No holiday can be picture-perfect, but even with Iowa’s bone-chilling weather, we can find reasons to be grateful. From the last few weeks, here are scenes of the season that make me appreciate being a homegrown Iowan. During the holidays and into the New Year, may you find joy in all of the little things […]
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Author: Cindy
Your favorite holiday plants – poisonous
We’ve all heard how toxic poinsettias are, but is that the reality? The California Poison Control compiled the following safety tip sheet about the popular holiday plant and others:
New owner on board for Mount Vernon’s Li
MOUNT VERNON – Lincoln Cafe owner Matt Steigerwald appeared almost relaxed on the popular restaurant’s closing day. Maybe because he knows the cafe will be in good hands for the foreseeable future. Steigerwald, 47, just completed the sale of the restaurant to Rachel Sauter, a former employee who still has family in Mount Vernon. “It’s […]
Buy local: where to find those last-minu...
I really hope this weather clears so I can make it to one of my favorite winter farmers markets this Saturday. Before Thanksgiving, I stocked up on local produce at Mount Vernon’s winter market and found everything I needed for several dishes, including sweet potato curry. The curry turned out quite well for my first […]
Latest Iowa infestation of Emerald Ash B...
The destructive Emerald Ash Borer has been found again, this time in Creston, in southwestern Iowa. Already, a quarantine on wood is in place in Eastern Iowa, where the pest was first identified in the state. See more about this latest discovery, and further potential quarantines, from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship:
Biggest tomato, ever – the SteakHouse –
Seed catalogs are on their way and so are the new plant introductions. Burpee sent along information about this new, incredibly large “SteakHouse” tomato. For those of us with little space to spare in the garden, the container sweet corn sounds interesting, as well. Here is more from Burpee on the seed company’s latest offerings:
Final photos and food from the Lincoln C...
It’s not every day that I’d spend $6 on a piece of cake. But I jumped at the opportunity to have one last morsel at the Lincoln Cafe after stalking, er, waiting to catch up with owner Matt Steigerwald for an interview.
Iowa Valley Food Co-op makes a move to n...
I’ve been following the progress of the Iowa Valley Food Co-op from when it was still just an idea and am excited to see their new site in the historic Kingston Village area of Cedar Rapids. If you’re not already a member, consider dropping by on Dec. 18. You can find out more about the […]
Large mountain lion killed near Iowa hom...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reporting today that a large male mountain lion was shot and killed in western Iowa. Mountain lions have no legal wildlife protection in Iowa; the same as black bears.
Mourning the end of the Lincoln Cafe
Mount Vernon – It’s not often that we eat out, but I make it a point to eat locally when we do. So, I’m joining the masses in mourning this week, as word of the Lincoln Cafe’s closing spreads.