THE VILLAGE VOICE

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce "Blue Moon" to Shine on New Year's Eve Andrew Fazekas for National Geographic News December 30, 2009 For the first time in almost 20 years, a bright "blue moon" will grace New Year's Eve celebrations worldwide. (Take a moon myths quiz .) If the skies are clear, revelers looking up at midnight will get an eyeful of the second full moon of the month—commonly called a blue moon. The last time a blue moon appeared on New Year's Eve was in 1990, and it won't happen again until 2028.

"Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth." (Luke 2:14) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch of their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:8-11)

"No winter lasts forever; no spring skips it's turn." ~ Hal Borland Green Man ~ Hubbard Lake December Sunset _________ “O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?" ~ Percy Shelley

"Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories." (From the movie An Affair to Remember ) CRANBERRY MARGARITAS ( Rachael Ray - 30 Minute Meals) 1 1/4 cup cranberry juice 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup fresh cranberries 3/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice 3/4 cup tequila 1/2 cup Grand Marnier ice Mix all ingredients, except ice. Pour half in blender and fill the rest of blender with ice. Blend. Repeat with second batch. (2 medium pitchers) _______________________ SASSY CRANBERRY SALSA 1 unpeeled orange, quartered and seeded 2 cups cranberries 2/3 cup sugar pinch salt 1/2 chopped green pepper 2 seeded and finely chopped jalapeno peppers 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans Coarsely chop orange quarters in food processor. Add cranberries, sugar, and salt; pulse 2-3 times until cranberries are coarsely chopped. Transfer to bowl and add green pepper, jalapeno peppers, cilantro and pecans. Chill and serve with Terra Vegetable Chips or favorite...

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" ~Hamilton Wright Mabie CRANBERRY UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE ~ Good old-fashioned holiday dessert (Detroit Free Press clipping) _____________ 10 Tbsp. room temperature unsalted butter 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided 4 cups fresh cranberries plus 1 cup for garnish 1 1⁄4 cups sifted all purpose flour 1 1⁄2 tsp. baking powder 1⁄4 tsp. salt 1 large room temperature organic egg 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2⁄3 cup milk zest of 1 large orange 1⁄3 cup red currant jelly 1⁄2 cup unsweetened heavy cream (plus 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar) or good vanilla ice cream Preheat oven to 350º. Adjust oven rack to lower quarter of oven. Spread 4 Tbsp. of butter on bottom and sides of an iron skillet (heavier on the bottom). Sprinkle 1⁄2 plus 2 Tbsp. of sugar on bottom of pan. Place cranberries in pan. Set aside. In large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt and remaining 1⁄2 cup of sugar. Set as...

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts." ~ Janice Maeditere SANTA ___________________ HOLIDAY TORTELLINI SOUP ~ Year round favorite ... festive color for the holidays ________ 6-8 minced garlic cloves 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 quarts organic chicken (or vegetable) broth 16 oz. tri -color cheese tortellini (love Monterey 5 cheese Tortelloni , a wonderful blend of parmesan , ricotta, swiss , mozzaarella & romano cheese) 2 28 oz. cans good stewed tomatoes 8 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves (can also use chopped frozen) 2 tsp. dried basil coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste fresh grated Parmesan cheese chopped fresh seeded Italian tomatoes (optional) chopped fresh basil Saute garlic gently in olive oil (careful not to burn). Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and reduce heat to gentle boil (avoid boiling vigorously). Cook about 5 minutes or until tortellini rise to top. Add stewed tomatoes,...

FULL MOON RISING ( Click to hear Jim Brickman's ~'I See the Moon')

"Oh, with a little luck ~ December will be magic again." ~ Kate Bush 'Magical' Cyclamen (Return of the native ~ 4 th year) The Cyclamen Society _________ CHOCOLATE BOURBON BUNDT CAKE ~ Perhaps because the taste is so memorable, ideal for holiday entertaining and Derby Day, this same recipe is posted on many websites ... this keeper is from Wickwood Inn ... ___________________ 2 sticks unsalted butter (more for greasing pan) 2 cups all-purpose flour 5 oz. good quality unsweetened chocolate (like Ghirardelli 60% or 70% cacao for baking) 1/4 cup instant espresso powder 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 1 cup bourbon and more for dousing 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 2 cups granulated sugar 3 large eggs 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking soda Confectioner's sugar or softly whipped cream for garnish Butter and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan. Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Over simmering water, melt chocolate. Let cool. Put espresso and cocoa powders in 2-cup or larger glass...

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are crisp as autumn air. " ~ Eric Sloane OVAL BEACH in NOVEMBER ~ LAKE MICHIGAN ( SAUGATUCK MI) __________________ CRANBERRY GINGER SALMON ~ Great use for leftover cranberries ___________ 2 6 oz. salmon fillets (or whole salmon fillet) 1 Tbsp. fresh minced ginger 2 Tbsp. honey 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1/2-3/4 cup whole cranberry sauce Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Lightly spray shallow pan with cooking oil. Combine ginger, honey, soy sauce and cranberry sauce. Place salmon on prepared pan and spoon mixture evenly over top of each piece. Bake 15 minutes or until fish flakes with fork. (2 servings) ________________________ CRISP MASHED POTATO CAKES ~ Another great use for those leftover potatoes adapted from Nov 2007 Cooking Light ______________ 1/2 cup chopped green onions 2 cu...

"O Lord that lends me life, Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." ~ William Shakespeare THANKSGIVING PRAYER We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us, We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water. We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases. We return thanks to the corn, and to her sisters, the beans and squashes, which give us life. We return thanks to the wind, which, moving the air, has banished diseases. We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given to us their light when the sun was gone. We return thanks to the sun, that he has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye. Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness, and who directs all things for the good of his children. Iroquois Prayer (adapted) _______________________ "God has two dwellings; one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart." ~ Izaak Walton

"Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." ~ Ovid WICKWOOD INN Saugatuck , Michigan (CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE) _________________________ Owned by Julee Rosso co-author of the Silver Palate Cookbook and her husband Bill Miller, the Wickwood Inn in quaint Saugatuck is a historic treat in many ways. November garden Please sign the guest book! Living Room (dressed for the holidays) Welcoming brownies, cookies, hot tea, coffee & cold beverages ______________ BROWNIES ~ Traditional brownies from the Silver Palate Cookbook _____________ 1/2 lb. (2 sticks) 4 (oz.) unsweetened chocolate 4 eggs 2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup coarsely chopped shelled walnuts Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Grease and flour 9 x 12-inch baking pan. Melt butter and chocolate in top part of a double boiler over boiling water. When melted, set aside to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, beat eggs and sugar until thic...

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." ~ Emily Bronte November mum (flower of the month) _____________________ SIMPLE FALL MINESTRONE ~ Fresh autumn veggies and herbs make for a cozy soup _____________ 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 chopped onions (1 red, 1 sweet) 4 minced garlic cloves 1 small chopped head bok choy , napa , or savoy cabbage 3 quarts organic chicken or vegetable broth 1 cup white vermouth (optional) 1 diced red pepper 1 diced yellow pepper 4 cups cubed sweet potato or butternut squash 2 cups diagonally sliced green beans 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (2 tsp. dried) 2 tsp. dried oregano coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 2 (16 oz.) cans rinsed and drained cannellini beans 4 cups chopped kale or spinach grated fresh Parmesan cheese Heat oil in large stockpot. Add onion and saute until wilted. Add garlic and chopped cabbage and saute until tender. Add broth, wine, peppers, potatoes (squash), and green beans. Bring to a...