WELCOME 'THE LUSTY MONTH of MAY! ~ MAY WINE / MAY WINE CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

"The month of May was come, when every lusty heart beginneth to blossom, and to bring forth fruit."

~ Sir Thomas Malory

~ Sweet Woodruff

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Gardener's note: Fragrant sweet woodruff, a low-growing perennial herb, is an ideal woodland or shade tolerant ground cover. Its sweet smell intensifies as the plant dries ... perfect for strewing throughout the house as a room freshener. When in bloom, like the Germans, greet the season and rejoice ... it's time for May wine!

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MAY WINE

~ Once tasted, this simple pleasure will surely become a haunting spring ritual

2 bottles good Rhine or Moselle wine (Riesling)
a handful of sweet woodruff sprigs

fresh strawberries & sweet woodruff flowers for garnish

Rinse woodruff sprigs, and stuff into uncorked wine. Allow to steep several hours in refrigerator. Strain into wine glass & garnish with a fresh strawberry and pinched top of blooming sweet woodruff.

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MAY WINE CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

1 gallon good Riesling wine
handful of sweet woodruff sprigs
1-2 pints fresh strawberries
4 Tbsp. sugar
champagne
edible blossoms from the garden

Stuff sweet woodruff in wine bottle or in large bowl. Refrigerate several hours or overnight. Strain and pour into large glass punch bowl. Add sugar and mix well. Add an ice block (pretty with frozen flowers inside). Blend in champagne. Garnish with woodruff flowers and edible flowers blossoms from the garden (Johnny-jump ups, pansies, rose petals, borage, etc.) Place a strawberry in each glass and top with sweet woodruff flower.

* Try May Wine and May Wine Champagne Punch with 'Award-Winning' Michigan wines and sparkling wines (http://www.michiganwines.com/Awards/awards.html)

AUTUMN DINNER ~ ROASTED SAGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH With GUYERE, SAUTÉED FRESH GARLIC, PARSLEY and TOASTED PINE NUTS

“Welcome sweet November, the season of senses and my favorite month of all.” ― Gregory F. Lenz November Sunset (Hubbard Lake, MI) ROASTED SAGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH With GUYERE, SAUTÉED FRESH GARLIC, PARSLEY and TOASTED PINE NUTS ~ Delightful autumn dinner slightly adapted from pinch of yum . 1 halved and seeded spaghetti squash Extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste 2-3 minced cloves garlic 2 tsp. white balsamic vinegar 1 cup minced fresh parsley 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage or 2 tsp. dried 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese 1/2 - 3/4 cup toasted pine nuts Preheat oven to 375º. Rub squash with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Place cut side down on sprayed rimmed baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. Let cool until able to handle and scrape inside with a fork and pull strands away from ski...

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

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)

THE VILLAGE VOICE

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