THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." ~ John Boswell 'Old Man Winter'

Hating to say goodbye, heart shaped clumps of hosta cling ...

  “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ~  Dr. Seuss Mid-October Sunset (Hubbard Lake, MI) SIMPLE GRILLED RIBEYES Ribeye Steaks Extra-virgin olive oil chopped fresh rosemary fresh chopped garlic to taste freshly ground black pepper to taste Slather steaks with olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, garlic, and black pepper. Allow to rest for 20 minutes or so before grilling. Grill on high to desired donedoness. We enjoy steaks rare/med rare but all depends on temp outside and your grill. Allow steaks to rest a bit before eating. SIMPLE KALE AND ROMAINE CAESAR SALAD  6 oz. bunch of sliced Kale (center spine remove if large) 6  oz. bunch of sliced Romaine Lettuce Lemon (squeezed juice plus zest) 2 cloves minced garlic 1  Tsp. anchovy paste 1  Tsp. Dijon Mustard 6  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper freshly grated Par...

"Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons."  ~ Jim Bishop LEMON SPINACH LENTIL SOUP ~ A fall favorite 4  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 diced stalks of celery 3  diced carrots 2  medium diced sweet onions 4-6  minced garlic cloves 3  bay leaves  1  Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) Freshly ground black pepper & coarse salt to taste 2  quarts organic chicken (or vegetable) broth 1  28 oz. can diced tomatoes 3  cups rinsed lentils (I like black, French green and red) juice and zest from large lemon 1/2  lb. baby spinach  In large stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until tender. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook for 2 minutes.  Add broth, tomatoes, bay leaves, and lentils. Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes or until lentils are soft.  Add lemon zest, juice, and spinach....

"Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus." ~ Robert Brault Two different worlds ... and I love both SALMON with BLUEBERRY SAUCE 2  lb. Salmon Filet 2  Tbsp. butter 2  cloves minced garlic 1  Tbsp. fresh thyme (or one tsp. dried) pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Sauce: 1  cup blueberries juice from lemon 1  Tbsp. Arrowroot powder or cornstarch 2  Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1  tsp. Herbes de Provence 1/4  cup white wine 1  Tbsp. butter Heat grill. Rub salmon with butter and sprinkle with minced garlic and thyme and salt & pepper.  Grill to desired taste.  Sauce :  Mix juice of lemon with arrowroot powder or cornstarch in sauce pan. Add Blueberries, balsamic vinegar, Herbes de Provence, and white wine. Simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Stir in butter and reserve until fish is done.   ...

June is bustin' out all over ...  Carefree Shrub Rose (June 'Flower of the Month' ~ the rose)

Blessings in life are often small and overlooked ... Scilla siberica ( Siberian squill or wood squill )  ... a sure sign of spring!

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, 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 (Tom Sawyer, Detective.)

“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” ~ Oscar Wilde Cheers to thawing April Lake! (Hubbard Lake, MI)

"Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!" ~ Sitting Bull Vernal Equinox (Hubbard Lake, MI) For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise my love, my fair one, and come away. ~ The Song of Solomon, 2:11-13

"No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow."   ~ Proverb HONEY DIJON SALMON ~  delicious Lenten offering with Roasted Cauliflower and healthy baked Sweet Potato for color and flavor 1  lb. salmon (trout or like fish) 1/4  cup extra-virgin olive oil 3  Tbs. honey 3  Tbs. Dijon Mustard 2  cloves minced garlic 3  Tbs. fresh lemon juice plus zest 1/2  tsp. coriander cayenne pepper to taste dill weed to taste freshly ground pepper to taste Combine oil, honey, mustard, garlic, lemon juice plus zest, coriander, cayenne, dill, and ground pepper.  Pour over salmon and marinate for 30 minutes or longer. Bring to room temperature and grill on high for 7 minutes or, depending on thickness, until done to liking. ROASTED CAULIFLOWER Separate head of cauliflower into florets. Spread florets on roasting pan sprayed with Pam. Drizzle florets with good olive oil and toss until coated. S...

"Tempus fugit"  (time flies) 'Kaleidoscope Clocks'

"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." -  Gertrude S. Wister PRIMROSE (FEBRUARY FLOWER of the MONTH) HONEY PECAN CRUSTED SALMON ~ a delicious Lenten (anytime) treat (compliments of ~ divadicucina.com) 2  salmon filets coarse salt & freshly ground pepper paprika 2  Tbsp Dijon Mustard 2  Tbsp honey 2  Tbsp melted unsalted butter 1  tsp Worcestershire Sauce 1/2  cup finely chopped pecans 1/2  cup finely chopped fresh parsley Preheat oven to 400º. Rinse fish and pat dry. Place skin side down on parchment or foil lined baking sheet. Whisk together mustard, honey, butter and Worcestershire. In small bowl combine pecans and parsley. Spoon a tablespoon of sauce in with nuts and combine.  Brush remaining sauce onto salmon filets. Press sticky pecan mixture to the top of filets. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until th...

"A million tomorrows shall all pass away 'ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today."  ~ Randy Sparks January Sunset (Hubbard Lake, MI)

"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 Tourtière This has been an amazing year connecting with my blogging/FB friends (have met dear ones in person and goal to meet more). Reaching out has filled my ♥ with appreciation/love, knowing our 'cyber souls' must shine ... My 'Home Baked' sign  is a gift from dear  Liz Watkin  ... we are 'kindred souls from across the sea' ... how touched to receive this thoughtful gift! And I could go on ... In gratitude for remarkable/inspiring people in my life ... I am indeed a 'rich' woman! Let the 'New Year' spark us all to reach out ... a gift that fills our hearts with riches that $$ can't buy.