Basalmic Vinegar

I ran across this post on a blog called Maggie's Farm.  I found it so interesting I'm copying it here.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The good Balsamic Vinegar comes from Modena (home of Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini), where they have been making it for a thousand years. I have some days when I hunger for some Balsamic.

It's called "balsamic" because it was thought to be a good balsam, or balm, for pain and disease. Our North American Balsam Fir was thought to be good for diseases too, hence its name. The Romans viewed vinegar as a balm and a medicine - hence the Roman soldier kindly offering Jesus vinegar on the cross.

They make it from boiled-down Trebbiano grape juice. Balsamic Vinegar is not a wine vinegar.

The aging process seems to be key. As the volume shrinks over time and the vinegar becomes more syrupy, it is moved into smaller and smaller wood casks made of different woods until ready. Juniper is the final cask. 15 and 25 year-old Italian Balsamic Vinegars are readily available, and there are 100 year-old ones. The 15 year-old one in the photo is $70/bottle. Unlike a bottle of wine of that price, however, you only have to use a few drops at a time.

Northern Italians would never touch our supermarket stuff, nor would any really good American restaurant. However, the available quality is getting better and better.

The old story Marcella Hazan relates is about the old Northern Italian guy who ran down to the cellar when the Americans began bombing. Then he remembered, and ran up to the room where his precious small casks of very old Balsamic were stored and rushed them down to the cellar. Then he realized that he had forgotten one more thing: His wife.

Ever tried a good Balsamic on strawberries? It's a classic Italian dessert. It's equally good on fresh fig halves with a touch of honey or sugar. Just make sure you use the good stuff.
Posted by Bird Dog in Food and Drink, Our Essays at 14:42

Pat Baugh is out of the hospital and back home! YEA!

November 10, 2012

OK, here we go again.  I received an email last night from Diane.  She said that her Mother is at home.  She convinced the doctor that she was OK to go home on Friday rather than having to wait until Monday.  So Pat is home now, but Diane asked if some of us could get together to send Pat a daily meal.  Sandy mentioned that Pat really likes salads, so that is something that is good and easy.  We have our upcoming meeting this Wednesday, November 14, so maybe we can make a calendar list of "Meals for Pat"! 

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November 9, 2012

Last night I received an email from Diane, Pat's daughter, and she informed me that Pat is going to be released from Gulf Pointe Plaza on Monday, November 12, 2012.  Terry and I are going over to pick her up and take her home.  Her ability to get around for a while will be difficult, so I was thinking that maybe some of us can get together and arrange to have a daily meal delivered to her and Ruff, probably lunch.  If you might be interested, please let me know.  I will keep everyone informed.

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We surprised Pat on her birthday!  She totally enjoyed her party.  Pat's daughter Diane said the folloing:

The Birthday Party yall had for her meant more to her than you could ever know. She was overwhelmed. I Thank You for that. That was the second birthday party she can ever remember having. Yall are awesome!!!

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Latest Update on Pat!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Pat's birthday is this coming Monday, October 22.  Is anyone interested in going over with me to give her a small birthday celebration?  Let me know, OK? 
 

OK, after some discussion, we decided to go wish Pat a Happy Birthday on Monday around 1:00 p.m. We will have pumpkin pie cheesecake from Trader Joe's and some herbal iced tea too!

I called Pat this morning.  She seems to be in good spirits overall. She has physical therapy every morning except for Saturday and Sunday. She would love to see friends. So if you have a little free time, stop by to visit with her.  She doesn't have a phone in her room, but you can call the front desk and leave a message.

She is still concerned about her garden and knows that she can no longer work in the garden. So she is still looking for someone to come over once a week and mow her front yard, do needed weeding and watering. Let me or Pat know if you can help.

 

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OK Everyone!  Here is the latest on Pat via emails below between Lois and me:

Friday, October 19, 2012 6:56 PM
 

Thank you Lois! I was in Houston today, but I'm back home. I'm going to send this email out to everyone, including me since I'm also guilty of not going to see Pat! Thank you for the information!

