The pleasure of spring

Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

1 TBSP whole grain mustard

3 TBSP fresh lemon juice

3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

1 TBSP plus 1 tsp pure maple syrup

2 TBSP olive oil

8 ounces brussels sprouts, very thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

6 kale leaves, stemmed and thinly sliced

1/3 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds, toasted

1/4 cup dried goji berries, or dried cranberries

Stir together the mustard, lemon juice, salt, and syrup.  Whisk in the olive oil slowly.  In a bowl, toss together the brussels sprouts and kale.  Add the sunflower seeds, berries, and dressing.  Toss to coat.  I could not stop eating this.  It is tart and crunchy!

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

The which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.

     - Robert Frost