I want to own a nursery just like this!

During my trip to Wilmington, NC my mom took me to Zone 8, a fantastic nursery tucked away in the midst of strip malls and highways. Isn't that the best name? Love it. The property is a magical oasis jam-packed with really interesting finds and unusual combinations of plants. The greenhouse/store area in particular is like a dreamy wonderland filled with odds and bits that work together so well. My mom seemed to think it came under new ownership recently as it used to be a bit run down — but no longer! Have a peak…

I mostly took photos inside the space because I was so awed while wandering around outside. So I don't have a good "establishing" shot for you of the outside, but here's a wee little glimpse of some of the plants:

If you're ever in the area and need a little getaway, you should take a stroll through:
Zone 8 Gardens
3802 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28412-2006
(910) 792-1118

Or maybe one day you'll be able to visit Zone 6 here in Ann Arbor!

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Now I can Say I've Tried It: Lychees

Yes, now I can say I've tried a lychee. I've probably had them in something somewhere along the line, but I had never bought one and just eaten it straight out. With their tough, lumpy exterior, you might not know how to tackle one. Just pierce the skin slightly with a sharp knife and the skin with come away from the juicy fleshy fruit quite easily. It has a hard pit inside and is incredibly juice, so take care when you bite into these beauties. You'll be greeted with a highly floral, very sweet flavor that I instantly loved and seemed vaguely familiar. I would love to try them in a cocktail: possibly gin, grapefruit juice and lychees pureed? hmmm? What do you think?

Highlights from Pile of Craft

Is this not the most awesomest show announcement? It's from last weekend's Pile of Craft show in Baltimore. The creature is from Cotton Monster who has the best web site -- and creatures -- in the world. I adore them. Clever, clever gal: check out her blog and Etsy shop, too!

Here's a little peak inside the show. It was in a beautiful old church with lots of cool details:

The nice thing about being so far from home was that I saw lots of new work and vendors I had never met or seen before. I fell hard for the illustrations by Jamie Zollars. I particularly like her silkscreens -- they boil down her work to beautiful linework and moodiness.

Detail from "Stirring" silkscreen.

Available here.

"Bird War" silkcreen
Available here.

Some other faves were Pink Kiss Pottery, El Jefe Design, Paper Acorn and Needle Noodles -- so fun!

John's Perfect Chesapeake Fried Chicken

It's been quite some time since I shared a recipe with you, and this one is about to make up for all that. My friend John has been working on perfecting his fried chicken recipe. This past weekend he treated me to a batch and let me in on some of his secrets and I'd say he's pretty much nailed it. I've always been a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of deep-frying, but John showed me just how easy it is. This chicken has a double layer of breading, is packed with flavor and I still can't get over how golden and beautiful it turned out! You won't believe how un-greasy it is — after frying up a whole batch, there is pretty much the same amount of oil left in the pot. Eat it hot or cold, packed up in that summertime picnic basket. I gnawed on a piece or two during my road trip back from DC to Michigan — delish!

John's Chesapeake Chicken
12 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/3 cup salt
1 (2 1/2 lb) bag all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons seasoning salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
6 large eggs
peanut oil (for frying)
Additional seasoning salt

The first secret is brining:

Rinse chicken. Place it in a bowl and add salt. Add water to cover and let soak for an hour.



Meanwhile, beat the eggs together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, seasoning salt and pepper. When chicken is done brining, rinse it. Dip each piece in the eggs and then in the flour mixture. Use one hand to dip in the wet and the other for the dry to avoid thoroughly gunking up your fingers.

Set aside on a lightly floured baking sheet and let rest for about 20 minutes, or the time it takes to heat the oil. 


Fill a dutch oven halfway full with peanut oil. Heat to 375º.

Enjoy a icy cold glass of peachy, lychee sangria while you wait…

And by the time the oil is ready, the chicken will look like this with the flour kind of soaked into the egg and looking pasty.

Next dredge each piece of chicken in the eggs and then the flour mixture one more time before placing directly and carefully into the hot oil.


Fry the chicken in batches being sure not to crowd the pot.

After the first minute or two of cooking, gently run a spoon under each piece to be sure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.

When the chicken is golden brown, 10-12 minutes, remove it from the oil and drain on a brown paper bag.

Sprinkle the chicken with extra seasoned salt and let cool.

If you've read all the way through to this point, then you are ready for the big reveal. John adds one other secret ingredient to both the flour for dredging and then right after frying instead of sprinkling with seasoning salt — I feel almost guilty revealing it, but he gave me the go-ahead. Here it is… Old Bay. Yup. That's the secret to Chesapeake Chicken. I didn't list it in the ingredients, because you have to read this far down to find out the true secret. So good! You would never guess that that's what's in it. It's not like it tastes like crabs or shrimp with Old Bay. It just adds that certain something. The best!

