Nldecember16

RECIPE EXTRAVAGANZA!

for discerning weeders

Trail updates……………...pg. 4 Ye Olde Farm……………..pg. 11 News you can use………..pg. 12 And much, much more!

The Foundation for the Gator Nation.....

An equal opportunity institution.

December, 2016

MONTHLY ROUND-UP It’s beginning to look a lot like ______________. Fill in your own ideas. Some of us, transplants from up North, still have a problem with equating Christmas and 70 degree temperatures. We are also still amazed that Black Friday doesn’t involve fist fights and such down here (thankfully).

However you plan on celebrating this holiday season, make sure that you take the time to enjoy it! If your holidays will be filled with visitors from out-of-town, or if you’re traveling over hill and dale, remember that it’s not about the destination but the journey! Find the amusement in small things.

Stop in to see an elderly neighbor. Get out and wave to the folks that you pass as you walk down your street. A smile is contagious so be sure to spread it!

This is our final Compost Pile of 2016. It’s chock full of yummy recipes and lots of photos from our members. Something fun for everyone!

2017 will be here before you know it. We’ll have new officers and some new committee chairpersons. We’re certain to face challenges and changes in the upcoming year but together we can and will continue being the close-knit and very accomplished group that we’ve always been. Always remember that the reason we became Master Gardeners in the first place is to help residents with the latest and best scientific based information out there. We’re the ones they call for bugs, buds, and blooms.

Don’t forget to log your hours in the VMS system!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

So kick back with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy this issue. See you in the New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Editing Staff of The Compost Pile!

Events Calendar

2

Gardening Chores

3

Wildlife Happenings

3

On the Trail

4

Odor of the Day

5-6

Infographics

7

Gardening Holidays

8

Out and About

9-10

Ye Olde Farm

11

Votes are In!

11-12

News

12

Recipe Round-Up

Amaryllis at the nursery. Photo courtesy of L. Vanderpool

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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Pollinator Perusings

15

Looking Ahead

16

Last Word

17

On the cover: Hibiscus courtesy of S. Gerber

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December, 2016

For details on any of the upcoming events, go to www.ocmga.org/Calendar.html

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GARDENING CHORES

compiled from UF/IFAS Gardening Calendar

Annuals: Add color to the winter garden by planting masses of petunia, pansy, snapdragon, lobelia, alyssum, and viola.

Fallen leaves provide the carbon ingredient needed for successful composting and also make a good mulch. For best results, shred.

Perennials and Bulbs: Amaryllis is popular this time of year.

Cooler weather generally means fewer pests but there are some populations that actually increase this time of year. Continue monitoring and treat as needed.

Vegetables/Herbs: Herbs that thrive in cool weather include parsley, thyme, sage, dill, fennel, garlic, comfrey, and cilantro.

Reliable cool season vegetables to plant this month include English pea, radish, cabbage, beet, and broccoli.

Helpful Links

Gardening with Annuals in Florida Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide Herbs in the Florida Garden Don’t prune cold-damaged plants yet.

Amaryllis Cold Protection of Ornamental Plants Inspect houseplants regularly for pests. Provide the specific tem- Poinsettias perature, light and humidity that indoor plants require.

Questions? Not sure if you are dealing with a pest or something If plants didn’t perform as desired this year, or new planting are else? Contact our Master Gardener Help Desk for assistance being planned, a soil test is a good idea. when necessary, 850-689-5850 (Crestview) or 850-651-7476 (Fort Walton Beach.)

Other: Poinsettias, with proper care, will give weeks of color.

WILDLIFE HAPPENINGS

compiled from wec.ufl.edu

National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count The Christmas Bird Count -- A Long Tradition Birds: -Annual Christmas bird county begins mid-December -This is the best time for watching waterfowl on wetlands, lakes, and prairies -Great horned owls and barred owls are courting -Look for Goldfinches at feeders -Yellow-rumped warblers will show-up at feeders if it is cold enough -Bald eagles start hatching about Christmas day.

Blue vanda orchid (left) Rusty vanda orchid (right) Photos courtesy of L. Vanderpool

The Jokester The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in the dark.

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December, 2016

ON THE TRAIL

by B. Bayer

Early in November I had the privilege of addressing a garden club on the subject of the Nature Trail at Okaloosa Co. Extension office in Crestview. In preparation for this event I developed a PowerPoint presentation. While in this process, many of the pictures were from the very beginning of the trailblazing. It was wonderful to see how far we have come in the last four years.

