THE VILLAGE VOICE

"A dead hydrangea is as intricate and lovely as one in bloom." ~ Toni Morrison Hydrangea macrophylla Gifts from my garden _______________ I have loved flowers that fade, Within those magic tents, Rich hues have marriage had made, With sweet memoried scents. (Robert Seymour Bridges) ________________ Note: Drying Hydrangeas Naturally _________________ But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ... The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on. Robert Finch _______________________ Join Carolyn @ Sweet Home and Garden Chicago for Garden Bloggers ' Muse Day

"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

'ANNABELLE' (H. arborescens ) (Found originally in Anna, Illinois, and introduced into Great Britain in 1907) ~ Traditional Home (May 1997) Gardener's Note: 'Annabelle' (an American native hydrangea) represents the quintessential picture of a mophead or snowball hardy hydrangea. Performing well, its flower green buds mature to white and then back to green. Large globular symmetrical bloom heads can reach 12 inches across, a bit too massive to hold up when wet, needing support to keep her upright. If pruned to the ground in spring, plant will be smaller and flowers larger, an advantage in tight quarters. (Hardy for zones 4-9)

"A garden really lives only insofar as it is an expression of faith, the embodiment of a hope and a song of praise." ~ Russell Page ~ Welcome visitors while away _________________ SHRIMP & AVOCADO SALAD ~ Summer delight ... buttery avocados balanced with the sharpness of endive (adapted from Gourmet (June 2002) ________ 1 lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp 2 tsp. salt 3 or more Tbsp. fresh lemon juice zest of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 firm-ripe Hass avocados 1 lb. Belgian endive (4 heads), cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces Bring 2 quarts water, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and 2 tsp. salt to boil. Poach shrimp at a bare simmer, uncovered, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to a bowl of ice & cold water to stop cooking. Let shrimp chill for 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Whisk together tarragon, mustard, pepper and remaining 2 Tbsp....

"A flowerless room is a soulless room, to my way of thinking ... " - Vita Sackville -West ~ Hydrangea gracing sun porch __________________ COCONUT POUND CAKE ~ Forget the pounds, just eat the cake! _______________ 1 cup unsalted butter 3 cups sugar 6 organic eggs 3 cups flour 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 8 oz. sour cream 1 cup coconut 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. coconut extract Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Mix butter, sugar and eggs until creamy. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamy mixture. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spray bundt pan with Pam. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 1 hour.