Pine Cone Cheese Ball

Well, I finally pulled the trigger on making this pine cone cheese ball thanks to having an event worthy of such a task - the annual Santa Lucia celebration of the Nordic Club of Columbia, S.C.

It was a success - so I was told. Scandinavians are a very honest bunch of folks (sometimes, to a fault) or at least, polite.

This is definitely a dish for which you have to pay attention to its appeal, as much, or more so than its taste. However, I do have some aesthetic ideas for the next one.

I actually wanted the pine cone to sit on the table in all its glory for a while, but someone, whom I won't mention, decided it looked good enough, just long enough, and then it became food. Thankfully, the taste reviews equaled the presentation compliments.

I obtained this recipe from my good friends at MeadowCroft Farm, but, as with most recipes, I made some adjustments.

Oh, by the way, those are true Norway Spruce (Picea abies) branches I used as a garnish. No, not really.

Don't LEAVE it Alone

I have mentioned this before, but having had several customers contact us late last January about clean-up of Mother Nature's debris (leaves, needles, berries, etc.) so late in winter, I thought it worth mentioning again.

Last year was somewhat confusing for many trees as we truly didn't have any consistent cold-enough (for complete shedding) temperatures for our deciduous friends.

I remember finally being called to properties and finding several inches of leaves and straw - not that evergreens are deciduous, but they still rid themselves of what they don't want when not needed during the colder climes.

This year is different and much of what will fall, already has. So either get out there yourself, call your regular lawn service or call us.

Winter Wonder - Farfugium

Many of you may have never seen this wonderful plant or you have, in awe, and said, "What darn plant is that?"

And, if you have seen one, you may not have seen it showing off those tall stalks full with panicles of yellow daisy-like flowers.

Well, this is Farfugium japonicum var. giganteum - also known as giant leopard plant.

You don't see many in these parts, but the ones I have seen all look healthy and beautiful, particularly this time of year - definitely enough reason to find some for your property(s).

They are perennials and the flowering takes place during the late fall and/or winter. Oh, they love water more so than any other plants, so plan to do so or have an irrigation system to take care of this for you.