What was once nothing more than a narrow foot path through the woods was now an open walkway. Not many trees were removed but much of the green briar, wild grape vines and fallen pine needles that lingered in the tree branches were now removed, giving us a greater view of what existed. With some help from the extension agents a group from the last Master Gardener class prepared identification signs and a brochure of some of flora that we have. This is still a work in progress. At our September meeting we had Maria Wilson, senior forester, conduct a tour of the trail and re-affirm that we had correctly identified the trees. We did have some minor corrections.

types of trees and shrubs are, was essential. According to the University, there are 19 oaks native to Florida. Some of these only grow in south Florida but we have found at least 7 growing on our trail. I'm far from an expert but now I have acquired the knowledge to tell most of them apart. We have three different pines, three different blueberries, two magnolias and a bunch of singles. There is sassafras, poplar, hawthorn, olive, native azalea, fringe tree and more that I have forgotten and more still to be found.

Officially, we have a "native plant" trail. This name is given because only "native" plants can be ground planted along the trail. The term Nature Trail is more befitting. There exists more than just plants, we have animals, birds, fungi, moss, composting bacteria, a running creek and a number of potted plants. There is only one thing missing, ya'll come hear.

In preparation for addressing my audience I came to the realization that not only had the Trail grown but also my knowledge of trees in general. When I first started, I knew we had oaks, pines and lots of yaupon holly. It became obvious that if I was to be a trail guide, my knowledge of what the different On the left--That’s some bean!

On the right--Vietnamese hollyhock.

Photos courtesy of L. Vanderpool

The Jokester Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

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December, 2016

ODOR OF THE DAY The task: find ways to bring those delightful Christmas-y scents into your home without relying on the often heavy-handed air fresheners and candles that are marketed this time of year. You may have a spouse like mine, whose nose goes up like an infield fly at the vaguest hint of a Glade® candle in the air. You know the type. They make comments like “it smells like the men’s room in a Shell® station in here.” With such a mate who is hyper-sensitive to artificial scents, I set about looking for ways to bring the smells of the season inside, as naturally as possible.

The methods fall into a few general categories: potpourris and scent mixtures, candles and diffusers, and sprays. And then there are some other unusual methods that I think are really neat. Some of these may be more work than you want to invest but many of these ideas are not very labor-intensive nor very expensive.

Potpourri. Generally speaking, potpourri are dry (or dried) mixtures of fragrant ingredients (fruit, spices) that are placed in open containers or tied into porous bags, so that the various scents gradually infuse the room atmosphere. You are limited only by your own imagination as far as ingredients to use and how to combine them. Potpourri displays can be not only fragrant but also lovely decorative touches. Thinks about colors and textures as you create your masterpieces. Potpourri also makes a nice gift! Here are some suggested ingredients and procedures to get you started: a few small pine cones, some whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, grated fresh nutmeg, dried orange and apple slices*, pretty Christmas ribbons and ornaments. Mix the fragrance ingredients, ingredients, place the potpourri in jars and let the mixture mellow for a day or two to really develop the scents. Then place all the above ingredients into a bowl and arrange as you like. If giving as a gift, arrange everything in a small basket, wrap it in plastic, and tie a ribbon on the handle. *To make your own dried oranges and apples: Heat oven to 250 degrees. Slice apples and oranges paper-thin. Place in single layer on cookies sheet and bake for 1 ½ hours. Then check every half hour until the slices are dry.

by K. Harper in the water. You can make up the jars ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. The jars of scented water will keep for a week or so in the fridge. You can also freeze the mixtures, using freezer-safe containers. To heat the scented mixtures, use one of these methods: Stove top: pour the ingredients into a saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to simmer and enjoy the sweet fragrance as it fills the room. You’ll have to watch the saucepan so that the water doesn’t boil away and scorch the ingredients, which would provide a fragrance of a different description. J Slow cooker: if you don’t want to be tied to watching the stove, use your slow cooker to warm the scented water. Set it on low and leave the lid off. You can safely leave it unattended for long periods of time but if you are worried that the water might boil away, you can plug the slow cooker into a timer so it will turn off after a set period of time.

Here’s an idea to make your home smell like vanilla: pour three tablespoons of vanilla into an over-proof mug and place it in a 300 degree oven for a few minutes. If you are a vanilla snob (I am one of those) you might not want to use your expensive vanilla extracts for this.

Three tablespoons is a lot of vanilla! I would think you could use inexpensive (maybe even imitation) extracts. I would also think you could also use almond extract or peppermint extract, for a different scent. Worth a try!

Diffusers and candles. A reed diffuser can be easily made with just a bottle, some essential oil, a reed or bamboo skewer and some water and vodka. Fill the bottle with water, add a few tablespoons of vodka and the essential oil of your choice. Use 12 drops of essential oil per 1/4 cup of water. Mix the ingredients together.

Place one end of the reed into the solution, allow to soak and then reverse the reed so the opposite end is submerged. Reverse the reed once per week. NOTE: I’ve purchased bamboo skewers and essential oils from Amazon.com in the past, so these items are readily available. Candle-making might not be on my personal list of things to do but here are a couple of hacks with ingredients and instructions that don’t seem too prohibitive. A liquid candle can be made with a jar, lantern wick, and any oil that will burn. Add Scent Mixtures. These are combinations of ingredients, your favorite scent items to the oil such as cinnamon, clove, covered with water, meant to be warmed or simmered in order to release their fragrance into the room atmosphere. Again, the pinecones, or oranges and light the wick. Or you can make a scented candle from an unscented one by placing a drop of your combinations are up to the creator to determine. If you are a favorite essential oil next to the wick of the candle and as the home canner you probably already have pint jars and lids. Now all you need to do is combine your favorite fruit and spices in the candle starts to melt, the air will fill with natural scent that doesn’t smell like bathroom air freshener. If you want to roll up jars, cover with water and then warm them by one of the your sleeves and make real candles, here is a good illustrated methods described below. Here are some suggestions for how-to: http://helloglow.co/layered-scent-diy-holiday-candles/ combinations: oranges, cinnamon & cloves create a strong but pleasing fragrance that lasts and can be re-heated and used over Sprays. To make your own natural air freshener spray, dilute several days; orange, fresh ginger, and almond extract; lemon, essential oils in any combination you like (for example, pine with rosemary, and vanilla; lime, mint leaves or extract and vanilla; cinnamon and orange) to equal about 7 drops of essential oil to 1 pine or cedar twigs, bay leaves, and fresh grated nutmeg. Let your imagination run wild! To get Christmas greenery fragrance ¼ cups of water, mix and spray. For peppermint spray, add wafting through the house, try placing some small pine branches about 20 drops of peppermint essential oil to 8 ounces of water An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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ODOR cont’d. in a spray bottle.

Mulled Wine. Yes, please. What a wonderful holiday custom and there’s no wrong way to do it. Heat your favorite wine in a saucepan with a few cinnamon sticks (or your choice of spices) and serve. Honestly, I’ve never noticed that this perfumes the air to any great extent but who cares? 

If you buy a real tree you might notice that they don’t smell as great as they once did. This is likely because many commercial growers spray the trees with preservatives to keep the needles from falling prematurely. This traps the resins in the needles meaning they can’t release their scent. And if you use an artificial Scented Pine Cones. If you have pine trees, you have tree you don’t have much of a chance of pinecones aplenty right now. You can easily getting any natural pine fragrance. DIY scent them with your own essential oil spray spray to the rescue. Mix 6 drops of pine (recipe above) in any way you like. Wash essential oil with one cup of water and and dry the pinecones; spray them with your spray your tree. You can also put a few essential oil spray; seal them in a plastic bag drops of the essential oil on a cotton pad for 24 hours to develop the scent. Then place and place it at the base of the tree to get them in bowls or baskets around the house the fresh pine scent. or use them in holiday floral arrangements.

And here are some miscellaneous ideas that I find appealing: Make Scented Fire Starters. Now here’s an idea that I really love and being a Infused logs for your fireplace: Put fireplace nut (anytime it’s below 50 degrees one drop of essential oil per log and use is fireplace weather by my standards), I’m just one infused log per fire to add scent to going to make time to try this. The the atmosphere (in other words, don’t firestarters look like little muffins or overdo it!) Suggested fragrances are cupcakes (and how hard can it be to make cedarwood, cypress, and sandalwood, those?) and they require just a couple of although this of course is subject to your things I don’t have on hand, such as soy wax personal preferences. Personally, I think flakes and cotton wick but, again, sandalwood would take me right back to Amazon.com to the rescue: http:// tinyurl.com/jk2uwkx Or you might have my 70’s college days of incense burning… your own favorite source for such supplies.

Here’s a how-to tutorial for making these Pomanders. Take an orange and stick neat little firestarters for yourself or as gifts: whole cloves into it. The scent is wonderful http://helloglow.co/diy-aromatic-wax-firebut in my experience, the orange will tend to get moldy pretty starters/ quickly. I’ve read that you can roll the orange in a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sandalwood oil and after it cures (dries) In wishing you all of the beautiful fragrance of this special the fruit will last for many years. Might be worth a try. On the season, instead of saying ‘Bon Appétit’ I’ll say ‘Bonne Odeur’ other hand, I grow oranges on my patio so it’s not too difficult to which means ‘smelling good’ (I hope) use fresh oranges every year!

