'oNe MoRe THiNG...'

a well used expression between my friend and me. It's my friend that reminded me about this so here goes...

It must have been an oversight because I truly meant to blog about a trip I recently made with aforementioned friend to the Farmer's Market at the corner of Dam Neck Road and Princess Anne Road.

I've seen a lot of new construction going up across the street which is okay (could've been better with a Trader Joe's imho). Since there isn't scheduled to be a Trader Joe's, I'll be wishy washy on the whole new shopping center subject.



There's a cute little cafe 'THe PRiNCeSS aNNe CouNTY GRiLL'there that serves a nice little breakfast in the morning with blue plate specials (don't you just love that diner lingo?) for lunch and dinner. The servings are a good size and fitting in dessert is a challenge. I've had the biscuits and gravy there for breakfast and since that visit have had their house burger. The tea was sweet.(A REQUIREMENT in my book for a place to be 'deemed' good. Sorry, 'the sugar's on the table line doesn't work with me) :o) A cute little place and definitely popular among the locals with clearly some 'regulars' keeping the place hoppin'.



Just behind is a candy shop promising 'sweet addictions' THe CaNDY BaRN that just opened this year and I wanted to mention that because they have some delicious looking desserts in their cases. Buckeye's, chocolate covered Twinkies and pretzels along with a myriad of other sweet treats fill the bakery cases and boy do they all look good! Here are some photos I took with the point and shoot. I haven't been back to take more but you get the point :o) Doesn't this look like a place you would want to take your family?







There's also a butcher in the marketplace that sells a dry aged beef that is pretty good and various veggie stands. There's also a Yoder's Dairy with a full case of different ice creams and one called 'apple pie' ice cream! 'I scream you scream, we all scream FOR ICE CREAM!' No pictures of this, sorry. You'll just have to go there and buy a half gallon of it prepacked. YUMM! Think I'll head there myself! I feel another blog coming on...

Anyway...check out the Farmer's market there. When you step out of your car, I guarantee you'll feel like you've just slowed time down. Relax a while and take time to smell the flowers :o)

BeRGie'S ReiNVeNTeD

Recently I got together with a couple of friends and we visited the new Bergie's Breadbasket on Mt. Pleasant Road in Chesapeake. I was very disappointed when they closed for business before and when I'd heard they re-opened, it was at the top of my list of places to visit. I'd been wanting very badly to make a trip out there and luckily the girls humored me. (Thanks girls :o) !)

What a great little place to stop for coffee and some freshly baked goodies. They had some delicious cinnamon rolls which I couldn't pass up. I was told that the cinnamon roll recipe was 50 years in the making! I believe it! Not too sweet and extremely fluffy :o) They have some very delicious looking apple crumb muffins, if that strikes your fancy. You could definitely tell they loved what they do :oP



Wanting something savory? Try the sandwhiches with freshly baked bread! You can also get some farm fresh milk there. These people had my heart in mind when they reopened and believe me...THEY'RE BACK! There's a nice selection of ice cream too :o)

I remembered they had cookies we used to always get when we visited it as a dairy farm. They were those pan type cookies and they are so soft and chewy. I had definitely been missing these so I picked up a couple today, chocolate chip(of course) and oatmeal raisin. YUMM!!!


I couldn't resist bringing some different kinds of cinnamon rolls home for the troops. They were very excited about the rolls and cookies in the 'take home' bag. I also picked up some 'Indian Candy Corn'. My favorite kind of candy corn :o) They had a great selection of candy classics, something for everyone in the family!


If you are heading down Mt. Pleasant Road, whether you're travelling from Virginia Beach to Chesapeake or vice versa, this is a great place for a short pause along the way. Say 'hello' and welcome them back! I for one am glad they returned :o) It was one long lonely road without them!

SWeeT BLaCKBeRRieS, FReSH CoRN, 'a WaTeRMeLoN SeLLiNG' GaLLuS DoMeSTiCuS aND GooD CoMPaNY...

A trip into the rural areas of Virginia Beach (yes there are some) can prove very fruitful, particularly from spring through summer. There are many farm stands that I frequent. Is it because the air is cleaner, the grass greener? No. The food is sooooo much better. I can taste the tender lovin' care supplied by our local farmers (along with their sweat and tears when growing conditions aren't optimal).



I subscribe to a weekly email from Farmer Tom of Brookdale Farms and not only is it informative, but highly entertaining. The man has a way with words (and fruits and veggies) and I highly recommend visiting their farm. I love their strawberries, it's my favorite place for them and if you don't make the naughty list and the stars in the universe align( or there is a nasty streak of weather that works in your favor), you may... just might get a coupon in the email for a small discount off per lb. There's nothing that says early summer to me like homemade waffles with fresh strawberries and homemade whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of vanilla-infused powdered sugar. I digress...



Well, since it's LATE summer and fresh strawberries are NOT in season, I feel I must make an effort to carry on.



Following a series of events, on a field trip scheduled to go to Pungo Blueberries that went awry, we found ourselves at Henley Farms, a family owned farm in the heart of Pungo. Upon arrival we got that warm country welcome that reminded me of a dear friend, Adelle, and her always abundant freshly brewed sweet tea (sugar packets do not equal sweet tea, thanks anyway). She made me love the south before I even lived here.



We took a short stroll to the blackberry fields (a well needed stretch for the legs after the road trip out) and picked until we could sweat no more. ( I think the weatherman lied...90 deg.?!?!? Where's Dave Parker? Dave, we miss you! ) Someone call Tony Macrini...offer a reward for Dave's speedy return as 'Chief Meteorologist'!! Despite the warm weather, we had a great time with our fellow fruit pickers and I for one, am looking forward to the next adventure in farm-hopping!





Anyway, here are some photographs I took while at Henley's. You will all have to be patient as I am still honing my photography skills. Hint: If you squint just right they'll look great!










For lunch I couldn't resist boiling some water and dropping in a couple of corn cobs when the water came to a complete boil. A few minutes later and 'TA-DA'...a dab of butter and a dash of sea salt (even better...a sprinkle of Jane's Krazy Mixed-Up Salt) and it's all over save the cleanup :o).