Are you tired of purchasing a cut Christmas tree every year--just to throw it away after the holidays are over? Consider buying a living Christmas tree instead. Living Christmas trees are becoming more popular every year because of their many advantages over cut Christmas trees, which include a lower fire hazard, repeat use, and an increase in value once planted in the landscape, where they can become a yearly source of cut greens for each holiday season.

After the holidays, you can leave your tree outdoors in its original container for year-round beauty and bring it back in again for a second Christmas. However, because most living trees used for Christmas trees are fast growing, they should not remain in a container for more than two years. There are a few other things to consider when planning to use a living Christmas tree indoors.

Living trees can stay in the house for only a brief period, no more than 7 to 10 days. Prolonged exposure to warm household temperatures would force new growth to develop on the tree and this growth would be apt to suffer damage when the tree is transplanted outdoors after Christmas. Longer periods in a home can lead to death of the tree.

Be sure to water the tree regularly while it is being used in the home. Line the tub or container in which you place a living tree with plastic or place a larger saucer underneath the container to keep excess water from dripping through onto your floor or carpeting. One good way to water is to dump two trays of ice cubes on the soil--this waters the tree slowly and evenly. It also helps keep the roots cooler.

Use only the newer low watt lights on your tree to avoid burning or discoloring the needles, and do not spray your tree with colored Christmas paint or snow, even if the product says it is washable.

After Christmas, if the weather should happen to be very cold, place the living tree in the basement or garage where it is cool, but not below freezing, for a few days only: Then, when the weather improves, take the tree out of the container and plant it.

Make sure that the tree will fit into your landscape. Most trees used as Christmas trees will eventually reach heights of 40 to 60 feet. The tree will be inside for a very short time compared to the time that you will have it in your landscape.

We stock living Christmas trees that grow well in our local area. With care and planning, your Christmas tree will serve as a living memory for many years.

A basket of blooming narcissus is the perfect gift for anyone — teachers, coworkers, friends or family.

To make your own narcissus basket you will need premium bulbs of paper-whites, Chinese sacred lilies, Grand Soleil d'Or, Cragford, or germanium narcissus.

• Choose a suitable flat basket (about 6-9 inches in diameter and 3-4 inches high).
• Line the basket with a circle of heavy-gauge (4 millimeter) plastic sheeting and cut to fit. (You may also line the basket with any shallow container with no drainage holes.)
• Fill the plastic (or container) halfway to the top with pebbles or gravel.
• Add 6-8 bulbs, with the pointed side up and with their sides touching.
• Fill in with more pebbles to hold them upright.
• Cover the pebbles with sphagnum moss (optional).
• Add water to the base of the bulbs.
• Continue to water as necessary to keep the water at that level.
• Cover the basket with an upside-down cardboard box.
• Place in a cool spot for one and a half weeks or until sprouts are 3-4 inches tall.
• Uncover the basket and place it in a sunny window until the flowers open.
• Turn it daily for even growth.

Enjoy the narcissus basket in the house during winter or give it as a gift!

Allow six weeks for fully open flowers. Discard the bulbs after flowers fade. Bulbs forced in water cannot be reused.

Tip: For a succession of flowers, plant up more baskets monthly.

What You'll Need:

FILLING:
• 1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 Tablespoon finely grated orange peel

BREAD:
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup pumpkin puree, canned or homemade
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped

Step by Step:

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1Tbsp. flour, 1 egg, and the orange peel; beat until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
• Into another bowl, sift 1 2/3 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; set aside.
• Combine pumpkin puree, syrup, vegetable oil, 2 eggs and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a large mixing bowl; beat well.
• Stir the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture until combined--do NOT overbeat.
• Fold in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries.
• Lightly grease two loaf pans 8x4x3.
• Evenly pour half of the batter into the two loaf pans.
• Spoon cream cheese mixture onto bread batter layer. Cover with the rest of the batter.
• Bake in preheated 325° oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
• Cool bread in pans for 5-10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on baker's rack.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar to serve. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.

Yield: 2 loaves