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December, 2016

INFO GRAPHICS

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by Staff

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December, 2016

Mexican sunflower - Tithonia diversifolia. Notice not just the gardener enjoys the blooms.

Photos courtesy of L. Vanderpool

GARDENER HOLIDAYS Monthly Observances Buckwheat Month National Tie Month Worldwide Food Service Safety Month Weekly Observances Cookie Cutter Week 1-7 Christmas Bird Count Week 14 - 1/5 Gluten-free Baking Week 18-24

Happy Birthday to: K. Blurton A. Bower P. Garrett K. Kirk-Williams L. Mackey A. Phillips A. Rosati R. Shelgren

Daily Observances Antarctica Day 1st National Mutt Day 2nd Earmuff Day 3rd National Rhubarb Vodka Day 3rd National Cookie Day 4th International Ninja Day 5th World Soil Day 5th Dewey Decimal System Day 10th Gingerbread House Day 12th Cat Herders Day 15th National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day 16th Short Girl Appreciation Day 21st

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2016

WORK DAY Master Gardeners worked on the Native Plant Trail and the Extension Landscape. Cleaning, weeding, planting and prepping--not even a bit of rain could stop them. Good job!

Photos courtesy of J. McCreary and C. Moody

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2016

DUNE LAKES TOUR

Dune Lake tour. Photos courtesy of S. Gerber An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2016

A CREEK RUNS THROUGH IT If you read this column you are aware that Christmas is approaching. Mrs. G. and I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a most joyous and healthy Christmas. Hopefully, you had a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving with your family.

We are in dire need of rainfall. Most areas have had little or no rainfall since September. The forecast is not very promising for much rainfall in the coming weeks. It is amazing that the grass is still living in our landscape on our property. There is no sprinkler system but it continues to survive. Chestnut Creek is still flowing nicely as there are springs up and down the creek. I see animal trails leading down to the creek as this is one of the few sources of water.

by D. Gordon seen in the coming months.

Our sasanquas are beginning to bloom and will continue to do so for several months. These plants brighten your landscape since fall and winter can be dreary times in the garden. Unlike the common camellia, the sasanqua blooms much earlier.

This is the time of year to enjoy hiking and viewing the fall colors in our area. Always let someone know where you are going and take safety precautions.

Merry Christmas!

The pollinator garden is in the final stages of blooming. During this week of Thanksgiving the cold weather has just about finished any unprotected plants. They have been mulched with pine straw and will return next spring. The Climbing Aster, Symphyotrichum carolinianum, is still providing a few blooms for random butterflies and bees. Climbing Aster blooms in the fall and continues into January. It is a plant that I certainly recommend for you garden. This plant draws a lot of insects for its nectar. I keep a small fence around the plant since its limbs can extend to 8 feet or more. When fishing on Black Creek, I always look for the plant growing and blooming on an old log out over water-very beautiful.

The first Goldfinches are beginning to show at the feeders along with Chipping Sparrows. The largest concentration of these birds usually occurs in January. Sparrow Hawks have already made their way south and can be seen on electrical wires looking for small game. Various other species of hawks and birds will be

Ed. Note: This is the final installment of Ye Olde Farm. We can’t thank Mr. Gordon enough for his time and for sharing his wonderful ‘garden’ with us through the year.

THE VOTES ARE IN We asked our members to vote on several very important issues. #1 What is the one present they always wanted but never got. #2 What is the most irritating Christmas song. #3 Real or Artificial--which tree wins. Well the votes are in.

by Staff Nuttin for Christmas Christmas Shoes

The gift you always wanted but didn’t get - No clear cut winner this time. Garden help and greenhouses were tied for first place.

Real vs. Artificial - In a landslide victory it is Real as the winner. Pruning tools, roto-tiller and money were next on our wish list.

27 to 6! Although one vote for artificial was caused by shopping Although, you have to admit that the most unique one is the in an ice storm (therapy may be needed for that one). llama. Not sure how the HOA would feel about that!

Water fountain Most Irritating Christmas Song - Another clear winner (loser)!

Jeep Homicidal Reindeer took an early lead and never looked back.

Family cruise Second place goes to missing incisors while rascally rodents took Pruning tool (2) a close third.

3 carat diamond ring Barking Dog Songs Rototiller (2) Little Drummer Boy (2) Greenhouse (3) Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer (10) Money (2) I’ll be Home for Christmas Beautiful yard art/sculpture All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth (5) Garden help (3) Baby It’s Cold Outside Baby down crib comforter Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas Axe Alvin & The Chipmunks (4) Satsuma I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Water dripper for bird bath Santa Baby An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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VOTE cont’d.

