THE VILLAGE VOICE

" 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)

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything." ~ William Shakespeare 'Beauty' outside bedroom window Flowering Norway Maple ( Acer platanoides ) ________________________ THAI PINEAPPLE SHRIMP 1 pound large shelled & deveined shrimp 3 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 1/2 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. turmeric 1 Tbsp. water 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil 2 large minced cloves garlic 4 cups cooked rice 1 tsp. coriander seed 2 cups inch-long julienned slices fresh pineapple 1 large julienned sliced red pepper 2-3 Tsp. minced jalapeno pepper 6 diagonally sliced green onions Combine soy sauce, sugar, turmeric and water. Mix well and set aside. Pour over shrimp and marinate 20 minutes. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in large heavy skillet or wok until hot but not smoking. Remove shrimp, reserving marinade . Carefully add shrimp and stir-fry about 2 minutes until pink and loose transparency. Remove from skillet. Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to skillet and heat. Add garlic and stir until golden. Add pepper...

“A pretty girl is like a melody That haunts you night and day Just like the strain Of a haunting refrain She'll start upon A marathon And run around your brain” ~ Irving Berlin LENTEN ROSE (Helleborus Orientalis) Helleborus Orientalis is the botanical name of the very popular, early blooming shade perennial more commonly known as the Lenten Rose . Lenten Roses grow hardy around the world in temperate zones 4-7. In the English speaking world they are known as the Lenten Rose but are not roses at all. They are actually of the Butter Cup family. Their flowers bloom during the Easter celebration of Lent, leading the vernal procession of color in the shady areas of thoughtful perennial gardens. When they are not in bloom they remain as lush ground cover throughout the year; and they are deer proof. This lush, hardy shade perennial is grown and prized by master gardeners throughout the world. (LentenRose.com)

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. " ~ Terri Guillemets Johnny Jump Up Viola cornuta (Violaceae) ______________ GRILLED CROQUE MONSIEUR ~ French cousin of the American classic, grilled ham & cheese. The classic sandwich served in the early 1900s in French bistros requires a rich Bechamel sauce. Don't count the calories; enjoy the new twist for leftover Easter ham. ________ 8 slices rustic bread 8 oz. thinly sliced ham 1/2- 3/4 lb. thinly sliced Gruyere cheese unsalted butter Bechamel Sauce (2 thick cups) 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 6 Tbsp. flour 2 cup heated whole milk pinch of coarse salt 1/2 tsp. white pepper 1/8 tsp. cayenne 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard Melt butter over low heat until it bubbles. Add flour, whisking constantly for 2 minutes. Slowly add hot milk and whisk until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in mustard, salt, white pepper, and cayenne. Assemble: Heat C...

"On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer." ~Douglas Horton

~ Christ on the Cross (Marshal M. Fredericks - sculptor 1959) Indian River, MI

"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year." ~ Mark Twain GERBERA DAISY "When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment." ~ Georgia O'Keefe , New York Post (1946)