THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Every man regards his own life as the New Year's Eve of time." ~ Jean Paul Richter ~ Tourtiere ________ A tourtière is a meat pie originating from Quebec , usually made with ground pork and/or veal , or beef . It is a traditional part of the Christmas and/or Christmas Eve réveillon and New Year's Eve meal in Quebec, but is also enjoyed and sold in grocery stores all year long. This kind of pie is known as pâté à la viande (literally, meat pie) in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Tourtière is not exclusive to the Canadian province of Québec. Tourtière is a traditional French-Canadian dish served by generations of French-Canadian families throughout Canada and the bordering areas of the United States. In the U.S. Maine , Massachusetts , Rhode Island , Vermont , New Hampshire , Minnesota , and New York . citizens of Québécois ancestry have introduced the recipe. Every family has their own "original" recipe, passed down through the generations. Li...

"From December to March, there are for many of us three gardens ~ the garden outdoors , the garden of pots and bowls in the house, and the garden of the mind's eye ... " ~ Katherine S. White ~ The Garden of the Mind's Eye (June Garden)

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin

"Nothing is worth more than this day" ~ Goethe ~ Connected in beauty (cyclamen)

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~ Charles Dickens (From 'A Christmas Carol') Christmas Cactus Cacto de Navidad ( Schlumbergera truncata ) ______________ ORANGE CHEESECAKE with RASPBERRY POMEGRANATE SAUCE ~ Perfect for holiday entertaining loosely adapted from clipped Bon Appetit (October 2006) ________ Crust: 1 3/4 cups vanilla wafer or shortbread crumbs 1 1/4 cups finely chopped walnuts 6 Tbsp. sugar 1 stick unsalted melted butter Filling: 5 (8-oz) packages room temperature Philadelphia cream cheese 1 2/3 cups sugar 3 Tbsp. flour 2 Tbsp. grated orange zest 2 tsp. orange extract 5 large organic eggs 2 large egg yolks Sauce: 4 cups pomegranate juice 2 (12-oz) packages fresh-frozen raspberries 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup honey Mint leaves (optional) Preheat oven to 500-degrees. Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan; wrap foil around outside. Crust : Combine crumbs and walnuts. Add melted butter and blend until m...

... And the Angels Sing " Unto Us A Child is Born" Isaiah 9:2-7 ~ The ultimate journey _______________ I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet the words repeat, Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had roll'd along th' unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bow'd my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong, and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men." Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men." 'Til ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men! ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (first published in 1863)

"Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart ... filled it, too, with melody that would last forever." ~ Bess Streeter Aldrich ~ Well-deserved rest ___________ CRANBERRY WASSAIL ~ A treat for the whole family ______________ 1 tsp. whole cloves 3 broken cinnamon sticks 1 (48-oz) bottle cranberry juice 1 (48-oz) bottle apple juice 1 (6-oz) can thawed frozen lemonade 2/3 cup water 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1 (33.8 oz.) bottle ginger ale Apple wedges cranberries Tie cloves and cinnamon in cheesecloth bag or use tea ball. Combine cranberry juice and next 6 ingredients and spice bag/ball in large pot; bring to boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and simmer another 20 minutes. Discard spice bag/ball. Add ginger ale and warm until hot. Serve in mug with apple wedge and a few cranberries. _______________ CRANBERRY APPLE FRENCH TOA...

"Christmas--that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance--a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved." ~ Augusta E. Rundell ~ A gift of love ________________ CHRISTMAS LOG ( Buche de Noel) ~ Treasured recipe from my dear Netherlands friend, Margie ____________ 3 large eggs 1 cup sugar 5 Tbsp. water 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup sifted cake flour 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tsp. double-acting baking powder Coffee Butter-Cream Filling & Frosting 3 Tbsp. cocoa Line a greased 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 1-inch jelly-roll pan with waxed paper and grease the paper lightly. Beat eggs until thick and lemon colored. Gradually beat in sugar. Add water and vanilla extract all at one time and beat. Sift together the next 3 ingredients and add to the beaten eggs all at one time. Beat mixture only u...

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus." ~ Francis Pharcellus Church ~ Santa ______________ SWEDISH PEPPARKAKOR ~ The Larson Family's treasured shared ginger cookie recipe _____________ 1 cup butter 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 beaten egg 2 Tbsp. dark corn syrup 3 1/4 cups flour 1 tsp. cardamom 2 tsp. soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ginger 1 tsp. cloves Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and syrup. Sift flour and dry ingredients. Add to first mixture. Mix well. Let dough stand in refrigerator overnight. Roll and cut. Bake 8 - 12 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet. (makes 22 BIG gingerbread men) ____________________ SPRITZGEBACKEN (Judy O's ) ______________ 1/2 pound unsalted (room temperature) butter 2 egg yolks 2 - 2 1/2 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Be sure the butter is soft. You must mix everything by hand all at once. Fill spritz gun right immediately. Bake about 10 minutes or unt...

“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?" ~ Percy Shelley ~ Hope lives within the sun (Solstice sunset ~ Hubbard Lake)

~ Christmas gifts _______________ GLAZED CRANBERRY PORK TENDERLOIN ~ A thoughtful holiday dinner ... easy, with memorable tastes of the season. Fresh herbs are always best and worth purchasing once herb gardens are 'put to bed' ... _______________ 2 trimmed pork tenderloins (about 2 lbs.) 2 cups cranberry sauce (hopefully homemade) 2 tsp. grated fresh orange rind 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 heaping Tbsp. fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried thyme) 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil slivers of orange fresh thyme springs Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Bring cranberry sauce, orange rind, vinegar, and spices to boil over medium heat. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Reserve 1/2 of mixture and set aside. Brown pork in hot olive oil (3 minutes / side) and place in roasting pan. Bake about 25 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 155-degrees, basting occasionally with remaining cranberry sauce. Remove from oven, co...