Muck boots Rose pruning gloves Success A trip to NW Botanical Gardens 100 foot no-kink hose with self-winding reel A llama for keeping the grass trimmed!

From all of us to all of you

Merry Christmas!

NEWS YOU CAN USE University of Florida Potato Variety Spotlight: Snowden - This five-page fact sheet describes a new University of Florida potato variety named Snowden. ‘Snowden’ is a potato variety that is commonly grown for the potato chip market. It was named and released in 1990 from the University of Wisconsin’s Lelah Starks Potato Breeding Farm in Rhinelander, WI. Tuber production and quality results provided in this spotlight are summarized from various variety trials conducted by the University of Florida’s Hastings Agricultural and Extension Center from 1998 to 2015. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1286

by Staff health benefits of probiotics that are backed by a high level of scientific evidence. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs286 2016 Florida Blueberry Integrated Pest Management Guide - This 37-page fact sheet provides extensive information about integrated pest management for growing blueberry plants in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs380 The Jokester One nice thing about egotists: They don’t talk about other people.

Agricultural Soils of Florida - This seven-page fact sheet describes the various soil Orders in Florida, how they were developed, their characteristics, coverage in the state, and uses.

This information is important for educating land owners, decision-makers, and educators about soils in Florida, leading to better soil management for agricultural and environmental sustainability. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss655 Bacterial Wilt of Southern Highbush Blueberry Caused

by Ralstonia solanacearum - Bacterial wilt is a newly discovered disease of blueberry in Florida. Plants with bacterial wilt will show signs of water stress such as wilting and marginal leaf burn. The disease was initially confirmed on three farms in Florida. This three-page fact sheet describes the symptoms, occurrence, and management of bacterial wilt in blueberry. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp332 Featured Creatures - Halloween Pennant Dragonfly Celithemis eponina Drury (Odonata: Libellulidae) http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1153 A Guide to Probiotics and Health - Probiotics are beneficial for gastrointestinal wellness, immunity, and a variety of other health outcomes. There are hundreds of probiotic supplements available in the marketplace and choosing a supplement can be challenging. This six-page fact sheet provides a summary of the An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

Bay County Agents standing next to 866 jars of peanut butter.

This year’s Peanut Butter Challenge resulted in 3,236 jars of peanut butter being donated. In addition to these donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association will contribute, supplying more than 3000 jars.

On December 14th, donated peanut butter will be distributed to nearly 20 food pantries in the Florida Panhandle.

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RECIPE ROUND-UP We asked our members for their favorite recipes. The response was wonderful! So, here it is, an extravaganza of goodies.

Pretzel Candy courtesy the same person who wanted the 100 foot no-kink hose 1 bag of small checker-board pretzels 1 bag of Rollo candies 1 bag of pecan halves Place pretzels on a baking sheet. Unwrap Rollos and put one candy on each pretzel. Heat in oven at 350° Chocolate Brittle courtesy L. Penry 35 unsalted soda crackers 1 cup butter 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans 1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking oil spray.

2. Place crackers on foil in 5 x 7 inch rows.

3. Microwave butter on high for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

4. Pour mixture over crackers. Bake 17 - 20 minutes (should bubble but not burn).

5. Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers. Spread after 2 minutes (chips have softened). Sprinkle nuts on top.

6. Refrigerate 1 hour. Break into pieces. Can be frozen.

Clayton Café Cornbread Salad courtesy of A. Ogle Bake your cornbread Layer the following: Crumbled cornbread Can of drained Pinto beans Can of drained whole kernel corn Finely chopped onion, green pepper and chopped tomato Cooked & chopped bacon Cover the above with a lot of ranch dressing Repeat with all of the above ingredients Sprinkle the top with grated cheddar cheese Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili courtesy of L. Fabian This is one of my most popular recipes! The perfect slow cooker dish because you just dump all the ingredients in, turn it on and come back to the best tasting meal! No prep, super easy, freezes well and the kids love it! We love it over rice, or served in a bowl with multi-grain chips, topped with reduced fat cheddar cheese or avocados. This makes a lot and it is even better the next day for lunch! 5 smart points 209 calories Total Time: 6+ hours Ingredients: 1 small onion, chopped 1 (15.5 oz) can black beans, drained 1 (15.5 oz) can kidney beans, drained 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce 10 oz package frozen corn kernels 2 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes w/chilies 4 oz can chopped green chili peppers, chopped 1 packet reduced sodium taco season or homemade (see below) 1 Tbsp. cumin 1 Tbsp. chili powder 24 oz (3) boneless, skinless chicken breasts An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by staff 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro To make your own taco seasoning, omit the packet, cumin and chili powder above and use the below instead: 1 1/2 Tbsp. cumin 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. paprika 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper Directions: Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, diced tomato, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker and mix well.

