Thursday, September 17, 2015

Ornamentation by Nature. . . . . . . . . . .



I recall when most ornamental squash were very small, knobbly and gnarly. 
I'd pick up a couple of plastic net bagfuls at the grocery store, that many were needed to fill my French dough bowl for a worthwhile Autumn display of color on the dining room table. Just three or four of these larger squash will fill a bowl or basket and make quite a statement, and I'm loving the taller ones this year which I'm tucking into the IKEA glass vases on the mantel. The smaller ones are still out there I'm sure, and they are pretty, as are all Nature's offerings, however my lovely farm friend Freda grows these larger ornamental squash, along with her magnificent pumpkins. These squash are edible also.

Sometimes we classify all these as 'gourds' but those are really the big plain green ones, such as bottle gourds, often crafted into bird houses, and not considered edible due to their bitterness.  Speaking of eating - Freda also has really nice spaghetti squash this year and I'll prepare one for supper this weekend. I'll also be making a pumpkin soup and, with this gorgeous weather, we'll be dining in the gazebo.

Aren't the colors beautiful?
These lovelies, fresh picked, should last for a while at cooler room temperatures
 (they should not be stored in the refrigerator if you plan to cook them). . . . . . perhaps
until it's time to think about Christmas decor!



8 comments:

  1. Nature offers us such amazing things. Your fall gourds are a perfect example of some simple things we can add to our homes for a touch of fall. Beautiful, Mary!

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  2. I love gourds and buy some every year to use in fall decor, but I never know what to do with them after that. All of your natural elements are so pretty. Really enjoyed my visit.

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  3. I love how you decorate, Mary. The painting in the first photo looks very interesting. I love all the colours and textures. Deb

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  4. Your photos put me in the mood for autumn. We do have a lovely collection of little squash and pumpkins from the garden this year. Gradually they are coming into the house.

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  5. Dear Mary, I love them all but the tall squash in the glass photograph is my favorite.

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  6. Beautiful squash Mary. I love using real squash, pumpkins and apples in fall décor, Knowing that they are edible is a bonus. When you cook one, you can always replace it with another! I don't decorate for Halloween, just fall. I leave my fall décor up until the day after Thanksgiving. Then out comes Christmas!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  7. Those squash look great ... lovely photos thank you for sharing.

    All the best Jan

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  8. Mary, these squash are so pretty, what a variety!
    Amalia
    xo

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