THE VILLAGE VOICE

Live, Love, Laugh ... and let the 'little things' count! HAPPY NEW YEAR! "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

... And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, and angel of the Lord stood by them, and they feared exceedingly. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace among men of good will." (Luke. 2: 8-14)

"I could give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter." ~ Author Unknown ~ Christmas Moose CHRISTMAS CAPPUCCINO MOUSSE ~ Decadent & delicious ... what Christmas is all about! __ 1 1/2 cups whipping cream 4 large organic eggs 8 oz. chopped good bittersweet chocolate 4 tsp. instant espresso p owder 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar 1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract Unsweetened whipped cream chopped chocolate covered espresso beans (Trader Joe's) fresh mint sprigs fresh cranberries Separate whites from egg yolks. Let stand at room temperature. Whisk 1/4 cup cream and eggs yolks in saucepan. Set over low heat and cook, whisking constantly for 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Add chocolate & espresso powder; stir until smooth. Remove from heat. In large bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue to whisk until whites begin to mound. Gradually add sugar, whisking constantly until stiff peaks form. Fold c hocolate mixture into whites, blendin...

POINTSETTIA HISTORY & LORE 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." HERB CRUSTED CRANBERRY/CHERRY SALMON ~ Delicious meld of herbs, tart cranberries, lemon & sweet dried cherries make this crunchy festive salmon memorable. _____ 1 1/2 lbs. salmon fillet 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries (or cranberries) 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 cup panko crumbs zest of 1 fresh lemon 3 Tbsp. melted butter sea salt & freshly cracked pepper Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Rinse and pat salmon dry. Place skin side down on foil lined baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Season with salt & pepper. Combine chopped cranberries, cherries, onion, thyme, rosem...

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator." ~ Mahatma Gandhi November Sunset (Hubbard Lake) TURKEY TETRAZZINI (Turkey Tetrazzini was created early in the century for the Italian soprano Luisa Tetrazzini, who made her American debut in 1908 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. Though not the original recipe, this is delicious and a fine way to forward leftovers.) 1 lb. spaghetti or linguine 1 lb. thinly sliced mushrooms bunch of sliced scallions 1 chopped red pepper 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter 4 Tbsp. flour 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup heavy cream 1/4 cup Madeira or dry Sherry 1 cup Parmesan cheese cracked pepper to taste 4 - 6 cups coarsely chopped or shredded cooked turkey 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs 1 cup toasted almonds (optional) Preheat oven to 350º. While waiting for pasta water to boil, heat butter in skillet. In 2 Tbsp. butter saute mushrooms, scallions and r...

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart." ~ Izaak Walton VINTAGE PRINTS ___________ In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast. They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food. Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests. Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: 'We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land. We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice." Amen. ~ Peppermint Patty ( A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ) ___________________ 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 bea...

"November's sky is chill and drear, November's leaf is red and sear." ~ Sir Walter Scott SIMPLE BLACK & WHITE SOUP 1-2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 large chopped Spanish onion 2 chopped celery ribs plus leaves 1 Tbsp. chopped crushed garlic 1 tsp. crushed thyme (1 Tbsp. fresh chopped) 1 tsp. crushed rosemary (1 Tbsp. fresh chopped) 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 (14.5 oz.) can drained and rinsed black beans 1 (14.5 oz.) can drained and rinsed cannellini beans 8 cups organic chicken or vegetable broth 1/2 cup white wine 1/2 tsp. dried sage coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste Heat olive oil in large stock pot. Cook onion, celery, garlic, and thyme, rosemary, and cumin together until celery and onion are soft. Add stock and wine and bring to boil. Add both black and white beans and sage. Season with salt & pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste. (6 servings BELOVED 'SIMPLE' TREE (Bloomfield Village) ...

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence LEAF ABSTRACT "How silently they tumble down And come to rest upon the ground To lay a carpet, rich and rare, Beneath the trees without a care, Content to sleep, their work well done, Colors gleaming in the sun. At other times, they wildly fly Until they nearly reach the sky. Twisting, turning through the air Till all the trees stand stark and bare. Exhausted, drop to earth below To wait, like children, for the snow." ~ Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

"Every year, in November, at the season that follows the hour of the dead, the crowning and majestic hours of autumn, I go to visit the chrysanthemums ... They are indeed, the most universal, the most diverse of flowers." ~ Maurice Maeterlinck CHRYSANTHEMUM November Birth Flower is the Chrysanthemum. The History and traditions surrounding the November Birth Flower, the Chrysanthemum is fascinating. There are many myths and legends about the origins of this tradition. It is believed that birthday celebrations originated in the Roman Empire and the origins of birth month flowers, such as the Chrysanthemum, could be said to date back to these times. During Roman birthday celebrations family and friends offered congratulations and brought gifts. The gifts included gemstone jewelry, such as the Topaz, and also flowers - the first traditions and origins of the November Birth Flower. ~ Birthstones.org ONION CHRYSANTHEMUMS ~ Delicious treat adapted from an old SUNSET MAGAZINE cli...

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." ~ Henry David Thoreau PUMPKIN HARVEST PUMPKIN CHILI ~ A delightful autumn twist on traditional chili, rich in flavor and ... the simmering smell ... simply d ivine ! (a repost seasonal favorite in case you missed it) _______________ 2-3 lbs. lean ground beef 2 large chopped onions 1 chopped red pepper 1 chopped green, yellow, or orange pepper 2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juice 2 cans rinsed black beans 1 large can pumpkin puree 1 can sliced black olives 1 bottle (12 oz.) Pumpkin Ale (e.g. America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Buffalo Bill's Brewery or Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale) 2 heaping Tbsp. chili powder (or more to taste) 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 pinches of brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sour cream chopped green onions Cook beef in large stockpot until well browned. Drain excess fat. Add onions and peppers and co...

"Every leaf speak bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." ~ Emily Bronte AUTUMN TEXTURE ABSTRACT "But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees." ~ C.S. Lewis SIMPLE TUSCAN LEMON CHICKEN ~ easy autumn fare 6 boneless chicken breast (or thighs) 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice and zest from 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper and coarse salt to taste Combine olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and salt. Pour over chicken and marinate several hours or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and grill on med-high for 20-30 minuted, depending on size of breast. Turn every 10 minutes and baste with remaining marinade. Cover and let rest before serving. GRILLED EGGPLANT and GOAT CHEESE SALAD ~ From Giada De Laurentiis 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 7 Japanese eggplant, ends trimmed, cut into ...

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn." ~ Elizabeth Lawrence 'AUTUMN QUILT' ‎"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Bronte MEDITERRANEAN TOSTADA with HUMMUS, FETA, & OLIVES ~ easy carb friendly appetizer from KalynsKitchen.com Ingredients: ( for 2 but make as many as desired) 2 low-carb or whole wheat flour tortillas (cut in half) 2 tsp. + 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup very finely chopped Romaine lettuce 1/4 cup finely crumbled Feta 10 finely chipped Kalamata olives 1/2 cup hummus Preheat oven to 400º, placing cookie sheet inside to heat as the oven does. While oven heats, wash and dry lettuce and finely chiop to make 1/2 cup. Crumble feta cheese and chop the olives. When oven is hot, lightly spray or bursh cookie sheet with olive oil and place flour tortillas on it. Toast until lightly browned and firm, turning over about every minute or so. (Depending on tortillas, takes about 5 minutes or so but watch closely at the end.) Remove tortillas from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Top each crisp tortilla ...