Nestle the chicken in to completely cover and look on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours.

Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred.

Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in.

Top with fresh cilantro and your favorite toppings!

Snickerdoodles courtesy of D. Sewell We’ve made these for Christmas for as long as I can remember.

1/2 c. Soft shortening (part butter) 3/4 c. Sugar 1 Egg 1 1/3 c. Flour 1 tsp. Cream of tartar 1/2 tsp. Baking soda 1/8 tsp. Salt Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix shortening, sugar and egg. Add remaining ingredients. Roll into 1” balls. Roll in mixture of 1 Tbsp. Sugar and 1 tsp.

Cinnamon. Bake on cookie sheet for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned but still soft.

Spaghetti Carbonara courtesy of D. Sewell My husband’s family recipe from when they lived in Italy.

1/2 lb. bacon, cut into small pieces 1 medium onion, chopped 1 cup dry white wine 1 Tbsp. Butter 1/2 lb. Parmesan cheese, grated 2 eggs, beaten 2 Tbsp. Parsley 1 lb. spaghetti Brown bacon in a large skillet. Add onion and cook until soft. Add wine and butter and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Cook spaghetti according to package and drain. Mix eggs, cheese and parsley into hot, drained spaghetti. Pour bacon mix into spaghetti mixture. Mix well. Serve immediately.

Blueberry Bars courtesy of D. Sewell A family favorite recipe that my grandpa sent to my mom before I was born.

1 c. Brown sugar 1 c. Sugar 1 c. Quick oatmeal 1/2 c. Butter or margarine 1/2 tsp. Salt 2-1/2 c. Blueberries 13

December, 2016

RECIPE ROUND-UP

by staff

1/4 c. Sugar

Beat in 3 eggs ... 1 @ a time

Use a pastry blender to mix brown sugar, 1 c. Sugar, oatmeal, butter and salt. Pat 1/2 mixture into the bottom of a 8" x 8" pan. Combine blueberries and 1/4c. Sugar. Put on top of the mix in the pan. Put rest of mix on top of berries. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Add flour mixture and 1/3 cup buttermilk alternately, beginning & ending with flour.

Potting Mix courtesy of L. Vanderpool My personal recipe for a good potting mix for planting in pots in this area.

5 parts good quality tree or shrub potting soil 1 part perlite 2 parts pine bark mulch “Fines�

Fertilizer, if desired, but only for up-potting plants to larger containers and not disturbing root ball.

Bake in 9" x 9" square pan @ 325 degrees for 1 hour or 'til done.

This mix holds enough moisture to maintain plants but is not easily waterlogged.

Add 1 1/2 cups jam (orange marmalade or blackberry are good) 1/3 cup chopped nuts ( I use more)

Ice with caramel icing.

Honey Balsamic Vinegar Salad Dressing courtesy of P. Garrett 1/3 c. olive oil 1/4 c. balsamic vinegar 3 Tbsp. honey Salt and pepper to taste Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl and serve over your favorite salad greens.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa courtesy of D. Edmiston 1 tsp honey or maple syrup 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice 3/4 c warm milk 1/2 tsp unsweetened dark cocoa or cacao (Try Hershey's Special Dark cacao) Whipped Cream

Honey Glazed Snack Mix courtesy of P. Garrett 6 cups Crispix cereal 5 cups miniature pretzels 1/2 cup butter, cubed 1/2 cup honey 1 1/2 cups pecan halves.

1. Mix together honey, spice, and cacao/cocoa 2. Add hot milk 3. Top with whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.

If you want a Mocha variation add 1 shot of espresso with the hot milk. For a Latte-Add the espresso and skip the cocoa.

In a large bowl, combine the Crispix, pretzels & pecans. In a small sauce pan, combine butter & honey. Cook and stir until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over cereal mixture and mix well. Transfer to two greased 15x10x1 inch baking pans. bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes stirring every 5 minutes. Cool on Wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Yield 10 cups

Pumpkin Mousse courtesy of L. Vanderpool 1 - 15 oz can pumpkin 1/4 c 1% milk 1 tsp cinnamon 1 package vanilla instant vanilla pudding 2 c frozen whipped topping (thawed) Combine with mixer on medium speed, pumpkin, milk, cinnamon and pudding until well mixed.

By hand, fold in 2 cups topping. Chill.

I used non-fat milk and light whipped topping. Worked fine.

