THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them. " ~  Vincent A Simeone Winter Garden (Blooomfield Village) FRENCH RED ONION SOUP ~ A slightly different tasty take on the ' classic ' ... red onions and red wine (fine herbs) instead of white onions and white wine ...  4  Tbsp. unsalted butter 2  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 6  large red thinly sliced red onions pinch of sugar 8  cups organic beef broth/stock 1  cup red wine rosemary and thyme fresh or dried to taste coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste brandy or cognac 8  slices of Gruyere (swiss or favorite) cheese  8  slices of good/firm bread like sourdough,  trimmed to fit opening of soup crock Extra-virgin olive oil In large stockpot, melt butter and olive. Sauté sliced onions until well coated, cove...

‎"Life is like a good black and white photograph, there's black, there's white, and lots of shades in between." ~ Karl Heiner Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape - the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it - the whole story doesn't show." ~ Andrew Wyeth Bare Bones of Winter (Hubbard Lake, MI) BEEF CARBONNADE ~ Hearty rich Belgian beef stew with sweet caramelized onions and dark beer, perfect for a cold winter's eve ... ( The Silver Palate Cookbook ) 1/4 pound bacon 2 very large yellow onions, 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, peeled and thinly sliced 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1 cup unbleached flour 1 Tbsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper 3 pounds beef stew meat (chuck is best), cubed vegetable oil ( optional ) 2 cups imported dark beer chopped parsley (garnish) Coarsely dice the bacon and saute in large skillet until crisp and brown. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and reserve. Add onions to skillet and cook in rendered bacon fat until tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover skillet, raise heat, and sprinkl...

"We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace." ~ William Ewart Gladstone PEACE LILY (Spathiphyllum wallisii) Common name Peace lily Botanical name Spathiphyllum species; most commonly Spathiphyllum wallisii Other common names Madonna lily Family Araceae General description An evergreen perennial herb, often grown as an ornamental, also very popular as a container plant. Flowers The flowers are fleshy white to cream sheath or bract, called a spathe, surrounding a spike of fragrant, closely packed minute flowers. Leaves The leaves are bright green, lance shaped, shiny, up to 30cm long and clustered at the base of the plant. Fruit/Berries The fruit are inconspicuous white berries. Other The sap is clear. Symptoms This plant, if eaten, can produce a tingling or burning sensation, followed by swelling of the lips, mouth and tongue. Contact dermatitis may also occur in sensiti...

“Click. Boom. Amazing!” ~ Steve Jobs Phalaenopsis Orchid (Confidence texture) ____________ HEARTY MINESTRONE SOUP ~ Delicious hearty offering for a chilly winter day 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 coarsely chopped onions 4 minced garlic cloves 1 cup chopped celery plus leaves 8 cups shredded cabbage (shortcut use coleslaw mix) 3 diced potatoes (redskins/small Yukons, or sweet) 2 cups chopped zucchini 2 cups chopped carrots 1 - 1 1/2 cups chopped green beans or frozen Italian green beans 1 - 2 cans stewed tomatoes 1 - 2 cans rinsed cannellini beans 2 - 3 quarts organic chicken broth 2 Tbsp. crushed dried basil 2 tsp. crushed dried oregano coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 10 oz. fresh chopped kale or spinach (or 10 oz. frozen chopped) 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (1/2 cup small pasta or arborio rice ... optional) Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Heat oil and butter over medium heat in large stockpot. Add onions and sauté...

Live, Love, Laugh ... and let the 'little things' count! HAPPY NEW YEAR! "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

... And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, and angel of the Lord stood by them, and they feared exceedingly. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace among men of good will." (Luke. 2: 8-14)