THE VILLAGE VOICE

" ... January, in ermine cloak, With crystal spangles dight, He gave the queen an Ivy crown, And her fair shoulders white He happ'd with tender ferny Moss From many a cosy nook, Or from the rounded boulders warm Beside the frozen brook." ~James Rigg, "The Progress of Queen Flora, Adorned by a Hundred Wild Flowers,"  Wild Flower Lyrics and Other Poems , 1897 ROASTED RED and YELLOW BEET, WALNUT, BABY ARUGULA SALAD ~ the smell of roasting beets in winter is divine as is the taste of this yummy salad. (Adapted compliments of Allrecipes.com) 3  large red beets 3  large yellow beets extra-virgin olive oil 5  oz. Baby Arugula 2/3  cup toasted walnuts 1/2  cup balsamic vinegar 3  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Pink Himalayan Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper to taste Preheat oven to 4OOº . Scrub beets well and rub with olive oil. Place each beet in piece of aluminum foil and place on roasting pan. R...

"The shortest day has passed, and whatever nastiness of weather we may look forward to in January and February, at least we notice that the days are getting longer.  Minute by minute they lengthen out.  It takes some weeks before we become aware of the change.  It is imperceptible even as the growth of a child, as you watch it day by day, until the moment comes when with a start of delighted surprise we realize that we can stay out of doors in a twilight lasting for another quarter of a precious hour." ~ Vita Sackville-West (January Sunset - Hubbard Lake, MI) ROASTED SWEET POTATO 'ZOODLES' with RED PEARS, BABY SPINACH and SAUTÉED PECANS ( adapted from Wegans ) 4  medium spiraled sweet potatoes 3-4  Red diced pears 8  oz. baby spinach 1  cup pecans or walnuts  1/4  cup extra virgin olive oil or more if needed to lightly coat 2-3  Tbsp. unsalted butter 2  Tbsp. chopped chives or dried to ta...