AS THE GARDEN GROWS ... 'FAREWELL APRIL' ~ COCONUT PECAN POUND CAKE

"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 electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at at time, beating just until yellow disappears.
Sift together 3 cups flour and 1/2 tsp. salt; add to butter mixture alternately with bourbon, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat batter at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla, toasted pecans, and shredded coconut. Pour batter into greased and floured 12-cup tube pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 35 minutes or until long wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10-15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

~ April stroll through Bloomfield Village

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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