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

Loosen Up - Lighten Up Day

Yes, a day has been reserved in our calendar to Loosen Up - Lighten Up.* I guess some of us could benefit from a day when we don't take things so seriously and even get out and have a little fun. Maybe go on a picnic?

Here is a recipe for unique Deviled Eggs, great not only for picnics, but potlucks, or any occasion. It's from my book Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket 3rd Edition:

Deviled Crab Stuffed Eggs
   (courtesy of Star Mader)

6 large to jumbo boiled eggs
1/2 - 2/3 cup crabmeat (or imitation crabmeat)
1-3 teaspoons sweet red pepper, finely diced
1-3 teaspoons chives or scallions, finely diced
1/4-1 teaspoon sea salt
dash black pepper
dash cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon tarragon
1/2-1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped
1/2-1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4-1/2 cup mayonnaise

Optional: 1/2-1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, paprika, chives

*  Boil eggs and cool. Peel and cut in half. Poke out yoke into a medium size bowl and put whites on a serving platter.
*  In food processor (with the puree blade on) or mixer, finely process 1/2 cup of the crabmeat. Add to egg yolks. Mash together until smooth. Add red pepper, chives, sea salt, black and cayenne pepper, tarragon, parsley, and lemon juice. Mix well. Add mustard and mayonnaise. Mix well.
*  Put a 1/2 inch piece of the remaining 1/4 cup of crabmeat into the egg white and stuff with the egg yoke mixture. Use a teaspoon to stuff, or pipe mix into whites using a pastry bag.
*  Top with paprika and chives.

Enjoy!

* Found on www.daysoftheyear.com

Good News for Book Lovers

The Connecticut Author Trail (http://sites.google.com/site/connecticutauthortrail), a consortium of libraries in Eastern Connecticut, will host 16 local authors as they showcase their books and share their stories. I was pleased to be invited by the Lebanon Library to talk about my book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket on July 21st and had an amazing experience. The event runs to September 24 when the finale takes place at The Mohegan Sun.

After my talk, the librarian gave me a packet of materials about Lebanon's beautiful and historic mile-long green, one of the largest in New England. The green is on the National Register of Historic Places because of its rich agricultural and Revolutionary War Heritage.

I heard about this green prior to my visit and intended to arrive one hour early so I could walk the path around the green and have a picnic supper, however, the weather did not cooperate. (What else is new!) So, it is now on my list of "Things to Do." I plan to start at The Lebanon Historical Society Museum and Visitors Center where there is an orientation video, library, shop and visitor information, and then visit any of six historic buildings clustered at the southerly end. In addition, many other buildings can be viewed along the trail.

Lebanon is a member of the Northeast Connecticut Visitors District known as the "Quiet Corner", and residents and visitors enjoy community activities on the green year-round. Check out this special place on http://www.historyoflebanon.org/.

I am constantly amazed that even with all my fervent Connecticut day tripping through the years, there are still so many exciting places I have yet to visit. But, first I will take a hiatus from Cruising Connecticut to cruise cross-country.

More about this upcoming adventure next week!

A Sampling of FREE Summer Music in Hartford, Ct.

While planning a picnic with friends at Elizabeth Park to coincide with the annual bloom of 15,000 rose bushes, I learned that this year's Rose Garden Lawn concerts will take place on Wednesday evenings June 25th through August 27th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Visitors will be treated to a variety of music, from swing, rock, Cajun, country, and pop, to top 40, R&B, Motown, and 50's. www.elizabethpark.com.

At the Butler, McCook House, the performers are also varied and eclectic. The concert series takes place on the first Thursday in June, July, August, and September from 5:30-7:30 p.m. www.ctlandmarks.org.

Bushnell Park sponsors the Monday Night Jazz series in the park's pavilion from June 6th through August 3rd. Opening bands start at 6:00 p.m.; headliners at 7:30. Also at this location is New England's largest free outdoor jazz festival on July 17, 18, 19. Get times, performers, directions and other information at www.hartfordjazz.org.

Trinity College is into the 60th annual Plumb Memorial Carillon Concert, taking place on the quad bordering the chapel. Every Wednesday evening at 7:00 through August. Tours of the chapel are offered following the concert. www.trincoll.edu/orgs/carillon.

Although the above destinations are all in the City of Hartford, no matter where you live in Connecticut, I guarantee you can easily locate a concert venue nearby. Make it a point to find and take advantage of the enjoyable summer activity of relaxing on the lawn while listening to good music. What could be better, except maybe picnicking at the same time!

Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket has 48 recipes designed to make picnicking simple and fun. www.cruisingconnecticut.com.

