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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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More snow and a cheese ball recipe


We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning despite the weather forecasters predicting that Clark County would get little to none. That seems to be the norm now and I've learned not to rely on their forecasts. There are so many variances and elevations here that it is extremely hard to predict.

Most of the snow had melted by the afternoon but snow flurries are falling again as I write this.




Last night was Oscar night and we had a nice spread of snacks and desserts. We had some friends over and they brought some goodies as well. This is a cheese ball recipe that is one of our favorites.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

2  8 oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup minced celery (optional! We don't include this)
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 tsp. minced onion
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1  20 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped pecans

First, make sure the pineapple is well drained. I put it in a strainer and press the juice out. I then put it in a thick towel and wring it several times. 

 In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, celery (if using), bell pepper, onion, seasoned salt and crushed pineapple. Divide the mixture in half and form two balls out of the mixture. Roll each ball in the pecans. Chill until ready to serve.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Comments

  1. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 26, 2019 at 3:13 AM

    Your garden looks good with a coating of snow. All of the evergreens stand out being flocked. It is amazing how much every plant has grown in the short time you have been there. I like the rock wall across the top of the hill. Your garden has developed a great personality. MMMMMM that cheese ball sounds good. I will make it for a Euchre party we are having soon. I always like to make something different.

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  2. outlawgardenerFebruary 26, 2019 at 6:59 AM

    Ugh! Let's hope that's the last of the snow. It does look very pretty, though.

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  3. chavlinessMarch 1, 2019 at 8:42 AM

    This white stuff may be pretty for a while, but I am ready for it to go away and for the days to warm up a bit. Garden projects are calling me... My favorite to win best actor won. Yay.

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