Expended time: less than 10 minutes.

Jam Cake courtesy of M. Evors This is an old family recipe, from my mother's only sister (Aunt Clarice) who will be 95 years old on February 22, 2017.

Sift and measure: 1 1/2 cups plain flour Re-sift adding: 1/2 tsp. Soda pinch of salt 1/2 tsp. Allspice 1/2 tsp. Nutmeg 1 tsp. Cinnamon . Then set aside.

Honey Pumpkin Bread courtesy of P. Garrett 2 cups flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 4 tsp. pumpkin spice 1/2 cup butter 1 cup canned pumpkin 2 eggs 2 tsp. lemon juice 1 cup honey 1 tsp. vanilla Sift flour, baking soda, salt & pumpkin spice together. Set aside.

Mix butter, pumpkin, eggs, lemon juice, honey & vanilla together. Add dry ingredients to liquid and mix well. Pour batter into a greased 9X5 inch bread pan. Bake @ 350 degrees F for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Makes 1 loaf

Beat 'til creamy 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup brown sugar (I use dark) An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2016

POLLINATOR PERUSINGS

by P. Garrett

Even with the cooler temperatures upon us, many delights are still to be seen in the bee garden. Daily, armed with my 25X Macro lens that attaches to my Iphone, I go in search of willing subjects! Just this week, I have seen Gulf Fritillaries laying eggs on my Passiflora incarnata and I have seen our beautiful state butterfly, the Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius), fluttering around Lantana and Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta). The Zebra Longwing, a most gorgeous flutter baby, was designated our state butterfly in 1996. When undergoing training at the Panhandle Butterfly House in Navarre as a docent a few years back, I was taught one rarely saw the Zebra Longwing west of Tallahassee. You can imagine my excitement a few weeks ago when I saw one exploring my yard for the first time ever! Since then, I have had 3 more sightings. The Zebra Longwing does live a bit longer than other butterflies (up to 6 months) as it incorporates protein into its diet. Butterflies which only consume nectar live but a few weeks. Another flutter baby I have seen many of, is the Long-tailed skipper (Urbanus proteus). When its wings are upright and folded, the skipper appears a drab brown with a few markings. Dorsal views with horizontal wings reveal a gorgeous blue thorax and head. They LOVE the Golden Dewdrop and Lantana as well. It is so important to plant a variety of flowers that bloom throughout different seasons to provide needed pollen and nectar for our bees and other pollinators.

Ed. Note: Macro photograph allows for extreme close-ups. Can you guess what these two photos are? Answer will be posted next month.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

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December, 2016

LAST WORD cont’d. mistakenly hit the emergency heat setting as opposed to automatic.

After several days of Happy Hubby critiquing the environmental status of the house and then losing, yes losing, the 64 pages of diabolical instructions….it’s set.

We downloaded a new set of instructions and of course that’s when we found the original...figures. At least it’s set. Unless there is moss growing on the walls or the cats are sending arcs of electricity through the air--it’s remaining set in it’s current status until the end of time.

So, anyone out there complaining about the instructions for putting Christmas toys/presents together--you can just hush.

From all of us here at the Old Homestead: Happy Hubby, Grouchy Gizmo, Wacky Walter and me...may your holidays be peaceful, happy, and without 64 page instruction manuals.

Plentiful Plantings

The main reason it’s so hard to get work done.

“While visions of catnip danced in his head.”

LOOKING AHEAD

We’re hoping to be revitalizing The Compost Pile in 2017. We’ll still have some of the same monthly offerings but with several new additions. The editing staff is still looking for some dedicated folks who would like to provide information on: trees, herbs, vegetables, general gardening information and anything else that you are interested in! You never know when you’ll come across something that no one else knew about! We are also looking at someone to cover invasive species. This would include plants and animals/insects. It doesn’t have to be a long article-you can even just submit ideas! This publication is only as good as what we put into it. So why not make it one of your New Year’s resolutions to contribute to The Compost Pile at least once.

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

In 2017 you can look forward to a more interactive events calendar as well as better coverage of Master Gardener activities.

Here’s to the New Year bringing lots of gardening information and plenty of contributors!

Don’t forget, pictures are always welcome. Jpeg is preferred and always let us know who took the picture as well as what’s in it!

Submissions are due by the 24th of each month unless otherwise noted.

Thank you for all your support in 2016! Editor Above photo: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA

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December, 2016

M. Stewart —Editor S. Farrell , K. Harper, V. Graham and S. Berry—coeditors

Have pictures or an idea for an article?

Send it in!

Articles and pictures are always welcome.

Mission To assist Extension Agents in providing research-based horticultural education to Florida residents.

