopy Walkway & Tower, a walkway "through the treetops" on a swing bridge, then meandered down a path to the dam to see the alligators sunning themselves on the far bank. Later, along the 7-mile scenic drive we spotted a group of impatient-looking vultures hovering in treetops and in two different areas, armadillos digging furiously in the soil by the roadway. It was the closest either of us has ever been to this strange looking mammal.

Eventually, we drove through the park toward the North gate until we came to the Clay Gully picnic area, where picnic tables sit comfortably next to the river, amidst trees and other foliage. Our picnic fare was simple: sandwiches of fresh roasted white chicken, Swiss cheese, cranberry sauce, spinach leaves and mayo on oatmeal grain break, with chips and drinks.

On the way home we stopped at Nokomis Groves for homemade ice cream. Their citrus fruit business has been in operation for over sixty years, but we were there for their soft serve ice cream. They swirl the most unusual favors together, like pineapple and orange, chocolate and lime. Yum! www.nokomisgroves.com.

Although I haven't been picnicking nearly as often as I would like (yet!) I am so happy to be in Florida, where the sun at least peaks out most days, and I can still bundle up and get outside to walk ~ in sneakers rather than snow boots. Yes, life is good!

I hope wherever you live, picnics will soon be in your future.

Cruising Connecticut has success in Florida!

I was intrigued with a series of programs at the Venice (Florida) library called "Booked for Lunch", where every Friday at noon, a different author talks about and signs their book. Without any forewarning, the marketer in me came out of vacation mode long enough to inquire about being part of the program, and next thing I knew, I was booked. Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket by Jan Mann was listed in the February calendar.

Because I was pretty sure a Florida audience would not be interested in hearing about all the great things there are to do in Connecticut, I chose a new topic, "7 Steps to a Perfect Picnic" including exciting new recipes to take home. And, what a surprise to learn that of the 35 attendees, slightly more than one-half had ties to Connecticut.

Best of all, everyone seemed to enjoy hearing about the different ways to plan and enjoy a picnic, along with tales about some of the more unique recipes and how they tied into the destinations in my book. For example, Joe's Jambalaya contributed by the Commission of Tailgating" featured in my Football Tailgating chapter, and Almond Macaroons, an 1873 recipe featured at Roseland Cottage during Henry Bowen's reign as "Mr. 4th of July." But, the ultimate joy for me was the amount of audience participation, a sure sign that people were not only paying attention, but interested in what I had to say.

My 7 steps are simple enough, well, at least the first six:

1. Keep Your Picnic Basket Ready to Go at all Times
2. Have a Plan
3. Pick a Location
4. Decide Who to Invite
5. Choose your Menu
6. Be Flexible

The most important step is No. 7: IT'S OKAY TO IGNORE STEPS 1-6. The point is this: Let's say you are lucky enough to wake up to a beautiful day and have the opportunity to get out and play. Of course, you don't have a plan, you can't think of where to go, you don't know if anyone is free, your picnic basket is not organized, and in fact, you can't even find your picnic basket. You don't have anything interesting to eat because you haven't been grocery shopping in a while, and even if you do have food in the house you don't feel like preparing it. We've all been there!

What to do? First of all, do not let any of the above details deter you. Simply make a sandwich and walk out the door, or stop at the market for a prepared sandwich, or the makings of a french picnic: a loaf of crusty bread, some good, hard cheese, and a bunch of grapes. Then, get in your car and drive. Keep an open, positive mind and chances are your car will take you to the best place for you to relax, enjoy a casual activity, or experience an over-the-top adventure, whatever you need to get rejuvenated at that particular time. Never get caught up in the details of the picnic if you don't have the time or inclination.

Remember, the simplest picnics are often the most perfect.

What do you do when it Rains on Your Parade?

Or, rather, what do you do when the weather does not cooperate for your outdoor picnic? The answer: If it's overcast or only a light intermittent rain is threatened, think about changing your destination to one that has picnic shelters, such as Devil's Hopyard State Park, Gillete Castle, Roseland Cottage, or one of the wineries, all described in my book. (http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/)

What if the weather keeps you indoors? In Connecticut, there were many times when the weather did a 90-degree turn in the time it took me to toss the salad prior to packing it in the cooler. When this happened, we usually just ate your picnic at the diningt room table like any other meal.

But, the most fun was when I continued to pack up the goodies, declaring we would still have our picnic and to follow me. In the living room, I spread my colorful picnic cloth on the floor, inviting everyone to take a seat around the perimeter, and proceeded to unpack the basket. By the time this ritual was finished, everyone was back in the mood for a picnic, especially since I tended to make everyone's favorite dishes. (Doesn't everyone do this for a picnic?) We played word games while we ate and soon forgot all about the weather outside. Children especially love the spontaneity and absurdity of a picnic on the living room floor.

One good thing about a home picjnic, if you forget to pack the condiments, or heaven forbid, the corkscrew (the thing I forgot most often until I bought a spare one to keep in the picnic basket) ~ they are just a few steps away.

I'll let you know if the weather cooperates for my first-day-of-spring picnic here in Florida. (Yesterday, the high winds prevented most outdoor activities.) Wherever you are, Happy Spring! At the first sign of pleasant weather, enjoy an outdoor picnic.