Frank’s Produce and Greenhouses: Start Your Garden Right

When spring arrives, locals know that it’s also time to go to Frank’s Produce and Greenhouses. Located adjacent to the Old Waterloo Park, Frank’s Produce and Greenhouses has every plant that you need for your flower or vegetable garden. But be prepared to do some walking because there are eight greenhouses available! Take you time to check out the trays of annual and perennial flowers, as well as ground covering and other plants. There is also a beautiful assortment of hanging flowers and plants. And the trays of tomato, pepper, lettuce, cucumber and other produce plants are plentiful and ready to give you a good start on baskets of produce, all summer long. You can also buy some delicious local produce as well, whether it's strawberries in the summer or apples and pumpkins in the fall.

Frank’s Produce and Greenhouses
686 Old Waterloo Road
Elkridge, MD 21075
(410) 799-4566

Monarch Mill where pets are welcome too!

Only 3 more months until Summer

Where will you be sending your summer? Plant yourself at Monarch Mills so you are ready for Pool Season.

Only 3 more months until Summer

Where will you be sending your summer? Plant yourself at Monarch Mills so you are ready for Pool Season.

How to Design Your Own Floral Arrangement

Think that you have to visit a professional florist to find a magazine-worthy arrangement? Think again! With these simple tips for designing your own floral arrangements at home, you can fill your space at Monarch Mills with gorgeous flowers or even give them as affordable gifts to friends.

  1. Choose the perfect vase. Choose a vase that will fit the flowers that you have on hand, or if you don’t have a designated vase, use something like a mason jar, pitcher, or other household vessel.
  2. Using florist’s tape, create a grid across the top opening of the vase. Leave approximately one-inch squares in between the tape to keep the flowers separated and evenly spaced.
  3. Mix up textures by using a wide variety of different types of flowers. Contrast delicate baby’s breath with big, leafy blooms and eucalyptus branches.
  4. If you’re feeling a bit intimidated by the idea of mixing and matching, make a statement by using a large quantity of just one type of flower. Whether it’s classic red roses or purple hydrangeas, all flowers look beautiful when trimmed into layered lengths that eventually create a rounded arrangement in a short vase.

Flower Arranging 101 [Martha Stewart]
Elegant, Exquisite, Easy Flower Arrangements [Real Simple]
How to create perfect floral arrangements [Sunset]

Mid-Atlantic Seafood Restaurant: Where Lands Meets Sea in Laurel

When you feel like a home-cooked meal but don't want to do the cooking yourself, try heading over to Mid-Atlantic Seafood Restaurant. This Laurel eatery is a favorite among seafood lovers and landlubbers alike. The battered and fried haddock filet is a popular meal and can be ordered either as a sandwich or as a full dinner meal with a couple of side dishes (regulars recommend you try hush puppies, candied yams, and string beans). Value-oriented diners should consider ordering a combination platter, which allows you to mix fish, crab cakes, shrimp, oysters, scallops, and more in just about any combination you can imagine.

And if seafood just isn't your thing, don't worry. Despite its name, Mid-Atlantic Seafood Restaurant has plenty of non-seafood options, including a classic cheeseburger piled high with lettuce, tomato, and onion, hot Philly-style cheesesteaks, and delicately spiced lamb gyros served on a folded pita.

Mid-Atlantic Seafood Restaurant
13718 Baltimore Avenue
Laurel, MD 20707
(301) 776-0805
www.mid-atlanticseafood.com/locom.php#laurel
www.yelp.com/biz/mid-atlantic-seafood-restaurant-laurel

Remebering those that keep us safe.

It’s Worth the Wait for a Table at Columbia’s Victoria Gastro Pub

The next time you’re planning a fun night out with friends in Columbia, Victoria Gastro Pub is one of the best places to see and be seen. This hip, elegant pub is the perfect combination of comfortable and upscale, from its warm wood furnishings to its spacious bar and intimate dining tables.

While the wait can be lengthy on busy weekend evenings, it’s worth your patience to sample Victoria Gastro Pub’s creative American menu of duck fat French fries, lobster grilled cheese, and gourmet burgers with premium toppings. There’s always a selection of ever-changing seasonal favorites made with fresh, local ingredients, as well as a full bar with lots of spirits and other libations. You’ll find local IPAs and high quality craft beers, handmade cocktails, and fine wines that pair well with your meal.

With its lively atmosphere and decadent menu, Victoria Gastro Pub is the perfect place to kick back on the weekend!

Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 750-1880
www.victoriagastropub.com

Volleyball House: Set and Spike

Bump, set, and spike your way over to historic Elkridge’s Volleyball House for a volleyball experience you can’t find at the gym. Whether you’re interested in joining a team for competitive league play, some time on the indoor soccer field, or you just want to sit at the sidelines and play some pinball, Volleyball House has something for everyone. The six courts are split between competitive and recreational play, with scheduled open hours for beginners. There’s also a youth league for youngsters new to the game or looking to hone their skills. If you’re an advanced player ready to get pumped but your friends can’t all make it over to form a team, Volleyball House makes it easy to join in on the fun as a “free agent” once you get there. With a lounge, snack bar, and locker rooms available, Volleyball House is the go-to volleyball destination for the greater Baltimore/DC area.

Volleyball House
5635 Furnace Avenue
Elkridge, MD 21075
(410) 579-1007

How to Get the Most Storage Space Out of Your Freezer

If you’re looking for a way to add extra storage space to your current freezer, these smart tips may be of service.

  1. Know what to freeze. Start streamlining what you freeze in the first place by knowing what will last and what won’t. In general, leafy vegetables, dairy products, and fried foods are not meant to freeze.
  2. Separate items into portions. If you’re freezing something that would otherwise stick together after freezing, such as chicken breasts or soup, separate it into serving-sized portions so that you can easily thaw only the part that you need.
  3. Use containers. Instead of piling all of your food into one large pile in the freezer, invest in freezer-safe storage containers from the local home goods store.
  4. Use labels. Label everything in the freezer, from individual food items (unless they’re still in the original packaging) to your storage containers.
  5. Mind the door. The door of the freezer is the warmest part, so don’t store things that can easily melt on its shelves. Save this space for less delicate foods, such as nuts, alcohol, or frozen fruits.

Fridge and Freezer Organization [The Container Store]
The Best Way to Organize Your Freezer [The Kitchn]
8 Better Ways to Keep Your Freezer Super-Organized [Good Housekeeping]

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