THE VILLAGE VOICE

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." ~ G. K. Chesterton _______ ~ Another Night in Paradise (Hubbard Lake)

"The true harbinger of spring is not crocuses or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of the bat on the ball." - Bill Veeck GO TIGERS! OFFICIAL SITE of the DETROIT TIGERS

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." ~ George Santayana _________________ "Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush." ~ Doug Larson ~ Early Spring ~ Before the thaw (Hubbard Lake)

"By a garden is meant mystically a place of spiritual repose, stillness, peace, refreshment, delight ." ~ John Henry Cardinal Newman For the garden is not only a place in which to make things grow and to display the beautiful flowers of the earth, but a place that should accord with the various moods of its admirers. It should be a place in which to hold light banter, a place in which to laugh, and, besides, should have a hidden corner in which to weep. ~ Alice Lounsberry ~ Exbury azalia, Oriential poppy, tulip, bleeding heart, trillium, Centaurea Montana, Bearded iris, Scarlet O'hara peony, Rembrandt tulip

" It is probable that the lemon is the most valuable of all fruit for preserving health. " ~ Maud Grieve ( A Modern Herbal - 1931) ~ Meyer lemon ______________________ Gardening and cooking note: The Meyer lemon (Citrus × meyeri ) is a citrus fruit, native to China , thought to be a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin orange or sweet orange . The Meyer lemon was introduced to the United States in 1908 as S.P.I. #23028, by the agricultural explorer Frank Meyer , an employee of the United States Department of Agriculture who collected a sample of the plant on a trip to China. It is commonly grown in China potted as an ornamental plant . It became popular as a food item in the United States after being rediscovered by chefs, such as Alice Waters at Chez Panisse , during the California Cuisine revolution. The Meyer lemon is also known as the Valley lemon in southern Texas due to its popularity in the Rio Grande Valley region. ( Wikipedia ) Incorporate this tr...

" The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom it touches. " ~ e.e. cummings ~ Lily in the snow _____________ FRENCH SPLIT PEA SOUP ~ Perfect finale for the Easter ham bone and another 'bone-chilling' night ______________ 1 juicy ham bone (or 8-12 slices chopped sauteed bacon, browned and crisp) 1 large chopped Vadalia or Spanish onion 1 bunch chopped leek (white and pale green parts) 2-4 large peeled and chopped carrots 4 minced garlic cloves 4 (32-ounce) cans or boxes organic chicken broth 2 cups dry white wine 2 pounds rinsed green split peas 4 whole bay leaves 2-4 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary leaves (1-2 Tbsp. dried) 1 Tbsp. Herbes de Provence freshly ground cracked pepper to taste coarse salt to taste In large stockpot, saute onion and leeks in reserved 2 tablespoons bacon grease (or add 2 tablespoons olive oil if using ham bone) until limp. Add garlic and chopped carrots , cooking additional few minutes. Carefully add stock, scraping brown bits from bott...

~ Pansy in the snow ______________ Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year (1943) Music Written By: Frank Loesser Lyrics Written By: Frank Loesser Spring will be a little late this year A little late arriving, in my lonely world over here For you have left me and where is our April love old Yes you have left me and winter continues cold As if to say that spring will be a little slow to start A little slow reviving that music it made in my heart Cause time heals all things, so I needn't cling to this fear It's merely that spring will be a little late this year Yes time heals all things so I needn't cling to this fear It's merely that spring will be a little late this year

" And the spring comes slowly up this way. " ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge ~ Lone blue iris _________ BLACK FOREST HAM, PROVOLONE & ROASTED RED PEPPER PANINI ~ Perfect solution for leftover ham. Panini refers to a pressed sandwich so if you don't own a panini grill, simply grill in a skillet with a weight on top (2 iron skillets work well) _____________ 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise 4 tsp. basil pesto 8 slices good rye or sourdough bread 8 oz. thinly sliced Black Forest, deli or leftover ham 6-8 oz. thinly sliced provolone cheese 1/2 cup roasted red pepper strips 1/2 cup fresh basil or baby spinach leaves Combine mayonnaise and pesto. Spread evenly on each of 4 bread slices. Arrange ham, cheese, roasted red pepper strips, and basil or spinach leaves evenly over bread. Preheat grill pan or large skillet coated with cooking spray. Add sandwiches to pan and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese has melted. (4 servings)

