THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus." ~ Robert Brault Two different worlds ... and I love both SALMON with BLUEBERRY SAUCE 2  lb. Salmon Filet 2  Tbsp. butter 2  cloves minced garlic 1  Tbsp. fresh thyme (or one tsp. dried) pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Sauce: 1  cup blueberries juice from lemon 1  Tbsp. Arrowroot powder or cornstarch 2  Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1  tsp. Herbes de Provence 1/4  cup white wine 1  Tbsp. butter Heat grill. Rub salmon with butter and sprinkle with minced garlic and thyme and salt & pepper.  Grill to desired taste.  Sauce :  Mix juice of lemon with arrowroot powder or cornstarch in sauce pan. Add Blueberries, balsamic vinegar, Herbes de Provence, and white wine. Simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Stir in butter and reserve until fish is done.   ...

June is bustin' out all over ...  Carefree Shrub Rose (June 'Flower of the Month' ~ the rose)

“God Almighty first planted a garden; and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” ~ Francis Bacon Purple Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ) GRILLED ROMAINE with BLUE CHEESE-BACON & BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE ~ Excellent summer salad slightly adapted from Guy Fieri (Food Network). Trust me, this will be a repeat! _______________ 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup chopped red onion 1/2 lb. bacon 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 3 Heads romaine lettuce, cut in 1/2 lengthwise 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese freshly ground black pepper to taste Cook bacon in sauté pan until crispy. Remove, blot grease, and crumble. Set aside. Drain grease but do not clean pan. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté onion until soft and caramelized. Add balsamic vinegar hand heat to boiling, scraping brown bits from bottom. Remove from heat. Brush romaine lettuce with remaining 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, place on gill cut side down, and quickly sear. Serve lettuce, cut side-up, and drizzle the balsamic dressing ...

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." ~ Gertrude Jekyll, On Gardening PEONY ( Paeonia) GARDEN BLOGGER'S MUSE DAY Visit Carolyn @ Sweet Home and Garden Chicago

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." ~ John Muir Stokes' Aster (Stokesia) EARLY DAYLILY (Hemerocallis) ASIATIC LILY SHASTA DAISY (Leucanthemum) Lilies, Daylilies, Rudbeckia, Coneflowers, Chocolate Cosmos Hosta, Red Begonia, Gerbera Daisy, Coreopsis 'Moombeam' RUDBECKIA (Cherry Brandy) 'New Kid on the Block' (Rudbeckia - 'Cherry Brandy') CONEFLOWER (Echinacea purpurea 'Doubledecker') HYDRANGEA MONKSHOOD (Aconitum) ASTILBE