Vision To be the most trusted resource for horticultural education in Florida.

LAST WORD Happy Hubby and I finally admitted that the air conditioning unit had to get replaced at the Old Homestead. Not the sexiest of Christmas presents but it beats paying the repair man every few months.

So began the journey of finding a replacement that didn’t cost more than the GNP. I am convinced that somewhere there are a group of engineers laughing as they consider all the additional gizmos to add and picturing the consumers trying to figure it out. Thankfully, I used to work for a company that installed whole house units so I knew most of the technology at the basic level.

After several nice visits with various company representatives, we made our choice. With shaking hands we signed along the dotted line. Agreeing to pay our fees and not to flee the country before payment was made in full.

Did you know that it is now a requirement that you have a ‘hurricane rated’ pad? Now I ask you--during any hurricane that you may have encountered--were you afraid of airborne condensing units? I didn’t think so.

Even more puzzling is that this ‘rated’ pad weighs less than our old pad BUT the condenser is strapped to it. Okay, it’s a pretty pink color but other than that--if my condensing unit goes airborne during a storm I think that will be the least of my worries.

Also required now is that a lock be placed on the Freon. What? I know that the stuff is more expensive than gold anymore but a lock? It was explained to me that there are reports of people ‘huffing’ Freon.

Time for a bit of chemistry. Under the correct pressure, the Freon in most systems will come out at -35° F. Yes folks, -35. If you are now picturing someone with their lips frozen to the pipe where the Freon comes out...welcome to my world.

I am more inclined to think that someone was related to someone and, like the guy who came up with the neat little diagram to tell you how to install batteries, is making a bucket load of moolah. Why can’t we come up with these things??????

Oh well, you have to follow code so there you have it. Happy Hubby also pointed out that the bathroom exhaust fan has been making noise lately so we might as well get that replaced at the same time. How hard could it be right? Riiiigggghhhhttttt. We are talking about our house so you know what’s coming.

Install day arrived bright and early. By 6 pm I was convinced that we would have to adopt the installers. A larger hole had to be made for the intake. That would have been easy except there was a 2x4 in the way. Now it means cutting baseboard. The measurements of the closet initially were just a tad off so basically I have five pounds of potatoes stuffed into a two pound sack. It’s all in the

An Okaloosa County Master Gardener Publication

by M. Stewart closet--barely.

The exhaust fan had to be done on a second trip since (a) they ran out of time and (b) the new fan is significantly larger than the original. Yup, that meant cutting a bigger hole in the ceiling and crawling into my ‘attic’. At least it was in August right?

The exhaust fan is so quiet I climbed up on the commode to see if it was really working.

Thoroughly convinced that I got a lemon, I took a nice, hot shower and discovered exposed areas not being covered in water were freezing! So the fan is working, but you can’t hear it. Which I guess is a good thing.

The new AC/heat pump is working. That too is very quiet. It also has this nifty filter that is supposed to take care of dust/pollen/germs etc. Yay for less dusting!!!!! I have noticed that items don’t get covered in dust 5 minutes after I’ve dusted them so I don’t mind that we sprung for that option.

My problem is the thermostat. I grew up with the good old turn the knob kind. Thump the wall above it because after years of service it would require a jolt to work right once in a while. These new things…..Lordy.

You had choices of WiFi enabled and all sorts of other bells and whistles. No to the WiFi--I have a stupid phone remember? That narrowed down the choices (and lowered the cost). So we have a new thermostat. All digital, programmable too……...and it hates me.

I see it there on the wall, smug--lovely back-light glowing….waiting….plotting. You see, when everything was done, the installer hands me a book and says, “Here’s your instructions.” Now I figured (silly me) that an instruction manual with 64 pages would be for the entire system….but no…..it’s JUST FOR THE THERMOSTAT! 64 pages to explain when it will humidify or dehumidify. When it will operate in lower cycles. Pages to set the calendar and clock.

Chapters on programming awake, sleep, daytime heating/cooling. Vacation mode.

I knew I was in trouble when taking it out of program mode was located on page 36. I also knew we were in trouble when you are trying to set the darned thing and unlike your friendly computer it doesn’t ask you, “Do you really want to do this?” No, it laughs as you stumble around.

A page on how to change the backlight...alerts, alarms……...this is how the machine take-over begins. Humans will be unable to fight back as they are reduced to quivering, shivering beings curled up beneath these malevolent glowing masters of pre-determined factory settings.

Buttons that aren’t really buttons but rather slight bumps on the surface to tell you where to push within 5 seconds or your changes will be lost. Ominous beeping when you’ve Continued on page 16 December, 2016