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The Gardens of Mien Ruys - a book review

I don't know how I missed her, but I was totally unfamiliar with Mien Ruys. A beautiful new book The Gardens of Mien Ruys details her life and work. Born in the Netherlands in 1904, she was the daughter of Bonne Ruys, who founded Moerheim Nursery in 1888. She grew up in a liberal atmosphere and encouraged to learn and study. She found great comfort in the natural world around her and learned all the plants in her father's nursery at a young age. After leaving school at the age of 19, she knew that she wanted to work in the garden center. The Moerheim Nursery, in addition to selling plants, had an on-site design studio where they published a detailed catalog and sold landscape design plans to customers. It was in the design studio where Ruys first began to work and she was soon encouraged to venture beyond her country and study abroad. Her father's connections helped her secure a traineeship with Wallace & Sons Nursery in Tunbridge Wells in England. There, she met Gertr...
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Spinach Dip



Michael's aunt and cousin from Mississippi and our friend Joann from Memphis will be here this weekend for their annual hair appointments so I've been in the kitchen.

This is our favorite dip (sooo addictive) and it is simple to do (just a lot of chopping). This recipe comes from the Knorr's Vegetable Soup Mix box. It calls for 1 cup of mayonnaise in addition to the sour cream but we prefer just the sour cream so we use all sour cream and it is delicious. I also think fresh spinach is much better than the frozen spinach. It is great served with Hawaiian Bread or just crackers.

INGREDIENTS
1 package (10 oz.) baby spinach, chopped or 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream
1 cup Mayonnaise (or sour cream)
1 package Knorr® Vegetable recipe mix
1 can (8 oz.) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
3 green onions, chopped (optional)

Combine all ingredients and chill about 2 hours.

Now is that easy or what? I sense of game of Mexican Train coming on!

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. LKTJanuary 7, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    This was always my favorite growing up. We'd put it in a bread bowl using good San Francisco sourdough. Enjoy!

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  2. scottweberpdxJanuary 7, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    yumm...sounds like a winner to me!

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  3. DarlaJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    I loooove spinach dip and have a recipe that will knock you bloomers off!

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 7, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Whoo hooo, sounds like a good time and the dip looks delicious.

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  5. EveJanuary 7, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Heavenly!!!! Thanks Phillip! Have fun!

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  6. Phillip OliverJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    Darla, I'd love to try it!

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  7. meemsnycJanuary 7, 2011 at 11:14 PM

    I make this dip too, and it is sooo good. I like to put it in a bowl of bread.

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  8. compost in my shoeJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    Our spinach crop has continued even with the 20degree nights we have had. Now I know what we can do with some of the harvest!

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  9. GailJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:06 AM

    Yummy...It's important to have a few excellent dip recipes to serve visitors and residents on cold wintry days! gail

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  10. Jill of All TradesJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    I so love that stuff. I've never made it but have eaten PLENTY!

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  11. still goodJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    Hope you are having fun! I just took a picture of a red bird in the snow and it made me think of you.

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