" On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer. " ~Douglas Horton ~ 'Snow white' Easter lily ~ Easter lily and iris

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." ~S.D. Gordon ASPARAGUS and GOAT CHEESE QUICHE ~ retro is back and real men 'do eat quiche' ___________ 1 Pillsbury crescent roll package 1 lb. trimmed asparagus 3-4 chopped shallots 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 1/4 cup half & half 4 large organic eggs scant pinch coarse salt 1/2 tsp. white pepper 1/2 tsp. Hungarian paprika 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) 2 cup crumbled goat cheese additional thyme for garnish Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Press crescent roll slices to fit deep dish quiche pan. Flute edges, brush bottom with Dijon mustard and set aside. Slice asparagus diagonally, 1/2 inch pieces. Reserve tips. Plunge in boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Saute shallots in butter until wilted. Add asparagus and cook gently about 3 minutes. Cool slightly and spread over bottom of crust. Sprinkle with 1 cup of goat cheese. Whisk eggs, half & half, thyme and salt & pepper. P...

"Don't plant seed too soon, Consult the moon." ~ Nicholas Culpepper (English herbalist) Snow Crust Moon Bebookwaadaagame - giizis ( oog ) ~ Ojibwe ___________ "If you with flowers would stick the pregnant earth Mark well the moon proportions to their birth, For earth the silent midnight green obeys And waits her course, who clad in silver rays The eternal round of time and seasons guides." (The English Gardener) The Moon ~ Myth, Magic and Fact

LEGEND of the DOGWOOD An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: " Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross ~ two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints ~ brown with rust and stained with red ~ and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember." ~ Author Unknown

~ 'The Right of Spring' ( Vernal equinox ~ Hubbard Lake, Michigan)

~ Sunrise at Black Star Farms ( Suttons Bay, Michigan) _____________________ For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom ; they give forth fragrance. Arise my love, my fair one, and come away. ~ The Song of Solomon , 2:11-13 ______________________________ ~ Mackinac Island Memories (Michigan)

Bread feeds the body indeed, but the flowers feed also the soul. ~ The Koran ~ Easter bouquet _______________ TOASTED COCONUT BREAD ~ Favorite Easter recipe clipped from Bon Appetit /May 1981 2 3/4 cup flour 1 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 1/4 cups shredded toasted (cooled) coconut 1 1/2 cup milk 1 lightly beaten egg 2 Tbsp. oil 1 tsp. coconut or vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350-degrees Lightly coat 9x5 inch loaf pan with vegetable spray. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder & salt into medium bowl. Add coconut and blend well. Combing milk, egg, oil, and extract in another bowl. Mix well. Add to dry ingredients all at once, stirring briefly until just blended; do not overmix . Turn batter into prepared pan. Bake until tester inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool in pan 8-10 minutes. Invert onto wire rack and let cool to room temperature before slicing. Delicious toasted the next day!

~ Green garden dreams _____________ LINGUINI CARBONARA with GREEN PEAS ~ Peas & pasta ... a perfect pair _________ 1 1/2 lb. linguine (or spaghetti) 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 12 oz. pancetta (or lean bacon) 3 crushed cloves garlic 1 cup heavy cream 3 large oragnic egg yolks 1/2 -2/3 cup greshly grated Parmesan cheese (additional for serving) 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley coarse salt 1 1/2 cup fresh or thawed frozen baby peas freshly ground black pepper Bring large pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, in large deep skillet, saute garlic in olive oil until golden. Add pancetta and cook until golden and crisp. Transfer to a bowl. Pour off all but 4 tablespoons of fat from skillet. Add cream and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from bottom. Pour into bowl. Whisk eggs yolks with warm cream and Parmesan cheese. Add salt to boiling water. Cook peas briefly, about 1 minute. Drain and reserve. Add linguini to pot and cook until al dente . Drain. Return pasta to pot and add cre...

