THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Gardening is what we gardeners like to do: digging, fussing with our plants, weeding, deadheading ~ all the soothing creative labor that goes into maintaining our personal Edens." ~ Page Dickey Late July Daylily ( Hemerocallis ) Garden Phlox (P. paniculata ) Chinese Astilbe Late July Daylily ( Hemerocallis ) Favorite July Daylily ( Hemerocallis ) Hydrangea (Annabelle Hydrangea - H. macrophylla ) Black-Eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia ) Shasta Daisy ( Leucanthemum ) Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus ) "Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are." ~ Alfred Austin

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides." ~ W.E. Johns, The Passing Show RUDBECKIA ' CHERRY BRANDY' ________________ CHERRY CLAFOUTIS 'LIMOUSIN' ~ Clafoutis or clafouti (pronounced kla-foo-TEE) is a French country cherry flan from the Limousin region of France. Best made during cherry season but with good quality canned cherries available, this dessert or brunch recipe can be enjoyed year-round. _________ 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. pitted cherries, (drained if using canned) 3 organic eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 tsp. Kirsch (cherry brandy) 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Beat sugar and eggs together until light in color. Gradually whisk in butter until incorporated. Add flour all at once and whisk until batter is homogeneous. Slowly pour in milk, a bit at a time. Add vanilla & Kirsch, mixing well. Place pitted cherries in bu...

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." ~ Sam Keen SHASTA DAISY ( Leucanthemum ) ______________ LAZY LASAGNA ~ Stressless meal for long summer days ... double for large group (adapted from Sara Moulton's Ten-Minute Lasagna) _________ 1 bag refrigerator or unfrozen large spinach ravioli (Costco has them in a double pack, or use regular large cheese ravioli) 1 (26-oz.) jar favorite tomato basil or favorite pasta sauce 1 (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 (12 oz.) bag shredded mozzarella 1 cup grated Parmesan 1 Tbsp. basil Heat oven to 350º. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 1/3 of sauce over bottom of pan. Arrange 1/2 of the ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with 1/2 of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and remaining sauce and cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more or until bubbly. Let rest a bit before servin...

"Forever is composed of nows." ~ Emily Dickinson Summer Abstract 'Two different worlds' (sunset & garden )

“Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows.” ~ Jean Paul Richter Hubbard Lake Sunset and Brunch Sunflowers

"The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it." ( The Remains of the Day) Hubbard Lake July Sunset "If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton