THE VILLAGE VOICE

"April is a promise that May is bound to keep." ~ Hal Borland LAMB CHOPS with LEMON & HERBS (Spring lamb calls as does the grill ... a delightful marriage of flavors - adapted from BON APPETIT April 2011 ) 3 minced large shallots 6 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint 6 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano (3 tsp. dried is fine since fresh is often strong) 6 minced cloves of fresh garlic (here I omit 1 Tbsp. of sugar plus 1 Tbsp. salt and add freshly ground black pepper to taste plus a hint of coarse salt ) 12 lamb rib chops (from 2 1 1/4 - 1/2 lbs. french cut racks of lamb 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 hefty Tbsp. grated lemon peel (zest) coarse salt & freshly ground pepper fresh mint sprigs for garnish Combine shallots, mint, oregano, garlic, salt & pepper. On a large baking sheet, press rounded mixture onto the top of each lamb chop. Turn over and press remaining mixture. Cover chops and refrigerate overnight. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, a...

LEGEND of the DOGWOOD An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: "Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross ~ two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints ~ brown with rust and stained with red ~ and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember." ~ Author Unknown

"The tulip's petals shine in dew, All beautiful, but none alike." ~ James Montgomery (On Planting a Tulip-Root)

“It is the hour when from the boughs The nightingale's high note is heard; It is the hour when lovers' vows Seem sweet in every whispered word; And gentle winds, and waters near, Make music to the lonely ear. Each flower the dews have lightly wet, And in the sky the stars are met, And on the wave is deeper blue, And on the leaf a browner hue, And in the heaven that clear obscure, So softly dark, and darkly pure. Which follows the decline of day, As twilight melts beneath the moon away.” Lord Byron (George Gordon Noel Byron) April Sunset (Hubbard Lake, MI)

“ It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ~ Mark Twain "All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar." ~ Helen Hayes

"Wine is the most civilized thing in the world." ~ Ernest Hemingway. "Wine is sunlight, held together by water!" Galileo Gallilei Official Website of Michigan Wine Industry Explore Michigan Wine Trails

"April is a promise that May is bound to keep." ~ Hal Borland "Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life." ~ John Updike APRIL GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY ~ for more lively posts visit Carolyn @ Sweet Home and Garden Chicago