Wrapping up my whirlwind trip

Hello, hello! So sorry I dropped off the radar last week. Though I was on vacation, I did have a few posts planned for you. But I got hit midweek with a nasty cold that knocked me out cold. I'm feeling a bit better now and spent the weekend in Washington, D.C. with my friend John after coming up for the Pile of Craft show in Baltimore on Saturday (above). We spent plenty of time cooking, hanging out and exploring a few local hot spots like the incredibly designed Grace's Mandarin (below) in National Harbor.

One too many frosty watermelon, mint and vodka drinks led to John trying to steal from Buddha. Oy! I'll have more details about my trip, the Pile of Craft show and some new recipes later this week.

A meal worthy of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

No visit with my brother in Winston-Salem would be complete without a good Southern meal worthy of his favorite show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We had dinner my last night in town at Bib's, a classic casual barbecue joint downtown. I went for the basic pulled pork and though I am certainly not a connoisseur, I have tried to make my own and Bib's is, by far, so much better, and probably the best I've ever had. It is not greasy at all — to the point of looking like it might be dry — but one bite and you know it is anything but. It has so much flavor and is tender — mmmm, mmmm, mmm is all I can say. And, as promised by my brother, the hush puppies are unlike so many flavorless balls of fried that you get. These have a strong flavor all their own that is peppery and delicious. The sweet tea, not too sweet and the slaw just right. If you ever find yourself in Winston-Salem with time for a meal, go to Bib's!

Pear and Peacock

I didn't even tell you about our weekend at the Indieana Handicraft, did I? It was wonderfully hot, sunny and humid with crowds sweating it out, live music, the smells of barbecue and wonderful vendors for neighbors. The sweet boy bought me this necklace from our neighbor to the left, Erin of Pear and Peacock. Self-taught, this girl oozes artistry. Be sure to check out her blog, shop and sweet smile!

Friday was made for flowers: Peonies

230 different kinds of peonies — wow! I finally had a chance to visit the Peony Garden at Matthei Botanical Garden a couple of weeks ago and that's how many varieties they have. It's one of the largest collections in the country and is truly spectacular. I love how frilly and delicate peonies can be. If you live in the area, it's worth a visit and for those of you who don't, I put together a collection of favorites to share with you this Friday:

I'm posting this from sunny Winston-Salem, NC — the first stop on a little mixed work-play mini-vacation. I'll have a couple of quick posts for you next week, but will be spending some time beachside in Wilmington, NC before heading up to Baltimore for Pile of Craft on Saturday, June 26.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

Get your shop on locally! Blue House

Sweater squid
Wooly Mammoth

I did a little shopping last night in the Blue House consignment area. At first I thought I would give at least one of my purchases away — namely the sweater squid for my nephew — but I easily talked myself out of that one. It's a keeper. It was made by Wooly Mammoth of western Michigan. A superstar talent. If you're local, you can find more of her squid and other creations at Blue House. Or you can check out her Etsy Shop here.

Sewn owl
Enamor

I also couldn't resist this little owl from Ypsilanti's Enamor. So sweet. So simple. So perfect. Again, stop by Blue House or check out her Etsy shop here.

Wee fairy
Siobhan Lyle

And last, but not least: A wee pointy hat fairy to live among the plants. Awwww… so cute. Look at those rosy cheeks. Can you see them? Made by none other than the owner and mastermind behind Blue House, Siobhan Lyle.

Balcony Garden update 06.15.10

I love this photo — it epitomizes our little balcony garden. One lovely delicate poppy framed by the concrete floor. The garden is going like gangbusters — I'm so happy with it. We learned a lot last year and have had some happy accidents along the way.

My resident basil farmer is very pleased with this year's crop (left) — even while we're still eating pesto from last year! The spinach we grew was very short-lived, so I pulled the stalks that were already going to seed and threw some nasturtium seeds (right) into the box where it had been. They're one of my favorites and I can't wait for the blooms.

The tomato plants are lookin' good…

Carrots and scallions are just about ready…

The lettuce is a heat-tolerant variety and just keeps on coming! And the peas…

Oh yes, the peas. Last year I harvested exactly eight pea pods. 8. I saved most of them to plant again this year and it's an entirely different story this go round. We are in pea-city! I've been battling a little powdery mildew, but the peas keep on coming!

The sweeet smell of privet

Aaaaaahhhh. I've been breathing deep all week long hoping to catch the scent of privet in the air. I didn't have to look hard — it seems to be everywhere and at its peak.

I only discovered this scent a few years ago when I moved to the east end of Long Island. Driving down the country roads in late spring — yes, there are still country roads on parts of Long Island — the air is often thick with the sweet, flowery scent. The Hamptons are famous for privet — there it marks status and is often used to build huge towering fortresses of privacy. Here in Ann Arbor, you may have to smell for it but its abundant in a much less formal way.

I found this privet hedge on Miller and it led me to this most wonderful tree in the yard behind.

These photos don't do this tree justice. It is the perfect hideaway fort. Or setting for a private, twinkling candlelit midsummer dinner … dreamy!