Decorating Naturally for the Autumn Season

The changing of the leaves on the trees is a clear indication that autumn is here.  This is my favorite season of the year, and I try to decorate my home by using items that can be recycled, reused, or repurposed.  Here are some ideas to make the inside and outside of your house look festive for the season.

1.  Decorate Using Seasonal Produce
         
          Different colored pumpkins and gourds,
          bales of hay, and cornstalks give your front
          porch a welcoming feeling.   Use apples,
          pomegranates, and pears among
          other seasonal produce to make a beautiful
          centerpiece.  After the season is over,
          everything can go right into your compost
          pile, if they are too ripe for eating. Also, be 
         sure to harvest the pumpkin seeds to bake in
          the oven for a quick snack!


2.  Plant Chrysanthemums

          These cool loving perennials give a burst of  bold color to your landscape.  You will find them   
          in an array of different colors such as red, yellow, purple, and orange.  Plant them before the
          first frost, and you can enjoy them year after year. 

3.  Go on a Pine cone and Leaf Hunt 

          Take a leisurely walk in the woods with your children to hunt for pine cones and
          leaves.  Bring a little of the outdoors in by arranging pine cones in a bowl  or preserve the 
          beautiful, rich colors of the leaves by soaking them in 1 part vegetable glycerin to 2 parts
          water.  After they are supple and the mixture is wiped off, scatter them down a dining room
          table to create a natural table runner.
  
4.  Plant Ornamental Kale in Containers 

          This vegetable is a great ornamental annual that is super healthy, as well. You can harvest the 
          outer leaves and add them into a soup;  sprinkle olive oil and salt over the leaves and
          bake them into a delicious and nutritious snack.

5.  Make a Scarecrow

          What a great way for the kids to get involved in making the outside of the house festive!  Stuff
          old clothes with hay or recycled newspapers to create a friendly greeter to your home. Use a
          pumpkin or a burlap bag as the head.  Let your children use non-toxic paint to make a friendly   
          face. After the season, take the old clothes to a local recycling center that accepts textiles.

6.  Use Soy or Beeswax Candles

          Petroleum based candles can emit harmful fumes into your home.  Surround the eco-friendly
          candles with different nuts inside a glass container to add warmth to your dining table.

You can create a home that is filled inside and outside with items that are not only beautiful and reusable, but also respectful to our planet.