STAR SOLUTIONS for SHADE ~ SAVORY BREAD PUDDING with SPRING HERBS

Note: Since orchid seeds are like specks of dust taking years before roots or shoots develop, all orchids are protected by conservation laws in Michigan.

~ Trillium, coleus, fern, sweet woodruff, Solomon's seal, astilbe, lungwart, wood anemone, bloodroot, wild geranium, Jack in the pulpit, celandine poppy, turtlehead, bleeding heart, lady's slipper

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SAVORY BREAD PUDDING with SPRING HERBS

~ This delicious luncheon or light supper dish is perfect with a fresh green salad

(adapted recipe compliments of Popovers to Panache)

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12-16 slices dry French or Italian bread

2 1/2 -3 cups milk

1 pound trimmed and diagonally cut asparagus

5 organic eggs

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup chopped mixed herbs

(chives, rosemary, parsley, marjoram, thyme or sage)

4 oz. shredded Swiss cheese

4 oz. shredded fontina cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

2 Tbsp. butter (cut in very small pieces)

Place bread in single layer shallow dish. Pour 2 1/2 cups mil evenly over the bread. Let stand for 30 minutes or until milk is absorbed. Press on bread and remove excess milk to a measuring cup. Add additional milk if needed to make 1/2 cup. Set milk and soaked bread aside.
Place asparagus in steamer over boiling water. Steam for 2-3 minutes or until tender-crisp. Remove to a colander and rinse under cold water; drain. Remove and reserve 6-8 pieces of asparagus.
Combine eggs, salt, pepper, and reserved 1/2 cup milk in a bowl. Beat until well mixed. Place 1/3 of soaked bread in a buttered 3-quart souffle dish. Top with 1/3 of asparagus, 1/3 of herbs, 1/3 of Swiss cheese, 1/3 of fontina cheese and 1/3 of Romano cheese. Pour 1/3 of egg mixture evenly over the layers. Repeat the layers two times, using the remaining bread, asparagus, herbs, Swiss cheese, fontina cheese, Romano cheese and egg mixture Sprinkle reserved asparagus over the top. Dot with butter.
Bake at 350-degrees for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted near center comes out clean. (6 servings)

OCTOBER JOY ~ AUTUMN MINI-ROAD TOUR (HUBBARD LAKE, MI)

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne Up driveway and overhead sky (Click on all photos for larger view ) 'Wa-gi-daa-king' Autumn South shore drive South Shore view West Branch River West Shore Drive Tamarack Island Old Marina Down hill Mt. Maria view Down hill Mt. Maria Remains of the Day (October Sunset)

AS THE GARDEN GROWS (MID-JUNE GARDEN STROLL) ~ 'BURSTING BUDS'

"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them." ~ Aldo Leopold WAVE PETUNIAS ROCK GARDEN WONDERS STREPTOCARPUS BLUE WONDERS GERBERA DAISY IN THE ROSE GARDEN CHOCOLATE COSMOS JOHNSON'S BLUE GERANIUM EVENING PRIMROSE ( Oenothera) - ASTILBE HYDRANGEA (ANNABELLA - MACROPHYLLA) ASTILBE KOUSA DOGWOOD JAPANESE PAINTED FERN - HOSTA

'JUST FOR ONE'S HEALTH' ... ~ PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Echinacea purpurea) / 'NOT YOUR ORDINARY' BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

"Just for one's health ... it is very necessary to work in the garden and to see the flowers growing." Vincent Van Gogh PURPLE CONEFLOWER ( Echinacea purpurea ) 'NOT YOUR ORDINARY' BLUEBERRY MUFFINS ~ On the lighter side, these are always a family favorite from ... PICNIC! Recipes and Menus for Outdoor Enjoyment 1 2/3 cups flour 1/3 cup wheat germ 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 t sp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 cups MICHIGAN blueberries (preferably small wild ones) 1 cup buttermilk 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Preheat oven to 400-degrees. In large bowl, combine flower, wheat germ, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Add blueberries and stir to coat. Add buttermilk and butter. Stir until just mixed. Spoon batter into greased muffin pans. Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans for 2 minutes. "The purple coneflower isn't really purple at all. The large, eye-catching flowers are bright rose-pink. Each flower has a bristly iridescent orange cent...

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