THE VILLAGE VOICE

"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

“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)

"The summer night is like a perfection of thought." - Wallace Stevens AUGUST SUNSET ( Hubbard Lake ) ___________ Steal o'er the lake's warm breast, And the ancient silence follows The burning sun to rest. The calm of a thousand summers, And dreams of countless Junes, Return when the lake-wind murmurs Through golden August noons." William Stanley Braithwaite ( By an Inland Lake ) (Last evening's August gift) ____________ "Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you." ~ Maori Proverb

"The summer night is like a perfection of thought." - Wallace Stevens Hubbard Lake Sunset FROZEN GRAND MARNIER SOUFFLE ~ Delightful 'remains of the day' summer dessert slightly adapted from The Lark ( Savor Michigan Cookbook ) __________ 2 1/2 cups sugar 1 cup water 18 organic egg yolks 2 quarts whipped cream (from 1 1/2 cups heavy cream) 1/2 cup Grand Marnier cocoa powder Framboise Sauce Mix sugar and water in a saucepot and bring to a boil. Cook until mixture reaches 250º on a pastry/candy thermometer. While sugar is boiling, whip egg yolks until light and fluffy. Slowly add sugar mixture while whipping on low. Continue whipping til cool, approximately 10 minutes. Fold into whipped cream. Add Grand Marnier . Gently pour or pipe filling with pastry bag into soufflé pan (like springform ) or individual flan pans lightly dusted with cocoa powder Freeze. Remove from pan and serve with Framboise Sauce. Wine Suggestion: Kir Royale (Champagne and Frambo...

"The evening's the best part of the day. You've done your day's work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it." ( The Remains of the Day) Hubbard Lake July Sunset "If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton

" Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape; Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together. " ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow EARLY APRIL SUNSET (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 VERNAL EQUINOX (Hubbard Lake, MI) PENNE PRIMAVERA ~ ' Primavera ' means 'Spring' in Italian _________ 1 lb. penne pasta or bow-tie ( farfalle ) 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 large sweet ( Vidalia ) onion 2-3 minced garlic cloves 1 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 lb. diagonally cut asparagus spears (woody stems snapped off) 1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms 3 diagonally sliced carrots 1 matchstick sliced yellow pepper 1 matchstick sliced orange pepper 1 hefty cup frozen peas 1 pint grape tomatoes 10 oz. fresh stemmed baby spinach 1 bunch chopped fresh basil coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper freshly grat...

"Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape; Trinkling vapors arose; And sky and water and forest Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~ August sunset (Hubbard Lake)