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises." ~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca

"Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine , sugar and fat." ~ Alex Levin MURPHY'S IRISH COFFEE ~ a healthy jigger of Brandy (Brian's claim to smoothness instead of Irish whiskey) ___ freshly brewed rich black coffee 1 healthy tsp. brown sugar 1 healthy jigger Brandy (or Irish whiskey) fresh whipping cream 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla freshly grated nutmeg, chocolate or cinnamon In chilled bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar & vanilla. Continue whipping until medium-firm peaks forms. Warm Irish coffee glass in hot water. Wipe dry. Pour brandy (or Irish whiskey) & brown sugar into the glass and stir. Slowly pour fresh coffee filling the glass to within half an inch or so from top of glass. Carefully top with whipped cream. Garnish with grated fresh nutmeg, chocolate shavings or cinnamon. Toast loved ones and enjoy sipping through the rich cream. (Thanks Brian!) ______________ ...

~ My 'mystical' shamrocks _____________ The History of the Shamrock Full of symbolism, this plant has mystical roots by Michelle Gervais (technical editor of Fine Gardening.) Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years. According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion, as in many others. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland." "Wearin' o' the green" The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on. In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion, and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. It was this period that spawned the phrase "the wearin' o' the green". Today, the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, especially on St. Patrick's Day, when all over the world, everyone...

"If you're enough lucky to be Irish, you're lucky enough!" ~Irish Saying ~ Crystal shamrock and shamrock flowers _______ STEAMED CLAMS & 'GREEN' LINGUINE ~ Ireland's pure shores reap some of the finest seafood in Europe ... either steamed clams or mussels make this recipe a fine holiday feast. __ 1 lb. linguine (use spinach linguine for an 'all green' treat) 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 6 pounds scrubbed littleneck or other small clams or mussels 1/2 cup chopped green onions 3 cloves chopped garlic 1 stick unsalted butter 2-3 cups dry white wine 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley sea salt & coarsely ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil Cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain and toss with olive oil. While pasta is cooking melt butter in a large pot. Saute chopped scallions and garlic cloves until scallions are tender but not browned. Add 2 cups dry white wine and sal...

~ Bare and beautiful _____________ “Have you ever noticed a tree standing naked against the sky, how beautiful it is? All its branches are outlined, and in its nakedness there is a poem, Every leaf is gone and it is waiting for the spring. When the spring comes it again fills the tree with the music of many leaves, which in due season fall and are blown away. And that is the way of life.” ~ Krishnamurti

" Y ou'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind " ~ Irish Saying MINT BUTTERFLIED LEMON LEG of LAMB ~ 'Spring lamb' ... perfect for the season ____ 1 5-6 lb. boned, trimmed & butterflied leg of lamb (fat removed) 2 lemons & zest 3 minced garlic cloves 4 Tbsp. chopped mint 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper MINT SAUCE: 1/2 cup good mint jelly 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice zest from above lemons 1 Tbsp. butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. Coleman's dry mustard Flatten lamb to 2-inch thickness. Score skin side of lamb crisscross fashion. Wipe with damp cloth. With tip of knife make about 10 large deep cuts in flesh. Sprinkle with salt & cracked pepper. Grate the rind and squeeze the juice of 2 lemons. Finely chop the garlic. Combine lemon rind, juice, garlic, mint, oil, salt & pepper in small bowl. Pour over lamb and marinate several hours or overnight. Make mint sauce: Combine mint jelly and rem...

"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long." ~ Irish Blessing ~ Shamrock ( Oxalis regnellii ) ___________________ BAILEYS IRISH CREAM CHEESECAKE ~ Favorite St. Patrick's Day treat adapted from tattered Bon Appetit (1989) __ Crust: 2 cups crushed Oreo cookies 1/4 cup sugar 6 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Filling: 2 1/4 lbs. room temperature cream cheese 1 2/3 cup sugar 5 room temperature organic eggs 1 cup B aileys Original Irish Cream 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips Coffee Cream: 1 cup chilled whipping cream 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. instant coffee powder Chocolate curls For crust : Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Coat 9-inch springform pan with nonstick spray. Combine crumbs and sugar. Stir in melted butter. Press mixture into bottom and 1-inch up sides of pan. Bake until light brown, about 7 minutes. For filling : Beat cre...

" The beauty of daylight-saving time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier." ~ Edward Markey " Time is God's way of keeping everything from happening at once" ~ Anon "Tempus fugit" ( time flies ) ~ Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) Fasti "Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted." ~ John Lennon "Lost time is never found again" ~ Benjamin Franklin THANKS for the gift BEN!