Signs of Spring

With my time in Florida nearing an end, my mind is racing ahead to my return to Connecticut. Not only am I looking forward to connecting with family and friends, but also enjoying my favorite season.

I love to watch the early signs of spring, when dormant gardens spring back to life, when the drab world of winter is taken over by vibrant colors and songbirds, and a feeling of joy and possibility is in the scented air. Best of all, the longer, warmer days mean we can spend more time enjoying outdoor activities, including of course, picnicking.

One of my favorite spring activities is the wildflower hunt. I became fascinated by wildflowers many years ago when I visited Garden in the Woods located at the New England Wildflower Society in Framingham, Massachusetts. I was so awed that I went on a 6-week spring wildflower hunt, visiting over twenty state parks, preserves and nature centers in Connecticut, all dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of these delicate and mysterious flowers.

Two of the 42 chapters in my day tripping and picnicking book, Cruising Connecticut with a Picnic Basket are devoted to this activity, which are best viewed from the last week in April through the first week in June, with the peak, most years, around mid-May.

The first day trip, the Native Plant Collection located at the Connecticut College Arboretum in New London, contains a separate wildflower garden with markers for easy identification. And, while there, check out the amazing 25-acre collection of native trees and shrubs. (http://www.arboretum.conncoll.edu/)

A more challenging hunt is The Botany Trail at the Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust in Woodbury. This one-mile trail is great for wildflower enthusiasts, although I first visited as a novice. Luckily, I had invited a friend who brought along three wildflower identification books! (http://www.flandersnaturecenter.org/)

To view an amazing collection of photos from these and the other destinations in Cruising Connecticut, go to http://www.cruisingconnecticut.com/ and click "Photos" on left.

Happy Spring!

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!