As you may know, I have recently started a new job with a national manufacturing firm. I’m still new to my work group, so when a few teammates asked if I’d be willing to participate in the “Meat Mountain” challenge for lunch the following day, I said “sure” without really thinking about it. Now, for those of you who are unaware, the Arby’s chain of fast food restaurants (“they have the meats!”) has a specialty sandwich they call “The Meat…
OK, I’ll admit it. I’m not a big “adopter” of technology as it’s used in our everyday lives. That doesn’t mean I don’t use it, mind you, it’s just that I’m not someone who could be called “cutting edge”. For instance, I have a cellphone, but use it for little more than actually making phone calls. I don’t text all that much, I’m not tuned in to all of the latest apps and functionality of the device, and I could…
Well, the weather is FINALLY starting to turn here locally. I’m not saying every day is mild and wonderful, but following the vernal equinox (the first day of spring), the mechanisms of the natural world are in place to bring life and renewal to the winter landscape. The daffodils and tulips are beginning to break through the soil, trees are beginning to show their first buds, and the spring rains are soaking the ground and awakening the plant life beneath….
Continuing on in my series of life’s “dirty little secrets” file, I’ll share how age (and hopefully, years of acquired wisdom) has impacted my life thus far. Listen up, you youngsters (e.g. anyone under fifty) – this is valuable information I’m passing along here. You may think it doesn’t apply to you, but trust me – it will. Today I’m going to focus on eating. Has it changed over the years? You better believe it. I’ll start this time in…
The weather locally has finally gotten cold – at least what I always consider as “winter cold”. Although we haven’t seen much snow (yet), the sub-freezing nights and short, windy days have me craving big, hearty, and comforting bowls of soup on the lunch and dinner table. I mean, come on – can anything beat a hot, grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of creamy tomato soup on a blustery day? Dipping the corner of that melted cheese and toasted…
The backyard garden. Let me first say that I’d love to have one, but also freely admit that I don’t have the time nor the inclination for its maintenance and upkeep. That being said, I may have stumbled across a revolutionary way to both have my cake – and eat it, too. First, a little back story. At the back of my yard, by the alleyway, stands an old and gnarled elm tree. It barely gets any leaves on it…
For those of you familiar with my blog, you may remember a few months ago I spoke about the coming of BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse to Hagerstown. It’s located in the space formerly occupied by the Sear’s Automotive Plaza at the Valley Mall. In my previous post (click here if you want to review it), I offered dire predictions for their business model – based upon their menu size, price point, and local clientele. I appear to have been mistaken….
Ahhhhhh, summer. The kids are out of school, the days are long and warm, and it’s time to enjoy one of my favorite seasonal seafood treats – the Maryland blue crab. Although the “official” season started back in April (and the heaviest crabs won’t be around until late summer/early fall), nothing says summer like sitting down to a long table covered in brown paper, grabbing a mallet and sharp knife, and digging in to a pile of hot, fresh-steamed crabs,…
As the temperatures rise, the rite of passage that is summertime grilling is gearing up for another season. I grill year round (as my grill is on my covered, wrap-around porch), but for those of you that don’t have that luxury, these recent sunny days have probably been filled with preparing for the first big kick-off of the grilling season, Memorial Day weekend. Now, I know that there are some clear battle lines regarding responsibility when it comes to grilling. …
As we move past the St. Patrick’s Day holiday (which I’m sure was a boon to many a pub and tavern this year since it fell on a Saturday), I’d like to take a moment to talk about beer. Not just any beer, mind you, but a drink that is so much more than just the sum of its ingredients. I’m talking, of course, about Guinness. Dark, rich, and hearty, it’s the beverage that literally fuels Ireland. I’ve been lucky…