Abundant Blessings

Design

Abundant Blessings

Happy Holidays from our family to yours

Column by Scott Morse, Accessory Buyer for Garrisons Home Furnishings

During autumn, I spend a great deal of time at Lithia Park in Ashland with my family. Our spirits soar there and we realize that no matter what is happening at the time that adds stress to our lives, we walk mesmerized through the park at the beauty of the changing trees, the falling leaves and the smells of the season. The stress seems to go away and we have appreciation for this gorgeous Rogue Valley that we live in.

Preparations for the up coming seasons are currently under way. My family has been preparing our favorites right along with the rest of them, canning everything from corn cut from the cob, fresh tomatoes, jellies and jams to water melon rind pickles, bread and butter pickles, blackberry and strawberry jam. What a special time we all have when we’re together, canning, playing music, singing and dancing. We give thanks every day for our blessings of family and friends. Many families follow traditions that have been passed down to them from generation to generation. Tradition is something special that you share with your family every year, year after year.

I’d like to share a couple of very special traditions that my family has enjoyed and passed down for generations. We have several decorated trees in our home for the holiday, usually a mix of artificial and fresh trees. The kick off to the season is our autumn tree that is placed in the dining room. We use an artificial tree for this room, being so early in the season. The tree was purchased with permanent white twinkle lights. We add strands of amber lights, garlands of autumn colored beads, pumpkins and gourds of various sizes, beaded ornaments, garlands of raffia and whatever dried fall florals that can be found. The sky’s the limit with decorations. Whatever you choose to place on your tree, there must be a balance to the ornaments, placing them evenly around the tree. Yardage of autumn colored fabric is used for the tree skirt and is placed loosely around the tree base. One year, I used delicate tree branches and stuck them all through the tree so the points stick out beyond the tree branches. The beauty of putting up an autumn tree is that when the Christmas season is upon us, red decorations can be added to transform the tree. Adding red to the autumn colors is the perfect compliment.

Our favorite and most touching tradition that has been passed down is our Thanksgiving Table Scape. It is important in our home that everyone be seated together. To accomplish this, we have three seating areas in the same space. The tables are set formal style using china, crystal stemware and silver. The serving dishes are the most special. We use pieces collected from special people in our lives that have moved away or passed on. This tradition allows these special people to be here with us year after year and never forgotten. Centerpieces can be fun also. A carved pumpkin perhaps, with a beautiful floral arrangement in it, and the lid wired to the side. Decorative corn, corn stalks, or gourds are also fun in your table scape. The possibilities are endless.

I encourage all of you to start a new family tradition of your own, or to continue a special, passed down family tradition.

From our family to yours,

Happy Holidays