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Product of Georgia (Russia – Yep… Georgia RUSSIA, not Georgia USA!)

Written by Camille Ronay
Friday, 08 March 2013 16:47
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TJ cherry juice

TJ cherry juice

 

We were plunking our bounty on the checkout counter at Trader Joe’s when the cashier spied our bottle of cherry juice. “Oh, you’ll love it!” he gushed. Since the bottles were in an end-cap display, I reached over for two more. Okay, so I’m easy to upsell, no biggie…

The cashier was right! The juice is delish. And I was impressed with the calorie count – 150 calories per eight ounce serving, no calories from fat. Something this good usually has at least 150 calories from fat. I know this from long label-reading experience.

But the very best part is that Trader Joe’s sourced the cherries in GEORGIA!  Even people who are familiar with agriculture here may be surprised that Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge has probably the biggest cherry orchard south of Virginia. And they allow visitors to u-pick the cherries during season (usually late April-May).

My advice to you… go to Trader Joe’s and buy their bottled “Product of Georgia” cherry juice. Drink it straight or mix yourself a cocktail. Then, follow the Mercier Orchards Facebook page; and, when it’s time, go pick yourself some fresh-off-the-tree cherries. Incorporate Georgia Grown cherries into your life. YUM!

UPDATE 4/3/2013! Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Last time I went into the Athens Trader Joe’s, the cherry juice was on an endcap. And a poster next to it had a description of the area in Georgia RUSSIA it was sourced. So it was NOT sourced in Georgia USA… it was shipped to the US from thousands and thousands of miles away. It’s up to you whether that suits your lifestiyle now that we know.

 

The Potted Geranium – Greensboro

Written by Camille Ronay
Thursday, 03 January 2013 02:18
No Comments
The Queen Mary luncheon plate, Orange Spice tea, and jam & Devon Cream

The Queen Mary luncheon plate, Orange Spice tea, and jam & Devon Cream

It was a couple Wednesdays ago at 1:30pm; and, we were going through Greensboro up to Athens. And we were starving. Lo & behold, we were in luck. The Potted Geranium serves until 3pm.

A smiling staff welcomed us with opened arms into the bright, spotless parlor. Atlanta pianist Jim Gibson‘s music on CD played in the background. The table linens, the decor, even the crystal chandelier, were perfect. When the hostess offered Cranberry Champagne, it sounded exactly right. And it was!

Prices include the luncheon plate and a pot of tea – guest’s choice. 21 choices were on the menu the day we were there. I had the Orange Spice; my companion (fancy way of saying Bill Ronay), French  Caramel.

I had The Queen Mary, a scoop of oven roasted breast of turkey salad served with a Tuscan garden salad, and a currant scone. All were fresh, flavorful and ideally prepared.

My companion had the chicken pot pie special (a lovely individual sized portion) with a salad and currant scone.

We cleaned our plates as well as the jam and double cream crystal containers.

The Potted Geranium is rated the #1 tea room in Georgia by TeaMap.com. The best way for you to see if you agree is to visit. Do so at your first opportunity!

The Potted Geranium Tea Parlor & Gifts

201 W Greene St

Greensboro GA 30642

706/453-4979

Opened Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11am-3pm

 

 

What’s the Deal, Publix?

Written by Camille Ronay
Tuesday, 01 January 2013 21:49
1 Comment

collards

Greens for money, peas for luck… It’s what Southerners eat on New Year’s Day.  Has been for a long, long time. It’s tradition around here.

Like the good Southerner I am, I went to the local little Publix to stock up.  There was a little issue. I expected bunches of collards in a pile in the vegetable section. That’s the way I’m used to buying them. Nope, not one single bunch of collards. No turnips. Not even kale.

But there were sacks of pre-washed, pre-cut collards. Okay, I’m flexible. I can cope. I picked a sack of collards and a sack of black-eyed peas; and, I paid for them.

I soaked the dry peas in water overnight. And this morning, I grabbed the sack of collards out of the refrigerator and plopped them into a strainer to wash. Hardly a speck of sand or dirt did I see. So this is really much easier. And time efficient. Maybe this is something I could even grow to like.

I put them into the pot. Bill Ronay was reading the cooking instructions. He ALWAYS reads the cooking instructions. (I never do.) But then he saw where these pre-washed, pre-cut collards came from… want to guess?

No, not Florida… not South Georgia… not even South Carolina… Eden Prairie MINNESOTA!

From Middle Georgia where I and my local little Publix are, I can go five minutes in any direction, and find acres of greens. Why do my collards come from Eden Prairie MINNESOTA? Does this make sense? Please tell me Publix, or someone who can figure this out!!!

 

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