I’ve been collecting leaves, cones and seed pods. Every fall I’m struck once again by their abundance. Not only on hiking trails, but on city streets. Outside the library. At the playground. In parking lots. I pick them up and put them in my pockets. The squirrels and I are giddy. Like everyone else, I’m watching my pennies these days; how rewarding to find so many treasures scattered on the ground, free for the taking.
In Carmel a few weeks back I picked up eucalyptus leaves and pods. I was so glad I had them when I happened, for the first time, to Prickly Pear Bloom and read her post on missing the California of her childhood. I couldn’t bring her back, but I could send some fragrant bits of California to Wisconsin. Check out her beautiful photo of the bits in their new home. Even the squirrels can’t transport them that far.
Mr. T and I did a little classifying of our collection. It took some research because there are all sorts of mislabeled photos on the internet.
It occurred to me that our collection might look lovely strewn across our Thanksgiving table. Lulu helped me with the artful arrangement. She’s quite adept at artful arrangement.
After reading about Three Girl Pileup’s Thankful Tree, I got the notion to cut little fortune-cookie fortune slips of paper for us and our guests to write down what we’re grateful for. To tuck among the leaves, pods and cones.
I’ve grown so fond of my collection–the pods and cones especially–that now I’m thinking I’ll save them after Thanksgiving, and give them a glossing of fine glitter and glue. For the Christmas tree.
But stop me from getting ahead of myself–for today it’s still fall and Thanksgiving. I hope you have a day abundant with food, family, and friends. And gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving friend. I’m cooking a Thanksgiving dinner today. It’s been a long time. I feel grateful and blessed. I look around my home and feel love. Wow, something I never want to take for granted. I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful for the way love comes back around and reminds you that it really never left, it just changed shape… or as Cassia says, “It just flipped pieces.” The puzzle fits a different way now but it fits. Thank you for your blog. I look forward to hearing how lovely you find the world and how everyday holds something special. Love you.
Wow, Patricia, that is amazing. One thing about our warm fall weather is that the colored leaves quickly go brown, so there isn’t much color on the ground around here, only a little still on the trees.
And I didn’t realize until now that the comment from dish65 was you!
What a lovely centerpiece–I can see why you don’t want to give it up. Those leaves and seed pods have such great color and textures.
wow, you do have quite an impressive collection! That’s very cool, and I love your thought of using them as a centerpiece for your table. Wonderful! And thank you again for sending those bits my way. I’m hoping to send you some bits of Wisconsin to add to your collection. 🙂