THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire." ~Virgil _ 'Farewell April' ______ Lungwart (Pulmonaria), Tulipa tarda, Bergenia, Trillium, Primrose Yoshino Cherry, Cherry blossom, Wood Anemone, Pansy, t. Tarda Japanese painted fern, Myrtle, Tulip, Pachysandra, Johnny-jump-ups Primrose, Hyacinth, Yoshino Cherry tree, fern, Tulips Fern, Yoshino Cherry Tree, Tulip face, Whimsy frog, Shadblow COCONUT PECAN POUND CAKE ~ After a busy month prepping and cleaning the garden, treat yourself to this delicious pound cake ( Southern Living Mid-October 2007) __ 1 1/2 cups softened (unsalted) butter 1 (8-oz) softened package cream cheese 3 cup sugar 6 large organic eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup bourbon 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup toasted chopped pecans 1/2 cup shredded coconut Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat butter & cream cheese at medium speed with...

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." ~ Matthew (6:28-29) Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) Large-flowering Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) Toadshade Trillium ( Trillium cuneatum ) _____________ Trillium is a genus of about 40-50 species of perennial herbaceous flowering plants , native to temperate regions of North America and Asia . They used to be treated in the family Trilliaceae or Trillium family, a part of the Liliales or Lily order. The AGP II treats Trilliaceae as a synonym of the family Melanthiaceae . Common names include trillium, wakerobin, and birthroot. The above ground parts of Trilliums are scapes with three large, leafy bracts with the true leaves underground as a papery covering around the rhizomes . (Wikipedia)

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." - William Shakespeare ~ Yoshino cherry ( Prunus x yedoensis ) forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia ) shadblow ( Amelanchier canadensis ) FAST & FRESH 'SPRING' PASTA ~ Easy supper with a bursting taste of spring _______ 12 oz. good linguine 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 cups thinly sliced leeks (some tender green included) 2 cups Organic Baby Spring Mix salad greens Parsley pesto: 2 cups packed Italian parsley 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (3/4 tsp. dried) 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (3/4 dried) 1 clove garlic 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice and some lemon zest 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese coarse salt & freshly ground pepper Additional toasted pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese Combine parsley, olive oil, toasted pine nuts, t hyme , rosemary, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese in food processor and blend on/off until coarse puree. Season with coa...

"How can one help shivering with delight when one's hot fingers close around the stem of a live flower, cool from the shade and stiff with newborn vigor." ~ Colette ~ Japanese - Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x Soulangiana)

"The tulips I had planted last autumn were in bloom, and I liked to sit and caress their petals , which felt disgustingly delicious, like scraps of peau de soie ." ~ Jamaica Kincaid ~ Tulipa tarda _____________ GRILLED HERB-LEMON STEELHEAD ~ Simple fish feast after a harried day in the garden ______ 3 lb. Steelhead (salmon or trout) fillets 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup vodka or vermouth 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and zest 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper Combine olive oil, brown sugar, vodka, lemon juice, zest, thyme & black pepper. Pour over fillets and marinate several hours. Bring to room temp before grilling. Place fillets on grill, skin side down, reserving marinade. Depending on thickness of fish, cook about 15 minutes or until opaque but still moist (do not overcook). While fish is cooking, bring marinade to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over fish. (6 healthy servings) LEMONY HERBED ...

~ Flowering Norway Maple ( Acer platanoides )

INTERNATIONAL EARTH DAY OFFICIAL SITE

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." - Geoffrey B. Charlesworth ~ Siberian squill ( Scilla siberica ) ~ Rhapsody in blue (A composition in irregular form) _____ Gardener's Note: Noteworthy as one of the first brave visitors poking its nose through the earth whose intense hint of true blue exerts a mysterious magnetism.