Events and Food Talk

I hope everyone is taking advantage of the summer-like weather this weekend and spending time outdoors, preferably with a picnic. Although my book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, is all about combining a picnic with a day trip, or event, picnics do not always have to be lengthy or complicated.

Yesterday, I had chores that mostly kept me inside, but I knew I couldn't let the day go by without getting outdoors, so at lunch time I walked to a nearby luncheonette, ordered a sandwich and ate outside at a nearby picnic table with a view of several different flowering shrubs and trees. It was a perfect break in my busy day.

Occasionally, I surf the web to see what I can find on Events and Food, and this time, I have an event for both April and May.

http://www.foodreference.com/ is a website for food facts, fun, festivals and more. Under Food History for April, one of the featured foods is pecans, so I decided to share one of the most popular recipes in my book, Loaded Oatmeal Cookies, with pecans of course, and other surprises. It can be found on my website, http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/ by clicking "What's in our Picnic Basket" and scrolling down to Featured Recipe.

May's event is from Chase's Calendar of Events, a book I enjoy perusing at the library on occasion. The first full week each year is National Wildflower Week, "a week to encourage the observation, cultivation and study of native wildflowers as a means of deepening humankind's relationship, responsibility and commitment to protect and care for the ecological integrity of Mother Earth."

Coincidentally, I just wrote about this favorite past time in my last blog on April 3rd. Check it out and plan your own spring wildflower hunt, either at one of the sites I mention, or at a park or nature center near you.

Ah, the joy of spring in Connecticut!

Greetings From a Happy Snowbird!

It has been almost one year since I started my blog, and this is the longest I have gone without posting an entry ~ over three weeks. For many reasons which are unimportant, it has taken me longer than usual to get here and settle in to the Florida life which I will enjoy for the next several weeks. And, how exciting it is to see sunny skies, sunsets, green grass, and flowers! I love it, and I wish I could have packed up all my friends and family and brought them along to share it with me, especially with the blustery weather back home.

I've even gone on two picnics so far. One was at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota, a 350-acre park with scenic drives, wildlife observation areas, and airboat and tram tours to search for wildlife. The other was at The Rookery in Venice, a small island for the protection of the wading and nesting birds that I love to photograph, including both the snowy and great egret and the great blue heron.

Both times I made Wild Rice and Ham Salad, simply because of its ease and simplicity, and because everyone who tastes it loves it. The rest of the suggested menu items are tortilla chips and Salsa, pumpkin or zucchini bread and watermelon, but any bread or fruit will do. I also like cherry tomatoes with this salad.

This recipe is from my book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, 2nd Edition, and I am happy to share it with folks who are lucky enough to be in a climate suitable for picnicking in February; for everyone else, keep this on hand for all your spring and summer picnics. Not that there aren't places for hearty folks to enjoy a February picnic in Connecticut, such as The White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, but in that case, I rather think my chili recipe would be a better choice!

WILD RICE & HAM SALAD
2 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 pound lean ham, cut into bite size chunks
1/2 cup golden raisins, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes and drained
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup pecan halves

1. In small shallow pan spread pecan halves in a single layer. Bake in 350-degree preheated oven until toasted, approximately 5 minutes. Watch closely. Cool. (I personally like smaller pieces so I cut them in half again.)
2. In large bowl, stir together rice, ham, raisins, and scallions. Add salt and pepper.
3. In small bowl, whisk oil and vinegar together until well blended. Slowly pour over rice and ham mixture until the salad contains the amount that suits you. (I almost never use the entire amount.) Toss.
4. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Just before serving, garnish with pecans. Serve on lettuce leaves.
Serves 4-6

Travel Tip: Refrigerate salad overnight, or at least two hours before packing in cooler.

Enjoy!

More Vineyard News

This is a great time to visit the wineries featured in Cruising Connecticut 2nd Edition. And, don't forget your picnic basket!

A recent email from Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield brings news that the grapes are on the vines. This means of course, that they are in the midst of their busy wine-making season. Still, they have an ambitious Events Calendar, with exciting happenings almost every weekend through 2008.

Choose from a range of different wine Classes to Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Pairings, to a Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour & Bounty Lunch. Autumn features a Harvest Festival and an exciting Harvest Rail Vineyard Express. Check it all out at http://www.haightvineyards.com/.

In New Preston, Hopkins Vineyard, http://www.hopkinsvineyard.com/ announces a brand new wine, Lady Rose.

Their annual Harvest Festival Celebration, which takes place September 20th & 21st features Wine Tasting with Complimentary Wine Glass, Live Music, and Artisan Cheese, Pate and Fresh Fruit Sampling. Or, bring along the awesome Sandwiched Meat Loaf recipe paired with this day trip in Cruising Connecticut. *

Gouveia Vineyard in Wallingford, http://www.gouveiavineyards.com/ has live entertainment every Saturday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

Their awesome picnic facilities, both inside and out, include a large comfortable room that was built especially to encourage visitors to "come visit us for a spell."

