decorative gourd season, et cetera.

Just my annual reminder that seasonal decorations need not break the bank, your back, or the precious planet we live on. This year, as in other years, we opted for the edible and the compostable, mixed in with a bit of what we already had on hand. 

Tis the season for enormous bunches of eucalyptus to appear at the farmers’ markets. Bring a bundle home (maybe split it with your sister) and you might not even need to splurge on a seasonally scented candle (or, maybe not). 

I decided to make a simple eucalyptus wreath to hang bedside, but it’d be just as welcome on a wall or hanging on the front door.
I’ve let too many spools of green florist wire go rusty before using it, so instead of buying new, I used a spool of homespun thread to tie fresh sprigs of eucalyptus to a length of annealed wire.
I left the strings to hang, because I liked them that way, but if you prefer a crisper finish, they’d all but disappear with a little snip. (Details for the tissue-box curious.)

On my dresser-cum-mantelpiece, my favorite variety of pumpkin in a nest of eucalyptus. We’ll stuff and roast this pumpkin around Halloween, so every bit will get eaten, but in the meantime we’ll have plenty of time just to admire her pale pumpkin glory. (If a cheese-filled pumpkin isn’t appealing (!?), may I suggest pie?)

On the table, my very favorite fall squashes—honeynuts—three in huddle like so many witches conferring. We’ll eat these eventually, too, or use them to light our way, lantern-style.

What about you guys? What’s making your world feel festive lately?

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