THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire." ~Virgil _ 'Farewell April' ______ Lungwart (Pulmonaria), Tulipa tarda, Bergenia, Trillium, Primrose Yoshino Cherry, Cherry blossom, Wood Anemone, Pansy, t. Tarda Japanese painted fern, Myrtle, Tulip, Pachysandra, Johnny-jump-ups Primrose, Hyacinth, Yoshino Cherry tree, fern, Tulips Fern, Yoshino Cherry Tree, Tulip face, Whimsy frog, Shadblow COCONUT PECAN POUND CAKE ~ After a busy month prepping and cleaning the garden, treat yourself to this delicious pound cake ( Southern Living Mid-October 2007) __ 1 1/2 cups softened (unsalted) butter 1 (8-oz) softened package cream cheese 3 cup sugar 6 large organic eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 cup bourbon 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup toasted chopped pecans 1/2 cup shredded coconut Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat butter & cream cheese at medium speed with...

"How can one help shivering with delight when one's hot fingers close around the stem of a live flower, cool from the shade and stiff with newborn vigor." ~ Colette ~ Japanese - Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia x Soulangiana)

"If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, And from thy slender store Two loaves alone to thee are left, Sell one and from the dole, Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul." ~ Sheikh Muslih - uddin Saadi Shirazi ( The Gulistan of Saadi , 1270 ) ~ Hyacinth soul __________ ROSEMARY OLIVE FOCACCIA ~ Easy recipe using frozen bread dough adapted from 1992 TOO BUSY TO COOK ( Bon Appetit ) _______ 1 pound thawed frozen bread dough 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 heaping Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary (1 tsp. crumbled dried) freshly ground black pepper 1 cup (or more) grated Parmesan cheese 8-10 chopped Kalamata olives 4 thinly sliced oil- packed sun-dried tomatoes 2 thinly sliced large garlic cloves Fresh rosemary springs Preheat oven to 450-degrees. Place bread dough in bowl. Add 1 tablespoon oil and minced rosemary. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Knead dough until ingredients are combined. Roll dough out on lightly floured work surface to 9x6-inch rectangle. Tra...