THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Leaves like rusty tin for the desolate mind that has seen the end— the barest glimmerings. Leaves aswirl with gullsmade wild by winter." ~ George Seferis (On a Ray of Winter Light) ~ Rusty leaf _____________ "When the ice of winter holds the house in its rigid grip, when curtains are drawn against that vast frozen waste of landscape, almost like a hibernating hedgehog I relish the security of being withdrawn from all that summer ferment that is long since past. Then is the time for reappraisal: to spread out, limp and receptive, and let garden thoughts rise to the surface. They emerge from some deep source of stillness which the very fact of winter has released." ~ Mirabel Osler ~ Rejoicing in January beauty

"Things are beautiful if you love them." ~ Jean Anouilh ~ Hubbard Lake Winter __________________ BEEF CARBONNADE (Favorite hearty and rich Belgian beef stew with sweet caramelized onions and dark beer, perfect company fare by the fire after a long day skiing or snowshoeing.) ~ The Silver Plate Cookbook _________ 1/4 lb.bacon 2 very large yellow onions (1 1/2 to 2 pounds) peeled and thinly sliced 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1 cup unbleached flour 1 Tbsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper 3 lbs. (1-in. cubed) beef stew meat (chuck is best) vegetable oil (optional) 2 cups imported dark beer chopped parsley (garnish) Coarsely dice bacon and saute in large skillet until crisp and brown. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Add onions to skillet and cook, covered, in rendered bacon fat until tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover skillet, raise heat, and sprinkle onions with sugar. Toss and stir until well browned. Transfer onions to strainer set over a bowl...

''The year 2009 will feature a range of eclipses, starting with an annular solar eclipse on January 26. This particular eclipse will be visible from an area that covers the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia." ~ Time & Date.com ~ 'RING OF FIRE' ~ A DREAM (Moon over Hubbard Lake sunset) _______ NASA ECLIPSE WEBSITE _______________ 'The first solar eclipse of 2009 occurs on January 26th 2009. This eclipse is termed as annular eclipse as it forms a ring shape. The annular eclipse will be visible from a wide track that traverses the Indian Ocean and western Indonesia. A partial eclipse will be seen within the much larger path of the Moon’s shadow, which includes the southern third of Africa, Madagascar, Australia except Tasmania, southeast India, Southeast Asia and Indonesia." ~ techdreams

"White ... is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black.... God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white." ~ Gilbert Keith Chesterton [British author, 1874–1936] “A Piece of Chalk,” Tremendous Trifles (1909) ~ White Garden Wonders (Annabelle hydrangea, astilbe , Yoshino cherry blossoms, Rose of Sharon bud, white poinsettia , tulip, daisy, trillium, bloodroot , iris, candytuft , (center ~ Yoshino cherry branch), viburnum, peony, lily, lily of the valley, African violet, dogwood, Queen Anne's lace, anenome , phlox, anthurium , hosta , English Daisy, Kousa dogwood _______________ WHITE RASPBERRY TRIFLE ~ 'Winter white' classic dessert slightly adapted from clipped from Bon Appetit (2005) ______________ 3 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided 12 ounces high-quality chopped white chocolate 1 1/4 teaspoons almond extract, divided 1...

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"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. " ~Abraham Lincoln HAIL TO THE CHIEF by Albert Gamse Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation, Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all. Hail to the Chief, as we pledge co-operation In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call. Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander, This you will do, that's our strong, firm belief. Hail to the one we selected as commander, Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief! ~ A composite of those who have walked before _______________ The first time "Hail to the Chief" was played to honor a U.S. President was in 1815 during the commemoration of George Washington's birthday. On July 4, 1828, the song was performed by the United States Marine Band for President John Quincy Adams (served from 1825 to 1829) during the opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. The song is believed to have be...

"I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. ~ Black & white power (In Memory) ______________ "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. "Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

~ Cacto de Navidad (Christmas Cactus) ~ Cyclamen, Cymbidium orchid, Ivy, Christmas Cactus " ... All seasons shall be sweet to thee, Whether the summer clothes the general earth With greenness, or the redbreast sit and sing Betwixt the tufts of snow on the bare branch Of mossy apple-tree, while the night thatch Smokes in the sun-thaw ..." ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge

"Imagine, if you can, what the rest of the evening was like. How they crouched by the fire which blazed and leaped and made much of itself in the little grate. How they removed the covers of the dishes, and found rich, hot savory soup, which was a meal in itself, and sandwiches and toast and muffings enough for both of them." ~ Frances Hodgson Burnett ~ Room with a view _______________ BRANDIED BEAN & SAUSAGE CHOWDER ~ Hearty potage warms the belly & feeds the soul on these frigid days ______________ 2 lbs. special bean soup mix (e.g. '16' bean assortment with large lima , navy, red kidney, baby lima , great northern, speckled lima , black, pinto, cranberry , pink, and black-eyes peas, green and yellow split peas, lentils, etc. ) 3 lbs. bulk Italian sausage (one plain, one hot or spicy and one fennel ) 3 quarts organic chicken broth 1 large chopped Spanish onion 3 large chopped garlic cloves 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 large chopped green pepper 1 lar...

"Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer." ~ Henry David Thoreau DEEP DARK CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE ~ Rich, dense, classic ... a forkful or sliver will not kill! (favorite treat adapted from Bon Appetit - Oct 2006) _________________ Crust: 24 Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers 1 Tbsp. sugar 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter Filling: 10 oz. high-quality chopped bittersweet chocolate 4 (8-oz.) packages (room temperature) Philadelphia cream cheese 1 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp. sugar 1/4 cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder 4 large organic eggs Topping: 3/4 cup whipping cream 6 oz. chopped high-quality bittersweet chocolate 1 Tbsp. sugar Bittersweet chocolate curls Crust : Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Butter 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch high sides. Blend cookies in processor u...

"Grow what you love. The love will keep it growing. " ~ Emilie Barnes ~ Ivy and cyclamen _______________ "Beloved, thou hast brought me many flowers Plucked in the garden , all the summer through And winter, and it seemed as if they grew In this close room, nor missed the sun and showers." ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~ Ivy, cyclamen and alstroemeria

"Truth is the torch that gleams through the fog without dispelling it." ~ Claude Adrien Helvetius ~ Evening fog (old apple tree and friends) _______________ CLASSIC SPLIT PEA SOUP ~ Time to put the kettle on ... _______________ 2 lbs. split green peas 1 meaty ham bone 2 cups chopped onion or leeks 2 cups chopped celery and leaves 6 large chopped carrots 2 cloves minced garlic 4 quarts organic chicken broth bunch of chopped parsley 4 bay leaves 1-2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (2 tsp. dried) coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 2 cups slivered cooked ham Rinse and drain peas, picking out any stones. Spray large stockpot with Pam. Inside place peas and ham bone and cover with chicken broth and additional water (or white wine to cover bone). Add vegetables, garlic, bay leaves and thyme. Season with salt & pepper. Bring to a simmer, skimming scum off top. Cover loosely and cook 1 hour until peas are tender, stirring often. Remove bone and bay leaves. Either press through si...

Is not this lily pure? What fuller can procure A white so perfect, spotless clear As in this flower doth appear? ~ Francis Quarles (English poet and devotional writer - 1592 - 1644)

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup." ~ Ludwig van Beethoven ~ Sunrise _____________ WINTER WHITE BEAN & PASTA SOUP ~ Hearty potage for a cold winter evening _________________ 1 cups dried white beans ( Cannellini , navy or Great Northern) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 cup finely diced onions 2 diced carrots 1/2 cup diced celery or fennel 4 minced cloves garlic 1 tsp. dried red pepper flakes 2 bay leaves 8 cups organic chicken broth 4 oz. bow tie pasta 1/2 cup finely diced sun-dried tomatoes 2 cups baby spinach 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley coarse salt & freshly ground pepper Freshly grated Parmesan cheese Soak bean overnight (or quick soak by placing beans in large pot of cold water to cover and bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 1 hour). Drain. Heat oil in large stockpot and saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and pepper flakes until vegetables are limp. Add beans, stock and bay leaves. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, part...

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” ~ Hal Borland ~ Icy Fingers __________________________ SAVORY SAUERBRATEN ~ Perfect comfort food for a cold winter day ... but plan ahead since the key to great flavor depends on a long marinade. _________ 4 lbs. thick round or rump roast coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 2 cups dry red wine 1 1/2 cups red wine vinegar 1/2 cup water 4 bay leaves 8 cloves 1 Tbsp. coarsely crushed peppercorns 1 Tbsp. coarsely crushed juniper berries* 1 Tbsp. mustard seeds 1/4 tsp. nutmeg (freshly grated best) 3 thinly sliced onions 1 cup chopped celery leaves 1 bunch chopped parsley 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 cups chopped onions 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup diced carrots 2 Tbsp. flour 4 tsp. sugar 3 cups strained cooking liquid 3/4 cup crushed gingersnaps 8 dried slivered pitted prunes (optional) coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 1/4 cup sour cream (optional) *( Penzeys Spices carries a wonderful variety of herbs and spices) Rub meat well ...

"May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions." ~ Joey Adams ~ Happy Birthday! ~ Happy 'Reblooming' Cymbidium Click for more information on growing cymbidium orchids

'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt CHEERS! _________________ Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, We'll take a cup o' kindness yet For auld lang syne . __________ "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song ( Roud # 6294). It is well-known in many English-speaking countries, and it is often sung to celebrate the start of the new year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day . The song's ( Scots ) title may be translated into English literally as "old long since", or more idiomatically, "long long ago" [1] or "days gone by". The phrase "Auld Lang Syne" is also used in similar poems by Robert Ayton (1570–1638...