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator." ~ Mahatma Gandhi ~ Sunset and full moon (Hubbard Lake) ___________ LEMONY BAKED GREEK CHICKEN BREASTS ~ Succulent bone-in breasts and grilled asparagus make for a delightful spring supper ____ 4 bone-in chicken breast halves 8 cloves crushed garlic 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano (2 tsp. dried) 4 thinly sliced lemons 1 cup pitted kalamata olives 8 oz. crumbled feta cheese lemon slices and sprigs of oregano for garnish Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Gently lift skin from chicken and stuff 2 sliced garlic cloves under each breast. Rub breasts evenly with olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt. Grind pepper over each and sprinkle with oregano. Spray 13x9 inch pan with Pam. Arrange lemon slices and chicken in pan. Sprinkle with olives. Bake for 45 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and sprinkle...

~ Beauteous pansy and sunset ______________ The beauteous pansies rise In purple, gold, and blue, With tints of rainbow hue Mocking the sunset skies. ~ Thomas John Ouseley (The Angel of the Flowers) ~ Pansy portraits

"If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, And from thy slender store Two loaves alone to thee are left, Sell one and from the dole, Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul." ~ Sheikh Muslih - uddin Saadi Shirazi ( The Gulistan of Saadi , 1270 ) ~ Hyacinth soul __________ ROSEMARY OLIVE FOCACCIA ~ Easy recipe using frozen bread dough adapted from 1992 TOO BUSY TO COOK ( Bon Appetit ) _______ 1 pound thawed frozen bread dough 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 heaping Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary (1 tsp. crumbled dried) freshly ground black pepper 1 cup (or more) grated Parmesan cheese 8-10 chopped Kalamata olives 4 thinly sliced oil- packed sun-dried tomatoes 2 thinly sliced large garlic cloves Fresh rosemary springs Preheat oven to 450-degrees. Place bread dough in bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil and minced rosemary. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Knead dough until ingredients are combined. Roll dough out on lightly floured work surface to 9x6-inch rectangle. Tra...

Gardener's Note : NOW IS THE HOUR! Keep all decaying matter cleaned out of your garden beds. While leaves make a good mulch, once they begin to compost they become food and shelter for slugs. ~ Slug & Hostas _______________ The Lowly Slug - Awaiting your arrival Equipped with salt and beer, I knew it wouldn't be too long Before you would appear. - Tempting tender morsels Enticing hosta leaves, Lure you to my garden You're one of my pet peeves. - You lack an eye for beauty C ontently chomping away, A coward too, at night you chew Afraid of me by day. - A homely, slimy pest you are Colorless and pale, Yet I feel a bit of pity ... You're just a homely snail.

~ Pussy Willow (Salix discolor) ~ Early spring daffodils, pussy willow, English daisy and 'kissing clouds' (square 1) _______________ The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day, When the sun is out and the wind is still, You're one month on in the middle of May. But if you so much as dare to speak, A cloud comes over the sunlit arch, A wind comes off a frozen peak, And you're two months back in the middle of March. ~ Robert Lee Frost (Two Tramps in Mud Time) ~ Heralding daffodil and sky ~ Pussy willow and sky ___________________ COCONUT MERINGUES ~ Coconut ... the essence of spring and a perfect 'Happy Ending' to a beautiful day ( Cooking Light ) ___ 4 large organic egg whites 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided Preheat oven to 225-degrees. Cover 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and secure with masking tape. Place egg whites and c...

"Bountiful Primroses, With outspread heart that needs the rough leaves' care." ~ George MacDonald (Wild Flowers) ~ Primrose Lane _______________________________ HERB CRUSTED LEG of LAMB ~ Delicious spring lamb recipe from FOOD & WINE (APRIL 2007). The unroasted , herb-rubbed lamb can be refrigerated overnight . ______ 7-8 pound bone-in leg of lamb (fat trimmed & room temperature) 6 Tbsp. fresh bread crumbs 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter 6 cloves minced garlic flat leaf Italian parsley 3 Tbsp. fresh thyme 3 Tbsp. chopped rosemary 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup Dijon mustard Preheat oven to 325-degrees. In bowl, mix bread crumbs wit butter, garlic, parsley, thyme, rosemary and lemon juice. Season lamb all over with salt & pepper. Rub some of herb mixture on underside of lamb and set in roasting pan, fat side up. Spread mustard over top of lamb then pat remaining herb mixture over the top of the lamb. ...

