OLD FASHIONED 'Sweet Violets' ~ 'RETRO' MAC & CHEESE

"Each violet peeps from its dwelling to gaze at the bright stars above"

~ Heinrich Heine

( February Flower of the Month)

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MAC & CHEESE

~ Comfy 'retro'' food (though often NOT low fat) never goes out of style and a 'once in a while treat' especially tummy coating on chilly February days.

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1 lb. ziti, penne (or favorite shaped pasta)

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 diced red pepper

1 diced yellow, orange or green pepper

4 cups milk

1/4 cup unsalted butter

6 Tbsp. flour

1 tsp. Hungarian paprika

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

1/2 tsp. white pepper

8 oz. grated white Vermont cheddar

8 oz. grated medium Pinconning Cheese *

1/2 cup (or more) shaved Parmesan

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook at a rolling boil until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Toss with 1 Tbsp. oil and set aside.
Heat remaining vegetable oil in skillet. Saute peppers until soft. Add to cooked pasta.
Scald milk in saucepan. Set aside.
In another saucepan, melt butter. Add flour and whisk over low heat (do not let burn). Slowly whisk scalded milk until thickened. Add paprika, salt & white pepper. Add to pasta and toss well to coat.
Butter a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Combine both cheeses. Add to pasta, reserving 1 cup for top. Spread evenly in baking dish and top with remaining cheese, shaved Parmesan (you can never have enough cheese), and parsley.
Bake 30 minutes until hot. Run under broiler to brown. (8 servings)

* Great source for Pinconning Cheese ~ William's Cheese Co.

OCTOBER JOY ~ AUTUMN MINI-ROAD TOUR (HUBBARD LAKE, MI)

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne Up driveway and overhead sky (Click on all photos for larger view ) 'Wa-gi-daa-king' Autumn South shore drive South Shore view West Branch River West Shore Drive Tamarack Island Old Marina Down hill Mt. Maria view Down hill Mt. Maria Remains of the Day (October Sunset)

AS THE GARDEN GROWS (MID-JUNE GARDEN STROLL) ~ 'BURSTING BUDS'

"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them." ~ Aldo Leopold WAVE PETUNIAS ROCK GARDEN WONDERS STREPTOCARPUS BLUE WONDERS GERBERA DAISY IN THE ROSE GARDEN CHOCOLATE COSMOS JOHNSON'S BLUE GERANIUM EVENING PRIMROSE ( Oenothera) - ASTILBE HYDRANGEA (ANNABELLA - MACROPHYLLA) ASTILBE KOUSA DOGWOOD JAPANESE PAINTED FERN - HOSTA

'JUST FOR ONE'S HEALTH' ... ~ PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Echinacea purpurea) / 'NOT YOUR ORDINARY' BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

"Just for one's health ... it is very necessary to work in the garden and to see the flowers growing." Vincent Van Gogh PURPLE CONEFLOWER ( Echinacea purpurea ) 'NOT YOUR ORDINARY' BLUEBERRY MUFFINS ~ On the lighter side, these are always a family favorite from ... PICNIC! Recipes and Menus for Outdoor Enjoyment 1 2/3 cups flour 1/3 cup wheat germ 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 t sp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 cups MICHIGAN blueberries (preferably small wild ones) 1 cup buttermilk 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Preheat oven to 400-degrees. In large bowl, combine flower, wheat germ, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Add blueberries and stir to coat. Add buttermilk and butter. Stir until just mixed. Spoon batter into greased muffin pans. Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans for 2 minutes. "The purple coneflower isn't really purple at all. The large, eye-catching flowers are bright rose-pink. Each flower has a bristly iridescent orange cent...

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