decorative gourd season, et cetera.

October 16, 2018

zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leavesJust 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. zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leaves

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). zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leaves

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.
zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leaves 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.zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leaves
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.)zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leaves

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?)zero-waste decorations for fall | reading my tea leaves

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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19 Comments

  • Reply Tony W October 16, 2018 at 3:16 pm

    I love the subtle decorations that celebrate the season. I know Koala Bears love eucalyptus but I am hoping the Pumpkin is the editable decoration. LOL

    • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 16, 2018 at 3:19 pm

      What, no resident koala bears in your house?

      • Reply Jo in London October 16, 2018 at 5:05 pm

        Sorry to be a pedantic Australian! Koalas are mistakenly called bears, they’re actually marsupials.

        • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 16, 2018 at 6:19 pm

          Haha.

  • Reply Tania October 16, 2018 at 7:16 pm

    Um, a cheese-and-chardonay stuffed pumpkin?? Yes, please!!!

    I love natural seasonal and handmade decorations around the house, but I also have some typical Halloween decorations, mostly inherited from our neighbors. My kids love walking around the neighborhood and looking at all the Halloween paraphernalia and are thankfully quite happy with my minimal (by some standards) approach.

  • Reply Steph October 16, 2018 at 8:09 pm

    eucalyptus leaves (and that wreath) are so pretty! I just took the time to write my fall list – things to make/accomplish + places to go. Hope you can check it out 🙂

  • Reply Meg October 16, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    What kinds of meals do you make with the squash?

    • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 16, 2018 at 9:50 pm

      All kinds of stuff! We put squash in soups and chili, we stuff it with other veggies, we roast it with other veggies and eat it in grain bowls, we roast it and put it in tacos!

      1
  • Reply S October 17, 2018 at 6:46 am

    Lovely!

    Aside: Has your font gotten smaller this week? I’ve had to zoom in to read the past couple of posts, but maybe it’s just my browser causing trouble!

    1
    • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 17, 2018 at 8:47 am

      Thanks! Font’s the same size! Could be your browser’s not at 100%!

    • Reply Ashley P October 17, 2018 at 10:34 am

      Weird, I had this issue too and browser is at 100%! The mysteries of the internet!

      1
      • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 17, 2018 at 10:35 am

        Very strange. Will check in with programmers!

        1
        • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 17, 2018 at 11:23 am

          All fixed! Glitch happening for folks who weren’t logged in to comment!

          1
          • S October 17, 2018 at 1:10 pm

            Thanks so much!

  • Reply Trish O October 17, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    A) Oh how I wish the farmer’s market in our city did not close-up shop at the end of September. I live in Peoria, IL, so it is not like we don’t have produce etc still.
    B) I also use squash to decorate. For others who have a similar farmer’s market issue as I, and already ate what the have gotten, I have found some great deals on organic squash at Aldi. Just saying.
    C) your home looks lovely

    • Reply ERIN BOYLE October 17, 2018 at 1:43 pm

      thank you!!!

      1
  • Reply Lynn October 18, 2018 at 9:15 am

    For the past 4 years, my Halloween decor has consisted of a skeleton my oldest daughter made in kindergarten. It hangs on our front door. I have no idea how I managed to keep it intact this long (it’s made of construction paper), but it makes me happy every time I see it! I think I’ll add eucalyptus inside somehow, which I never thought of before. I love the smell!

  • Reply Diana October 20, 2018 at 8:58 am

    I have the same approach to decorating for the season, I always want to highlight the natural beauty, textures & scents of autumn. And I do the same, I always have fresh eucalyptus around the house, so when winter rolls around they dry & have a loveliest subtle woodsy scent. Love reading everything you share, have a great weekend!!

    1
  • Reply Haley October 22, 2018 at 12:33 pm

    I love the simplicity of the decor on top of the headboard it looks really good.

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