~ Early April (as the garden grows) __________________ Say, on the noon when the half- sunny hours told that April was nigh, And I upgathered and cast forth the snow from the crocus-border, Fashioned and furbished the soil into a summer-seeming order, Glowing in gladsome faith that I quickened the year thereby. ~ Thomas Hardy

"A flowerless room is a soulless room, to my way of thinking ... " - Vita Sackville -West ~ Hydrangea gracing sun porch __________________ COCONUT POUND CAKE ~ Forget the pounds, just eat the cake! _______________ 1 cup unsalted butter 3 cups sugar 6 organic eggs 3 cups flour 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 8 oz. sour cream 1 cup coconut 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. coconut extract Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Mix butter, sugar and eggs until creamy. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamy mixture. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spray bundt pan with Pam. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 1 hour.

"Each flower is a soul opening out to nature." ~ Gerald De Nerval ~ It's about time! (First welcome visitor in the garden) _______________ GRILLED GORGONZOLA RIBEYE ~ Sixty degrees ... light the grill! _________ 4 10 oz. ribeye steaks or New York strips 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup red wine 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 Tbsp. dry mustard 1 Tbsp. minced garlic juice of 1 lemon splash Tabasco sauce 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary (2 tsp. dried) 1/4 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground pepper to taste 1/2 lb. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese Combine olive oil, wine, soy sauce, dry mustard, garlic, lemon juice, Tabasco, rosemary, salt & pepper. Pour over steaks and marinate 4 hours. Remove steaks from marinade (reserve) and grill to personal taste. While steaks are cooking, reduce marinade. Serve over steaks, topped with crumbled Gorgonzola . (Allow steaks to rest a bit before serving) Suggested Michigan Wine: Chateau Grand Traverse 2004 Merlot Reserve _____________________ ROA...

"Flowers are my music." ~ Sir Thomas Arnold ~ Black & white phalaenopsis (Moth Orchid) * Absolutely the #1 best orchid houseplant Phaius Dan Rosenberg "Tropical Ice" (Terrestrial Orchid) * Easy to grow ~ Paphipedilum (Lady's slipper orchid) * Grows well under home conditions (African violet conditions), giving long-lasting blooms ~ Phalaenopsis orchid throat ~ Cymbidium Orchid ~ Cymbidium Orchid * Cymbidium orchid hybrids are among the most beautiful orchids, continuously growing, merely showing their growth during the winter. ~ Phalaenopsis collage ~ Phalaenopsis (Moth orchid) ~ Phalaenopsis (Moth orchid) ~ Cymbidium orchid Click here for a list of useful Web links for orchid enthusiasts _______________ "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment." ~ Georgia O'Keefe , New York Post (1946)

“When two friends understand each other totally, the words are soft and strong like an orchid's perfume." ~ anon ~ Paphiopedilum ( paff - ee -oh- PED - ih - lum ) Gardener's Note: Paphiopedilums , one of the best orchids for home-growing, are Old World relatives of North American temperate-zone lady's-slipper orchids, the cypripediums . Slipper orchids provide some of the orchid kingdom's longest-lasting and most exotic blooms ~ lasting 8-10 weeks.

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." - William Shakespeare ~ Shasta Daisy (April Flower of the Month) _______________ LEMONY SHRIMP SALAD ~ Fast and healthy, delightful with Meyer lemons Food & Wine (April 2007) ________ 1/2 lemon, plus 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp. black peppercorns salt 1 lb. shelled and deveined medium shrimp 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. grapeseed or vegetable oil pinch of sugar Freshly ground pepper 2 heart of romaine, cut in 1-inch wide ribbons 1 cup halved grape tomatoes 1 diced Hass avacado 2 Tbsp. snipped chives Fill medium saucepan with water. Squeeze lemon half into water with peppercorns and a generous pinch of salt; bring to boil. Add shrimp and simmer until curled and just pink, about 3 minutes. Transfer shrimp with slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Freeze shrimp until just chilled, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon juice with olive oil, grapeseed oil, sugar ...