THE VILLAGE VOICE

“God Almighty first planted a garden; and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” ~ Francis Bacon Purple Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ) GRILLED ROMAINE with BLUE CHEESE-BACON & BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE ~ Excellent summer salad slightly adapted from Guy Fieri (Food Network). Trust me, this will be a repeat! _______________ 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup chopped red onion 1/2 lb. bacon 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 3 Heads romaine lettuce, cut in 1/2 lengthwise 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese freshly ground black pepper to taste Cook bacon in sauté pan until crispy. Remove, blot grease, and crumble. Set aside. Drain grease but do not clean pan. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté onion until soft and caramelized. Add balsamic vinegar hand heat to boiling, scraping brown bits from bottom. Remove from heat. Brush romaine lettuce with remaining 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, place on gill cut side down, and quickly sear. Serve lettuce, cut side-up, and drizzle the balsamic dressing ...

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Hubbard Lake Sunsets _________ JUICY LUCY (STUFFED HAMBURGER) ~ A fun burger ... adapt to suit taste ... all are delicious 1 1/2 lb. choice ground beef 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp. garlic powder heavy sprinkling of dried thyme, dill, chives and favorite seasonings dashes of Worcestershire Sauce to taste dashes of Tabasco Sauce to taste 4 slices of American, Swiss (cut slices into 4 pieces) or crumbled blue cheese 4 split hamburger buns (lightly butter or olive oil each half) Gently combine ground beef and seasonings. Form into 8 patties. In 4 of the patties, create a hole and stuff with cheese. Top with remaining patty, pinch edges and tightly seal. ( Williams- Sonoma has a fun hamburger press ) Grill on high about 3-4 minutes/side. Serve on grilled bu...

"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them." ~ Aldo Leopold "How Could such sweet and wholesome hours Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers?" ~ Andrew Marvell ORIENTAL POPPY (Papaver) BEARDED IRIS (I. germanica) SIBERIAN IRIS (I. Sibirica) PEONY (Paeonia) 'SCARLET O'HARA' PEONY LADY'S SLIPPERS, WILD GERANIUMS, JACOB'S LADDER FERNS, HOSTA, LIGULARIA, HEUCHERA, LADY'S MANTLE AZALEAS RHODODENDRON GARDEN RHODODENDRON EXBURY AZALEA ALLIUM "My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. " ~ H. Fred Ale

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ~ Gertrude Jekyll, On Gardening PEONY ( Paeonia) GARDEN BLOGGER'S MUSE DAY Visit Carolyn @ Sweet Home and Garden Chicago