DRIPPING FROST-FREE: FAWNS, FIRE ANTS, FOUNDERS DAY, FRUIT, FOOD, AND FUMMINGBIRDS
With Texas weather you never know but, hopefully, the last frost is behind us and we can revel in our Spring fever with complete abandon. To celebrate the full-on fever, the following is a round-up of those Spring items we've previously featured but are feeling again:
FAWNS
The deer around here are looking full 'round the belly. Lots of doe with a maternal glow. Whitetail deer typically call a one-mile radius home, so you probably see the same mob around yours. And did you know whitetail deer are known for producing twins? As we've mentioned before, this Babbler almost stepped on a tiny fawn last year while out picking dewberries (those spots work!). But, just because a fawn is alone, does not mean it has been abandoned. As the Drift Inn Wildlife Sanctuary in Driftwood notes, "Mother's leave their babies for hours at a time to forage for food. It is possible to never see the mother." Other words of fawn advice from the Drift Inn:
"Unless the animal is in immediate danger (in the middle of the road, obviously sick or injured or in fire ants), call us or another rehabilitator if you question whether it is actually abandoned BEFORE you attempt to save the animal. If it is in immediate danger, pick it up, remove fire ants if that is the case, wrap it in a towel and place in a quiet, safe place until a rehabilitator can be contacted...do NOT attempt to feed or give water."
For more wildlife rescue information and their contact information, visit the sanctuary's website at thedriftinn.org.
FIRE ANTS
Last month, Dripping resident Howard Williams sent us a tip that homemade molasses and orange oil concoctions actually work very well to kill and repel fire ants. Williams explains that molasses repels fire ants, while orange oil kills them. A quick trip around the internet will produce a myriad of recipes for molasses and orange oil mixes, but for a few that Williams suggests, plus his thoughts on each, click here.
FOUNDERS DAY FESTIVAL
Dripping's biggest community event is next week! Held in downtown Dripping Springs April 17, 18 and 19, 2009, the three-day celebration kicks off with the “Grand” parade and includes the Tiger 5K Run, free music and entertainment on two stages, the Mighty Thomas carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook off competitions, over 150 art and crafts booths and business vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, and the 5th largest washer pitching tournament in the country. For more information, visit the official website. Download the complete festival schedule (PDF) from the site's Music/Events page here.
FRUIT
In 1893, in the case of Nix v. Hedden, the United States Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes are a fruit, botanically speaking, but a vegetable within the meaning of the Tariff Act of 1883. It is this kind of nuance that leads to fights in trivia-obsessed families. But, whether fruit or vegetable, for those who feared the frost and have waited to plant our tomatoes and peppers, this could be our weekend! Last month, Elizabeth of Bloom provided us with tomato and pepper tips that deserve another gander. If you missed her article on tomato determination and the truth about green peppers, click here.
FOOD
The food event this Spring is the Heritage Gala at the Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead. More than 12 internationally recognized and locally loved restaurants, chefs and producers, plus expertly planned wine and beer tastings are on the evening's menu including Hudson’s on the Bend, La Tavola by Chef Will Packwood (a Food & Wine "Top 10 Chefs in America" alum), Asti Trattoria, FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar, plus Dripping's own superstar food producers (the kind that get named on posh restaurant menus), Bella Verdi Farms and Pure Luck Farm & Dairy. And if anyone had any doubt about the caliber of food being created right here and within a stone's throw of Dripping? Creek Road Café, The Leaning Pear Café, Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm, Classic Cakes by Lori, Verde’s Mexican Parrilla, Nutty Brown Café, and Flores Mexican Restaurant round out the stellar line-up.
The Heritage Gala takes place May 1, 2009 from 7:00PM - 11:00PM. Reservations are available now by calling (512) 694-0874 or at drpoundpioneerfarmstead.com. Seating is limited so early reservations are suggested. Reservation forms and information are also available at Print Plus, Super S and Twin Liquors in Dripping Springs.
FUMMINGBIRDS HUMMINGBIRDS
The hummers are here! Here are a couple of tips for rolling out the (no red dye) carpet for our tee-tiny feathered friends:
+ Homemade nectar recipe for your feeder: 1 part cane sugar dissolved in 4 parts water (NO red dye). Honey or artificial sweeteners should never be used.
+ Change nectar solution and clean feeders every 2 to 5 days (the hotter the temperatures, the sooner the solution needs to be changed).