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more." ~ Dr. Seuss (1904-1991) From 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas' ~ Winter Wonderland (Today's surprise snow storm) _______________ SNOW STORM MARTINI 2 oz. Vodka 1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur 1 oz. White creme de cacao Crushed ice Combine all ingredients in mixing glass. Add ice, stir to chill, and strain into your martini glass filled with crushed ice. _________ SNOWBALL MARTINI 1 oz. Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka 1 oz. Van Gogh Espresso Vodka 1 oz. Van Gogh Coconut Vodka splash of light half & half Shake all ingredients with crushed ice. Strain into a martini glass.

~ Snowy Michigan postcard beauty ~ Following 'landmark' white pine home _______________ The First Snow-Fall The snow had begun in the gloaming, And busily all the night Had been heaping field and highway With a silence deep and white. Every pine and fir and hemlock Wore ermine too dear for an earl, And the poorest twig on the elm-tree Was ridged inch deep with pearl. ~ James Russell Lowell

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la. la la la. la la la. ~ Chocolate Moose _____________ CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE ~ Fairly easy dessert for the Chocolate-lover in your life. Make ahead, freeze and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Crust: 3 cups chocolate wafer crumbs 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter Filling: 1 lb. semisweet chocolate 2 eggs 4 egg yolks 2 cups whipping cream 6 Tbsp. powdered sugar 4 room temperature egg whites Chocolate Leaves: 8 oz. semisweet chocolate 1 scant Tbsp. vegetable shortening holly leaves (or other decorative leaves like lemon or camellia) round red cinnamon candy 2 cups whipping cream sugar Crust : Combine crumbs and butter and press on bottom and completely ups sides of 10-inch springform pan. Refrigerate 30 minutes (or chill in freezer). Filling: Soften chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water. Let cool to lukewarm (95-degrees). Add whole eggs and mix well. Add yolk and mix until thoroughly blended. Whip cream with powdered sugar until so...

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening Whose woods these are I think I know, His house is in the village though. He will not see me stopping here, To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer, To stop without a farmhouse near, Between the woods and frozen lake, The darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake, To ask if there is some mistake. The only other sound's the sweep, Of easy wind and downy flake. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep. ~ Robert Frost ~ Woods of Hubbard Lake

See the blazing yule before us, fa la la la la la, la la la la. ~ A delightful evening by the fireside (Hubbard Lake) ____________ ROASTED CHESTNUTS ~ Simple yuletide fun shared with family and friends Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Cut an 'X' on the flat side of each chestnut. Arrange nuts in single layer on a baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes, turning often, until outer shell and inner skin can peel away easily. Peel with the help of a small sharp knife and eat while HOT to the fingers. ____________ ORANGE-INFUSED MULLED WINE ~ Perfect fireside drink ________ 1 bottle Burgandy , Cabernet sauvignon , claret or other red wine 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup port, brandy, or Grand Marnier (optional) juice of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. whole allspice 1 tsp. whole cloves strips of 1 whole orange 3 cinnamon sticks additional cinnamon sticks Combine wine, sugar, port (brandy or Grand Marnier ), lemon juice, allspice, cloves, orange strips and cinnamon in large pot. Simmer gently for 20 minutes (do...

"The biggest and brightest full moon of 2008" Sky Show (National Geographic News) __ ~ Full moon rising (Hubbard Lake) 'Small Spirits Moon' (Manindoo-gizisoons) Ojibwe ________________

~ Poinsettia ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ) _________ History & Legends The Aztecs called poinsettias " Cuetlaxochitl ." During the 14 th - 16 th century the sap was used to control fevers and the bracts (modified leaves) were used to make a reddish dye. Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, would have poinsettias brought into what now is Mexico City by caravans because poinsettias could not be grown in the high altitude. In the 17 th century, Juan Balme , a botanist, noted the poinsettia plant in his writings. The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima , was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow . The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning "very beautiful." ~ The Poinsettia Pages (University of Illinois Extension) _________________ POINSETTIA ~ Santa NEVER says "NO" ... __________ 1/2 oz. Triple Sec or Cointreau 3 oz. Cranberry juice sl...

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la. GINGERBREAD SOUFFLE with WARM CARAMEL SAUCE ~ Holiday favorite if only for the sweet smells of cloves, cinnamon, and ginger drifting throughout the house (adapted from That's My Home ) _______ 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 cup milk 1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream 5 egg yolks 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar 1 Tbsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 2 Tbsp. chopped crystallized ginger 7 (room temp.) egg whites Whipped cream (garnish) sugar for coating souffle dish Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Butter a 2-quart souffle dish and coat lightly with sugar. Melt butter in heavy medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk and 1/2 cup cream. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth. Remove from heat. Add egg yolks, one at at time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in brown sugar, breaking up lumps, an...

' Tis the Season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. ~ Jolly ol ' souls on the Christmas tree ____________ CHAMPAGNE-POMEGRANATE COCKTAIL 8 oz. champagne or sparkling chilled wine 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice 1 cube turbinado sugar or 1 rock candy stirrer Place sugar cube in champagne flute (or rock candy stirrer); add 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice and 8 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine. Serve immediately. Both will dissolve adding a tad of sweetness. (1 serving) ______________ SWEET & SPICY NUTS 1 lb. fancy pecan halves 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. water 10 Tbsp. Turbinado 'sugar in the raw' sugar 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground cloves 1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne 1/2 tsp. coarse salt Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Warm honey & water ~ do not allow to boil. Mix well and cool to room temperature. In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup Turbinado sugar and spices. In large bowl, combine honey mixture & nuts. Toss well until nuts are thoroughly c...