Each of these vineyards consistently produce award winning wines. Check their website often for a list of wines, as well as updates on future events.

* If you do not have Cruising Connecticut send me an email and I will be happy to forward recipe. (jan@cruisingconnecticut.com)

New Day Trip and Picnicking

I recently spent a pleasant Saturday afternoon in Colchester visiting both Cato Corner Farm and Priam Vineyards.

Cato Corner Farm is a small family farm with a mother-son team, who raise 40 free-range jersey cows without the use of hormones or subtherapeutic antibiotics. From the cows' raw milk, a dozen styles of aged farmhouse cheese is produced, such as: "Bridgid's Abbey," our most popular cheese...smooth, creamy, & medium mild with a rich finish; "Drunken Hooligan," rubbed in wine grapes from Priam Vineyard; and, "Fromage d'O'Cow," Hooligan's bigger brother, a wide flat wheel that is especially stinky & rich.

This was my first taste of fresh farm cheese, and it was a memorable treat. Of the several I tried, each was consistently outstanding in taste and texture.

The farm welcomes visitors for cheese tasting and purchase on Saturdays. For more information, plus directions and hours: www.catocornerfarm.com.

Close by, Priam Vineyards is a 40 acre farm with 24 acres of grapes grown free of insecticides. Their wines have won numerous International Wine Competition medals each year, including six in 2008. Tasting is on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and some holidays, from 11-5, with extended hours on select Fridays. Wine tasting, including a wine glass with logo cost $6.50.

What about picnicking? A wine patio adjacent to the barn is convenient and attractive, or consider a walk to the top of the vineyard. There, you will not only find a picnic table or spot of lawn, but a striking 35 mile view of the countryside.

It if isn't convenient or desirable to pack a picnic, no problem. Menus are available at the winery to order lunch or dinner delivered right to the wine patio. Or, on Sundays from 11-3, enjoy a Farmer's Market with fruits and vegetables grown by Priam Vineyards and local farmers, some of whom also bring baked goods.

Check it all out on their website (www.priamvineyards.com) by clicking on "Events & Tasting."

New Display at Gillette Castle

In the 2nd Edition of Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket, I let my readers know about the newly restored electric engine that once pulled William Gillette's miniature train around a 3-mile course on his estate. Now displayed in a prominent place in the Welcome Center, it is a magnificent memorial that will be enjoyed by all future visitors to Gillette Castle State Park.

Gillette's train has taken a fortuitous route through the years, first giving ultimate joy to Gillette and his guests, then spending many years delighting visitors to Lake Compounce. It reminds me of "The Little Engine That Could" when I think about how many visitors had the thrill of riding in Gillette's railroad as it circled the lake ~ approximately 168,000 times! I was one of those visitors. But, eventually, the train would be placed in storage to sit idle for over ten years, so it is exciting indeed, to finally see this engine back home where it belongs. And, looking so grand!

For this, we can thank the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park
(www.friendsofgillettecastle.org) for their vision, dedication and tireless years of fundraising and research, and Ted Tine of Ted Tine Motorsports, and the many craftsmen who restored the engine to its full authenticity. It is the Friends' hope that one day they will have enough funds and support to restore Gillette's steam engine.

You can see a photo of the engine, along with photos from other destinations in my book, on my website (www.cruisingconnecticut.com.)

Plan to visit this landmark soon ~ and don't forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at Grand Central Station.

Two New Day Trips

It was a difficult decision. Which two, out of about 92 possibilities, should I add to the 2nd Edition of Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket? (Release date: April 10, 2008)

I knew I wanted another winery to add to the two I already have, because the number of Connecticut wineries has grown so fast during the last few years ~ there are fifteen listed on the Wine Trail ~ I thought this category was deserving of a third day trip. Also, during my book talks around the state and sharing information about Haight-Brown Vineyard and Hopkins Vineyard, folks would ask me if I knew about this or that winery, and I was anxious to check them out. By chance, Gouveia in Wallingford happened to be first on my list. I was immediately impressed, not only because of the visual appeal, both inside and out, but by talking with Joe Gouveia. He had an interesting story to tell, and because I am a storyteller, this excited me. But, the clincher was the incredible picnic facilities; I was blown away and you will be too. Read more on Page 214 on my book.

The second new day trip is The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, a premier tourist attraction in Connecticut. I love the research part of writing a travel book, and one of my favorite categories is Historic Homes & Gardens because of the interesting characters I get to know: The Boothe Brothers, Florence Griswold, William Gillette, the Harkness Family, Henry Bowen, and now Mark Twain. Read more about this fascinating man and his home on Page 102.

