Unbelievable fat white flurries descended from the sky making everything frosty white and giving us a sense of being up North experiencing a real winter wonderland! Snow blanketed the gardens at the ranch and caused even the Cardinals to see cover amongst the branches and thorns of some of our antique rose bushes. The Geese (more…)
Archive for February, 2010
Windy Winery Chili Cook-off Near Brenham TX B&B
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Another Texas tradition, a chili cook-off, was paired with Texas wines at Windy Winery last Saturday just down the road from Murski Homestead B&B, here in Brenham TX. There were 4 chili teams for the first annual event hosted by Auggie and Linda Meitzen of Windy Winery. John Beland, famed guitarist, was also on hand providing live music while we tasted and drank! The event, held outdoors, was fun, fun, fun and delicious to boot! Be sure to put it on your calendar for next year and stay at the ranch just a few miles down the road!
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- Murski Homestead B&B Guest & John Beland
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- Owners of Windy Winery
Pancakes Flip Off Contest Brenham TX
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Murski Homestead B&B participated in the Great Pancake Flip Off contest this week on Shrove Tuesday. You may ask what is Shrove Tuesday and Pancake Day…….Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday in Britain, is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. ‘Shrove’ – as in Shrove Tuesday – stems from old English word ‘shrive’, meaning ‘confess all sins’. It is called Pancake Day because it is the day traditionally for eating pancakes as pancake recipes were a way to use up any stocks of milk, butter and eggs which were forbidden during the abstinence of Lent. Now in the U.S., Pancake Day lasts all week, and why shouldn’t it as we all can agree that life needs more pancakes!
We teamed up with another local B&B, friends Steve & Carmen Finn, of the Knittel House. Steve made the delicious and utterly light buttermilk pancakes (you can’t get more traditional in the South than that), Carmen did the set ups and kept us on track and I made the topping and syrup, Pan Fried Bananas with a Roasted Pecan Brown Butter Syrup. Everything was incredibly delicious and so much fun! I have posted the recipe for the topping/syrup below. Time to get rid of that store bought syrup and experience a delicious homemade one without any preservatives or additives….it is so easy and if you have any leftover just pour it over a store bought Angel Food Cake and top with ice cream!
- The Team!… Carmen & Steve Finn and Pamela Murski
The Big Freeze of 2010 at Brenham, Texas B&B Ranch
Friday, February 12th, 2010
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- Frozen Pond
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- Frozen Pond with Slush
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- The Big Thaw
The ponds froze up this year during the big freeze of January 2010! We haven’t seen this in years. The gardens took the brute force of the below freezing temperatures that lasted for several days, looking worse for wear (even though we covered and clamped down and lit up with lights to help keep them warm!). Those that have not survived the big chill will be replaced with a new and different specimen. This is our opportunity to venture out with something new and experiment. The freeze is a definite bonus for us with bugs in that it depletes the numbers and knocks them back to a more manageable level for us. When the ranch goes years without a major freeze, it allows the bugs to multiply and winter over creating more work for us with each succeeding year!….especially for those of us who are mostly organic gardeners! Looking forward to Spring, the wildflowers at the B&B and excited to see what comes back in our gardens!
Gardening, Local Food, Cooking Classes at Murski Homestead
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Our cooking classes feature local produce, meats and wine when available and we seek to encourage cooks to use local foods from their farmers markets and co-ops. Promote sustainability and living fresh from the farm by purchasing from local growers. You will enhance your health as well as your palate! To that end there is an event coming up for anyone who is interested in gardening, growing your own food, experiencing a local growers world or just learning something new. It is the Market Growers Symposium March 2010! To learn more about it check out the link! Come stay with Murski Homestead B&B that same weekend and double your pleasure! Book now for March fills up quickly!
Valentine Wine Dinner at Brenham Texas Bed and Breakfast Ranch
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Our Dinner with the Vintner Series continues…..the month our wine pairing dinner is February 11 at the ranch. This would make an exceptional Valentine present for your special loved one! Book your spots at the table now as seating is limited! Mention you saw this on our blog and we will have a special treat for you in your room when you arrive!
Our Special Valentine Wine Pairing Dinner Menu:
Pan Fried Tilapia with Basil-Prosciutto Cream Sauce & Angel Hair
Paired with “Dessert Rose”
Herb Salad with Lemongrass-Shallot-White Wine Dressing
Paired with “Yellow Rose”
Austrian Osso Buco with Root Vegetable Coulis
Paired with “Texas Red”
Chocolate Pate’ with Macerated Berry Puree
Paired with “Tejas Port”
