THE DAY BEFORE ... NEW YEAR'S EVE

"Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties." 

~ Helen Keller

Holiday Bouquet 

(Alstroemeria and Greens)

WELCOME WINTER SOLSTICE!

"No winter lasts forever; 

no spring skips it's turn."

~ Hal Borland

Green Man ~ Hubbard Lake December Sunset

_________

“O, wind, if winter comes,

can spring be far behind?"

~ Percy Shelley

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

"Lord it is time. 

The summer was very big. 

Lay thy shadow on the sundials,

and on the meadows let the winds go loose.

Command the last fruits that they shall be full; 

give them another two more southerly days, 

press them on to fulfillment 

and drive the last sweetness into the heavenly wine."

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

'HEAVENLY WINE' SUNSET

(Hubbard Lake, MI)

"Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer." 

~ Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

'Kaleidoscope Trillium'

FAREWELL MARCH! ~ GRILLED ROSEMARY BALSAMIC PORK TENDERLOIN & ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

  ~ Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Muscari 

(Grape Hyacinth)

 GRILLED ROSEMARY BALSAMIC PORK TENDERLOIN & ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

 ~ Moist and tender, perfect for a 'simple one plate spring supper'. 

(Slightly adapted from RecipeGirl.com )

2  lbs pork tenderloin (silver skin removed)

4  Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

1/2  cup extra-virgin olive oil

2  tsp. crushed garlic

3  Tbsp. chopped 'fresh' rosemary

3  Tbsp. chopped green onions

1/4  cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1  Tbsp. freshly ground cracked pepper

coarsely ground sea salt to taste

2-3  Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

1. Combine marinade ingredients and pour over prepared tenderloins. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours, turning frequently. (Can also use a large ziplock bag). 
2. Prepare grill. Let tenderloins sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before grilling. Remove from marinade and grill on high for 8-12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 150º. Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. 
3. While tenderloins are cooking, heat marinade on high then turn down to reduce. Add white balsamic vinegar. 

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

4 scrubbed sweet potatoes (peeled or unpeeled)

extra-virgin olive oil

coarse salt & freshly ground cracked pepper

Slice potatoes in thin wedges or chop in bite-size pieces. Place in ovenproof pan or iron skillet. Toss with olive oil. Sprinkle with cracked pepper and coarse salt. Bake in 450º oven or 45 minutes or until roasted. (4 servings)

VERNAL EQUINOX

For lo, the winter is past,

the rain is over and gone;

The flowers appear on the earth,

the time of singing has come

and the voice of the turtledove

is heard in our land.

The fig tree puts forth its figs,

and the vines are in blossom;

they give forth fragrance.

Arise my love, my fair one,

and come away. 

~ The Song of Solomon, 2:11-13