And, as Twain said, "It is of no use to keep private information which you can't show off" so I will also give you a sneak preview of the fantastic recipes included with each day trip: Prudence Sloan, Radio & TV Food Show Host gives us a Spanish Tapas picnic, and a Cold Lobster Salad Roll is the creation of Adam Alderin, Chef at Max Fish, the Max Group's newest restaurant in Glastonbury. Yum!

A New Picnic Recipe

How do you define a "perfect picnic?" For me, it is the coming together of four factors: ideal weather (not too hot, not too cold, not too windy,) good company, and delicious food. Add either a stimulating activity to enjoy before or after the meal, or pleasant surroundings in which to relax while enjoying good conversation.

Such was my spring picnic on March 20th. Although it was cool and overcast earlier in the day, by the time I picked up my friends at 4:00, it was sunny and warm. Yes, weather in Florida, like Connecticut, can change in a minute.

We "cruised" over to Bayfront Park in Sarasota, situated on an island peninsula, surrounded by the Sarasota skyline, John Ringling Causeway, and the blue waters of Sarasota Bay. Within the park are two restaurants, a playground, fountains, walking paths, and of course, picnic tables. We found our ideal table near the water, highlighted by the late afternoon sun.

The picnic basket was overflowing: fried chicken, stuffed shells, caramel beans, tossed green salad, and finger desserts. One of my contributions was a new bean dish from a neighbor's 92 year-old cousin who lives in Venice. Thanks to Florence and Carl for permission to share this recipe with my readers. And, for another great picnic recipe, see http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/. Click What's in our Picnic Basket?

Margo's Caramel Beans
1 pound lima beans
1/2 pound butter
1-1/2 cups brown sugar

Soak lima beans overnight in water. Pour off water. In pot, put lima beans and cover with about 2" of water. Cook until tender (45 minutes to 1 hour.) Pour off most of the water.

Add butter and brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste. (You can also add 1/2 tsp dry mustard, bacon bits, maple syrup, or more sugar.)

Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Time may vary depending on how much liquid there is. Beans should be moist but not runny.

May all your picnics be perfect! Click Comments and tell me about your favorites.

Greetings from Sunny Florida!

I decided to finish the last of my edits for Cruising Connecticut's 2nd Edition while vacationing in Florida. The fact that I could be outdoors during the winter months and picnic has inspired me.

Picnicking at beaches and parks is universal of course, but I found distinct differences between my home state of Connecticut and my vacation state of Florida. For example, at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center, I talk about fending off the ducks looking for a free handout; at Lido Park in Sarasota, it is the seagulls, and the squirrels, and even raccoons, whose normal nocturnal nature has been turned upside down from being fed by visitors. And, instead of the shells and stones I collect at Hammonasset Beach State Park, at Casperson Beach in Venice, I join the folks who are collecting shark's teeth.

Whatever the setting, an ideal picnic is still the same: delicious food eaten outdoors, preferably combined with good company and a fun activity. And, although I may have had a head state on the picnic season, everyone will soon be able to catch up. March 20th is the first day of spring; with its promise for new growth and new beginnings, more relaxing times and outdoor fun, it's the perfect time to dust off your picnic basket and get ready for picnicking in Connecticut.

Cruising Connecticut's 2nd Edition

Welcome to my new Blog!

Readers reply on the information in travel books to be as current and accurate as possible, so I recently grabbed my picnic basket to revisit my favorite places. The result ~ the Second Edition of Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket will be launched on April 10.

As I cruised around the state updating the information in my current chapters, I experienced the same sense of adventure that prompted me to write the First Edition, and somewhere along the way I made the decision to add two new day trips and picnics, each accompanied by an exciting picnic recipe contributed by a Connecticut celebrity.

Also new on my website is a slide show of over 100 photos that I took at locations in Cruising Connecticut (http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/) plus a new page for updated information to destinations as I learn about them.

I am happy to have this new venue to share day tripping, picnicking, and recipe ideas with my readers on a regular basis. Until next time, remember that Spring is right around the corner which means spending more time outdoors. Yea!

TIME TO PICNIC

TIME TO PICNIC

The Picnic – Cruising Connecticut provides all the information needed to plan the perfect picnic—the occasion or activity, and the available facilities. For example, is there a picnic table or lawn to spread out on, or will we be balancing food on our laps while sitting on a bench? Are there charcoal grills for cooking? Will we be picnicking from a backpack or a tailgate? All this information is helpful in order to determine how long and how comfortable our picnic may be, and, perhaps even more important, what we will pack in our picnic basket. What are some of the things you carry in your picnic basket? ~ Jan Mann