THE VILLAGE VOICE

( Click above to view all 2009 winners ... ) _______________ BEST MICHIGAN BLOG _______________ ~ fellow honored BLOTANICAL Michigan finalists ~ Garden Fairie's Musings , Dirt Simple , Thyme for Herbs , In the Garden Online __________________________________ "At times our own light goes out and it rekindled by a spark by another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." ~ Albert Sweitzer TIME ... FOR GIVING THANKS SEPTEMBER GARDEN GIFTS _______________ "If the only prayer you say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." ~ Meister Echhart _________________________ "Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have." ~ William Arthur Ward

"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else." ~ Emily Dickinson ~ Early life ~ 'In the now' ~ Tomorrow's joy _________ "The Oakleaf hydrangea is a dramatic, white-blooming shrub with four seasons of interest. It blooms best in areas where summers are somewhat hot, but it is winter hardy farther north than the macrophylla ( mophead ). A tremendous advantage of the Oakleaf is that it can thrive in much dryer locations than its cousins. Mopheads struggle in my sandy soil, but the Oakleaf hydrangeas thrive with very little attention." ______________________ PEAR NUT BREAD with LEMON MINT BUTTER ~ A hint of autumn is in the air ... enjoy this favorite 'fiber' treat while pears are 'sweet' and at their peek. ____________ 2 fresh ripened pears 2 large beaten organic eggs 1 cup bran 1 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. ginger 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. soda 1/4 cup soft shortening or...

"The great wonder, in gardening, is that so many plants live." ~ Christopher LLoyd ~ A few lovely September faces (Hydrangea macrophylla)

"Listen to the falling rain, Listen to it fall." ~ JOSE FELICIANO ~ Afternoon downpour _________________ CHOCOLATE MUD PIE ~ Don't wail till it rains to enjoy this longtime retro-favorite ________________ Crust: 1 (8 1/2 oz.) box crushed chocolate wafers 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Combine crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool. Fudge Sauce: 1/2 cup cocoa 2/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup whipping cream 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 tsp. vanilla extract Combine cocoa, sugar, cream and butter in 2 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat until smooth and comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool completely. Filling and Topping: 1 quart good coffee ice cream (softened) 1/2 cup whipping cream 1 Tbsp. powered sugar 1 Tbsp. Kahlua cocoa 1/4 cup toasted silvered almonds Spread 1/2 cup Fudge Sauce evenly over baked cooled baked cookie crust. Top with softened ice cream. Spread evenly over crust. Top w...

~ Bee snuggling in sedum blossom

" Spring flowers are long since gone. Summer's bloom hangs limp on every terrace. The gardener's feet drag a bit on the dusty path and the hinge in his back is full of creaks." ~ Louise Seymour Jones ~ Sedum , heuchera , pink turtlehead , phlox, Japanese anenome ~ September garden ~ Hosta , coleus, Japanese astilbe ~ The herb garden ~ Gerbera daisy, black-eyed susan