OK like Lois said, Pat is at:

 

Gulf Pointe Plaza

Room 207

1008 Enterprise Boulevard
Rockport, TX 78382

(361) 727-1800

Lois said:

I went to see Pat today at Gulf Pointe Plaza room 207 She would REALLY enjoy a visit. It looks like she will be there for some time. Send out your best guilt producing email. It could be any of us there.

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Hey Herbies!

Most of you probably already know about our member Pat Baugh being in the hospital with a broken pelvis.  I'll post the emails that I sent out about Pat. 

Email Friday, October 05, 2012 11:22 AM

 

Hello All!

I received a call this morning from Lois letting me know that Pat Baugh fell and broke her pelvis while gardening in her backyard Wednesday evening. She is in Spohn South Hospital, Room 308, phone number 361-985-5000. http://www.christusspohn.org/South

I then called Pat and talked to her. She is in lots of pain and because of where the break is located, surgery is not an option. She is supposed to start physical therapy and will be using a walker. Pat is very concerned about her gardens and will need help. There is no way that she will be able to continue maintaining her beautiful yard. So if any of you that might know someone looking for a gardening job, either let me know 361-729-6037 or Pat telephone number 361-729-9405.

I will keep everyone informed about Pat.

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Email Monday, October 08, 2012 11:04 AM

Hey Everyone!

Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group this Wednesday! Don't forget Barb's "Garlic" program this Wednesday! I requested it be put in the Caller-Times and the Pilot, but I couldn't find it posted. 

For more information click on website: 

http://rockportherbies.blogspot.com/2012/10/garlic-by-barb-mcspadden-october-10.html

And some information about Pat!
 

I called Ruff, Pat's hubby, just a short while ago. He said that Pat is still in the hospital awaiting Dr. Hahn's OK for her to transfer to Gulf Point. He said that Dr. Hahn has been busy and hasn't signed any paperwork for Pat. I do know one of his nurses, so I might try calling her to see if she can help. I also told him that I had two names for potential gardeners for Pat thanks to Darlene Gooris and Ginger Smith. That seemed to make him happy.

 

I then called Pat. She was having physical therapy trying to learn to walk again. I told her that I would call her back later today and check on her.

 

I'm really worried, because a broken pelvis is no fun. I broke mine about 25 years ago while skiing. It took over a year to finally heal, and I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and crutches for 3 months. I really can sympathize with Pat because I know how much pain she is experiencing.

 

I will keep everyone informed. Thanks!

Linda a/k/a Herbie

 

"Garlic" by Barb McSpadden October 10, 2012 at 10:00

 

 

Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group

Just a reminder that our next program is Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 10:00. Find us at the ACISD Maintenance Department Formerly Rockport Elementary, 619 N. Live Oak Street, Room 14, Rockport, Texas. Our program will be:
 

"Garlic" by Barb McSpadden

 Do you like it raw?

 

Or cooked?

Come and learn everything you ever wanted to know about herbs. Did you know that there are over 2,000 herbs and that roses are herbs too? And did you know that many of our Texas Native Plants are also herbs? Herbs have been used for centuries for not only culinary purposes, but also for medicinal uses, in cosmetics, cleaning solutions, clothing (one of which is Gossypium cotton), building supplies and art and craft purposes.

 

Our herb study group was founded in March 2003 and meets the second Wednesday of every month at the ACISD Maintenance Department (Formerly Rockport Elementary), 619 N. Live Oak Street, Room 14, Rockport, Texas at 10:00 a.m. to discuss all aspects of using and growing herbs including the historical uses of the herbs and tips for successful propagation and cultivation. We are open to the public. Some members of the group are available as speakers to other audiences.

The Rockport Herb & Rose Study Group, founded in March 2003, is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to increasing public knowledge and awareness about herbs.

I happened to run across this article Gourmet Garlic from the Ground Up on the Mother Earth Living website: 

http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/gourmet-garlic-from-the-ground-up.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_content=9.18.12+HBC+eNews&utm_campaign=2012+ENEWS&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email