THE VILLAGE VOICE

"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...

" I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show." ~ Andrew Wyeth Michigan Snowy Countryside

~ Snowy Michigan postcard beauty ~ Following 'landmark' white pine home _______________ The First Snow-Fall The snow had begun in the gloaming, And busily all the night Had been heaping field and highway With a silence deep and white. Every pine and fir and hemlock Wore ermine too dear for an earl, And the poorest twig on the elm-tree Was ridged inch deep with pearl. ~ James Russell Lowell