FAWNS
The deer around here are looking full 'round the belly. Lots of doe with a maternal glow. Whitetail deer typically call a one-mile radius home, so you probably see the same mob around yours. And did you know whitetail deer are known for producing twins? As we've mentioned before, this Babbler almost stepped on a tiny fawn last year while out picking dewberries (those spots work!). But, just because a fawn is alone, does not mean it has been abandoned. As the Drift Inn Wildlife Sanctuary in Driftwood notes, "Mother's leave their babies for hours at a time to forage for food. It is possible to never see the mother." Other words of fawn advice from the Drift Inn:
"Unless the animal is in immediate danger (in the middle of the road, obviously sick or injured or in fire ants), call us or another rehabilitator if you question whether it is actually abandoned BEFORE you attempt to save the animal. If it is in immediate danger, pick it up, remove fire ants if that is the case, wrap it in a towel and place in a quiet, safe place until a rehabilitator can be contacted...do NOT attempt to feed or give water."
For more wildlife rescue information and their contact information, visit the sanctuary's website at thedriftinn.org.
FIRE ANTS
Last month, Dripping resident Howard Williams sent us a tip that homemade molasses and orange oil concoctions actually work very well to kill and repel fire ants. Williams explains that molasses repels fire ants, while orange oil kills them. A quick trip around the internet will produce a myriad of recipes for molasses and orange oil mixes, but for a few that Williams suggests, plus his thoughts on each, click here.
FOUNDERS DAY FESTIVAL
Dripping's biggest community event is next week! Held in downtown Dripping Springs April 17, 18 and 19, 2009, the three-day celebration kicks off with the “Grand” parade and includes the Tiger 5K Run, free music and entertainment on two stages, the Mighty Thomas carnival, food, beer, street dances, cook off competitions, over 150 art and crafts booths and business vendors, a petting zoo, pony rides, and the 5th largest washer pitching tournament in the country. For more information, visit the official website. Download the complete festival schedule (PDF) from the site's Music/Events page here.
FRUIT
In 1893, in the case of Nix v. Hedden, the United States Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes are a fruit, botanically speaking, but a vegetable within the meaning of the Tariff Act of 1883. It is this kind of nuance that leads to fights in trivia-obsessed families. But, whether fruit or vegetable, for those who feared the frost and have waited to plant our tomatoes and peppers, this could be our weekend! Last month, Elizabeth of Bloom provided us with tomato and pepper tips that deserve another gander. If you missed her article on tomato determination and the truth about green peppers, click here.
FOOD
The food event this Spring is the Heritage Gala at the Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead. More than 12 internationally recognized and locally loved restaurants, chefs and producers, plus expertly planned wine and beer tastings are on the evening's menu including Hudson’s on the Bend, La Tavola by Chef Will Packwood (a Food & Wine "Top 10 Chefs in America" alum), Asti Trattoria, FINO Restaurant Patio & Bar, plus Dripping's own superstar food producers (the kind that get named on posh restaurant menus), Bella Verdi Farms and Pure Luck Farm & Dairy. And if anyone had any doubt about the caliber of food being created right here and within a stone's throw of Dripping? Creek Road Café, The Leaning Pear Café, Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm, Classic Cakes by Lori, Verde’s Mexican Parrilla, Nutty Brown Café, and Flores Mexican Restaurant round out the stellar line-up.
The Heritage Gala takes place May 1, 2009 from 7:00PM - 11:00PM. Reservations are available now by calling (512) 694-0874 or at drpoundpioneerfarmstead.com. Seating is limited so early reservations are suggested. Reservation forms and information are also available at Print Plus, Super S and Twin Liquors in Dripping Springs.
The hummers are here! Here are a couple of tips for rolling out the (no red dye) carpet for our tee-tiny feathered friends:
+ Homemade nectar recipe for your feeder: 1 part cane sugar dissolved in 4 parts water (NO red dye). Honey or artificial sweeteners should never be used.
+ Change nectar solution and clean feeders every 2 to 5 days (the hotter the temperatures, the sooner the solution needs to be changed).
Posted by DSBabble.com at Wednesday, April 08, 2009 8:34 AM 
Categories: dripping fun
Tags: molasses and orange oil fawns bloom drift inn wildlife sanctuary founders day festival hummingbirds tomatoes heritage gala peppers fire ant
Categories: dripping fun
Tags: molasses and orange oil fawns bloom drift inn wildlife sanctuary founders day festival hummingbirds tomatoes heritage gala peppers fire ant
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